Strategic farming: Field Notes: Wednesdays, 8 a.m., free, 30-minute University of Minnesota Extension webinar over Zoom for farmers and ag professionals. Register for the live sessions at z.umn.edu/strategic-farming . The program will feature a live webinar with interactive discussion with attendees, addressing in-season cropping issues as they arise. Weekly topics will be announced on the week of the program, maintaining the flexibility to react to issues that come up in 2022. For those unable to attend live, the discussion-based series will be posted immediately following the webinar to podcast-streaming services. Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify or Google podcasts.

Central Minnesota Dairy Field Day: Aug. 16, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Janski Farm, 3731 200th St., St. Augusta. The University of Minnesota Extension event will focus on dairy management and the production of forages for farming operations in central Minnesota. It will highlight the farm's utilization of robots, forage management, and the use of cover crops on the land, and in the dairy cattle ration. Lunch will be provided at 1 p.m. Register for the meal at z.umn.edu/DairyFDCentral22 or by calling Dana Adams at 320-204-2968 .

Keep reading for more of this week's calendar items below the related content.

Cover Crop Field Day: Aug. 18, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., free, Southwest Research and Outreach Center, Lamberton. “Setting up for Success” is for farmers and those who work with farmers, with or without cover crop experience, and anyone else who would like to learn more about cover crops. The field tour will start at 9 a.m., rain or shine. Register by Aug. 12 to ensure a meal at z.umn.edu/covercropfieldday . Later registrations and walk-ins are welcome but timely registration is required to reserve a meal.

Prescribed Grazing Field Day: Aug. 25, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Greg and Rebecca Symanietz family farm, near Avon. Day will focus on forage species, fencing techniques, grazing/cost-share programs, and calculating forage rations for those interested in implementing prescribed grazing in their operation. A pasture walk will follow several presentations. Lunch is provided for those registered by Aug. 18 on the Stearns County Soil & Water Conservation District website at stearnscountyswcd.net or by calling the office at 320-251-7800 ext.3.

Farm Beginnings: Sept. 1 is the deadline for applications for the Farm Beginnings class, which will take place in an online setting November through March 2023 with on-farm educational events to follow later in 2023. The training session helps beginning farmers clarify their goals and strengths, establish a strong enterprise plan and start building their operation. It is designed for new and prospective farmers who want to plan a profitable farm business. The class cost is $1,000, which covers up to two individuals per farm — discount for applications received before Aug. 1 and scholarships available. More information and registration is on the Land Stewardship Project website at landstewardshipproject.org or email Annelie Livingston-Anderson at annelie@landstewardshipproject.org.

Dykstras: Bill and Helene Dykstra will have their garden open from noon until dark daily July 5 until frost. Freewill donations for Guatemala will be accepted. Take Kandiyohi County Road 5 south of Roseland for one mile, go east on 210th Avenue and turn south on 37th Street.

Hands on Hort: Sept. 10, 1 to 4 p.m., Horticulture Display Garden, University of Minnesota West Central Research & Outreach Center, 46352 State Hwy. 329 in Morris. Hands-on demonstrations on all things gardening. Space is limited; advance registration required by contacting Heidi Olson-Manska at 320-589-1711 or olsonh@umn.edu. More information online at wcroc.cfans.umn.edu .

Sibley State Park: A vehicle permit is required to enter the park and is available online. Sibley State Park is west of New London just off U.S. Highway 71. For more information, visit the state Department of Natural Resources website at www.dnr.state.mn.us .

Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center: Trails at the rural Spicer center may be used during daylight hours at no cost. A bathroom with composting toilets is open by the pavilion. Pets should be on a leash. All equipment rentals (fat-tire bikes, kayaks, canoes) will be handled on a reservation basis, made at least 24 hours in advance. To reserve equipment for the weekend, please call by noon Friday. Two-hour equipment rental is $20 for adults, $10 for members and $5 for all youth. Call 320-354-5894 .