MANKATO, MN – David Mensink, a farmer from Preston, Minn., traveled to Japan in early September to learn more about the world’s most competitive red meat import market and to demonstrate their commitment to serving it. The visit came on the heels of the trade agreement in principle that would bring Japanese tariffs on U.S. beef, pork and other agricultural products in line with … [Read more...]
2019 State Fair non-livestock results
Static results Caleb Barth (Harmony Helping Hands) - Blue, Quilting Krissie Biel (Independent) - Blue, Exploring the Enviroment Grace Boelter (Root River Rabbits) - Blue, Child & Family Development Emma Broadwater (Bloomfield Cloverleaves) - Purple, Clothes You Make; Blue, Club Community Pride Noah Broadwater (Bloomfield Cloverleaves) - Blue, … [Read more...]
2019 State Fair livestock results
Beef Kammry Broadwater (Carimona Cruisers) - 4th Place Commercial Summer Yearling, Showmanship Callback Kassidy Broadwater (Carimona Cruisers) - 2nd Place Red Angus Registered Junior Yearling, Showmanship Callback Nick Fetterly (Challenging Workers) - 6th Place, Registered Hereford Steer, Showmanship Participant Keagan Fiesler (Arendahl Hi-Flyers) - 8th Place … [Read more...]
Fillmore County family carries on a passionate tradition of 4-H
By Bailey Ruen University of Minnesota student Fillmore County 4-H member For Vern and Kay Ristau, being involved in the 4-H youth development program is a family tradition. One they were glad to pass on to their children and grandchildren too. Since the beginning Vern and Kay both grew up in 4-H and knew they wanted their kids to have the same experience. In … [Read more...]
4-H members enjoy time at Minnesota State Fair
Each year, members of 4-H from all over the state travel to the Minnesota State Fair to show their animals and projects. This year was no exception for Fillmore Central High School seniors Morgan Wingert and Garrett Aggen. Both have been a part of 4-H for many years and have participated in numerous fairs, both county and state. Morgan shows dairy cattle and Garrett shows … [Read more...]
Samantha Payne looks to grow 4-H in county
Since May 30, Samantha Payne has served as the interim 4-H Extension Educator for Fillmore County, working at her office in the Fillmore County office building on Houston Street. As of September 26, the word “interim” has been removed from her title, and she says she’s eager to work in this role for a good, long time. In describing her background, Samantha stated, “I grew … [Read more...]
Palmer amaranth found in Houston County, Minnesota MDA encourages farmers and agronomists to scout fields before harvest
ST. PAUL, MN — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has positively identified the invasive weed Palmer amaranth in Houston County. The MDA was contacted by the Houston County Ag Inspector after discovering several hundred plants in a small hay field. The field has since been mowed and burned off to destroy any plants, seedlings, and seeds produced this season. The … [Read more...]
Dairy Assistance Program deadline extended Applications accepted through October 8, 2019
ST. PAUL, MN: Small- and medium-size Minnesota dairy producers will have an extra week to complete enrollment in the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) new Dairy Assistance, Investment, and Relief Initiative (DAIRI) program. Applications postmarked by October 8, 2019, will be accepted for the program, which provides qualifying dairy producers payments if they have … [Read more...]
F-C Dairy Judging Team wins nationals
Fillmore Central School in Harmony has some national champions in their midst, as the FFA Dairy Judging team competed on September 17, and came away winners. The team consists of Klaudia and Kelsey Biel (daughters of Kevin and Kelly Biel), Krista Jorgenson (daughter of Archie and Cheri Jorgenson), and Morgan Wingert (daughter of James and Randi Wingert) along with their … [Read more...]
USDA offers disaster assistance for MN farmers hurt by 2018, 2019 disasters
ST. PAUL, MN, September 18, 2019 — Agricultural producers affected by natural disasters in 2018 and 2019, can apply through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) program. Sign-up for this U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program began September 11. “There is no doubt that extreme weather has greatly impacted Minnesota’s agricultural producers over … [Read more...]
Safety on the farm
When you make a mistake on the farm, most often you can learn from it and make corrections so it doesn’t happen again. Following these general safety guidelines can help you prevent accidents and keep you and your loved ones safe. Power take-off The power take-off, or PTO shaft, is an efficient means of transferring mechanical power between farm tractors and implements. … [Read more...]
AmeriCorps plays central role in controlling noxious weeds Along the Root River in Fillmore and Houston counties, crews work with SWCDs, agriculture department to treat Japanese hops, poison hemlock
PRESTON — The Fillmore Soil & Water Conservation District is battling two non-native weeds that threaten the Root River. Japanese hops and poison hemlock, both on Minnesota’s Noxious Weeds List, choke out native species that shade streams and stabilize their banks — putting cold-and-clear-water trout habitat at risk. For the fourth consecutive season, a Conservation … [Read more...]
Funding available for sustainable agriculture projects AGRI grants help farmers test new ideas to drive sustainability
ST. PAUL, MN — Farmers and Minnesota nonprofit and educational organizations focused on testing new ideas in sustainable agriculture are encouraged to apply for a Sustainable Agriculture and Demonstration (SustAg) Grant by 4 p.m. Tuesday, December 17, 2019. The MDA’s SustAg Program is part of the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Program, which administers … [Read more...]
Apply for Beginning Farmer Tax Credit by Oct. 1 Incentives available for rent or sale of farm land and some assets
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Rural Finance Authority reminds beginning farmers and asset owners to apply by October 1, 2019, for the tax credit for the sale or lease of land, equipment, machinery, and livestock. To qualify, the applicant must be a Minnesota resident with the desire to start farming or who began farming within the past 10 years, provide … [Read more...]
Biel in butter
Kayla Biel, daughter of Kevin and Kelly Biel of Harmony (center photo), was a Princess Kay of the Milky Way finalist this year. With the honor of being Milky Way Princess comes the privilege of Kayla having her likeness sculpted in butter at the Minnesota State Fair by Linda Christensen, the artist who has been creating butter sculptures at the fair for Midwest Dairy for 48 … [Read more...]