Tree of the Month
Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) are a thick, dense conifer native to western North Dakota and are easily identifiable by the blue berries they grow, much like the Eastern Red Cedar. The Juniper however will keep its green foliage color all through winter. They are extremely drought tolerant and cold hardy and often used for ornamental purposes. The berries are used for alcohol products, and the needles and bark historically were used for medicinal purposes to heal coughs, colds, fevers, and sore throats. These trees cannot be planted near apple varieties, or those of the Rosaceae family, due to the increased risk for diseases like cedar-apple rust which is damaging to apple trees.
Check out this great video from Botany with Brit for more facts on the Rocky Mountain Juniper.
We've seen an Indian summer and winter wonderland in Dickey County this month between the 60-degree days, ice storms, and snow. Check out more photos on our Instagram Page
Ready for a cold weather pick-me-up? Try this from the NDSU NRCS Windbreak Cookbook that features the fruits of the prairie forests!
ROSE HIP TEA
4 c. rose hips
3 c. water
Honey to taste
Cream or sweetened condensed milk to taste
Grind rose hips into a course pulp in food processor, food mill or herb/coffee grinder. Boil the pulp in the water for roughly 30 minutes. Strain the liquid to remove the pulp. Add honey and cream or sweetened condensed milk, to taste.
Makes four servings.
Note: Nutrition information on rose hips is not available.
As with all wild foraging please only consume what you can identify with certainty.
Flora Facts
Ground Nesting Bees
In North America there are 2,800 different species of native bee's that only build their nests in the soil either by digging them out themselves or by taking over old rodent holes.
Check out more about ground nesting bees here:
https://thebeeconservancy.org/ground-nesting-bees/
Events
At the end of the month, our employees and board members had an opportunity to gather with others from around the state for the ND Association of Soil Conservation Districts 84th Annual Meeting. The theme was "Sharing New Ideas." Several different sessions were held for all attendees to learn from and share their own experiences. Also, Miller Grain and Cattle Co. were recognized as Dickey County's 2022 Achievement Winners.