A Chat with Anna Cates Soil Health Specialist UM Extension
Farm Market News: What is your professional affiliation? How long have you served in this position?
Anna Cates: I’ll be starting as the MN Soil Health Specialist full-time in January –– a brand-new position within the MN Office for Soil Health (MOSH) based on the St. Paul campus of UM. Until then I’m making phone calls and visits around the state to learn more about how farmers and other land managers are implementing soil health practices across the state. Minnesota has such diverse agricultural possibilities that it’s been a blast to hear how various groups are approaching soil health in different regions.
FMN: What is the primary objective of your organization?
AC: The Office for Soil Health was formed to protect and improve soil resources and water quality. We want to work with local experts at all levels to implement soil health practices like cover crops, livestock incorporation, and more perennials in rotation as appropriate to each farm business.
FMN: How does your organization benefit its members?
AC: We’re not a member organization, but we work with partners in the NRCS, Extension, and BWSR to increase soil health literacy of conservation professionals. MOSH hopes to serve as a network for all the people working in this area, so if you’re interested in a new technique or need resources related to soil health we can connect you with the right people.
FMN: Where did you grow up?
AC: I was born on the family farm in southwest Wisconsin but grew up in Missoula, Mont., a university town in the Rocky Mountains.
FMN: Do you farm currently? If so where? Can you describe your business operation?
AC: I collect interesting varieties of dry beans and my family and friends and I grow about 1/4 acre of beans near Spring Green, Wis. This year they look beautiful –– got ahead of the weeds and flowering like mad now. This is a strictly profit-free enterprise, as we just eat, give away and save the beans.
FMN: Family?
AC: Husband, Dave, plus a two-year-old and a baby due next month.
FMN: Outside interests?
AC: I like experiencing the woods and lakes of the Midwest in a boat, on foot, or from a comfortable deck, and I love watching my kid get excited about bugs and plants and boats.
FMN: What advise would you give young people interested in pursuing a career in agriculture?
AC: Take advantage of the education offered by Extension, technical colleges, and farmer networks. There are so many people excited to help young farmers write business plans and avoid pitfalls! Look for ways to start farming that require less capital, so you can start small and be flexible as you’re learning without quite so much risk. Make friends in the neighborhood –– rural communities are still based on shared knowledge and helping out a neighbor in need.
Anna Cates: I’ll be starting as the MN Soil Health Specialist full-time in January –– a brand-new position within the MN Office for Soil Health (MOSH) based on the St. Paul campus of UM. Until then I’m making phone calls and visits around the state to learn more about how farmers and other land managers are implementing soil health practices across the state. Minnesota has such diverse agricultural possibilities that it’s been a blast to hear how various groups are approaching soil health in different regions.
FMN: What is the primary objective of your organization?
AC: The Office for Soil Health was formed to protect and improve soil resources and water quality. We want to work with local experts at all levels to implement soil health practices like cover crops, livestock incorporation, and more perennials in rotation as appropriate to each farm business.
FMN: How does your organization benefit its members?
AC: We’re not a member organization, but we work with partners in the NRCS, Extension, and BWSR to increase soil health literacy of conservation professionals. MOSH hopes to serve as a network for all the people working in this area, so if you’re interested in a new technique or need resources related to soil health we can connect you with the right people.
FMN: Where did you grow up?
AC: I was born on the family farm in southwest Wisconsin but grew up in Missoula, Mont., a university town in the Rocky Mountains.
FMN: Do you farm currently? If so where? Can you describe your business operation?
AC: I collect interesting varieties of dry beans and my family and friends and I grow about 1/4 acre of beans near Spring Green, Wis. This year they look beautiful –– got ahead of the weeds and flowering like mad now. This is a strictly profit-free enterprise, as we just eat, give away and save the beans.
FMN: Family?
AC: Husband, Dave, plus a two-year-old and a baby due next month.
FMN: Outside interests?
AC: I like experiencing the woods and lakes of the Midwest in a boat, on foot, or from a comfortable deck, and I love watching my kid get excited about bugs and plants and boats.
FMN: What advise would you give young people interested in pursuing a career in agriculture?
AC: Take advantage of the education offered by Extension, technical colleges, and farmer networks. There are so many people excited to help young farmers write business plans and avoid pitfalls! Look for ways to start farming that require less capital, so you can start small and be flexible as you’re learning without quite so much risk. Make friends in the neighborhood –– rural communities are still based on shared knowledge and helping out a neighbor in need.
