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U.S. Department of Agriculture Holds Tribal Summit in Red Lake
RED LAKE, Minn. -- About 100 people attended a tribal summit hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) at the Seven Clans Casino on the Red Lake Reservation on Aug. 9-10. READ MORE

2008 SURE Sign-up Ends September 30, 2010
Producers have only a few short weeks to apply for benefits covering crop losses from the 2008 crop year.  The Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE) is for producers who had at least a 10% production loss on one crop. click here

2008 SURE Quality
Becker County has recently been approved for a quality adjustment factor for 2008 corn due to low test weight.  A quality adjustment factor will be used to reflect average price or quality discounts received by producers because of loss of quality or excessive moisture in disaster affected areas.  Quality adjustment factors will be set by county, crop, type, and IU.  click here
Compliance Spot Checks
Compliance spot checks will be conducted on 2010 crops.  Instead of locally selecting farms, contracts, deficiency loans, etc. for review, a nationwide selection of producers is employed.  Spot check selections are to be conducted based on a producer’s participation in Conservation Reserve Program, Direct and Counter-cyclical Program, Loan Deficiency Program, etc. click here

September – Now is the time to...
Several different types of insects may try to enter your home this autumn as they try to find sites to spend the winter.  They’re annoying, but harmless.  To exclude them, seal openings in outdoor walls, around windows and doors, and along the foundation.  Apply an appropriate insecticide around the exterior of your home. READ MORE

Checking Food Preservation Equipment
Food preservation season is here.  Now is the time to check your equipment.  Pressure canners are either a dial gauge or a weighted gauge.  Weighted gauges do not require testing but should be kept clean and rust-free.  Dial gauges should be tested every year for accuracy.READ MORE

MINNESOTA’S TEAM TAKES 3RD PLACE AT NATIONAL ENVIROTHON
A five-member team of high school students from Rushford-Peterson High School, Minnesota, placed third in the 2010 Canon Envirothon.  The announcement was made on August 6th, during the closing ceremony of the weeklong North American environmental education competition held at the California State University, Fresno, and sponsored by Canon U.S.A., Inc.  READ MORE

State grants for water quality projects announced by Board of Water and Soil Resources
Grant dollars provided by the Clean Water Fund (from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment) .READ MORE
Marketing Assistance Loans
A Marketing Assistance Loan (MAL) is available for producers who share in the risk of producing the crop. To be eligible, a producer must maintain continual beneficial interest in the crop from harvest through the earlier of the date the loan is repaid or CCC takes title to the commodity.  Beneficial interest means retaining the ability to make decisions about the commodity; responsibility for loss or damage to the commodity; and title to the commodity.  Once beneficial interest in a commodity is lost, the commodity is ineligible for loan — even if the producer regains beneficial interest.READ MORE

Wetland Compliance
Producers renting or purchasing land that may have a converted wetland status need to check with the county office to learn if there are restrictions.  READ MORE

DCP Contract Revision
Producers requiring revisions to their DCP contracts (usually because of sugar beet shares) have been mailed new contracts for signature.  Please sign and initial and return them to our office immediately.  All required signatures must be returned no later than September 30, or the farm would not be eligible for 2010 DCP or ACRE program payments.READ MORE

Horticulture question?
Ask one of the Becker County Master Gardeners during  their PLANT & PEST CLINICS
(Monday & Friday) • 9 a.m. to 12 NoonREAD MORE
2011 MN Gardening Calendars Available
Add more flowering perennials to your garden.  Late August through early September is an ideal time to plant them, whether new from the garden center or divisions from your own plants.  Make sure there are two or three weeks of decent growing conditions expected after planting them.  Mulch around them, then after the tops die, rake leaves or straw on top, too..READ MORE

4-H Newsletter Link
The most current 4H newsletter can be found on the following website.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/county/template/index.aspx?countyID=3

Plant, Pest & Gardening Clinics
With summer upon us, so come the many questions about trees, shrubs, home gardens and lawns.  To help answer your questions and provide helpful ideas, the Becker County Extension Service features Plant & Pest/and Gardening Clinics every Monday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Extension Office.  Clinics start Monday, May 3rd and conclude in October after freeze up. READ MORE