News

Ridgewater’s Agriculture Equipment Mechanic program achieves AED Foundation accreditation

The Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation (AEDF) has given its stamp of approval to Ridgewater’s Agriculture Equipment Mechanic program by recently granting accreditation for the program.Ridgewater College’s Agriculture Equipment Mechanic program is the first program in the state of Minnesota to be accredited by the AED Foundation.” The term of AEDF accreditation is five years.

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Dead leaves, dying branches – is it oak wilk or lingering effects of drought?

It’s no secret that Minnesotans love their trees and want to keep them healthy – but sometimes concern leads down the wrong the path.According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, in 2023 many people misdiagnosed deadly, invasive oak wilt when the culprit for most ailing oaks was general oak decline fueled by the severe drought seen in many parts of Minnesota at that time.“Symptoms like rapid death or dying branches can be attributed to both oak wilt and oak decline spurred by severe drought,” said Brian Schwingle, DNR Forest Health Program coordinator.

Read MoreDead leaves, dying branches – is it oak wilk or lingering effects of drought?