FOUNTAIN, MN — Interseeding cover crops, grazing and planting corn in 60” rows will be the exciting topics covered during a Land Stewardship Project (LSP) Zoom event Thursday, September 10, from 10-11:30 a.m. Join the event 10 minutes prior to 10 a.m. for music and social time. All Zoom experience levels are welcome and guidance to using the platform will be given in the first … [Read more...]
The food supply chain: getting food from farm to fork
By Maddie Smith National FFA Officer Candidate Milk is expensive yet farmers are dumping it... How does this happen!? When we think about essential workers during the pandemic, we most often think about healthcare workers and grocery store workers. Looking at our grocery stores, however, there are plenty more heroes to add to that list. When we grab food off of the … [Read more...]
A conversation about rural mental health in youth
By Maddie Smith National FFA Officer Candidate ATV training, grain bin safety, rural resilience… These were a few topics discussed during the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) virtual expo last week. One topic was more frequently discussed than any other, however: mental health. Stress levels on the farm are higher than ever. Those of us … [Read more...]
4-H Spotlight: Alaina has gained confidence and experience in Houston County 4-H
Alaina Johnson is a recent graduate of La Crescent High School and will be attending UW-River Falls as a Pre-Vet major this fall. She is from rural La Crescent, Minn., where she has grown up on her family’s dairy farm. For the last 13 years she has been actively involved in Houston County 4-H. She’s held leadership roles in the Ridgetop Dreamseekers 4-H Club (which just started … [Read more...]
Restructuring farmers eligible for relief from loan fees: COVID-19 relief funds available to help farmers restructuring debt
Eligible farmers restructuring their debt can get half of the loan guarantee fees on USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) restructuring loans covered through a new Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) program, paid for through federal COVID-19 funding. The Minnesota Legislature appropriated $175,000 in COVID-19 relief this spring toward a grant program that covers 50% of loan … [Read more...]
‘No-till & Cover Crops with Farmer Rod Nelson’ Online Zoom Event, August 14
CHATFIELD, MN - No-till and cover crops will be the focus of a Land Stewardship Project (LSP) Zoom event Friday, August 14, from 1-2:30 p.m. Join the event 10 minutes before 1 p.m. for music and social time. All Zoom experience levels are welcome and guidance to using the platform will be given in the first 10 minutes of the program. The event is free, but registration is … [Read more...]
Agriculture literacy in our communities
By Maddie Smith National FFA Officer Candidate Think about the last time you filled up at the pump. What fuel did you use? Why? Thinkabout the labels on the food you buy. What do they mean? Think about the news stories you hear. What do we do to keep our water clean and the environment healthy? How do trade agreements impact our communities? Why do we see healthy livestock … [Read more...]
Tractors, tractors everywhere!
“Linus Hammell knows a thing or two about tractors. As co-founder of Hammell Equipment, he has been involved with tractors and other farm equipment all his life. According to the Hammell Equipment website, Bernard and Linus Hammell acquired the Allis-Chalmers dealership in Chatfield in 1976, then built a dealership in Rushford in 1978. In 1992, they expanded into Eitzen, and in … [Read more...]
MDA expands options for contacting Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline Text and email service now available
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering two new ways that farmers and others involved in agriculture can contact the Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline: text and email. “We want to make it as easy as possible for our farmers to get the help they need when they need it,” said Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “COVID-19 has come on top of several years … [Read more...]
Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Breeders’ Association offer youth scholarships
St. Paul, MN. – The Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ Association are both invested in the educational endeavors of young adults from greater Minnesota. Despite the cancellation of the 2020 Minnesota State Fair, both organizations will continue to offer scholarship opportunities this August. Deserving youth are selected based on their leadership and … [Read more...]