2023 October Highline Notes

HIGHLINE notes

October 2023

Supporting Local Ag, page 4

Programs & Services, page 6

Jen Skoog from Family Roots

Farm talks about her commitment to providing healthy, locally sourced produce, raw honey, eggs, and pastureraised meats.

Rain or shine, day or night, we’re here for you. October is National Co-op Month.

system to help us identify where the outage is and how many people the outage impacts. If an outage affects you, and if we have your mobile number, a text message will inform you of the outage status.

We offer much more than I have mentioned, so I encourage you to visit the programs and services section in this issue of the Highline Notes, our official publication to share information about the cooperative with our membership.

Programs & services

In this issue of the Highline Notes, our communications team is featuring programs and services the cooperative offers our members. We talk a lot about our focus on reliability and affordability, but there are numerous benefits our members can take advantage of to use energy wisely. In this issue, you will see information on renewable energy options, including community solar, renewable energy credits, and distributed energy resources. You can also learn about alternatives to access and manage your account, including paperless billing, levelized budget billing, the Cass County Electric mobile app, and other online account access tools. For added convenience, members have numerous options to pay their bills: Autopay, PrePay, Interactive Voice Response (IVR), mail, phone, in-person, and drop-off box.

The cooperative has invested in software that shows current outages, and if you have an outage, please call 701-356-4400 to report the outage. The call triggers our IVR

Community is the backbone of the cooperative. Cass County Electric sponsors numerous community events for members to attend. We offer an energy tour of the power plant for members to learn more about how their power is produced. Giving back to the community is a high priority. Several employees volunteer to serve on boards or committees to help enhance our community. Our most significant support for the communities we serve comes from our members’ support for Operation Round Up, a program where members round up their bill to the nearest dollar. Proceeds go to fund organizations in need and are approved by a volunteer board. In 2022, Operation Round Up donated over $220,000 to help our communities.

The cooperative supports economic development so our region can grow and flourish and advocates for legislation that positively impacts North Dakota’s energy industry and workforce issues.

The cooperative is in the business of selling electricity, and we are excited to share information about how you can use energy wisely. Your trusted energy experts can advise on electric vehicles (EVs), EV charging options, off-peak heating, off-peak water heating, and everything related to electricity use.

Member Meeting

On Oct. 17, members will have the opportunity to hear about the state of the cooperative at our member information meeting. Numerous topics will be discussed, including proposed federal regulations impacting the energy industry, an update on Project Tundra, renewable energy programs, electric vehicle programs, and much more.

The member meeting will include a free meal for members starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, Fargo. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Retirement

After some serious consideration with my family and 37 years of service, I have decided to retire from the cooperative next spring. The board of directors has begun the process for my replacement. They are using an executive search team from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association to screen candidates and provide the board with qualified candidates for consideration to lead Cass County Electric Cooperative in the future.

I can’t tell you how grateful I am to have served the members of this extraordinary cooperative for the past 37 years.

Marshal Albright, president/CEO Cass County Electric Cooperative

Content in every issue

impact recipes safety ads

Highline Notes

Volume 81, Number 10

Communications:

Jocelyn Lura Hovland

Kaitlyn Hartman

Printer: Forum Communications Printing

Board of Directors:

BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTSAUGUST 2023

The Cass County Electric board of directors met in person on Aug. 29, 2023, and discussed the following topics:

• Moved to approve the August 2023 consent agenda of the regular board meeting consisting of minutes, monthly department reports, director expense report, 2024 director election announcement, and the July purchased power adjustment (PPA).

• President/CEO Marshal Albright gave the president’s report reporting on updates from meetings and conferences attended.

• Received the July 2023 financial report.

• Received a presentation on the crisis communication plan.

• Received a presentation from the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives.

• Received a presentation from Federated Insurance.

•Received a report from the Minnkota Power Cooperative board meeting.

• Received a report from the board/staff retreat.

• Moved to approve the August 2023 capital credit estate payments.

• Reviewed upcoming meetings and events.

The next board meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023.

Look Up and Look Out

for Power Lines

Paul White, secretary

Douglas Anderson

Sid Berg

Stacey Ackerman

Tom Seymour

Glenn Mitzel, board chair

Wendy Loucks

Kalvin Hoff, treasurer

Terry Kraft, vice chair

Executive Staff:

Marshal Albright, President/CEO

Jodi Bullinger, VP of Engineering & Operations

Paul Matthys, VP of Member & Energy Services

Chad Sapa, VP of Corporate Services & CFO

Tim Sanden, VP of Information Technology & CIO

Highline Notes (USPS 244-740) is published monthly by Cass County Electric Cooperative Inc., 3312 42nd St. S., Suite 200, Fargo, ND 58104. Periodicals postage paid at Fargo, North Dakota 58104, and at additional mailing offices.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Highline Notes 3312 42nd St. S., Suite 200 Fargo, ND 58104

© Copyright Cass County Electric Cooperative 2023. All rights reserved.

Questions: 701-356-4400 800-248-3292 info@kwh.com

Call Before You Dig: 800-795-0555 or 811

Cass County Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Information about the cooperative, articles of incorporation, bylaws and more can be found at CassCountyElectric.com.

Overhead power lines are common on the farm, but failure to notice them can be a deadly oversight.

Supporting Local Ag

A celebration of local growers

When a couple dozen strangers stepped off a bus and onto Family Roots Farm on Sept. 14, Daisy the Great Pyrenees was not impressed. The genetically predisposed sheep protector barked from a distance as the farm’s owner greeted the visitors with a warm and welcoming smile.

“This is my little slice of heaven,” said producer Jen Skoog, gesturing to the few acres of gardens, alfalfa, chicken coops, beehives and pastureland just east of Christine, N.D., that she calls home. It’s the farm that has been in her family for generations, electrified nearly 80 years ago by Cass County Electric Cooperative (CCEC). But Skoog is bringing a new energy to the land – and she was ready to share her story.

This was the first stop of the Fargo Area Farm Tour hosted by the Foundation for Agricultural and Rural Resources Management and Sustainability (FARRMS) and sponsored by Cass County Electric. FARRMS is a North Dakota nonprofit that creates programs to educate and support budding farmers in the state.

“We started doing farm tours as a supplement to our internship program, to allow the interns to get a more diverse view of different kinds of farms,” explained FARRMS Executive Director Stephanie Blumhagen.

“Then we decided, if we’re helping these farmers grow their businesses, the main thing they need is customers, so how do we connect the public and consumers to the farmers? We decided to open our tours to the public and give them that firsthand view.”

Tour guest Jocelyn Hovland, CCEC Communications Manager, hoped fellow attendees could experience how they could close the gap between farmers and buyers and advocate a more local, sustainable and interconnected food system. “CCEC’s roots are firmly planted in North Dakota farms and agriculture, so supporting events and programs that connect member producers with CCEC communities and residential members is a legacy we are proud to continue,” she said.

Skoog is a graduate of FARRMS’ Farm Beginnings program, a three-month sustainable business course. In addition to FARRMS programming, she has leveraged a network of local growers (and a few books and YouTube videos) to learn how she can use a little to create a lot of sustainable opportunities on her patch of land, from growing potatoes in alfalfa mulch to shearing wool from her angora goats. She’s able to share the fruits of the farm (including fresh eggs, lamb meat, and herbs) at local farmers markets and online.

Cass County Electric Cooperative sponsors FARRMS Fargo Area Farm Tour

Cristen Voeltz, 2023 intern with Family Roots Farm, greets a friendly alpaca at Ten Seven Acres.

CCEC electrified some of these farms in the mid-1900s, and is proud to continue to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity while also powering the local economy and the farmer’s dreams.

From Family Roots Farm the bus made its way to Exit 44 Flowers & More, a fresh-cut flower farm off of Interstate 29 east of Walcott, N.D. Owner Alyssa Jones started her rural flower business three years ago, finding inspiration from serving as Skoog’s FARRMS intern.

“Jen took me under her wing,” Jones said, leading her guests through rows of colorful blooms, willow trees and decorative corn. She now has a FARRMS intern of her own, helping her and her husband tend to the four acres they have now planted.

Jones uses her flowers in a number of ways, including hosting photographers and events at the farm, creating and delivering fresh bouquets through a CSA program, and taking part in popup flower bar events in Fargo. She sees other local growers not as competitors but as support, collectively bringing their small endeavors to the mainstream. “We really work together as a community,” she said.

The bus tour headed south for a lunch stop at Crooked Lane Farm, a rustic event venue east of Colfax, N.D. Owner Mary Jo Schmid shared the entrepreneurial journey taken by the Schmid family, from a goal of education to a life of creating lasting memories in a farmyard setting. She gave a nod to the farmers on the tour route, who have found their own ways to shine light on the industry.

“All of these things have really come to fruition over the last 10-15 years. And they are pushing agriculture and ag tourism to a really outstanding economic point for our county,” Schmid said.

As the participants enjoyed a lunch spread of fresh cheeses, meats, nuts and fruits from Milk Made Catering, owner Megan Lewis explained how she got into the business of “spreading the word of the curd.” Lewis, now a certified cheesemonger, grew up loving cheese and wanted to become more involved in sharing that passion with others. “We love what we do, and we take an immense amount of pride in being able to tell farmers’ stories,” Lewis said.

From cheeses to fleeces, the tour hopped over to Ten Seven Acres, an alpaca farm nestled in the small community of Galchutt, N.D. Visitors were welcomed by a wobbly, fluffy alpaca baby, born just four hours prior and weighing around 15 pounds, surrounded by its mother and “aunties.”

Jessie and Dirk Monson were the first in the state to begin raising alpacas for their wool, which is processed into luxurious fiber and yarns. The Monson herd has helped to kick off another handful of alpaca farms across North Dakota. “We’ve helped the industry grow sixfold in the state,” Dirk said.

As the Fargo Area Farm Tour wrapped up its final stop, it was difficult to find a face that hadn’t grown a smile. “I hope everyone takes away a deeper appreciation of what it takes to grow food and a realization that you can get food locally,” Blumhagen said. “We grow so many commodity crops in North Dakota, and that’s important and a key part of our economic system. But farming isn’t just commodities that are shipped away. You can purchase from local farmers.”

Visit CassCountyElectric.com/FARRMS to see more photos and access quick links.

Crooked Lane Farm offers classes in the folk arts, hosts events, and is part of the Barn Quilt Trail.

Exit 44 Flowers & More showcased blooms even on a cool September day.

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

ENERGY OPTIONS

Prairie Sun Community Solar

• As the first active community solar project in North Dakota, this program allows members to lease a portion of the solar panels in the array to receive an electric bill credit. This program is an excellent option for renters or people unable to install solar panels on their roofs.

Infinity REC Program

• This program allows members to decide how much electricity they purchase is generated by renewable resources. Participating consumers pay an additional cost to purchase renewable energy and specifically designate how this energy is credited and used.

Distributed Energy Resources

• This option is for cooperative members interested in owning renewable energy or generation system options for their homes, businesses, or farming operations. These systems are interconnected within CCEC’s system and provide the member with power from renewable energy sources.

ACCOUNT OPTIONS

Paperless

• Paperless billing allows you to receive and pay your energy bill online without using paper. Save the environment and money! Members who sign up for paperless billing will receive a one-time, $10 credit on their next bill.

Levelized Budget Billing

• Levelized Budget Billing is a free program offered to CCEC members designed to lessen the impact of higher seasonal electric bills. This program uses software that takes a rolling average of your electrical bill from month to month to create a payment that stays relatively consistent each month, regardless of how much energy you use.

Cass County Electric Mobile App

• Download the Cass County Electric mobile app to manage your account from the palm of your hand! Enjoy 24-hour access to your account(s), manage bill pay options, receive monthly bill notifications, and more!

Online Account Management Tools

Cass County Electric’s online account platform puts the analysis of your account at your fingertips. You can pay your bill, view electricity usage, make a payment, view outage status, report an issue, manage account settings, and more. All you need is your account number to sign up today!

Business and Commercial

• These accounts have access to two dedicated and experienced account reps. As your trusted energy advisor, we offer rate analysis and forecasting, energy and lighting audits, grant and loan assistance, and more.

Rural Development

• CCEC has a history of supporting the small towns and rural areas of its territory and strives to have a collaborative relationship to utilize the strengths and expertise of all entities involved in projects.

BILLING & PAYMENT OPTIONS

Online

• CCEC’s platform allows you to pay your bill, monitor your account, and more! Use your account number to sign up at CassCountyElectric.com.

Autopay

• When you sign up for Autopay, CCEC will automatically draft your checking account or credit card for the amount of your monthly bill. Avoid late payments and receive a one-time $10 bill credit when you sign up!

PrePay

• This payment option allows you to pay as you go with your PrePay account. Usage is calculated daily and puts you in control of when you pay for electricity. Avoid late payments, enjoy payment flexibility, and monitor your daily usage online and on the go with the Cass County Electric mobile app.

Drop Boxes

• A payment drop box is located at the Member Services building in the parking lot roundabout and in the entryway. Be sure to include your account number, name, and address and drop at 4100 32nd Ave S, Fargo, N.D. 58104.

Interactive Voice Response (IVR)

• To make a payment 24 hours a day with a debit or credit card (Mastercard, Discover, or Visa) or by entering your checking or savings account information, call 701-356-4400 to use our IVR system.

Mail

• Mail checks or money orders payable to Cass County Electric Cooperative using the return envelope and remittance included with your monthly bill statement.

Phone

• Call 701-356-4400 to pay your bill using a checking account or credit card by talking with a local member service specialist during our business hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

In Person

• Payments can be made in person at our Member Services building, Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

RELIABILITY

Outage Viewer

• Our live outage viewer is a tool to check the status of outages and view a summary of the outage information. The outage viewer is available on our mobile app or online at outage.kwh.com.

Outage Information

• Our goal is to keep our outage frequency and duration to a minimum while prioritizing the safety of our line crews. If you are experiencing an outage, report it using the Cass County Electric mobile app or by calling 701-356-4400. If we are unable to answer your call, our IVR system uses the phone number you are calling from to report the outage.

Text Notifications

• We will send you text and email notifications for planned and unplanned outages. This is why it is vital to keep an updated email address and mobile number on file.

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

COMMUNITY

Community Events

• CCEC is involved in and sponsors numerous community events throughout the year. Local parades, art events, farmers markets, and concerts are just a handful of the events that CCEC participates in and sponsors. You can see a calendar of events at CassCountyElectric.com/events.

Member Events

• Attending member events is essential to being an active cooperative member. These events help you stay updated on cooperative news, vote in co-op elections, and visit with friends! More information on member events can be found in Highline Notes and our social media pages.

Energy Tour

• Every summer, CCEC offers our members a power plant and mine tour. The tour provides an overview of power supply, a presentation and tour at the Milton R. Young Station, and a tour of the adjacent BNI coal mine. This tour is a great way to learn more about the industry and the work of providing electricity.

Co-op Connections

• This discount program is a free benefits program for CCEC members. Co-op Connections provides a variety of discounts for both local and national businesses. Download the Co-op Connections app or visit connections.coop to start saving today.

Advocacy and Economic Development

• The purpose of a cooperative is to realize the economic, cultural, and social needs of its members and community. CCEC has a strong commitment to our communities and a focus on strengthening those in which we exist in and serve. As such, we are active particpants in numerous chambers of commerce, rural and economic development organizations, and other boards and committees.

DEMOCRATIC MEMBER CONTROL

Capital Credits

• At the beginning of every year, any excess revenues, or margins, from the previous year are allocated to our members and later paid out in the form of capital credits. As a member/owner, this means you benefit from any margins produced by the cooperative. Your account will accumulate capital credits each year you are an active member with us. View the insert to learn more.

Board of Directors

• The members of the CCEC board of directors serve as liaisons between fellow members and the coop executive staff, providing guidance and oversight on co-op operations. There are nine directors on the board, one representing each of the eight districts in our service territory, with district nine being an at-large position. CCEC members can run for the co-op board, and elections are held at our annual meeting.

Cooperative Structure

• CCEC is an electric cooperative built by the communities we serve to deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy. We are owned by our members rather than out-of-town shareholders, which means we are always looking for ways to make a difference in the communities we serve beyond delivering electricity. As a cooperative, we operate as a not-for-profit.

Cooperative Business Model

• As a cooperative, we are owned by the members we serve; our board members live right here in our local area and are elected by co-op members. Because we are owned by our members, any excess revenue is shared back with our members over time. We follow the same seven cooperative principles that all cooperative businesses follow, which means we are always looking to develop new technologies and build infrastructure that benefits us all.

GIVING BACK

My Co-op Cares

• One of CCEC’s core values is Commitment to Community. We would love to collaborate with your community or nonprofit projects by sending cooperative employees to work on a community project. Visit CassCountyElectric.com/my-co-op-cares for more information.

Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC) Grant

• As an RDFC member, CCEC has access to three, $1,000 grants available to eligible organizations within our service territory. Eligible projects are community-based projects that will benefit rural areas within our service territory.

Donation Program

• Cass County Electric Cooperative is committed to our members, our employees, and our communities, and we strive to play an active and meaningful role in said communities. We do this through donations to local organizations in our service territory. To request a donation, visit CassCountyElectric.com/community-outreach.

Operation Round Up

• Operation Round Up is a simple, low-cost way CCEC members can give back to the community. Members’ electric bills are rounded up to the nearest dollar, and a volunteer board meets quarterly to distribute the funds. These funds are never used for political purposes or utility bills and are used primarily within our service territory for charitable, educational, environmental, and emergency assistance purposes. Members can opt out at any time.

ENERGY SAVING PROGRAMS

Electric Vehicle Charging Program

• Electric vehicles (EV) represent a growing segment of both the transportation and energy industries. Publicly available EV chargers have been installed around the F-M metro area. Also, Cass County Electric Cooperative now offers members a special rate and a one-time rebate for in-home EV charging. You’ll charge your electric vehicle at home almost every day. Why not pay less every time you plug in? Contact our energy management team to learn more.

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Electric Heating Program

• When electric demand and market electricity prices are high, an off-peak device in the home automatically switches from an electric heat source to a backup source, such as propane or fuel oil. In exchange, participating members receive discounted off-peak electric rates. Our off-peak program is designed to reduce electric demand during peak times, saving you and the cooperative money.

Electric Water Heating Program

• Next to heating and cooling your home, water heating is the largest user of energy. If you are looking for ways to save money, we may be able to help through our off-peak program. We offer a reduced rate in exchange for the ability to interrupt water heaters.

Rebate Incentives

• Numerous rebates are available from CCEC for various heating, water heating, and electric vehicle equipment. Visit CassCountyElectric.com/energy-management to learn more.

Time-of-Day Rate (pilot)

• During “peak” hours when lots of people are using electricity, the cost for CCEC to provide power is higher. CCEC is currently working with a group of members on testing a Time-of-Day rate pilot project. Participating members receive on-peak and off-peak pricing for energy consumed during different hours of the day.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Scholarships

• CCEC contributes $1,000 scholarships to a student at each high school within our service territory each year. Awarding these scholarships is decided by each school’s scholarship fund or the Dollars for Scholars chapter. CCEC is not involved with awarding scholarships.

University and Trade School Support

• In addition to scholarships for high school students, CCEC provides one $2,000 scholarship through Bismarck State College for students enrolled in the electrical lineworker program

Youth Tour

• CCEC sends two high school students on an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to learn about the history of cooperatives, visit with the congressional delegation, and become more knowledgeable about the cooperative business model. Students are selected through an essay contest.

Careers in Energy

• Rural electric cooperatives have career opportunities for everyone. We offer firsthand experience on what co-op job might spark your interest. Email our HR team at humanresources@kwh.com.

Safety Demonstrations & School Presentations

• Cass County Electric is dedicated to improving the lives of our membership—even the ones that aren’t members right now. We would love to visit with your school or group about all things energy related! Visit CassCountyElectric.com/youth to fill out a presentation inquiry form.

Kid Zone

• CCEC is dedicated to ensuring our youth are knowledgeable about electricity. Visit our webpage dedicated to children at CassCountyElectric.com/kid-zone for many resources and activities designed to teach kids about electrical safety and conservation.

SAFETY & CONSERVATION EDUCATION

Highline Notes

• Highline Notes is our monthly magazine that features industry news, safety info, energy-saving tips, and more! All members automatically receive this publication around the first of each month.

North Dakota Living

• North Dakota Living magazine features stories from around the state as well as cooperative news. CCEC contributes the center eight pages to the magazine, and members receive it six times per year.

Safety Blog

• Safety and education are two core principles that electric cooperatives are built upon. It is crucial for us to keep our members safe and educated on industry topics that can impact the homes and businesses of our members. Visit our safety blog at CassCountyElectric.com/safetyblog to learn more.

Conservation Blog

• As a cooperative, we are owned by the members we serve. Because of this, we promote saving energy to help our members save money! Visit our conservation blog at CassCountyElectric.com/ conservation-blog for countless articles with energy-saving tips.

Social Media

• We value our connection to the members we serve. Follow us on social media to be in the know about the latest energy-saving tips, community outreach efforts, power outages, cooperative news, promotions, and more! Follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter)!

Monthly Conservation Email

• Since we strive to help our members save money on their energy bills, members that are enrolled in an online account receive a once-monthly email with energy tips and quick links.

- Statement of Ownership, Highline Notes -

Operation Round Up

Cass County Electric Cooperative Foundation

Members are helping members. For less than $1 per month, you can make a difference in your community. Participation is simple: Your monthly electric bill is rounded up to the nearest dollar, an estimated average of $6 per year. You can see a summary of contributions on your January electric bill. A volunteer board meets quarterly to distribute the funds used primarily within Cass County Electric Cooperative’s service area for charitable, educational, environmental, and emergency assistance purposes. The funds are never used for political purposes or utility bills.

2023

Featured recipient: South Sudanese Foundation

The Fargo-Moorhead area is home to New Americans who arrived in this community through direct refugee resettlement and secondary immigration. Almost all New Americans living in Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead,

Minnesota, struggle to find work, secure housing, access services/transportation, understand and overcome cultural differences, learn and understand English, and raise children in a culturally unfamiliar context and ensure

their educational success. In response to these complex and intersectional needs, the South Sudanese Foundation (SSF) was founded in 2015 by community members who are South Sudanese refugees themselves.

If you are a Cass County Electric Cooperative member and are interested in becoming a CCEC director, contact Sarah Rhea at 701-356-4405 for a 2024 Director Election packet.

Open districts: District 2, District 3, and District 7

The current directors in these districts, respectively, are Douglas Anderson (Arthur), Sid Berg (Colfax), and Wendy Loucks (Fargo).

Directors are elected by ballot for a three-year term and must be a bona fide resident of the director district in which they are seeking directorship. Visit CassCountyElectric.com/board-directors to view the map and learn more.

CCEC DIRECTOR ELECTIONS

Check out our Pinterest page for more member recipes!

recipes

Fall dinner

Beer cheese soup

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons salted butter

1 onion, finely chopped

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 3/4 cups vegetable stock

1 cup milk

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

15 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

6 ounces pale ale beer

Crumbled feta, optional Crusty bread, optional

Preparation:

Melt butter in a saucepan and cook onions until translucent. Stir in flour, stock, milk, and salt & pepper. Simmer until it reaches your desired thickness. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and beer until fully combined. Serve hot, with crumbled feta and crusty bread.

Crusty bread

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons instant or rapid-rise yeast

2 teaspoons kosher salt (NOT table salt)

1 1/2 cups very warm tap water, ~130°F

1 1/2 Tablespoons flour, for dusting

Preparation: Mix flour, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Add water, then mix until all the flour is incorporated. The dough will be wet and

Simple green beans

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flake, or to taste

1.5 pounds green beans, trimmed

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

2 Tablespoons water

Preparation:

Wash and trim the beans. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add red pepper flake and stir to coat the pepper in the oil. Add green beans and cook, stirring often until the beans are blistering and browning in areas, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and salt and cook, stirring constantly until the garlic is fragrant and browning, about 30 seconds. Add water and cover immediately. Cook covered until the beans are bright green and crisp-tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately.

sloppy – not kneadable, but not runny. Adjust with more water or flour if needed for the right consistency. Cover with cling wrap and leave on the counter for 2 – 3 hours until it doubles in volume and the top is bubbly.

Put the Dutch oven in the oven with the lid on (10” or larger). Preheat to 450°F 30 minutes prior to baking. Sprinkle the work surface with 1 tablespoon of flour and sprinkle the top with 1/2 tablespoon of flour.

Using a spatula, fold the sides inwards (about six folds) to form a roundish shape. Set parchment paper next to the dough, then flip the dough upside down onto the paper. Slide/push it towards the middle, then reshape it into a round(ish) shape. Remove the hot Dutch oven. Use paper to place the dough into the pot and place the lid on. Bake 30 minutes covered, then 12 minutes uncovered or until deep golden and crispy.

Email recipes to ccec@kwh.com or mail to: Cass County Electric; Highline Notes, 4100 32nd Ave. S., Fargo, ND 58104

Plan ahead before starting a controlled burn

It is imperative to exercise caution before conducting a burn on your property or in a ditch, as a “controlled” burn can rapidly escalate into an uncontrolled blaze. Controlled burns are employed for many purposes, such as vegetation and weed management. However, the success of such an undertaking is contingent upon various factors, including weather conditions, wind direction, humidity levels, and ground conditions. A “controlled” burn may swiftly devolve into chaos if these variables are not considered. Once a fire becomes uncontrolled, it can wreak havoc on anything in its path, including utility poles and associated equipment.

Should the area selected for controlled burning be near a utility pole, or if the fire spreads beyond the anticipated range, the financial implications could be significant. Damage to a power pole may not always be immediately apparent, as even minor discoloration can lead to

severe consequences. In certain instances, the pole may appear undamaged on the exterior while burning from within.

Regardless of the scenario, the outcome remains the same: the integrity of the utility pole is compromised. It will necessitate replacement, which will be the responsibility of the individual who initiated the burn. The associated costs are substantial, often amounting to thousands of dollars.

Damage may result in a power outage or other significant service disruptions, such as the possibility of live wires falling close to or on the ground, creating a potentially fatal situation.

To prevent burn-related damage to a power pole, the following measures are recommended:

1. Prior to commencing the burn, it is advisable to plan accordingly.

2. If power poles are present in the designated burning

area, it is essential to clear all vegetation and weeds within a minimum radius of four feet around the base of the pole.

3. Dampening the pole’s base with water is recommended before initiating the burn.

4. It is generally recommended to adhere to the 60:40 rule, which entails burning in conditions where the air temperature is below 60°F, relative humidity is above 40%, and wind speed is 5 to 15 mph at 6 feet above the ground.

If a fire becomes uncontrollable, approaches a power pole, or ignites it, it is imperative to contact 9-1-1 immediately and Cass County Electric Cooperative at 701-356-4400. Refraining from spraying water near the poles, power lines, or any other utility equipment is crucial, as the combination of electricity and water may lead to severe injury or fatality. For further information on electrical safety, visit CassCountyElectric.com/ safety-blog.

Scan for more safety articles from CCEC.

Member market

All ads must be 40 words or fewer and will be abbreviated following our guidelines. No real estate or commercial ads will be accepted. Ads are published for members at no charge as space permits on a first-received, first-printed basis. Ads are due by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Members may submit only one ad per issue. Editor reserves the right to edit or reject any ad. Email ads to: ccec@kwh.com

For Sale

3 Lee Bogle 42x32 framed Native American prints w/ certificates of authenticity, $125/ea. 952-715-2924

Modern office desks, secretarial, $150. Executive w/ full-size credenza & overheads, $250. 701-730-4521

JD round baler #500, $700. IH 815 feed mill, $900. Square bale elevators 40’& 30’ w/ wheels, 1948 A JD, $3,000. Sioux cattle chute & head gate, stored inside, BO. 701-762-4581

14’ trampoline, no safety net, $50. 701729-6091

Baldwin piano, low back, 36” tall, 58” wide, 2 front legs, on wheels, brown wood, includes 18’ x14 x 30 bench, $400/OBO. 701-490-3161

Brand new, in box, patio gazebo, 9’7” x 9’7” & 8’9” tall, comes w/ covers, siding screens, etc. black in color, $125. 701320-5257

Old American-made toys, Red Wing Crocks, golf balls & golf-related items, & more. 701-893-6888

Antique 1800s high chair w/ metal wheels, refinished, $250/OBO. 701293-1143

Scuba diving package. Includes tank, BC, regulator w/ gauges, BC inflator hose, weight belt, dive flag, fins, & mask, $500. 701-320-5257

North Central/Dasma insulated garage door, track & hardware, white, 4-panel, 7’ x 7’, perfect cond., $550. leave message 701-640-4906

7 new furnace filters 16x20x1, $25. Portable air tank, $20. Weed Eater gas blower 200MPH w/ attachments, $20. StaRite submersible well pump 115 V 1/2 HP, $150. Air Flow style tailgate fits Ford pickups, $150. Mailbox w/ post $25. Text for photos 701-371-8111

2023 Sandy Acres raw honey avail.: 8 oz - $6, 16 oz - $12, 32 oz - $22. Homemade Nanking cherry or wild plum jellies 12 oz, $8. Apple butter 16 oz, $10. Plum butter 8 oz, $5. Colfax, call or text 662-251-5954

2003 Harley Davidson Fatboy (100th anniversary ): 13,000 mi., fuel injected, detachable windshield, screaming eagle pipes, lockable saddlebags, chrome swingarm, $9,500. 701-3612551

LEM 30lb. stepper w/ electric foot control, $300. Walton 20 lb. sausage stuffer, $100. 701-793-3636

Coca-Cola, John Deere, & Campbell soup novelty collectibles, exc.cond. Terry Redlin pictures, plates, & novelty items. 701-541-6325

Black trunk liner for Honda Accord, $20. 701-429-7331

8’ x 12’, $2,900 & 8’ x 8’, $2,450 storage sheds, 16” on center, gable roof, pine paneling siding. Double doors 56x71”. 701-840-5438

8 antique iron hay rake wheels, 4.5’ diameter spokes, 2 antique JD rear wheel weights, YAKIMA OnRamp bike rack, 2” receiver, 160 lb. capacity. 217549-7846

Snap-on cooling system pressure test kit, $160. HVLP prof. paint spray gun. Weed burner torch kit. Sewer drain pipe snake. Sears hedge trimmer. Agri-fab 15 gal. sprayer tank. Contico utility truck storage box. 4’ wood step ladder. 701-367-0115

Wanted

Motorcycles & ATVs. All makes, models & years. Any cond. 701-361-7289

Metal half or full cap for a Willys CJ2A Jeep & front mount PTO winch. 701437-3259

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