Current Edition
Calendar of Events
<i>You may send event information to </i>The Land<i>, P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002, or <a href="mailto:editor@thelandonline.com">editor@thelandonline.com</a>. <br>(All towns are in Minnesota unless otherwise noted.)</i>
National No-Tillage Conference
Jan. 13-16
Marriott, Des Moines, Iowa
Info: log on to www.notillconference.com
Beef Production Home Study Course
First lesson mailed Jan. 15
Info: Contact Denise Plonis, (218) 327-4490, or log on to www.extension.umn.edu/beef
Minnesota Wheat Council Board of Director Elections, Small Grains Update Meeting and Checkoff Referendum Polling
Jan. 15, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
VFW, Dawson (Tentative)
Info: Contact Pete Kappes, (218) 766-0587 or Dave Torgerson, (218) 253-4311
Beef Quality Assurance Class
Jan. 15, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
University of Minnesota 125 Andrew Boss Laboratory of Meat Science, St. Paul
Info: No charge, but participants are asked to reserve a spot by calling the Minnesota Beef Council, (952) 854-6980
Minnesota Wheat Council Board of Director Elections, Small Grains Update Meeting and Checkoff Referendum Polling
Jan. 15, 1-4 p.m.
Meeker County Courthouse, Litchfield
Info: Contact Pete Kappes, (218) 766-0587 or Dave Torgerson, (218) 253-4311
Crops Day
Jan. 15
Community Center, Arlington
Info: $30/person; contact your local or regional Extension office or call the SROC, (507) 835-3620
Organic Conference and Trade Show
Jan. 15-16
Civic Center, St. Cloud
Info: Call (800) 967-2474 for more information
Minnesota Wheat Council Board of Director Elections, Small Grains Update Meeting and Checkoff Referendum Polling
Jan. 18, 1-4 p.m.
Best Northland Prairie Inn, Morris
Info: Contact Pete Kappes, (218) 766-0587 or Dave Torgerson, (218) 253-4311
National Farmers Convention
Jan. 18-19
Marriott, Coralville, Iowa
Minnesota Wheat Council Board of Director Elections, Small Grains Update Meeting and Checkoff Referendum Polling
Jan. 19, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Northern Grill, Breckenridge
Info: Contact Pete Kappes, (218) 766-0587 or Dave Torgerson, (218) 253-4311
Minnesota Wheat Council Board of Director Elections, Small Grains Update Meeting and Checkoff Referendum Polling
Jan. 19, 1-4 p.m.
American Legion, Moorhead
Info: Contact Pete Kappes, (218) 766-0587 or Dave Torgerson, (218) 253-4311
Year-Round Grazing Systems Seminar
Jan. 19-21
Central Lakes College, Staples
Info: Contact Barb Cline, (218) 894-5120 or bcline@clcmn.edu; download a conference brochure at www.greenerpasturesgrazing.com/StaplesMNJan2010.pdf
Minnesota Wheat Council Checkoff Referendum Polling
Jan. 19-22, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Minnesota Department of Agriculture, St. Paul
Info: Contact Pete Kappes, (218) 766-0587 or Dave Torgerson, (218) 253-4311
Minnesota Wheat Council Board of Director Elections, Small Grains Update Meeting and Checkoff Referendum Polling
Jan. 20, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
American Legion, Crookston
Info: Contact Pete Kappes, (218) 766-0587 or Dave Torgerson, (218) 253-4311
Minnesota Wheat Council Board of Director Elections, Small Grains Update Meeting and Checkoff Referendum Polling
Jan. 20, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
VFW, Ada
Info: Contact Pete Kappes, (218) 766-0587 or Dave Torgerson, (218) 253-4311
Minnesota Pork Congress
Jan. 20-21
Convention Center, Minneapolis
Info: To register log on to www.mnpork.com/porkcongress
Annie’s Project: Farm Management Skills Program
Starts Jan. 20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Scott County Extension Office, Jordan
Info: Classes will be held Wednesdays; $100/person; intended for farm women; limited to 20 participants, register by contacting Laura Kieser, (952) 466-5306, (952) 492-5386 or torb0022@umn.edu
Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference and Trade Show
Jan. 20-22
Civic Center, St. Cloud
Info: Save $10 on registration by Jan. 15; call the MFVGA, (763) 434-0400 or log on to www.mfvga.org
Minnesota Wheat Council Board of Director Elections, Small Grains Update Meeting and Checkoff Referendum Polling
Jan. 21, 9 a.m.-Noon
City Hall, Hallock
Info: Contact Pete Kappes, (218) 766-0587 or Dave Torgerson, (218) 253-4311
Specialty Crop Block Grants Informational Meeting
Jan. 21, 10 a.m.-Noon
Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Orville Freeman Office Building Conference Room B149, St. Paul
Info: Producers interested in applying for Specialty Crop Block Grant may attend or participate by phone or e-mail their comments; for more information on how to participate by phone or e-mail, contact Amanda Baesler, (651) 201-6680 or Amanda.baesler@state.mn.us
Minnesota Wheat Council Board of Director Elections, Small Grains Update Meeting and Checkoff Referendum Polling
Jan. 21, 1-4 p.m.
American Legion, Argyle
Info: Contact Pete Kappes, (218) 766-0587 or Dave Torgerson, (218) 253-4311
Minnesota Wheat Council Board of Director Elections, Small Grains Update Meeting and Checkoff Referendum Polling
Jan. 21, 5-8 p.m.
Gene’s Bar & Grill, Roseau
Info: Contact Pete Kappes, (218) 766-0587 or Dave Torgerson, (218) 253-4311
I-29 Dairy Conference
Jan. 21-22
Best Western Ramkota Inn, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Info: $20/person; for conference and lodging details, log on to http://sdces.sdstate.edu/ces_website/conferences/I-29DairyConference or call (701) 231-7663
Minnesota Wheat Council Board of Director Elections, Small Grains Update Meeting and Checkoff Referendum Polling
Jan. 22, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Northwest Grain, St. Hilaire
Info: Contact Pete Kappes, (218) 766-0587 or Dave Torgerson, (218) 253-4311; SGU OADES presentation via video
Minnesota Wheat Council Board of Director Elections, Small Grains Update Meeting and Checkoff Referendum Polling
Jan. 22, 1-4 p.m.
Community Center, McIntosh
Info: Contact Pete Kappes, (218) 766-0587 or Dave Torgerson, (218) 253-4311; SGU OADES presentation via video
Minnesota Wheat Council Board of Director Elections, Small Grains Update Meeting and Checkoff Referendum Polling
Jan. 25, 1-4 p.m.
LeSueur County Fairgrounds 4-H Family Center, LeCenter
Info: Contact Pete Kappes, (218) 766-0587 or Dave Torgerson, (218) 253-4311; SGU OADES presentation via video
U.S. Ag Associates Conference
Jan. 25
Houston, Texas
Master Gardener Core Course
Jan. 26-Feb. 20
Pine City
Info: $200/person; classes are 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays; log on to www.mg.umn.edu/becomeamg.html; registration deadline Jan. 5
Conservation Tillage Conference
Jan. 27-28
Jackpot Junction, Morton
Info: Call the Marshall Regional Extension Office, (507) 337-2800
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Convention and Trade Show
Jan. 27-30
San Antonio, Texas
Info: Log on to www.beefusa.org/convcattleindustryannualconventionandncbatradeshow.aspx
Farm Transition & Succession Planning Series
Starts Jan. 28
South Central College, North Mankato
Info: Six-session series will be 1-4 p.m. on each following Thursday; contact Paul Gorman, (507) 389-7288
Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation Promotion and Education Conference
Jan. 29-30
Hilton, Bloomington
Info: This conference is for anyone interested in ag education and safety education; log on to www.fbmn.org or e-mail kschafer@fbmn.org
Soybean Symposium
Feb. 4, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chanhassen
Info: Contact the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, (888) 896-9678, by Feb. 1; seating limited to first 100
Minnesota Grain and Feed Association Annual Convention and Trade Show
Feb. 7-9
Verizon Wireless Center, Mankato
Info: Log on to www.mgfa.org
Third Crop Producer Meeting
Feb. 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Knights of Columbus, Fairmont
Info: Topic of discussion: Biomass Establishment
Cold Climate Grape & Wine Conference
Feb. 11-13
Sheraton Hotel, Bloomington
Info: Log on to www.mngrapes.org or contact Nicole Walsh, nicole.walsh@mngrapes.org, with questions
Carver County-University of Minnesota Dairy Expo & Trade Show
Feb. 15, 9:30 a.m.
Central high School, Norwood Young America
Info: $10/person; educational sessions start at 10:30 a.m.; log on to www.extension.umn.edu/dairy
Home-Grown Economy Conference
Feb. 15-16
Marshall
Info: Interactive video sessions to be held Feb. 16 at University of Minnesota, Crookston; University of Minnesota, Morris; Bemidji State University and Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls; log on to www.regionalpartnerships.umn.edu
Irrigators Association of Minnesota Annual Meeting and Trade Show
Feb. 18
Gerards, Sauk Centre
Info: Contact Alan Peterson, alpetefarm@frontiernet.net or (320) 293-3302
Nutrient Management Conference
Feb. 18, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Verizon Wireless Center, Mankato
Info: $10/person; register in advance by calling (651) 201-6141; log on to www.upstreamheroes.org/nutmgmtconf.php
Agricultural Outlook Forum
Feb. 18-19
Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington, Va.
Info: Forum will focus on a broad range of issues related to rural communities, nutrition, sustainable agriculture, conservation and food safety and security; log on to www.usda.gov/oce/forum
Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota Annual Conference
Feb. 20, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
St. Olaf College, Northfield
Info: Contact Anne with SFA, communications@sfa-mn.org or (320) 226-6318, or log on to www.sfa-mn.org
Master Gardener Core Course
Feb. 20-March 30
Mankato
Info: $200/person; classes are 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays (no class on March 20); log on to www.mg.umn.edu/becomeamg.html; registration deadline Jan. 5
Third Crop Producer Meeting
Feb. 22, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Knights of Columbus, Fairmont
Info: Topic of discussion: Third Crops — Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Central Minnesota Farm Show
Feb. 23-25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Civic Center, St. Cloud
Organic Farming Conference
Feb. 25-27
LaCrosse, Wis.
Info: Organized by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service; call (715) 778-5775 or log on to www.mosesorganic.org/conference to learn more and to register
Commodity Classic
March 4-6
Anaheim, Calif.
Info: Log on to www.commodityclassic.com
Third Crop Producer Meeting
March 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Knights of Columbus, Fairmont
Info: Topic of discussion: Biomass Harvesting and Processing
National Institute for Animal Agriculture Annual Meeting
March 15-17
Westin Crown Center, Kansas City, Mo.
Info: $450/person, subtract $50 if registered before Feb. 12; meeting theme is One Health: Implications for Animal Agriculture
North American Farm & Power Show
March 18-20
Four Seasons Centre, Owatonna
Info: Log on to www.tradexpos.com or call (800) 949-3976 or (506) 437-4697
Third Crop Producer Meeting
March 22, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Knights of Columbus, Fairmont
Info: Topic of discussion: Improving Soil Health
Shearing School
April 16-18
Liberty Land & Livestock Farm, Hutchinson
Info: $375/person; all levels of shearers welcome; contact Doug Rathke, (320) 587-6094 or lambshop@hutchtel.net
- Current Edition
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Cover story: Threshing show brings back bygone era
From its humble origins at a 1976 Bicentennial celebration, the Hanley Falls Pioneer Power threshing show has become a popular demonstration of vintage farm equipment.
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Back Roads: Breathtaking
Inspiration Peak, Urbank
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Cover story: The ABCs of the Minnesota State Fair
A new game at the Great Minnesota Get-together is sure to entertain and educate young and old alike
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Back Roads: Threshtoration project
Atwater Threshing Days, Atwater
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Cover story: Oldies but goodies — Antique tractor clubs a growing Minnesota tradition
On any given summer weekend, Minnesotans most likely could enjoy a Minnesota Antique Tractor Club event somewhere.
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Back Roads: Preserve & protect
You don’t need a spotting scope to watch swans but the high quality scope allowed us to look right into the gold and black eyes of a drake ring neck duck preening himself in the lily pads.
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Cover story: Hay Day brings in varied customers
Gary Hotovec sees the dynamic of that change over the 16 years that he has run a Wednesday “Hay Day” sale at his Hutchinson auction center. He shut down the auction center last year, but has maintained the hay sales.
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Back Roads: Twisted memorial
If you think the sculpture at 5th Street and Highway 14 in Tracy looks like scrap metal that’s been twisted by a tornado, you’ve got the right idea. But there’s more to it than that.
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From the Fields: Folks busy with farm, family
Sure, 270 dairy cows, 200 beef cows and 850 acres of corn, wheat, alfalfa and grass seeding still keep the schedule of Bennie Holtz, 25, a bit full. But a little rascal named Brooklyn Ann who came into the world June 3 at 6 pounds 15 1/2 ounces and 20-inches long is now the top priority. Brittany, 24, and mother of this newest addition couldn’t be more pleased.
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Back Roads: Bless the (iron) beasts
When Barb Becker was young, the church was in the heart of Moran Township’s prosperous dairy farming region. Those were less secular times than today and, for some, bringing their Farmall C and oat seed in to be blessed was as important as a visit to their banker. Who, after all, plays a larger role in the success of your crop? The Lord or the bank?
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