Summer is a great time to make memories with friends and family outdoors, whether it’s picking berries, horseback riding, eating dinner on a pizza farm or attending a barn wedding. These and other on-farm activities are part of the growing agritourism industry. Extension Educator DeeDee LeMier answers questions about the state of agritourism in Minnesota. Q: What is … [Read more...]
Burroughs Family Enjoys Raising Mini Highlands
“I’ve always been obsessed with cows,” Cody Burroughs said. He and his wife Laura have a small farm just outside of Greenleafton where they raise mini Highlands with their three children, Nora, Waylon and Stetson. They also have chickens, a dairy cow, a retired horse, and a sheep. Highland cattle which were originally from Scotland, are gaining popularity around the world. They … [Read more...]
Highland Cattle Flourish at Flatland Farm
According to 2023 USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service data, the Minnesota beef cattle inventory was 360,000 head, including 15,800 head in Fillmore County and just 2,900 across the ‘border’ in Mower County. Just how many of these cattle are the more popular breeds - Black or Red Angus, Hereford, Simmental, or Charolais - doesn’t appear to be published widely, but … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Flashback – Calvin Hoag: A Civil War Story
By Bretta Grabau Fillmore County Historical Society It is always a pleasure for a museum to receive objects that can further explain the story of an artifact already in its collection. Years ago, before the Fillmore County Historical Society had even moved into its present facility in Fountain on County 8 just off of Highway 52 from the courthouse, a picture had been given … [Read more...]
Maynard E. Johnson of Mabel Killed in Action in France, Near the Rhine River
By Gretchen Dahlen Former Mabel resident Maynard E. Johnson was born in 1924 in Newburg (rural Mabel), Minn. He graduated from Mabel High School and entered the University of Minnesota. He was inducted into the Army in June 1943 and sent to Texas, receiving training through the Army Service Training Program (ASTP). Pulled out early, he was assigned to the 66th Infantry … [Read more...]
Local Hero Remembered Nearly 58 Years After Vietnam War Sacrifice
Nearly 58 years ago, a quiet moment on a rural Winneshiek County farm turned into one of heartbreak. Darlene (Olson) Wennes was at home east of Hesper, looking out the window, when she saw a military vehicle turn up the driveway. In that instant, she knew the war in Vietnam had come home. Her son, Robert Allen “Bob” Wennes, was a casualty of the Vietnam War. Born on February … [Read more...]
Teacher Appreciation Week
Chatfield Public Schools Kirk Affeldt 9 years, 5th Grade Kirsten Armstrong 26 years, 4th Grade Reading Renee Bakken 30 year, Preschool Tom Bance 31 years, Elem. Phy Ed Brian Baum 35 years, HS Health Karla Becker 38 years, Speech/Special Education Carmen Berge 22 years, Kindergarten Josh Berhow 16 years, 2nd Grade Ann … [Read more...]
Dan Winkler: Teacher of the Year 2025, Major Excitement as Teacher of the Year is Announced
There was a mystery going on at Caledonia High School on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, as the student body was instructed to go to the Fine Arts Center after first period. They were not told why; they were told they would find out when they got there. As students and staff started filling the room, anticipation grew until Principal Nathan Boler spoke into the microphone. “We … [Read more...]
Let’s Work Together to End the Stigma Around Mental Health!
Stigmas surrounding mental health have persisted throughout history, creating barriers for those who struggle with their mental well-being. Unlike physical injuries, such as a broken arm or leg, which are visibly apparent and easily understood by others, mental health issues often remain hidden beneath the surface. This invisibility can lead to discomfort and fear among people … [Read more...]
MHA Talking Stress
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – Recent data from the American Psychological Association shows that the majority of American adults regularly experience moderate to high stress. Roughly 76% of the adults surveyed had experienced at least one stress-related symptom in the past month — such as headaches or difficulty sleeping. For Stress Awareness Month in April, Justin Anker, PhD, … [Read more...]