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Holen helps farms maintain viability

Regional Extension Educator Doug Holen has seen many changes in the eight years he’s worked with farmers in and around Otter Tail County. One thing that hasn’t changed is his goal of helping farmers maintain their economic viability.

“Specifically, we deliver non-biased information to producers while we assist them with crop production and management decisions,” he said. “The main goal is to help ensure annual economic and environmental sustainability that builds towards operation longevity.”

Primary focus areas for Holen, who is based in the Extension office in the lower level of the US Bank building on West Cavour Avenue just north of downtown Fergus Falls, include soybean production (soybean aphids), small grain production, forages and weed control on non-tilled acres (pastures and CRP).

On Wednesday Holen spent the day at the West Otter Tail Crop and Forage Show at the Bigwood Event Center in Fergus Falls.

Winter can be an especially busy time for Holen, a surprise to many people. This time of year he presents data in written and oral formats, travels statewide to disseminate data where requested or needed and plans research and programs for the upcoming growing season.

“I work very closely with producers to identify research needs,” Holen said.

Each spring he designs and implements research in cooperation with producers, state specialists and research center faculty.

“During the summer months I’m involved with data collection from research sites, producer field days for in-field demonstrations and discussion of current issues,” Holen said. “Each fall we concentrate on harvesting research plots and analyzing information.”

Holen works closely with farm producers in Otter Tail County to identify research needs and conduct and collect research data.

Much of the professional success in west central Minnesota can be directly attributed to the producers and their willingness to host and utilize research efforts.

“Our approaches are commonly in teams which include University of Minnesota state specialists, research center faculty, extension educators, private industry, state commodity organizations and the producers themselves,” Holen said.

He’s hired local college students for the past seven seasons to assist in all aspects of the research throughout the summer.

“My hope is to foster a profession in agriculture and prepare the individual for job positioning in the future,” Holen said. “They’re a tremendous asset to my efforts.”

Examples of current research include soybean aphid management, alfalfa variety evaluations, winter wheat production in Minnesota, irrigated silage production, nitrogen fertility guidelines in corn, spring wheat production and management and soybean rust monitoring.

Data collected by Holen has been presented by him locally, regionally, statewide and in border states.

In addition to contributing at the West Otter Tail Crop and Forage Show, he’s made presentations during corn and soybean seminars, at southern Minnesota small grain workshops,

Forage Days and during private pesticide workshops.

“During February I’ll be part of Extension programming in 15 towns from Crookston to Dawson to LeCenter,” Holen said. “I’m also serving on a search committee to hire a position identical to mine, and attend some professional development programs.”

Holen can be reached by calling 218-998-5787.