Planting green in Waseca
Extension hosted Planting Green field days across the state, and Waseca — with its Southern Research and Outreach Center — was a natural choice of location.
This series of field events focused on planter setup, a planting demo and techniques for planting into standing rye or interseeding a cover crop into a cash crop. Participants went from a classroom-style presentation out into the field to examine planter settings, check seed depth and learn tips for planting soybeans as a cover crop. Local farmers also shared their reasons for planting green, crop varieties and tips for success.
Participants followed behind the farm machinery during a demonstration to witness results. Andy Linder, farmer and owner of Agro Solutions, took time after the event to talk with Anna Cates, an Extension soil scientist, and Cammi Nordmeyer, with the Waseca Soil and Water Conservation District.
Highlights
- Master Gardener volunteer Jody Buell’s backyard gardens were a featured stop on the 2025 Waseca Garden Tour, where she shared tips with hundreds of enthusiastic visitors.
- U of M Farm Family of the Year: Schlaak Brothers is a corn, soybean and custom field work operation led by Tony and Colton Schlaak. Tony’s wife, Cassie, works full-time at Mayo Clinic and assists on the farm.
- The Southern Research and Outreach Center was the site of timely research on black rot in broccoli, which has been costly for vegetable growers and frustrating for home gardeners. An Extension educator, a researcher and an industry partner collaborated with growers to develop recommendations for less susceptible varieties.
- Extension’s winter Research Updates for Ag Professionals in Waseca include talks from Extension specialists and other researchers.
- Waseca County hosted 4-H Crop Scouting Field Days, a hands-on adventure in plant science for youth in grades 3 and older.
- 4-H in Waseca County is preparing youth for 4-H officer roles in a virtual space in collaboration with other southern counties. Hands-on activities will help youth train and practice the various leadership roles.
- The Climate Adaptation Partnership is helping characterize future flood and drought extremes in the Le Sueur watershed, equipping natural resource managers, farmers and communities with education and resources to inform resilience strategies.
Waseca County office
Extension has 14 regional offices supporting all 87 counties in Minnesota.
Waseca County partners with Extension to deliver practical education and research you can use at home, at work and in your community. More about Extension in our county.
About the Minnesota 87 project
Spend time in any Minnesota county, and you will almost certainly encounter University of Minnesota Extension. Our faculty and staff, volunteers, participants, alumni and partners are woven into the fabric of rural, urban and suburban Minnesota life. This project showcases Extension in action through photos, stories and a sampling of the many ways Extension has touched the lives of people in every county.