By Elena Patterson In the heart of Harmony, there’s a little shop on Main Street called Homespun Harmony. Once inside the eye is immediately drawn to the walls of yarn that are as varied and colorful as a handheld kaleidoscope. One special display showcases the local talents of Audra Otto, a 13-year-old who hand spins yarn from the fleece of her own herd of Pygora goats. … [Read more...]
USDA launches new conservation pilot program for Prairie Pothole producers to plant cover crops
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced a new pilot program that enables farmers in the Prairie Pothole region to receive payments for planting cover crops on their land for three to five years. The new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Soil Health and Income Protection Program (SHIPP) pilot is available to producers in Iowa, … [Read more...]
Minnesota farmers can nominate schools for $15k STEM grants
The America’s Farmers programs, sponsored by Bayer Fund, are back for another year to strengthen farming communities across Minnesota. Beginning January 1, America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education is partnering with farmers across the country to help strengthen rural public school districts through $15,000 STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) grants. Since 2010, … [Read more...]
Manure: waste or valuable agricultural resource?
By University of Minnesota Extension and Partners Stories about manure often illustrate two opposing sentiments. Is manure a “Waste” that pollutes our water resources and creates undesirable nuisances for communities? Or, is manure a “Resource” that reduces the demand for importing greenhouse gas intensive inorganic fertilizers and improves the health of our soils? Both … [Read more...]
City of Rushford Village begins land use planning process
An effort to begin both long and short term strategic planning for the City of Rushford Village has begun via a land use survey. The city’s Economic Development Director, Rebecca Charles, will be conducting a survey of rural landowners within the city limits of Rushford Village to collect data from residents. Not all residents within the Village will be receive a survey as … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Agriculture Summit canceled
The Fillmore County Economic Development Authority (EDA) has canceled the Fillmore County Agriculture Summit scheduled for March 26 at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, per the Governor of Minnesota’s declaration and recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health. This event cannot be rescheduled at this time, as the timeline for the COVID-19 Coronavirus … [Read more...]
Government this week
Monday, March 23 • Chatfield City Council, City Hall, 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 24 • Fillmore County Commissioners, Courthouse, 9 a.m. • Fillmore Central School Board, High School Media Center, 6:30 p.m. Schedule subject to change. … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Police Reports
Fillmore County Sheriff’s Department Megan Evangeline Marie Halverson, 19, Winona, Minn.; 1/5/2020, Speeding (70/60), Fine $40, Total Fees $130. Justin Michael Johnson, 18, Spring Valley, Minn.; 2/7/2020, Possess/Sale Small Amount Marijuana - No Remuneration, Fine $50, Total Fees $140. 2/7/2020, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Use or Possession Prohibited, Fine $50. … [Read more...]
Fillmore County District Court
On March 3, Juana Lashaun Walker, 20, of Spring Valley, appeared before District Court Judge Matthew J. Opat. Walker is charged with Domestic Assault by Strangulation, a felony with a maximum criminal penalty three years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine. On or about March 10, within the city of Spring Valley, a sheriff’s deputy met with a woman who had allegedly been … [Read more...]
Statement from Rep. Davids on sales tax payment extension
ST. PAUL, MN — On Wednesday, March 18, the Minnesota Department of Revenue announced that they will grant businesses identified in Gov. Walz’s recent Executive Order 20-04 a 30 day extension until April 20, 2020, to make sales and use tax payments that were set to be due on March 20 without any penalties or interest. “This one month payment delay will literally help … [Read more...]