There are many reasons why I live in the Midwest and the strength of our local communities is one of the primary ones. Community strength can be seen in many ways, but one of the most profound is when you see neighbors helping neighbors who are in need. On August 23, 2016 our neighbors in northeast Iowa experienced an historic flood. The area received intense rainfall … [Read more...]
Trash the garbage burning habit
Friends of the Root River will sponsor a program on Issues with Open Burning on Wednesday, September 28, at Tri-County Electric Cooperative, 31110 Cooperative Way, Rushford. At 6:30 p.m., doors open for light refreshments. Program at 7 p.m.: Why open burning is a problem. The health, environmental, and economic concerns - by MPCA Solid Waste Compliance staff Jacob Brady and … [Read more...]
No Seat? No Rider
Tractor rollovers and runovers are consistently among the top causes of on-farm injury and death. The risk for severe injury from rollovers and runovers is especially high for extra riders who do not have a designated seat. So the message is very simple. If your farm equipment – tractors, combines, etc. – does not have an instructor’s seat in addition to the operator’s chair, … [Read more...]
Compaction a concern for fall field work
Healthy soils are the foundation of our cropping systems. One of the most important attributes of a healthy soil is good soil structure. Due to the excess rainfall we have received this summer, the soil structure of our local farm fields is at risk of being destroyed by compaction this fall. Soil compaction refers to a reduction in soil pore space. Healthy soils have a … [Read more...]
Fall safety concerns in agricultural communities
The beginning of fall signals the beginning of many exciting things: schools are back in session, local sports begin, new hunting seasons are right around the corner and fall crop harvest is beginning. While these activities can be exciting, there are a number of dangers that this time of year brings as well. • Kids are back in school. Kids can be unpredictable. They like to … [Read more...]
Doug and Deb Ristau family named the 2016 Fillmore County Farm Family of the Year
The Doug and Deb Ristau family has been named Fillmore County’s 2016 Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota. Doug and Deb purchased a 320-acre farm in 1987 with a small 30-cow Herford herd, which they purchased from the previous farm owner, and were part owners of a 60-cow Holstein herd with Doug’s parents. In 1995, they began custom raising Holstein heifers … [Read more...]
CPS of Harmony has reasons to celebrate
Crop Production Services of Harmony, Minn., is close to having their new building which will store and mix dry fertilizer complete. This is reason enough for the company and its employees to celebrate, which is why they will be hosting an open house, but the business will also recognize local heroes in September, as well. The new building on the site of CPS was in the … [Read more...]
Root River noxious weeds: Japanese hops
Extension Educator for Fillmore and Houston Counties When most people hear the word hops, they think of the common hop used for brewing beer. But over the past five to ten years a related species, Japanese Hops, has been invading the local waterways of southeastern Minnesota. Japanese hops is native to eastern Asia and was originally brought to North America as an … [Read more...]
Root River 1W1P submitted for state review… Pilot watershed-based plan involving six counties in SE Minnesota nearing completion
June 28, 2016, PRESTON, MN – After nearly two years of work, the Root River One Watershed, One Plan pilot project, which includes all of Fillmore County, is entering the final phase of its planning process. State officials are conducting a 60-day review for the draft water management plan for the Root River One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P) that involves a planning area … [Read more...]
Metz Cheese Curds win second at prestigious American Cheese Society competition
DES MOINES, IA – Metz’s Hart-Land Creamery won second place in the Flavored Cheese Curd category July 27-31, 2016 at the American Cheese Society’s product competition with their Roasted Garlic and Herb Cheese Curds. “This is our first time entering a product in the competition, and we are very pleased at the result,” said owner and cheesemaker Jeff Metz. “There was … [Read more...]