Minnesota families who have owned their farms for 100 years or more are invited to apply for the 2023 Century Farm Program. Produced by the Minnesota State Fair in conjunction with the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, the Century Farm Program was created to promote agriculture and honor historic family farms in the state. More than 11,000 Minnesota farms have been honored … [Read more...]
Soil-health workshops planned for area Mower SWCD
January 31, 2023 – Free soil-health workshops once again are being planned in February along Interstate 90 and U.S. Hwy. 14, including a workshop in Stewartville co-hosted by Mower Soil & Water Conservation District. Partnering organizations are offering the 2023 I-90 & Hwy. 14 tour for CLASIC (Crop, Livestock and Soil Innovation Conferences) throughout the month of … [Read more...]
Basic houseplant care
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension January can be a hard month for many people with the dark mornings, cold weather and persistent cloud cover. Houseplants are a great way to liven up your home or office, especially in the winter. In order to keep your houseplants healthy and long lasting it is important to know how to properly care for them and the … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Fair Board receives “farmers grow communities” award
PRESTON, MN, January 12, 2023 — Local farmer Jared Olson recently directed a $5,000 Bayer Fund America’s Farmers Grow Communities donation to the Fillmore County Agricultural Society (Fillmore County Fair Board). The Fair Board used the funds to complete a safety project for bringing water to the grandstand at the Fillmore County fairgrounds. The Fair Board graciously wants to … [Read more...]
Applications open for funding to help new farmers purchase land Qualified farmers will receive dollar-for-dollar matching money up to $15,000
ST. PAUL, MN. – Applications are now being accepted for a new grant program to support Minnesotans purchasing their first farm. The Down Payment Assistance Grant Program is managed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and offers dollar-for-dollar matching up to $15,000 for qualified small farmers to purchase farmland. The MDA’s Rural Finance Authority (RFA) is … [Read more...]
Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops 2023
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension Pull up a chair and join in or bring the conversation with you as you go about your day. Whatever works best for you, join us this winter to discuss some of the key issues and questions around commodity crop production facing Minnesota farmers today through the “Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops” webinar series. This … [Read more...]
Three awards support agricultural mental health
ST. PAUL, MN - Three new projects are joining the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Bend, Don’t Break Initiative to help Minnesota farmers cope with adversity. “Agriculture can be a tough profession and Minnesota farmers experience a wide variety of physical, mental, and business stresses day-to-day and season-to-season,” Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom … [Read more...]
Fillmore and Houston County Land Rent Survey results
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s land rent survey. According to our survey results, 2022 land rental rates in Fillmore County averaged $218.16/acre with a range of $57-$425/acre. The weighted average was $226.42/acre and the mode (most commonly reported) was $200/acre. In Houston County the rent … [Read more...]
Picking the perfect Christmas tree
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension As we gathered with family and friends last week to give thanks for our many blessings, some of our minds likely wandered to decorating for Christmas. While I personally wait to put up any Christmas decorations until December, I want to provide you with information for finding the perfect Christmas tree before you embark on … [Read more...]
Permit for auctions in Ag District considered
The Fillmore County Planning Commission met on November 17 to consider an application for a conditional use permit for auctions in the Agricultural District. Chairman Trinity Johnson opened the public hearing for an application submitted by Enos and Emma Hershberger, section 18 of Canton Township. This conditional use permit application is considered under Section 604.03(13) … [Read more...]