Soil Salinity Field Day Set for Sept. 5 Near Grand Forks

The David Burkland farm near Grand Forks is the site for a soil salinity field day on Sept. 5.

The event is free and open to anyone interested in soil salinity, according to Abbey Wick, North Dakota State University Extension Service soil health assistant professor.

The day begins with registration at 8 a.m. At 9 a.m., Lionel Olson, NDSU Grand Forks County Extension agent, and Paul Bjorg of the Natural Resources Conservation Service will discuss soil salinity issues in Grand Forks County.

Other topics and presenters are:

* Soluble salt movement and accumulation --Wick and Chandra Heglund, NDSU Soil Science graduate student

* Crop/variety selection and cover crops for saline soils -- Ross Rivard, Rivard's Turf and Forage Co.

* Fundamentals of iron deficiency chlorosis -- Sarah Lovas, West Central Inc.

* Cover crop rooting (soil pit) -- Chris Augustin, NDSU Extension area nutrient management specialist

* Tiling and water management -- Tom DeSutter, NDSU environmental soil scientist and professor

* Tile design and management issues -- Tom Scherer, NDSU Extension water quality and irrigation specialist

* Economics of tiling -- Dwight Aakre, NDSU Extension farm management specialist

A free lunch will be provided following the presentations. Those wishing to attend the field day are asked to preregister before Sept. 3 by contacting Linda Hammen at the Grand Forks County Extension office at (701) 780-8229 or email at linda.hammen@ndsu.edu.

Three continuing education credits in soil and water management will be offered to those attending the event.

The salinity field day is sponsored by the NDSU Extension Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Grand Forks County Soil Conservation District, AgCountry, and Rivard's Turf and Forage Co.

MDA’s annual Greenbook highlights sustainable innovations in agriculture

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has just released its 2013 edition of the Greenbook, highlighting the results of innovative projects that test new approaches to raising crops and livestock in Minnesota. The projects are funded by the MDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant Program, with the aim of promoting environmental stewardship and conservation of resources.

MDA Commissioner Dave Frederickson says the Greenbook is a valuable resource for farmers, researchers, and others seeking to improve profitability and quality of life on farms and in rural areas.

“The Greenbookprovides farmers with insights into the successes and occasionally the failures of hundreds of new projects,” says Frederickson. “It enables them to evaluate what sustainable farming systems may work for them and as a result they can more quickly adopt alternative practices.”

Editor Jean Ciborowski says the new edition features nine sustainable agriculture projects in three major topic areas: cropping systems and soil fertility; fruits and vegetables; and livestock.

To view the Greenbook 2013go to the MDA’s web site: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/greenbook or call 651-201-6012 to request a free copy.

Look for the 2014 Sustainable Agriculture Grant Application on the MDA website in mid-September at www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/grants.aspx.

Governor Dayton declares August 4-10 Farmers Market Week

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton has proclaimed August 4-10, 2013, as “Farmers Market Week” in Minnesota to celebrate the benefits of farmers markets and the agricultural products farmers provide.

The popularity of farmers markets has increased, in part, because of the interest in healthier foods and lifestyles and an increased understanding of the importance of maintaining small, sustainable farms.  Local farmers are able to offer consumers a variety of products including heirloom vegetables, heritage breeds of livestock, and other specialty products.

Minnesota Grown spokesman Paul Hugunin says more than 160 farmers markets are found in the Minnesota Grown Directory.

“The Directory makes it easy to find what locally grown foods are available at the farmers market in my neighborhood and at hundreds of locations throughout the state,” said Hugunin. “These markets not only offer farm-fresh, healthful products, they also provide an important opportunity for consumers and farmers to interact.”

Many farmers markets throughout the state are hosting special events during Farmers Market Week.  Contact your local farmers market to find out more or find farmers market locations in the online version of the Minnesota Grown Directory at www.minnesotagrown.com. The online Directory allows people to locate a farmers market by day of the week as well as by location. Free printed copies of the Directory are also available online or by calling 1-800-657-3878.

Stoltenow Named NDSU Extension Assistant Director

Charlie Stoltenow has been appointed the North Dakota State University Extension Service's assistant director and program leader for agriculture and natural resources.

Stoltenow has served as the interim assistant director and program leader for the past 11 months. He assumes the assistant director position Aug. 1.

"Agriculture and our natural resources are vitally important to North Dakota, so we are extremely pleased to have Dr. Stoltenow provide leadership to our Extension efforts in these areas," says NDSU Extension Service Director Chris Boerboom. "Charlie is passionate about the work of Extension and recognizes the importance of the teamwork and partnerships in all that we do."

Stoltenow grew up on a farm near Great Bend. He earned a bachelor of science degree in animal science from NDSU in 1981 and a doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Iowa State University in 1985. He worked in private practice and for the federal government before joining NDSU in 1996.

He has been the NDSU Extension veterinarian for 17 years and is a professor in NDSU's Animal Sciences Department. He also served as director of the NDSU Veterinary Technology academic program for two years and is a leader of the Extension livestock team.

"Agriculture and natural resources have been and will continue to provide a solid foundation for an economically successful North Dakota," Stoltenow says. "The NDSU Extension Service has been part of that success for close to 100 years, and I am excited to be part of the next 100 years."