RUSHFORD, MN – Minnesota Housing announced that $56.6 million is available to provide affordable mortgages to first-time homebuyers through a collaboration with Minnesota cities and counties, including $622,185.04 for Fillmore and Houston counties. Homebuyers can take advantage of these resources through the Minnesota Housing Start Up loan program, which offers fixed … [Read more...]
Recycling 101 ~ February 6, 2017
Today’s article deals with environmental issues as well as recycling. I will offer some suggestions on becoming a better steward of the land, air, and water, and a friend of the environment. Many of us use refillable coffee mugs when we are away from home. This really cuts back on the number of Styrofoam cups going to the landfill. Now, to avoid all those plastic water … [Read more...]
Recycling 101
When I look at the recyclables in the bins at the Recycling Center, a great majority of it is cardboard and other paper products. What happens to all that paper that is brought to the Recycling Center? If it is clean, dry, and free of a wax coating, almost all of it becomes paper products of one form or another. Each week, Fillmore County continues to send 15 to 18 tons of … [Read more...]
Recycling 101 ~ December 26, 2016
New Year’s Resolutions. It’s that time of the year when we can again take a look at some of our recycling habits to determine if they can be improved. Many of our Fillmore County residents are very conscientious recyclers, but can perhaps make a few minor improvements. There are also quite a number of you who could take recycling somewhat more seriously. Please use the … [Read more...]
Recycling 101 ~ 12/12/16
I am quite sure that a majority of the residents of Fillmore County who recycle do so quite well. Some, at times, too well. How can that be, you ask? A lot of questions on what is and isn’t recyclable seem to keep being asked frequently, and that is certainly not a bad thing. Please try to remember that not all paper, not all glass, and not all plastic can be recycled in … [Read more...]
Low interest rate single family housing loans available
FARIBAULT, MN – The USDA Rural Development Agency is currently accepting applications for loans available to low-income families to buy, build, rehabilitate or improve homes located in rural communities with a population of 20,000 or less. Faribault, Northfield and Owatonna are currently eligible areas as these communities are “grandfathered” into the program. The low-income … [Read more...]
Recycling 101 ~ 11/28/16
Many of the residents of Fillmore County are concerned with the environment and are dedicated recyclers. A great number of these people enjoy reading some of the facts and figures that are associated with recycling. This is the second article where I will share a variety of information that has crossed my desk in the past several years. Fillmore County recycles only plastics … [Read more...]
Recycling 101 – 11/7/16
I have been looking over some of the articles that have been written since I started this job. The next few articles will contain information I have collected from different sources, including Oberlin College in Ohio, during the past several years. Please think about these statements and how you can possibly change some of your habits to become a better steward of our planet by … [Read more...]
Recycling 101 ~ 10/24/16
Did you participate in the Fillmore County Hazardous Household Waste Collection held recently? The weather was exceptionally nice and gave many of you the opportunity to clear a lot of that unwanted stuff out of your homes. How many visitors did we have? According to the surveys completed by one person in each vehicle, 161 vehicles brought hazardous waste for proper … [Read more...]
Become a U of M Extension Master Gardener
Have you ever wondered who the Master Gardeners are? Well now is the perfect time to find out. We are currently taking applications for new Master Gardeners and our target date for applying is rapidly approaching. Please do not be scared of the label of Master Gardener. The Master Gardeners are all about learning. So you do not need to be a master of anything to be a part of … [Read more...]