Since moving to the bluff area, I've not had too many opportunities to plant flowers. Coming from an agrarian background, planting season was a welcome time of the year. It made no difference if I planted various grains in the farm fields or if I got to plant the vegetable garden or the ...
Thirty years ago some of the most important topics I covered for the Independent involved renewable energy and rural development. The 1990s were an exciting time for it in the Marshall area and throughout the Upper Midwest. One reason was Minnesota Corn Processors, which became the world’s ...
For too long, a common-sense solution to lower gas prices and support American energy independence has been tied up in red tape. Families and farmers in Western Minnesota and across the country have been subjected to frustrating, outdated, and unnecessary regulations. The House of ...
If our worth is to be measured by our lawns, I am in trouble. You’ve seen those perfectly manicured lawns in the nice parts of town. Then there are farmyards that look like the cover of Country Living magazine. Our lawn is there because something needs to grow between the buildings and the ...
We have begun learning about Marshall’s David Hansvick, the second of three children born to Dottie (Penske) Hansvick and John Hansvick. Dave grew up in the small town of Vesta. Like most of us in southwest Minnesota, Dave’s ancestors came from overseas. “I have a family tree for the ...
Not every great coach had great playing careers. In fact, some were better players in a different sport that the sport they ended up coaching in. Take former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. He was a better lacrosse player than a football player. He did become a sub-par ...