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One of the best parts of summer months is all the fresh produce available at the farmer's markets, and lucky for us in Minnehaha County, there are several options for our needs. Both Brandon and Sioux Falls offer a wonderful array of local goods at their markets that run on Saturdays during May-October, with dozens of unique vendors regularly attending. The Sioux Falls market, known as the Falls Park Farmer's Market, has items available from 8:00AM-1:00PM at the Fall's Park pavilion. The Brandon Farmer's Market takes place at 515 N Splitrock Blvd from 9:00AM-2:00PM. If you are a salad lover, there should be some good greens starting to be available. Or, if you are looking for something a little more sugary, both markets have some excellent baked goods you do not want to miss. Flower and artisan vendors also regularly attend, creating and opportunity to find a special gift. So, if you are not busy Saturday morning, consider stopping by one, or both, as you start your day. Oh, and do not forget that as the season goes on, other items become available, so if you do not find what you are looking for, it could always be available in a few weeks. For the most up to date information on the markets, follow both markets on Facebook or refer to their websites. Find them at the following links: Brandon Farmer's Market Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brandonsdfarmersmarket Website: http://www.brandonsdfarmersmarket.com/ Falls Park Farmer's Market Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FallsParkFarmersMarket Website: https://www.fallsparkfarmersmarket.com/ Additionally, if you are curious about markets throughout the state, you can find a list of them here: https://sdspecialtyproducers.org/category/farmers-markets/

With a little creativity in the kitchen, one of the simplest ways a person can start reducing food waste is through better utilizing leftovers. People often reheat meals left after going out to eat or from earlier in the week, but what if you could do more? Consider items that end up being thrown out if they do not heat up well, or last remnants of foods left in packages. Many of these can be utilized in making other meals, such as using leftover pasta to make Mac and Cheese. This dish not only utilizes noodles that may not heat up well, but also remaining cheese pieces and stale bread. A simple recipe is to heat the oven to 350 degrees. While it is warming, break up stale bread pieces on a baking sheet. Cover them with some olive oil and seasoning (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and herbs). Place the baking sheet in the oven, and start a sauce through whisking together melted butter, flour, salt, pepper, and milk in pan. Once it starts to boil, add cheese and mix until combined. To make it extra creamy, cream cheese can also be added (a great way to utilize the end of a package) to the mixture before pouring in the cooked noodles (noodles that are pre-sauced can be rinsed and used). Transfer the mixture to an oven safe dish, and remove the bread crumbs from the oven. Top the mac and cheese with additional shredded cheese (or ripped up remaining cheese pieces from a package) and the freshly made bread crumbs before placing it in the oven to bake for 15 minutes. Many foods are more versatile than people realize, and often times can even be added to meals we are already planning. Leftover meats and vegetables are great in quesadillas, pizzas, or soups. Fruit juices can be utilized in sauces or marinades, and baked potatoes can be made into gnocchi. The possibilities are only limited by the imagination. So, next time you are thinking of throwing out those leftovers, consider that it could be made into something better than it even was to begin with.

Contribution from: Mary Lou Lacey – NRCS Soil Conservationist Interested in composting, but worried it may be difficult to start? Have no fear, because picking up this sustainable practice is easier than one may imagine. Even without a sizeable yard, a person can compost through finding a small corner (about 3’ by 3’ by 3’) outside. They just need to make sure to consider that compost may have an odor when selecting the location, along with making sure it is a spot that animals cannot easily access. Then, it is time to make the decision between purchasing a composter or making a pile, and then collect the materials necessary to create the compost. A source of wood shavings (cut up sticks, small branches, or untreated wood chips) will be needed for the base of the pile. Next, a stockpile of “browns”, which are high in carbon, should be collected. People often use last year’s dry leaves, old newspapers, sawdust, or hay. A stockpile of “greens”, which are high in nitrogen, are also important. These are items such as kitchen scraps, grass clippings, old garden materials, and manure. If you have any horse friends, they will likely be happy to give you some (just be prepared to haul your own). Once the materials are gathered, create a base of wood shavings about eight inches in depth to allow air to flow. Layer browns and greens on top of this base and continue to layer until your stockpiles are used up. Once the pile is created, add water as needed so that it appears moist overall. The organisms that break down your compost pile need food, air, and water, so proper maintenance should be observed. Individuals can “passively compost” which takes more time, or turn the pile every few weeks (using a pitchfork or shovel) to get air back in to invigorate the process. Additional scraps can be, and are encouraged to be, placed in the pile. It is important to avoid all dairy products, any type of meat scraps, fats, oils, and pet waste when composting. Egg shells, paper napkins, and other bio-degradable items can be composted. Even items like coffee K-cups are partially compostable through pulling out the coffee or tea along with the paper filters, and placing that outside. Many items that go in the trash can be composted through following these guidelines, creating organic soil that is sure to leave plants looking lusher. So, whose ready to go? Picture from: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Lawn conversions are a popular way to create a space within a yard that is more conducive to wildlife, while also contributing to a variety of other environmental benefits. There are many alternatives to traditional turf grass available for your lawn, such as: native grasses, wildflowers, clovers, and mosses. Each bring their own benefits and concerns, but all tend to be lower maintenance once established and implemented correctly. Mosses are great for shaded areas that have difficulty drying, but are less resilient to foot traffic compared to other alternatives. Clovers are excellent because they do not get too high and are pest resistant (especially Dutch clover), but are fast spreading so creating a buffer to combat this is advised. Native grasses and wildflowers do well when mixed, providing many soil and wildlife benefits, but care should be taken in selecting varieties that work well where you live. If planting native grasses in town, shorter grasses may be favorable, such as: Buffalo Grass, Little Blue Stem, Sideoats Grama, Blue Grama, Prairie June Grass, and Virginia Wildrye. Once finished making the decision on what will be used for a lawn conversion, it is also important to properly prepare the area to be planted. All unwanted plant material (grasses, weeds, etc.) that will possibly compete with what is being planted need to be removed. Chemical means is often chosen due to its effectiveness and it taking less time than other methods, as you typically: spray, monitor for two weeks (pulling any weeds, or re-spraying if necessary), till, and then plant. However, always follow proper safety precautions when applying, be aware of carryover, and apply when pollinators may not be as active. When wanting to refrain from chemicals, it is most effective to cut the area short, and then bake the ground (placing plastic over the area and allowing the sun to kill what is below) over a period of several months. Afterwards, two rounds of tilling the ground should occur (waiting several days in between). Then, pull any weeds and cut the grass again before tilling several more times. Once that is completed, planting can begin. Depending on what is being converted to, it can take a couple years to become established and regular maintenance should be done. Make sure to water when the area is first planted, as well as during dry periods throughout the warmer months. Additionally, watch out for weeds so they do not outcompete the grasses/lawn alternatives. If this is followed, it will not be long before the lawn is successful. Picture from: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

There are a variety of activities happening around Minnehaha County and the surrounding area happening on April 23 in honor of Earth Day. If you are looking to help out, there are a variety of clean-ups happening along the Big Sioux River. In Sioux Falls, there are 8 different locations to help at as part of the Big Sioux River Greenway Clean-up, including: Elmen Park Trailhead, Falls Park, Cherry Rock Park, Pasley Park, Spencer Park, Sertoma Park, Dunham Park, and Legacy Park. Also, Friends of the Big Sioux River is helping to sponsor additional sites at Yankton Trail , along with locations TBD in Brandon, Brookings, and Flandreau. All river clean-ups start at 10:00AM. If you are hoping to keep up the fun throughout the day, you are in luck. Come out with your family to hike and learn about all the Earth has to offer at Good Earth Day. Local groups will be providing a variety of activities and information, including Minnehaha Conservation District. The event runs from 2:00PM-4:00PM at Good Earth State Park. Ending the day, Friends of the Big Sioux River invites everyone to come to the release of this year's Big Sioux Brew at Remedy Brewing Company. The featured beer is brewed from purified Big Sioux River surface water, and will be a Blonde Ale. By volunteering earlier in the day, you can even get a token for a free pint of the collaboration. Remedy Brewing Company open at 12:00PM (noon). For further information on events, check them out on Facebook at: Big Sioux River Greenway Clean-up: https://www.facebook.com/events/1148473272653831 Earth Day 2022 River Clean-up: https://www.facebook.com/events/660635471715732 Good Earth Day: https://www.facebook.com/events/1597490960620116 Big Sioux Brew Release: https://www.facebook.com/events/640095313748494

As you plan for the upcoming year, it's good to make sure you have all the information you need regarding cover crops for your fields and gardens. On April 5, consider taking a trip to the Madison Public Library for a discussion on a variety of topics to help you be informed.

The most recent installment of Plant Chat, a quarterly newsletter from the Bismarck Plant Materials Center, explains some differences between rye grasses and cereal ryes, including considerations for cover crops. The article, attached below, expresses the importance of being aware of the different species that exist when selecting to accomplish your goals. Take a look to learn more. For further information on the Bismarck Plant Materials Center, or to ask questions, please use this link for further information: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/plantmaterials/pmc/central/ndpmc/