Otter Tail County Extension Update

Agriculture and Horticulture: September 2024

Otter Tail CountyExtension UpdateAgriculture and Horticulture: September 2024

Notes from your Educator

It's almost hard to believe, but summer has flown by and September is upon us. I am looking forward to the cooler weather and colors of fall, and I hope you all have been able to enjoy all that summer brings.


As always, there's plenty happening in Extension, and a range of upcoming events and opportunities can be found below. I also have a 1 minute survey to get a better idea of what you would like to learn about in the upcoming months, and would appreciate your feedback.


Take care,

Olivia Olson

olso7655@umn.edu

office: (218) 998-8308

cell: (218) 282-5963

In this Edition

What do you want to learn?

OTC Extension Facebook Page

Information of note

Become a Master Gardener

Annie's Project Retreat

Small Farm Land Access Webinar

Canning Low-Acid Foods webinar

Deep Roots Festival

What do you want to learn about?

Take a 1 minute survey at the link below to provide your feedback on the topics you'd like to learn about through this newsletter and in workshops within the county.

OTC Extension is now on Facebook!

Follow the OTC Extension page for more regular agriculture and horticulture event updates and resources.

Information of Note

Time to Remove Flowering Weeds

After a rainy growing season, many growers have probably wished they could turn off the rain. There is one type of rain that growers can partially control-- weed seed rain. Every time a weed goes to seed, dozens to thousands of seeds enter our soil, creating hours of future weeding. As we enter the part of the growing season where many weeds are flowering and getting ready to set seed, this is a key time for us to pull and thwack weeds. Read more here.


Source: Marissa Schuh, UMN Extension educator, IPM

Guide to Harvesting and Storing Melons, Squash, and Pumpkins

Melons are one of the trickiest plants to grow, because the guidelines around harvest are confusing and often contradictory. I often hear growers express frustration because their melons seem ripe but don’t have much flavor, or because they spoil faster than they should. This article presents an overview of ripening, as well as harvest and storage tips for melons, watermelons, squash, and pumpkins. Read more here.


Source: Natalie Hoidal, UMN Extension Educator, Horticulture

MN CropCast: Soybean Aphid Management

This week’s University of Minnesota Extension CropCast provides a comprehensive review and status of the soybean aphid infestations currently affecting commercial soybean acreage in Minnesota, as well an in-depth discussion about the options for commercial insecticides and IPM (integrated pest management) techniques and preservation of beneficial insects for aphid control. Listen to the podcast here.

Become a Master Gardener

Are you interested in horticulture and sharing that knowledge with others? Consider becoming a Master Gardener volunteer with the East or West Otter Tail Master Gardener volunteer program! Applications for 2025 are open from August 1 through October 1. More information can be found here.

Upcoming Extension Events

Annie's Project Retreat

Annie’s Project promotes a better understanding of farm management and decision-making for farmers and ranchers. Our workshops and retreats empower farm businesses in today’s complex, dynamic world of agriculture.

The event will include workshops, speakers, and networking opportunities designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities women face in the agricultural sector. Whether you are an urban or a rural farmer, your perspective and experience are invaluable to our collective success.

Date: September 21-22

Location: Frog Tree Farm, near Wadena

Find out more information and register here.

Small Farm Land Access Webinar

Whether you want to rent or own land to raise livestock, grow a crop, or raise vegetables, there are many things to consider as you take steps to make your dream a reality. Join Suzanne Hinrichs, UMN Extension educator in ag business management, for a 1-hour webinar to explore the steps to farm access.


Date: Thursday, September 5

Time: 6-7 pm

Cost: Free to attend

Register here

Canning Low-Acid Foods

Join food safety and food preservation experts from the University of Minnesota Extension throughout the year to learn how to safely handle and prepare food. Whether you are a grower, operate a food business, or preserve foods for your own use, these webinars are for you.


September webinars: Canning Low Acid Foods (Pressure Canning)

Dates: September 10 from 12-1 pm

September 13 from 5:30-6:30 pm

Cost: Free to attend

Register for the webinars here

Other Local Happenings

Deep Roots Festival

Deep Roots Festival is a community celebration that increases our connection to local foods and the farmers and growers who make them in the Lake Agassiz Region. This event is planned and hosted by the local chapter of the Sustainable Farming Association.

It includes local food tours, music, vendors, food, and a range of classes with the price of admission. More information can be found here.


When: Saturday, September 14

Where: Maple Hills Orchard, Frazee

Farm Resources

North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center

Farm Aid Hotline: 1-800-FARM AID (1-800-327-6243)

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Iowa Concern Hotline: 1-800-447-1985


  • (Financial, legal, and stress support available to residents in MN, not just IA)

Farmland Clearinghouse

Are you a beginning farmer looking to rent or purchase working farmland in the Midwest? Or are you an established farmer/landowner in the Midwest who is seeking a beginning farmer to purchase or rent your working farmland, or to work with in a partnership situation? The Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings project has simple application forms available for people seeking farmland or farmers. More information and the forms can be found at this link.

Contact Your Educator

Email: olso7655@umn.edu

Phone: office (218) 998-8303 cell (218) 282-5963
Website: extension.umn.edu
Location: 118 N Main Ave, New York Mills, MN 56567

Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ, Bdewakantuwan, and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ land

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