Carlton County Extension Connection
July 2024
A note from your ANR Educator
Happy Independence Day! Summer is underway and it seems to be slipping past me. I hope you have some time to slow down and enjoy the warm days, as we well know they are limited. Something I wanted to note is we have had many people bring in plants, and pictures of damage to numerous garden plants, from rhubarb to lilies and many more. The culprit we have been finding is slugs. Slugs typically are not going to be seen during the day hours as they usually feed at night. However, they do creep out and feed during cloudy overcast days, which I will say we have had our fair share of over the last few weeks. Information for how to treat and prevent slug damage in your garden can be found here.
Garden Tour to feature the Cloquet area
Join the Carlton County Master Gardeners on Tuesday, July 16th from 4-7 pm for their annual garden tour. This year will highlight the Cloquet area. Unique features of these gardens are a small space garden with a children's area, a resident that grows garlic and herbs and harvests maple syrup, a beekeeper, a berry farmer and as always lots of perennials and garden art. This free event is self guided and open to the public. Maps and flyers with locations available after July 9th at the Extension Office or the Master Gardener Facebook page. Hope to see you there!
Carlton County Fair Dates August 15-18
Join the Extension Office at the 4-H fair building and livestock barns where you will find 4-H exhibits, a Master Gardener question and answer booth, and interactive agriculture displays. Considered one of the best county fairs in the area there is something for everyone! 🤠 Click here for exhibit information and a schedule. https://carltoncountyfairmn.com/ or call the Extension Office for a printed copy.
Carlton County Male & Female 2024 Outstanding Senior Citizen Award
Carlton County is searching for nominations for the 2024 Outstanding Senior Citizen Awards. This is an award honoring citizens within the county that go above and beyond to help others and organizations within the community. Do you know a deserving senior? You are encouraged to nominate them! An awards ceremony will be held at the Carlton County Fair on August 16th at 12pm. Applications are open and due on July 12th.
Moisture in basements: causes and solutions
Moisture problems in existing basements are very common, but often are not understood or properly treated. In a basement that is seldom used and separate from the living spaces above, this may not present a great problem. However, most basements in Minnesota are connected to the rest of the house through ductwork or other openings. In addition, basements are increasingly used as finished living and bedroom spaces. In these cases, moisture problems are not only annoying and uncomfortable, but can lead to significant health problems. Molds and mildew can grow in damp carpets and beneath wall coverings. Finishing a basement without first dealing with the moisture problems can result in making health conditions worse and lead to significant damage as well. Basement water problems are solvable, but there is a cost to doing it right. Click here for the complete research based fact sheet published by:
John Carmody; Brent Anderson; and Richard Stone, Extension educators
Gardening camp at the Cloquet Library with the Master Gardeners.
Got a gardening question?
As a reminder if you have a question regarding gardening, insects, pests, weeds, you name it! We have a form you can ask to get in touch with one of our local Master Gardeners. Please submit your questions here.
Foot Rot and Pink Eye in Cattle on the Rise
Summer is off to a soggy start for us here in northern Minnesota and things are running a little behind this year. Unfortunately, one thing I have been noticing that has yet to run behind schedule this year is foot rot. I’ve heard from numerous producers that problems with foot rot in range cattle are popping up. Our lovely wet weather that keeps coming is to blame. High humidity and wet ground are probably the biggest factors here in the north. These conditions have combined to create a good environment for damaging the skin between the cloves and for the growth of the foot rot-causing bacteria Fusobacterium necrophorum.
Treatment of foot rot is critical to avoid bigger problems in cattle, such as when the infection moves from being localized in the foot and leg to a systemic infection that can debilitate the animal. Surprisingly, this does happen a lot, especially in range cattle. This is because we don’t watch them as closely when they are out on grass and don’t catch the problem early or have the tools or facilities to get them off of grass and treat them quickly and effectively. Foot rot needs to be dealt with in a timely (and safe) manner to prevent any long-term wrecks.
To read the full article, check out the Carlton County Extension website for the news article.
Grazing School
The Minnesota Grazing Lands Conservation Association (MNGLCA), along with its partners, is
hosting an event for graziers interested in learning more about regenerative grazing and
implementing new ideas. The event is held at the Clear Springs Cattle Company a family run
operation focused on producing high quality genetics and beef using the springs that run
through their land. The school will be held on July 23-24th 2024 near Starbuck, MN and graziers
with all knowledge levels are encouraged to attend.
Grazing educators from all over the state will gather to provide a high quality learning
experience. Topics include soil fertility, year-round grazing techniques, bale grazing, weed
control, fencing types, forage quality, and grazing cover crops. Meals will be provided as well
as opportunities for networking with likeminded peers. Attendees will leave with a variety of
tools to help them play an integral role in making decisions about grazing activities on their
farms.
$150 per person $75 for someone from the same operation $140 for current GLCA Members.
Education is the backbone of the MNGLCA and we are excited to host this year’s Grazing
School. Educating producers about grazing lands and improving operations has been a priority
of the MNGLCA for many years.
To register for this event visit our website mnglca.org or contact Star Nelson (507)838-0569.
Plat Books
Plat Books for sale!
Did you know? The Carlton County 4-H Federation has an ongoing fundraiser selling Carlton County plat books?! Currently we have plat books for the 2021 year which can be purchased at the Extension office at a reduced price of $25 instead of the regular price of $40. (cash or checks only, please). 2025 plat books will be available this fall.
Office Closures
The Extension Office will be closed on Thursday, July 4th and Friday, July 5th in observation of Independence Day.
In 4-H all youth are welcome!
4-H is an out- of-school, hands-on learning program for anyone in Kindergarten through one year past high school (grade 13). You choose a project that's interesting to them and explore it with peers and caring adults. 4-H clubs are groups of youth who want to learn together and meet in every part of Minnesota.
What can I do in 4-H?
The sky's the limit! 4-H offers learning experiences in science, photography, agriculture, healthy living, civic engagement and much more. We have one-day events, year-long projects and everything in between. There are many ways to try 4-H.
For assistance with registration or printing of information please contact the Extension Office at
218-384-3511. A computer is also available for public use.
Carlton County Extension Staff
Keri Cavitt, Regional Director cavit005@umn.edu
Mandi Haglund, Principal Office & Admin. Specialist, haglu119@umn.edu
Mercedes Moffett, Agriculture Educator, moffett029@umn.edu
Ann Rust ,Vol. Coord. & Horticulture Asst., rustx048@umn.edu
Katie Siltanen, 4-H Educator, silta006@umn.edu
Contact the office
317 Chestnut Ave
P.O. Box 307 Carlton, MN 55718
218-384-3511
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