Podcasts about minnesota extension

Fluffy soil syndrome can lead to uneven crop emergence and reduced yields, especially after aggressive tillage and winters with little snow cover. In this Successful Farming Saturday Short, University of Minnesota Extension crop educator Jodi DeJong-Hughes explains what causes fluffy soil syndrome, how to spot it in your fields, and the tillage practices that can help prevent it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

North Dakota State University Extension and the University of Minnesota Extension have partnered with the Livestock Marketing Information Center to provide a sheep and goat market outlook webinar. The webinar begins this evening at 7 p.m. CDT. Source: NDSU Extension See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

University of Minnesota Extension's two-day field School for Ag Professionals is coming up July 29 and July 30, 2026. If you're an agronomist, a retailer, dealer or consultant, if you're a summer field scout - we encourage you to attend these small-group, hands-on sessions led in the field by experienced instructors. 12 Certified Crop Advisor CEUs credits are available! For all the details, including info on lodging, visit z.umn.edu/AgFieldSchool2026We're examining the effect of recent heavy rainfall on input decision-making in today's Nutrient Management Podcast. What adverse or severe weather conditions did parts of Minnesota recently experience? How does it compare to past events? It's currently mid-July; what did the Minnesota Drought Monitor say about our drought levels before the rainfall? Was the soil profile able to accept more water as a result? What effect did the heavy rain have on nutrients in the field? At this point in the season, are corn crops past the risk of damage? What effect do soil types have on both the amount of N recommended, and the speed at which the N can potentially leave the field? All this and more on today's episode.Guests:Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato)Daniel Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)Jeff Vetsch, U of M researcher (Waseca)Additional Resources:Minnesota Drought MonitorField Notes talks about what to expect after heavy June rains (recorded 2025)Did applying supplemental nitrogen fertilizer to corn in south-central Minnesota pay?Why understanding the nitrogen cycle is key to managing soil fertilityFertilizing corn in Minnesota—Listen to all Nutrient Management Podcast episodes.For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website.If you have questions or comments, please email us at nutmgmt@umn.edu.Support for the Nutrient Management Podcast is provided by Minnesota's fertilizer tonnage fee through the Agricultural Fertilizer Research & Education Council (AFREC). Learn more at MNsoilfertility.com.

Thanks for listening to The Watershed, a podcast from We Are Water MN.In this episode, we're joined by 6 community members near Itasca State Park: Connie Cox, Dakota and Amy Sather, Deane Johnson, Emily Schilling, Chi binesikwe, and Steve Maanum. You can also hear these interviews in the We Are Water MN exhibit. The exhibit is being hosted by Itasca Biological Station and the Department of Natural Resources at the Lakeside Museum in Itasca State Park from now until August 10th, 2026.You can learn more about We Are Water MN at ⁠We Are Water MN - Minnesota Humanities Center⁠Special thank you to Mumble Media, who conducted our interviews for Itasca State Park. Thank you to our interviewees for this episode.We are Water MN is a project of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension.We Are Water Minnesota is funded by the Clean Water Fund, part of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, which was created by the vote of the people in Minnesota on November 4th, 2008.   You can find We Are Water MN on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠Facebook⁠, where you can follow along for the latest updates!Music Credits: Little Water Dreams by Thomas Hoffmeyer from Pixabay 

University of Minnesota Extension's two-day field School for Ag Professionals is coming up July 29 and July 30, 2026. If you're an agronomist, a retailer, dealer or consultant, if you're a summer field scout - we encourage you to attend these small-group, hands-on sessions led in the field by experienced instructors. 12 Certified Crop Advisor CEUs credits are available! For all the details, including info on lodging, visit z.umn.edu/AgFieldSchool2026Nitrate reduction with perennial plants is the topic on today's Advancing Nitrogen Smart podcast. What are some pros and cons of covers like rye, oat and alfalfa for reducing nitrate? How do they compare in terms of biomass or establishment? What sets alfalfa apart as a cover crop candidate? How does our Minnesota climate affect a strategy for perennials? How could cover crop benefits stack up when used in conjunction with a dairy operation for example? Do some areas of the landscape benefit from perennials more than others? All this and more on the 38th episode of Advancing Nitrogen Smart.Guests:Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato)Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)Additional resources:Cover CropsBest management for cover crops in unfavorable weather patternsGrowing cover crops in Minnesota: 4 great resources to get you startedVideo: Can cover crops reduce nitrate loss in tile drainage?Midwest Cover Crops Council (Minnesota)Strategic Farming: Let's talk cover crops!---For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website.If you have questions or comments, please email us at nutmgmt@umn.edu.Advancing Nitrogen Smart is proud to be supported by the farm families of Minnesota and their corn check-off investment through Minnesota Corn.

This Monday edition of the Closing Market Report highlights a major, post-holiday surge across the agricultural commodity markets, driven primarily by an adverse late-summer weather forecast and renewed export interest from China. Host Todd Gleason reports substantial gains in corn, soybean, and wheat futures following recent contract lows. Market analyst Curt Kimmel of AgMarket.net discusses the logistical significance of China picking up soybean cargoes off the Pacific Northwest and the Gulf, noting that while the technical fundamentals haven't shifted, the buying enthusiasm provides critical support ahead of Friday's upcoming USDA WASDE report. In agricultural news, farm groups are actively pushing back against Bayer's request for anti-dumping duties on Chinese glyphosate imports due to concerns over narrowing farmer margins. Additionally, University of Illinois Extension entomologist Nick Seiter warns producers to actively scout for corn leaf aphids as crops enter their vulnerable tasseling stage, and Senate Agriculture Chair John Boozman expresses hope to transition foreign food aid programs back under the jurisdiction of the USDA via a new farm bill.The program also features an in-depth economic perspective from University of Minnesota Extension economist Ed Usset, who views the current market rally as a classic post-July 4th weather market. While acknowledging the bump from hot, dry domestic forecasts and extreme heat hitting crops in France, Usset reminds producers that this rally serves as an excellent "second chance" to clean out remaining old crop inventories and execute scale-up sales on new crop corn and soybeans before defensive seasonal trends potentially return. Finally, Mark Russo of EverStream Analytics breaks down the broader global weather patterns, noting that while the core U.S. Midwest looks secure, a highly intense ridge of high pressure will bring crop-stressing heat to western plains states like Nebraska, Kansas, and South Dakota next week. Internationally, Russo reports a disastrous third heat wave accelerating crop deterioration for  corn in France and parts of Eastern Europe, while unseasonal winter rains slightly slow the safrinha corn harvest in southern Brazil.01:35 Ag Markets with Curt Kimmel, AgMarket.net07:20 Bayer Requests Glyphosate Import Protections08:00 Scout for Corn Aphids09:12 Farm Bill Legislation May Attempt to Move Foreign Food Aid10:54 Commodity Market Discussion with Ed Usset, University of Minnesota18:04 Ag Weather with Mark Russo, EverStream Analytics ★ Support this podcast ★

Does it feel like every trip to the grocery store costs more than it used to? You're not alone. With food prices still high, many households are looking for ways to stretch their grocery budgets.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two experts about smart shopping, cutting food waste and preparing healthy, affordable meals.Guests:Mary Schroeder is a health and nutrition educator with the University of Minnesota Extension and a registered dietitian nutritionist. She specializes in helping individuals and families make healthy, affordable food choices through meal planning, food budgeting and food waste reduction. She is based in Willmar, Minnesota.Jenny Breen is a chef, public health nutritionist and author of “Cooking Up the Good Life.” She teaches culinary nutrition courses through the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing at the University of Minnesota.

University of Minnesota Extension's two-day field School for Ag Professionals is coming up July 29 and July 30, 2026. If you're an agronomist, a retailer, dealer or consultant, if you're a summer field scout - we encourage you to attend these small-group, hands-on sessions led in the field by experienced instructors. 12 Certified Crop Advisor CEUs credits are available! For all the details, including info on lodging, visit z.umn.edu/AgFieldSchool2026Irrigation is the topic of discussion of today's episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast. What are current irrigation conditions in Minnesota? How is the aquifer in the Central Sands region recharged, and why is it so important to manage nutrients efficiently when irrigating? What new irrigation and nutrient management research is being conducted by the University of Minnesota? What are some of the benefits and risks associated with irrigation - and what practices might a farmer want to focus on first? What partnerships and financial resources are available for Minnesota farmers interested in adopting irrigation practices? Are there smaller practices that a grower new to irrigation might want to consider? What have farmers reported back to our panelists after having adopted irrigation practices? What are irrigation practices like throughout the rest of the country, and how does Minnesota differ? All this and more on today's show.GuestsVasu Sharma, Extension irrigation specialist, Dept. of Soil, Water, and Climate (St. Paul)Carl Rosen, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)Tim Gieseke, Extension educator, Ag Water Management (Mankato)Additional ResourcesRegional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)National Resources Conservation Service - MinnesotaMinnesota Soil and Water Conservation DistrictsResearch shows precision irrigation technology can improve irrigation water productivity in cornIrrigation ManagementNutrient management for irrigated crops in MN: Corn, potatoes, & edible beans---For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website.If you have questions or comments, please email us at nutmgmt@umn.edu.Support for the Nutrient Management Podcast is provided by Minnesota's fertilizer tonnage fee through the Agricultural Fertilizer Research & Education Council (AFREC). Learn more at MNsoilfertility.com.

In this episode, we're joined by Annalisa Hultberg, a Food Safety Extension Educator with the University of Minnesota Extension, and Ariel Pressman, Principal Consultant with Whole Farm Strategies. Together, they share practical tips for building a low-cost packshed. From structures and flooring to essential equipment, they break down how growers can create an efficient wash/pack space without sacrificing functionality or food safety.Additional Resources:University of Minnesota Food Safety FactsheetsUniversity of Vermont Post-Harvest Resources

Thanks for listening to The Watershed, a podcast from We Are Water MN.In this episode, we're joined by 6 community members from the Capitol Region Watershed District: Andrew Montain, Ray Ruiz, Thia Xiong, Devin Brown, Tanáǧidaŋ Tó Wíŋ, and Seitu Ken Jones. You can also hear these interviews in the We Are Water MN exhibit. The exhibit is being hosted by Capitol Region Watershed District in St. Paul from April 23rd to June 14th, 2026.You can learn more about We Are Water MN at We Are Water MN - Minnesota Humanities CenterSpecial thank you to Mumble Media, who conducted our interviews for Capitol Region Watershed District. Thank you to our interviewees for this episode.We are Water MN is a project of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension.We are Water MN is funded with money from the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.You can find We Are Water MN on Instagram and Facebook, where you can follow along for the latest updates!Music Credits: Calm Water Sound Meditation from Calm water sound meditation | Royalty-free Music - Pixabay

A new report shows many parts of greater Minnesota are diversifying and growing. However, sustained population growth looks unlikely with an aging Baby Boomer generation and declining birth rates. That's the topline from the 2026 State of Rural report by the Center for Rural Policy and Development. Ben Winchester says there's even more to the story around these trends — and it has a lot to do with housing. As a rural sociologist with the University of Minnesota Extension, he studies housing dynamics across the state. MPR News host Kelly Gordon talked with him on Minnesota Now.

This episode of The Moos Room dives into new research on agrivoltaics—specifically how forages perform when grown under solar panels in grazing systems. Brad shares results from a recent study evaluating multiple grass and legume species across different solar array designs compared to a traditional pasture.Overall, forage production depended heavily on species and shade level. Cool-season grasses like meadow fescue and orchardgrass performed well under solar panels, sometimes even producing more biomass than in open pasture. In contrast, warm-season species like sorghum-sudangrass struggled under shaded conditions. Legumes such as red clover maintained strong performance and contributed to improved forage quality.One of the biggest takeaways was that while heavier shade can reduce total biomass, it often improves forage quality. Grasses grown under solar panels showed higher crude protein and greater fiber digestibility, especially in more shaded systems. This suggests agrivoltaic systems can still produce high-quality feed, even when yield is slightly reduced.The episode highlights that selecting the right species—particularly shade-tolerant cool-season grasses and legume mixtures—is key to success in grazing-based solar systems. Ultimately, agrivoltaics offers a promising opportunity to combine livestock production with renewable energy, providing both high-quality forage and an additional revenue stream for farmers.Agrivoltaic arrays and effects of forage biomass and nutritive value of grasses and legumes for grazing dairy cattlehttps://www.jdscommun.org/article/S2666-9102(26)00073-6/fulltextAgrivoltaics Webinar Cattle and Kilowatts 4/14Sponsored by University of Minnesota ExtensionOur first webinar is April 14th, 2026 5pm CT.Register for the zoom link: z.umn.edu/cattlekilowattsCattle and kilowatts webinar: Real-world solar grazing in practiceJoin the University of Minnesota Extension for an in-depth webinar featuring pioneers of cattle solar grazing. This session moves beyond theory and into the pasture, focusing on the practical management, infrastructure, and animal welfare considerations of running cattle on solar sites. Guest speakers include Will Harris and Dale Caldwell (White Oak Pastures) leaders in regenerative agriculture who have integrated solar grazing into their multi-species operation in Bluffton, Georgia. Josh Bennett (HUWA Enterprises), an agrimation expert at the forefront of cattle-ready solar design will also join the discussion.Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!Linkedin -> The Moos RoomTwitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafetyFacebook -> @UMNDairyYouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and HealthInstagram -> @UMNWCROCDairyExtension WebsiteAgriAmerica Podcast Directory 

The University of Minnesota Extension service hosted a Strategic Farming webinar on Wednesday morning on the topic of early corn and soybean planting. For soybeans, Extension agronomist Seth Naeve said some people get a “little too hung up” on the calendar date when it comes to “early” planting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The University of Minnesota Extension service hosted a Strategic Farming webinar on Wednesday morning on the topic of early corn and soybean planting. For optimal corn planting dates, Extension agronomist Jeff Coulter said the best window of opportunity opens in about 3 ½ weeks. This National Ag Month story is brought to you by the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning for the next generation to take on the family farm can be a huge stressor on farmers. According to a recent analysis by Farm Journal, nearly 15 percent of American cropland is projected to change hands by 2030. Yet, many producers have no formal succession plans in place. Over the winter, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture along with University of Minnesota Extension and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, are helping farmers with that transition through retreats. Jim Molenaar supports farmers with succession planning and presents at the retreats. He joined Minnesota Now to talk more about his work.

Thanks for listening to The Watershed, a podcast from We Are Water MN.In this episode, we're joined by Sarah Holger, a woman who lives in the Zumbro River watershed and who has dedicated her career to getting kids connected to the outside world. Sarah dives into her past and shares about a magical swamp that has helped shape who she is today. The We Are Water MN exhibit will be hosted by Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo in Byron from February 24th to April 20th, 2026. You can learn more about We Are Water MN at ⁠We Are Water MN - Minnesota Humanities Center⁠Special thank you to Mumble Media, who conducted our interviews for Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo. Thank you to Sarah Holger, our interviewee for this episode.We are Water MN is a project of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension.We are Water MN is funded with money from the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.You can find We Are Water MN on ⁠ Facebook, ⁠⁠Instagram, ⁠and, ⁠TikTok⁠ where you can follow along for the latest updates!Music Credits: Calm Water Sound Meditation from ⁠https://pixabay.com/music/meditationspiritual-calm-water-sound-meditation-402559/

The immigration enforcement surge has taken an economic toll on many Minnesota communities, especially in the Twin Cities. As workers and customers stay home, some restaurants, construction firms and other businesses that employ immigrants are struggling to stay open. Minneapolis officials estimate the city lost more than $200 million in economic activity in a single month. And, when spending contracts this quickly, the impact ripples through industries far beyond those directly touched by immigration enforcement.MPR News host Angela Davis takes a look at the economic impact of ICE, proposals from local and state governments to support struggling businesses and how to move forward. Guests:Chris Farrell is the senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace. Neil Linscheid is a state specialist in entrepreneurship and expert in community economics for University of Minnesota Extension. He works alongside local leaders to develop practical, community-centered strategies that build and drive long-term economic health. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.  

Robin Trott fills in for Emily Lindenfelser on our visit with the University of Minnesota Extension.

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by Emily Krekelberg, an educator for farm safety within the University of Minnesota extension services. This episode was developed by the AABP Mental Health and Well-Being Committee. This episode of Have You Herd? is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim and the PYRAMID(R) line of vaccines, a premier choice to protect calves from BRD. Get relentless protection at PyramidVaccines.com. Krekelberg defines ambiguous loss as a loss that is unclear or lacks closure. Some loss, such as death, is defined both physically (the person is no longer with us) and psychologically (we understand that the person is gone). With ambiguous loss there is an incongruence between physical and psychological loss. Krekelberg provides some examples of ambiguous loss from our everyday lives. Krekelberg discusses how ambiguous loss might look in a person and offers suggestions for how we can recognize this in our friends, family and clients. Ambiguous loss can be challenging to overcome because we do not know what we are experiencing and grief complicates this process. She also provides some suggestions for coping with ambiguous loss including understanding that conflicting feelings are normal, finding meaning and identifying the loss and discovering hope. If you are an AABP member interested in this and other mental health topics, consider joining the AABP Mental Health and Well-Being Committee by going to this page.  Resources:The Myth of Closure by Pauline Boss.  University of Minnesota Extension and type ambiguous loss in the search bar. The Moos Room podcast or find on your favorite podcast platform. 

Thanks for listening to The Watershed, a podcast from We Are Water MN.In this episode, we're joined by Brett Ostby, a biologist who works with endangered species, with a special focus on freshwater mussels. Brett explores how human activity has reshaped the way our rivers function, and what those changes mean for the wildlife that depends on them.The We Are Water MN exhibit will be hosted by Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo in Byron from February 24th to April 20th, 2026. You can learn more about We Are Water MN at We Are Water MN - Minnesota Humanities CenterSpecial thank you to Mumble Media, who conducted our interviews for Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo. Thank you to Brett Ostby, our interviewee for this episode.We are Water MN is a project of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension.We are Water MN is funded with money from the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.You can find We Are Water MN on Facebook, Instagram, and, TikTok where you can follow along for the latest updates!Music Credits: Calm Water Sound Meditation from https://pixabay.com/music/meditationspiritual-calm-water-sound-meditation-402559/

North Dakota State University Extension and University of Minnesota Extension will host the annual Best of the Best in Wheat and Soybean Research Meetings at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota, on Feb. 4, and at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Moorhead, Minnesota, on Feb. 5. Source: North Dakota State University ExtensionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've ever planned a garden that looked amazing on paper and then halfway through summer you thought, “I do not have the time for this,” this episode is for you.Because a garden can be beautiful, productive, and fun and still be too much if the plan doesn't match your real life.Today on Just Grow Something we're building a low-maintenance garden plan. Not by choosing “easy plants,” but by designing your garden around the things that actually determine how much work it takes: location, layout, watering, weed control, and disease pressure and how that fits into the rest of your actual life.Low-maintenance does not mean low-yield. It means fewer chores that pile up, fewer “emergency problems,” and a garden that still functions when your life gets busy.As we go, I'll give you simple action steps you can do in January to set this up. Because the easiest gardening season is the one you design on purpose.Let's dig in.References and Resources:My Plan Like A Pro Course is Open for Registration: ⁠https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/pro⁠University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension. “Beginning Vegetable Garden Basics: Site Selection and Soil Preparation.” https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/beginning-vegetable-garden-basics-site-selection-and-soil-preparationColorado State University Extension. “Drip Irrigation for Home Gardens.” https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/drip-irrigation-for-home-gardens/University of Minnesota Extension. “Mulching 101: the secret to a healthy and happy garden.” https://extension.umn.edu/news/mulching-101-secret-healthy-and-happy-gardenOregon State University Extension Service. “Sheet mulching and lasagna composting with cardboard.” https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/em-9559-sheet-mulching-lasagna-composting-cardboard

Thank you for listening to The Watershed! This podcast is produced by We Are Water MN, a traveling exhibit and community engagement initiative. In 2026, the exhibit will visit five communities throughout the state of Minnesota: Byron (Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo), St. Paul (Capitol Region Watershed District), Park Rapids (Itasca State Park), Little Falls (Great River Arts), and Blaine (Anoka County Library). Learn more about We Are Water MN at www.mnhum.org/water.We Are Water Minnesota is led by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Humanities Center, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health, Agriculture, and Natural Resources, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Minnesota Historical Society, and the University of Minnesota Extension. We Are Water Minnesota is funded by the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment fund, which was created by the vote of the people in Minnesota on November 4th, 2008.  You can find We Are Water MN on⁠ Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, & TikTok, where you can follow along for the latest updates!Music: Calm Water Sound Meditation from Pixabay

Tim Matthews chats with Emily Lindenfelser with the University of Minnesota Extension.

Food shelves across the country are seeing increased demand. And a new survey carried out by the University of Minnesota Extension and Minnesota-based nonprofit Foundation for Essential Needs provides a closer look at the need. Among the takeaways from the nearly 10,000 Minnesotans who responded this past spring: more than half say they got half or more of all their food from a food shelf. Dom Korbel is with Community Pathways of Steele County in Owatonna. He's joined Minnesota Now to share how he uses the results of the survey to stock the shelves and what the need looks like ahead of the holiday season.

In this episode, Brad and Emily welcome a special guest: Dr. Angie Varnum, the University of Minnesota Extension's new livestock veterinarian. After some banter about Minnesota winters—and a classic round of The Moos Room's “super-secret” cattle breed questions—the crew dives into Angie's unique path to Extension.Angie shares how she went from growing up in suburban Maple Grove to studying Spanish education, teaching in schools, and eventually being inspired to pursue veterinary medicine. Her training and work took her across the western U.S., where she gained experience in beef and dairy systems before returning to Minnesota to practice large-animal medicine. Her love for both animals and education ultimately led her to Extension.The conversation explores:How Angie's Spanish language background shapes her work and the opportunities it creates for better outreach and training with Spanish-speaking livestock employees.Current and emerging livestock health concerns, and the importance of distinguishing real risks from media frenzy—while still preparing producers with good information.The evolving role of veterinarians in dairy and beef systems, from herd health and data-driven decision-making to the value of strong producer–vet relationships.Animal behavior and welfare science, an area Angie is especially passionate about integrating into herd health discussions.Angie also highlights upcoming Extension programs she'll be involved in, including the new Artificial Insemination School, Beef Quality Assurance certification sessions, Cow/Calf Days, and several small ruminant programs—from webinars to hands-on lambing and kidding workshops.It's a fun, thoughtful conversation introducing a new member of the Extension livestock team and setting the stage for exciting work ahead.Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!Linkedin -> The Moos RoomTwitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafetyFacebook -> @UMNDairyYouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and HealthInstagram -> @UMNWCROCDairyExtension WebsiteAgriAmerica Podcast Directory 

Fruit crops in Minnesota have gone dormant to survive the winter. That leaves the people who grow them to plan ahead. For organic fruit growers, that includes preparing for warmer winters, wetter springs and drier summers. Those are among the climate-driven trends affecting Minnesota. On Wednesday, the University of Minnesota Extension will begin the second year of a climate resilience program for fruit growers in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Madeline Wimmer is organizing the program as an extension educator and president of the Organic Fruit Growers Association. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the role fruit crops play in the region's food system and how fruit farmers are adjusting for climate change.

When the garden beds are frozen, the days are short, and you're staring at bags of store-bought salad mix, it can feel like fresh homegrown food is a long way off. But it doesn't have to be.Today on Just Grow Something we're talking about growing herbs and leafy greens indoors in winter—on a windowsill, under a simple grow light, or with one of those countertop indoor garden systemsIf you've ever thought:• “I'd love fresh basil in January.”• “My house is too dark to grow anything.”• Or, “Are those indoor garden gadgets actually worth it?”This episode is for you. Let's dig in.References and Resources:How Do We Measure Light: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/houseplants/light-for-houseplants/University of Minnesota Extension. “Growing Herbs Inside is Easy and Healthy.” 2022. https://extension.umn.edu/news/growing-herbs-inside-easy-and-healthyPenn State Extension. “A Step-By-Step Guide for Growing Microgreens at Home.” 2023. https://extension.psu.edu/a-step-by-step-guide-for-growing-microgreens-at-homeJust Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.comJust Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shopJust Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18YgHveF5P/ Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomethingBonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomethingAmazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

At some point in our lives, many of us will struggle to afford groceries. A job loss, a medical crisis, a divorce, an unexpected expense — life happens. Yet shame often keeps us from seeking help at food shelves and through food assistance programs like SNAP. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks about food insecurity and the stigma that often surrounds it. Guests:Karen Tolkkinen is a columnist for the Minnesota Star Tribune who writes about issues and people of greater Minnesota. She recently wrote a column about her experience turning to food assistance at two different points in her life.Susie West is a University of Minnesota Extension educator who manages and leads a program that helps make food shelves more dignified and inviting — places where families can choose food the way they would in a grocery store.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.     

Brad and Emily reunite on the podcast to dive into an essential—and timely—topic: farmer mental health. With fall wrapping up and winter on the horizon, stressors on the farm shift and often intensify. Emily shares updates on her recent travels and outreach work in farm safety, health, and wellness, highlighting the seasonal rise in mental health–related concerns across rural communities.Together, Brad and Emily walk through:Why stress is so high right now — uncertainty in markets, weather, disease, economic pressure, and social isolation.Common mental health concerns in farmers, including chronic stress, anxiety, and depression.Key warning signs to watch for in yourself and others—physical symptoms, behavioral changes, and emotional red flags.How to reach out when you're concerned about someone, and why it matters more than people realize.Barriers rural residents face when accessing mental health care, including service shortages and stigma.University of Minnesota Extension's work supporting mental health, including training programs like COMET, resources on ambiguous loss, and broader regional efforts to make help more accessible.Emily emphasizes that checking in, offering support, and connecting people to resources can make a meaningful difference. The episode wraps with reminders that it's okay to not be okay—but it's not okay to keep it to yourself. Brad and Emily also point listeners to a long list of mental health and farm stress resources in the show notes, including Emily's recent appearance on RFD-TV discussing this very topic.COMET: Changing our mental and emotional trajectory TrainingAmbiguous loss and farmingUMN Extension Farm Safety and Health webpageMinnesota Farm Stress resourcesFarm Aid Farmer Resource NetworkQuestions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!Linkedin -> The Moos RoomTwitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafetyFacebook -> @UMNDairyYouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and HealthInstagram -> @UMNWCROCDairyExtension WebsiteAgriAmerica Podcast Directory 

One of our favorite guests is back! Ben Winchester is a rural researcher who digs into the intersection of housing, demographics, and community vitality. In this episode, we're going over some of his latest research and the trends he's seeing, and why now is the time to make plans for growing our small towns. There are tons of opportunities, but we have to go out and grab them! Our favorite thing about Ben is that he provides context and action around data (even tough data!) and provides communities with real options for addressing some of their most pressing concerns, like housing and aging populations. About Ben: Benjamin Winchester is a Rural Sociologist with the University of Minnesota Extension, Department of Community Development Ben has been working both in and for small towns across the Midwest for around 30 years. He lives in St. Cloud, Minnesota with his wife and two children. Ben is trained as a Rural Sociologist and works in the Extension Department of Community Development at the University of Minnesota. He conducts applied research on economic, social, and demographic topics surrounding a theme of "rewriting the rural narrative" and received the Rural Renewal Research Prize in 2021 for this work. In this episode, we cover: How "peak death" and the baby boomer generation are reshaping rural housing markets Why the "policy of best intentions" to age in place often backfires, and how to plan around it The economic power of housing as a growth engine, not just a community need What Otter Tail County did to successfully grow its population through proactive housing investment Why "the army of the willing" drives real community change. Links + Resources Mentioned: Ben's "Brain Gain" landing page which contains articles, podcasts, and research papers. http://z.umn.edu/braingain Rural Rebound Initiative overview video https://youtu.be/eC6BPMjKWIM Economic Impact of Rural Housing https://extension.umn.edu/cd-exchange/economic-impact-rural-house-private-benefit-public-action Cory Hepola - My Town episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIfukaV3yuM Rewriting the Rural Narrative webinar (Jan 2023): https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/small-town-missouri-coffee-shop-goes-viral-with-tiktok-post Sponsor Spotlight: Want to get your business in front of our audience? We are looking for podcast sponsors! Each season, we feature a select group of Small Business Partners—brands that share our mission to celebrate small-town life and big ideas. With a 4–6% average Facebook engagement rate (well above the industry average), 2,600+ loyal followers, and 45,000 monthly content views, we have an amazing, highly engaged audience of people who can't wait to learn more about you. When we feature you, your story, and your product/service, it's like a friend's recommendation, because it is. Want to know more? Reach out to us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org This week's Small-Town Shout-Out is: Stratford, SD! Christy shares that her biggest source of pride in Stratford is the community theater. It pulls together people from all different parts of the community while doing something they love and celebrating art, and we love that people get to do that. Heck yeah, Stratford! We Want to Hear From You! We really, really do, and if you'll let us, we'd love to feature your actual message just like we did with Terri's during our last episode (with your permission, of course!) Some of the best parts about radio shows and podcasts are listener call-ins, so we've decided to make those a part of the Growing Small Towns Podcast. We really, really want to hear from you! We're have two "participation dance" elements of the show: "Small town humblebrags": Call in and tell us about something amazing you did in your small town so we can celebrate with you. No win is too small—we want to hear it all, and we will be excessively enthusiastic about whatever it is! You can call in for your friends, too, because giving shout-outs is one of our favorite things.  "Solving Your Small-Town People Challenges": Have a tough issue in your community? We want to help. Call in and tell us about your problem, and we'll solve it on an episode of the podcast. Want to remain anonymous? Totally cool, we can be all secretive and stuff. We're suave like that.  If you've got a humblebrag or a tricky people problem, call 701-203-3337 and leave a message with the deets. We really can't wait to hear from you!  Get In Touch Have an idea for a future episode/guest, have feedback or a question, or just want to chat? Email us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org Subscribe + Review Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of The Growing Small Towns Show! If the information in our conversations and interviews has helped you in your small town, head out to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver relevant, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more small-town trailblazers just like you!  

Top topics on Outdoor News Radio this week include Editor Tim Spielman sharing his story with Managing Editor Rob Drieslein about his successful archery deer hunt last week. They also discuss a new winter walleye regulation on Upper Red Lake and an impending rule for Mille Lacs. Then Grace Milanowski from University of Minnesota Extension […] The post Episode 564 – Mille Lacs, Red Lake regs, gut pile study, rut-time tips, lead bullets, PF furloughs appeared first on Outdoor News.

Today's episode is a special edition as it's the second episode of Four State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference's new podcast. Join Jim Salfer and Fred Hall as they sit down with Dr. Joel Pankowski and discuss mycotoxin mitigation and how it impacts dairy cattle nutrition.The Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference presents the latest research on nutrition and management of dairy cattle. This conference is a collaborative effort of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, University of Illinois Extension, University of Minnesota Extension and University of Wisconsin-Extension.To view Dr. Pankowski's webinar recording, visit https://fourstatedairy.org/webinars.

In this episode, Brad shares his fall updates from western Minnesota before diving into a detailed discussion on genomic testing in dairy herds. Drawing on his experiences from recent farm visits in South Dakota and ongoing University of Minnesota research projects, he explores how producers are using genomics and whether the investment pays off.Brad explains that while some herds use genomic testing solely to decide which animals to breed to beef, he believes the technology's value lies much deeper — in improving herd genetics, managing inbreeding, verifying parentage, and advancing traits like health, fertility, and production components. He outlines the major testing companies (Neogen, Zoetis, and Genetic Visions), their costs (around $37–$42 per animal), and the kinds of data producers can expect from each, including A2 status, horned/polled traits, and wellness indices.The episode also includes two case studies:A small grazing herd where genomic testing clarified breed composition, revealed unknown sires, and identified A2 status across mixed-breed animals.A university research herd exploring polled genetics and crossbred performance, where Brad questions how well current evaluations reflect the true genetic potential of crossbreds like Normande and Montbéliarde crosses.Brad closes by summarizing the practical ways to use genomic information — from strategic breeding and heifer selection to developing niche markets like A2 milk products. His key takeaway: genomic testing can be a powerful tool for herd improvement, but it's only worth the cost when used strategically rather than as a simple breeding filter.Listeners are encouraged to share feedback or questions via The Moos Room's contact page or University of Minnesota Extension channels.Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!Linkedin -> The Moos RoomTwitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafetyFacebook -> @UMNDairyYouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and HealthInstagram -> @UMNWCROCDairyExtension WebsiteAgriAmerica Podcast Directory 

As soon as Tuesday, the Trump administration is expected to announce a significant bailout package to help soybean producers and other farmers. President Donald Trump's trade policies have had an outsized impact on farmers. China, the biggest buyer of U.S. soybean exports, isn't buying any beans. It's leaving Minnesota's soybean farmers in a lurch. Ed Usset is a grain market economist for University of Minnesota Extension. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain why soybean farmers need government assistance and the potential impact of that federal aid.

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/jN2KfhiJ-CMOn this episode:

Jamie takes a trip to the Great Minnesota Get-Together to talk with people and hear their thoughts on recycling, water quality, and products made from post-consumer plastics. He had some great conversations, including a chat with Lauren from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. They discussed how HDPE plastics can be recycled to make products like picnic tables and birdhouses--as well as drainage pipe, which uses a large volume of post-consumer plastic. Jamie also talked with Ann and Jennifer from the University of Minnesota Extension about the opportunities that exist to educate young people about local water quality, the role that plastic pipe manufacturing plays in recycling efforts, and potential careers in the water management industry.The last conversation in this episode is with Jacob from By the Yard, a Minnesota-based company that manufactures and sells lawn furniture made from recycled plastic. He and Jamie discuss their shared goal of keeping plastic out of landfills and how rewarding it is to do something good with recycled plastics. Chapters:00:00 - Welcome to the Water Table Podcast00:35 - Visiting the Minnesota State Fair01:47 - Recycling plastics into new products03:07 - From milk jugs to drainage pipe06:30 - Why water matters locally08:20 - Opportunities for educating young people09:45 - Doing something good with recycled plastics13:16 - Closing remarksRelated content:#67 | Sustainability and Resilience - How the Plastic Pipe Industry is on the Forefront#05.1 | The Science Behind Making Pipe: Part 01#05.2 | The Science Behind Making Pipe: Part 02Water Quality resources from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency University of Minnesota ExtensionBy the Yard Outdoor FurnitureFind us on social media!Facebook Twitter InstagramListen on these podcast platforms:Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube MusicYouTubeVisit our website to explore more episodes & water management education.

Emily Krekelberg, Extension Educator, Farm Safety & Health at University of Minnesota Extension, talks about farm safety during this segment.

Today, Brad brings on University of Minnesota Extension colleague Jim Salfer to talk through the state of dairy automation. Robots are still going in across the Upper Midwest, but they're also coming out—and the “why” depends on farm goals, labor, barn design, and cash flow.HighlightsAdoption reality: Robots are spreading, yet many farms are re-evaluating fit. Large herds often lean toward automated rotaries (pre- and post-sprays) for sheer throughput; small to mid-size herds may benefit most from box robots—especially when barn flow and labor fit the model.Repair costs that pencil: Plan for $10–12k per robot per year once out of warranty, with $500–$1,000 annual increases as units age. Under warranty is lower; 24/7 equipment inevitably costs more to maintain.Troubleshooting visits: Dips from ~2.7–2.9 milkings/day to ~2.2–2.3 crush production and are hard to diagnose (cow behavior, nutrition, traffic, hardware hiccups).Feeding in robots: Trend has shifted from “all pellets through the robot” to less robot feed overall. Pellets remain reliable; meals can work but often require hardware tweaks (vibrators/lines) and some herds struggle with consistency. Multiple feeds can help target fresh cows but isn't mandatory.Used robots are viable: Dealer-refreshed, recent-model used units can be half (or less) the cost of new. Expect less warranty and potentially higher repairs, but they're a solid on-ramp for younger or capital-tight producers.Rotaries & partial automation: Pre/post sprayers are getting better and can deliver impressive efficiency. Full robotic attachment on rotaries remains complex due to eye-hand coordination challenges, but incremental automation keeps improving labor per hundred cows.Batch milking with box robots: A compelling middle path for pasture-based or capital-limited farms—bring cows up 2–3× daily, run them through multiple boxes, and send them back. You won't maximize 24/7 robot utilization, but you may optimize labor and cash while managing cows like a traditional system.Capital strategy matters: Highly automated, all-robot barns can tie up capital and slow growth; retrofitting modest parlors can free cash to grow cow numbers. Match the system to your growth goals.Crystal ball: Expect three lanes to coexist—(1) retrofit parallels, (2) large new rotaries (increasingly automated), and (3) robots for small/mid herds—plus combo herds (rotary + a robot barn for elite “robot cows”).Bottom line: There's no one “right” technology. Choose the milking system that fits your labor pool, barn flow, capital plan, and temperament for tech and troubleshooting—not what worked for your neighbor.Chapter markers00:00 – Cold open, guest intro & breed banter (Red Angus; black-and-white Holsteins)03:21 – Why talk robots now? Installs vs. removals and what that means04:56 – Large-herd calculus: automated rotaries vs. box robots06:22 – The visit-rate problem: when milkings/day drop and why it's tricky07:48 – Real repair numbers and how they climb after warranty09:38 – Feeding through the robot: pellets, meals, and what's working now12:47 – Should you buy used robots? Costs, warranties, dealer refreshes16:13 – Robotic rotaries, parlor automation, and what's practical today20:08 – Labor reality: making jobs people actually want to do21:33 – “All-automated” dairies, cash flow, and growth constraints23:55 – Jim's outlook: three lanes + hybrid herds26:00 – Batch milking with boxes: where it shines (esp. pasture herds)28:13 – Tradeoffs: robot idle time vs. labor/capital fit30:02 – The cost elephant: margins, risk, and decision discipline31:41 – Wrap and contact info Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!Linkedin -> The Moos RoomTwitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafetyFacebook -> @UMNDairyYouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and HealthInstagram -> @UMNWCROCDairyExtension WebsiteAgriAmerica Podcast Directory 

The Watershed is a podcast of We Are Water MN. In this episode, we hear from former hosts & MN GreenCorps members; Megan Reich, Arden Sasak & Angela Hugunin.The We Are Water MN exhibit will be hosted in Henderson from August 14, through October 6, 2025. The exhibit will be on display at the Ney Nature Center. After Henderson, the exhibit will move to Bloomington at the MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge.You can learn more about We Are Water MN at www.mnhum.org/water. Special thanks to the MN GreenCorps program, the initiative that helps make this podcast possible. You can find We Are Water MN on Facebook, and Instagram, follow along for the latest updates!This episode of The Watershed was produced by Sienna Ecker, and by We Are Water MN, which is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension.We are Water MN is funded in part with money from the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008 and by the National Endowment for the Humanities.Music credits: Gymnopedies 2, Jadie Grange, Gymnopedies 1 by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue ).

North Dakota State University Extension and University of Minnesota Extension have partnered with the Livestock Marketing Information Center and Oklahoma State University Extension to provide a sheep and goat market outlook webinar. The webinar begins at 7 p.m. CDT on July 9.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Summer is starting, the days are getting warmer and if you've got a garden, it's calling for your attention. Maybe you're growing tomatoes on the back deck or trying to fill your yard with vibrant flowers. Or maybe you're just trying to stay one step ahead of those pesky weeds. Whatever your gardening goals, summer is the season when gardens can really shine — or struggle. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about what grows well in our region, how to time plantings, how to fix common garden problems and how to keep your soil — and your plants — in good shape all summer long.  Guests: Catherine Grant is a horticulturalist who manages the greenhouses, medicinal garden and pollinator habitat for the Department of Biology at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.   Laura Irish-Hanson is a horticulture educator with the University of Minnesota Extension. She works primarily out of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska.  Here's a list of resources that were discussed on the show:University of Minnesota Soil Testing laboratoryUniversity of Minnesota Extension“Hort Shorts” created by UMN Extension https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY7GaPXLa0w&list=PLyMOSdo2sM9tCmiTBa19yapMRxPL-04Eb&index=4Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.   Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.     

What are the most important things you need to know about nitrogen management?   Join Mike Howell as he explores what Dr. Fabián G. Fernández has learned in over a decade in the field. According to Dr. Fabián, it's all about managing risk. Tune in as he shares what's worked year in and year out in preventing loss and driving a greater ROI. Uncover the unmatched value of spring applications, tips for fall applications and the essential role of adequate soil drainage.   Plus, Dr. Fabián shares his expert tips for managing nitrogen in sandy soils (including his rule of thumb for the best time to apply).   Read Dr. Fabián's full article on the University of Minnesota Extension website: https://blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/2025/02/four-things-ive-learned-about-nitrogen.html   Looking for the latest in crop nutrition research? Visit nutrien-ekonomics.com   Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NutrieneKonomics    

What are the most important things you need to know about nitrogen management?   Join Mike Howell as he explores what Dr. Fabián G. Fernández has learned in over a decade in the field. According to Dr. Fabián, it's all about managing risk. Tune in as he shares what's worked year in and year out in preventing loss and driving a greater ROI. Uncover the unmatched value of spring applications, tips for fall applications and the essential role of adequate soil drainage.   Plus, Dr. Fabián shares his expert tips for managing nitrogen in sandy soils (including his rule of thumb for the best time to apply).   Read Dr. Fabián's full article on the University of Minnesota Extension website: https://blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/2025/02/four-things-ive-learned-about-nitrogen.html   Looking for the latest in crop nutrition research? Visit nutrien-ekonomics.com   Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NutrieneKonomics    

This NDSU Ag Minute features Eric Branch, Sugarbeet Specialist with NDSU and the University of Minnesota Extension. Branch discusses some of the top concerns sugarbeet growers should be watching for early in the growing season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Watershed is a podcast of We Are Water MN. In this episode, we hear from outfitting guide, and activist Peta Barrett.The We Are Water MN exhibit will be hosted in Ely from April 24, through June 16, 2025. The main exhibit will be at the Ely Community Hub, while additional indoor exhibits will be on view at Ely Folk School. After Ely, the exhibit will move to Minneapolis (Downtown Improvement District), Henderson (Ney Nature Center), and Bloomington (MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge).You can learn more about We Are Water MN at www.mnhum.org/water. Learn more about Ely's hosting of the exhibit, plus related events on the MPCA website.You can find more on Ely here.Special thanks to Peta Barrett, our interviewee for this episode. You can find We Are Water MN on Facebook, and Instagram, follow along for the latest updates!This episode of The Watershed was produced by Sienna Ecker, and by We Are Water MN, which is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension.We are Water MN is funded in part with money from the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008 and by the National Endowment for the Humanities.Music credits: Gymnopedies 2, Jadie Grange, Gymnopedies 1 by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue ).

Narrative plays a critical role in what funders support, and unexamined narratives can create unintended consequences. We often hear about the brain drain in communities as young talent leaves, but Rural Sociologist Ben Winchester offers facts around an alternative narrative—the brain gain— a demographic that is moving back into rural communities. Ben works in the Department of Community Development at the University of Minnesota Extension and he's fascinated by all things rural.

From tariffs and layoffs to persistent inflation and a fluctuating stock market, there are many questions about how the Trump administration could reshape the U.S. economy. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the latest economic news and take your questions about how to build wealth and manage your money in an uncertain time.Guests:Chris Farrell is senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace.Tonia Brinston is a financial health and wellness coordinator at the University of Minnesota Extension's Department of Family Health and Wellbeing. 

North Dakota State University Extension and University of Minnesota Extension will host a sheep and goat webinar on March 25 at 7 p.m. Ryan Lermon, UMN Extension educator, will share management strategies to help farmers get the most forage out of their pasture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3005: Chelsea from SmartMoneyMamas.com explains the practical steps to safeguard your budget from unexpected expenses by dividing them into predictable and unpredictable categories. She highlights the importance of building annual budgets, creating sinking funds, and prioritizing an emergency fund to transform financial stress into manageable bumps in the road. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://smartmoneymamas.com/how-to-plan-for-unexpected-expenses/ Quotes to ponder: "Building irregular expenses into your budget is one of the pillars of creating a budget that works long-term." "It always seems impossible until it is done." "An emergency fund is your financial life jacket. It keeps you from sinking into debt just because you didn't budget for something." Episode references: YNAB (You Need a Budget): https://oldpodcast.com/track Qube Money: https://qubemoney.com University of Minnesota Extension on family clothing budgets: https://extension.umn.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices