Neighbors
Oct/Nov 2012 Vol. 2, Issue 7- $4.95
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Central Wisconsin Rural & City Living
FEATURED THIS ISSUE Newly Minted Working with Water Tandem Quest
Rising Star Mill Nelsonville, Portage County, WI Photo by Pete Sanderson (Uniquely Wisconsin Photo Gallery, Pg. 24)
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WESTFIELD N6701 Harris Court Toll-Free: (800) 356-3337 (608) 296-2191 westfield@faivre.com Neighbors-October/November 2012
Focus Article 8 Newly Minted Gumz Muck Farms’ diversified crops, which include mint.
Table of Contents October/November 2012, Vol. 2, Issue 7
Features
16
Regular Columns 4 Together
Working with Water WI Potato & Vegetable Growers Lead the Way
Thoughts from Jim Faivre, Faivre Implement CEO and Neighbors’ publisher
6
Grounded
34
Ruth Johnson, Neighbors’ Editor, reflects on daily life
24
Tandem Quest Kayaking in Door County
Uniquely Wisconsin Regular Descriptive Photo Gallery By Pete Sanderson, MD, MBA
38
Flying Feather
40
Regular Column and Photos by Denise Krause, Feathered Gold Stables
42
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Feathered Gold Stables Show in Amherst
Dr. Fixit Chris Brockman, Faivre Implement’s resident Dr. Fixit, answers reader questions.
Gypsy Vanners at Living Local Festival
44
Improving Credit Students learn how to manage financing and credit.
Neighbors October/November 2012
Together Hats off at to Richard and Roderick Gumz and all the crew at Gumz Muck Farms, the site of this issue’s feature story, for successfully handling their complex operation. Gumz Muck Farms raises six different crops, provides a wide diversity of services, operates a mint oil distillery and recently became a local Pioneer Seed dealer. He is just one of many Central Wisconsin farmers who serve as prime examples of the hard working men and women whom together, have shaped American agriculture into a strong force that feeds the world. Imagine the difficulties those first pioneers experienced, learning what would or would not grow in their region. They did not have zone maps, growing charts or geographic mapping systems. There was no machinery and a plow was state-of-the art – manual labor and hand tools. With Thanksgiving nearing the bend, I wanted to take a few moments on how lucky we are that brave souls pushed their way across the Midwest, carving and shaping a fertile future.
Above: It is always so rewarding to win a livestock bid at a Youth Market Animal Auction. I bought a steer shown by Emma Wagner, daughter of Clark and Pat Wagner at the Marquette County Fair. She stopped by the office with her mother and gave me an unexpected surprise, a home-baked apple pie. Bottom: I chose this photo for my column because Richard Gumz and I were discussing how mint is planted when he got an important work-related call he had to answer privately. It reminds me of the multi-tasking farmers and business owners do every minute of every day, juggling a myriad of tasks and responsibilities.
Feel free to share your stories about your heritage experiences and post photos on our Neighbors Facebook page. As always, send me your thoughts. Happy trails & blue skies for all!
Jim Faivre Publisher, Neighbors CEO, Faivre Implement neighbors@faivre.com
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Neighbors-October/November 2012
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STEVENS POINT 6832 Johnnies Lane, Stevens Point, WI Toll-Free: (800) 622-2611 stevenspoint@faivre.com (715) 592-4300 Fax: (715) 592-6116 WESTFIELD N6701 Harris Court, Westfield, WI Toll-Free: (800) 356-3337 westfield@faivre.com (608) 296-2191 Fax: (608) 296-3912 www.facebook.com/FaivreImpl Neighbors October/November 2012
Grounded
Neighbors
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Central Wisconsin Rural & City Living
PUBLISHER Jim Faivre neighbors@faivre.com
EDITOR, PHOTOGRAPHER, DESIGN & LAYOUT, PRODUCTION, CIRCULATION
Feet in the ground. I’m really kneeling in the dirt of my garden in this photo but it looks like I’m buried in the soil up to my knees!
Ruth Johnson neighbors@faivre.com 715-592-4300 ARCHIVE OF NEIGHBORS ISSUES www.faivre.com/neighbors.php
I planted 47 different types of heirloom tomatoes this year and I was hurrying as fast as I could to harvest them before the temperature dropped to the frost level.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO NEIGHBORS! www.faivre.com/neighbors_signup.php
It made me appreciate all that a farmer does to stay ahead of Mother Nature, particularly when she is a little fickle, like this year with the drought so many of us suffered.
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As promised, I have another story along the “good stewards” vein. This one addresses irrigation and how area farmers, associations and organizations are working together to adapt new technologies and discoveries so that they can protect and converse our vital water supply. Speaking of farmers, on July 27, Governor Walker announced a new "Farmer-to-Farmer Network," an effort designed to help provide feed to struggling farmers suffering through this year’s drought, which was the brainstorm of area farmer, Heartland Farms CEO, Richard Pavelski.
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B&B Paving………………………………………………Page 43 Central Cities Credit Union……………………….Page 46 Feathered Gold Stables…………………………….Page 39 Haertel Monument…………………………………..Page 07 Koerten's Fine Framing & Gifts LLC…….……Page 31 Pete Sanderson Photography…………………..Page 30 STEVENS POINT 6832 Johnnies Lane, Stevens Point Toll-Free: (800) 622-2611 stevenspoint@faivre.com (715) 592-4300 Fax: (715) 592-6116
The effort is to try to prevent many livestock farmers from selling off herds because they cannot afford to feed them. This program encouraged farmers less affected by the dry conditions to replant crops and make them available for feed
WESTFIELD N6701 Harris Court, Westfield Toll-Free: (800) 356-3337 westfield@faivre.com (608) 296-2191 Fax: (608) 296-3912
According to Pavelski, “The infrastructure is here in central Wisconsin, We have the land, the irrigation systems and the ability to grow well over 100,000 tons of forage crops.”
www.faivre.com www.facebook.com/FaivreImpl www.twitter.com/faivreimpl
The program is now quite a success. More proof that in the Heartland, we are all “neighbors.” Please let me know your thoughts.
Copyright 2012, Neighbors, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Back issues are available online, www.faivre.com/neighbors.php. Publisher not responsible for content of materials submitted.
Warm regards,
Ruth Johnson
This symbol designates the end of a story.
Editor, Neighbors Magazine neighbors@faivre.com Page 6
Neighbors October/November 2012
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Newly Minted! Mint Harvest Gumz Muck Farms. LLC Endeavor, WI By Ruth Johnson, Editor
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Neighbors-October/November 2012
The heady aroma of a field of commercially grown peppermint awakens your senses and immediately evokes memories of your favorite mint-related foods and beverages. However, foods and beverages are not the biggest end users of Wisconsin grown mint oils. Ninety percent of Wisconsin mint oil is designated for chewing gum and toothpaste. A 55-gallon drum of mint oil can flavor nearly five-million sticks of chewing gum or thousands of tubes of toothpaste. Mint is not a crop normally associated with Central Wisconsin, where potatoes and vegetables dominate farming. Annually, the U.S. grows an average 80,000 acres of peppermint and spearmint, accounting for more than 70% of the world’s mint oil supply. (Continued on Page 10) Opposite Page: Richard Gumz, co-owner of Gumz Muck Farms, LLC, stands in one of their mint fields. Inset photo is a Purple Gallinule marsh duck with an orange bill and iridescent feathers, rarely seen in Central WI. Richard leaves the drainage ditch network naturally wild to provide a haven for wildlife. We saw two of the Purple Gallinules in the Gumz ditches during our visit. Top: Commercial mint is a sterile, complex perennial, seldom producing seed. Planting a new mint field requires digging up an existing field of certified rootstock with healthy growth. One acre of rootstock will produce ten acres of new mint. Right: Mint grows best in nutrient-rich, extremely fertile, dark muck soil of which there are large deposits in Central WI. Muck soil is found in previously swampy or wet areas formed during the glacial age.
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The first U.S. mint crop was planted around 1810. Today, 80,000+ acres of mint are raised nationwide, approximately equal to the total corn acreage in Columbia County, WI. Mint was not commercially cultivated in Wisconsin until the mid-20th century primarily to supply Chicago’s chewing gum giant, the Wrigley Company. Even after a late start, Wisconsin ranks fifth in the nation for mint oil production with approximately 80-85% of acreage devoted to growing peppermint, the remainder to spearmint. No one should know this better than Richard Gumz, who together with his brother, Roderick, co-owns Gumz Muck Farms, LLC, with farms located in Marquette, Columbia and Sauk Counties. Their mint operation is ranked in the top twelve nationwide and top two in Wisconsin. Richard also serves as President of the Wisconsin Mint Board. (Continued on Page 12) Top: Planting time - Sterile mint rootstock is being planted into the 5’-8’ deep muck soil. The rootstock is bred for disease-resistance, which minimizes chemical pesticides usage. Middle: Harvest preparation - Gumz Muck Farms harvests and distills their mint crops July to August when the plants are about two-feet high and at ten percent of full bloom. A self-propelled mower conditioner cuts and gathered the plants into windrows to cure for 2-3 days, allowing moisture to evaporate from the leaves. Bottom: Harvest - The forage harvester chops the dried mint and blows it into a distillation tub. It takes about two acres of hay to fill a mint tub. It is then transported back to the distilling operation where mint oil will be extracted.
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Gumz Muck Farms totals over 6,000 acres with 1,000+ acres planted to mint. Red potatoes, onions, carrots, soybeans and field corn grow on the remaining acres. The Endeavor operation incorporates a series of drainage ditches left naturally wild, which creates a bird watcher’s paradise. During our visit, we saw snow-white egrets, great blue herons, ducks, geese, red tail hawks, a bald eagle, several killdeer, red-winged blackbirds, many different songbirds and two beautiful Purple Gallinule marsh ducks with iridescent feathers and orange bills rarely sighted in Wisconsin. The Baraboo operation, nestled in a large, flat valley surrounded by the incredibly scenic Baraboo Bluffs, offers a more wide-open feel. An interesting side note: Richards’s grandfather purchased this land in 1948. When Richard’s dad, Jerry, climbed Baraboo Bluffs in the early 1950s, there were no trees on them. Today, conifers and hardwoods blanket the bluffs. (Continued on Page 12) Top Left: Richard Gumz shows Jim Faivre how this boiler, which operates at 110 -120 psi, fires up the distillation process. Top Right: Gumz Muck Farms has several extraction/distillation facilities located at key points to maximize efficiency. Middle: The molten-hot fire in the boiler, which you can view through this porthole, reaches 340 degrees Fahrenheit. Bottom: Processed mint oil is pumped into 55-gallon galvanized drums where it can be stored for several years. It takes 8-10 tubs of mint hay to fill a 55-gallon drum with mint oil. Drums are loaded on a semi-trailer and hauled to a buyer in Indiana. Most of the oil will ultimately be sold to Colgate for toothpaste or the Wrigley’s Company for chewing gum.
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Richard says that after the crops survive inclement weather, disease, weeds and insects, the mature crop is ready to be harvested by Mid-July to late August, and then distilled into oil. DISTILLATION MADE EASY The graphic above illustrates the distillation process and breaks it down into an easily understood framework. Steam runs from the boiler into pipes in the bottom of the harvest tub and pushes up through the mint hay for 90-120 minutes, extracting mint oil from the glands on the leaves’ lower surfaces, as a vapor. The vapor flows into the condenser. The leftover hay is returned to fields as organic matter. Normally, it takes two acres of mint to fill a tub, which will yield 80 to 100 pounds of oil. The condenser cools steam and mint oil vapor to about 115 degrees, where mint oil and water separate well, and then flow into the separating cans. Mint oil rises to the top and is pumped into 55-gallon drums. The water leaving the condenser flows into the used water tank where it will be recycled to feed the boiler once again to make steam for processing. (Continued on Page 13) Top: Distillation process graphic. Middle: I asked Richard what the used water tank temperature was. He said it was about 140 degrees resulting from the condenser cooling the steam and mint oil vapor so they will separate well. I am glad it was his hand and not mine, that close to the water. Bottom: Gumz Muck Farms fabricates equipment for their specialized needs, like these 14-foot long tubs (wagons), which are watertight with gasketed doors to seal in steam. Steam enters through pipes upon the floor of the tubs. During harvest, the chopped, dried mint is collected into the tubs and returned to the distillery for mint oil extraction.
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SUPER SOIL Gumz Muck Farms is so named because their farms are all on muck soil. Supercharged with nutrients and even richer than mineral soils, muck soil began long ago as swampy or wet areas. As the wetness dried up, it left decaying vegetation and trees. It takes Nature about 500 years to create one foot of muck soil. Due to its high concentrations of organic matter, muck is extremely dark in color, allowing it to efficiently collect and retain heat from the sun and heat up earlier than lighter-colored ground in the spring, an advantage for crops that need an early start, like mint and onions. Nutrient-rich, extremely fertile muck features great water-holding capacity and usually needs no irrigation. Muck is moist all season, dries on the surface only, yet does not crust over in sun. One foot depth muck soil can hold two inches of water, compared to mineral soil, which holds one inch of water per foot. Plants in muck can survive two weeks on the muck soil without any limitations, compared to only one week on mineral soil. (Continued on Page 14) Top: The relatively tasteless vegetative matter that remains in the tub after essential oils are extracted, is deposited in a pile while still steaming hot and once cooled, is recycled for use as sterile compost. Left: Mint is a perennial plant and the first year it is planted in 36� rows, which rapidly spread out, mat-like to fill the field. Bees love mint blossoms, which provide much needed nectar at a time when many other flowers have stopped blooming.
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Muck’s high organic matter content also alleviates soil compaction. The soil is fine, soft and loose, allowing plant roots to grow deeper more easily. Fairly light and finely textured, it blows away easily when it is dry, so farmers often build windbreaks near their crops and use extensive cover crops. GUMZ FARMS PRODUCTS
Gumz Farms produces a wide selection of locally grown, premium quality red potatoes, yellow onions, peppermint and spearmint, field corn, soybeans and carrots. Their products are distributed to regional and national wholesalers, retailers and food service companies under many labels, including their own signature brand, Richard’s Finest. Gumz Farms also offers a wide range of produce services including washing, grading, packaging, transporting, sales and distribution. Recently, they also became an authorized dealer of Pioneer Brand Seeds®. (Continued on page 15) Photos: Gumz Muck Farms is one of the most diverse farms I have ever featured. The logistics involved in juggling six different crops are mind-boggling especially with each crop requiring specific specialized equipment, planting, growing, harvesting and marketing practices. According to Richard, “We need the right tools and equipment at the right time so you have to have them ready and waiting for whatever task is needed at that particular moment.”
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PAST & PRESENT It all began in the early 1900's, when Frederick Gumz, great grandfather to Richard and Roderick Gumz, emigrated from Prussia and settled into a small Midwestern farming community in Indiana. There, he established the first Gumz family farm. Frederick passed down his high work ethic, commitment to quality and belief in preserving the land, to three generations of Gumz farmers and counting. As good stewards of the land and sensitive to environmental concerns, Gumz Muck Farms, which remains family operated, utilizes responsive agricultural practices including integrated pest management, third party auditing and crop rotation. This helps drastically reduce pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Going forward, the Gumz brothers say they will “continue to diversify and grow in areas complimentary to our current products and services.” Top: Roderick (left) and Richard (right) Gumz pose in front of their newly completed, extensively remodeled office/warehouse expansion, initiated to better serve current and future demand in a safe and responsive manner. Right: Richard stands beside some of the many crates of the operation’s onions, ready for bagging. Bottom: The farms’ drainage ditches are left naturally wild, providing abundant cover and a suitable environment for birds and wildlife. A large great blue heron is faintly visible, highlighted where the line crosses the road horizontally and a bald eagle (in shadowed box) soars to the left overhead.
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WORKING WITH WATER WI Potato & Vegetable Growers Lead the Way By Ruth Johnson, Editor (with several photos & editorial excerpts contributed by WPVGA’s Badger Common’Tater magazine)
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Using water wisely is the overriding thrust behind University of Wisconsin’s (UW) Central Wisconsin Water Initiative (CWWI), which is jointly sponsored by UW’s Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Water Task Force. WPVGA Water Task Force is comprised of citizens, farmers, industry leaders and scientists and co-chaired by Central Wisconsin farmers Nick Somers, Plover River Farms, Stevens Point and Jeremie Pavelski, Heartland Farms, Inc., Hancock.
“Science, not opinion, should drive all discussions on water issues, beginning with a wide range of data collection,” notes Somers. “The more data we have, the more effective our water conservation practices will be.” Water Task Force already initiated a region-wide water use survey, established an ongoing database of irrigation well-water depths and funded research for nutrient management. With WPVGA funding, Water Task Force developed an irrigation-scheduling tool and well monitoring/data collection projects. A recent USDA grant will allow researchers to explore water-efficient irrigation methods. (Continued on Page 18) Opposite page & Top: As noted in August/September Neighbors Good Stewards story, Central Wisconsin’s sandy soil is especially suitable for vegetables, establishing our region as a major vegetable supplier. Sandy soil requires irrigation for crops to thrive, particularly this year. Many farms like Plover River and Heartland Farms utilize computerized, low-pressure irrigation, which provide optimal coverage, less evaporation and waste. Right: The irrigator does not reach the field’s corner portion, which provides us with a great visual of how corn fared this year if it was not irrigated.
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WATER CONSERVATION In the last two decades, the Central Sands region experienced increases in business and agribusiness, recreational markets and population and —creating spiraling demands for water in the heart of Wisconsin’s $6 billion potato and vegetable industry. “People tend to take groundwater for granted. We turn the tap on and water comes out,” notes Duane Maatz, Executive Director, WPVGA. “As growers, we are very aware of water conservation because it is critical to the environment, our livelihoods, our ability to provide fresh vegetables to the nation and to help us build a strong agribusiness sector in Wisconsin. We are proactive on water conservation issues and continue working with communities on this issue.” “Our growers,” says Maatz,“ work hard to efficiently manage and conserve water resources—using low-pressure irrigation systems, drop nozzles, moisture probes and well monitoring.” “If research shows a way to improve our farming practices and water management,” adds Pavelski. "we will absolutely implement it. Many WPVGA farms, like ours, utilize the Wisconsin Irrigation Scheduling Program, low-pressure water systems and drop nozzles that use less energy. With water distributed closer to the ground, evaporation is reduced and more water is returned back to the soil.” (Continued on Page 20)
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Top: Many Wisconsin potato farms take advantage of low-pressure irrigation systems along with drop nozzles, reducing water use and evaporation. Right: A graphic illustrating how evapotranspiration works.
Neighbors-October/November 2012
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Neighbors-October/November 2012
(Continued from Page 18)
UW scientists are exploring a variety of factors that can affect groundwater levels in the Central Sands: irrigation, climate change, aquifer recharge and evapotranspiration. Some research points to climate change. Research indicates that evapotranspiration, the rate at which plants give off water in the form of evaporation and transpiration, has increased in the western Great Lakes region. That means plants are “giving up” more water to the atmosphere. “Lakes and waterways are experiencing lower levels in areas where no irrigation occurs and we need to know why,” Maatz says. “It occurs in places where there is no farming and little or no human impact. There are many factors to consider such as climate change or native species populations (trees and grasslands) with increased evapotranspiration.” “This is not just a challenge we face in Wisconsin. This is a challenge facing the planet,” Maatz continues. “So we serve as leaders in finding a solution to conserve water and preserve the economy. We want to keep working with Wisconsin communities to come up with a solution.”
Top: Long pivot irrigation system. Left: Richard Gumz, Gumz Muck Farms, said that when he walks out into an irrigated field of corn in hot weather, the field temperature is ten degrees cooler than it is outside the field – interesting point. He says he has not seen any research on this but wonders whether Wisconsin’s large number of irrigated corn acres might have the capability to help cool the atmosphere with this eco-climate effect.
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WPVGA has received many awards for its environmental stewardship, including USDA Secretary’s Honor, World Wildlife Fund Gift to the Earth and the International Crane Foundation’s Good Egg Award. Several family farms have also won environmental stewardship acclaim including Heartland Farms, Inc., Plover River Farms, Wysocki Produce Farms, Alsum Farms, Coloma Farms and Wallendal Supply. Neighbors-October/November 2012
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Neighbors-October/November 2012
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Neighbors-October/November 2012
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Neighbors-October/November 2012
UNIQUELY WISCONSIN Harrison Hills By Pete Sanderson, MD, MBA
Like a gem, Wisconsin shines brilliantly in the fall sun. Ever lengthening nights trigger the amazing transformation of our green forests into a kaleidoscope of colors that usher in the fall season. Fall colors appear at about the same time each year in any given location. However, color brilliance is dependent on local conditions. A growing season with ample moisture followed by a dry, cool, sunny autumn with warm days and cool frostless nights provides perfect conditions for development of fall colors. Nowhere are the colors as brilliant as seen in the Harrison Hills region of Lincoln County, WI. (Continued on Page 26) Above: Dudley Lake, Harrison Hills. This small kettle lake along County Road B is a Northwood’s Shangri-La; a lone cottage nestled on a peaceful lake. Left: Harrison Hills wooded area. Perfect conditions and a grove of birch display wonderful fall colors. Right: View From Highway 17 with Harrison Hills in the distance. North of Merrill, just to the east of Highway 17, is a special area of Wisconsin formed as a great glacier deposited unusually large amounts of till. Pictured on a perfect fall day, the cloudless sky complements brilliant fall colors creating a uniquely Wisconsin gem.
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HUMMOCKY TERRAIN The rolling landscape of Harrison Hills is one of the best examples of glacially formed high relief hummocky terrain in the world. Most hummocks are of low height but occasionally excessive amounts of glacial till are deposited, giving rise to irregular and relatively tall hills. An initial glacier advance deposited some till but then large portions of ice became frozen in place. Subsequent glacial advances with their deposition of additional layers of till overrode the dead ice portions. In the Harrison Hills area, several glacial surges and melt backs occurred resulting in the hilly terrain we see today. Over the ages, the glacier’s till formed loose, well-drained soil that presents great growing conditions for trees and produces the best of our fall colors. This area produces wondrous color, even in years with adverse conditions. In years when the weather maintains perfect conditions, the color is spectacular. Please feel free to email me with your comments or alert me to other areas that are “Uniquely Wisconsin�.
Peter A Sanderson pete.sanderson@ministryhealth.org For more images, visit my blog, http://mdleader.wordpress.com (Continued on Page 27) Above: County Road B, Harrison Hills. To view this wonderfully rolling landscape, follow Highway 17 north out of Merrill. Turn left onto County Road B and follow as it undulates among the hummocky terrain. Below: Illustrations depict the buildup of the terrain that provides the perfect conditions for riotous fall foliage colorations.
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Shown This Page: Long Lake, Harrison Hills. Driving along County Road B, this typical hummock seemed to rise out the morning mist. Some 15,000 years ago, glaciers covered most of northern Wisconsin. Hummocks were formed from the till deposited as the glacier retreated. EDITOR’S NOTE: Pete Sanderson’s photography is available through Koerten's Fine Framing & Gifts in Stevens Point. As an MD, MBA, Pete is also Director of Medical Informatics Operations and Executive Sponsor of the Electronic Health Record for Ministry Health Care. BONUS FALL PHOTOS ON PAGES 28-29! (Continued on Page 28)
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Bottom: The Plover River originates in southern Langlade County, flows through Marathon County and then empties into the Wisconsin River in Whiting, Portage County. It runs just west of and generally parallels the glaciers’ furthest advance, marked by a large terminal moraine. During glacial times, huge amounts of glacial runoff engorged the river, carving a wider channel than what is utilized today. Imaged on a serene morning, the river’s channel widens as it nears McDill Pond.
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2012 October/November Featured Print
Rising Star Mill
Nelsonville, Portage County, WI Imagine having your own Pete Sanderson Limited Edition print! Each issue, renowned landscape photographer, Pete Sanderson, will offer one print from his multi-faceted collections, which he believes epitomizes the unique beauty of Wisconsin. Each 11”x17” pigmented ink jet print on cotton paper is signed and personally printed by Pete Sanderson. This print is offered at $40.00/each, (add $10.00 if you would like it shipped), until December 1, 2012. No program enrollment is required. The print will be available for pick up at Koerten's Fine Framing & Gifts or delivery by December 15, 2012. To order your print, call or visit Koerten's Fine Framing & Gifts: (715) 341-7773, 2501 Church St, Stevens Point, WI 54481. Pete Sanderson
“This is perhaps my favorite Portage County image. As the rising sun first penetrated early morning fog, the reds and yellows seemed to glimmer. I am pleased to offer this image at a very special price.” ~ Pete Sanderson.
Additional Images Available at Koerten’s Fine Framing & Gifts
UNIQUE & ORIGINAL GIFTS Fine Art, art glass, turned wood, pottery, purses, jewelry & more!
Fine artists like area jewelry artist, Kat Regalia
Join our Email Newsletter! Scan or visit our website to join.
2501 Church St, Stevens Point (800) 873-0056 (715) 341-7773 sales@koertens.com www.koertens.com www.facebook.com/koertens
Choose your Power! No matter what your needs, we have the perfect John Deere tractor for you. All the way up to our fully equipped 9R/9RT Series Row-Crop Tractors that offer legendary performance and reliability for farmers who demand more comfort, efficiency and productivity! These easy to operate models feature advanced technology and intuitive controls. Their spacious cab’s mobile office atmosphere offers premium sound system, Bluetooth interface, satellite radio and MP3 compatibility. Integrated GreenStar™ and JDLink™ technology help you achieve exceptional in-field precision and improved uptime. SERVING OUR CENTRAL WISCONSIN NEIGHBORS SINCE 1981. www.faivre.com www.facebook.com/FaivreImpl
STEVENS POINT 6832 Johnnies Lane Toll-Free: (800) 622-2611 stevenspoint@faivre.com (715) 592-4300
STEVENS POINT 6832 Johnnies Lane Toll-Free: (800) 622-2611 stevenspoint@faivre.com (715) 592-4300
WESTFIELD N6701 Harris Court Toll-Free: (800) 356-3337 westfield@faivre.com (608) 296-2191
WESTFIELD N6701 Harris Court Toll-Free: (800) 356-3337 westfield@faivre.com (608) 296-2191 www.faivre.com www.facebook.com/FaivreImpl
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Neighbors-October/November 2012
Your favorite size with all the extras‌ big or small, we have them all!
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Neighbors-October/November 2012
Day Trips By Heather Kizewski & Ann Marie Worzalla
TANDEM QUEST Ten years ago, I watched an intriguing documentary on The Travel Channel. It involved sea kayaking on the island of Kauai, one of Hawaii’s smaller islands. The crystal clear water was vivid turquoise and tranquil waves glimmered in the sunlight. I pictured swimming in the clear water and hearing my voice echo in the caves. Wanting to go so badly, it was borderline painful to watch. Although I made peace with the unlikelihood of that trip ever becoming a reality, the documentary stuck with me. CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION
Welcome to Day Trips! Inspired by an authentic passion for travel, each issue, we share a unique adventure accomplished in one day; no overnight bags required. We are sisters-in-law from Stevens Point and Amherst, whose families are involved in potato farming, so we are firmly entrenched in Central Wisconsin. For more than six years, we have ventured forth in search of unique destinations – it is amazing how far you do not have to go to experience the moments we often seek in faraway lands. We hope to spark your wheels into motion. You are only a day trip away!
Above: Sisters-in-law, (Left) Heather Kizewski & (Right) Ann Marie Worzalla.
The photos of caves and crystal blue water made me think back to the documentary. I could hardly believe my eyes! I remember thinking how simple it would be to fool someone into believing the photos were taken in the tropics. All that was missing were the palm trees, sharks and jellyfish.
The best part was that it was only two and a half hours from home! Timing and climate were our only issues. It was September and we were booked on Day trips through 2011. (Continued on Page 35)
Last fall, a friend told me about her job as a tour guide. It included guiding people on sea kayaks through caves on Lake Michigan by Sturgeon Bay. She also told me about the other adventures they offered, including zip-lining – something very alluring to both Ann Marie and I. She gave me the website for DC Adventure Center. I could not wait to get home and check it out! Top Left: Kayaks lined up, waiting to venture into tropical-like waters and enchanting caves. Lower Right: Close-up of the glassy water.
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Neighbors October/November 2012
Day Trips (Continued from Page 34)
WHETHER THE WEATHER We booked our trip for July 28, one week in advance and crossed our fingers, hoping for minimal wind and no rain. When we arrived to Sturgeon Bay, the temperature was seventy-four degrees without a cloud in the sky. The timing of an intermittent breeze throughout the day thoroughly perfected our adventure! GEARING UP When we met our group at Whitefish Dunes State Park, I was immediately impressed by the powdery white sand and panoramic views of Lake Michigan. The first thing we learned while gearing up was the difference between a sea kayak and a recreational kayak. A recreational kayak is shorter and wider. It is made for easy maneuvering on small lakes and rivers. A sea kayak is long and narrow, designed for open waters and rough seas. They have bow and stern bulkheads to prevent water from filling the boat in the event of capsizing.
EARLY STRUGGLES Once our life vests, skirts and pedals were adjusted, we were on our way in a two-person kayak, also called a tandem. Paddling straight was easy, but mastering tandem steering techniques became more challenging than we anticipated. Our guides, Sarah and Sam, were knowledgeable and patient. They helped us get accustomed to the rudder and by the end of the trip, we had it down pat! MIDWEST TROPICS The sun beamed directly down into the clear water, highlighting the white ripple sand bottom. The sand and water reminded me of a glass bottom boat ride I took in Montego Bay, Jamaica, except this time, I did not worry about sharks. (Continued on Page 36)
Most sea kayaks feature a rudder that facilitates steering in choppy water. It is controlled by foot pedals inside the kayak, connected to ropes running through pulleys. The user sits inside the enclosed kayak and wears a spray skirt to keep water off the body and out of the kayak. The skirt reminded me of bib overalls with a large elasticized oval skirt. Top: By the time we launched off on our kayak adventure, we felt comfortable handling the two-person kayak. Bottom: Swimmers could enjoy the clear, tropical warm waters.
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Neighbors October/November 2012
Day Trips
In the distance, the water sparkled like diamonds. When I looked to my left, I saw people swimming in crystal clear coves. I looked up and saw others jumping from rock cliffs. We were right below Cave Point County Park where limestone edges rise thirty to fifty feet above Lake Michigan. HEADING BACK Shortly after exploring the cave, we paddled back to Whitefish Dunes State Park where we said our goodbyes.
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ENTER THE CAVE The acoustics changed as we neared the cave and the air immediately felt cooler. Inside, everyone’s voice echoed and the ambience felt refreshing and cool. We had the option of turning around and going out the way we came in, or to lie flat and navigate under a very low portion of the cave and come out the other side. We chose the latter. Momentarily, it felt a bit claustrophobic but was completely worth it. The view as we exited the cave was vast and powerful. The sky was bright blue, with still not a cloud. The sunbeams made the water glow various shades of ice blue, turquoise and teal.
Without a doubt, I knew I would return. Less than four weeks later, I came back with my daughters, who are both twelve. We were fortunate to have a beautiful, sunny day. The wind was our only obstacle as it created waves that were beyond subtle. It was a weekday, nearing the end of their busy season; we were blessed to have our guide, Sam, all to ourselves. There were moments when we were completely immersed by rogue waves and could not see each other. Sam chose to tow the girls with her kayak as they struggled fiercely to steer their tandem against the wind and waves.
Had we been in the ocean, I would have panicked over what might lurk below us. Knowing I did not have to worry about eels, sharks, or jellyfish was a relief. Although the water was too rough to explore the caves (or even go near them), the girls were good sports. Afterwards, they enjoyed playing in the waves at Whitefish Dunes State Park as though it were the ocean. (Continued on Page 37) Top: Once we got the hang of steering, we were fine, even when we kayaked through caves with lower roofs. Bottom: Our guide, Sam, posed with Heather’s 12-year old daughters, Taylor and Brittney. Heather journeyed on a separate trip with the girls because they wanted to see and experience the wonders of the area, too.
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Neighbors-October/November 2012
\ Day Trips
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ADVENTURES IN ZIP LINING Zip-lining takes place in an open rural area a few miles from Whitefish Dunes State Park. After checking in and signing pertinent waivers, we geared up in helmets, harnesses and other straps and clasps. Composed of three platforms and three zips, the first was by far the most suspenseful. As we ascended the first platform, Ann Marie remarked as to how we looked as though we might be working on power-lines. Neither of us felt anxious prior to the trip, yet it kicked in when we least expected. For a few moments, I could hear my heart beating in my head. Seeing a group of girl scouts zip minutes prior to us, took the edge off but it was still very scary stepping off that first platform into mid-air. After taking off, the sound of ‘zipping the line’ and feeling the air was exhilarating! It felt adventurous yet safe. FLYING SQUIRREL
We feel fortunate to have experienced the full beauty of the area and look forward to coming back and exploring other opportunities. Our day ended in Sister Bay at a place called Fred and Fuzzy’s – an outdoor, beachfront restaurant that is truly ‘off-the-beaten-path.’ Considering how many times the island of Kauai was referenced, we found it mildly ironic to hear the most recognizable Hawaiian song, Aloha Oe, strumming in the background. It was the perfect ending! Top: Heather in mid-swing (The Flying Squirrel). Bottom: Ann Marie at takeoff Notice the group behind her running with the rope and pulley (The Flying Squirrel). Feel free to check out videos of The Flying Squirrel and zip-lining on the Day Trips Facebook page.
Our favorite was The Flying Squirrel, where a person is pulled off the ground as the rest of the group runs with a rope that is attached to the participant who runs the opposite direction. Pulled high in the air, you swing like a pendulum and are then lowered safely to the ground. This was triple the exhilaration! The feeling is beyond ‘butterflies’ and was more fun than any roller coaster I have ever been on! FINAL REFLECTIONS We are extremely grateful for our friend, Alicia Faivre, who inspired this Day Trips adventure. Prior to this, I thought of Door County as touristy and full of knickknacks. I was wrong. Page 37
Neighbors October/November 2012
Flying Feather*
"Poor little Foal of an oppressed race! I love the languid patience of thy face." ~Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Regular Column and Photos by Denise Krause Owner, Feathered Gold Stables, www.featheredgold.com
Breeding mares is a major focus for us. With autumn upon us, it is never too early to start planning our Spring Equine breeding. Understanding a mare's cycle is the key to planning breeding with the least effort and expense for everyone. Mare breeding involves seasonality. Mother Nature wants mares to have their foals when weather conditions are best for the foal's survival - that would be late spring. Since mares are pregnant for eleven months, horses are designed to breed in the spring to summer season. The key to this is day length. June 21, the summer solstice (longest daylight day of the year), is the center of the mare's cycle and when they cycle best. Conversely, many mares do NOT cycle at all in the winter when day length is short. This is a protective mechanism adapted through thousands of years. So...what to do to get January foals? Well, you have to fool Mother Nature, or at least the mare, which can be tricked into thinking it, is June when it is really January, by artificially changing the day length.
Do this daily until the mare is successfully bred and confirmed to be pregnant (approximately March 1). If you do not care when the foal is born, April, May, June, and July are fine months for breeding and you can save on your power bill. In early spring, for mares not under lights, a transitional period occurs between non-cycling and regular cycling. During February, March and even into April, mares will seem to be in heat (receptiveness to a stallion) frequently and for long periods (a week or more). They will not yet be in their normal cycle and despite many breeding covers, they end up not pregnant and their owners get frustrated. There is no drug that consistently puts your mare into a regular cycle. Time and regular checks by a vet will tell you when to breed.
If you desire early breeding, start about Thanksgiving to put mares in their stalls from 5:00-8:00pm and regulate light to around 250 watts.
OK, next topic - pre-breeding exams. Mares tend to conceive at the end of their heat cycle. The only way to know when that is, is to have her checked out by a vet.
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*Feather is the flowing hair on Gypsy Vanners’ legs
Your vet can insure your mare is cycling properly and if so, when she should be bred. Some mares may need cultures of their reproductive tracts and some may need surgery. Hormones...we have a good, safe selection. Regumate is an oral drug, like horse birth control, that keeps mares out of heat so you have greater control as to when they will be in heat. Regumate is also useful for show mares to avoid them from coming into heat right in the middle of a show event. Lutalyse will bring usually bring mares into heat provided they are not winter anestrus or transitional. HCG, given towards a heat cycle’s end, brings mares out of heat. The key to all these hormones is using them at the right stage of a mare's cycle. (Continued on Page 39)
Neighbors-October/November 2012
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Rely on veterinarians to apply any hormones since they are professionally trained on the correct kinds and dosages to use at any stage of a mare's cycle. One thing that never changes when a mare is cycling is the number of days she stays out of heat. Normal cyclicity is 16 days between in heat cycles. A mare’s period of heat varies. In mid-spring, she may be receptive up to seven days. However, in June, she may be in heat only three days. Her total cycle is around 21 days - longer in the spring and fall and shorter in the summer months. PREGNANCY OVERALL HEALTH Now that you have bred your mare, how can you tell if she is pregnant? A sonogram is extremely accurate and the gold standard of diagnosis for pregnancy. They are also essential in checking whether your mare is carrying twins.
Have a sonogram performed sixteen days after the last breeding. If your mare did not conceive, a sonogram can often help pinpoint the cause.
Imagine owning your own Gypsy Vanner‌ E n jo y th e ir b ea u t y a n d g ra ce in t he rin g a n d a t h o me !
Derek & Denise Krause Ogdensburg, WI info@featheredgold.com www.featheredgold.com (715) 445-5345
Pregnancy lasts about 11 months with the first 90 days usually the most precarious. Vets recommend a checkup and rectal exam at 50-90 days pregnancy. Older mares or those with prior fertility problems need close monitoring. Infections and illnesses can adversely affect the uterus and developing fetus. After the veterinary visit, it is time to sit back, relax and watch your pregnant mare blossom until it is time to foal.
GYPSY VANNERS SHOW AT LIVING LOCAL FESTIVAL Feathered Gold Stables Ogdensburg, WI By Ruth Johnson, Editor
Gypsy magic was in full display as Feathered Gold Stables’ Gypsy Vanner horses put on a fabulous display for the crowd, September 8 at the Living Local Fall Festival, Amherst Fairgrounds. Denise Krause, who owns Feathered Gold Stables with her husband, Derek, is one of Neighbors’ regular columnists. Derek was the announcer for the event while Denise, their son Justin and several trainers and Gypsy Vanner horse owners, performed spectacularly. The crowd was extremely excited since many had never seen a Gypsy Vanner horse in person. There are only 3,500 Gypsy Vanners in the U.S. and Denise is one of the major breeders in the nation. She is also one of Neighbors’ regular columnists. The horses flew by the audience, feathers flying and long manes and tails flowing in a truly spectacular performance. Everyone gathered around the fence for about an hour afterwards to ask questions of the Krauses, trainers and owners and take photos. Top: Riders dressed in traditional Gypsy costume as they put their horses through their paces for the crowd. Middle: Denise Krause and son Justin (on horse) did a routine involving his horse following one of Faivre Implement’s new RSX Gators, around the track. Bottom: This Gypsy Vanner horse owner, Jill Rodgers, brought her horse, Feathered Gold Tadgh to perform at this event.
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Neighbors-October/November 2012
2012 NEIGHBORS ANNUAL DRAWING WINNERS! By Ruth Johnson, Editor
Announcing the Winners! That’s right we have winners of the Neighbors magazine annual drawing for the Grand Prize of a John Deere D110 lawn tractor ($1699 value).
The drawing was held September 9 at the Living Local Fall Festival, Amherst Fairgrounds. The event was hosted by the Golden Sands Homebuilders Association. Faivre Implement and Neighbors magazine were exhibitors and sponsors of the event. Glenn & Teresa Grassel of Milladore, WI are the official winners! Glen is pictured here with Bobby Spreeman, salesperson for the territory where the Grassels live, as Bobby hands over the keys to the John Deere 110.
Since winners were not required to be present to win, I had the pleasure of calling Glenn to let him know of his unexpected windfall. My first words were, “This is not a joke but you have won…” He was so excited because he needed a new mower and never thought he would have a riding lawn tractor. Happy mowing, Glenn! Page 40
Neighbors-October/November 2012
Ask Dr. Fixit OTHERWISE KNOWN AS CHRIS BROCKMAN Chris Brockman (pictured at left), truly bleeds green. He started working on John Deere lawn equipment when he was very young, tagging along to work with his dad, Bob Brockman, a John Deere dealer in Wisconsin Rapids. Chris, an Advanced Certified John Deere Technician, has over 25 years of experience and is a true expert on all lawn care equipment.
DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? Submit your questions to drfixit@faivre.com and Chris will address your questions personally, in Dr. Fixit’s Neighbors magazine column or on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/FaivreImpl.
READER QUESTION I have a 425 garden tractor. The cap on the oil filler tube is badly cracked and does not want to stay connected. I checked with your parts department and they told me a new cap is no longer available and that I would need to change the valve cover and everything on it to a new style. I think they must have been looking up something for a different model machine. What do you know about this? DR. FIXIT ANSWER Unfortunately, our parts department did look up the right model and they were correct. The old black push on cap has been discontinued. Substitution requires the following parts: MIU11645 rocker cover, M147324 filler cap, M147334 O-ring and MIU11646 rocker cover gasket. These parts will are around $45. You can use the screws from the original rocker cover on the new one. The other thing you should check is whether your engine has crankcase vacuum. This can be accomplished by starting the engine and removing the oil filler tube cap. Place the palm of your hand closely over the tube opening; your hand should be sucked down to the tube. If it is pushed away, you have crankcase pressure and that indicates a more serious problem. READER QUESTION I purchased an X310 this spring, love the tractor but the steering doesn’t seem quite right to me. (Next Column) Page 37
Sometimes when I turn the steering wheel, it feels like something is binding and the steering is jerky. Have you heard anything about this? DR. FIXIT ANSWER Yes. I have. This problem is cropping up on the X310 and X530. Both of these machines have power steering but do not have tilt steering. There is a binding issue because the steering shaft doesn’t have up and down endplay. John Deere is aware of the problem and has listed this on their dealer technical assistance website. READER QUESTION I have an F932 front mower that I bought used a few years ago. I was mowing my field the other day and all of a sudden, the machine wouldn’t move. I tried to raise the mower deck and it wouldn’t raise either. Got any idea of what might have happened? DR. FIXIT ANSWER I would guess you checked to make sure the drive shaft and rubber isolator coupling were still in place, connecting the engine to the transmission. With those intact, my next thought would be the transmission charge pump has failed. This pump is located on the drive shaft side of the transmission. Perhaps a small shear key in the pump may have broken. This pump provides oil for the hydraulic lift, power steering and the hydrostatic transmission. Stop by or call if you need further assistance. Neighbors-October/November 2012
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B&B Paving Co., founded by Jim & Marilyn Benjamin, earns many new customers through referrals from current customers like Faivre Implement, who was so pleased with the recent parking lot paving job B&B Paving Co. did for them, they wrote about it in the October issue of their monthly Neighbors magazine. Faivre Implement’s facility is located directly across the street from B&B Paving Co. Stop by and see the smoothly paved results for yourself. We believe you will agree that we get the job done right - the first time and every time! James & Marilyn Benjamin 6817 Johnnies Lane Stevens Point, WI 54482
(715) 592-4775 Neighbors-October/November 2012
STUDENT CREDIT Central City Credit Union (CCCU) Marshfield, Plover & Stevens Point
Responsibility. As teenagers and young adults return to the classroom for another school year, many will gain a new perspective on managing their money. Whether they are preparing for college or planning to enter the work force, all students need to understand the values of setting a budget, spending within their means and making personal credit work for them, not against them. PREREQUISITE At Stevens Point Area Senior High (SPASH), every student is required to take a class on finance in order to graduate. The class can be taken as part of business, social studies or family/consumer education curriculum, and students generally take their studies seriously. “Kids want to know how to make money and we talk about needs and wants and the difference between the two,” said Jim Saddison, a SPASH business education teacher and Business Department Chair. “Building financial knowledge is not just for aspiring Wall Street executives.” Jim, a SPASH teacher for 23 years, helped develop the current financial lesson plans seven years ago. Trudy Peters, Central City Credit Union’s (CCCU) branch office coordinator at SPASH, is one of his key allies. Onsite daily, Trudy is available to answer students’ questions. Page 44
She also speaks to each personal finance class at least once a semester, discussing checking accounts, loans and debt vs. credit. Trudy manages a staff of student interns, who work at the branch learning business firsthand. Wisconsin Credit Union League’s (WCLU) operates (97) in-school credit union branches statewide, which includes CCCU.) WCLU reaches out to students via their REAL Solutions voluntary programs initiative aimed at helping members and communities. Top priorities include helping increase financial literacy, improve personal financial management and develop creditworthiness. Jim and Trudy teach students about the consequences getting in over their heads and defaulting on their debt. “My goal,” says Trudy, “is to help students learn how to build their credit score.” They help them estimate the types of cars and range of homes they will be able to afford, based upon the careers the students wish to pursue, and lay out the different levels of interest rates lenders charge based upon an individual’s credit score. (Continued on Page 45) Top: Trudy Peters helps a member at Central City Credit Union’s SPASH branch.
Neighbors-October/November 2012
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Students learn that without adequate credit, they may pay more for a cell phone contract and the difference in interest payments on a vehicle loan can be thousands of dollars. “I think that opens their eyes,” said Trudy, who points out that bad credit can even make a difference in landing a good job or finding a place to live. KEY FACTORS It used to be only lenders looking at credit scores. Now it is insurance companies, employers, landlords. The list is endless. “If potential employers look at your credit score and see that you’ve never paid off anything, they wonder if you are responsible enough to come to work every day, states Trudy. “ When an insurance company sees that you do not paid your utility bill on time, they think you will do the same with your insurance premiums. So, they charge you a higher premium.” Young people normally cannot begin building their credit until they reach 18-years old. When starting out, they have little to prove that they can responsibly pay their debts. GO SLOW Kathy Brandl, Certified Financial Counselor for CCCU and Stevens Point area Lending Supervisor, advises, “For those starting out, credit unions review things like rent, utility and phone payments to build a payment history picture.” CCCU typically starts a beginning creditor with an initial credit card limit of $500. “What beginners need to realize is to start little and work up,” Kathy said. “It usually takes two years to build a credit score another lender will accept. They want to see that you are using it but not abusing it.” Kathy’s advice is to maintain at least half your available credit balance, which accounts for 30% of a person’s credit score. “‘Capacity is king,’” she says. “If your limit is $500 and you owe $500, you just lost 30% of your credit score.” The remainder of your credit score is based on your payment history (on time vs. delinquency), number of inquiries made by potential lenders, length of your credit history and your mix of credit (installment loans vs. revolving debt such as credit cards). Page 45
CONTACT CCCU: (715) 341-2522 loans@centralcitycu.com www.centralcitycu.com
LISTEN TO PROFESSIONALS Kathy recommends avoiding these negative factors that can adversely affect your credit score: finance companies, carrying balances on more than three major credit cards and paying your bills late. “If you can’t make a payment, talk to your creditor – don’t try to hide it,” she said. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about since bad things happen to good people all the time. Ask for help in figuring out your options and learn how to avoid problems in the future. Move on, learn from mistakes.” Kathy advised that if you co-sign or guarantee a loan or credit card for a child, relative or friend, it is important to realize that you will be 100 percent liable for the debt of the cardholder; even if you are unaware the payments are not being made on time. As a financial consultant, Kathy encourages people to consult with one of CCCU’s financial consultants if they have any questions. “I wish people would seek professional expertise earlier in life. That is why it is so great when high school students can learn these things now, so hopefully, in the future I won’t see as many of those cases.” Neighbors-October/November 2012
Boost Profits AMS precision farming equipment!
www.faivre.com Merge our Ag Leader guidance technology with our John Deere tractors to capture the most from every input, pass across the field and acre you farm. Precisely plant crops, like never before, literally right down to sub-inch accuracy, maximizing land use and reducing costs. Ag Leader’s hands-free steering lets an operator closely monitor all planting functions while the system’s technology maintains straight lines and insures repeatability. During harvest, Ag Leader’s real-time data provides the accurate in-field information producers need to maximize efficiencies during this hectic season, even helping synchronize harvest equipment and produce/grain storage carts. Trust Faivre Implement to provide the personal service you need to help get your job done right! STEVENS POINT 6832 Johnnies Lane Toll-Free: (800) 622-2611 stevenspoint@faivre.com (715) 592-4300
WESTFIELD N6701 Harris Court Toll-Free: (800) 356-3337 westfield@faivre.com (608) 296-2191
Compact Utility Tractors get the job done right!
STEVENS POINT 6832 Johnnies Lane, Stevens Point, WI 54482 Toll-Free: (800) 622-2611 stevenspoint@faivre.com (715) 592-4300 Fax: (715) 592-6116 WESTFIELD N6701 Harris Court Westfield, WI 53964 Toll-Free: (800) 356-3337 westfield@faivre.com (608) 296-2191 Fax: (608) 296-3912 www.faivre.com www.facebook.com/FaivreImpl www.twitter.com/faivreimpl
Since the introduction of John Deere’s first steel plow over 170 years ago, horses have played an influential role in John Deere’s heritage. John Deere’s commitment to horses and the land has never changed. Horse owners now use compact tractors equipped with forks and more, lawn tractors and Gators like our new 4-seater XUVs. These bad boys possess enough “horsepower” and 4x4 performance to travel where you want and still carry up to four people. In honor of the equestrian world, Faivre Implement offers special discounts on equine-related products, merchandise and gifts through the John Deere Equine Association Discount Program: http://www.deere.com/en_US/CCE_promo/weg/discounts.html Page 48
Neighbors- October/November 2012