The Tart family has been toiling in the same fields for five generations all in the Root River valley minutes from Spring Valley, Minn. And, all within a mile of the farm where Kevin Tart and Julie Broadwater along with their three children, Lakin, Macen and Nayli live. Kevin’s great-great-grandfather Alkin Tart and his wife Mary Tart were the first generation to farm the … [Read more...]
Houston County Fair Receives Rave Reviews
Commissioner Bob Schuldt commended the Houston County Fair Board for an outstanding fair and that people he talked with at the fair were impressed with the rodeo. Commissioners Eric Johnson and Robert (Bob) Burns added that they felt that the fair was well attended, noting there was a line at the rodeo. Chairperson Dewey Severson called the regularly scheduled meeting to order … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Fair Livestock 4-H Results
4-H Club Legend AHF - Arendahl Hi-Flyers, BC - Bloomfield Cloverleaves, CC - Carimona Cruisers, CW - Challenging Workers, HHH - Harmony Helping Hands, I- Independent, LL - Lanesboro Livewires, MBB - Mabel Busy Bees, NGG - Norway Go-Getters, Racine RR - Racine Rural Rookies, Root RR - Root River Rabbits Beef Senior Beef Interview Champion: Adia Evans, Root RR; Reserve … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Fair Non-livestock 4-H Results
4-H Club Legend AHF - Arendahl Hi-Flyers, BC - Bloomfield Cloverleaves, CC - Carimona Cruisers, CW - Challenging Workers, HHH - Harmony Helping Hands, I- Independent, LL - Lanesboro Livewires, MBB - Mabel Busy Bees, NGG - Norway Go-Getters, Racine RR - Racine Rural Rookies, Root RR - Root River Rabbits Agronomy Champion: Jeffrey Snyder, Racine RR Cake & Cookie … [Read more...]
Fair time!
Celebrate 165 years of tradition, food, entertainment, and exhibits at the 2023 Fillmore County Fair, July 17-23. The fairgrounds is located just minutes west of Hwy. 52 in Preston. Food is one of the top reasons fairgoers attend county fairs. Food, especially fair food, challenges all fiave senses. Whether it is a bag of fluffy sticky sweet cotton candy, grilled burger, … [Read more...]
Raised bed gardening
By Tanner Marquardt Student Intern University of Minnesota Extension PRESTON, MN, June 19, 2023 — As you’re gardening this year you may find that you want to change up your garden, or maybe you want something easier to access, consider raised garden beds. Raised garden beds are excellent for people with mobility issues or who struggle to bend to the ground. Raised garden … [Read more...]
Armyworms
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension PRESTON and CALEDONIA, MN, June 13, 2023 — As of writing this article, both Fillmore and Houston counties, along with many other parts of the state, are in D0 (abnormally dry) or D1 (moderate drought) conditions. Given the current stage and conditions of our crops there are many things that we need to be thinking … [Read more...]
Top Minnesota dairy farms honored for superior cow care
Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen released the annual list of top Minnesota dairy herds with low somatic cell counts (SCC). Somatic cell count is a key indicator of milk quality – a lower SCC count is better for cheese production and a longer shelf life for bottled milk. In honor of National Dairy Month, 93 Minnesota dairy farms are being recognized for their … [Read more...]
Pasture management
By Tanner Marquardt Student Intern University of Minnesota Extension PRESTON, MN — With the grazing season upon us, here are a few tips for good pasture management. Check your fencing to ensure it is in good condition with no openings or down fences for animals to escape. Also, check for things like broken or missing posts, broken boards for wooden fences or loose wire on … [Read more...]
April weed of the month: Lesser celandine Lesser celandine, also known as fig buttercup, is a relatively new invader to the state
In a few short weeks (or longer in the northern part of the state), we will begin seeing the pops of color of spring ephemerals. Some skunk cabbage is already taking advantage of areas with recent snow melt. As the snow recedes and the ground temperatures begin to warm, the beginning of spring is a great time to look for the emergence of invasive plants. Lesser celandine … [Read more...]