Area farm families, businesses, and the general public are invited to attend this free event at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center located at 28097 Goodview Dr., Lanesboro, Minn., on February 24, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A light breakfast will be provided, and sessions will run approximately 25 minutes. This year’s schedule includes presentations on … [Read more...]
Tony Becker and Justin Brown accepted into the Minnesota FFA Alumni President’s Circle
The Minnesota FFA Alumni/Supporters Association has created a systematic, sustainable leadership enhancement program for FFA Alumni/Supporters in Minnesota. This new leadership program involves enhancing and building alumni member leadership skills which, in turn, will sustain and improve agriculture education in Minnesota. Becker lives in the Rushford area while Brown lives … [Read more...]
Recycle your Christmas trees twice!
Johnny and Liz Micheel, who live on a farm between Rushford and Money Creek, are interested in those dried up Christmas trees that everyone will soon be taking down. The Micheels raise goats and have found that the goats love Christmas trees! If you’d like to help give the goats a treat, you can bring your trees to the Rushford City compost site and leave them near the sign for … [Read more...]
Meet the 2021-22 Houston County 4-H Federation officers
By Garrett Waldenberger President Ashtyn Meyer is a member of the Houston County Sharp Shooters 4-H Club. She has been in 4-H for eight years. Her favorite 4-H memories come the Houston County Fair. In 4-H, some of the project areas she is involved in are vegetable and flower gardening, photography, arts and crafts, goats, chickens, swine, foods, clothes, wildlife and … [Read more...]
Farmers Union honors four members at annual banquet
ST. PAUL – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) honored four of its members for their service to agriculture and Farmers Union during their annual banquet, November 20. Hitterdal, Minn., farmer Larry Jacobson received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his service as a Clay County officer and as a delegate to the state and national convention along with his commitment to serving on … [Read more...]
USDA funding available to help low-income individuals and families buy or repair homes
USDA Rural Development has funding available for very low- and low-income individuals and families seeking to purchase or repair a home in a rural area. The 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 one … [Read more...]
2021 Fillmore County Fair 4-H livestock results
Beef Senior Beef Interview Champion: Audrey Redalen; Reserve: Hans Lind Intermediate Beef Interview Champion: Hope Rolfs; Reserve: Jackson Shanahan Junior Beef Interview Champion: Hannah Vaalemoen Dairy Steer Champion: Colton Guenther; Reserve: Kelsey Biel Crossbred Dairy Steer Champion: Zach Reiland Prospect Dairy Steer Champion: Emarie Jacobson; Reserve: Jordan … [Read more...]
2021 Fillmore County Fair non-livestock results
Favorite Food Show Champion: Emma Rowen; Reserve: Elsa Eickhoff Cake Decorating Champion: Kylie Meyer; Reserve: Hailey West Livestock Demonstration Champion: Kelsey Biel; Reserve: Caleb Barth Static Demonstration Champion: Emma Rowen; Reserve: Sydney Barth Fashion Revue - Constructed Champion: Mara Schwarz; Reserve: Emarie Jacobson Fashion Revue - Purchased Champion: … [Read more...]
2021 Houston County Fair Open Class grand and reserve placings
Department 1: Game Horses: Jumping Figure 8 (11-13 yrs.): Else Plzak, Reserve Jumping Figure 8 (14-17 yrs.): Madison Winjum, Grand Barrel Racing (11-13 yrs.) :Tegan Dahlstrom, Grand Barrel Racing (18 & Over): Christine Novak, Reserve Pole Weaving (11-13 yrs.) Elese Plzak, Grand Pole weaving (14-17 yrs.): Ava Hoscheit, Reserve Key races (11-13 yrs.): Breelyn … [Read more...]
2021 Houston County Fair 4-H results
4-H club legend BHSS - Black Hammer Swift Scooters BW - Brownsville Wildcats CR - Caledonia Rockets HNH - Hearts and Hooves HC - Hokah Chiefs HCSS - Houston County Sharpshooters IND - Independent LTL - La Crescent Tiger Lilies LL - Lazy Lopers MBRS - Mayville Blue Ribbon Strivers MCL - Money Creek Livewires NN - Newhouse Norsemen PP - Portland Prairie … [Read more...]
2021 Houston County Fair livestock results
Beef Dairy Steers Champion: Dylan Schroeder, PP; Reserve: Miranda Schroeder, PP Dairy Steer Rate of Gain Champion: Dylan Schroeder, PP Senior Dairy Steer Showmanship Champion: Cory Scanlan, BW; Reserve: Miranda Schroeder, PP Intermediate Dairy Steer Showmanship Champion: Leo Privet, CR; Reserve: McKenna Eglinton, CR Beginner Dairy Steer Showmanship Champion: Annie Von … [Read more...]
Emily Thompson’s Alpine wins Champion at ADGA nationals
GCH Kara Kahl PGW Akebono, a six-year-old French Alpine owned and shown by Emily Thompson, earned champion Alpine in the open class at the recent ADGA (American Dairy Goat Association) national show in Louisville, Ky. Akebono beat out a field of 200–300 other Alpines to win the national champion award from the judges. This was the first champion win in the Alpine class at … [Read more...]
William Carlson — champion at national goat show
In the recent ADGA (American Dairy Goat Association) national goat show held in Louisville, Ky., July 17–23, 14-year-old William Carlson of Looney Valley came away with four champion awards! Carlson was awarded Junior Management Champion. This competition consisted of a written test of 30-50 questions testing his knowledge about goats, their care, illnesses, etc. Carlson … [Read more...]
USDA offers disaster assistance to Minnesota farmers and livestock producers impacted by drought
ST. PAUL, MN, July 26, 2021 – Minnesota agricultural operations have been significantly impacted by the ongoing, severe drought. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover. As agricultural producers move into recovery mode and assess damages, they should contact their local USDA … [Read more...]
Rural Finance Authority clears way for disaster loans Eligible drought-affected farmers can now apply for zero-interest financing
ST. PAUL, MINN – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Rural Finance Authority (RFA) Board has determined that an emergency exists in Minnesota due to drought, which makes zero-interest loans available immediately for Minnesota farmers whose operations are suffering from lack of rain. “The RFA board members voted unanimously to make these disaster recovery funds available … [Read more...]