Farmers can turn to a new set of case studies to learn about the experiences of southwest Minnesota farmers in adopting soil health practices. University of Minnesota research assistant Kathy Dooley visited farms and interviewed farmers in late 2018 to develop case study profiles of nine farms in southwestern Minnesota. Farmers were selected to participate in the project based … [Read more...]
Big, fast and sometimes deadly Avoid the risk of being run over by one of the farm’s most powerful tools
Power and size are two features that make farm tractors so valuable – and dangerous. Modern technology is helping make tractors safer in many ways, but some 60 people still die each year after being run over by a tractor. Aaron Yoder, Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s (UNMC) College of Public Health, Department of Environmental, Agricultural … [Read more...]
Public input wanted: Environmental Quality Board to hold meeting on proposed GEIS to study groundwater contamination in southeast Minnesota
The Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) will hold a public meeting March 25 in Red Wing to gain public input on a proposal to study nitrate-contaminated water in the karst region of southeast Minnesota. The meeting will be held at the St. James Hotel, 406 Main St., Red Wing, Minn., with doors opening at 5 p.m., presentations starting at 5:30 p.m., and table discussions … [Read more...]
Safety tips for parents of young farmers
People who live in cities, exurbs or suburbs may not come across farms very frequently. But millions of people, including children, still live on farms. In fact, in 2009 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that more than one million children under the age of 20 lived, worked or had a regular presence on farms in the United States. Protecting children from … [Read more...]
Agriculture and the economy
Though it’s easy to look at the tech industry and think this increasingly influential sector is what makes the world go round, something closer to the very core of the Earth may be what’s driving your economy. The agricultural sector plays a strategic role in a nation’s economic development and prosperity. From the earliest days, agriculture has been heralded as playing a … [Read more...]
JMS Agronomics grows with new space
As they work to assist farmers in taking their land to the next level, Jason and Mary Schwarz, owners of JMS Agronomics took a big leap forward with their business in the fall of 2018. The company, which specializes in assisting farms in reaching their greatest potential and productivity, offers precision agronomy services, some chemical services, and sells a full line of … [Read more...]
County offices remodel ongoing
Remodeling construction options for the main floor of the courthouse to house Taxpayer Services offices resulted in a very lengthy discussion at the county board’s March 12 meeting. Plans involve moving auditor/treasurer employees across the hall to the area now occupied by the assessor. The assessor office employees and zoning and feedlot will move to the area now occupied … [Read more...]
Journal team wins 17 awards at MFCP
On Friday, March 8, 2019, Fillmore County Journal Publisher Jason Sethre attended the Midwest Free Community Publications (MFCP) conference in Des Moines, Iowa, and hauled back 17 awards in advertising, editorial, and digital categories; three more awards than last year. The membership of MFCP encompasses 141 free distribution publications in nine states in the Midwest, … [Read more...]
Spring Valley updates snow removal policy
The Spring Valley City Council meeting on March 11. Members in attendance included Mayor Tony Archer, Luan Ruesink, Chris Danielson, John Dols, and City Administrator Deb Zimmer. Mike Hadland was absent. The council discussed the proposed update to the city’s Snow and Ice Control Policy. It states, in part, “Normal removal of snow will occur between the hours of 10 p.m. and … [Read more...]
Mabel parking ticket crackdown
On March 13, the Mabel City Council held a regular city council meeting, with all members in attendance (Adam Wilder, Gary Morken, City Clerk Karen Larson, Mayor Jim Westby, Kirsten Wyffels and Terry Torkelson). As discussed at a previous council meeting, the city continues to have a number of citizens with unpaid parking tickets. Mabel has issued 22 parking tickets this … [Read more...]