Leon “Rocky” Frederick Vehrenkamp, 74, passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2019, in his home near Fountain, Minn. Leon was born on April 4, 1945, at Mrs. Shepherd’s Home in Wykoff to Dick and Linda (Eickhoff) Vehrenkamp. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wykoff, where he was a lifelong member. He went to Wykoff Public School from first through … [Read more...]
Marion L. Boyd
Marion L. Boyd, 90, died on October 8, 2019, at Cottagewood Senior Communities in Rochester, Minn. Marion Louise Hoopman Boyd was born on April 21, 1929, to Walter and Louise (Nise) Hoopman on their farm in Howard County, Iowa. She attended Liberty country school in Albion Township, graduated as class valedictorian from Cresco High School in 1947, then attended Iowa State … [Read more...]
Jon Gatzke
Jon Gatzke, 71, of Preston, passed away Wednesday, October 9, 2019, at home. Jon Lewis Gatzke was born May 20, 1948, son of Vernon and Doris (Peterson) Gatzke in Preston, Minn. He was married to Jackie Kruegel and to this union two sons, Travis and Brandon were born. They later divorced. In 1992, Jon married Elizabeth Walsh and together they had a daughter Gabrielle. … [Read more...]
Paul R. Gathje
Paul R. Gathje, 85, a longtime Stewartville, Minn., farmer and auctioneer, passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2019, after a short illness with cancer. Paul Ralph Gathje was born on July 14, 1934, in Dover, Minn., to Raymond and Martha (Brandt) Gathje. He grew up and attended school in Pleasant Grove and Stewartville and served in the U.S. Army. Paul was married on April … [Read more...]
Preventing suicide in ag communities training available Free half-day safeTALK sessions planned throughout Minnesota
ST. PAUL, MN – Farmers and others who work in agriculture are used to helping neighbors, clients, family and friends do chores or make repairs, but they may not know how to help someone having thoughts of suicide. A free, half-day safeTALK training sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will be offered in six … [Read more...]
Grants for equipment, feasibility studies now available Apply for Value-Added Grant through January 23, 2020
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Value-Added Grant Program. The MDA anticipates awarding up to $1 million using a competitive review process. The intent of the program is to increase sales of Minnesota agricultural products by investing in production capacity, market … [Read more...]
Clarifying Canadian bacon
When celebrating Canada Day, revelers may want to enjoy some of the classic foods borne out of this land in the North. Thanks to the wide array of people of varied cultures that reside in Canada, cuisine can range from French foods to wild game first hunted by Inuit and other native peoples. Outside of Canada, the country may be best known for a few exports, including maple … [Read more...]
Agricultural career opportunities
A career in agriculture can prove richly rewarding. While it's common to envision overalls and tractors when imagining careers in agriculture, the opportunities to work in the agriculture industry stretch beyond the farm and into the corporate world. The following are a few of the paths men and women with a passion for agriculture can pursue. • Business: Agriculture is big … [Read more...]
Farm to table businesses booming
Consumers' appetites for local foods are growing, and restaurants have taken notice. Today, many local businesses, including farms and restaurants, have mutually exclusive relationships that make it possible for local residents to enjoy nutritious, locally produced meals. According to the market research firm Packaged Facts, local foods generated $11.7 billion in sales in … [Read more...]
Foods on the barbie need not be unhealthy
Certain foods found at barbecues are better than others for health-conscious men and women. Barbecue season is still in full swing, and that means many evenings spent dining outdoors with a feast of grilled foods at your beck and call. Such foods may be delicious, but some barbecue standards may not be ideal for those trying to maintain a beach-ready body. But even if a trim … [Read more...]