From Cook County Extension - March 17, 2026

Cook County Extension is inviting the community to prepare for the growing season with two upcoming educational events: a "Poultry for Beginners" workshop and Garden Education Day.

For those looking to trade grocery store aisles for the backyard coop, the Poultry for Beginners workshop offers a comprehensive starting point. Keeping a flock is a rewarding way to provide fresh eggs for a family, but success requires careful planning regarding nutrition, housing, and animal health.

The session will be led by Extension Educator Mercedes Moffett from Carlton County. Moffett, a certified veterinary technician with a degree in animal science, brings a lifetime of experience in poultry management. While the class focuses primarily on layer production, it will also briefly cover broilers and ornamental species.

Poultry for Beginners will take place at the Cook County Community Center in Grand Marais on Monday April 20th from 6-7:30 pm. This workshop is free, pre-registration is requested at z.umn.edu/beginnerspoultry.

The following weekend, the Cook County Master Gardeners will host Garden Education Day. This event is designed to inspire both novice and seasoned green thumbs with expert-led presentations, hands-on "make and take" activities, and personalized Q&A sessions.

"Whether you grow perennials or produce, there will be something for everyone at this event," says Extension Educator Sarah Waddle. "We’re excited to bring gardeners together to share fresh ideas and best practices for the unique North Shore climate."

This event will take place on Saturday April 25th at the Cook County Higher Education Building in Grand Marais from 1-4:30 pm. Registration is required for this free event as space is limited. Registration is available at z.umn.edu/garden-education-day.

If you have questions about these workshops or need assistance with registration, please call the local Extension office at 218-387-3015.