June 18, 2024

‘75

years is

a

big deal’ Lang’s Dairy Equipment celebratory open house June 20

By Zach Jensen

On Thursday, June 20, Lang’s Dairy Equipment of Decorah will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a special open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided, door prizes will be given away, and the Moo Mobile will also be on site. The public is invited to attend.

“These days, 75 years is a big deal,” said Lang’s co-owner and General Manager Rob Engelhardt, “especially for anyone in the dairy business.” Engelhardt has been with the company for 34 years. When he started with Lang’s in 1990, the company was still putting pipelines in dairies.

“We had a handful of dairies back then that were still milking with buckets,” he recalled. “After buckets and pipelines, we went to milking parlors in the mid 1990s. And now, we’re into rotary parlors and robotic milking.”

Looking back

Lang’s Dairy Equipment, Inc. originally began as Lang’s Refrigeration in 1949 and was founded by Forrest and Iva Nell Lang. Three years later, the business began selling and repairing dairy farm can coolers made by Dairy Equipment Co. of Madison, Wis.

In 1959, the Lang’s sold the refrigeration business and renamed the company “Lang’s Dairy Equipment”. In 1961, the company began selling Bou-Matic Milking Equipment, a division of the Dairy Equipment Co., and in 1962, Lang’s moved from the house and garage where it started to a new building at 222 College Drive in Decorah, the current Pizza Ranch location.

Bruce Hanson and Kelly Lang bought the business from Forrest and Iva Nell Lang in 1976, and in 1982, the company moved to Montgomery Plaza, the building currently housing Depot Outlet and Gundersen Rehab Services.

Hanson became the sole owner of the company in 2012, after Kelly Lang’s passing, and in 2013, the company moved yet again to its current location at 2337 Millennium Road in Decorah.

After Bruce Hanson retired in 2016, ownership of the company was handed down to his son, Aaron, and in 2019, Lang’s Dairy Equipment bought out Martinson’s Dairy Equipment in Winona, Minn. In 2022, the company’s Winona branch was relocated to a remodeled building in Lewiston, Minn.

Also in 2022, longtime employee Rob Engelhardt became co-owner of the company.

A family business

“I grew up on a dairy farm,” Engelhardt said. “So, dairy has always been a huge part of my life. It might sound like a cliché, but we’re feeding the world, and to be part of that is pretty rewarding.” Engelhardt added that being in the dairy equipment business, Lang’s customers often become almost like family.

“In this business, you really get to know the farmers, and they get to be your good friends,” he said. “Our customers are milking 24 hours per day and seven days per week, and we’re available 24 hours per day, seven days a week, to help them.”

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By Jessica Woodward

In all of the pizzas that I’ve consumed, the ones that stood out the most always had one ingredient: Good quality olive oil or some sort of finishing oil swirled over top. If I could only grow and consume one herb for the rest of my life, it would be basil. And, I know that some of you reading this would absolutely agree with me! It is sweet and so aromatic and pairs oh so well with some local

‘A hobby for the soul’

Hidden Springs Peony Farm’s new owner shares family’s flight from suburbia to farm life

By Zach Jensen

Laura and Bryan Kubes (pronounced “Koobesh”) weren’t raised on farms. In fact, aside from Bryan’s grandparents’ farm, his career with a seed company and Laura’s gardening, the couple’s real-world exposure to farm life was minimal before 2022.

However, over the years while living in Plymouth, Minn., just outside Minneapolis, the urge to flee their hectic suburban lifestyle wore on them to the point they felt they absolutely must get back to basics, buy a farm and even raise at least some of their own food.

“For a long time, we needed a little more country and a little less city in our lives,” said Laura, who owns the Hidden Springs Peony Farm with husband Bryan, located at 18581 Hous-

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ton County Rd. 4, near Spring Grove, Minn. “There’s definitely a trend of people in cities thinking about how great it would be to just buy a farm and raise chickens, and I’m proud of us for taking that leap, because it’s not easy.”

In 2022, the Kubeses sold their Plymouth home and temporarily moved in with Laura’s mother while they hunted for their dream home, but they suspected they’d end up buying a peony farm.

“We had a checklist of things we wanted in a home,” Laura said. “We wanted to farm something of a specialty crop. So, we wanted a property with at least 30 acres, some woods, some tillable land and a clean water source in the driftless region.

“This place came up for sale and at first, we didn’t consider it an option,”

she continued. “But, over the course of a few hours, we came back to the listing and saw how amazing it was. So, we decided to come look at it.” The first day Bryan and Laura visited the peony farm wasn’t ideal. It was a rainy August day, and all the peonies had been mowed down. But the property’s natural beauty quickly and easily seduced the couple.

“We took a hike to the top of the property with the former owners, Harvey and Brigitte Buchite, and the views were amazing. When you’re lost in the woods and exploring, you’re in a whole other world, and then to boot, you have a whole field of peonies to

Peonies continued on page 3

Kasemeier withdraws

‘guilty’ plea

By Denise Lana

Disappointment was palpable in an Allamakee Courtroom Monday, June 10, as accused murderer Brandon Kasemeier, who was scheduled to plead guilty to the January 2024 murder of his estranged wife, Jami, changed his mind and withdrew his “guilty” plea. The two-pronged hearing began with the court addressing a motion made by the defense regarding a request for transportation to a dental facility outside the purview of the

prison medical system. According to County Attorney Anthony Gericke, an appointment had been made by Kasemeier to continue dental treatment that had been started in late 2023. Public defender Aaron Hawbaker stated that Kasemeier’s teeth and dental situation is dire and requires the attention of an oral surgeon. “As a ward of the state, the state has the responsibility to take care of him, given the

Kasemeier plea continued on page 8

(Jessica Woodward photo)

The Kubes family pictured in their peony field (l-r): Bianca, Bryan, Mira (being held), Gwen and Laura. In January 2023, the family bought the Hidden Springs Peony Farm in rural Spring Grove, Minn. (submitted)

Lazy River Beer & Wine Fest returns June 22

Enjoy live music, food and beer and wine tasting at Marquette’s annual Lazy River Beer & Wine Fest. (submitted)

the Ports of Discovery communities of McGregor and Marquette. Tickets are available at www.

mcgreg-marq.org under the “events” tab. Tickets will also be available the day of the event.

Attendees are reminded to bring proof of ID for verification upon entry.

Wold Strawberries in rural Mabel, Minn., located just off Locust Road north of Decorah, has been drawing strawberry-lovers since 1973. The weeks of midJune are prime for strawberry picking. To check picking hours visit the farm’s Facebook page. TOP- Wold’s workers Troy Reinhardt and Joelle Halverson are from Spring Grove, Minn. The duo helps direct pickers through the long rows to find the most ripe, succulent berries. RIGHT- Showing off their strawberry loot after a morning picking session at Wold Strawberries are Avery and Quinn Williams, daughters of Reid and Stacy Williams of Decorah. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Roz Weis)

Need

Flooding delays closures on Lansing bridge

Mississippi River flooding has delayed construction at the bridge in Lansing, and scheduled intermittent closures of the Black Hawk Bridge are postponed.

Closures were planned this week to allow crews to drive new bridge pilings into the ground next to the existing bridge.

Local officials said they are hoping workers will resume Monday, June 24, but they will need to see what the river does between now and then. For information and updates, follow the “Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing” Facebook page.

Peonies

look forward to in the spring. We instantly fell in love with the farm. I’m a firm believer that the universe will give you what you need at the right time that you need it, as long as you are open to saying ‘Yes’ to that. That’s truly how I believe this farm became ours.”

The Kubeses bought the Hidden Springs Peony Farm in January 2023, but it wasn’t easy. Laura said they had to jump through many hoops to get the funding they needed to make the move.

“It turns out, in the ag financing world, everyone knows a lot about corn and soybeans, but no one knows anything about peonies,” Laura said. “So, it’s hard to find someone to lend you money to buy a field full of peonies.

Supervisors

110 W. Main Street, Ossian

Meeting Sundays at 10:00 AM

“We ended up with a company out of Rochester, who was amazing to work with,” she continued. “They helped us focus on ‘How is this going to work?’ and ‘How are we going to afford it?’ They were instrumental in helping us figure it all out, and the former owners were amazingly helpful as well — just in passing down knowledge; not just in peonies but also how the business works.”

In 2023, during Laura and Bryan’s first growing season, the two were bombarded with new information. Laura said that during that entire first season, they didn’t bring one bouquet of peonies into their new home, because they were so swamped with work and information every day.

“Mentally, we were so overwhelmed by getting through the first season,” she said. “There’s a steep learning curve, and there’s a lot of work to do. This season has been much less stressful because we’ve been through a whole year of it,

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continued from front

and we understand the ebb and flow of the farm and the business. And we’ve also been a lot busier, which has been great.”

In addition to their work on the peony farm, Bryan still works for Syngenta Golden Harvest and Laura is a former meteorologist who hosts a gardening segment for KARE Channel 11 in Minneapolis.

“My favorite part of the business is sharing this cool place,” Laura said. “Peonies hold such memories for people, and I love hearing those stories. They become a family heirloom, and that’s definitely my favorite part of this business.

“Also, seeing how happy people are when they’re walking through the field,” she continued. “That’s beautiful to us, because when we look out there, we see a lot of work to be done. But visitors see it as a field full of peonies, which is what it should be seen as.”

The couple and their three daughters have quickly adapted to the farming lifestyle. So far, they have 11 laying hens, two roosters, one cat, one dog, and they’ll soon be investing in some goats to help with forestry management around the property.

Laura said the peony farm is a destination for bus tours and garden tours, and the public is always welcome to come out to the farm just to check it out and walk among the peonies free of charge and without feeling obligated to buy anything.

“Peonies, and flowers in general, are just mood-lifters,” she explained with a smile.

“They’re absolutely a key to good mental health, in my opinion. Gardening is also such a healthy hobby; getting your hands dirty and growing something is so rewarding. I feel the same way about fruits and vegetables. When you get to eat something that you grew, it’s so gratifying. It’s such a good hobby for the soul.”

The Hidden Springs Peony Farm also sells other flowers, fruit trees and bushes. For more information, visit www.hiddenspringspeonyfarm.com or call 763-218-4540.

The Hidden Springs Peony Farm northwest of Spring Grove is home to more than 600 varieties of peonies and sells other flowers, shrubs and fruit trees. Laura Kubes, the farm’s owner, said the public is invited to come out and walk through the peony field at no charge and under no expectation to buy anything. (submitted)

ST. LUCAS FUN DAY 5K RUN/WALK

DINING GUIDE

UIC), 12-2 and 22-1. Tuesday, Kee defeated Marquette Catholic (4-14) on the road, 9-5. The Hawks had Wednesday’s home conference doubleheader rained out against Clayton Ridge. Friday and Saturday, the Hawks competed in the West Delaware Hawk Invite and went 1-3, losing 10-0 to Assumption (11-6), Independence (6-1) and winning 14-11 over Cedar Rapids Washington (1-19).

Waukon

winning 12-0 in three innings in both games. Thursday, the Warriors took on Osage (14-7), giving up a run in the bottom of the seventh to lose, 4-3.

Turkey Valley

The Turkey Valley baseball team (4-11, 4-7 UIC) opened last week on the road Monday at Kee in a doubleheader, falling 6-0 and 5-0. Back on the road Tuesday night, the Trojans headed to Clayton Ridge-Central, dropping the UIC contest 7-3. TV picked up a big win at home Thursday 6-1 over what had been the conference leader MFL MarMac (16-5, 9-2 UIC).

ROSSVILLE

South Winn The Warrior baseball team (10-7, 7-1 UIC) played eight games in five days last week. South Winn began by taking down Postville (0-12, 0-10 UIC) at home Monday 13-2 and 20-3. Tuesday was a pitcher’s duel between SW and MFL MarMac with the Bulldogs claiming the UIC win, 1-0. Then the Warriors headed to Riverfront Stadium in Waterloo on Wednesday evening to take on Iowa City Regina in a non-conference matchup, falling 8-3. South Winn picked up its 10th win of the season Thursday as host to Crestwood (214, 2-10 NEIC), winning 15-3 in five innings. The busy week continued at Class 2A No. 3 Beckman (13-4) Friday as SW suffered a close 3-2 loss. Saturday, the Warriors dropped a pair of non-conference games as host to Decorah (12-10, 8-4 NEIC), 3-0 and Ottumwa (145), 6-5.

The South Winn softball team remains undefeated in conference action after winning a pair of UIC doubleheaders last week. The Warriors swept West Central (3-8, 3-3 UIC) at home 18-14 and 10-4. It took a total of six innings for SW to defeat Postville (0-6, 0-6 UIC) Wednesday night in Calmar,

The Trojan softball team (413, 4-2 UIC) struggled to get the offensive mojo going as the Trojans lost a UIC doubleheader to North Fayette Valley (5-9, 3-1 UIC) on the road, 10-1 and 12-2. Thursday, a day later than scheduled, TV hosted MFL MarMac (2-14, 0-4 UIC) and

Playing at home Monday, June 10, the Waukon baseball team (5-12, 3-9 NEIC) split a conference doubleheader with Crestwood (2-14, 2-10 NEIC) with an 11-5 victory and a 4-1 loss. It was more conference action at Waverly-Shell Rock (155, 10-2 NEIC) Friday with the Go-Hawks taking the two wins, 6-2 and 11-1. The Indians ended the week at Riceville (10-10) Saturday and came home with a 4-3 win.

The Waukon softball team (69, 1-5 NEIC) was handed four losses last week that began with Waverly-Shell Rock (10-5, 6-0 NEIC) at home Tuesday. The Go-Hawks defeated the Indians 14-1 and 8-2. Over the two-day tournament at West Delaware Friday and Saturday, the Indians went 1-3, defeating Cedar Rapids Washington (1-18), 13-1. Handing Waukon losses were: Wahlert Catholic (11-3), 13-0; Independence (11-13), 11-1; and Monticello (8-11), 6-2.

Decorah

The Viking baseball team

came away with a clean sweep, 12-9 and 11-8. Saturday, Turkey Valley competed in the annual New Hampton tournament, falling 12-1 to New Hampton (7-5), 10-4 to Denver (7-11) and 17-13 to Nashua-Plainfield (3-15).

Kee Monday opened the busy week Kee baseball team (175, 9-1 UIC) with a home varsity sweep, 6-0 and 5-0, over Turkey Valley (4-11, 4-7 UIC). Thursday it was two big innings led to the 13-1 for the Hawks over Postville (0-12, 0-10 UIC), Thursday. Saturday, Kee traveled to the campus of Mount Mercy in Cedar Rapids to battle Moravia (14-6) and fell 4-1 and 15-5 in the doubleheader.

119 Winnebago Street, Decorah, IA 52101 | info@neipjc.org | www.neipjc.org

e Board of Directors of the Northeast Iowa Peace and Justice Center supports a negotiated settlement that brings an end to violence against all civilians. is would include release of all hostages and cessation of hostilities between the armed forces of both Hamas and Israel beginning with a lasting cease re. e implementation of this cease re must be the starting point for a process that results in either the establishment of two sovereign nations, Israel and Palestine –each responsible for its own security or one nation with equal rights for all citizens under law. e United States must stop providing arms and funds for weaponry to Israel.

Israel must allow all international humanitarian aid to enter Gaza unimpeded. A negotiated cease re and peace agreement should be guaranteed by the United Nations Security Council by the use of international peacekeeping forces. Issues surrounding the illegal appropriation of Arab Lands on the West Bank or in Gaza by the Israeli government or settlers must be resolved in accordance with the principles of international law and previous Security Council resolutions that addressed the sovereignty of Arab lands in the occupied West Bank. is is a call for compassion on all sides.

The Kee softball team (810, 4-0 UIC) led off the week on Monday with some big wins over Postville (0-12, 0-10

(12-10, 8-4 NEIC) went 5-2 last week. Decorah opened the busy week at Charles City (2-13, 2-10 NEIC) with a conference sweep over the Comets, 4-3 and 12-1. The Viking offense was quieted by Cedar Falls (11-10) Tuesday who won 13-1. Back in NEIC action at home Friday, Decorah swept Crestwood (214, 2-10 NEIC), 4-3 and 6-3. Saturday, the Vikes headed to Calmar to battle Ottumwa (155) and South Winn (10-7). Decorah fell to Ottumwa 16-1 in four innings before rebounding to win 6-5 over the Warriors. In one of its slowest weeks of the season, the Decorah softball team (5-8, 2-4) went 1-2. The Vikes dropped a NEIC doubleheader at home Tuesday to Charles City, 13-0 and 9-0. On the road Friday, Decorah picked up a 3-0 win over Crestwood (9-6, 2-3 NEIC).

Decorah’s Kaden Alstad dives back to first base and gets back just in time to avoid getting picked off as South Winn’s Parker Timp waits for the ball to hit his glove Saturday. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Becky Walz)

Viking Jasera Tweten gets caught off third as the Crestwood player makes the tag after catching the line drive to make a double play Friday. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Becky Walz)

Russell Nieman gets the out for the Trojans as he tags the Bulldog runner at second in Turkey Valley’s 6-1 over MFL MarMac Thursday. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Becky Walz)

Schmitts honored as Iowa Master Farmers

A Fort Atkinson family is among seven farmers who were honored as 2024 Iowa Master Farmers in Ankeny on March 21. Each year, Wallaces Farmer magazine and the Iowa Master Farmer Association (IMFA) select deserving candidates who reflect exceptional agricultural production skills, commitment to family, and service to community. Mark and Diane Schmitt of Fort Atkinson were among those honored.

Profiles of each winner appeared in the March 2024 issue of Wallaces Farmer magazine and online at WallacesFarmer. com the week of March 11.

want a job done, give it to a busy person and they’ll do it,” said Gullickson. “These Master Farmers have put this saying into practice on their farms and in their communities.”

To nominate a farmer for the 2025 Iowa Master Farmer award, go to https://bit. ly/43z1WEW

About the Schmitts

Fort Atkinson farmers Diane and Mark Schmitt were honored as Iowa Master Farmers at a ceremony in March. (submitted) planning and forward-thinking ways to leverage themselves financially,” said Jennifer Bentley, Iowa State University (ISU) Extension dairy specialist.

“The Master Farmer award is Iowa agriculture’s lifetime achievement award,” said Gil Gullickson, Wallaces Farmer editor. “These farmers are the Brock Purdys and Caitlin Clarks of Iowa agriculture. They’ve received this award, because they raise good crops and livestock — and even better families while building their communities and agricultural organizations along the way.”

“There’s a saying that if you

Back in 1968, Mark and Diane Schmitt’s dairy numbered just 27 cows. “From there, we just grew,” said Mark Schmitt, who farms with his wife Diane and two sons, Glen and Greg. “It just happened. At one time, we were the biggest dairy in the state.”

These days, Schmitt Dairy bustles with activity. There are 600 cows to be milked three times daily. There are newborn calves in a newly constructed calf barn for which to care.

Then there are the 500 steers and 400 heifers that also need care and feeding.

“Mark and Diane work closely with their family in a progressive way — from the daily management of the farm, succession

“There have been many ups and downs in the industry, and Mark and Diane have persevered with strong qualities of faith, family and community.”

The Schmitts have also immersed themselves in youth programs, such as 4-H and FFA. They also support dairy industry associations and have offered the farm as a model to others who want to grow their farms. They’ve conducted tours over the years to parties ranging from schoolchildren to adults.

Iowa drought ends after four years

After four years of below-normal rainfall and drought conditions, the State of Iowa has returned to normal hydrologic conditions, according to the latest Water Summary Update. The last time Iowa was free from any drought designation by the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) was June 2020. May’s preliminary statewide precipitation was 7.51 inches

across the state, or 2.67 inches above normal. The increased rainfall has led to improved streamflow and soil moisture conditions across the state, with the spring months of March, April and May ranking among the top ten wettest on record. May had an average statewide temperature of 50.7 degrees, just over two degrees above normal. “The above normal rainfall

Pasture Walk to focus on fence and water improvements

Farmer Rob Jewell will share his experiences at a pasture walk Tuesday, June 25, at 6 p.m., at 2278 Madison Road in rural Decorah. Jewell has developed a man-

aged grazing system including over 10,000 feet of buried water lines with quick-couple attachments, water tanks on skids, subdivision fences with high tensile wire and some silvopastures. He has moved cows on almost a daily basis for over three years now. Jewell and his dad farm together and have also seeded some cover crops on grain fields for additional fall or early spring grazing.

“Keep trying new things, start small and take risks,” he said. “Confusion is the first stage of learning so accept that it won’t be easy and learn from your mistakes. If your plan fails, mix it up and try doing it another way. It’s all those failures that will turn your hard work into a success and make it that much more rewarding.”

Additionally, NE Area Grassland Specialist Jacob Hawes will speak on cost share opportunities to improve pastures and soil health, and ISUEO Beef Specialist Denise Schwab will discuss grazing efficiency. Some of the grazing practices to be highlighted include buried water lines to each paddock, pasture subdivision layout, division fencing, and the equipment he uses to make moving cows easier.

When approaching the pasture, participants are asked to enter the drive and watch for signs directing them to park on a hay field. The Winneshiek County Cattlemen will be grilling supper at their seed shop at 2139 Pole Line Rd, Decorah.

Those interested can register by contacting the Winneshiek County Extension office at alliemc@iastate.edu or 563-3822949.

in May was significant, and it helped to push drought conditions out of the state. Six of the last eight months have been wetter than normal, and that is exactly the trend we have been waiting to see,” said DNR Hydrology Resources Coordinator Tim Hall. “If we continue to see normal rainfall in the months ahead, we will be in great shape this year, with soil moisture and

Fifty-six years of dairying has generated myriad memories for the Schmitts.

“Our mission statement is that the dairy is to produce quality products for the consumer,” says Mark. “It’s to provide the best care possible to the cattle that produce these quality products, and to build a business that succeeds many years into the future. It’s also to promote personal and financial satisfaction for all employees and to maintain financial success. I think that we have accomplished a lot of this. It’s been a good ride.”

St. Luke’s Catholic Church in nearby St. Lucas also plays a big part in their lives. Diane served as a parish board chairperson.

streamflow returning to normal levels.”

June through August normally sees an increase in water demand, so having a recharged hydrologic system is important as the summer season begins. For a thorough review of Iowa’s water resource trends, visit www.iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate.

Lang’s

The general manager said that out of the 200 customers Lang’s has, none of them are considered big commercial dairies.

“There are a lot of them out there but not in our neck of the woods,” he said. “Our biggest producers are still run by the family. I deal with family members.”

Engelhardt said Lang’s, which employs 16 full-time and two part-time staffers, sells and ser-

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vices every piece of equipment needed in a dairy operation.

“From housing to milking, feeding the calves and any other needed supplies, we have it for them,” he said, explaining how the company has thrived so long. “We’ve always been known for our service. If you call us Christmas morning, we’re going to be there. We’re dependable, and that’s what we’re known for.”

Pictured are Lang’s Dairy Equipment co-owners Rob Engelhardt, left, and Aaron Hanson. The company is celebrating its 75th

with a public open house on June 20. (submitted)

Avian Flu reported in three Iowa dairy herds

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has infected three herds of Iowa dairy cattle as of June 13, and officials are beginning to discuss options as the potentially-deadly virus spreads across the northwestern portion of the state. According to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), all three “highly pathogenic avian influenza” infections have been discovered by testing since June 6. The first detection was an O’Brien County herd with 4,500 head of dairy cattle, and the two more recent detections were Sioux County herds with 1,700 and 250 head. Information found online said IDALS recently began to require surveillance testing at dairy farms that are within 20 kilometers of an infected poultry site.

Don McDowell, an IDALS spokesperson, said that all the Iowa infections were confirmed after farmers notified the state of their infected livestock.

The virus has circulated mostly among wild birds for the last two years, and it has killed more than 2 million birds since 2022. However, in March, HPAI was discovered in Texas dairy herds, and in the last two-and-a-half months, through domestic poultry flocks, it has spread from Texas to 11 other

states, including South Dakota and Minnesota. Before the recent infections in Iowa dairies, avian flu was found in two poultry flocks: a Sioux County flock with 4.2 million egg-laying chickens and a Cherokee County flock with 103,000 turkeys. IDALS has confirmed that the virus transmits from cows to poultry and to people, and the Department is strongly encouraging Iowa poultry producers and dairy farmers to bolster their biosecurity practices and protocols to protect their flocks and herds. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has biosecurity recommendations for dairy herds to utilize. In addition, the Department has numerous other biosecurity resources for poultry producers and livestock farms to reference on its website. Farmers or farm workers who interact regularly with both dairy and poultry or who interact frequently with other farm workers in poultry or dairy should take extra precautions to limit possible transmissions.

Suspected cases in dairy If dairy producers suspect cases of HPAI, they should contact their herd veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at 515-281-5305.

Lanesboro Barn Dance season kicks off June 21

The first Lanesboro Barn Dance of the season will be held Friday, June 21, at 7:30 p.m., at the DreamAcres Farm at 17289 County Road 8 in Wykoff, Minn.

The dance will feature traditional square dances, big circles and couples dances. Square and circle dances will be taught and called by Julie Young. Old time string band music will be furnished by fiddler Smack

Young-Walser, with local favorite Bob Bovee joining on guitar and harmonica. Although it’s good to know right from left before attending, no other knowledge or experience is required. All organized dances are taught, and there’s no need to bring a partner.

For more information, visit www.boveeheil.com or call 507498-5452.

SE Minnesota public meetings to discuss nitrates in water

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) invites private well owners in southeastern Minnesota to attend a public meeting in their area to learn about what is being done to address health concerns about nitrate in drinking water.

Porous geology makes wells in southeastern Minnesota especially susceptible to nitrate contamination from fertilizer, manure, wastewater and faulty septic systems. Consuming too much nitrate can cause babies to develop methomoglobinemia (also known as blue baby syndrome), which can be fatal.

MDH has scheduled in-person meetings and one virtual meeting. Each in-person meeting will include a presentation from MDH along with an open house during which attendees can ask MDH and partner staff specific questions.

An in-person meeting will take place in Rushford, Minn., Wednesday, June 26. Open house from 4 to 8 p.m., presentation at 6:30 p.m., at Rush-

ford-Peterson School, 1000 Pine Meadows Lane, Rushford. Free nitrate screening will be available starting at 4 p.m. Attendees may bring a sample of their private well drinking water from their kitchen tap in a clean glass jar to have it screened for nitrates. This service is provided by Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District.

A virtual meeting will take place on Thursday, June 20, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Join the MDH EPA Response Public Meeting in Teams.

On Nov. 3, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requested that MDH, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture develop a coordinated and comprehensive work plan to reduce nitrate contamination of drinking water aquifers in Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha and Winona counties.

For more information, e-mail health.privatewells@state. mn.us.

… And join in the salute to the dairy families of America for their continuing service and dedication to providing quality dairy products all year long.

Pictured are the 2024 Winneshiek County Dairy Royalty, front row (l-r): Little Mr. Herdsmen Henry Balk, Kolton Gallagher and Jared Schmitt and Little Miss Squirt Marian Elsbernd. Back row (l-r): Dairy Princess Alternate Hanna Vagts and Dairy Princess Kelsey Timp. would like to thank all of the donors who gave so generously to the fundraiser. With your support, we are able to go into our communities to promote and educate the people about the dairy industry and the agriculture world.

you need it. This helps eliminate the waste for this delicious basil oil. Or you can use it throughout the week on salads, or chicken or shrimp, or even on some soft scrambled eggs. And don’t even get me started on what it can do for a sandwich fastening with some crusty bread.

Don’t skip this basil oil – you really will regret it. Plus, it really takes about two minutes to assemble from start to finish. You really can’t go wrong with this pizza addition.

Let’s get started. Happy Pizza-ing Folks! Tag me in your homemade pizzas on Instagram so I can draw some inspiration from all of you!

basil oil

Fundraiser to lay foundation for new Waucoma Fire Station

By Mike Van Sickle

With the assistance of the Lynch Family Foundation, the Waucoma Fire Department and First Responders/EMS will officially begin fundraising for the construction of a new fire station Wednesday, June 26.

The Lynch Family Foundation will match up to $25,000 raised during the upcoming fundraiser.

“The Waucoma firefighters and first responders are an important asset to the community and we are extremely pleased for the opportunity to help kick

off their fundraising,” Lynch Family Foundation coordinator Melissa Blockhus said. “All donations will aid in providing further support for our local fire department and first responders.”

The June 26 event will be held from 4-7 p.m. at the current Waucoma fire station. A meal, including hot dogs, brats, chips and cookies, will be provided. In addition to fire trucks, a Fayette County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle, Westgate ambulance, a farm tractor and semi

children

The

grain rescue equipment will also be

Cadet-EMS

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receive any grade below C- were not allowed consideration for honor rolls.

5th Grade- Special Honor Roll:

Ainsley Gesing and Joise Mann. A Honor Roll: Jacob Christophersen, Marlee Klimesh-Oblander, Kaitlyn Mills and Maysa Ondrashek. B: Honor Roll: Franklin Bruess, Blake Elsbernd, Avery Froelke, Zoey Hackman, Mason Huinker, Gabriella Jevne, Brinley Lechtenberg, Addalyn Nesvbitt, Samuel Phillips, Eva Schmitt, Gunnar Wadsworth and Wayde Whalen.

6th Grade- A Honor Roll: Raelyn Massman, Gannon Ohrt, Avery Peters, Bennett Smith and Brady Timp. B Honor Roll: Tate Balik, Joe Bullerman, Penn Fish, Keagan Franzen, Jezebel

Garcia, Kinley Huinker, Brooke Jevne, Sullivan Nelson, Luke Oyloe, Ryder Uhlenhake and Maci Wiltgen.

7th Grade- Special Honor Roll: Payton Cox. A Honor Roll: Kaylie Bruess, Landon Bullerman, Natalie Burington, Hattie Conway, Gabriel Creek, Jackson Huinker, Linlee Huinker, Asher Merrill, Evelynn Moonen, Derek Sabelka and Tayla Teff. B Honor Roll: Louis Andera, Jenna Dahl, Addison Elsbernd, Xavior Froelke, Sid Hesse, Helen Maldonado, Caden Meyer, Kenzie Monroe, Jayelen Numedahl, Evan Oyloe, Johnathan Phillips, Linkon Scholbrock, Kort

Steffens, Hayden Tieskoetter, Kattie Toj, Remington Wadsworth, Parker Willoughby and Augie Wiltgen.

8th Grade- Special Honor Roll: Hugh Conway and Odessa Oyloe. A Honor Roll: Maya Lensing, Brinley Linderbaum, Mackenzi Maxwell and Caden Tieskoetter. B Honor Roll: Camden Bullerman, Vanessa Bullerman, Amira Frana, Alexis Johanningmeier, Rachel Johnson, Luke Kruckman, Bailey Kuennen, Earland Lienau, Jena Peters, Brendon Riehle, Hayden Steffens and Iliana Thomas-Uribe.

Annual fishing clinic attracts 50-plus anglers

Winneshiek County Conservation hosted the annual Stan Shevik Family Fishing Clinic Saturday, June 8, at Lake Meyer Park and Campground. More than 50 people participated in the free clinic to learn more about fishing. The morning started with rotating sessions on topics ranging from live fish identification to casting practice and water safety. Lunch was served for participants of all ages, followed by time for fishing on the lakeshore. All youth went home with door prizes such as fishing poles and tackle boxes. Learn more at www.winneshiekwild.com.