Letter about going “postal”... To the Editor, I was in the Harmony Post Office lobby today with my double masks and conducting my business with a lovely gal that is a frontline worker and risks her health and safety every day working there. In walks a man in his mid-to late-60s with no mask. I politely said, “I’m sorry sir, but could you put on a mask?” (There is a sign on … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions: God hears and knows
By Pastor Pam Seebach Harmony, Mabel, and Newburg United Methodist Churches On the morning I wrote this, the thermometer read 4º when I got up. Brr! Something compelled me, though, so I put on several layers, covering all but my eyes, and headed out the door for my morning walk. It was cold, but as a true Minnesotan, I knew it could be worse! I walked west for a bit, then … [Read more...]
Double OT Win Highlights Lady Knights’ Week
There are good games and there are great games. Good games are competitive and have drama. A great game is competitive, has drama, a big comeback, and multiple buzzer beaters, plus regulation can’t contain it. Great games leave memories. Kingsland girls basketball at Hayfield firmly falls in the latter category. For one half, Steve Hauser’s Knights looked like they would … [Read more...]
Minnesota Farm Bureau Sesquicentennial Farm applications due March 1
Minnesota Farm Bureau’s Sesquicentennial Farm program will honor Minnesota families who have owned their farms for at least 150 years. Since the Sesquicentennial Farm program began in 2008, over 400 farms have been recognized. Applications are due March 1. The Sesquicentennial Farm program recognizes family farms according to the following qualifications: 1) The farm must be … [Read more...]
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation seeking applications for Early Literacy Grants
OWATONNA, MN, February 1, 2021 – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), in partnership with publishing companies Capstone and ABDO, is accepting applications for its Early Literacy Grant program. This grant is designed to support early literacy efforts that enhance school readiness for children birth to age five by providing children with books. Organizations working … [Read more...]
LSP Workshop February 16 Principles to Practices – Soil Health with Jay Fuhrer and Jon Stika
Want to learn how to assess soil health and incorporate practices like “planting green” and grazing cover crops? A virtual Land Stewardship Project (LSP) workshop will feature soil health experts Jay Fuhrer and Jon Stika from 1-4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16. All Zoom experience levels are welcome and guidance to using the platform will be given in the first 10 minutes of the … [Read more...]
March 15 last day to complete enrollment for 2021 Agriculture Risk Coverage, Price Loss Coverage Programs Call today about 2021 crop year eligibility
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 9, 2021 – Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2021 must do so by March 15. Producers who have not yet signed a 2021 enrollment contract or who want to make an election change should contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to make an … [Read more...]
MN Department of Agriculture’s final Township Testing Nitrate Report published
In December of 2020, the Final Results from the MN Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Township Testing program were published for Houston County. These results are available in both a 69-page report and a three-page summary. Both of which are available on MDA’s website www.mda.state.mn.us/townshiptesting and Root River SWCD’s website … [Read more...]
New scholarship available to Minnesota Ag Water Quality certified farmers
ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering a new scholarship for farmers to learn business management strategies that will lead to profitable and competitive farming operations. The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) Farm Business Management Scholarship provides tuition money for the Farm Business Management … [Read more...]
Register now for small grain workshops
The University of Minnesota Extension is holding a series of virtual small grain workshops in February to address successful small grain management. “Whether you’re a farmer or crop consultant already producing small grains, or looking for another crop to add to the rotation, these workshops are for you,” says Jared Goplen, Extension Educator in Crops. “Workshops will be … [Read more...]