Are you impacted by a pork packing plant closure due to COVID-19 and have pigs scheduled to ship in the near future and wondering what to do? Below is a list of strategies for you to consider. It is important to note that the strategies outlined below are meant to be temporary for emergency situations. The wellbeing of the pigs should be your number one priority when … [Read more...]
County extends emergency declaration
The Fillmore County Board met via WebEx on May 5. COVID-19 and related restrictions dominated the discussion. A resolution extending the Declaration of a State of Emergency was extended to May 26. Public access to county facilities will continue. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery led a discussion concerning the wearing of masks by county employees when in a shared space with … [Read more...]
UMN Extension Swine Podcast: Nutritional strategies during special circumstances
The University of Minnesota Extension Swine Team has released its latest podcast to assist producers feeding pigs in this climate of interrupted markets. UMN Extension Swine Educator Sarah Schieck Boelke recently sat down with Lee Johnston and Pedro Urriola to discuss nutritional strategies producers can implement to slow the growth of pigs whose harvest plants have closed … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project: The impact of high school teachers
By Alison Freese Students may not realize how important their teacher is to them. Teachers are the amazing people who help us learn what we need to know before graduating and becoming an adult. They know what we are capable of and try to help us succeed. If a teacher sees a student struggling in their class. they will try and find a different way for the student to learn. … [Read more...]
COVID-19 issues dominate Chatfield School Board meeting
Board members Amy Jeffers, Lanny Isensee, Scott Backer, Katie Priebe and Rick Lowrey were in attendance for the May 4, 2020, meeting. Matt McMahon was not in attendance. The meeting was held on a Zoom conferencing platform. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, Community Education Director LuAnn Kleven, Principals Shane McBroom and Randy Paulson, Trish O’Connor, … [Read more...]
Managing market hogs destined for local meat lockers
With pig harvest at commercial packing plants currently disrupted, consumers have an opportunity to purchase market hogs directly from the farm. These pigs destined for local custom processing facilities may have to wait until they can be harvested. Lee Johnston, Pedro Urriola and Sarah Schieck Boelke have put together a fact sheet detailing how consumers can keep market hogs … [Read more...]
Dealing with sudden income loss during COVID-19
When families are faced with financial uncertainty or sudden income loss, addressing the situation takes more than just thinking about dollars and cents, says Lori Hendrickson, Extension Educator and an accredited financial counselor with University of Minnesota Extension. “Often, when layoffs and income reduction happen, we are experiencing shock and denial that keep us from … [Read more...]
COVID-19 strands missionary in Honduras
When Bonnie Davids traveled to the Nueva Esperanza, or New Hope school, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, for a mission trip, the Preston native had no reason to expect that it would be any different from her previous visits. This was Davids’ seventh mission trip to the school, and she was looking forward to ministering to the students and their families again. She arrived in Honduras … [Read more...]
Spring Grove City Council plans for the summer
Due to COVID-19, the regular April 21, 2020, Spring Grove City Council meeting was held remotely via Zoom to comply with social distancing policies and practices. Consent agenda items approved included the March 17 minutes, payment of monthly bills, plus Resolution 20-21 Authorizing Bank Signers, Resolution 20-22 Authorizing Transfer of Funds, Resolution 20-23 Accepting Gift … [Read more...]
Fillmore County still seeking donations for COVID-19 response
Fillmore County Public Health is still accepting sewn masks, sewn gowns, and sewing materials to address COVID-19 response needs. The goal is to obtain 5,000 sewn masks and 500 sewn gowns. As of April 18, 617 masks and 11 gowns have been donated and distributed to areas of community need. Sewing materials accepted include cotton cloth and elastic. See the Fillmore County … [Read more...]