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Soil health lab test quick guide: What can they tell us?

Authors: Gabi Bolwerk and Bailey Tangen, Extension educators Spring is a great time of year to test your soils. Many folks get a standard suite of tests that report soil organic matter, soil texture, and nutrient levels. But, for those interested in soil health, there are lots of lab test options to consider. Should you use lab soil health tests? With all of the available options, it can be hard to distinguish which lab tests, if any, should be used to measure soil health. See the pros and cons below to help determine if you should get lab soil health tests done. Pros of lab soil health tests: They provide quantifiable information you can refer back to in future years. They can help determine if a management change has impacted your soil health and function. Cons of lab soil health tests: There is no one test that can determine the health of your soil, due to soil’s dynamic nature. Soils are constantly in flux, with aspects that can change based on the time of year, weather, and manage...

How to conduct an in-field soil health assessment

Authors: Bailey Tangen and Gabi Bolwerk, Extension educators Spring is a great time to start thinking about how to adjust your management practices to reduce erosion and improve soil health. A good first step is to understand the current state of your soil. To do this, you can perform a quick in-field soil health assessment. In this visual guide, we’ll walk you through how to conduct your own in-field soil health assessment. In an in-field soil health assessment, we look at the biological and physical properties of soil as they relate to soil function. This assessment can be done in 15-20 minutes and should be done in a few spots in your fields to get a full picture of how your soil functions. To learn more and to get help doing an assessment, call your local NRCS or SWCD office. These folks are willing to come out to your field, do an assessment, and provide management recommendations to protect the vitality of your operation and the productivity of your soil. A few notes before “digg...

Applications are open for the 2026 Produce Safety Mini-Grant from MDA

Annalisa Hultberg, Extension Educator, food safety The Produce Safety Mini-Grant are funds that help reimburse Minnesota produce farmers for expenses that improve on-farm food safety systems. The Produce Safety Program has approximately $30,400 to distribute via the 2026 mini-grant. This grant provides reimbursement up to $800 per farm. No matching funds from the applicant are required. Who can apply? Produce growers who farm in Minnesota, who: Grew and sold one or more of the following crops in 2025: Leafy greens, apples, berries, carrots, cucumbers, garlic, green beans, herbs, melons, microgreens, mushrooms, onions, peppers, sprouts, summer squash/zucchini, tomatoes. Have completed the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule Grower Questionnaire , or otherwise verified their farm's Produce Safety Rule Status with the MDA, at least once between 2023-2026. Are in good standing and not debarred or susp...

UMN resources for successful apple and grape pruning

The ability to back up with already established free-standing apples trees can be challenging. Good pruning and training practices, year by year, can guide a tree into having a strong structure and canopy microclimate conducive to good fruit quality. The University of Minnesota Extension wants to support your efforts to learn how to prune dormant, woody fruit crops! The following resources were previously created by UMN and provide information to assist pruning practices. Keep in mind that recordings of both upcoming pruning webinars will also be available on the UMN Small Farms YouTube channel for those unable to attend live sessions. Grapes Videos: Grape pruning webinar (Level: Beginner to advanced) UMN Extension grapevine winter injury (Level: Beginner to advanced) Pruning out grapevine trunk diseases (Level: Beginner to advanced) Pruning new vines – One or two years old (Level: Beginner to advanced) Pruning high cordon grapevines in...

Preventing spur creep for cold climate grapevines

Authors: Madeline Wimmer, Soon Li Teh, John Thull When working with spur-pruned grapevines in cold climates, the spurs—the regions where fruit-bearing shoots emerge—are originally created by shortening canes originating from a young cordon (i.e., the arm(s) of a grapevine). Overtime, these original spurs support newer spurs that stack on top of the older spur region year after year, and this can lead to what is known as spur creep, when a spur becomes long, old, and less productive. Why is spur creep a problem? As spurs continue to age, they can accumulate damage from cold temperatures, similar to cordons, and become less productive over time. Additionally, the longer they grow, the less room there is for the current season’s canopy, which is especially true for Vertical Shoot Positioned (VSP) grapevines that have less canopy area, overall. Spur creep can leave portions of the cordon blank, as they become unproductive, and can be worsened if growers heavily thin away all the non-cou...

Apple and grape pruning workshops to build your skills in 2026

About: Join the University of Minnesota Extension for an informative, hands-on workshop to learn about the fundamentals of pruning apple trees or grapevines. We’ll cover key pruning principles, technique and decision-making considerations, and best practices for tool care. If you’re new to pruning, or looking for a refresher, this workshop is a great place to start, ask questions, and confirm what you know. This workshop welcomes orchard workers, Master Gardeners, hobby growers, and backyard gardeners. Sessions will be offered at various locations throughout Minnesota and taught by UMN Extension educators. Participants are welcome to bring their own tools (pruning shears, loppers, and hand saws) to the workshop. We recommend dressing for the weather and to be prepared for a session of active learning. All attendees will receive the UMN Extension guide to pruning apple trees or grapevines. Registration required for attendance with the option to pay the registration fee online or a...

Tips for talking with food service buyers about food safety when selling your produce

Annalisa Hultberg, Extension Educator, food safety Winter is a great time to plan your markets for this coming season. If you are selling your produce to a school, early care or other institutions, you might be asked about your food safety practices. The following information is meant to help clarify what is required and what is allowed under Minnesota state food code when farms sell to markets like schools and other institutions. Photo credit: Allison Sandve, University of Minnesota Can I sell my produce without a license? Yes! A s per Minnesota state statute, you do not need any license or inspection to sell your fresh produce, as long as the product is 100% from your own farm. This is called "product of the farm". This means product that a farmer grows with no off-farm ingredients added. As per the Minnesota Department of Health, food grown by farmers is an "approved source" . What about a GAP audit? A buyer might ask for a GAP audit, which i...