Farm, Garden & Outdoors calendar published Dec. 4, 2021

Donna Middleton, West Central Tribune, Willmar, Minn.
·2 min read

Dec. 5—Farming

Suicide Prevention: Dec. 16, 1 to 2:30 p.m., free, online. NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is offering a suicide prevention class tailored to farming communities. Called QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) for Agricultural Communities, the program helps individuals learn the three steps anyone can take to help prevent a suicide. It is for members of rural and agricultural communities over the age of 16 who want to learn best practices in suicide prevention. To register, see "Classes" at namimn.org. For more information, call 651-645-2948.

Strategic Farming: Let's Talk Crops webinar series. This free, live, online program will provide up-to-date, research-based information to help optimize crop management strategies for 2022. Sessions will be held over Zoom from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 5 through March 30. Sessions will begin with a brief presentation by the discussion leaders for the day, followed by discussion framed around farmer/participant questions on the topic. Register at z.umn.edu/strategic-farming for the entire program series. Sessions will be recorded and posted for viewing later.

Fair Farm Rental Agreement: Jan. 13, 9:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m., via Zoom; free program. Farmland rental rates are the largest input cost the farmer has. Determining a fair farm rent agreement is always challenging, and negotiating a fair rental agreement that satisfies the land owner and the farmer is a challenge. David Bau and Nathan Hulinsky, Extension Educators in Ag Business Management, will provide several ways — by examples, factsheets and worksheets — to determine a fair farm land rental rate for both parties. Zoom at z.umn.edu/LandRentWillmarCo.

Gardening

Winter Webinar series: The Iowa State University Master Gardener program is hosting a winter webinar series Dec. 8 through March 2. Topics include the life of bumble bees, design tips, houseplant propagation, seed starting and starting a cutting garden. The classes are free. Registration is required at www.extension.iastate.edu/mastergardener/winter-webinar-series and limited to the first 300 to register.

Outdoors

Sibley State Park: A vehicle permit is required to enter the park and is available online. Sibley State Park is west of New London just off U.S. Highway 71. For more information, visit the state Department of Natural Resources website at www.dnr.state.mn.us.

Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center: Trails at the rural Spicer center may be used during daylight hours at no cost. A bathroom with composting toilets is open by the pavilion. Pets should be on a leash. All equipment rentals (fat-tire bikes, kayaks, canoes) will be handled on a reservation basis, made at least 24 hours in advance. To reserve equipment for the weekend, please call by noon Friday. Two-hour equipment rental is $20 for adults, $10 for members and $5 for all youth. Call 320-354-5894.