This past couple weeks have been interesting as I’ve watched the morning news on TV. I’ve noticed a trend that has reinforced what I’ve come to realize over several years. There is a huge disconnect between the producers and anchors of shows like NY-based Good Morning America and TODAY Show, and small town America. As I watched these news shows leading up to the … [Read more...]
Less billionaires, more happiness
Do you love your job? Like, really love it? Are you one of the rare unicorns that actually enjoys doing what they do and how they do it every day? If, like the majority of people, you are not 100% over the moon about your current employment (or your lack of finding decent employment) there’s a simple question you should ask yourself: What would you do if you didn’t have to … [Read more...]
An evening of food, socializing, and education for local cattle producers
The Fillmore and Houston County Extension offices would like to invite all local cattle producers to a viewing party for this year’s Cattle Feeder Days. The annual Cattle Feeder Days program has been held for more than 40 years and continues to be the leading information, technology and research outlet for cattle feeders in the state of Minnesota. The program features … [Read more...]
The season of giving
This season of giving and gratitude continues to inspire me. I am always overwhelmed by the generous contributions from donors to Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) and our 30 community foundations as well as to other local nonprofits. November 14 was Give to the Max Day here in Minnesota. This statewide day of giving reminds me how much the residents of … [Read more...]
Cemetery theft…
To the Editor, Two cobalt blue ceramic planters filled with perennials were stolen from the graves of Darold and Helen Maricle at the Spring Valley Cemetery. We have mixed emotions: • Anger, that someone (who undoubtedly considers themselves Christian) would rob a gravesite; • Pity, for whoever would stoop so low to such an act; • And even a little pride, that … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Land Rent Survey results and upcoming Extension workshops
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s land rent survey. According to our survey results, 2019 land rental rates in Fillmore County averaged between $189.92-$197.61/acre. Survey responses for 2019 land rent ranged from $40.00-$300.00/acre. The predicted average for 2020 land rental rates is between $189.26-$197.03/acre. These values are based on 84 returned … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… You hold the key
This coming week can be a game changer for some area businesses, but also for our communities. And, our local residents hold the key. You’ve probably heard that when locals spend money with a locally-owned business, they keep the majority of those dollars local and that money circulates throughout the community multiple times. I’ve heard numbers such as 67 cents of every … [Read more...]
Devil’s Advocate… One pound
After helping with the 10th annual Empty Bowls event in Harmony, I was curious to know more about food shortages. That research led me to some shocking, and quite frankly, depressing statistics about food waste. Luckily, there are a number of solutions. “Americans Waste About A Pound of Food A Day, USDA Study Finds” -Forbes, 2018 This study published last year by the open … [Read more...]
Getting real about healthcare
We currently spend 3.7 trillion dollars per year on healthcare in the U.S. Our total GDP is 21.5 trillion dollars. For every $6 spent in this country, one is spent on healthcare. We spend about twice as much per person as other developed countries. The problem is, we get average outcomes. We pay twice as much for average care. This is not sustainable. This is a huge drag on our … [Read more...]
How do we keep our democracy healthy?
Representative democracy is based on a simple premise. It’s that ordinary citizens can make satisfactory judgments on complex public policy and political issues — or at least grasp them well enough to decide who should be dealing with them. But the significance of that premise isn’t simple at all. It means that our country’s future depends on the quality of democratic … [Read more...]