For farmers in Stearns County, in-vessel mortality composting, or the disposing of animal carcasses through a composting machine, is becoming more popular. However, Stearns County's Planning and Zoning Ordinance does not currently allow the structures.
Stearns County's Environmental Services Department is in the process of making an ordinance change allowing the composters in agricultural zoning districts, drafting new language to address this new technology. Until the ordinance is in place, farmers need to wait to put in these composters Sunday, August 29, 2010
Minnesota's agriculture community has tackled a range of challenges over the years, from disease outbreaks to market disruptions and natural disasters.Ê Recently, however, I have started to think the future of agriculture in this state may rest largely on how we respond to one particular challenge Ð our ability as farmers and farm business operators to reassure our non-farm neighbors about the core values behind our farm and food system. Monday, August 23, 2010
Area businesses and organizations showed generous support for Stearns County 4-H and top 4-H livestock exhibiters at the Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction on Friday, July 30th at the Stearns County Fair in Sauk Centre.
Nearly 40 generous bidders purchased the ribbons of 56 Champion, Reserve Champion and Blue Ribbon livestock exhibits at the annual 4-H event, resulting in a total donation of $16,875!
Final bids per ribbon ranged from $100 to $875 with a median bid of $250. Ribbons for the top market animals for each specie area including Beef, Goat, Sheep, Poultry, Swine and Rabbits, as well as top Dairy animals were sold in the auction. Saturday, August 21, 2010
Minnesota organic farmers and processors can now apply for a rebate of up to $750 toward the cost of organic certification. Organic certification assures consumers that products are truly organic, and that they are produced in compliance with federal organic regulations. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is accepting applications for the Minnesota Organic Cost Share Program from now until Oct. 30. Wednesday, August 18, 2010
For most Minnesotans, dark clouds and sirens mean it's time to head down to the basement for a few minutes while strong storms pass. Sometimes the thunderstorms knock out our electrical power for a few hours and we're stuck without our television and air conditioning. But for farmers, a storm can be much more than a temporary inconvenience. It can wipe out a year's worth of work in a few minutes. Saturday, July 31, 2010
The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) will be among more than 500 companies displaying on more than 50 acres of land at the 2010 Farmfest. Farmfest will take place Aug. 3-5 at the Gilfillan Estate in Redwood County, Minnesota.
Farm Bureau Day Ð Aug. 4
Farm Bureau Day at Farmfest will be Wednesday, Aug. 4. MFBF will be serving a free pancake breakfast to the first 1,000 people from 8 a.m. Ð 10 a.m. in the Forum tent. Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council is sponsoring the soy flour for the special blend of soy/wheat flour pancakes served by Chris Cakes. Friday, July 30, 2010
The District 8 Holstein Show Committee is a non-profit, representative group of Holstein Breeders from Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, Kandiyohi, Morrison and Crow Wing Counties and their respective Holstein Clubs affiliated with the Minnesota Holstein Association, Waite Park, for the promotion of Holstein cattle in the area.
The 2010 District 8 Holstein Show will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, at the Benton County Fairgrounds, Sauk Rapids. Jeff Pearson, Registered Holstein breeder from Angora, Minn. is the judge. The show will be held with the Benton County Fair Open Class Dairy Show. Friday, July 23, 2010
The Farm Service Agency is looking for candidates for the farmer-elected County Committee from groups that have not been active with the agency's committee in the past.
The 2010 Stearns County FSA election will be held in Local Administrative Area (LAA) #1, which includes the following townships: Brockway, Collegeville, Fairhaven, LeSauk, Luxemburg, Lynden, Maine Prairie, Rockville, St. Augusta, St. Cloud, St. Joseph, St. Wendel, and Wakefield. Monday, July 12, 2010
Hail caused crop damage Friday afternoon, June 25, in Stearns County. From what I had the chance to see on Sunday evening south and southwest of Cold Spring and to hear in phone conversations with farmers so far, the hail appears to have been along line from about three miles south and west of Cold Spring in Wakefield Township and east through parts of Maine Prairie, Fairhaven and Lynden Townships, and into Sherburne and Wright County in the Clear Lake areas. There might be some damage in the Rockville and St. Augusta area also. Saturday, July 10, 2010
As recovery efforts continue following last Thursday's destructive outbreak of tornadoes around the state, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson is urging farmers to take advantage of the available assistance programs.
"We're hearing about farms with serious damage, including dead livestock, damaged farm buildings and debris strewn across fields," Commissioner Hugoson said. "We want those farmers to know they don't have to deal with this all by themselves. We are ready to help." Saturday, July 03, 2010
This summer, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is helping farmers address a potential wild card in their nutrient management programs Ð the nitrogen content of their irrigation water.
According to MDA Water Quality Advisor Jennifer Gallus, accurate nitrogen crediting requires knowledge of the nitrate concentration in irrigation water and an estimate of the amount of water normally pumped during the period when the crop is actively taking up nitrogen. Thursday, July 01, 2010
Recent law change may affect amount of property tax some ag homestead property owners pay in 2011
A new law was passed that has expanded the agricultural homestead classification for some property owners beginning with the 2010 assessment. It now allows for parcels owned by different farm entities to be linked to a member's, shareholder's, or partner's homesteaded class 2a agricultural property in order to utilize any remaining first tier homestead class rate. This change means that agricultural property owned by a family farm corporation, joint farm venture, limited liability company, or partnership may be "linked" to an individual's agricultural homestead, up to the amount remaining on the first tier of taxable market value. The linked parcel will receive only the benefits of the homestead class rate if the property is contiguous to an agricultural homestead or, if non-contiguous, is located in the same township or city, or not farther than four townships or cities from the property owner's class 2a homestead. Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Recent law change may affect amount of property tax some ag homestead property owners pay in 2011
A new law was passed that has expanded the agricultural homestead classification for some property owners beginning with the 2010 assessment. It now allows for parcels owned by different farm entities to be linked to a member's, shareholder's, or partner's homesteaded class 2a agricultural property in order to utilize any remaining first tier homestead class rate. Monday, June 28, 2010
Driving around greater Minnesota the last few weeks, I've been struck by the natural beauty of our agricultural landscape. The bright green plants, the sparkling lakes and rivers, and (to a farmer's eyes) the beautifully rich black soil all reinforce Minnesota's well-deserved reputation as a terrific place to farm and raise a family.
The wonderful scenery of Minnesota farmland is the perfect backdrop to give you some perspective on issues big and small. It's also a powerful illustration of the positive role agriculture can play in resource conservation. Sunday, June 27, 2010
As recovery efforts continue following last Thursday's destructive outbreak of tornadoes around the state, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson is urging farmers to take advantage of the available assistance programs.
"We're hearing about farms with serious damage, including dead livestock, damaged farm buildings and debris strewn across fields," Commissioner Hugoson said. "We want those farmers to know they don't have to deal with this all by themselves. We are ready to help." Thursday, June 24, 2010
Minnesota Milk Producers Association and University of Minnesota Extension, along with industry partners are teaming up to host a dairy tour to the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin on June 15-17. This is an excellent opportunity for participants to experience hands-on learning, receive in-depth information on dairy operations, and network with others in the dairy industry. Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Tick season has arrived! Ticks can be found lurking in hardwood forests as well as in tall grasses. Now that the weather is warming up, it is important to keep a watchful eye out for ticks. The two most common ticks in central Minnesota are the Blacklegged tick (formerly known as the deer tick) and American Dog tick (also known as the wood tick). Because they are usually not found in short grasses, encountering them in the home lawn is unlikely. But, it is important to keep grasses at bay, keeping them mowed short around the homes and in areas where people commonly walk. Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Stearns County producers can sign up for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office in Waite Park until June 11.
CSP is a voluntary program that encourages producers to maintain existing conservation activities and adopt additional practices to their operations. The program is popular for producers who go the extra mile with conservation and sustainable operations Ð whether they've accomplished goals on their own, with other conservation partners, or through USDA and NRCS programs. Thursday, May 27, 2010
When John Hooper first started raising yaks 13 years ago, he didn't realize there were no tame animals to be found in North America. He's worked to tame his yak herd and as a result he's been gaining notoriety.
"I market the meat at farmers markets, restaurants, food co-ops and direct from the farm," says Hooper. "I've brought yaks to community events and fairs and my tame, full-blooded yaks have been sold from coast to coast." Tuesday, May 25, 2010
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds all-terrain vehicle (ATV) operators that riding ATVs, or other off-highway vehicles (OHVs) in wetlands or public waters is illegal. Wetlands are fragile and are easily damaged. These types of ATV violations can carry stiffer fines and penalties. Tuesday, May 04, 2010
The Minnesota gray wolf should be removed immediately from the federal government's endangered and threatened species list and returned to state management, according to a petition filed today by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The DNR filed the petition with the Washington, D.C., office of the U.S. Department of the Interior and asked the government to make its decision within the next 90 days. The petition is a procedural step between state and federal natural resource conservation agencies.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has tried to delist the wolf in Minnesota and the western Great Lakes region from federal protection on two occasions. Both times the decision was overturned due to legal challenges related to procedural issues.
