Spring Ag Update
MN CREP
Inspecting the manned aircraft that collects high-resolution aerial imagery data for C&B Operations new precision imagery service are Mark
Grout (from left), chief pilot and flight operations manager of Aerial Precision Imagery; Jacob Thovson, technical service and operations
manager of at Independent Ag; Jim Thovson, owner and certified crop advisor at Independent Ag; Jeff Buyck, affiliated business manager
SKY-HIGH PRECISION
at C & B Operations; and Steve Buyck, owner and operator of Buyck Farms near Tracy.
New service uses
high-res imagery
collected via
manned aircraft
by JUSTIN R. LESSMAN
Publisher
Officials with the parent
company of Jackson Coun-
tys local John Deere deal-
ership charged with finding
the best way to collect data
for a new cutting-edge pre-
cision aerial imagery ser-
vice have landed squarely
on century-old technology.
C&B Operations, parent
company of Tri-County
Implement of Jackson, is
rolling out a new precision
aerial imagery service to its
customers powered by data
collected via manned air-
craft. Jeff Buyck, affiliated
business manager for C&B
Operations, said the deci-
sion to use high-resolution
optics on manned aircraft
to collect field data was a
Jackson County operations featured
in 2017 Minnesota Grown Directory
Four Jackson County
agriculture operations are
among the more than 1,000
listed in the 2017 Minne-
sota Grown Directory.
With 1,031 total listings,
this years directory
which was released by the
Minnesota Department
of Agriculture just last
month is the largest in
history.
For more than 25 years,
the MDAs Minnesota
Grown
program
has been
connect-
ing con-
sumers
to locally
grown
fruits
and veg- Bill Brandt
etables,
meats and poultry, wines,
nurseries, dcor, commu-
nity-supported agriculture
operations and other agri-
cultural products.
The Minnesota Grown
directory is the first place
lots of consumers look
for a local agricultural
product, or a CSA or farm-
ers market, said agri-
cultural marketing and
development director Paul
Hugunin. Our farmer
members love connecting
with their consumers, and
thats why its so excit-
ing to see that this years
fairly easy one to make.
Weve been working
behind the scenes the last
five years on this project,
Buyck said. We wanted to
find out what the best op-
tions were for our custom-
ers. We feel we have figured
out the best strategy.
Research of potential
methods of data collection
included intensive looks
at both satellite and drone
technology. Collection of
satellite imagery data can
be hindered by cloud cover,
Buyck said, and collection
of drone imagery data is in-
terrupted by power-source
issues, along with the time
it takes to get to the field.
Satellites cannot pierce
through cloud cover, and a
drone can fly for 20 minutes
before it has to land and
have its batteries changed,
Buyck said. And in both
cases, we werent pleased
with the quality of images.
With an airplane, we could
fly under the clouds for long
See IMAGERY on C2
directory features more
farms and markets than
ever.
Consumers can search
the directory by region,
product or name of a farm
or market. The online and
mobile-compatible ver-
sions of the directory
make searching on-the-go
convenient. The 2017 di-
rectory also features reci-
pes from five Minnesotan
chefs, including a Doraisa-
my elk loin, roasted garlic
crme brulee, wild rice
scones and more.
Free, printed copies
of the Minnesota Grown
Directory are available
at minnesotagrown.com/
order-minnesota-grown-
directory/ or by calling
Explore Minnesota Tour-
ism at 1-888-TOURISM.
Among the local opera-
tions listed in this years
directory are:
Brandt Gardens and
Greenhouse, a CSA ag
farm from rural Lakefield.
Brandt Gardens and
Greenhouse was estab-
lished in 2000 by Bill and
Rhonda Brandt to grow
plants and vegetables for
local markets. The Brandts
began as a family project
to teach responsibility and
work ethic to their sons.
The gardens and green-
house grow annual and pe-
rennial plants, as well as a
Mark Grout, chief pilot and flight operations manager of Aerial Precision Imagery,
takes to the skies to record another set of high-resolution aerial imagery data.
wide variety of vegetables.
This will be the second
year Brandt Gardens and
Greenhouse functions as a
CSA farm, offering three
vegetable shares available
from about May through
October, either monthly
or weekly, for 20 weeks.
Home delivery is avail-
able.
Round Lake Vineyards
and Winery, which offers
wine, grapes, tours and a
gift shop, located in rural
Round Lake.
The winery features
red and white wines from
the vineyards 18 acres of
vines. Located on the west-
ern shore of Round Lake,
the new winery is billed
as a great place to spend
the day, with plenty of
tastings and special events
scheduled throughout the
year. The location is also nary Medical Association
available to host weddings
and special events.
Schumachers Nurs- to the position of president-
ery and Berry Farm, spe-
cializing in pick-your-own
strawberries, in Heron
Lake.
The nursery and ber-
ry farm is located at the his mixed animal practice
intersection of Jackson
County Road 9 ad High-
way 60. Folks interested in
picking are encouraged to
call to confirm the season
has started. Pickers are tion and, as of next Febru-
See MN GROWN on C4
THURSDAY, May 11, 2017
Submitted photos
File photo by Justin Lessman
Though local veterinarian David Fell retired from his 46-year career veterinary prac-
tice in Jackson on Aug. 31, 2016, he continues to serve on the Minnesota Veterinary
Medical Associations executive board of directors.
Fell continues his service to the
MVMA as board president-elect
The Minnesota Veteri- president-elect to president
of the board.
announced local veterinar- Fe l l h a s s e r v e d t h e
ian David Fell was elected MVMA in many capaci-
ties. He has been a member
elect of its executive board of the MVMAs veterinary
of directors during the as- technician committee since
sociations annual conven- the early 1980s, serving as
tion in February. the chair for four years.
Fell recently retired from He was also a member of
the subcommittee that de-
in Jackson and has been veloped the credentialing
a member of MVMA for exam for veterinary tech-
more than 40 years. Last nicians. Fell is an active
year, he served as vice member of governmental
president of the associa- affairs and the practice,
ethics and grievance com-
ary, he will transition from mittees of the MVMA. He
signup kicks
off May 15
Local landowners have a
new option to protect their
environmentally sensitive
cropland with the intro-
duction of the Minnesota
Conservation Reserve En-
hancement Program.
The kickoff for the MN
CREP continuous signup
begins May 15.
MN CREP is a volun-
tary state-federal program
designed to improve wa-
ter quality
and habitat
conserva-
tion. It will
protect and
restore up
to 60,000
acres of
marginal
cropland John
across Jaschke
54 south-
ern and western Minne-
sota counties, using buffer
strips, wetland restoration
and drinking water well-
head protection.
Native plantings on those
acres will filter water, pre-
vent erosion and provide
critical habitat for count-
less grassland species in-
cluding badgers, mead-
owlarks and monarch but-
terflies.
This is a milestone in
conservation for Minneso-
ta, said John Jaschke, ex-
ecutive director of the Min-
nesota Board of Water and
Soil Resources. It targets
the most critical acres and
will provide water qual-
ity and habitat benefits for
generations.
The program is fund-
ed with around $350 mil-
lion from the U.S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture and
$150 million needed from
state sources, including
the Clean Water Fund, Out-
door Heritage Fund, capital
investment bill and the
Environment and Natural
Resources Trust Fund. MN
CREP is administered by
the Farm Service Agency
and BWSR, but involves nu-
merous partners, including
the Minnesota Department
of Agriculture, Department
of Natural Resources, De-
partment of Health and Pol-
lution Control Agency, as
well as local soil and water
conservation district staff.
MN CREP is also supported
by a coalition of more than
70 state and national orga-
nizations and groups.
Minnesota is at a cross-
roads in conservation, said
Jaschke. The state is fac-
ing serious water quality
challenges and were losing
hundreds of thousands of
acres of grassland through
See MN CREP on C3
served a six-year term
on the American Veteri-
nary Medical Associations
committee on veterinary
technician education and
activities. Fell was honored
by the MVMA in 2013 as
a recipient of the associa-
tions President Award.
Fell has been a lifelong
member of the MVMA,
AVMA, the Iowa Veterinary
Medical Association, the
American Association of
Bovine Practitioners and
American Association of
Swine Veterinarians. He
See FELL on C3
C2 Thursday, May 11, 2017

Farms continue to get larger, fewer

Minnesota farms continue
to get larger in size and
fewer in number.
The U.S. Department of
Agriculture recently esti-
mated the number of farms
in Minnesota declined by
300 from 2015 to 2016, from
73,600 in 2015 to 73,300 in
2016. The total amount of
land in farms was constant,
but the average farm size
increased
by one acre
per farm
from 352
acres in
2015 to 353
in 2016.
Look-
ing back
20 years, Dave Bau
there were
an estimated 87,000 farms
in Minnesota with an av-
erage size of 343 acres in
1997. Total land in farms
declined from 29,800,000
acres in 1997 to 25,900,000
acres in 2016.
What is surprising to Dave
Bau, area extension educa-
tor in ag business manage-
ment, is how the numbers
varied by size group. Small
farms less than $10,000 in
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gross sales declined from
33,000 in 1997 to 26,500 in
2016. Farms from $10,000
to $99,999 gross sales de-
clined from 31,000 in 1997
to 21,600, but farms with
more than $100,000 in gross
sales increased from 23,000
in 1997 to 25,200.
Bau said comparing land
in farms by size indicates
small farms with less than
$10,000 in sales in 1997
was 3,200,000 acres and
2,100,000 in 2016, while
farms with gross income
from $10,000 to $99,999
were 8,900,000 acres in 1997
and 3,600,000 acres in 2016.
Land in farms with more
than $100,000 in sales had
17,700,000 acres in 1997 and
20,200,000 aces in 2016.
Bau said much of these
changes in numbers can
be associated with the cost
of living increases and the
need to generate larger
sales to cover increased
farm expenses and living
costs. In 1997, the average
living cost for farm families
in adult farm management
was $34,284 for a farm fam-
ily of 3.7 and, in 2015, this
had increased $67,092 for
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a 3.1 family size almost
double. Total farm cash ex-
penses were $303,241 per
farm in 1997 and increased
to $798,226 in 2015 more
than double.
If you divide the average
family living costs by total
crop acres of 648 in 1997 and
940 in 2015, that translates
into $53 per acre in 1997 and
$72 in 2015 in family living
costs, Bau said. This can
be explained by increased
cost due to inflation. What
did a loaf of bread, a gallon
of milk or health insurance
cost in 1997 compared to
2015? Corn price was $2.30
at end of 1997 and soybean
price was $6.40, while at
end of 2015, corn price was
$3.19 and soybean price was
8.04.
If a farmer can generate
$50 of net income per acre,
Bau said, he would need
to farm 686 acres to cover
living costs in 1997, while,
in 2015, the same farmer
would need 1,342 acres.
This is the simple an-
swer as to why farm size
continues to increase, Bau
said.
The smaller hobby farms
by far outnumber larger
farms with 48,100 farms
with gross income less than
$100,000. Bau said today a
farm would need to have
more than $500,000 in ex-
penses to generate a ma-
jority of its income from
farming. There were 10,400
farms of this size in 2016
compared with 62,900 in
the other size groups, which
Bau said account for the
smaller farm size and slow-
IMAGERY: Via manned aircraft
Continued from C1
periods of time and over
great distances and get
the quality of imagery
we were seeking.
The imagery data able
to be collected from the
optics aboard the C&B
plane is good, Buyck
Submitted photo
said.
Discussing the manned aircraft that collects high-
Really good.
resolution aerial imagery data for C&B Operations
Were talking 2.5
new precision imagery service are Mark Grout (from
centimeters per pix-
left), chief pilot and flight operations manager of Aerial
el, he said. Thats the
Precision Imagery; Jacob Thovson, technical service and
width of a penny and a
operations manager of at Independent Ag; Jim Thovson,
half on the ground.
owner and certified crop advisor at Independent Ag; Jeff
For local farmers,
Buyck, affiliated business manager at C & B Operations;
that type of image qual-
and Steve Buyck, owner and operator of Buyck Farms
ity means the utmost in
near Tracy.
precision when making
decisions on such things manned aircraft has over Nebraska, Texas and Can-
as nitrogen application satellites and drones as far ada. The C&B aircraft fleet
or fungicide treatment. as C&B officials are con- currently consists of one
Were capturing var- cerned is cost. plane, though Buyck said
ious layers of data from Cost per acre with other plans are in the works to
the air different ele- data collection methods is add aircraft in the near
vations and plant health getting more reasonable, term.
index among them, Buyck said, though with Farmers interested in
Buyck said. Once we our manned aircraft, weve having precision aerial
have the imagery, its now gotten our costs pretty imagery data collected
stitched together, ex- low. on their fields should go
ported into a file and Cost to the farmer is through their local C&B Op-
made available to farm- in the $3-per-acre range, erations dealership, Buyck
ers to be loaded into Buyck said. said, adding action plans
their implements on- Or less. should then be developed
board map-based sys- It doesnt take much to with local agronomists.
find an issue in the field and This is just another
tem. That data then al-
lows them to target spe- correct it to get that money service we can offer our
cific areas of the field back, Buyck said. customers, Buyck said
for various applications. Though C&B Operations of C&Bs precision aerial
The science behind this precision aerial imagery imagery. We are in the
was developed with the service is still in the rollout business of helping our cus-
expertise of local pro- phase, Buyck said imagery tomers improve their pro-
fessional agronomists data have already been col- ductivity through increased
like Independent Ag of lected in portions of Min- efficiencies and the latest
Slayton. nesota, Iowa, South Dakota, in technological advances.
Another benefit North Dakota, Wisconsin,
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C3 Thursday, May 11, 2017

Congressional delegation pushing dairy trade issue even further MN CREP

On the heels of what
they are touting as a vic-
tory for local dairy farm-
ers, Minnesotas two U.S.
senators are urging the
U.S. secretary of agricul-
ture to push the issue even
further.
U.S. Sens. Amy Klobu-
char and Al Franken, both
D-Minn., joined with sev-
eral other dairy state sena-
tors late last month in
urging U.S.
Secretary
of Agricul-
ture Sonny
Perdue to
take im-
mediate
action with
U.S. De-
Sen. Amy
partment
Klobuchar
of Agri-
culture
programs that can assist
dairy farmers harmed
by restrictive Canadian
trade barriers. The sena-
tors say the USDA has the
authority to assist farm-
ers now by helping them
to market their milk, de-
velop new markets and
increase the uses of their
milk. The agency also has
the authority to purchase
surplus dairy products
and provide them to feed
families in need.
Earlier in April, Klobu-
char and Franken led Min-
nesotas congressional del-
egation including local
U.S. Rep. Tim Walz in
urging President Donald
Trump to support Minne-
sota dairy farmers through
strong enforcement of
trade laws with Canada.
Shortly thereafter, it was
reported all Minnesota
dairy producers whose
contracts with Grassland
Dairy Products Inc. that
were terminated follow-
ing the rollout of new Ca-
nadian dairy regulations,
which took effect in Febru-
ary in most provinces, had
secured agreements to sell
their milk beyond May 1.
In their letter to Perdue,
the senators urged him to
take action now and use
his authority to ensure
American farm families
will have the chance to
continue their livelihood.
The dairy industry has
responded swiftly to the
crisis facing our farmers
whose lives have been
upended by this trade
policy, the senators wrote
Perdue. However, the
clock is ticking and more
action is needed now to
ensure our dairy farmers
are not put out of business
by trade politics and dairy
policies set in Canada.
Klobuchar has also spo-
ken directly with both
U.S. Commerce Secretary
Wilbur Ross and Canadian
Foreign Minister Chrys-
tia Freeland about the
matter and underscored
the urgency of swift ac-
tion. Franken has recent-
ly joined several meet-
ings with Minnesota dairy
farmers, community lead-
ers and officials includ-
ing Minnesota Agriculture
are proud to serve
industrys needs, including
Commissioner Dave Fred-
erickson to talk about
addressing the crisis.
U.S. Sens. Tammy Bald-
win, D-Wis.; Kirsten Gilli-
brand, D-N.Y.; and Charles
Schumer, D -N.Y.; also
signed the letter to Perdue.
The letter to Perdue
read as follows:
Dear Secretary Perdue:
We appreciate the ad-
ministrations commit-
ment to
finding a
solution to
restrictive
Canadian
trade bar-
riers that
are hurt-
ing Ameri-
can dairy Sen. Al
farmers Franken
and pro-
cessors. We look forward
to working with you to
end Canadas unfair dairy
policy. In the meantime,
we ask that you act imme-
diately to assist the farm-
ers whose lives have been
upended and whose farms
are in jeopardy because
of the ripple effects of
this unfair trade scheme.
Without immediate action
and support from the De-
partment of Agriculture,
many dairy farms may be
forced to close within a
few weeks.
The phasing in of new
dairy pricing schemes in
Canada have caused ma-
jor impacts on American
dairy and have abruptly
upended long-standing
trade relationships be-
tween U.S. and Canadian
companies. The Ontario
Class 6 pricing system and
Canadas new Class 7 Na-
tional Ingredients Strategy
appear to violate Canadas
trade commitments to the
U.S. While these trade bar-
riers are being confronted,
we urge you to provide any
immediate assistance that
can help impacted farm-
ers who are suffering as a
result of this unfair trade
practice.
Congress has provided
USDA the authority to re-
spond through Section 5
of the Commodity Credit
Corporation Charter Act,
and the agency has used
this provision in the past
to assist other farmers
impacted by problematic
foreign trade policies. This
tool would allow USDA to
assist farmers now, help-
ing them to market their
milk, develop new mar-
kets, and increase the uses
of their milk. We urge you
to take action now and use
this tool to ensure that our
farm families will have the
chance to continue their
livelihood.
Additionally, USDA
should act to assist with
this unexpected supply of
underutilized milk on U.S.
markets by utilizing Sec-
tion 32 authorities under
the same legislation. This
program allows the agency
to purchase surplus dairy
products and provide them
to feed families in need.
We, at Hage Oil,
the farming
This step can help to find
a home for the excess milk
by moving existing sup-
plies and making room
for new products made by
processors who are willing
to take on the unexpected
additional volume of milk
that needs a home.
The dairy industry has
responded swiftly to the
crisis facing our farmers
whose lives have been up-
ended by
this trade
policy.
However,
the clock
is ticking
and more
action is
needed
Rep. Tim
now to
Walz
ensure
our dairy
farmers are not put out of
business by trade politics
and dairy policies set in
Canada.
Thank you in advance
for your immediate atten-
tion to this critical issue.
That letter came on the
heels of one sent to Trump
on April 13 and signed by
Klobuchar, Franken and
Walz. The letter urged
the administration to sup-
port Minnesota farmers
through strong enforce-
ment of Americas trade
laws with Canada.
The full text of that let-
ter is as follows:
Dear Mr. President,
We write today to ex-
press deep concern over
troubling developments
facing dairy farmers in our
region. Grassland Dairy
Products Inc. has ended a
number of dairy contracts
in our state as a result
of lost sales to Canada.
Grasslands vice president
of business development
has reported that the de-
cision will impact 1 mil-
lion pounds of milk per
day. The reductions are
a result of new Canadian
dairy regulations which
took effect in February
in most provinces. These
regulations present an im-
permissible trade barrier
for the dairy industry in
our region.
To address this emer-
gency in the near term
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Area farmers who
live and work in our
communities deserve our
thanks. They help our
community remain stable
we urge the administra-
tion to negotiate with the
Canadian government an
immediate hold on the
Class 7 National Ingredi-
ent Strategy and the prov-
ince of Ontarios Class 6
pricing program. If this
new Canadian policy to
discourage its processors
from using imported ultra-
filtered milk is allowed to
continue, it will continue
to depress low prices, in-
tensify oversupply and
threaten multi-generation-
al Minnesota dairy farms.
Several of our states pro-
ducers have received let-
ters notifying them that
their milk supply will no
longer be accepted start-
ing May 1.
In the longer term,
the administration must
directly engage the Cana-
dian government to ensure
their compliance with cur-
rent trade agreements.
While we understand that
the administration is de-
termining its priorities for
possible discussions with
our North American Free
Trade partners, a separate
investigation into the im-
plementation of these two
policies the Class 7 Na-
tional Ingredients Strategy
and Ontarios Class 6 pric-
ing program is needed
to determine whether they
violate existing trade com-
mitments.
In 1997, the Office of regulations now have
the U.S. Trade Represen-
tative challenged Canadas
dairy trade practices and a
subsequent World Trade
Organization dispute set-
tlement panel found that
elements of Canadas spe-
cial milk class system vio-
lated WTO obligations. We
believe this situation may
be similar and ask that the
administration explore it
fully.
Minnesota dairy farm-
ers are already beginning
to feel the harmful effects
of these recent decisions
by the Canadian govern-
ment. We urge you to work
to support our farmers
through strong enforce-
ment of our trade laws
with Canada. Thank you
for your time and imme-
diate consideration of our
Summer sausage
Beef stix and jerky
Custo
Slaught m
ering
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requests. We look for- Continued from C1
ward to working with
expiring CRP. MN CREP
you on these issues.
isnt the whole answer, but
Minnesota dairy
it plays an important role
farmers affected by
in addressing both of these
this agreement can
issues.
finally sleep soundly
Landowners who are ac-
again knowing they no
cepted in MN CREP will
longer have to worry
enroll in the USDAs Con-
about how to keep their
servation Reserve Pro-
doors open come May
gram for 14 to 15 years.
1, Walz said shortly
At the same time, the land
after the announcement
will be put into a perma-
that all Grassland-af-
nent conservation easement
fected Minnesota farms
through the states Reinvest
that lost contracts had
in Minnesota easement pro-
secured agreements to
gram. Private ownership
sell their milk beyond
continues and the land is
May 1. Going forward,
permanently restored and
I will continue to fight
enhanced for water quality
for our Minnesota pro-
and habitat benefits.
ducers by pushing this
This program helps pro-
administration to fully
ducers with the land that
enforce our current
needs protecting so they
trade agreements and
can farm their best, most
hold our international
productive acres, said Mi-
trade partners account-
chelle Page, Minnesota act-
able. Moreover, any
ing state executive director
new trade discussions
of the USDA Farm Service
must hold the interests
Agency. We encourage
of Americas produc-
people to take advantage of
ers as a top priority so
this opportunity.
that they can continue
Local landowners want-
to feed, fuel and clothe
ing to learn more about
the world.
MN CREP can contact the
Klobuchar agreed.
local FSA/Natural Resourc-
This is welcome
es Conservation Service/
news for Minnesota
SWCD office in Lakefield.
farmers and will help
keep our rural economy
strong, she said. And
while all Minnesota
dairy producers im-
pacted by the Canadian Continued from C1
the certainty they need is also a member of Small
to stay in business, we Ruminant Practitioners.
must ensure that dairy He graduated from Iowa
producers across the State University with a doc-
country are competing torate in veterinary medi-
on a level playing field. cine. A month after gradu-
That means holding the ating in 1970, he married
Canadian government the love of his life, Barb.
accountable to current They now have two married
trade agreements. children who have given
them four grandchildren.
Fell retired from his
46-year career veterinary
practice in Jackson on Aug.
31, 2016.
We Salute All Area
Farmers!
Shannon Carr, D.V.M. Joe Carr, D.V.M.
River Valley
Veterinary Clinic
Your animal health care professionals.
139 Industrial Parkway Jackson, MN
4776
(507) 847-4228
Thank You,
Ag
Producers!
Were proud to support
our area farmers and are
grateful for the finest beef
and dairy products you
produce.
Costello, Carlson & Butzon, LLP
Patrick Costello Hans Carlson
Christophe Butzon Ashley J.P. Schmit
Attorneys At Law
Lakefield Heron Lake Jackson
507-662-6621 507-793-2285 507-847-4200
11107

farm service, farm and healthy. Their quality

lubricants, and bulk fuels. products improve the
quality of our lives. WE SALUTE THEM ALL!
We salute the
Farmers are special to us Jackson County
ask what we can do for you! Livestock Producers!
Hage Oil Locally owned
Next to the south stoplight
Jackson, MN
NOW
OFFERING:
501 S. Hwy. 86 Lakeeld, MN 662-6666 and operated
since 1957! 847-2180 SHOW PIG FEED
7046
6969

See Us For Quality Big Gain Products!

Let us help you with your Grind, Mix and Delivery

Bulk and Bag Feed
Show Supplies
Dog and Cat Food, Bird Seed

bottom line
WE ARE YOUR DEALERS FOR

 Energy-efficient lighting and retrofit

motor rebates
Greenacres Werk Weld, Inc.
 Standby generator program Hay Feeders Creep & Self Feeders
 Exede high-speed Internet service
 Efficient water heater, $539 installed
Call for information on these programs.
507-847-3520, 507-728-8366 OR 1-800-321-3520

Jackson Feed, LLC

We Try Harder
This institution is an equal-opportunity provider and employer. Industrial Parkway Jackson, MN
Jackson, MN info@federatedrea.coop www.federatedrea.coop (507) 847-2590 800-967-2032
15213 19109
C4 Thursday, May 11, 2017

MN GROWN: Locals are included

Continued from C1
asked to bring their own
containers.
Kleine Farm, produc-
ing beef, chicken, fall d-
cor, pork and soap, near
Heron Lake
Kleine Farm is a fam-
ily operation located by
Heron Lake. The Kieines
raise Holstein calves, pigs,
broiler chickens, rabbits
and Great Pyrenees dogs.
Beef, pork and broiler
chickens are available
seasonally. The farm also
produces homemade lye
soap, regular small square
bales of grass hay and
straw and miniature bales
for fall dcor. Mini bales
are available in grass hay,
wheat straw and barley
straw.

Back 40 Wireless bringing Internet

service to everyones back 40 acres
by JESSICA OYE
Staff Writer
A local Internet pro-
vider has one goal mind:
To connect your back 40
to the world.
It began as a solution for
one local mans personal
and professional needs
secure reliable Internet
service with higher band-
width speeds in a rural
area of Jackson County.
We s t a r t e d w i t h a
handful about 10
neighbors to test it out,
said Troy Rasmussen,
owner of Back 40 Wire-
less. Three years later,
Rasmussen, of rural Jack-
son, has grown his busi-
ness into a regional rural
Internet service based in
Jackson.
Rasmussen said Back
40 Wireless distinguishes
itself from other provid-
ers by providing high-
quality customer service,
no contracts and no data
caps. His business strives
to provide Internet speeds
of up to 5-megabytes-per-
second download /2 Mbps
upload. Rasmussen said
Back 40 Wireless has the
speeds and capacity to
meet the needs of its cli-
ents, whether they are in
need of Internet access to
get their daily farm en-
deavors done or use the
service for things like in-
home streaming services.
15238
The service is con-
nected across equipment
mounted on existing
structures, such as grain
legs or storage bins, tow-
ers and even water towers
across the countryside. In
April, Back 40 Wireless
erected its own 180-foot
tower near Estherville,
Iowa.
Clients of Back 40 Wire-
less need not expect a
lot of special equipment.
Rasmussen said clients
are provided a radio
mounted to their home
and all the homeowner
needs to do is provide a
wireless router. Rasmus-
sen said installation takes
about an hour, and he has
a crew of subcontractors
who are working daily to
get people connected.
In addition to providing
high-quality service and
fast speeds, Rasmussen
said Back 40 Wireless
prides itself on deliver-
ing what customers pay
for and all from a local,
family-operated business.
Im out to prove we
can do it better locally,
he said.
R asmussen said be-
ing a local business op-
erator creates a greater
level of accountability. He
also hopes his clients will
feel good about writing a
check for their Internet
service that stays in the
community and contrib-
We Salute All Area
Livestock Producers!
WERE THERE WHEN YOU NEED US!
Cottonwood Veterinary Clinic
2250 Hwy. 60 East, Windom, MN
507-831-1473 Toll Free: 888-831-8387
Dr. Mike Stone Dr. Megan Thomas
Local farmer Merv Steen relies on an ag monitoring system to not only protect his
fuel storage, but also to keep an eye on equipment inside and outside of his farmhouse.
Ag monitoring system makes a
difference for local farm family
The ringing of the phone
awoke Brian Steen.
It was 2 a.m.
The caller on the other
end of line informed him
the furnace in his fathers
nearby home had stopped
working.
A few minutes later, Steen
Submitted photo had somebody en route to
Crews work to install a fix the furnace, and disaster
new 180-foot tower for had been avoided.
the benefit of custom- That prevented us from
ers of Jackson-based getting frozen pipes in the
Back 40 Wireless near middle of winter, which can
Estherville, Iowa, last be quite a mess, said Bri-
month. ans father, Merv Steen, who
credited an ag monitoring
utes to the growth of
system from locally owned
the local economy.
Heartland Security and a
Back 40 Wireless
friendly call in the middle
currently provides In-
of night for preventing a
ternet services to peo-
calamity.
ple living in Jackson,
In-house furnaces are not
Cottonwood, Martin,
the only things being moni-
Murray and Nobles
tored on the Steen farm, lo-
counties in Minnesota
cated north of Jackson.
and Dickinson, Emmet
We have a lot of fuel stor-
and Osceola counties
age and so we were very
in Iowa.
concerned about that be-
ing protected, Merv Steen
said. We put a system in
the machine shed and the
fuel storage is close by and
the system protects it all.
We feel a security system is
a very good investment for
protection and helping us if
a malfunction happens in
our equipment. We can feel
secure that when were gone
everything is monitored and
taken care of for us.
Alexa Sandbakken, mar-
keting manager for Heart-
land Security, a subsidiary
of Jackson-based Feder-
ated Rural Electric, said
the main purpose of an ag
monitoring system is to
detect problems in animal
barns and other outlying
buildings.
Whether you leave the
farm for the winter, spend
long hours out in the fields
during the warmer months
or are simply away from
your farm for a short time,
an ag monitoring system can
help protect your farm place
and outlying buildings with
round-the-clock protection
365 days a year, she said.
Ag monitoring systems
protect assets against loss,
whether by theft or lost
revenue due to problems
with animals. Main compo-
nents of an ag monitoring
system include a control
panel and various types of
environmental sensors, such
as temperature sensors that
can detect extreme high or
low temperatures.
Ag monitoring systems
can also monitor water pres-
sure, automatic feeding
equipment and generators.
Submitted photos
Other features in an ag mon-
itoring system include video
cameras and detection of
power failure. When a sen-
sor is triggered, a signal is
sent to a monitoring station
that will call the owner no-
tify the people on a call list.
Sandbakken said while
Heartland Security offers
all types of residential and
commercial monitoring sys-
tems, ag monitoring sys-
tems are its specialty. Ac-
cordingly, Heartland Secu-
rity has much experience
with equipping farms and
is familiar with rural areas,
farmers and communities.
Our rural Midwest roots
have allowed us to develop
an agricultural specialty
that keeps livestock and
other assets out of harms
way, she said.
Heartland Security cur-
rently serves 8,000 custom-
ers. Merv Steen said he is
happy to be one of them.
We chose Heartland Se-
curity because we are a
big supporter of Federated
Rural Electric, Steen said.
We thought a system from
Heartland Security was the
best all-around thing to use
for us and were very happy
with it.

Dr. Mackenzie Reberg Dr. R. Kent Leckie

We can help with your

Agriculture & Commercial
loan needs!

Service and Value

Every Day!

4764
www.newvision.coop

Stop in any branch & visit with our

Agriculture Specialists!
Farmers We wish Fulda Jackson
205 N. St. Paul Ave. 169 Industrial Pkwy.
you a safe planting season! See us (507) 425-2544 (507) 849-7400
for all your crop risk protection needs. Windom Worthington Mountain Lake
850 1st Ave. N. 1127 Ryan's Rd. 212 10th St. N.
(507) 831-3700 (507) 372-5959 (507) 407-9840
715 3rd Street Jackson, MN 56143
www.fuldaareacreditunion.com
Phone: 507-847-4433
Toll Free: 1-866-450-4433 Federally Insured by NCUA
Rates, terms and conditions are subject to change and may
E-mail: phillipsagency@phillipsagencyinc.com
E-mai
19139

vary based on creditworthiness, qualifications, membership

and collateral conditions. All loans are subject to approval.
15216
C5 Thursday, May 11, 2017

4-H gives city kids a taste of the farm

There is one thing many not sure why, but I know
city kids will say at some I was busy enough with
point in their youth: They other things that I never
wished they lived on a felt drawn to it. As an adult,
farm. I was surprised to learn
In a rural community, the how much of 4-H isnt
desire could not be truer. about animals and growing
Perhaps it is the feeling of a big garden. Thats what I
something being so close, remember as a young girl
yet so far away. at the Rock County Fair
Sure, it is convenient walking the cattle; swine,
to walk to school and fun sheep and horse barns; and
to have neighbor kids to seeing who grew the big-
play with, but the myster- gest head of cabbage.
ies of a bus ride into town She enrolled in 4-H with
in combination with tales aspirations to explore
of farm animals, pets and things like photography,
other freedoms found in flower or vegetable gar-
the country are alluring. dening and other town
Many city kids get a taste folk categories. The cool
of farm life via visits to a thing about 4-H, though,
friends or relatives home is if you have an interest,
in the country. There is an- there are a lot of people
other avenue to help them
explore the world of agri-
who find a way to help you
explore it. Thus began Co-
culture: 4-H. rynns adventure in what
My daughter, Corynn, I thought was exclusive to
became of 4-H member farm kids; she got her first
last year. Even though I animal project.
grew up on a farm, our In all of my life, I had
family didnt do 4-H. Im never interacted with a
Minnesota
Soybean
sheep, let alone tried to
walk one around on a lead.
With some generosity,
guidance and a lot of pa-
tience from a fellow 4-H
family, that is indeed what
Corynn learned to do last
summer. She learned about
feeding, washing and trim-
ming her sheep she named
Bruce. She struggled to
walk him and she struggled
even more to control him.
I struggled watching it
all. By fair time, she and
Bruce made a lot of prog-
ress. Even I learned the
best way to catch her wild
wether and encouraged her
shows of confidence as he
bounced and bleated.
As a mother, I was in awe
as I watched a once-timid
girl enter a pen of animals
who all outweighed and
generally wanted to avoid
her at all costs. She was far
too exited to seize every op-
portunity of farm life to be
NEW 2017
R A N C H
scared anymore. Shes eyeing grooming wards from these experi-
As she enters her second brushes, misters, buckets ences for years to come.
year of 4-H and decides and scoop shovels and is For now, shes managed
what her projects will be, eager for the day at the fair to be a city girl living the
in typical fashion she has when she hopes her pig will farm dream.
asked to do more than last come bounding out of the
year. While she enjoyed her gate with loud oinks that
sheep and is ready to take already have her swoon-
on another wooly beast, ing over this adorable and
she also has her heart set funny porcine.
on a pig. She has yet to meet her
My time growing up on sheep for the summer and
a farm included pigs. I fed is excited to get acquainted
them watermelon scraps with him as well. After a
all summer long in the rough time in the show ring
open fronts, turned on the last year, shes optimistic a
misting water in the heat, little extra time and effort
took a ride or two when with both of her animals
dad wasnt looking and will yield better results. WRITE OR WRONG
hoped that when it was my No matter how it goes Jessica Oye
turn to help put the sows in the ring, shell reap re-
in their farrowing crates,
they didnt run me over.
Now here we are, two
weeks into meeting Stel- P & Js Mini Mart and Cafe
la, the black and white 691 1st Ave., Heron Lake
beauty that has Corynn Catering Gas E85 Groceries Food
begging for trips to the
farm where the gilt lives. 4760 793-2651 Open 7 a.m.10 p.m., 7 days a week!
FITS
ON 30"
TM ROWS!
E D I T I O N

Processors
To receive mid-day market updates by text BUILT STRONG TO
message please call Austin at 507-842-6702.
Toll-Free: 1-888-842-6677 Phone: (507) 842-6677 OUTWORK, OUTPLAY
www.mnsoy.com
AND OUTLAST THE
COMPETITION
11136 Follow us on Like us on
Facebook

We support our
area farmers! INTRODUCING THE
MULE PRO-FX RANCH EDITION

Jackson Cycle
Springfield Parkway, Jackson, MN Phone: 507-847-3939
Larry and Sandy Clymer
www.jacksoncycle.com
KAWASAKI CARES: Read Owners Manual and all on-product warnings. Always wear protective gear appropriate for the use of this
vehicle. Never operate under the inuence of drugs or alcohol. Protect the environment. The Kawasaki MULE side x side is an
44107 Okabena Road Lakeeld, MN off-highway vehicle only, and is not designed, equipped or manufactured for use on public streets, roads or highways. Obey the laws and
regulations that control the use of your vehicle. 2016 Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
Phone: 507-662-5442 Toll Free: 1-877-860-7286
19059

4753 17MULPFXR6X5C

We Salute ALL AREA FARMERS!

Convenience Stores
Visit any of our Southern Minnesota &
Eastern South Dakota Locations
Jackson Springeld Alden Sanborn
Windom Westbrook Madelia Janesville To market corn, call: 1-888-831-0067
Mankato Heron Lake Marshall Brandon, SD
Lakeeld North Mankato Luverne Lake Benton To buy DDGs, call
Sleepy Eye nutrition : 1-888-327-8799

Call Anna Lotts or Darren Kalvig; 40212 510th Avenue Bingham Lake, MN 56118
15243
19149

annalotts@poet.com

WORK Play
HENNING
RENTAL
INC.
or
Equipment Repair and Rental
www.henningrental.com
507-847-3785 We have what you need!
Located mi. north of I-90
80063 U.S. Hwy. 71, Jackson, MN 56143

16756

Jackson Sports, LLC

www.jacksonsports.com
F
Farmers and M
Merchants
State Bank of Alpha ,QGXVWULDO3DUN-DFNVRQ01
F.W. Striemer, Founder Paul H. Meium, President
507-847-3620
www.famstatebankofalpha.com

MEMBER "Independent and Locally Owned since 1911"
FDIC 11110 A Century Bank 14918
C6 Thursday, May 11, 2017

Electric
FOR ALL YOUR AGRICULTURAL ELECTRICAL NEEDS!
Serving Jackson and the surrounding area!

ALSO
SEE US
FOR...

RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL

Our expert and reliable electricians offer

great service and quality workmanship!

From the left are Tristan Joel, Zach Vande Kieft, Kyle Thomson, Randy
Priest, Mitchell Jarmer, Larry Hansen, Tony Maguire, Scott Berglund,
Cody Jarmer, Marcy Berglund, Jake Peterson and Kevin Haberman.

Electric CALL
Jackson, Minnesota
19064
507-847-2960 507-360-1530