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Outreach Center's open house attracts families Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Agri News staff writer
WASECA, Minn. -- Nick Forslund of Faribault and Derek Miller of Freeborn met a pair of piglets Sept. 13 during the Sixth Annual open house at the University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca. The cousins bravely let the snouts touch their fingers and asked their grandpa about pigs.
Three generations of the family attended the event, which is what the SROC hoped for.
"Making it a family activity makes it fun," said Jeff Vetsch, SROC assistant scientist, who was passing out door prizes with scientist Tom Hoverstad.
Kris Todd of Farmington and her children stopped at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's booth to test their home's water for nitrates. By bringing a sample and filling out a short questionnaire, the Todds got a free dose of peace of mind when they learned their water contained none of the potentially harmful nutrient.
Near the nitrate clinic was the University of Minnesota wine booth, where attendees could enjoy free samples of Minnesota-grown wine.
"You don't have to get wine from California to get good wine now," said Ray Winter, owner of Winterhaven Vineyard and Nursery in rural Janesville. He helped to answer questions on the Minnesota grape hybrids: Frontenac, Marquette, Frontenac Gris and La Crescent.
Kids of all ages were drawn to the display from the University of Minnesota's Raptor Center. A bald eagle, great-horned owl and red tail hawk were perched where people could get a good look at them. The birds are brought into the center for rehabilitation.
"Education is a huge piece of what we do," said Joanne Peterson, a community program education specialist with the center. She answered questions about the birds throughout the event.
Minnesota has the largest bald eagle population in the lower 48 states, she said. The national bird was taken off the endangered species list in July.
Attendees with botanical questions only needed to find Master Gardeners Gordon Johnson of Mankato and Karen Mesrobian of St. Peter for help.
"I like to help people with their questions," said Mesrobian. She said even if they don't know the answer right away, they usually know where to find it. Their booth alerted everyone to be on the lookout for Emerald Ash Borer, which has been spotted in Minnesota.
"Watch for a beetle that's boring into trees," said Johnson. If one is spotted, contact the local Extension office.
A farmers market was a new addition to the event this year and Jackie Peters of Waseca brought her unusual produce -- spaghetti squash, banana peppers, Cinderella pumpkins, cloud nine white pumpkins, fairy tale eggplant-- along with carrots, green peppers and beets. She wanted to invite her customers to go outside the box.
"I like to have them experience something other than macaroni and cheese ... I like to have them experience some unusual, yummy things," she said.
She said that more and more people are willing to try new foods and she likes to help them feel comfortable knowing what to do with them. She often gives customers tips on how to use herbs or an unusual vegetable.
Just popping out of the two acre corn maze was Daniel, Tyler and Cole Morris of Waseca, who said they were having a lot of fun during their first time at the event. The boys made it through the maze successfully with the help of a map.
Meanwhile, three and a half year old Benjamin Schoenrock of New Richland pedaled 25.11 feet during the sanctioned Kids' Power Pedal Pull. He earned himself a free soda for his effort.
This year's event also offered a plant pest clinic, wagon and horse-drawn trolley rides, door prizes and a country store where attendees could purchase U of M gear, cheese and meat. |
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