Extension News and Highlights

Growing fruits and vegetables is how many new and younger farmers get started farming. But gaining the knowledge can be tough for growers of a crop like pumpkins, for which there have never been research trials in Minnesota. Until now.

Ojibwe prophecy foretells a crossroads. At this point, humans can choose to turn away from a path of environmental degradation and toward one of stewardship of the earth and each other. If we choose the path of stewardship, the earth heals and all groups of people prosper together. A group of Northeast Minnesotans hopes a Great Lakes Cultural Interpretive Center would help us choose the latter.

For the past several years, Central RSDP has undertaken an intentional effort to grow the diversity and inclusivity of the board and community partners engaged in the work. These efforts have resulted in projects with Somali, Latino and tribal communities, including projects undertaken in a bilingual context. It’s work that continues to hold lessons for a board and staff eager to embrace them.

Longtime Extension supporter Mary Bartz receives this year's recognition as Distinguished Friend of Extension.

Kyree Wilson is one of several north Minneapolis youth guided in agriculture and STEM by Amie Mondl, University of Minnesota Extension educator for 4-H Youth Development in Hennepin County. Mondl’s office is located at the Robert J. Jones University Research and Outreach-Engagement Center in north Minneapolis, allowing her to collaborate with local community members and Extension urban agriculture experts.

Every September, 4-H'ers from all over Minnesota and their dogs compete in agility, obedience, showmanship and rally. Emily Todd and her dog, Benner, are members of the Hennepin Heelers 4-H Club who participated in the Minnesota 4-H State Dog Show for the first time and received Reserve Champion (2nd place) in the rally event. Amy Collura, 4-H youth development educator, interviewed Emily about the experience.

You can buy your 2019 pumpkins or winter squashfrom a local farmer at a roadside pumpkin stand, or find a local pumpkin patch and enjoy hot cider and other fall attractions while you pick out your perfect jack-o-lantern canvas. If you grew pumpkins or winter squash yourself, read on for tips on choosing, harvesting, and storing pumpkins until Thanksgiving or longer.

Extension faculty discuss questions such as: What is the consensus definition of soil health? What should growers look for in soil health tests, and how should they go about testing their fields? What research is available in Minnesota tying soil health tests to crop performance and yield?

Tracey Srock, an Extension Master Gardener volunteer in Crow Wing County, writes about a youth gardening class in which each student plans, plants and maintain their own garden. A similar experience is offered to veterans and other adults.

University of Minnesota Extension is bringing awareness to black swallow-wort, Cynanchum louiseae, an invasive plant originally brought to the U.S. from Europe as an ornamental vine. The plant presents a problem for monarch butterflies, which already face challenges to their survival, and it threatens natural areas.