The Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) will hold a public meeting March 25 in Red Wing to gain public input on a proposal to study nitrate-contaminated water in the karst region of southeast Minnesota. The meeting will be held at the St. James Hotel, 406 Main St., Red Wing, Minn., with doors opening at 5 p.m., presentations starting at 5:30 p.m., and table discussions … [Read more...]

People who live in cities, exurbs or suburbs may not come across farms very frequently. But millions of people, including children, still live on farms. In fact, in 2009 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that more than one million children under the age of 20 lived, worked or had a regular presence on farms in the United States. Protecting children from … [Read more...]

Though it’s easy to look at the tech industry and think this increasingly influential sector is what makes the world go round, something closer to the very core of the Earth may be what’s driving your economy. The agricultural sector plays a strategic role in a nation’s economic development and prosperity. From the earliest days, agriculture has been heralded as playing a … [Read more...]

As they work to assist farmers in taking their land to the next level, Jason and Mary Schwarz, owners of JMS Agronomics took a big leap forward with their business in the fall of 2018. The company, which specializes in assisting farms in reaching their greatest potential and productivity, offers precision agronomy services, some chemical services, and sells a full line of … [Read more...]

Five states, 3,270 miles, two national competitions and many memories.  Five members and their coach Maggie Haugstad of the Fillmore County Horse Project were awarded two national trips at the 4-H State Horse Show in September. Chase Ketterhagen, Kira and Courtney Nelson and Nati Vande Zande comprised the horse judging team that won a national trip to the All American Quarter … [Read more...]

“We have a clear vision of what our Arabian horses should be. Strong, sound athletes that are beautiful to behold and a pleasure to be around. Merely being pretty is not enough; the horses of Conway Arabians are doing horses, bred to have the conformation and temperament to perform in the show-ring or on the trail,” quotes Peter Conway in an informational brochure   about the … [Read more...]

“My grandparents, Duane and Joan Sveen, gave me my first horse when I was six years old, and I was hooked ever since,” states Alesha Sveen who has taken her love of horses a step further by competing with her horses and then another step further by choosing her career around horses and their well-being. Sveen’s first horse, Stormy, will be 28 this year and “happily still … [Read more...]

A few miles outside of Spring Valley, Dave Genadek runs a small business called About The Horse, Inc.  He primarily makes saddles, and he takes his vocation very seriously.  As the company name would suggest, Dave focuses on making saddles that fit the individual horse’s anatomy, as well as the rider’s individual requests. On a recent snowy morning, Dave took a brief respite … [Read more...]

Fillmore County 4-H Horse Project has a lot to offer. Benefits of joining the Fillmore County 4-H Horse Project are making new friends, learning new and interesting facts, and being able to participate in multiple activites such as project bowl, drill team, hippology and judging to name a few.  New this year will be the Challenged Rider Program.  This program is for youth who … [Read more...]

University of Minnesota Extension would like to invite you to attend two important workshops on February 22 at the Mabel Community Center. From 8 -10 a.m., Meg Moynihan, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and Cynthie Christensen, Houston County Farm Bureau, will present “Dealing with stress in our ag communities.” Stress factors are on the rise for Minnesota farmers. Many … [Read more...]

PRESTON, Minn. -- A Land Stewardship Project (LSP) workshop called, "Cover Crops, No-Till & Grazing: Evaluating the Economics and First Steps to Improving Soil" will be held Friday, Feb. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the St. Columban Church in Preston (408 Preston St. NW). It will feature presentations by southwestern Minnesota farmers Grant and Dawn Breitkreutz, along … [Read more...]

USDA Rural Development has funding availabile for very low- and low-income individuals and families seeking to purchase or repair a home in a rural area. USDA’s Direct Home Loan Program offers financing to qualified very low- and low-income applicants that are unable to qualify for traditional financing. No down payment is required, and the interest rate could be as low as 1% … [Read more...]

ST. PAUL, MN, December 19, 2018 — For many Minnesota farmers, 2018 was a tough year financially. But free, confidential help is available for those who are struggling. For farmers like Liz and Bob Krocak of Montgomery, programs such as the farm financial counseling service offered through University of Minnesota Extension have been much-needed. The Krocaks decided to share … [Read more...]

Minnesota Farm Bureau’s Sesquicentennial Farm program will honor Minnesota families who have owned their farms for at least 150 years. Since the Sesquicentennial Farm program began in 2008, over 225 farms have been recognized. The Sesquicentennial Farm program recognizes family farms according to the following qualifications: 1) The farm must be at least 150 years old this … [Read more...]