August, September & October
Field Days '99

Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Energy and Sustainable Agriculture Program
651-296-7673
Farmers and researchers who have received grants from the Minnesota Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program will be holding field days and tours on the following dates. All interested persons are invited to attend.
July 22
(Thursday)
Buckwheat to Suppress Weeds and Mobilize Phosphorus. We are comparing buckwheat with two other cover crops (sorghum-sudangrass and an oat/pea mixture) as well as with the conventional practice of disk-fallow, to see their effect on weed control and phosphorus fertility for the subsequent crop. Field day guests will see farm-scale replicated plots of the three cover crops and fallow at different stages of maturity. Later this summer these will all be turned under and planted to oats/peas in preparation for sugarbeets next spring. We will continue to monitor the phosphorus levels and weeds in these crops to see the long-term effects of the different cover crops.
Curt Petrich, Route 3, Box 95, Crookston, MN 56716
218-281-1293 Polk County
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Directions to Tour: From Crookston, take Highway 2 about one mile east of town, turn south (right) onto Highway 9, then in less than a mile turn southeast (left) onto 102 towards Fertile. Go about four miles to County Road 48 (gravel). Turn south (right) onto 48. The Petrich place is less than a mile on the west (right).
Additional Information: Three organic or transitional organic farms are involved in this project: Curt Petrich, Robin Brekken, and Paul Wilder. We will meet at Curt's homeplace and carpool to the three fields. Elizabeth Dyck, a weed scientist from the Lamberton Research Station, will be there to talk about a similar trial they are conducting at Lamberton. Refreshments will be served. Alternative contact person: Lois Braun, Ag Resources Consulting, 651-641-1880.
August

August 8
(Sunday)
Integrating Livestock Profitably into a Fruit and Vegetable Operation. The field day will feature a farm tour highlighting the pig project. The project utilizes livestock to transform brushland into cropland while profiting from milk, meat and muscle. A greywater orchard irrigation system designed to transform "wastes into resources" will also be featured.
David Abazs, Round River Farm, 5879 Nikolai Road, Finland, MN 55603
218-353-7736 Lake County
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Directions to Tour: Take Highway 61 north from Duluth to Highway 1, turn on Highway 1 to Finland, MN. In Finland you will take a right on County Road 6, two and one-eighth miles to Nikolai Road where you will bear to the right. Our farm is located at the end of Nikolai Road. A parking area is available in the valley by Sawmill Creek.
Additional Information: Speakers: Okechukwu Ukaga, Executive Director, Northeast Sustainable Development Partnership and Northeastern SFA staff.

August 10
(Tuesday)

 (Two Projects combined into one Field Day)
(Project 1) First and Second Grazers in a Year Round Pasture Setting Served by a Frost Free Water System. Analysis of forage utilization and benefits of leader/follower grazing with steers ahead of cow/calf. Analysis of cost and benefits of utilizing year round buried water system. Benefits of watering on pasture and comparison of various techniques for converting CRP to productive pasture.
Dan & Don Struxness, Route 3, Box 52, Appleton, MN 56208
320-752-4733 Lac Qui ParleCounty
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Directions to Tour: From Milan, six and one-half miles west on Highway 40 or from intersection of Highways 119 and 40, one and one-half miles east. The farm is located on the north side of the highway. The one-half mile long driveway is lined with white fiberglass posts and high tensile fence.
Additional Information: Cooperators: Local NRCS office, Bob Padula of Minnesota Extension, Land Stewardship, Chippewa River Whole Farm Planning and Monitoring Team, Local SFA Chapter. Lunch will be provided (barbecue and beverage).
(Project 2) Using Cereal Rye for Reduced Input Pasture Establishment and Early Grazing. The use of cereal rye to reduce weed competition and help in establishing forage crops was evaluated on-farm. In addition, early season grazing of the cereal rye before planting the forage crops was evaluated.
Greg Cuomo, West Central Experiment Station, State Highway 329, Morris, MN 56267
320-589-1711 StevensCounty
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Directions to Tour: See directions above to the Struxness farm.
August 11
(Wednesday)
Learning Advanced Management Intensive Grazing Through Mentoring. This is a very unique 545 acre farm which is located on Lake Christina, which is a diving lake for ducks. The rotational grazing scheme was designed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Fencing was done by the USFWS, under the Mid-Continental Wildlife Habitat Restoration project. The pasture consists of native prairie grasses and has been divided into 15 paddocks. Paddock size was determined by productivity and carrying capacity.
Dean Elmer, Box 66, Evansville, MN 56326/Bob Stommes, West Otter Tail SWCD
218-948-2349 Otter TailCounty
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Directions to Tour: From I-94 exit on Highway 78 continue north to Ashby for four miles until you hit Otter Tail County #64 (on same marker is Douglas County #1). Turn right off Highway 78 going east. Go approximately one mile until you hit Rocky Road which is a gravel road going straight ahead. Travel approximately one mile and road takes a 90ø angle and pasture is on right.
Additional Information: Refreshments will be provided. The mentors who are participating with the project will discuss their operation and be available for questions.
August 13
(Friday)
Managed Production of Woods-Grown and Simulated-Wild Ginseng. Woods grown ginseng is a forested crop. The field day will involve a casual walking tour into the forest to view plots of different maturities--18 years old to seedlings. Discussion will include: proper site selection; disease management; seed and root harvesting; and demonstration of equipment. Also a tour of the drying facility.
Willis Runck, Route 1, Box 172, New Ulm, MN 56073
507-359-4308 Brown County
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Directions to Tour: Take Highway 14 (Broadway) west through New Ulm to 20th north. Turn right (go over railroad tracks) then turn left on north Broadway and travel one mile to K.C. Road (gravel road). Turn left on K.C. Road and travel three-fourths of a mile to farm place on the left.
Additional Information: Wayne Schoper from Brown County Extension Office; Bruce Potter, agronomist from SW Experiment Station in Lamberton; and, a plant pathologist from the University of Minnesota. A patio and deck reception with drinks and snacks furnished following the tour.
August 17
(Tuesday)
Adding Value to Small Farms through Processing Excess Production. Producing and retailing 24 acres of vegetables and growing 2,500 varieties of medicinal, culinary and ethnic (Hmong) herbs, this farm is truly diversified. Starting with a walking tour of the production fields, this field day will highlight the drying system for herbs and vegetables that utilizes heat from the greenhouse during the midsummer off season. Visitors will have the chance to sample products.
Jeffrey Adelmann, 24149 Chippendale Avenue North, Farmington, MN 55024
651-463-3543 DakotaCounty
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Directions to Tour: At the intersection of State Highway #3 and 240th Street, two and one-half miles south of Farmington.
Additional Information: Light refreshments will be served. Neighboring herb grower Renne Soberg will talk about his experiences with herb drying.
August 24
(Tuesday)		 (Three Projects combined into one Field Day)
Project 1) Increased Forage Production Through Control of Water Runoff. We will tour several local farms that are using the Rolling Dutchman Pasture Furrow Seeder. The Karen Sovell farm will show establishment techniques for kura clover and birdsfoot trefoil.
James Sovell, Route 1, Box 133, Ivanhoe, MN 56142
507-694-1486 LincolnCounty
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Directions to Tour: We will start at the Mike and Mary Hansen farm. From the intersection of Highways 75 and 19 (one mile west of Ivanhoe), go west on Highway 19 four miles, then one and one-half miles south. The Hansen farm is on the east side of the road.
Additional Information: Free lunch at the Sovell farm at noon.
Project 2) Living Snow Fences for Improved Pasture Production. This project is to test establishment methods for single row field windbreaks of larch, conifers, fruit and nut bushes.
Mike Hansen, Route 2, Box 173, Hendricks, MN 56136
507-694-1825 LincolnCounty
Time: (see Sovell starting time above)
Directions to Tour: (see directions above)
Project 3) Using Black Medic (Medicago lupulina) as a Protein Source in Grazing Corn. This project will demonstrate that a combination crop of grazing corn and Black Medic can provide the energy and protein necessary for lambs. Black Medic acts as a weed suppressant in corn and soybeans.
Joseph Rolling, Box 64, Arco, MN 56113
507-487-5742 LincolnCounty
Time: (see Sovell starting time above)
Directions to Tour: (see directions above)
Additional Information: Speakers: Dennis Johnson, District Conservationist, and Elizabeth Dyck, Lamberton Experiment Station.
September
Sept. 1
(Wednesday)
Growing Corn with Companion Crop Legumes for High Protein Silage. The project demonstrates growing corn with soybeans and polebeans intercropped for use as silage.
Stanley Smith, Route 1, Box 170, Lewiston, MN 55952
507-523-2874 Winona County
Time: 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Directions to Tour: From Rochester take Highway 52 south to I-90. Take I-90 east to Lewiston exit County 29, go south on 29 one-fourth mile to County 109, take 109 south two miles and east one-half mile exit to Twp. 10 and continue east one-half mile, long driveway on south. Watch for signs.
Additional Information: Speaker: Neil Broadwater, Winona County Extension Educator.
Sept. 1
(Wednesday)
Flame Burning for Weed Control and Renovation with Strawberries. The project purpose is to evaluate and demonstrate the potential of flame burning to reduce pesticide use, maintain weed control and reduce cultural practices in strawberry renovation systems. Results of 1998 burn treatments on 1999 strawberry production will be discussed, The 1999 studies will be explained and we will demonstrate equipment for burn renovation.
North Central Research & Outreach Center/David Wildung, 1861 East Highway 169, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
218-327-4711 Itasca County
Time: Registration & coffee 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., Tour 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Directions to Tour: North Central Research & Outreach Center is located on Highway 169 east on the east edge of Grand Rapids. Registration will be in the Horticultural plot area by the Greenhouse.
Additional Information: Co-sponsor: Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. In the afternoon, beginning at 2:00 p.m., North Central Research & Outreach Center will have their Horticulture Day Field Day visiting selected stops in the small fruit, vegetable and flower plots. One stop on this tour will be strawberry burn renovation. Everyone is welcome to attend both events!
Sept. 10
(Friday)
Legume Cover Crops Interseeded in Corn as a Source of Nitrogen. Interseeding legumes at time of corn tasseling can provide a natural source of nitrogen through symbiotic Rhizobial nitrogen fixation. Corn topping can add to the amount of nitrogen fixed thus reducing the dependence on fertilizers. The final year of the project has produced more results and helped fine-tune parameters.
Dian Lopez/Alan Olness, University of Minnesota--Morris and USDA-Agricultural Research Services, 803 Iowa Avenue, Morris, MN 56267
320-589-3411 ext. 131 StevensCounty
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Directions to Tour: Swan Lake Research Farm: from intersection of Highways 9 and 28 in Morris, travel 5.2 miles west on 28 to County Road 3. Turn left (north) on 3 and travel 5.6 miles to Road #73. Turn right (west) on #73 one mile to Swan Lake. Follow the signs.
Additional Information: Cooperating farmers: Stan Hennen, Dale Nordmans and Winfred Schmidt. Speakers: Bill Head, Animal Scientist, WCROC, "Grazing Programs at West Central Research and Outreach Center"; Lynn Carpenter Boggs, Soil Micro-biologist, "The Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Microbial Activity"; and, Dan Swensen and Neil Mattson, UMM and USDA/ARS, will speak on the latest results of the above project. Lunch and tours of the Swan Lake Research Plots provided.
Sept. 11
(Saturday)
Low Cost Hoop Gestation. This project will demonstrate the use of hoop buildings, bedded with corn stalks and straw for gestation. The building is divided into four pens with a center feeding platform. The project is looking at costs, feed savings and sow comfort in relation to conception.
Steve Stassen, 1105 - 140th Avenue SE, Kerkhoven, MN 56252
320-264-5932 SwiftCounty
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Directions to Tour: One mile south of Kerkhoven on Swift County 35--south on gravel road for one mile, east side of road.
Additional Information: Morning field day at the Stassen farm. A noon meal will be sponsored by the Chippewa and Swift County Pork Producers. After lunch the field day will continue at the Jim Van Der Pol farm from 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Directions to Van Der Pols: From Kerkhoven, nine miles south on Swift County #35 - Chippewa County #2 to Highway 40, one mile west on Highway 40, south on Chippewa County #2 one and one-fourth miles. From Clara City, eight and three-fourth miles north on Chippewa County #2 (2075 - 110th Avenue).
Sept. 13
(Monday)
Interseeding Hairy Vetch in Sunflowers and Corn. Research showed that hairy vetch could be used as a cover crop when interseeded into three to four week old sunflower, at the four leaf stage of sunflower development. The intent is to add biomass to a low residue crop without reducing crop yield. This project is bringing the research findings to producers. Each participating producer has a 10-acre plot of sunflower or corn, interseeded with vetch, next to a plot without the vetch. At the end of the season plot yields are compared. No yield reduction in the main crop has been found. The vetch can protect the soil from erosion, fix nitrogen, and add organic matter to the soil. Some producers let their cattle graze the vetch.
Hans Kandel, Red Lake County Extension Educator, P. O. Box 279, Red Lake Falls, MN 56750
218-253-2897 Red LakeCounty
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Directions to Tour: Starting point of the tour will be at the "Eats-N-Antiques" cafe in Fertile, MN, 202 Mill Street North and Highway 32.
Additional Information: The results from previous years will be shared and we will visit a plot where hairy vetch was interseeded in sunflower, a plot where hairy vetch was seeded into wheat, and one other plot not yet determined. We will travel by bus from the cafe to the plots and return to the cafe for a refreshment. Please give Hans Kandel a call at 1-800-770-1244 if you intend to participate. More detailed information about the plot tour will be available on the web at http://www.smallgrains.org/cal-agr.htm.
Sept. 21
(Tuesday)
Reviving and Enhancing Soils for Maximizing Performance of Pastures and Livestock. This project analyses the effects of various fertilizer treatments on pastures. Tissue analysis, refractometer readings, forage probe measurements, microbiological activity and animal productivity will all be measured.
Doug Rathke & Connie Karstens, 61231 MN Highway 7, Hutchinson, MN 55350
320-587-6094 Meeker County
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Directions to Tour: Ten miles west of Hutchinson on Highway 7. First farm west of Cedar Mills on Highway 7.
Additional Information: Cooperator: Doug Gunnink, Grazing Consultant.
Sept. 23
(Thursday)
Dry Edible Beans as an Alternative Crop in a Direct Marketing Operation. As part of our diversified truck farm operation, we are developing a system for producing and direct marketing dry edible beans. The project involves planting, cultivating, harvesting, storing and marketing several varieties of organically grown beans. The field day will include discussion and demonstration of all these aspects of the project with special emphasis on harvest techniques and marketing approaches.
Diane & Bruce Milan, 28351 Foliage Avenue, Northfield, MN 55057
507-645-8282 DakotaCounty
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Directions to Tour: The farm is on Dakota County 23 just south of the intersection with Dakota County 86 (289th street) between Lakeville and Northfield. From Minneapolis--35W south to County road 70 exit south of Lakeville. Left (east) on 70 to County Road 23. Right (south) on 23 for about nine miles to stop sign at County Road 86. Take a left then take the first right. The farm is the first place on the right. From St. Paul--Highway 3 south through Rosemount and Farmington to County Road 86. Right on 86 about two and one-half miles to County Road 23. Left on 23, first farm on right.
Additional Information: Co-Sponsored by the Cannon River Chapter of the Sustainable Farming Assn.

October

October 2
(Saturday)
Surface Application of Liming Materials. We top dressed plots on old hayfields with agricultural limestone, pelletized lime, Blandin Paper Company wood ash or Cutler-Magner Company by-product lime. Plots were monitored for yield, forage quality, soil pH and fertility, and species composition. The purpose of the project is to find out if low levels of lime applied annually cause yield or quality improvement.
Jane Grimsbo Jewett, Route 1, Box 3405, Palisade, MN 56469
218-845-2832 AitkinCounty
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Directions to Tour: North of Palisade on the River Road (County Road 10) ten miles; east side of road. Or from Jacobson, west on 200 about one and one-half miles to County Road 10 then south about 17 miles. The Jewett farm is one mile south of the junction of County Roads 18 and 10.
Additional Information: Coffee, lemonade, and snacks will be available. We will have presenters from the local NRCS and Extension offices, and information about sources of lime in the area.

October 12
(Tuesday)
Increasing Quality and Quantity of Pasture Forage with Management Intensive Grazing as an Alternative to Grazing Wooded Land. Management intensive grazing practices are being used to increase the quality and quantity of forage available to our Piedmontese beef herd to avoid the need to graze wooded land. This is the first year and paddocks are being developed.
Michael Harmon, Route 2, Box 348, Shevlin, MN 56676
218-657-2592 Clearwater County
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Directions to Tour: South of Shevlin 15 miles on County Road 2 or north of Lake Itasca three miles. At the Itasca Fire Department building go east about one mile on Township Road 108 then north on Township Road 138 for two miles. The road narrows and ends at the farm.
Additional Information: Speaker: Terry Nennich, Clearwater County Extension Educator.
October 28
(Thursday)
Development of a Low-Cost Mechanism for the Interseeding of Companion/Cover Crops in a Corn-Soybean Rotation. We are interseeding a variety of crops including hair vetch, red mammoth clover, and ryegrass into our corn and soybeans. Using a Vicon pendulum seeder driven hydraulically, we interseed during second cultivation. We hope to determine which interseeded crops perform best in the corn/soybean rotation, assess the effect of the interseeded crop on pest, disease, and weed cycles; and determine the effects of an interseeded crop on plant available water for the grain crops.
Tony Thompson, P.O. Box 128, Windom, MN 56101
507-831-3483 Cottonwood County
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Directions to Tour: From Highway 60 intersection with Cottonwood County Road #2 at Bingham Lake, drive three and one-half miles south. The last half mile is on gravel. Turn into the Willow Lake Farm. From Windom's intersection of Highways 60 and 62 (McDonalds) drive east three and one-half miles on County Road 17. Turn south at the intersection of County Road #2. Drive south to the Willow Lake Farm.
Additional Information: Speakers: Dr. Paul Porter, Research Agronomist at the University of Minnesota Southwest Research and Outreach Center will be talking about the agronomic benefits of introducing a third crop interseeded into a corn and soybean rotation. Dan Lindahl, District Administrator for Nobles County SWCD, will be speaking about the effects of interseeded crops on infiltration, runoff, and nitrogen leaching. Tony Thompson and Nicole Wagner will discuss their plots.

Note

Because Minnesota weather is so unpredictable, before attending a field day or tour, please contact the field day host to confirm the date and time!!!