Extension coordinator at your service

Published 12:18 pm Saturday, August 29, 2009

Brad Carlson has an important role in southern Minnesota agriculture. In fact, many people rely on his expertise for concerns they have or information they need.

As the county Extension educator for Steele and Rice counties, Carlson is responsible for informing the public of a variety of agricultural issues such as soil maintenance, water quality, horticulture and livestock.

“My job is to obtain research-based information from the University of Minnesota or other land grant institutions … and transfer that information to the person who has a problem,” he said.

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The University of Minnesota, as a land-grant institution, partners with the state, federal and county governments to conduct research that will benefit the agricultural community.

On a normal basis, Carlson conducts workshops and seminars, along with bigger events such as crop days and specific topic meetings. He also produces and distributes written materials, such as “Managing Soils for Greater Grazing Productivity,” which he authored in 2008.

The information he distributes covers a variety of farming topics and biological sciences, from livestock and manure management to horticulture, wildlife and pesticide control.

Although Carlson’s job covers many different topics, his specialization is in crop production.

Carlson graduated from University of Wisconsin-Steven’s Point with a bachelor’s degree in soil science and then went on to get his master’s degree from the University of Minnesota in soil science with a minor in agronomy. He has been working for the University of Minnesota Extension since 1994.

When it comes to issues he is less familiar with, Carlson still shows an eagerness to seek out information.

“Even if something is not in my personal area of expertise, we’ll try to get an answer,” he said.

Dan Vermilyea, a member of the Mower County Extension Committee and an agricultural inspector, can attest to the importance of Carlson’s role in southern Minnesota.

“I believe what he brings to the area farming (community) is unbiased information,” Vermilyea said. “He is able to bring a lot of expertise and knowledge about agriculture in general.”

Apart from providing the public with up-to-date agricultural research, Carlson has a radio show on KDHL each Friday morning and keeps a blog at www.agbuzz.com. He also has worked extensively to advance use of the strip-till planting system — a project Vermilyea calls “a real benefit.”

The farming method, which is now being used across southern Minnesota, uses modern technology to save soil and reduce fuel and fertilizer use, consequently lowering production costs.

“The environmental benefits are very significant,” he said, noting that each year, the system saves approximately two tons of soil per acre.

In Rice County alone, between 20 and 25,000 acres of land now use the strip-till method — an effort Carlson is proud to say he has played a large role in.

“We’ve played a fairly significant part in convincing farmers to use this method,” he said.

Mower County currently does not have a local Extension educator, although before the county extension offices reorganized in 2003, Carlson oversaw some of the agriculture educational activity in Mower County.

At one time, he ran a daycamp, “Environmental Agricultural Youth Days” in Owatonna, which drew kids from surrounding areas. Now he mainly works with adults.

Carlson was named Minnesota Farm Bureau Extension Education of the Year in 2008 and he also received the national NACAA Distinguished Service Award in 2008.

Those with agriculture-related questions may contact Carlson at (507) 332-6109 or (507) 444-7689.