Otter Tail County Extension Update

November is somehow here already, with a sharp chill in the air and some gorgeous late-fall sunsets (when the clouds cooperate, of course). As we wind down this growing season and look ahead toward the end of the year, take advantage of the variety of workshops and learning opportunities held online and in-person across the state - there will be a bounty of chances to learn something new and build your skills over the next several months. As always, please reach out if you have questions or ideas - I look forward to hearing from you.

Take care,

Olivia Olson

olso7655@umn.edu

office: (218) 998-8308

cell: (218) 282-5963

What do you want to learn about? Let me know!

Buckthorn removal

Protecting trees and shrubs in the winter

Using leaf mulch on your lawn

Midwest Transition to Organic Program

Farmland rental workshops

Beef quality assurance training

Agritourism: Creating a business plan for your farm

Pasture renovation and cover crops for ruminant nutrition

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.

The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is a network assembled by the USDA's National Organic Program which supports organic and transitioning producers with mentorship and resources. With TOPP, growers learn about organic production, the certification process, and market opportunities through mentorships, community building, technical assistance, and workforce training and development.

The TOPP Mentorship Program builds the connection between experienced producers (Mentors) and producers transitioning to organic (Mentees), which helps in the transition process and forms a strong network of organic producers across the United States. The University of Minnesota is part of the Midwest TOPP regional alliance and is proud to support the TOPP Mentorship Program.

Interested in participating as a mentor or mentee? Contact local coordinator Zachary Paige at paige058@umn.edu or fill out an application form here.

Wondering what is acceptable to charge or pay for land rent in Minnesota? Extension’s farmland rental workshops help farmers, landlords and ag professionals determine a fair farmland rental rate for everyone. Extension hosts free in-person workshops across the state as well as online webinars. Workshops cover local historic and projected farmland rental rate trends and current farmland values and sales.

For more information, contact Dave Bau (bauxx003@umn.edu, 507-372-3900 x3906) or Nathan Hulinsky (huli0013@umn.edu, 320-203-6104).

University of Minnesota Extension will host Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) trainings in the fall of 2024, and spring of 2025. Producers attending any of the free workshops will receive a three-year BQA certification. The Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program allows those working with beef cattle to learn more about best management practices, herd health, and animal stewardship. The program's goal is to create a better-quality beef supply and increase consumer confidence.

Producers need to participate in only one training to become BQA-certified. Only one person from each operation must be certified to ensure the entire operation follows the BQA standards. However, everyone who handles and manages fed cattle is encouraged to become BQA certified.

Online Zoom BQA trainings that will be offered in 2024 and 2025 include:

• November Zoom training: Tuesday, November 26, 2024, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
• Link to register: https://z.umn.edu/BQANov26
• January Zoom training: Tuesday, January 7, 2025, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
• Link to register: https://z.umn.edu/BQAJan7
• February Zoom training: Thursday, February 13, 2025, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
• Link to register: https://z.umn.edu/BQAFeb13

• March Zoom training: Thursday, March 20, 2025, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
• Link to register: https://z.umn.edu/BQAMarch20

Do you have an agritourism business idea but are unsure how to make it successful? Do you want to add value to your farming operation but are unsure where to begin? Or perhaps you’re new to farming and have a great idea about how to connect the public with food production.

Writing a business plan can dramatically increase the success of implementing your business ideas and goals. Using the AgPlan online business planning software, this workshop will guide you in creating a business plan to bring your agritourism vision to life.

November 18

2-3:30 pm

Click here to register

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)

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.

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

© 2024 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.