Events & Outreach

Upcoming Events

SWFM Spring Profitability Conference
Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Southwest MN Farm Business Management  Association will host the Spring Profitability Conference on March 28, 2024, from 1:00 to  4:00 pm. There is no cost to attend but registration is preferred for planning purposes.

  • Keynote Presentation: Grain Marketing is Simple
    • Ed Usset, Grain - Marketing Specialist with the Center for Farm Financial Management
  • Cover Crops - What's money got to do with it?
    • Katie Wilts Johnson - Economist with the  Center for Farm Financial Management
  • Highlights and Trends of the 2023 Analysis
    • Garen Paulson - Extension Educator and Field staff for SWFBMA

SWROC Horticulture Day
Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Registation form: https://z.umn.edu/HortDay2024

The SWROC will host Horticulture Day. Registration will begin at 9:30 am with the program running from 10 am to 2:45 pm.  Registration fee is $40 with registration deadline being Wednesday, April 3. Checks can be made payable to "University of Minnesota".

  • What's New in 2024: Annuals, Perennials and Shrubs
  • Managing Sweet Corn (or choosing not to)
    • Charlie Rohwer, University of Minnesota Southern Research & Outreach Center Researcher
  • Climate-Ready Trees and Edible Landscapes  
    • Gary Wyatt, University of Minnesota Extension Educator
  • Backyard Birds: Welcomed Guests at Our Gardens and Feeders 

 

Other educational event opportunities
See University of Minnesota Extension Courses & Events for additional educational opportunities.

Outreach Programs

For the Agriculture Industry

Each growing season our researchers hold field days for interested participants to come to our center to see and learn about research trials and directly interact with researchers. We share research results at winter meetings that bring farmers, crop consultants, public agents, and researchers together.

For Horticulture Enthusiasts

Every spring, we host a Horticulture Day program that engages participants with a range of topics ranging from vegetable gardening to soil health to landscape design. Our speakers come from both research and industry backgrounds to share their expertise.

For Students

In collaboration with University of Minnesota Extension, we host Elementary Field Day, a program that engages area 4th graders with agriculture, and University on the Prairie, a summer camp that engages junior high and high school students with science topics.