Breaking News

Ag and Extension

Local results from Minnesota FFA Convention

Area FFA teams took part in the state FFA Convention April 21-23. Convention results: Best Informed Greenhand Team 28 Tracy Area 173 Silver 30 Yellow Medicine East 170 Silver 63 Canby 46 Bronze Companion Animal Team 27 Wabasso Silver Crops Team 11 Westbrook-Walnut Grove Gold 14 Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Silver Dairy Team 12 Marshall Gold 14 Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Gold 34 Minneota Silver 51 Tracy Area Bronze Employment Skills Individual Ava Schoenfeld RTR Gold Extemporaneous Speaking Individual Mary Lanoue Marshall Silver Farm and ...

Ag Briefs

Help is available for Minnesota producers facing times of stress For Minnesota farmers and livestock producers experiencing times of stress due to business and financial challenges, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) offers a reminder of free, confidential tools that are available to help. “From low commodity prices and extreme weather to continued threats like highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), Minnesota’s farmers and their families face a wide range of unique stressors that can have ripple effects in all areas of life,” said Minnesota Agriculture ...

Velde receives National Farmers Union award

HANLEY FALLS — Yellow Medicine County farmer Tim Velde received the Bruce Miller Award at the 122nd anniversary convention of the National Farmers Union (NFU) held last month in Scottsdale, Ariz. The award, named for a former Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) staff member, recognizes people who “display a passion for family farming and rural America, while promoting the work of Farmers Union.” Velde won the award for his longtime work as a county leader, for supporting rural electric cooperatives and for being an advocate for legislation. Velde is the president of the Yellow ...

Meadowland Farmers Co-op has annual meeting

Meadowland Farmers Co-op held its annual meeting on Nov. 27 at the American Legion in Lamberton. Over 180 people were in attendance. Member/owners were updated on another good year for the co-op with over $10.6 million of local income and over $19 million of total income realized for Fiscal 2023. Director elections were held with Brian Hicks of Tracy, elected to an open director position. Dusty VanDeWiele and Doug Krentz of Walnut Grove were reelected to the board of directors. Loren Redman was recognized for his 28 years of dedicated service to the Meadowland Board. ...

USDA reminds farmers and ranchers to vote in Lyon County committee election

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has started mailing ballots for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country. To be counted, ballots must be returned to the Lyon County FSA office or postmarked by Dec. 4. “FSA county committee members provide valuable knowledge and judgment as decisions are made about the services we provide, including disaster and safety-net programs,” said CED Celia Klein, county executive director for Lyon County. “Please take a few minutes to review your ballot and make your selection ...

What is a fair farm rental agreement?

Landlords, farmers, and agri-business professionals should make plans to attend one of the informative in-person meetings being held across Minnesota starting in October through December. These free meetings are being provided by the University of Minnesota Extension. Farm land rental rates are the largest input cost the farmer has, and determining a fair farm rental agreement is always challenging. Negotiating a fair rental agreement that satisfies both the land owner and the farmer is a challenge. David Bau, Extension educator in Ag Business Management, will provide several ways ...