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U of M Extension Crow Wing County
1Making a difference by connecting community needs with university resources to address critical issues in the county, and beyond.
COVID-19 UMN Extension Resources
Extension Programs
The following programs are offered through the Crow Wing County Extension office:
Events
U Got This - Text messages for parents and caregivers Parenting can be stressful during the best of times. Throw in a pandemic, uncertainty in school and work schedules, financial worries and civil unrest, parenting can be overwhelming. We know that you’ve got this, and we want to support you during this time. University of Minnesota Extension, Center for Family Development is offering a free text messaging program that supports parents and caregivers of children birth to 18 years of age, called U Got This. We invite parents and caregivers to sign up to receive two text messages a week throughout the school year on topics of health and nutrition, developmental affirmations, parenting and school engagement, mental health and well-being and financial capability. To sign up to receive U Got This text messages, go to https://z.umn.edu/ugotthis. This program is free, but be aware some fees may apply depending on your cellphone service provider.
2021 Fruit and Vegetable Convention:
Registration Still Available!
ST. PAUL, MN – The largest convention in Minnesota to offer educational opportunities for fruit and vegetable farmers, the 2021 Minnesota Fruit & Vegetable Convention, is being held virtually on Thursday and Friday, January 14-15. Registration is still available – register today (mfvga.org/Registration.php).
The Minnesota Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (MFVGA) and Minnesota Apple Growers Association (MAGA) have put together over 35 live educational workshops sure to pique your interest, as well as a virtual trade show featuring 20 vendors. The event features an impressive lineup of industry, university, agency, and farmer speakers. Highlights include:
Beginning Grower Sessions
Crop Insurance … What’s Available & What’s Missing
Apple Session – Growing Apples in NY, UM Cider Trials, What’s New from the U
Berry Session – Managing Cover Crops to Improve Soil Health, Fine Tuning Strawberry Nutrition, Improving & Maintaining Soil Health for Berries
Apple Session – Predictive Sizing Model, Pollen Tube Growth Model
Foliar Feeding & Fertigation Advance
Wholesale Marketing
Cucurbits & More
Diseases & Insects in Apples
Vegetable Session – Identifying & Managing Invasive Diseases of Tomatoes & Cucurbits, New Varieties of Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage & Brussel Sprouts, Viability of Low Tunnel Vegetable Production
Soil Health & Weed Control
Berry Session – Foliar Nutrient Sprays in Blueberries & Strawberries, Tabletop Strawberry Growing System, SWD Management
Regulatory & Agency Updates
The keynote address features Eric Barrett and Rob Leeds of The Ohio State University discussing Your Future in Retail Agriculture – A Look at Marketing Trends, Agritourism & More.
To register, see the full program, and more, visit mfvga.org/MFVConvention.php. Registration includes educational programming (live and on-demand sessions), the opportunity to visit with speakers and colleagues, the ability to win great prizes, and more!
If you’re a Minnesota fruit & vegetable grower you won’t want to miss this opportunity to learn more about your trade, network with industry experts, and visit with peers. Make plans now to attend!
Women in Ag Network Virtual Conference
Resources
Recommended Trees for Minnesota
Choosing the Right Tree or Shrub
The Right Tree for the Right Situation
- MyMinnesota Woods Opens a New Window. - From topics such as Agroforestry; Invasives; Legal & Financial; Non-Timber Forest Products; , resources and News & Events, MyMinnesota Woods has the topic you are looking for.
- Insect Identification Email a photo of the insect to have it identified by a U of M entomologist
- Soil Tests
Pick up a soil test kit at our office or visit for instructions. - Pressure Canner Testing
Stop by our office to use our free pressure canner tester. - Farm Info Line
Call 1-800-232-9077 to talk to an Extension Educator about
agriculture and small acreage farm questions. - Farm Resource Guide
Printed copies are available for $25.00 in the Extension office. A PDF download is available at no charge. Call to order. - Household AnswerLine
Household experts can be reached at 1-800-854-1678 to help answer questions on topics such as cooking safety, canning and freezing foods, and stain removal. - Gardening InformationOpens a New Window.
U of M Extension’s online resource for information on Home Horticulture, Commercial Horticulture, and Pest Management. - Oak Wilt Risk StatusOpens a New Window.
The risk of oak wilt infecting trees varies depending on the time of year and weather conditions - visit this link to learn the current risk status. - Home Food Preservation Opens a New Window.
Access resources on Home Food Preservation and learn about upcoming in-person and online classes. - Preserving Food at Home Blog Opens a New Window.
Follow the National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP)’s blog for up-to-date information on current research-based recommendations for most methods of home food preservation. - Ag Lease 101 Opens a New Window.
A resource for both land owners and land operators providing information on alternative lease arrangements (including sample written lease agreements for several alternatives). - Farm Bill Educational MaterialsOpens a New Window.
Access online training materials developed in conjunction with USDA Farm Service Agency. - See what’s available through the University of Minnesota Extension
- Other Questions? Call 218-824-1065 to speak with Crow Wing County Extension staff.
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County Extension Committee
The County Extension Committee is comprised of nine members: two County Commissioners, Administrative Services Director, and six appointed citizens (one from each Commissioner District and one at-large).