There’s a misconception that just because it’s winter, farmers aren’t busy. However, the off-season is when farmers are busy doing bookwork, making machinery repairs, selling and buying seed and laying the groundwork for a successful spring. Just like a farmer, the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) has been working hard to bring a range of supports to its … [Read more...]
We the people (with a nod to Charles Dickens)
By John Jordan To begin with, the world did not end. Ok, the election did not go the way I wanted it to. I am appalled by the character of the president. To mention just one aspect, he must be held accountable by us fellow men for his physical assaults on women and his bragging about it. To dismiss such behavior as “just locker room talk” is absurd and false. As I read … [Read more...]
Talking turkey about climate
So I’m taking the garbage out on a rainy, 50+ degree Monday morning in February, and I think to myself: self, I’ve been on this earth for three decades and a little more, so I’m old enough to remember Februaries where the temperatures didn’t climb out of the 30s, let alone into the 50s. Heck, I remember a nasty St. Paddy’s snowstorm just back when I was in college, but it seems … [Read more...]
Devil’s advocate… Conceived in Liberty
In Lincoln’s Gettysburg address he stated, “…our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” In my last article, I wrote about towers of foresight and the importance of considering long-term implications of our political decisions. History has shown how attempts to silence the … [Read more...]
Unprecedented sabotage: Obama’s involvement with the OFA
In the interest of national security and out of respect for the electoral process, former occupants of the Whitehouse have always made a concerted effort to step aside at the end of their term in office and allow the new administration to do the job they were elected to do. This is as it should be, especially in a situation where the voters have so clearly and unambiguously … [Read more...]
Letter about Col. Gudmundson: Move on…
To the Editor, As Democrats, Independents, and plenty of disenchanted Republicans are being chided for not accepting the fumbles, foibles, and follies of the new administration and “not giving Trump a chance”, Col. Gudmunson wants us to believe “We dodged a bullet” by not electing Hillary Clinton. Wow. The new reality for many Americans is living in constant fear of what bomb … [Read more...]
Thank you Master Gardener volunteers
From county fairs to safety programs, the local Extension office relies heavily on volunteers to accomplish the work that we do. Two groups of volunteers that I have the pleasure of working with on a regular basis are the Fillmore and Houston County Master Gardeners. These volunteers give significant amounts of their free time to the people of our area and through the education … [Read more...]
A speech everyone should read
As a country, we make a habit of looking forward, not backward. But I’m going to ask you to turn your attention back a few weeks, to Barack Obama’s January 10 farewell address to the American people. I’ve been reading presidential farewell speeches for many years. Most of them give good advice. This speech, however, was exceptional. It can be read with benefit by Republicans … [Read more...]
Can we work in common cause?
Human-caused climate change presents us with an opportunity to unite around a solution to a common problem. No one nation, religion, race, or group of any kind can address this issue on its own. It will take all of us working together for the long term common good. That presents a possibility for peace, renewed economic security, return to rational thinking and a chance to … [Read more...]
Local conversation about our future
By Peggy Hanson About 60 people gathered in Lanesboro on January 31. Why did all these people come together on a cold dark night in January? It wasn’t the rhubarb cake. The group appeared united in the belief that more understanding and positive community dialogue is needed right now. They wanted to have a conversation and share ideas for positive ways to keep America … [Read more...]









