Show All Answers

1. What is 4-H and how do I get started?

4-H is a fun, hands-on learning experience in an informal educational program. 4-H is for all kids, kindergarten through one year past high school, whether they live in the cities, towns, or in the country, 4-H welcomes boys, girls, adults from all backgrounds. Learn more on our 4H Information page.

2. What can I do to improve net returns from the farm for our family?

It’s a simplified answer to say Income Minus Expense = Net return. Making this work on an operating farm is not simple. Learn more on our Improve Farm Net Returns page.

3. How can I tell if my tree has oak wilt?

Symptoms associated with oak wilt usually begin as yellowing branches in the upper canopy of the tree. The oak wilt symptoms move from the upper branches downward. The leaves wilt from the outer margin inward so the base of the leaf will remain green while the outer portion of the leaves turn tan or brown. For more information, visit our Oak Wilt page.

4. How long do I need to heat vegetables when canning them?

There may be different recommendations for different vegetables. Call the University of Minnesota "Answer Line" at 800-854-1678. Household experts answer questions about safely cooking, canning and freezing foods and other household topics like cleaning stains from clothes and homes. They are available from 9-Midnight and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also try using the search box at the U of MN Extension website for articles.

If you are not finding useful information, you're welcome to call the Benton County Extension Office to see if we can be of assistance to you in making a useful connection.

5. What and how much should I be eating every day?

1. Your Age - Starting at birth, the amount of calories you need continually increases. However, during our thirties and forties our bodies start to change and the amount of calories we once needed can start to decrease.
2. Your Activity Level - Being active plays a major role in how many calories you should be consuming and it's pretty simple. The more active you are the more calories you can consume.
   • Sedentary = less than 30 minutes a day of physical activity in addition to daily activities
   • Moderately Active = at least 30 minutes a day of physical activity in addition to daily activities
   • Active = 60 or more minutes a day of physical activity in addition to daily activities
3. Your Gender - Gender also helps determine how many calories you should be eating everyday. It's also pretty simple. If you're of the male gender you will probably need more calories than a person of the female gender would at the same age and activity level.
   • Check out this website to see how many calories YOU need based on your age, gender, and activity level.
4. Ok, so now you know how many calories you should be eating, but how does that translate into how much of each food group you should be getting?
   • Check this website out to see how much of each food group YOU should be eating
   • So know you know how many calories you need and how much of each food group you need but what do the serving sizes really mean and is there anything important you need to know about each food group?

YES! Every group is a little different and there are important foods from each that you should be including in your diet.