July 2017 Voice of Agriculture

VOICE ®

VOLUME 37 • No. 4

of Agriculture

JULY 2017

Farm Bureau Applauds EPA Move to Ditch WOTUS Rule

PAGE 15A FARMFEST PAGE 16A Breakfasts & Events on the Farm PAGE 5B

MFBF Annual Mee�n� PAGE 18A “It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”

“Farmers and ranchers across the country are cheering EPA’s proposal today to ditch its flawed Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall.

“We know the importance of clean water, and farmers work hard to protect our natural resources every day.”

“Minnesota Farm Bureau was pleased with EPA’s proposal to ditch the 2015 rule defining Waters of the U.S. It was an over regulation that created confusion and uncertainty for regulators and farmers, ranchers and others who depend on their ability to work the land,” said Minnesota Farm Bureau President Kevin Paap. “We look forward to working with EPA Administrator Pruitt to write a new rule that protects water quality without trampling the rights of businesses and the states.”

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JULY 2017 • A SECTION

VOICE OF AGRICULTURE

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uring the 2017 Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) worked throughout the legislative process to share perspectives of Farm Bureau member families as detailed in member-developed and member-adopted Farm Bureau policy. Through daily representation at the state capitol, Farm Bureau members had their interests covered even though they weren’t personally away from their businesses and families. n� Tax Bill Achieving agricultural property tax relief was one of Farm Bureau’s significant areas of focus for the 2017 Minnesota Legislative Session. This was accomplished with the passage of the omnibus tax bill during the 2017 first special session and signed by Governor Mark Dayton on May 30.

Under the provisions of the legislation, agricultural property taxpayers responsible for the agricultural portion of tax payments on school debt bonds will receive a 40 percent property tax credit, starting with the 2018 tax year. Payments from the state’s general fund will cover this portion of the tax owed. For the 2018 tax year, this tax relief will tally about $35.5 million.

Property eligible for the 40 percent agricultural tax credit includes all class 2a, 2b, and 2c properties (other than the property consisting of the house, garage and one acre of an agricultural homestead). Class 2a property is agricultural land consisting of parcels of property that are agricultural land and buildings. Class 2b land is rural vacant lands. Class 2c is property managed as forest lands more than 20 acres and less than 1,920 acres.

The tax bill also included a provision to assist with funding for local watersheds and counties, aimed at helping them to carry out the responsibilities for implementing and enforcing the buffer law. $6 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 and $8 million in FY 2019 and on will assist local watersheds and counties with implementation and enforcement of buffers. To earn this money, counties or watershed districts are required to indicate to the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) that they will assume jurisdiction. The funding is provided by a formula that factors in the number of centerline miles of ditches and public water courses. Without such financial help, there were concerns that local authorities would turn to BWSR to carry out the implementation process from the state level.

Minnesota Farm Bureau 2017 Legislative Session n��Buffer Law Another priority for Farm Bureau’s 2017 legislative agenda involved clarifying problems in the buffer law passed during the 2015 Special Session.

Minnesota Farm Bureau supported the bills in both the Senate and House, testifying before several committees in each body to express support for the clarified language. Under the changes to the buffer law: • Language for alternative practices was strengthened to expand on the opportunities for something other than perennial buffers that meet the comparable protection standard for a specific waterway. While alternative practices are still linked to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Field Office Technical Guide or practices approved by the BWSR, the law provides some local flexibility allowing approval from soil and water conservation districts on practices based on local conditions.

• Language requiring any person planting buffers or water quality protection practices to use only seed mixes verified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) to prevent contamination with Palmer amaranth and other noxious weeds.

• Language allowing landowners who file a parcelspecific riparian protection compliance plan with the soil and water conservation district by November 1, 2017 shall be granted a conditional compliance wavier

until July 1, 2018.

• Additional language from the Environment and Natural Resources Omnibus Bill as related to buffers appropriated $2 million per year to counties and watershed for buffer implementation and enforcement.

Coupled with the appropriations from the Tax Omnibus Bill, counties and watersheds have $8 million in FY2018 and $10 million in FY2019 and beyond.

Additionally, $22 million are appropriated from the Clean Water Fund to soil and water conservation districts for administrative support for buffer implementation. n��Omnibus Agricultural Bill MFBF worked to include important language protecting licensed commercial and non-commercial and certified private applicators from needing to seek verification from the MDA prior to an application if the applicator is following instructions under the federal label. Increased training on economic thresholds and guidance to reduce the impacts of pesticides on pollinators will be added to the training manual for those who obtain a pesticide applicators license or certificate.

The Omnibus Agriculture Bill also includes appropriations to establish a Pollinator Habitat and Research Account through the University of Minnesota. $500,000 over the next biennium which will fund research programs geared at looking at all aspects of beneficial habitat and pollinator decline in Minnesota.

The Fence Law that dates to statehood was also changed so that now only if two adjoining lands are both used in whole or in part to produce or maintain livestock for agricultural or commercial purposes and one or both owners of the land desires the land to be partly or totally fenced, the land owners or occupants shall build and maintain a partition fence between their lands in equal shares. This also pertains if the neighboring land is Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) land.

Other important provisions in the Omnibus Agriculture Bill include expansion of the tractor rollover protection program, increased funding for the industrial hemp program, increased funding to the MDA and to local governments for noxious and invasive weed control, increased funding for damages

LEGISLATIVE TO 5A }

MFBF Receives National Communications Award The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) recently received national recognition from the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). MFBF received the Best Newspaper award for a state Farm Bureau with under 80,000 members for the Voice of Agriculture which is sent out bi-monthly to Farm Bureau members in Minnesota. The award was presented at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Communications Conference held June 6-8 in Pittsburgh.

Comments by the judges included, “This publication is chockfull of useful information at all levels of Farm Bureau— national, state and local. I like that it reads very much like a regular daily newspaper, mixing legislative news updates with more human interest type pieces and use of graphics and photos. If I were a member, I’d feel well served by my state and national associations, because I’m seeing Farm Bureau at work on my behalf as a farmer/rancher.”

MFBF communications/public relations staff Kristin Harner and Megan Ternquist, along with Madsen Ink agency were cited on the award.

MFBF President Paap Visits Cuba

MINNESOTA FARM BUREAU President Kevin Paap traveled with Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith’s bipar�san Minnesota delega�on on a trade mission to Cuba, June 19-23, to help cul�vate �es between Minnesota agriculture and new markets in Cuba. During the visit, members of the delega�on met with o�cials from the Cuban Ministries of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs, toured local farms and visited with staff

from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Minnesota Farm Bureau Federa�on (MFBF) President Kevin Paap was one of three Minnesota farmers on the trip.

Pictured le� to right at the announcement of the trade mission on June 16 are Senator Amy Klobuchar, MFBF President Kevin Paap, Lt. Governor Tina Smith and Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson.

See President’s Voice on page 4 for more on Cuba.

4A • JULY 2017 • VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org

MFBF BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kevin Paap Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan Glessing Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Radatz Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Johnson Board Members District I. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keith Allen District II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BobRoelofs District III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carolyn Olson District IV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nathan Collins District V. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fran Miron District VI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miles Kuschel District VII . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Gunderson State Promotion & Education Committee Chair. . . . . . . . . . . . Debra Durheim State Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee Chair. . . . . . . . . . . Pam Uhlenkamp MFBF STATE STAFF Administrative Chris Radatz, Executive Director . . . 651-768-2104 Kim Oakes, Executive Secretary. . . . 651-768-2111 Foundation Ruth Meirick, Director . . . . . . . . . 651-768-2115 Michele DeGeest, Administrative Assistant. . . . . . . . 651-768-2151 Jared Retzlaff, Intern . . . . . . . . . . 920-573-3598 Public Relations Kristin (Campbell) Harner, Director . 651-768-2118 Megan Ternquist, Assistant . . . . . 651-768-2117 Amanda Carlson, State Fair Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 612-616-5887 Organization Development James Dodds, North Region . . . . 218-556-4667 Michael Knight, Southeast Region 515-313-1538 DelRay Johnson, West Central Region. . . . . . . . . . . 218-639-2092 Riley Maanum, Northwest Region 320-260-6417 Amanda Revier, Southwest Region. . . . . . . . . . . . 320-894-2600 Dennis Sabel, East Central . . . . . . 612-756-1230 Yvonne Simon, South Central. . . . 507-995-1652 Judy Pilcher, Administrative Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 651-768-2114 Finance Dave Johnson, Director of Operations. . . . . . . . . . 651-768-2101 Lori Wiegand, Accounting Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 651-768-2102 Public Policy Amber Hanson, Director . . . . . . . 651-768-2103 Cole Rupprecht, Associate Director . . . . . . . . . . . 651-768-2107 Judy Pilcher, Administrative Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 651-768-2114

Trade with Cuba President’s Voice KEVIN PAAP • MFBF PRESIDENT We are truly blessed in this country. We have the opportunity to produce more than we can use. Exports account for one third of the total U.S. farm income. Did you know the United States exports 70 percent of our cotton, 49 percent of our soybeans, 38 percent of our wheat, 20 percent of our pork, 16 percent of our poultry, 15 percent of our dairy, 14 percent of our corn and 10 percent of our beef?

Did you know Minnesota’s the 4th largest agricultural exporter in the United States, adding $7.3 billion to the state’s economy that supports nearly 60,000 export-related jobs? Trade is critically important to farm income, the farm economy, our rural economy and our state.

We need to remember the United States is only 4 percent of the world’s population. Many in the other 96 percent of the world need to import from somewhere else to survive.

That is why Farm Bureau is continually working to expand market access for U.S. exports through new trade agreements and enforcement of existing trade laws.

For many countries trade is about relationships, about comfort levels. If you want a business opportunity, you need to first build a relationship, travel there, have a social and cultural angle to do business. It is not to make money alone.

Cuba As your Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) President, I was honored to be asked by the Governor’s office to participate in a bipartisan delegation of Minnesota elected officials and business leaders in a Food and Agricultural Mission to Cuba with Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith, Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Commissioner Dave Frederickson.

Cuba is a small market with lots of opportunities. It is a country of 11 million people that imports nearly $2 billion

“The Voice of Agriculture” is mailed periodical postage paid at St. Paul, MN and additional entry offices. “The Voice of Agriculture” is distributed to nearly 30,000 Farm Bureau member families and others across the state of Minnesota.

Editor: Kristin (Campbell) Harner Assistant Editor: Megan Ternquist Design and Layout: Madsen Ink Editorial and circulation offices: The Voice of Agriculture P.O. Box 64370 St. Paul, MN 55164-0370 Phone: 651-768-2118 Fax: 651-768-2159 E-mail: info@fbmn.org www.fbmn.org For display advertising and classified advertising information, call 800-798-2691.

Or write to: The Voice of Agriculture 406 Stevens Street Iowa Falls, IA 50126 Postmaster send change of addresses to: The Voice of Agriculture Box 64370 St. Paul, MN 55164-0370 Voice of Agriculture® is a registered service mark owned by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

In Closing Cuba, 90 miles away, is one of our close neighbors. It only makes sense to work closely with. MFBF is looking at all available avenues to increase trade opportunities. This includes working with Senator Amy Klobuchar and Congressman Tom Emmer on bipartisan legislation to lift the trade embargo. Farm Bureau with other agricultural organizations will continue to build on the relationships we have made in Cuba with the Province of Mayabeque, Institute of Animal Science, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cuba’s agricultural cooperatives and farm organizations and others.

The changes in Cuba are not happening as fast as many would like to see, but if we wait for the conditions to be perfect, the United States will miss the opportunities in this country only 90 miles away. Clearly more Cubans are driving their own history and building a better life for their families, a United States policy of engagement offers more opportunities for supporting the Cuban people as they seek a better future.

Free to Farm from Sea to Shining Sea Beyond the Fencerows ZIPPY DUVALL • AFBF PRESIDENT

The Voice of Agriculture® (ISSN: 1529-1669) Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation 2016© Published January, March, May, July, September, November by the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, 3080 Eagandale Place, PO Box 64370, St. Paul, MN 55164.

in food and agricultural products from around the world.

Cuba, is a market that imports up to 80percent of its food supply that is only 90 miles away is a market that we must not ignore. Currently, Cuba imports most of its corn and soybeans from Argentina and Brazil, rice from Vietnam, wheat from the European Union and Canada, pulses from China and powdered milk from Europe and New Zealand.

Farmers and ranchers learn at an early age the importance of working with your neighbors. All neighbors are important, but it is the close neighbors that can be the most important many times.

You’ll be hard pressed to find folks with more patriotic spirit than America’s farmers and ranchers. We love this country and take great pride in working around the clock to grow the finest products in the world. From sea to shining sea, farmers know firsthand the beauty of our nation’s prairies, forests, valleys and plains, because that’s where our “offices” are. For many of us, our families have been farming and ranching in our communities for decades—and even centuries—long before housing developments began to spring up. A good day in American agriculture brings millions of jobs and nutritious meals to our nation.

Most Americans enjoying their Fourth of July cookout probably won’t give much thought to where the meal came from. They don’t have to worry about whether the meat is safe to eat or whether there’s enough corn-on-the-cob.

Thanks to the hard work of U.S. agriculture, our safe and affordable food supply is the envy of the world. But that wouldn’t be possible without strong and supportive policies and programs and common-sense regulations that give farmers and ranchers the flexibility they need to manage their businesses—and stay in business. As farmers, we know what’s at stake, and we have an added responsibility to protect the freedoms we need to preserve both our livelihood and our nation’s food security.

We’ve faced some tough battles on the road to regulatory reform. Agriculture has come together with one voice to call for common-sense reform, and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made. We must remember though that we haven’t reached our destination just yet. You can be sure that our team in Washington will continue to fight until the reforms we need are law, but lawmakers still need to hear from each

of you on how these regulations affect your livelihood.

Farmers and ranchers often get labeled as “anti-regulation” when we call out what’s not working in our system. In fact, we’re for common-sense regulation. Keeping our water and air clean makes good sense and is a top priority for agriculture. In fact, farmers have cut environmental impacts in half across major crops, while production has increased, thanks to strides in technology and innovation backed by our innate ethic of stewardship.

Finally, if farmers and ranchers are going to have the freedom to do what we do best, we need a robust 2018 farm bill. There’s lots of talk in Washington these days of trimming the fat, but farm programs are about as lean as they come. Farmers and ranchers care about fiscal responsibility, and we know how to stretch a dollar. Farm bill spending is an investment in the security of our nation’s food supply and the 21 million jobs agriculture supports.

Tools like crop insurance can make the difference for a farmer struggling to hold on through a tough season or to secure a loan to get the next crop in. Anyone who still thinks the farm bill is about handouts has never met a farmer. America’s farmers and ranchers are some of the most innovative, hard-working people our country produces.

I can’t help but be overcome with thankfulness to live in a nation that celebrates liberty and opportunity for all. The freedoms we enjoy in our country were not easily won, and it’s the solemn duty of every citizen to protect those privileges for the next generation.

JULY 2017 • VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org • 5A

n�MFBF Staff Outing

MINNESOTA FARM BUREAU Federa�on �MFBF� held their annual staff ou�ng in Red Wing May ����une �. While there� they toured the Red Wing Boot Museum and had the opportunity to learn more about area agriculture. Staff members from IDEAg were also in a�endance.

t LEGISLATIVE FROM 1A to crops and fences from elk, debt limit increase for Farmer-Lender mediation from $5,000 to $15,000, as well as establishes a wolflivestock conflict prevention pilot program through the MDA. n��Health Insurance MFBF worked hard early in session to find a solution for the increasing premium and deductible costs members who purchased health insurance on the individual market. Strong bipartisan support on a health insurance premium relief bill was passed allowing for a 25 percent credit on premiums and signed by the Governor early in session. Although the credit is only a fix for 2018, legislators and administration will continue to work on the issue of not only premium costs, but also health care availability throughout the state during the interim. Another provision included in the health insurance premium relief bill allows agricultural coops to provide health insurance plans to members if they choose. n��Ditch Mowing At the end of 2016, MFBF began hearing concerns from members across the state regarding a permitting process from the Minnesota Department of Transportation regarding mowing and haying in the state highway right of ways. To address the issue, a bill placing a moratorium on the permitting process was successfully signed into law by the Governor in April. Language in the bill calls the Minnesota commissioners of transportation, agriculture and natural resources to work in conjunction with agriculture and environmental groups to consider the ease and frequency of permits or a notification system for mowing or haying in the state highway right of ways while also address priority given to adjacent landowners and looking at wildlife and habitat in the right of ways. A report from the group is to be given to the legislature by March 1, 2018. n��Other Important Bills Funding made available for continuation of the Rural Finance Authority was signed into law in February, appropriating $35 million.

Previous funding ended December 31, 2016.

Student loan forgiveness for agricultural education instructors and large animal veterinarians was appropriated for up to $5,000 per year.

Grant dollars are also available for agricultural education instructors for programming during non-school year months.

Language modifying claims against estates under medical assistance protecting property owners from liens being placed against their property.

MFBF will continue to work with the governor’s administration and legislators as the recently passed legislation are implemented into law, and we face the opportunities and challenges of the future.

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6A • JULY 2017 • VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org

FARM BUREAU NEWS NOTES n MFBF Leadership Conference Save the Date The MFBF Leadership Conference, hosted by the Promotion & Education (P&E) and Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committees, will be January 2627, 2018 at Treasure Island Resort & Casino near Red Wing. Look for more information later this summer. n County Activities of Excellence County Farm Bureaus must postmark their County Activities of Excellence forms no later than midnight on August 31. Activities must have occurred between August 1, 2016-August 31, 2017. Forms can be found on the County Board Leaders page at fbmn.org. n Save the Date – 2018 AFBF Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show Save the date – the 2018 AFBF Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show will be held January 5-10 in Nashville, TN. This will be AFBF’s 99th Annual Convention. Look for more information in future issues of The Voice. n Ag Transportation Handbook The Ag Transportation Handbook contains state and federal statutes, rules and exemptions for transporting agricultural goods on highways. To order your free copy, contact info@fbmn.org with your name, address and quantity of copies requested. n Young Farmers & Ranchers Contest Deadlines The Excellence in Agriculture application is due September 29. The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Excellence in Agriculture contest is designed as an opportunity for young farmers and ranchers who may not derive 100 percent of their income from farming to earn recognition while actively contributing to the agriculture industry and building their leadership skills through their involvement in Farm Bureau and their community.

Participants are judged on their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability and involvement and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.

The Achievement Award application is due September 29. The MFBF YF&R Achievement Award is an application based contest which compares your farm’s goals and successes to other young farmers across Minnesota and the United States. The application is judged on your goals, your farm’s success, your financial planning and your leadership skills. Young farmers and their spouses, ages 18-35, are encouraged to check out this great award program. The ideal candidate(s) is an individual or couple involved in production agriculture with much of their income subject to normal production risks.

For more information on these leadership development opportunities go to fbmn.org/contests.

The MFBF YF&R contests are for men and women between the ages of 18-35 who are looking for leadership growth opportunities to preserve our individual freedoms and expand knowledge of agriculture. n Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation Century Club Join the Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFB) Foundation Century Club, a fundraising campaign to commemorate the past and celebrate the future of the Minnesota Farm Bureau. The MFB Foundation Century Club recognizes individuals who donate $1,000 to the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation above any current giving. Donations can be made in installments or as one donation. Century Club members will receive a Farm Bureau Century Club Pin, be recognized at our 100th MFB Annual Meeting in 2018 and be invited to a Foundation sponsored “Century Club Dinner.”

Checks payable to the MFB Foundation. Donations may be mailed to: MFB Foundation, PO Box 64370, St. Paul, MN 55164. For more information, go to fbmn.org or contact Ruth Meirick at 651-768-2115 or ruth.meirick@fbmn.org. n Have You Completed your Green Star Farms Self-Evaluation Yet? Help prevent duplicate and over burdensome regulations. Join the growing number of farms who have completed the Minnesota Agriculture Resource Center’s Green Star Farms self-evaluation at greenstarfarms.org.

It takes 20 minutes, and it’s fast, easy and confidential. Take the Green Star Farms initiative self-evaluation today at greenstarfarms.org. For more information contact Jeremy Geske at jeremy@mawrc.org or 612-756-1200.

n Congratulations to the First in the Field Qualifiers!

As part of the Minnesota Farm Bureau membership campaign, member volunteers are signing new members into Farm Bureau. Congratulations to the following volunteers who qualified for Producers Club. Thank you for all you do: 5 by May 5: Bernie Aronson, Lincoln County; Greg Bartz, Brown County; David Engelbrecht, Watonwan County; Brian Fruechte, Lincoln County; Kim Fruechte, Lincoln County; Dave Johnson, Rice County; Rolland Johnson, Lincoln; Glen Kaschmitter, Benton/Mille Lacs; Fred Keller, Wabasha; Glenn Krog, Lincoln; Larry Larson, Mower; Dave Marquardt, Wright County; Joel Mathiowetz, Redwood County; Fran Miron, Washington/Ramsey County; Ron Nelson, Chisago County; Kevin Paap, Blue Earth County; Jeff Pagel, Olmsted County; Abby Popowski, Lincoln County; Chris Radatz, Scott County; Pam Uhlenkamp, Sibley County; Joyce Welander, Washington/Ramsey County and Scott Winslow, Fillmore County. n Register for 2017 Farm Camp Minnesota Are you looking for a fun and educational day camp for your kids entering grades 3-6? Register today for the sixth annual “Farm Camp Minnesota.”

This year, the one-day camp will be held in three different locations. The camp is put on by and sponsored by farmers, farm organizations, agribusinesses and volunteers.

The day camp will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Preregistration is required.

Locations: • August 7 and 8 - Farm Camp Minnesota will be held in the Waseca area at Farmamerica • August 15 -It will be held in the St Cloud area near Rice at the Schmitt Dairy Farm.

• August 16 - The camp will be held in the Northfield area near Dundas, at Wolf Creek Dairy.

Farm Camp allows campers the opportunity to learn about today’s agriculture, where their food comes from, how it is grown and how farm products are used in our daily life. Each camper will have the opportunity to learn about various types of livestock and crop farms, including pork, beef, dairy, turkey, corn and soybeans. They will also learn about the equipment used on farms, and at the Dundas and Waseca sites will each get a ride in a tractor.

Register online at farmcampminnesota.org.

Registration is $20 and includes lunch, snacks, a free t-shirt and a fun bag to take home. Space is limited.

Registration will close July 21 or when full.

For more information or to register, go to farmcampminnesota.org or e-mail farmcampmn@outlook.com. If you are interested in bringing a group, contact via e-mail, postal mail at PO Box 93, Janesville, MN 56048 or call at 507-351-9348.

Summer Teacher Tour The Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Program (MAITC) offers a unique annual summer tour that allows teachers to get a first-hand look into the world of agriculture. Resources, hands-on activities and interactive ideas for integrating agriculture as a context for achieving academic standards at all levels are discussed and shared.

CEUs and graduate credits available.

MAITC is offering multiple tours in 2017.

• The first, “Specialty Crop Tour” July 17-18 from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tour stops include: Unitedt’s Vegetable Farm, Len Busch Roses, Big River Farms, and Minneapolis Public Schools Nutrition Services and school garden.

• The second tour, “Many Faces of Agriculture Tour” is July 24-25 from 8 a.m. Monday – 4 p.m.

Tuesday. Tour stops include: New Sweden Dairy Farm and Dairy Education Center, Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, Arnold’s Implement, Farmamerica, University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center – Swine Research Center, Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery.

• Watch for details on a Northern Minnesota tour.

Registration and more details regarding tours and the CEU credits can be found at minnesota.agclassroom.org/programs/tour.cfm.

County Farm Bureaus are encouraged to sponsor an educator(s) to attend. For more information contact Sue Knott at sue.knott@state.mn.us or Keri Sidle at keri.sidle@state.mn.us or call 651-201-6486.

discover! MINNESOTA Railroad History Tour July 2-September 10 Minneapolis millcitymuseum.org Beginning with the arrival of Minnesota’s first rail line in 1862, Minneapolis boomed in population and flour milling, lumber production and warehousing took off. Take a guided tour of railroad landmarks, including the Stone Arch Bridge, Milwaukee Road Depot and the Minneapolis Eastern Railway engine house and trestle. Along the way, find clues to the vanishing railroad landscape and learn about the future of Twin Cities rail.

World’s Largest Wild Rice Festival July 7-9 Deer River wildricefestival.com One of the premier summer events in northern Minnesota, the World’s Largest Wild Rice Festival has something for everyone. Join us for a full weekend of family, friends, food, fireworks and fun.

Wilder Pageant July 14-July 29 Walnut Grove walnutgrove.org/pageant The Wilder Pageant is a family-oriented outdoor drama based on the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder in Walnut Grove.

It is a live performance each night with all characters from the Walnut Grove area. Laura narrates the story, reflecting on her life in Walnut Grove in the 1870’s.

Corn Capital Days July 24 Olivia corncapitaldays.com Join us in Olivia the “Corn Capital of the World” for Corn Capital Days. Featuring the famous sweet corn feed, musical entertainment, Health Choice Corn Capital Run, kiddie parade, grand parade, volleyball tournament, Lions Club Fly-In Breakfast and Airshow and much more!

Horticulture Night July 27 Morris wcroc.cfans.umn.edu/events-education/ horticulture-night Join us for horticulture presentations, demonstrations, garden tours, food and vendor booths, agriculture awareness tours, live music and more!

Heritage Days August 19-20 East Grand Forks egfheritage.com Join us at the third weekend in August at the Heritage Village near East Grand Forks. The Heritage Foundation serves as an instrument preserving the history of the Northern Red River Valley. Come see corn exhibits, emus, saw mill, antique tractors and machinery, Fram boiler display, broom making, log barn and granary, Minnesota history display, Victory Garden and more.

Pickling, Drying & Sugaring Day August 26 Preston mnhs.org/historic-sites/historic-forestville Throughout the growing season, there are periods of shortage and abundance of foods, making preservation an essential part of life. Assist the gardeners in picking the freshest and plumpest garden vegetables including peppers, cucumbers, beets, onions, cabbage and other heirloom varieties, all traditionally found in Thomas Meighen’s garden. Then head inside the kitchen as interpreters demonstrate various 19th century food preservation techniques, including ways to preserve meats, vegetables and fruits, and employing sugar, vinegar, salt and alcohol as preservatives.

For more information on these and other events, log onto exploreminnesota.com. Submit your community event by emailing info@fbmn.org.

Farm Bureau flag photo REDWOOD COUNTY FARM Bureau hosted their “I Met a Farmer” tour on June 20 near Morgan. One of the tour stops, Redwood County Farm Bureau member Bruce Tiffany discussed crops, water and other agricultural topics related to the county. The tour concluded with a cook out at Gilfillan Estate.

Photo by Amanda Revier

JULY 2017 • VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org • 7A

EVENTS CALENDAR 4 July 4 • MFBF Office Closed 4 July 19-20 • MFBF Board Meeting 4 August 1 • Farmers to Washington D.C. Registration Deadline 4 August 1-3 • Farmfest 4 August 18 • MFBF Resolutions, YF&R and P&E Committee Nominations Deadline 4 August 24-September 4 • Minnesota State Fair 4 August 31 • County Activities of Excellence Deadline 4 September 4 • MFBF Office Closed 4 September 11 • MFBF Board Meeting 4 September 12-16 • Farmers to Washington D.C. 4 September 15 • MFB Foundation Award Applications Deadline 4 September 29 • Membership Year End • Achievement Award Application Deadline • Excellence in Agriculture Application Deadline 4 October 13 • County Resolutions Deadline 4 November 8 • MFBF Board Meeting 4 November 17-19 • MFBF Annual Meeting 4 November 23-24 • MFBF Office Closed 4 December 25-26 • MFBF Office Closed 4 January 5-10, 2018 • AFBF Annual Meeting Nashville, TN 4 January 26-27, 2018 • MFBF Leadership Conference Red Wing Area

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AGRI-BYTES l�New Online Training Provides Tools to Engage with Consumers in a New Way A new online program offered

by The Center for Food Integrity (CFI) equips participants involved in food and agriculture with a unique approach to effectively engage to earn trust with today’s increasingly curious, and often skeptical, consumer.

CFI’s Engage Online includes a series of five self-paced online modules that takes a deeper dive into current consumer attitudes and provides curriculum and activities based on CFI’s trust research, which demonstrates the power of communicating with shared values. l�Up to $2,500 Off Cat Machines Truck driver Jerry Scheidt has driven his 1989 Model, 3406B powered Freightliner three million miles, and it’s still going strong. Eligible Farm Bureau members in participating states can save up to $2,500 on long-

and enhance animal nutrition, in addition to its impact on preserving the farm for future generations.

lasting Cat machines. Go to fbadvantage.com/cat to view the full list of eligible models. l�USFRA SMART Farm Features VanderWal U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) currently partners with AgWired for a SMART Farmer podcast. It features interviews with USFRA farmer leaders who use data and technology to be more sustainable and to help build a smarter version of the American farm and ranch.

South Dakota corn, soybean, and cattle farmer and USFRA Treasurer Scott VanderWal, representing American Farm Bureau Federation, shared examples of smart technology to improve crop input applications

l�Ag Experts, Entrepreneurs, Scientists Discuss Future of Food Recently, the Washington Post brought together entrepreneurs, food industry executives, agriculture experts, economists and farmers to discuss how technology, science and new ideas are changing today’s food systems and shaping the future of what – and how – we eat. Panelists discussed an array of topics including the Trump administration’s agriculture budget proposal, and how it may affect agriculture and farmers; changing market forces and new investments in

food technology and agriculture; and current food security and sustainability efforts, including how to manage risks in biotechnology, selective breeding and the use of genetically modified crops.

Veronica Nigh, an American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist, represented Farm Bureau on the panel.

Watch a video of the panel at www.washingtonpost.com.

8A • JULY 2017 • VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org

FAMILY SECURTY Seven Qualifying Events for Health Insurance

n Redwood County Ag Day

Photo by Amanda Revier

REDWOOD COUNTY FARM Bureau hosted their annual Ag Day on May 9 for approximately 250 fi�h graders from area schools. Students visited farms where they learned about crops, livestock and farm safety, while learning where their food comes from.

For a window of time each year, you’re able to enroll or make changes in your employer plan or your individuation plan. But what happens if you have a life event that changes your need for health insurance outside of your open enrollment period?

If you’ve experienced a significant life event, you might qualify for a special enrollment period. This special enrollment period may allow you to enroll in a health plan or change your coverage.

n Extemporaneous Speaking Award

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Let’s look at seven examples of qualifying life events: 1. Getting Married Don’t let your window of opportunity slide while you’re on your honeymoon or reminiscing over your wedding

MINNESOTA FARM BUREAU (MFB) Founda�on sponsored the State FFA Extemporaneous Speaking Career Development Event at the 2017 State FFA Conven�on on April 25. Pictured are MFB President Kevin Paap with finalists Savannah Aanerud-Morris Area (first place), Samuel Moenning-Triton FFA and Brandon Kasprick, Thief River Falls FFA.

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day. Getting married qualifies you for a special enrollment period.

During this time, you’ll be able to add your spouse or other dependents to an existing plan or shop for new coverage.

2. Birth or Adoption of a Child Growing your family by having a baby, adoption or foster care means it’s time to take a close look at everyone’s medical needs and ensure they’re met by your healthcare plan. Use your special enrollment period to add your new family member to your plan or make other plan changes.

3. Divorce What happens if you’re currently on your spouse’s policy, and you’re getting divorced? Navigating a divorce can be difficult and your health insurance coverage is an important factor to consider and make any necessary changes to during the special enrollment period.

4. Change in Employment Status If you lose your employersponsored health insurance because you leave your job or get laid off, you qualify for a special enrollment period.

5. Newly Graduated or Turning 26 New graduates who participated in student health plans and those who are turning 26 and currently covered under their parent’s plan are also granted a special enrollment period. The Affordable Care Act allows you to remain on your parents’ health insurance plan up to age 26 but once you “age off” your parents plan, you must obtain your own coverage.

6. Moving Moving doesn’t necessarily qualify you for a special enrollment period. However, since most insurance plans are specific to a geographic area, you might qualify for a special enrollment period so you can obtain health coverage in your new location.

7. Loss of a Loved One Coping with the loss of a loved one is emotionally difficult and can bring many life changes, which might mean a change in your health insurance coverage if they were providing you with health insurance coverage.

Knowing that you and your family have the right coverage plan in place can provide peace of mind. At any stage in your life, a Farm Bureau agent can be a resource for the education, information, and ultimately, the coverage you need to protect your health. Learn more by visiting fbfs.com.

Source: Farm Bureau Financial Services

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Minnesota Farm Bureau Recognizes Sesquicentennial Farms

The Minnesota Farm Bureau is pleased to recognize 33 recipients of the Sesquicentennial Farm award for 2017. A commemorative certificate signed by Governor Mark Dayton, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson and Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation President Kevin Paap will be awarded to qualifying families, along with an outdoor sign signifying Sesquicentennial Farm recognition. Information on all Sesquicentennial Farm families is available online at www.fbmn.org.

Pope County Ÿ Swenson Farms, Delano, 1866

0 5 1

Carver County Ÿ Karen and Brad Bentz, Hamburg, 1864 Ÿ Orland and Shirley Feltmann, Norwood Young American, 1866 Ÿ Dean R. Loehrs, Norwood Young America, 1866 Ÿ Carl and Lillie Tesch, Mayer, 1867

Dakota County Ÿ Dudley Family Farm, Northfield, 1861 Ÿ Maria N. Therres, Vermillion, 1867 Dodge County Ÿ Gene Hallaway and Janet Hallaway, Claremont, 1865 Douglas County Ÿ Ray, Howard, Dwayne and Anita Hanson, Brandon, 1867 Faribault County Ÿ Doyle Homestead, Easton, 1867 Fillmore County Ÿ Sunnyslope Angus, LLC, Lanesboro, 1863 Ÿ Emily and Shannon Onsager, Preston, 1864 Ÿ Lyle and Ann Meldahl, Lanesboro, 1866 Goodhue County Ÿ Craig and Kristine Holst, Red Wing, 1866 Ÿ Perkins Family Farms, Red Wing, 1867 Hennepin County Ÿ Leo G. and Diane M. Dehn, Dayton, 1865 Houston County Ÿ Buxengard Farm, Spring Grove, 1855 Kandiyohi County Ÿ Roger and Jean (Skare) Hagen, Pennock, 1865 Le Sueur County Ÿ Sullivan Farms, Le Center, 1857 McLeod County Ÿ Zavoral Farm, Champlin, 1867 Ÿ Jerome and Judith Kadlec, Hutchinson, 1866 Nicollet County William and Peggy Lambert, St Peter, 1860 Ÿ The Nelson Family, Nicollet, 1860 Ÿ

Olmsted County Ÿ Keefe Farms, Chatfield, 1864 Ÿ Martin and Carol Wagner, Elgin, 1865

Sibley County Ÿ Merry Kay Bandelin, Arlington, 1866

Stearns County Brick Farm, Paynesville, 1861 Ÿ Donald and Magdalen Rausch, Paynesville, 1867 Ÿ

Swift County Ÿ Edward Kjera Pederson Oak Lawn Farm, Benson, 1867 Washington County Ÿ Viola Sullwold, Lake Elmo, 1864 Winona County Ÿ Nick and Lynn Redig, Winona, 1866 Ÿ C. Martin and Cassandra Waldo, Winona, 1866 Yellow Medicine County Ÿ Christopher and Jason Berends, Belview, 1867

JULY 2017 • VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org • 9A

10A • JULY 2017 • VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org

More than 165 Century Farms Honored in Minnesota The Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Farm Bureau recognize 165 Minnesota farms as 2017 Century Farms. Qualifying farms have been in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years and are 50 acres or more.

Century Farm families receive a commemorative sign, as well as a certificate signed by Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Farm Bureau presidents and Governor Mark Dayton. Since the program began in 1976, more than 10,000 Minnesota farms have been recognized as Century Farms.

2017 Century Farm families are listed by county, then by the farm’s city or township, family or farm names and year of original purchase: Becker Ÿ Frazee- Iten Heritage Farm, 1917 Ÿ Lake Park - Mattson Brothers Inc., 1917 Beltrami Ÿ Pinewood - Halvor M Stai, 1906 Benton Foley - Grundahl Farms, 1910 Foley - Henry and Sue Pekarek, 1902

Ÿ Ÿ

Big Stone Beardsley - Abel Eastman Family, 1917 Correll - Rolfsmeier Family Farms; Derald, Randal and Travis Rolfsmeier, 1916 Ÿ Ortonville - Eugene VonEschen,1915 Ÿ Ÿ

Blue Earth Amboy - Urban Family Farm, 1907 Good Thunder - Dennis and David Sohre, 1879

Ÿ Ÿ

Brown Ÿ Comfrey - Edward and Jeanette Rosenstengel, 1915 Ÿ Hanska - Miller Farms, 1914 Ÿ New Ulm - Kuehn Farm, 1898 Ÿ New Ulm - Schulz/Johns Farm, 1917

East Otter Tail Ÿ Detroit Lakes - Bahls Family Farm, 1913 Faribault Ÿ Minnesota Lake - Wach Farms, 1911 Ÿ Winnebago - Davis Farm, 1911 Fillmore Ÿ Fountain - Heartland Ridge Farm, 1903 Ÿ Spring Valley - Moeller Dairy, 1917 Freeborn Alden - Roland T. Brewer-Lois L. Olson, 1917 Ÿ Austin - Kittelson Farm, 1862 Ÿ Glenville - The Cherney Family Farm, 1914 Ÿ Hollandale - Brown Farms,1870 Ÿ Wells - Jacobsen-Sorensen Farm, 1877 Ÿ

Goodhue Ÿ Cannon Falls - Oak Lawn Farm, 1891 Ÿ Dennison - Huseth Family Farm, 1915 Grant Ÿ Herman Theodore A. and Marleen Anderson Farm, 1892 Ÿ Norcross - Larson Farm, 1901

Informa�on on all �entur� and Sesquicentennial Farms will be available at the Minnesota Farm Bureau exhibit during the 2017 Minnesota State Fair, which runs August 24 - September 4. A database is also available at �mn.org.

Marshall Ÿ Strandquist - Blazejewski Farm, 1915 Ÿ Warren - Knoll Farm, 1901 Ÿ Warren - Knoll Farm, 1913 Ÿ Warren - The Lenhart Farm, 1917 Martin Ÿ Fairmont - Kaminski Farms, 1914 Ÿ Fairmont - The Schleininger Farm, 1914 Ÿ Granada - Messer Farm, 1917 Ÿ Sherburn - Finke Farms, 1915 Ÿ Trimont - Moeller, 1911 Ÿ Truman - Mearl Baarts Family Farm, 1915 McLeod Glencoe - Mathews Farm, 1916 Hutchinson - Daniel Iver Gensmer and Karen Marie Gensmer, 1882 Ÿ Hutchinson - Joseph R. Vacek, 1887 Ÿ Ÿ

Meeker Atwater - Darren Amdahl, 1892 Grove City - The Berg Family, 1917 Hutchinson - Steven Radtke, 1894 Litchfield - Einar O. and Delores R. Lundin, 1917 Ÿ Litchfield - Vernon and Wanda Mortenson Farm, 1914 Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Mower Ÿ Austin - Joseph Mueller Farm, 1903

Ÿ

Itasca Ÿ Swan River - Korhonen Farm, 1917

Murray Ÿ Edgerton - The Masselink Family, 1916 Ÿ Westbrook - Chapman Family Farm, 1888

Sibley Ÿ Arlington - Orlin Pieschke, 1909 Ÿ Gibbon - O. O. Whim/Johnson, 1911 Ÿ Le Sueur - Frederic and Marlyes Latzke, 1917

Jackson Ÿ Alpha - Struck-Franks Farm, 1909 Ÿ Jackson - Ardis M. and Robert S. Willett, 1917 Ÿ Lakefield - Post Family Farm, 1915 Kanabec Mora - Robert and Barbara Ripka, 1917

Nobles Adrian - Landel and Marlene Bullerman, 1917 Ÿ Rushmore - Heidebrink’s, 1917 Ÿ Rushmore - John S. Christians, 1909 Ÿ Rushmore - LeRoy Ennenga, 1917

Ÿ

Norman Fertile - Pederson Farm, 1881 Gary - Degerness Farm, 1891

Cass Laporte - Goss Family Farm, 1911 Staples - Jack and JoAnn (Shake) Lund, 1916

Ÿ Ÿ

Kittson Humboldt - Carl Wiese Farm, 1917 Kennedy - Rynning Farms, 1917

Ÿ

Chisago Ÿ North Branch - Erickson/ Pierce Family, 1908 Ÿ North Branch - Magnison Farm, 1916 Ÿ North Branch - Nelson Family Farm, 1917 Ÿ Stanchfield - Wayne and Audrey Carlson, 1907

Ÿ

Lac qui Parle Madison - Arnold and Shirley Streich, 1917 Ÿ Madison - Jerpseth Farm, 1917 Ÿ Madison - Stan and Carole Bjorgan, 1917

Otter Tail Ÿ Erhard - Clayton Hills Farm, 1917 Ÿ Underwood - Sundby Farms, 1906

Clay Ÿ Hawley - Aakre Farms, 1891 Ÿ Hawley - Dave and Carol Kronbeck, 1917

Le Sueur Ÿ Le Center - Jeff and Lisa Reddemann, 1908 Ÿ Le Center - Orval and Delores Loewe, 1911 Ÿ Le Center - Sullivan Farms, 1857 Ÿ Le Center - Ziegenhagen, 1911 Ÿ Montgomery - Rosival Farm, 1917

Dakota Ÿ Hastings - The Carlson Century Farm, 1891 Dodge Ÿ West Concord - Shelton Family Farm, 1917 Douglas Carlos - Hintzen Farm, 1879

Ÿ

Lake of the Woods Ÿ Baudette - Ken & Jody Horntvedt, 1909

Lincoln Ÿ Ivanhoe - Swenson Family Farm, 1897 Ÿ Porter - Dillon Family, 1910 Lyon Ÿ Cottonwood - George Aamodt Farm, 1911 Ÿ Cottonwood - Stanley Aamodt Farm, 1917 Ÿ Russell - Daniel and Julie Johnson, 1901 Mahnomen Bejou - Franklyn David and Mary Nell Preisler, 1917 Ÿ Winger - The Paulsons, 1915 Ÿ Winger - Uhlir Farm, 1913 Ÿ

Sherburne Clear Lake - Donald J. Braun and Ramona E. Juenemann Braun, 1917

Ÿ

Ÿ Ÿ

Crow Wing Ÿ Brainerd - Smart Farm, 1903

Scott Ÿ Belle Plaine - Schultz Farm, 1914 Ÿ Jordan - Hartman Farm, 1916 Ÿ Jordan - Stemig Farm, 1874 Ÿ New Prague - Tupy Farm, 1917 Ÿ Prior Lake - Fahrenkamp Farm, 1861

Houston Caledonia - Giesler Family Farm, 1916

Ÿ Ÿ

Cottonwood Ÿ Comfrey - Roger and Carolyn Hoek, 1917

Roseau Ÿ Greenbush - Gryskiewicz Farms, 1905 Ÿ Roosevelt - Muirhead Farm, est. 1904, 1904 Ÿ Warroad - Elmer Brandli Farm, 1906 Ÿ Warroad - O’Donnell Farm, est . 1915, 1915

Mille Lacs Ÿ Onamia - Heidelberger Farm, 1916

Kandiyohi Ÿ Spicer - Williamson Family Farm, 1917

Clearwater Shevlin - Gagen/Arneson, 1913

Rock Ÿ Beaver Creek - Fick Family Farm, 1917 Ÿ Ellsworth - The Klosterbuer Family, 1916 Ÿ Hardwick - Lorenzen Family, 1901 Ÿ Jasper - Katie Hemme and Jackie Hemme Hansen, 1910 Ÿ Luverne - Drost Family Farm, 1917 Ÿ Magnolia - Doherty Family Farm, 1910

Hennepin Ÿ Maple Plain - Simon Family Farm, 1917

Carver Ÿ Waconia - Lisa and Mark Laumann, 1917

Ÿ

Rice Ÿ Dundas - George Little, 1915 Ÿ Kilkenny - Harvey J . and Harriet Edel, 1914 Ÿ Kilkenny - Marvin L. Edel, 1914 Ÿ Kilkenny - Minske Acres, 1916

Olmsted Dover - Glenview Farm owned by Glenn Walters, 1917

Pennington Goodridge - Jensen/Frederick, 1917 Plummer - Kolseth Family Farm, 1914

Ÿ Ÿ

Pine Finlayson - Peura Farm, 1909

Ÿ

Stearns Ÿ Holdingford - The Meier Farm, 1914 Ÿ Richmond - Rick and Barb Wait, 1910 Ÿ Munson Township - JKM Family Trust The Other Farm, 1882 Steele Blooming Prairie - Diane & Kimberly Eaker’s Acres, 1917

Ÿ

Stevens Ÿ Chokio - Lazy Q Farms Inc., 1914 Ÿ Donnelly - Strand Family Farm, 1912 Ÿ Morris - Stanley Staples, 1916 Swift Ÿ Benson - Gomer Family Farm, 1883 Ÿ Danvers - Stelzig Farm, 1899 Todd Ÿ Hewitt - David E. and Celesta I. Kyar, 1917 Ÿ Sauk Centre - Kortan, 1902

Ÿ

Polk Crookston - Tim and Marlene Dufault, 1879 Ÿ Mentor - Johnson Family Farm, 1902

Traverse Ÿ Browns - Valley Klemm Farms, 1913 Ÿ Graceville - Eugene Fuhrman, 1909

Pope Ÿ Glenwood - Swenson Farms, 1866

Ÿ Ÿ

Redwood Lamberton - Benedict Farms, 1905 Lamberton - Beranek Farm, 1917 Redwood Falls - Hill and Dale Farm, 1917 Wabasso - Randy and Marvin Zollner, 1896 Ÿ Walnut Grove - Robert and Margaret Syverson, 1915 Ÿ Vesta - The Schwartz-Meier Century Farm 1913 - 2013, 1913 Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Renville Ÿ Franklin - Bob and Karen Fox, 1883 Ÿ Hector - Ahlbrecht Farm, 1897 Ÿ Olivia - Barta Family Farm, 1916 Ÿ Beaver Falls Township - Malecha River Valley Farm, 1917

Waseca Janesville - Henry Fell Farm, 1899 Minnesota Lake - Kluender Family Farm, 1916 Ÿ New Richmond - Gerdane Witts, 1895 Washington Forest Lake - Autumnwood Farm LLC, 1892

Ÿ

Winona Ÿ Utica - The NuszLoch Family, 1917 Ÿ Winona - Brennan Family Farm, 1917 Ÿ Winona - Burr Oak Farms, 1887 Wright Howard Lake - R C Heuer Farms, 1907 Montrose - Gene and Lisa Gabrelcik, 1906 Montrose - Pawelk Farms, 1917

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Yellow Medicine Clarkfield - Eugene and Helen Werner, 1905 Ÿ Clarkfield - Lynner Farms, 1916 Ÿ

JULY 2017 • VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org • 11A

PROMOTION & EDUCATION Change

ERIC KUEHL STATE PROMOTION & EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEMBER Hometown: St. Cloud Family: My wife Suzanne and I have three sons: Carter - 7, Rory – 4, Soren - 1 Educa�onal Bac�ground: Bachelors of Science, Agricultural Educa�on Farm/Agricultural �ob Descri��on: Sales Representa�ve for Mycogen seeds Hobbies: Running, fishing, Ro� Baseball and spending �me with family Why did you get involved with P&E? I wanted the opportunity to share my desire to teach about agriculture.

Dates to Remember: Farmfest -August 1-3; Minnesota State Fair – August 24 - Labor Day; Minnesota Farm Bureau Federa�on �MFBF� Annual Mee�ng – �ovember 17-1� in Bloomington; MFBF Leadership Conference – January 26-27 near Red Wing.

Markets Change is one of the most difficult things for people to embrace while Markets change seasonally as well as One it is one of the most fundamental annually based on conditions around constant remains and inevitable events that production and demand of the products occur throughout our life on that we as agriculturalists work so the same, there are this planet. hungry mouths to feed tirelessly to produce. These changes all as the ebbs and flows of consumer and somehow, someway cycle demands change as well as how the Family we will find a way to consumer demands that their food be As the father of three navigate the ‘change’ produced. young boys, I see change One constant remains the same, there occurring at home all the and con�nue to do are hungry mouths to feed and somehow, time. Change in appearances what it is we do. someway we will find a way to navigate the as they grow. Changes in how ‘change’ and continue to do what it is we do. they respond to things as they learn. Changes to what they like to do as they become more independent. These changes Respond are not only fun to watch but can also be sad as they While all this is going on around us we often lose start to lose some of the innocence of earlier life. sight of what is truly important, we are distracted by the flashy signs/stories on TV and in the newspapers. Yes, things are a-changing all around Politics us and what we can control is how we respond to It seems also that every election politicians like to the changes. Do we cross our arms, dig in and resist run campaigns based on the promise of change for that change, or do we embrace it with both hands? the better. How many times does it seem like we Farm Bureau is here to not only help us navigate accomplish the ‘change’ that we want? My intention the change but to make sure that every one of us has is to not criticize but to point out that no matter how a voice to share in the discussion. well intentioned, change occurs on its own, and all we can do is help steer the ship.

So, I urge you all to make a little change in your comfort zone, take a risk, and get involved. That President Trump ran a campaign to “Make may be something as simple as running for a county America Great Again,” while we can all argue that board seat, call your legislator and voice your he is reaching his goals or not, one thing we can’t opinion about a piece of legislation. Join your local argue about is that change is occurring. Will we be county board at a Day on the Hill or maybe even able to make the necessary changes in trade to be run for a city/township/state office. able to export our products into other markets? Will WOTUS (Waters of the U.S.) stay in place and That change that is going on all around us will challenge our ability to perform the most basic either have our influence as agriculturalists or not, functions on our farms? Will a wall be constructed at least if we are involved we will help to create a on our southern border of the U.S., and what balanced approach to whatever comes our way. implications would that have?

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12A• JULY 2017 • VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org

Farm Bureau Beliefs n�America’s unparalleled progress is based on freedom and dignity of the individual, sustained by basic moral and religious concepts. n�Economic progress, cultural advancement, ethical and religious principles flourish best where people are free, responsible individuals. n�Individual freedom and opportunity must not be sacrificed in a quest for guaranteed “security.” n�We believe in government by legislative and constitutional law, impartially administered, without special privilege. n�We believe in the representative form of government...a republic...as provided in our Constitution, in limitations on government power, in maintenance of equal opportunity in the right of each individual to freedom of worship and in freedom of speech, press and peaceful assembly. n�Individuals have a moral responsibility to help preserve freedom for future generations by participating in public affairs and by helping to elect candidates who share their fundamental beliefs and principles. n�People have the right and the responsibility to speak for themselves individually or through organizations of their choice without coercion or government intervention. n�Property rights are among the human rights essential to the preservation of individual freedom. n�We believe in the right of every person to choose an occupation; to be rewarded according to his/her contributions to society; to save, invest or spend; and to convey his/her property to heirs. Each person has the responsibility to meet financial obligations incurred. n�We believe that legislation and regulations favorable to all sectors of agriculture should be aggressively developed in cooperation with allied groups possessing common goals. We support the right of private organizations to require membership as a prerequisite for member services.

Delegates will elect president and three state board members

MAP OF BOARD DISTRICTS

The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Board of Directors elections will be held at this year’s Annual Meeting on November 17. Board of Director positions up for election include: MFBF President (two-year term) and board members (three-year terms) from Districts III, IV and VII. District III includes the counties of Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Yellow Medicine. District IV includes the counties of Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, Meeker, Morrison, Pope, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd and Traverse.

District VII includes the counties of Becker, Clay, Kittson, Mahnomen, Norman, Northwest Regional, East Otter Tail, West Otter Tail, East Polk, West Polk and Wilkin.

The Young Farmers and Ranchers chair and the Promotion and Education chair (one year terms) will also be confirmed by the voting delegates.

The deadline for candidate position statements and headshot photo to be submitted for print in “The Voice of Agriculture” is Friday, October 6.

Statements should be sent to Minnesota Farm Bureau, Attn: Kristin Harner, PO Box 64370, St. Paul, MN 55164 or emailed to kharner@fbmn.org.

District caucuses will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, November 17. County Farm Bureau delegates from Districts III, IV and VII will nominate an individual to represent that district on the MFBF Board of Directors. The election of president, district board directors and confirmation of state committee chairs will be conducted by all county Farm Bureau delegates during the Annual Meeting Voting Delegate Session.

Mission An advocate for agriculture based on the beliefs and policies of our members.

Qualifications for the MFBF Board of Directors

According to the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation bylaws, Article IV – Board of Directors – Section 3; Qualifications: The members of the Board of Directors of this corporation shall be voting members in good standing of a county Farm Bureau Association holding active membership in this corporation and shall be actively engaged in farming. A person shall be deemed to be “actively engaged in farming” if such person’s occupation or source of livelihood involves agriculture.

A person holding or actively seeking an elective office to represent the general public in the state or national government shall not be eligible to be an officer or member of the Board of Directors. n�Membership Growth: Board members are expected to meet the MFBF Producers Club threshold by signing at least five (5) new Farm Bureau members each year. n�Attendance at state board meeting: Board members are expected to attend all board meetings and/or conference calls as scheduled throughout the year.

Rewards and Expectations for Serving on the MFBF Board of Directors As a way to let Farm Bureau members know about the benefits and time commitments of Board service, following are a series of rewards and expectations for those serving on the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Board of Directors.

Benefits/Rewards • Directors receive leadership and personal growth training, improved public speaking and other interpersonal relationship skills; • They gain valuable leadership experience serving on various outside general boards/task forces for which MFBF is represented.

• They have the opportunity to serve fellow Farm Bureau members, and agriculture knowing they are helping to shape the organization’s future through these Board positions.

Time Commitments • Attend MFBF Board meetings, which include seven face-to-face meetings and several conference calls per year; • Participate in other meetings such as: Day on the Hill, Washington, D.C., Leadership Conference, Annual Meeting, AFBF Advocacy Conference and/or AFBF Annual Meeting.

• Potentially serve as a voting delegate to the AFBF Annual Meeting • Potentially serve on internal or external task forces or committees.

• Visit each county within their district annually.

• Promptly respond to action requests.

• Have computer equipment and Internet access or be willing to obtain such so you may respond to e-mail requests and receive periodic reports from the state office.

Other Commitments The president, vice president or district directors shall not serve as a county Farm Bureau president.

Directors are expected to: n�Technology Expectations: Board members are expected to have computer equipment and internet access so they may promptly respond to email requests and receive periodic reports from the Minnesota Farm Bureau state office. n�County Visits: Board members are expected to attend the annual meeting or other event in each county Farm Bureau in their district at least annually. n�Financial Expectations: Board members are expected to contribute annually to the MFBF state and federal PACs, MFB Foundation and AFB Foundation.

Financial Compensation Board members shall be paid a per diem of $150 per day for attendance at officially called board meetings including electronic meetings or for attendance at any event as a representative of Farm Bureau as requested by the MFBF President or Executive Director. They shall also be reimbursed for meals and lodging when attending Farm Bureau functions. A board member shall be paid travel expenses based on the latest IRS rate.

For additional information, contact Chris Radatz, MFBF executive director, at cradatz@fbmn.org or 651-768-2104.

JULY 2017• VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org • 13A

YOUNG FARMERS & RANCHERS Agriculture—More than Just the Farm There was once a little boy that dreamed about nothing but being a farmer just like dad and grandpa.

This is my story as I’m sure it is with many other boys and girls growing up yearning to be just like mom and dad, raising livestock and growing crops on the family farm. But as most of us know, it’s not always rainbows and sunshine, and the world makes you take a second look at things. This was true for me as I’m sure it is for other young farmers and ranchers.

With working capital on most small family farms tightening, young farmers look to other jobs in the agricultural field. Let me tell you, they are out there and are in need of good, hard workers. These jobs can be quite enjoyable and rewarding.

Whether you are in marketing, a seed salesman or an inventory and feed accounts manager like me, the jobs are there for the taking.

There are opportunities for those of us in agriculture to help both farm kids and nonfarm kids explore the opportunity of agricultural careers. According to a study by Purdue University there are 58,000 job opportunities available annually.

How can you help? You can encourage kids to become involved in 4-H and FFA. These students will be equipped to have a bright future for agriculture both on and off the farm.

One way we get kids involved in agriculture is by leasing animals to show at the fairs. A prime example is a young man that leased animals from us for a few years. Showing livestock sparked his interest with other things on the farm as well. He just graduated from high school and is going to college to earn a degree in engineering. But not just any engineering, he wants to specialize in agricultural engineering. Which is so exciting. To think that a few summers of working on the farm can make a non-farm kid fall in love with agriculture and want to make it better for future generations to come.

I also have the opportunity through my off farm job to work with 4-H and FFA students and their livestock projects by selling feed to them and working through their project areas from a different perspective.

We encourage you to reach out to your local 4-H club, county 4-H or FFA chapter. See if they would like you to assist a member with a project area, lease an animal, help a judging team etc.

By investing in our youth today, we can spark their interest in agriculture. In the end, they will continue to do great things for generations to come.

GRANT AND DENACA MOORSE STATE YF&R COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Hometown: Minneota Educa�onal Bac�ground: They met in 4-H and started da�ng in high school. Both a�ended Ridgewater College in Willmar. Grant earned a degree in Farm Business Management and the agribusiness program and Denaca in Early Childhood Educa�on.

Farm Descri��on: Grant helps on the family’s dairy, beef, corn, soybean, and alfalfa farm and also works at Equity Elevator in Woodlake as the feed inventory and accounts manager. Denaca works from our home as a daycare provider. She grew up outside of Marshall on a corn and soybean farm.

Hobbies: running Why did you get involved with YF&R? We became involved in Farm Bureau in 2013, and Grant joined the Lyon County Farm Bureau board that year as well. We have been to different conferences with Farm Bureau as well as Washington D.C., and when the opportunity to join the state commi�ee became available we jumped right in.

Dates to remember: Farmfest -August 1-3; Minnesota State Fair – August 24 - Labor Day; Minnesota Farm Bureau Federa�on �MFBF� Annual Mee�ng – �ovember 17-1� in Bloomington; MFBF Leadership Conference – January 26-27 near Red Wing.

“�here are opportuni�es for those of us in agriculture to help both farm kids and nonfarm kids explore the opportunity of agricultural careers.”

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14A • JULY 2017 • VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org

Capitol Corner AMBER HANSON • Director of Public Policy

COLE RUPPRECHT • Associate Director of Public Policy

For more information on legislative issues, contact the MFBF Public Policy Team at 651-768-2100 or visit the Legislative Action Alert Center at www.fbmn.org

STATE H�See 2017 Minnesota Legislative Recap on page 3A and 5A.

NATIONAL NEWS H�Presidential Announcement on Cuba President Trump announced changes in U.S. government policies on Cuba related to travel, tourism and benefits to the Cuban military. While there are no direct new restrictions on U.S. agricultural sales to Cuba in the recent announcement, Farm Bureau will continue to work with the administration and members of Congress to maintain and improve the conditions for agricultural trade with Cuba.

H�Final Trade Protocols Established for Exporting Beef to China USDA announced on June 12 the agreed upon protocols for shipping beef to China.

Re-opening the Chinese market has enormous potential for U.S. beef farmers/ranchers.

The U.S. has been out of the Chinese market since 2003.

During that time, China has become a large buyer of beef increasing imports to $2.5 billion in 2016. However, not all commercial beef will be immediately eligible for shipments due to some the agreed upon protocols.

Operators in the U.S. will need to adjust to accommodate to these requirements.

H�Tax Reform As Congress continues to discuss tax reform, Farm Bureau continues to work with our members of Congress on the unique role that taxes play to farmers and ranchers. Weather, high debt-service, a lack of liquidity and the difficulties of passing on land from one generation to the next all make taxation an important issue for farmers and ranchers.

Tax reform must result in lower effective tax rates for small and family-owned farms and ranches as well as for corporations. In addition, tax reform needs to: • Continue cash accounting, which matches farm income and expenses better than accrual accounting methods to help farmers pay their bills and manage their taxes; • Preserve interest deductibility – an important matter at a time when the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates 17.9 percent of fixed farm and ranch expenses go to interest payments; • Reduce capital gains taxes, which help families pass farms to the next generation; • Continue like-kind exchanges to defer taxes when farmers and

ranchers sell assets and purchase similar property to replace them. Without like-kind exchanges, some farmers and ranchers would need to borrow to continue their farm or ranch businesses or, worse yet, delay mandatory improvements to maintain the financial viability of their farm or ranch; and • Eliminate the estate tax, which unduly penalizes farm owners who on average earn a small fraction of the income they might enjoy if they invested their dollars elsewhere.

H�WOTUS Withdrawal Notice The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a proposed rule to rescind the controversial 2015 Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule that significantly expanded the definition of “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act. The proposed rule to rescind the rule will be open for public comment for 30 days.

Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) will share more information on how to comment as it becomes available.

If the rule to rescind is finalized, the Clean Water Act would be interpreted as it has been before the rule was put into place in August 2015.

Withdrawal of the rule will not harm water quality. The rule has never been implemented because it was stayed by both a federal district court and a federal court of appeals in October 2015. These legal challenges raised numerous substantive and procedural defects in the rule, including that the rule exceeds EPA’s statutory authority, imposes burdensome regulatory uncertainty, was promulgated in violation of mandatory procedural requirements designed to ensure a wellinformed result, and is otherwise unlawful.

Farm Bureau supports the EPA’s effort to withdraw the 2015 rule and replace it with one that conforms to the limits approved by Congress and affirmed by the Supreme Court.

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has suggested the agency will release a new rule late in 2017 or early 2018.

H�Dairy Insurance Policy In April 2017, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and American Farm Bureau Insurance Services (AFBIS) submitted a concept proposal to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) for a new dairy insurance policy (DairyRevenue Protection). On May 24, 2017, AFBIS and AFBF presented the concept proposal to the FCIC Board of Directors.

The FCIC board approved the concept proposal for external

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has released its draft Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule and is accepting comments through August 11. The purpose of this rule is to minimize potential for nitrate pollution in groundwater and to protect drinking water.

The rule is written in two parts. Part one is a preventative measure that the MDA proposes to apply to all areas of the state that it has defined as “vulnerable” based on geology. In general, these areas would include areas of predominantly coarse textured soils, areas with Karst or fractured bedrock, and areas where there is little topsoil and bedrock is near the soil surface.

Part one of the rule will prohibit application on vulnerable soils from September 1 through spring thaw. It will also prohibit application on all soils in a section where more than 50 percent of the soils are considered vulnerable.

An exemption is provided for a small amount of nitrogen applied with Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP) or Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), or for winter cereal grains. The part one rule does not apply to manure applications.

The areas affected include those in which fall applications of nitrogen fertilizer have not been advised for more than 20 years due to the economic risk associated with nitrogen loss. However, farmers should check the MDA’s soil vulnerability maps to see how closely it aligns with their experience. If you have areas that are identified as vulnerable that you do not believe should be covered by the restriction, you are encouraged to submit comments on vulnerability criteria.

Part two of the rule provides for mitigation in areas where groundwater nitrate levels are elevated due to nitrogen fertilizer use. Identification of these areas takes two paths. The first path covers private wells and uses data from the MDA’s Township Testing Program. If more than 10 percent of wells in a township do not meet drinking water standards, an assessment of the adoption of nitrogen Best Management Practices (BMPs) will be made.

If more than 80 percent of the cropland is being farmed using BMPs, further regulation is unlikely according to the MDA. If BMPs are not being adopted in these areas, part two of the rule will be applied.

It is important to note that wells that have possible non-fertilizer nitrate sources are excluded from this analysis.

The second path applies to public wells and uses data from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). If a public well is near or approaching the drinking water standard, the BMP assessment process will be initiated.

Part two or the rule includes level 3 and level 4 and essentially includes those areas nitrate levels are elevated and BMPs have not been adopted on 80 percent of cropland in the area. At that point, the MDA proposes to initiate further requirements which may include rate restrictions, record keeping and reporting of fertilizer applications, crediting of all nitrogen sources (including manure), development of nutrient management and other plans, and required use of nitrogen stabilizers or similar products.

At right is a diagram from the MDA website, used to illustrate the process.

Important—an area cannot move to levels 3 or 4 until at least three crop years have passed, to allow for assessment of BMP adoption.

It is also important to keep in mind that the rule does NOT apply to non-vulnerable soils, with the exception of those sections in which more than 50 percent of the soils are considered vulnerable.

The MDA will host listening sessions on the proposed rule in St. Cloud on July 6, Wadena on July 11, McIntosh on July 12 and St. Paul on July 17. Sessions were held in Marshall on June 22, Chatfield on June 28, and Farmington on June 29. Additional meetings may be added. For more detail on listening sessions, go to mda.state.mn.us/chemicals/fertilizers/nutrientmgmt/nitrogenplan/mitigation/wrpr/wrprprocess/publicparticipation.aspx.

For more information, go to the MDA Nitrogen rule website at mda.state.mn.us/chemicals/fertilizers/nutrient-mgmt/nitrogenplan/mitigation/wrpr.aspx.

Comment on Nitrogen Fertilizer Restrictions

review. Results of the external review should be made available within a few weeks. AFBF will again address the FCIC Board in August with a response to any concerns raised by the external reviewers.

H�AFBF Asks Administration to Withdraw Proposed Changes to Estate Tax Discount Valuation As the U.S. Department of Treasury reviews all the significant tax regulations issued

on or after Jan. 1, 2016, farmers and ranchers are calling on the administration to withdraw proposed changes that would limit the use of discount valuation for estate tax purposes.

The proposed changes “would significantly endanger the future of family farms in America.

They wrongly set forth more restrictive rules for using valuation discounts that would make it more difficult for our nation’s family-owned farms and ranches to survive

intergenerational transfers,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall in a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.

Valuation discounting has proven to be a very effective strategy for transferring business assets to subsequent generations, particularly when it comes to the transfer of small family businesses and farms and ranches, according to

CORNER TO 15A }

JULY 2017 • VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org • 15A t CORNER FROM 14A Farm Bureau.

In the letter, he also urged that a recommendation to withdraw the valuation-related changes be made by the Promoting Agricultural and Rural Prosperity in America task force, under its charge to promote the preservation of family farms and other agribusinesses as they are passed from one generation to the next. President Donald Trump created the task force with an executive order issued on April 25.

H�Regulatory Reform In mid-May, a U.S. Senate committee advanced its version of the Regulatory Accountability Act (RAA), a bill that will benefit U.S. agriculture by making federal agencies more accountable and transparent in rule-making.

Under the RAA, federal agencies must provide the public with more information regarding the costliest regulations before initiating rule-making; undertake a cost/benefit analysis; select the most cost-effective approach; consider reasonable alternatives to proposed rules; and use the best scientific, technical and economic information.

The legislation would also prohibit agencies from using social media or engaging in propaganda to lobby the public.

If enacted, this bipartisan legislation would be the most significant regulatory reform to the Administrative Procedures Act since it was first passed in 1946. Regulatory reform remains a priority issue for Farm Bureau.

H�2017 Census of Agriculture Some exciting changes in the 2017 Census of Agriculture will attempt to capture more nuances in demographics compared to prior surveys. In many ways, it will be the same survey respondents have seen in recent years. But in some important ways—including, but not limited to, demographic changes—it will try to better capture the landscape of a nuanced agricultural industry.

The 2017 Census of Agriculture will arrive at your door later this year, to be returned to the USDA by February 5, 2018.

H�NAFTA Reform Comments Submitted The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has been overwhelmingly beneficial for most of U.S. farmers and

ranchers – and their counterparts in Canada and Mexico- but there are several good reasons to update and reform NAFTA from agriculture’s perspective.

Minnesota Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation each submitted comments to the U.S. Trade Representative outlining the priorities of farmers and ranchers when it comes to renegotiating NAFTA. Under NAFTA, U.S. farmers and ranchers have seen their exports to Mexico and Canada grow significantly, from $8.9 billion in 1993 to $38 billion in 2016.

While some of the areas prime for improvement are commodity-specific such as those tariff barriers to dairy, poultry and eggs, as well as the relatively recent barriers to ultra-filtered milk exports,

others apply sector-wide, such as reducing redundant regulatory costs, expediting transit across borders and hastening the resolution of disputes between members.

Other improvements should reflect the changing of agriculture such as rules relating to biotechnology, sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures, and geographic indicators.

Any renegotiation must protect the gains achieved in agricultural trade and work to remove remaining barriers to trade with Canada and Mexico.

Minnesota agriculture depends on a growing international economy that provides market opportunities for farmer and ranchers.

Yard & Garden The following tips are provided by the University of Minnesota Extension Service Yard & Garden line. For information on gardening, insects and diseases in the home landscape visit extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden. s Make a habit of deadheading (removing faded flowers) annuals such as geraniums, petunias and fuchsias to prevent infection by the gray mold pathogen, Botrytis. This disease is favored by warm, humid weather typical of July and August.

Flower infections can lead, ultimately, to death of the entire plant. Deadheading flowers also keeps plants blooming more vigorously. They look better, too. s Keep a careful watch over your valued American elms for the first signs of Dutch elm disease. Symptoms include wilting and sudden browning of leaves, often in a wedge-shaped portion

of the upper canopy. Professional, licensed arborists may be able to treat infected trees successfully if the disease is caught early enough. If not, the tree must be removed promptly. s You can protect yourself from mosquitoes while gardening by working outdoors during the sunny part of the day. Always avoid the time around dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. Wear light colored clothing.

Repellants that contain N,N-diethyl-metatoluamide (DEET) are most effective, but products used on children should contain no more than 15 percent DEET. s Oaks, maples and hackberry trees often develop abnormal galls or growths on their foliage; green ash trees may produce clusters of unsightly dark ball-shaped galls hanging from the ends of their branches. Though unattractive, these galls usually don’t harm the trees.

By the time you see them, it’s too late to do anything. Preventative sprays must be applied in early spring as the leaves unfurl.

IS IN RURAL AMERICA We’re proud to be a Reinke dealer and represent a company that calls rural America home. Reinke is an independent company that cares more about building great irrigation systems than returning dividends to stockholders. Just like us, Reinke values honesty, trust, common sense and tradition. If those things are important to you too, come see us to learn more about high-performance Reinke irrigation systems.

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16A • JULY 2017 • VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org

Join us at Farmfest August 1-3 The premiere agricultural event in Minnesota is August 1-3 and promises to deliver another great year.

Located on the Gilfillan Estate in Redwood County, Farmfest is the largest farm show in Minnesota. The event is produced by IDEAg, a division of American Farm Bureau Federa�on, and hosts over ��� e�hibitors which span more than �� acres of land.

SHOW DATES AND HOURS Tuesday 8 a.m.—5 p.m.

Wednesday 8 a.m.—4 p.m.

Thursday 8 a.m.—4 p.m.

Admission $12 per person 17 and under - FREE Visit Farmfest.com for discounted tickets!

FREE parking!

attending the show. The Media Center will be the central meeting place for the local and national media covering Farmfest. Inside the center, members of the press are able to conduct interviews, remote connect back to their offices, and focus on the important work of promoting our show to the world.

Farmfest Forums Unless otherwise noted, all events take place in the Wick Buildings Farmfest Center.

Schedule subject to change.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1

Download the Farmfest Mobile App to stay up to date on the latest schedule, special events and exhibitors at Farmfest. Visit Farmfest.com for details.

• Rural Health & Safety Day

l Farm Bureau Day at Farmfest - Wednesday • Pancake Breakfast – 8 a.m.10 a.m. Forum Tent - Free to first 1,000 people • Daily door prizes

10:30 a.m.

• Addressing the Rural Health Care Dilemma

l Eat at the Farm Bureau Food Tent The tent is located on the north central side at the end of Sixth Street. We will be serving pork chops on a stick, pickles, Schwan’s ice cream and assorted beverages. Proceeds raised go to the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation and will go towards agricultural education, safety education and leadership development.

The Farm Bureau display will also be located under the tent. l Minnesota Farm Bureau Agriculture Scavenger Hunt Booth #7 Sponsored by: Minnesota Farm Bureau The Agriculture Scavenger Hunt offers hands on education for children and their families on agriculture. To take part stop by the Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFB) booth (#7) at the North end of the show grounds to receive directions on how to participate while at Farmfest.

When you have finished the Agriculture Scavenger Hunt stop back at the MFB booth for your prize. l Farm Bureau Financial Services Stop by the Farm Bureau Financial Services (FBFS) tent – located just north of the Wick Buildings Farmfest Center (lot F2) on Sixth Street. Learn more about the advantages of having an on-site SuperCheck®.

Register for a chance to win a Yamaha 4-Wheeler and grab a bag of popcorn. Be one of the first 10 visitors to the tent each day with a copy of The Voice and receive a coupon for a free Pork Chop on a Stick, redeemable at the Farm Bureau food tent. l FBFS Media Center The Farmfest Media Center, sponsored by Farm Bureau Financial Services (FBFS), will be available to all media

10 a.m.

• Minnesota State Patrol Vehicle Inspections Booth #830

people. Join the local leaders from 78 county and regional Farm Bureaus for a free pancake breakfast and a cup of coffee.

MFB: “People sharing ideas, seeing common wisdom, developing solid solutions…All in the pursuit of improving the quality of life in a spirit of voluntary cooperation.”

9 a.m.

• Grain and Livestock Marketing Presentation 10 a.m.

• Minnesota State Patrol Vehicle Inspections Booth #830 10:30 a.m.

• National Agriculture Policy Roundtable Noon Linder Farm Network Noon Ag Hour featuring Max Armstrong

11:30 a.m.

• Free Sweet Corn Feed Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers

1:00 p.m.

• Kids’ Pedal Pull Sponsored by Minnesota Soybean Located near Entrance Gate 2

Noon • Linder Farm Network Noon Ag Hour

1:15 p.m.

• Transitioning to the Next Generation

1 p.m.

• Kids’ Pedal Pull Sponsored by Minnesota Soybean Located near Entrance Gate 2

2 p.m.

• Minnesota State Patrol Vehicle Inspections Booth #830

1:15 p.m.

• Strategies for Farming in Challenging Times 2 p.m.

• Minnesota State Patrol Vehicle Inspections Booth #830

THURSDAY, AUGUST 3 9 a.m.

• U.S. House Agriculture Committee Farm Bill Listening Session

2:45 p.m.

• Farm Health and Safety Fair

10 a.m.

• Minnesota State Patrol Vehicle Inspections Booth #830

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2

Noon • Linder Farm Network Noon Ag Hour

8 a.m. – 10 a.m.

• Minnesota Farm Bureau Pancake Breakfast (Limited to the first 1,000 attendees) Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation is proud to sponsor this year’s FREE Pancake Breakfast to the first 1,000

1:00 p.m.

• Kids’ Pedal Pull Sponsored by Minnesota Soybean Located near Entrance Gate 2

1:15 p.m.

• Farm Family of the Year Recognition Program

Presented by: University of Minnesota The Farm Family of the Year Recognition Program has existed for more than three decades and honors farm families throughout Minnesota for their contributions to agriculture and their local communities. This year’s event will honor 80 farm families who will be named “2017 Farm Family of the Year.” A county may honor one farm family per year.

For information on the 2017 University of Minnesota Farm Family of the Year or the event, visit: mnfarmfamilies.cfans.umn.edu.

Along with Farmfest, University units sponsoring the recognition event include: University of Minnesota Extension, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS), the Minnesota Agriculture Experiment Station and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Special Daily Events • Ride & Drive Demonstrations Stop by the newly relocated Ride & Drive space, on the south side of the grounds inside the entrance gates, to test drive some of the latest products from these exhibitors: • 2018 Ford Super Duty: “Drive the Future of Tough” Tour

Minnesota Farmfest attendees are invited to experience the 2018 Ford F-150 before it is available in local Ford Dealerships.

Attendees will get a first look at several new class-exclusive features and Ford product experts will be on hand to explain the new innovations and answer questions.

Consumers can walk-up to the

display at Minnesota Farmfest or pre-register for the event online at F150drive.com where they will be entered for a chance to win their own 2018 Ford F150!

• Pedal Pull Located near Entrance Gate 2 Sponsored by: Minnesota Soybean Held at 1 p.m. daily. Bring your youngster to the Farmfest Pedal Pull to see how he or she fares in the show’s most widelyattended children’s contest.

Children ages 4-11 are eligible to participate, and the top three contestants in each bracket will win an award.

10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

• Minnesota State Patrol Vehicle Inspection

Nuss Truck Booth, #830 Sponsored by: Minnesota State Patrol Have you ever wondered what commercial vehicle inspectors look for during a vehicle inspection? Come watch, listen and learn as members of the Minnesota State Patrol Commercial Vehicle Section and Minnesota Department of Transportation demonstrate how vehicle inspections are conducted, what they look for and why. Inspectors will explain this year’s many law changes affecting the operation of farm vehicles and how revised inspection procedures are making it more important than ever for farm truck operators to know about proper maintenance and vehicle requirements.

Together, we can accomplish our mission of reducing crashes and saving lives on Minnesota’s roadways.

JULY 2017 • VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org • 17A

AGTIVITY CORNER Car Trip Ag Bingo country map if you are going on a long drive.

You’ll want to put a star near every interesting point.

Do you have a family road trip planned this summer? Learn about agriculture across America by playing bingo on the road. To get ready, find a map of the area you will be traveling. This may be a local city map, a state map or even a

Supplies Needed H Map H Bingo Card H Pen, pencil or stamp Directions Step 1: Review your Bingo Card. Take a few minutes to look at all items listed on the Bingo Card. Ask an adult if you do not understand the items. With adult permission, you can also go

online and look up images of each item.

Step 2: Find your marker.

Choose a pen, pencil or stamp to mark your Bingo game board.

Step 3: Here’s how to play – The next time you are on a road trip, get out your Bingo card.

Look for items from the road that are on your card, such as a field of corn or horses in a pasture. When you see them, call them out loudly and mark your board. The first person to get five spaces in a row (up and down, across or diagonal) wins.

You can even play this by yourself.

Step 4: Have fun playing Bingo and learning about agriculture and your surrounding environment.

Do you want to learn more about agriculture in America?

Create your own agriculture Bingo card using agriculture commodities from your area.

Maybe your town is known for growing sugar beets, peas or

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n Bulletin Board Contest THIS YEAR’S MINNESOTA Farm Bureau Federa�on �MFBF� Promo�on � Educa�on �P�E� Commi�ee Bulle�n Board Contest winner was �ennifer Kovacik of �ake Region Chris�an School in Baxter. Ms. Kovacik says that each sec�on of the bulle�n board covers a di�erent aspect of Minnesota’s agriculture - cows, pigs, crops, chickens, apples and bees. At a glance, students can learn important facts, and their eyes are drawn to the board because of the 3-D items on the board. Congratula�ons�

Minnesota Farmfest Blair’s

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18A • JULY 2017 • VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org

SAFETY FIRST

Stay Safe During Baling Season

both the tractor and baler.

• Because balers produce flammable dust and are susceptible to overheating due to friction, equip your tractor with a 10-pound dry chemical (ABC) fire extinguisher.

• Eject the bales at an angle Using a Round Baler perpendicular to the slope to reduce the risk of a bale rolling down the The round baler is a complex incline. machine with multiple moving parts, and an entanglement incident • When baling on uneven or hilly could lead to costly repair bills, terrain, travel slowly and avoid injury or death. Prior to using the holes and drop-offs. A round baler baler each season, you must: has a high center of gravity and could tip sideways if a wheel goes • Thoroughly inspect it into a ditch or hole.

• Make any needed repairs • Avoid sharp turns with a baler • Review all the safety precautions in the owner’s manual because the tractor wheels might hit the tongue of the baler.

The size and rated power of the • Refer to the owner’s manual of tractor you use with your baler the baler for additional safety must meet the manufacturer’s information related to the machine requirements for towing and you are using. powering the baler.

Safety Recommendations Handling Bales • Make sure that safety locks are Many farmers move bales in the in place when working on the baler field with front-end loaders. The while the bale chamber is open. recommended practice for moving • When operating the baler, do bales with a front-end loader is to not leave the tractor seat until the power take-off (PTO) is disengaged remove the bucket and use an and all moving parts have stopped. attachment designed to handle round bales, such as a grapple hook • Ensure that all the original or bale spear. Using a grapple hook shields are in place on the power or spear on your front-end loader shafts and other moving parts of When baling and handling large round bales, you must recognize and understand potential hazards and follow the manufacturer’s operating recommendations for each piece of equipment you use.

reduces the potential for the bale to roll back onto the loader arms or operator.

Be certain that both the tractor and the attachment can safely handle the weight and size of your round bales. The lifting mechanism used to move the bales should have a working load rating that exceeds the size of the bales.

The center of gravity on a tractor changes when it is carrying a bale.

Producers tend to lift the load to increase visibility. This action raises the center of gravity and places the tractor at increased risk for a side overturn. The risk of a side overturn also increases when traction is lost because the tractor is operating on rough terrain or wet ground.

When using a rear-mounted three-point lift to move round bales, do not lift bales too high. The center of gravity could shift to the rear of the tractor and cause the front of the tractor to rise. If the front of the tractor rises too much, the front tires lose stability, and steering is impaired. Hauling bales simultaneously with a front-end loader and rear-mounted attachment can reduce the stability problem, but you must take care not to exceed the weight limit for

the loader tractor’s tire capacity.

Safety Recommend ations • Avoid overhead wires when you are moving bales with a front-end loader. Keep the bale close to the ground.

• Use additional weight (within the load capacity of the tires) on the front or rear end of the tractor to ensure stability.

• Relieve the hydraulic pressure before disconnecting all hydraulic lines. Examine the lines for leaks and malfunctioning parts.

• When moving bales, use a tractor that is equipped with a rollover protective structure (ROPS), and always buckle the seat belt.

Hauling Bales Specialized bale wagons and trailers that carry multiple bales at a time can save time and reduce the risk of overturns and of overloading a tractor’s hydraulic system.

Safety Recommendations • When using a wagon or trailer

to haul bales, choose a tractor that can maneuver and stop a wagon or trailer carrying the weight of the bales.

• Ensure that the wagon or trailer is properly hitched to the tractor’s drawbar by using a safety pin and a safety chain.

• Properly secure the bales on the wagon or trailer by using straps that have a tensile strength of one-andhalf times the weight of the load.

• When transporting round bales on a public roadway, remember to follow all traffic laws related to wide loads. The trailer or wagon should be highly visible and equipped with a slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem, reflectors and warning lights.

Source: extension.org

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JULY 2017

Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation Holds 2nd Annual Sporting Clays Tournament

Submi�ed Photo

LARISSA INDREBO FOCUSES on her target at one of the shoo�ng sta�ons. She �nished as the top female shooter and was a member of Team Olen in the 2nd Annual MFB Founda�on Spor�ng Clays Tournament held June 8 near Le Sueur.

T

he Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFB) Foundation 2nd Annual Sporting Clays Tournament was held on June 8 at Caribou Gun Club in Le Sueur. Forty-four shooters on nine teams tested their skills at 12 interactive shooting stations. The event raised nearly $2,500, and the proceeds will be used by the MFB Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom projects and other educational programs.

Participants included high GRAND MEADOW HIGH school spor�ng clays team shot in and won the school sporting clays teams, 2nd Annual MFB Founda�on Spor�ng Clays Tournament held June 8 near 4-H and FFA shooting sports Le Sueur. Pictured le� to right are Rafe Pooler, Andrew Arndorfer, Dakota teams, Farm Bureau Steinkamp, Jus�n Kassel, Rece �oight and Coach Greg Lamp. members, FBFS agents and adults who enjoy the sport.

Watch for next year’s event environment through safety training, agricultural date in future issues of the Voice of Ag to join us education and leadership training. Along with or to sponsor a local team. fundraising events, donations are appreciated at The winners of the sporting clays tournament any time during the year. were as follows: Top Male – Rece Voigt, Grand The MFB Foundation supports organizations Meadow High School; Top Female – Larissa such as: Minnesota 4-H Foundation, Minnesota Indrebo, Kanabec-Isanti County; Top Youth – Agriculture in the Classroom, Minnesota Rece Voigt, Grand Meadow High School and Top Agriculture and Rural Leadership Program, Team – Grand Meadow High School.

Minnesota Association of Agriculture Educators The Sporting Clays Tournament is one of four and the Minnesota FFA Foundation. main fundraising events for the Foundation. The You can be a part of our effort. Invest in rural other fundraisers include an auction at the MFB Minnesota by contributing to the MFB Annual Meeting, a pork chop stand at Farmfest Foundation. The Foundation has a 501(c)3 status. near Redwood Falls, August 1-3 and a golf Contributions are deductible as allowed by law. scramble held June 27 in Cottage Grove.

For more information contact Ruth Meirick at Support of these events allows the Foundation 651-768-2115 or ruth.meirick@fbmn.org or log to accomplish its mission to provide opportunities onto fbmn.org/foundation. for supporters of agriculture to invest in people and programs that promote agriculture and the

n Food Awareness for Beef Month

THE MINNESOTA FARM Bureau Federa�on�s (MFBF) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Commi�ee and the Minnesota Farm Bureau Founda�on worked with the Minnesota FFA to sponsor the 15th Annual FFA/Farm Bureau Discussion Meet compe��on on April 23. Pictured le� to right are MFBF President Kevin Paap� runner-up Bri�anie Win�eld, Grand Meadow FFA and winner Savannah Aanerud, Morris Area FFA.

Aanerud Wins State FFA Discussion Meet The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee and the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation worked with the Minnesota FFA to sponsor the 15th Annual FFA/Farm Bureau Discussion Meet competition. Fifteen regional FFA finalists from across the state competed at the Minnesota State FFA Convention on Sunday, April 23 at the Continuing Education Conference Center Building on the University of Minnesota campus.

Savannah Aanerud of the Morris Area FFA Chapter won the competition and Brittanie Winfield of the Grand Meadow FFA Chapter took second place. Samuel Moenning of the Triton FFA Chapter and Molly Lindgren of the Staples/Motley FFA Chapter also advanced to the final round. Aanerud and Winfield both receive a college scholarship sponsored by the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation.

Topics of discussion for this year’s event included: 1. How does FFA and Farm Bureau support all agricultural practices while ensuring we are feeding the growing population?

2. How can FFA and Farm Bureau promote the career opportunities in agriculture?

3. How do we as FFA and Farm Bureau Members ensure farmers and ranchers are being efficient stewards of natural resources?

Students participated in two semi-final rounds, and the top four advanced to a final round. Contestants were judged on their basic knowledge of critical farm issues and their ability to exchange ideas and information in a setting aimed at cooperative problem solving.

Photo by Dennis Sabel

FARM BUREAU MEMBERS promoted Food Awareness in celebra�on of Beef Month. They handed out beef samples and answered consumer ques�ons at Coburns on May 2�. Pictured le� to right are Eli Berry, Kanabec/Isan� County Farm Bureau member and Steve Kruse, Chisago County Farm Bureau member.

n MFBF Years of Service

CONGRATULATIONS TO MINNESOTA Farm Bureau Federa�on (MFBF) employees Ruth Meirick, le�, and Judy Pilcher, right, who were recently recognized for 20 years with Farm Bureau. Thank you for your dedica�on to the organiza�on and its members.

2B • JULY 2017• VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org

County Fairs & Event Guide Minnesota Valley Antique Farm Power Machinery Show 37th ANNUAL THRESHING SHOW Aug. 18, 19 & 20, 2017 at Heritage Hill 4 miles east of Montevideo on Hwy 7 2017 FEATURE TRACTOR JOHN DEERE For info call Waunita Kanten 320-793-6633 www.heritagehill.us

25th Annual Ethnic Fest September 9th, 2017 Walker, MN Sponsored by Leech Lake Chamber of Commerce Parade starts at 11am Outdoor stages of live entertainment 12-6pm Entertainment in all local restaurants that evening Ethnic Fest buttons available for purchase at all stages $8 each or 2/$15

Washington County Fair

Dožínky

Crow Wing County Fair August 1-5, 2017 Brainerd, MN

www.brainerd.com/fair for more info

218-829-6680

Pine County Fair August 2-6, 2017 Pine City, MN

33rd Annual Czech Harvest Festival Classic Car Cruise

Street Dance • Beer Garden • Food Booths

August 14-20, 2017

Tues., Aug. 15 • Hitchville Wed., Aug. 16 • Hairball Thurs., Aug. 17 • Gear Daddies Sat., Aug. 19 • William Michael Morgan Live Shark Experience All Week Long All entertainment is FREE with gate admission

Ride Tickets are $25 each

Dožínky® Festival Main Street, New Prague, MN Fri, Sept. 15 - Sat., Sept. 16, noon-5 p.m.

• Ethnic Crafts • Food Booths • Entertainment • Parade New Prague Chamber of Commerce 952-758-4360 www.newprague.com

East Otter Tail County Fair July 20-23, 2017

Carnival, Walk-through exhibits, Showmanship Livestock, Grandstand Events - Tractor Pull (United Pullers of Minnesota (UPM) & Demo-Derby with the biggest prize money in the area. www.eotcountyfair.org

August 9-13

Celebrating

150 Years 2017 Brown County Fair Brown County 1867-2017 1 st

www.pinecountyfair.com Free Gate • Free Parking Wednesday Truck Pull 7:00 p.m.

Thursday Tractor Pull 7:00 p.m.

Friday Demolition Derby 7:00 p.m.

Saturday Parade 4:00 p.m.

Demolition Derby 7:00 p.m.

Sunday Talent Show 2:00 p.m.

Demolition Derby 4:00 p.m.

Tunnel 2 Towers 9/11 Exhibit Racing Pigs from Leader, MN

Fairgrounds New Ulm, MN

Entertainment * Farm Animals * Tractors Grandstand * Midway * Exhibits * Fair Food

Demo Derbies - Wed. & Sat. Nights ATV Big Air Tour - Thurs. Night Tractor Pull & Fireworks - Fri. night Dock Dogs - Fri., Sat. & Sun. Lots of free entertainment on the grounds!

Free Gate & Free Parking!

1410 3rd Ave S, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 www.BentonfairMN.com

www.browncountyfreefair.com

Full page fair & events ad Worthington, MN

Lake Elmo, MN Wed., Aug. 2nd - Sun., Aug. 6th, 2017 Our 146th Annual County Fair!

August 9-13, 2017

Wed., Aug. 9 Tractor Pull, District Dairy Show Thurs., Aug. 10 Family Fun Night Fri., Aug. 11 Endurance Race Sat., Aug. 12 Tri State Beef Show Stock Car Racing KIDS DAY @ THE FAIR

Wednesday, August 2nd

11 a.m.

2 p.m.

7 p.m.

8 p.m.

Talent Contest

Senior Citizen’s Day Wild Things Zoo Attractions Carnival Opens Pick-Up See-Saw Contest Swine Time Pig Races

Thursday, August 3rd Family Fun Day

Noon 7 p.m.

8 p.m.

Carnival Opens Western Wisconsin Truck Pullers Teen Talent Show Elvis

2 p.m.

4 p.m.

8 p.m.

day @ 3 Teddy Bear Band BMX Bikes Mega Jump Show Boogie Wonderland

ds Hundreals! of anim

Noon 6 p.m.

8:30 p.m.

Tribute

Friday, August 4th Fri Show

Saturday, August 5th

Brodini Comedy Magic Demolition Derby Rockin’ Hollywoods CaDr aily

Sunday, August 6th

niv Rides al

All American Day 11:30 a.m. Rock, Paper, Scissors Contest 12:30 p.m. English Horse Show Free g Parkin

Complete schedule @ washingtoncountyfair.org

CLEARWATER COUNTY FAIR Bagley, MN

August 2-5

218-694-6520 July 2 0-23, 2017

Thursday, July 20 5pm - Horse Fun Show Friday, July 21 6pm - John Spitzner Memorial Tractor & Truck Pull 6pm - Ranch Rodeo Band - Powerhouse Saturday, July 22 7:30am - Breakfast at the Fair sponsored

by Watonwan Farm Bureau 7:30am - Tractorkade 9am - 4-H, FFA Auction 11am - Extreme Cowboy Race Band-Smoke Screen Sunday, July 23 8am - Stock Horse Show 11:30am - Kids Pedal Pull 1pm - Farm Family & Senior Recognition Band-Sugar Loom 4pm - Medallion in Paper Hunt

watonwancountyfair.com

®

44th Annual Pioneer Power Show: August 25, 26, 27 Working Demonstrations, Parades, Tractor Pull, Music, Food, Camping, 16th Annual Consignment Auction, Antique Tractors, Gas & Steam Engines

Featuring:

OWATONNA, MN AUGUST 15-20 www.scff.org

pioneerpowershow.com

Minnesota’s Largest County Fair For more information call 507-451-5305 or 800-423-6466

MN Chapter #15 IH Collectors

More Info: www.noblescountyfair.com

We’ll See You at the

2017 Rice County Fair!

July 18 - 23, 2017

Fair FREE sion! is Adm

Dail y Pa Full rkin -Fai g: $ r Pa 5 rkin g: $ 20

2017 Grandstand Events Wednesday, July 19 - 6:30 p.m.

MEGA JUMP PRO DIRT JAM

Thursday, July 20 - 6 p.m.

ENDURO AUTO RACES

$5 • 13 & Under: Free

Adults: $15 • Children 6-11: $5 • 5 & Under: Free

Friday, July 21 - 7 p.m.

BARNES RODEO

Saturday, July 22 - 7 p.m.

NTPA TRUCK & TRACTOR PULL

Sunday, July 23

Mitchell Marionettes, Tuey the Juggler, Brodini Family Comedy/Magic Show Stardust Circus * Plus many more acts!

Adults: $15 • Children 6-11: $5 • 5 & Under: Free Family Pack: 2 Adults, 4 Children: $40 4 p.m. - KIDS’ POWER WHEELS 4:30 p.m. - DEMOLITION DERBY Adults: $15 • Children 6-11: $5 • 5 & Under: Free

Adults: $15 • Children 6-11: $5 • 5 & Under: Free

Daily Free Entertainment

Ticket Office opens 1.5 hours prior to event. Gates open 1 hour prior to event. Drawings held Every Night!

FREE Entertainment at the Midway Stage Tuesday, July 18 - 7 p.m.

RICE COUNTY FAIR QUEEN CORONATION

Faribault Area Community Band - 8 p.m.

Thursday, July 20 - 7-10 p.m.

WHITESIDEWALLS

Saturday, July 22 - 8 p.m.-Midnight LaRaza de Mexico

Wednesday, July 19 - 6:30-9 p.m.

JOLLY P’S Friday, July 21 - 7 p.m.

BRAD BOICE - ELVIS IMPERSONATOR

Sunday, July 23 - 4 p.m.

4-H Parade of Champions m.

For More

Some of Our Many 2017 Rice County Sponsors: Kelly Auto • Jennie-O-Turkey • Midwest Collision,pions Inc. • IBEW Electrical Union • State Bank of Faribault • Harry Brown’s Family Automotice Center For More • Hy-Vee of Faribault • Godfather’s Pizza • Flom Disposal • KYMN Radio • Absolute Towing Info Visit • Fareway Foods • Ace Hardware • Sandy Flom, CPA • Sheet Metal Worker’s Union • Faribault Daily ricecountyfair.net News • Power 96 • KDHL Radio • Power 96 Albert Lea • Kielmeyer Construction • Mander’s Diesel

To Advertise Here Call 800-798-2691

GRANDSTAND

ENTERTAINMENT BMX JUMP SHOW SUNDAY, AUG. 6 @ 1, 3, & 4:30 PM Jaw-dropping stunt show full of tricks and jumps *FREE for all ages

RODEO THURSDAY, AUG. 3 @ 7PM M

TRACTOR PULL FRIDAY, AUG. 4 @ 6PM DEMOLITION DERBY SATURDAY, AUG. 5 @ 6PM

DAILY HAPPENINGS LIVESTOCK L High quality livestock H sshows of all kinds

FREE MUSIC & VARIETY SHOWS DAILY EVENTS AND TIMES Magic music and so much more!

Always something going on at the Bandshell and Beer Garden stages CARNIVAL Wrist band deals, and daily tickets available

SELFIE CONTEST #meekerfair2017

www.meekerfair.com

LITTLE FARM HANDS Kids can experience the world of agriculture first-hand

JULY 2017 • VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org •3B Rock County Fair (Luverne) July 26-29 Lee Sells 507-449-3247 www.rockcountyfair.com

JULY

Cannon Valley Fair (Cannon Falls) July 1-4 Becky Peine 507-263-3548 www.cannonvalleyfair.org Ki�son County Fair (Hallock) July 6-9 Joel Muir 218-843-1066 www.ki�soncountyfair.org

Having a ball a t t he fair!

Chippewa County Fair (Montevideo) July 26-30 Carmen Haugen 320-793-6727 www.chippewacofair.com Kanabec County Fair (Mora) July 26-30 John Angstman 320-679-3371 www.kanabecfair.org

Polk County Fair (Fer�le) July 5-7 Michael Moore 218-779-7858 www.polkcountyfairfer�lemn.com Aitkin County Fair (Aitkin) July 5-8 Kirk Peysar 218-851-2453 www.aitkincountyfair.org Cass County Fair (Pillager) July 6-9 Donna Klimek 218-746-3348 www.pillagerfair.com Northern Minnesota District Fair (Li�lefork) July 7-10 Kelly Haney 218-240-7811 www.northernmndistric�air.com Lake of the Woods County Fair (Baude�e) July 12-15 Jackie 218-634-1437 www.lotwfair.com Big Stone County Fair (Clinton) July 12-16 Bruce Wellendorf 320-325-3247 www.bscfair.org Hubbard County Fair (Park Rapids) July 12-16 Russell Smith 218-237-3247 www.hubbardcountyfair.com Pennington County Fair (Thief River Falls) July 12-16 Ray Safranski 218-416-2550 www.penningtoncountyfair.com Ramsey County Fair (Maplewood) July 12-16 Joe Fox 651-777-6514 www.ramseycountyfair.com South St. Louis County Fair (Proctor) July 12-16 Mary Korich 218-628-2401 www.proctorduluthfair.com Waseca County Fair (Waseca) July 12-16 Robin Dulas 507-835-8958 www.wasecacountyfair.org Winona County Fair (St. Charles) July 12-16 Winona County Fair Board 507-932-3074 www.winonacountyfair.com

Yellow Medicine County Fair (Canby) July 13-15 Melissa Denelsbeck 507-223-5852 www.ymcfair.org

Marshall County Fair (Warren) July 19-23 Cindy Anderson 218-745-4445 www.marshallcountyfair.org

Clay County Fair (Barnesville) July 13-16 Pam Aakre 218-354-2675 www.mnclaycountyfair.org

Chisago County Fair (Rush City) July 20-23 Mike Hochsta�er 320-358-0296 www.chisagocountyfair.org

Redwood County Fair (Redwood Falls) July 13-16 Jeff Po�er 507-627-2801 www.redwoodcountyfair.com

O�er Tail County Fair East (Perham) July 20-23 Diane Sazama 218-346-2750 www.eotcountyfair.org

Todd County Fair (Long Prairie) July 13-16 Debra Durheim 320-732-2739 www.toddcountyfair.com

Sherburne County Fair (Elk River) July 20-23 Velvet Long�n 763-441-3610 www.sherburnecountyfair.org

Roseau County Fair (Roseau) July 16-21 Richard Magnusson 218-689-6634 www.roseaucountyfair.com

Watonwan County Fair (St. James) July 20-23 Kelly Schulte 507-375-5515 www.watonwancountyfair.com

Fillmore County Fair (Preston) July 18-23 Kathy Tesmer 507-272-2261 www.fillmorecountyfair.com

Grant County Fair (Herman) July 20-24 Michelle Corey-Sperr 320-677-2284 www.grantcountyfairmn.com

Rice County Fair (Faribault) July 18-23 John Dvorak 507-332-2470 www.ricecountyfair.net

Olmsted County Fair (Rochester) July 24-30 Judy Plank 507-367-2455 www.olmstedcountyfair.com

O�er Tail County Fair West (Fergus Falls) July 19-22 Mike Holstrom 218-736-0272 www.wotcountyfair.com

Jackson County Fair (Jackson) July 25-29 Rob Withes 507-841-0709 www.jacksoncountyfairmn.com

Wabasha County Fair (Wabasha) July 19-22 Barb Pe�t 507-534-4152 www.wabashacountyfair.org Dodge County Fair (Kasson) July 19-23 Marilyn Lermon 507-634-7736 www.dodgecountyfreefair.com Isan� County Fair (Cambridge) July 19-23 Jolene Hasselfeldt 763-689-8487 www.isan�countyfair.com

Anoka County Fair (Anoka) July 25-30 Ray Hyoval� 763-427-4070 www.anokacountyfair.com Becker County Fair (Detroit Lakes) July 26-29 Shawn Eckert 218-847-5587 www.beckercountyfair.tripod.com Faribault County Fair (Blue Earth) July 26-29 Sara Gack 507-520-6552 www.faribaultcountyfair.com

Sco� County Fair (Jordan) July 26-30 Rhonda Kucera 952-492-2436 www.sco�countyfair.com Stearns County Fair (Sauk Centre) July 26-30 Jackie Spoden-Bolz 320-352-2482 www.stearnscountyfair.com Wright County Fair (Howard Lake) July 26-30 Dennis Beise 320-543-2111 www.wrightcountyfair.org Blue Earth County Fair (Garden City) July 27-30 Liz Madsen 507-933-0843 www.blueearthcountyfair.org Lincoln County Fair (Tyler) July 27-30 Curt Madsen 507-247-5454

AUGUST

Crow Wing County Fair (Brainerd) August 1-5 Gary Douce�e 218-829-6680 www.brainerd.com/fair Benton County Fair (Sauk Rapids) August 1-6 Laura Falconer 320-253-5649 www.bentonfairmn.com Freeborn County Fair (Albert Lea) August 1-6 Norm Fredin 507-373-6965 www.freeborncountyfair.com Pipestone County Fair (Pipestone) August 2-5 Skip Moeller 507-825-5979 www.pipestonecountyfair.sites. pipestonepublishing.com Pope County Fair (Glenwood) August 2-5 Paul Koubsky 320-491-5663 Clearwater County Fair (Bagley) August 2-6 Al Paulson 218-694-2780 Pine County Fair (Pine City) August 2-6 Brent Thompson 320-629-3408 www.pinecountyfair.com

FAIR TO 4B

4B • JULY 2017• VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org t FAIR FROM 3B Sibley County Fair (Arlington) August 2-6 Barb Bening 507-964-5698 www.sibleycountyfair.com

Brown County Free Fair (New Ulm) August 9-13 Lucy Gluth 507-354-2223 www.browncountyfreefair.com

Mar�n County Fair (Fairmont) August 14-20 Edwin Murphy 507-235-9576 www.theotherbigfair.com

Carlton County Fair (Barnum) August 17-20 Allysha Sample 218-389-6737 www.carltoncountyfair.com

Washington County Fair (Lake Elmo) August 2-6 Kim Salitros 651-433-0103 www.washingtoncountyfair.org

Carver County Fair (Waconia) August 9-13 Twyla Menth 952-442-2333 www.carvercountyfair.com

Stevens County Fair (Morris) August 10-14 Mary Hill 320-589-1062 www.scfair.net

Douglas County Fair (Alexandria) August 17-20 Kevin Brezina 320-760-0780 www.dcmnfair.com

Meeker County Fair (Litchfield) August 3-6 Kim Anderson 320-593-3247 www.meekerfair.com

Lyon County Fair (Marshall) August 9-13 Kelly Hansen 507-532-2511 www.lyoncountyfair.com

Steele County Free Fair (Owatonna) August 15-20 Jim Gleason 507-451-5305 www.scff.org

Lake County Fair (Two Harbors) August 17-20 Rachel Bailey 218-269-4159 www.thelakecountyfair.com

Dakota County Fair (Farmington) August 7-13 Mark Henry 651-463-8818 www.dakotacountyfair.org

Mille Lacs County Fair (Princeton) August 9-13 Florence Dehn 763-389-3138 www.millelacscountyfair.com

Co�onwood County Fair (Windom) August 16-19 Sally Larson 507-831-6122

Le Sueur County Fair (LeCenter) August 17-20 Chad Washa 507-357-6500 www.lesueurcountyfair.org

Goodhue County Fair (Zumbrota) August 8-12 Chuck Schwartau 507-732-5001 www.goodhuecountyfair.com

Nicollet County Fair (St. Peter) August 9-13 Ann Volk 507-934-2684 www.nicolletcountyfair.com

Mower County Free Fair (Aus�n) August 8-13 Denise Schneider 507-433-1868 www.mowercountyfair.com

Nobles County Fair (Worthington) August 9-13 Karla Talsma 507-376-5143 www.noblescountyfair.com

Renville County Fair (Bird Island) August 9-11 Jamie Bohlin 320-365-3242 www.renvillecountyfair.com

St. Louis County Fair (Chisholm) August 9-13 Be�e Valley 218-263-4256 www.stlofair.org

Kandiyohi County Fair (Willmar) August 9-12 Cheryl Johnson 320-235-0886 www.kandifair.com

Morrison County Fair (Li�le Falls) August 10-13 Roxanne Kathrein 320-632-1040 www.morrisonfair.com

Beltrami County Fair (Bemidji) August 9-13 Rina Phillips 218-751-4106 www.beltramicountyfair.org

Koochiching County Fair (Northome) August 11-13 Karrie Greser 218-897-5205

Murray County Fair (Slayton) August 16-19 Kim Konkol 507-836-6303 www.murraycountyfair.com Houston County Fair (Caledonia) August 16-20 Emily Johnson 507-725-3397 www.houstoncountyfair.com Itasca County Fair (Grand Rapids) August 16-20 Melissa Johnson 218-326-6470 www.itascacountyfair.org McLeod County Fair (Hutchinson) August 16-20 Casey Walters 320-587-2499 www.mcleodcountyfair.com Swi� County Fair (Appleton) August 16-20 Jon Panzer 320-815-6138 www.swi�countyfair.org

Wilkin County Fair (Breckenridge) August 17-20 Milan Drewlow 701-640-6644 www.wilkincountyfair.org Traverse County Fair (Wheaton) August 24-27 Janet Koch 320-808-6323 www.traverse.co.mn.us/community/ traverse-county-fair SW St. Louis County Fair (Floodwood) August 25-27 Susan Coccie 218-476-2716

SEPTEMBER

Lac qui Parle County Fair (Madison) September 8-11 Clair Anderson 320-598-3989 www.lqpfair.org Source: Minnesota Fe�era�on o� County Fairs

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JULY 2017 • VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org •5B

Breakfast & Events on the Farm

Submi�ed Photo

WRIGHT COUNTY BREAKFAST on the Farm was held June 17 at Goldview Farms near Waverly. Nearly 2,500 people enjoyed breakfast while visi�ng the pe�ng �oo, machinery row and more. Pictured le� to right are Dan Man� - Wright County Farm Bureau board member, Dennis Sabel – Minnesota Farm Bureau Federa�on (MFBF) east central area program director, Julie Marquardt - MFBF Promo�on and Educa�on Commi�ee member, MFBF Vice President Dan Glessing and Kevin Dahlman - Wright County Farm Bureau president.

Photo by Michael Knight

OLMSTED COUNTY HOSTED their annual Breakfast on the Farm on June 17 at the Charles and Carie Sachs dairy farm near Eyota. The nearly 2,500 people in a�endance enjoyed a pancake breakfast, as well as tractor drawn wagon rides, a pe�ng �oo and educa�onal displays and exhibits.

WASECA COUNTY DINNER on the Farm was held June 13 at Farmamerica near Waseca. Nearly 1,200 visitors enjoyed a hamburger picnic dinner and were entertained by Todd Charles (aka “The Moogician) in celebra�on of June Dairy Month.

Photo by Ashley Harguth

Photo by Riley Maanum

CLAY COUNTY HOSTED their Breakfast on the Farm June 3 at Kasin Farms near Hawley.

Pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, milk and more were served to approximately 3,000 people. Clay County Farm Bureau was a sponsor of the event.

GOODUE COUNTY FARM Bureau was a sponsor of the Goodhue County Breakfast on the Farm held June 16 at Bucks Unlimited Farms near Goodhue.

Nearly 1,500 people were in a�endance. At the event, a check form Goodhue County Farm Bureau was presented to the Goodhue FFA chapter to aid in their greenhouse project.

Pictured le� to right are Goodhue County Farm Bureau board members Tim Mack, Ted Brenny, Ms. Sue Gorman Goodhue FFA advisor and Jared Luhman.

Photo by Michael Knight

Arrowhead Regional Supper on the Farm Date: July 12 Time: 5 – 8 p.m.

Loca�on: Mr. Ed’s Farm, LLC – 10796 Foss Road, Hibbing Direc�ons: Eight miles east of Hibbing on Highway 37. Go south on Highway 5 for three miles and turn right on Foss Road.

Cost: Free Menu: Sloppy joes, hot dogs, chips and more Ac�vi�es: Educa�onal booths, local farmers market representa�ves, demonstra�ons, children’s ac�vi�es, musical entertainment and horse drawn hayrides.

Parking: Onsite Contact: Ed Nelson - mredsfarmllc@gmail.com or 218-966-1354 Sponsored by: Arrowhead Regional Farm Bureau and Hibbing Farmers Market Cottonwood County Agriculture Appreciation Night Date: July 18 Time: 5:30 – 8 p.m.

Loca�on: Windom Arena on the Co�onwood County Fairgrounds Direc�ons: 1 block north of the corner of 13th Street and 8th Avenue in Windom Cost: Free Menu: Grilled beef burgers and cheeseburgers, beans, chips, drinks and cookies Ac�vi�es: Ac�vi�es for both adults and children including bounce houses, pe�ng zoo and POET corn box Contact: Ma� Adrian - 507-301-4098 Sponsored by: Co�onwood County Farm Bureau, Co�onwood County Beef Producers, Co�onwood County Corn Growers, Co�onwood County Soybean Growers, Windom Conven�on and Visitors Bureau, Ci�zen Publishing and KDOM Radio Watonwan County Breakfast on the Farm Date: July 22 Time: 7:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Loca�on: Watonwan County Fairgrounds Cost: Free Menu: Pancakes, li�le smokies, scrambled eggs, co�ee, milk and juice Parking: On site Contact: Samantha Runge – watonwanfarmbureau@gmail.com Sponsored by: Watonwan County Farm Bureau, Central Farm Service, Crystal Valley Coopera�ve and Nu Way Coopera�ve Mower County 100th Anniversary Celebration Date: July 29 Time: 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

9:30 – 11 a.m. Children’s Ac�vi�es 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Lunch 1 p.m. Guest Speakers Loca�on: Mower County Fairgrounds – Mower County Historical Society Area Cost: Free Menu: Hamburgers, hotdogs and all the fixings Ac�vi�es: Scavenger hunt, bouncy house, pe�ng zoo, horse drawn wagon rides and machinery exhibits Guest speakers: Tim Penney and MFBF President Kevin Paap Contact: Virginia Bissen - vmbissen@gmail.com or 507-582-3518 Blue Earth and Le Sueur County Breakfast on the Farm Date: August 12 Time: 7 – 11:30 a.m.

Loca�on: Dauk Family Farm – 62536 Lakeview Road, Madison Lake Direc�ons: From Highway 60 go south on County Road 48 and follow signs to Bray Park. From Highway 14 go north on County Road 48, turn right on County Road 17, turn le� on County Road 48 and located just north of Bray Park.

Cost: Free (dona�ons accepted� Menu: Pancakes, eggs and sausage Ac�vi�es: Meet a farmer, farm animals, ca�le barn tours, farm equipment and kids’ ac�vi�es Parking: Onsite Contact: Angela Guentzel -angela.guentzel@gmail.com or 507-317-4372 Sponsored by: Minnesota Farm Bureau Founda�on, Blue Earth County Corn and Soybean Growers, Le Sueur/Sco� County Corn and Soybean Growers, Southern Minnesota Center of Agriculture, AgStar Financial Services, TacAero and Genesis Dakota County Day at Square Deal Dairy Date: October 1 Time: 1-5 p.m.

Loca�on: Square Deal Dairy Direc�ons: 27729 Emery Avenue, Randolph Menu: Food and beverages will be available Ac�vi�es: Milking and dairy tour, Princess Kay, pe�ng zoo, corn pit, educa�onal workshops, video presenta�on, photo opportuni�es and equipment displays Parking: on site Contact: Chicky O�e - sddo�e@gmail.com, 507-291-0197 or Facebook page Square Deal Dairy Celebra�ng: Dakota County Farm Bureau’s 100th anniversary, Square Deal Dairy 20th anniversary and Square Deal Dairy being named MN Milk Producer of the Year

6B • JULY 2017• VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org

FROM CROP TO TABLE It’s the Season for Raspberries!

A sweet and fruity member of the rose family, Minnesota raspberries have a reputation of being a healthy and delicious part of the summer!

Raspberries have been found to have anti-cancer eects, and contain antioxidants, vitamin C and anti-inammatory phytonutrients. The start of Minnesota raspberry season usually falls between the start of strawberry season and blueberry season. Red raspberries are not the only color. They also come in black, purple and gold. So, keep an eye out for these varieties at your farmers market, grocery store or CSA box.

Picking and Fresh Storage Tips When picking raspberries, gently grasp the berry between your ďŹ nger and thumb and pull.

When a raspberry is fully ripe, it will easily fall into your hand using this method. If it is hard to detach, the berry is not yet ripe.

Another way to identify ripe berries is by color. Raspberries do not further ripen after picking, so only pick the fully red ones.

Because this berry has a hollow core, it is delicate and should be handled carefully!

Store your fresh berries in a shallow container as piling them in a deep container will cause them to deteriorate more

quickly. If possible, store the berries unwashed and wash right before eating.

They will last three to ďŹ ve days in the refrigerator, and for freezing storage tips, read on.

Freezing Tips Any variety of berry is freeze-able, and strawberries, blueberries and raspberries stand up remarkably well when frozen.

It is important to keep in mind a few key pieces when preparing them for freezing to ensure the freshest taste later.

1. Do not wash your berries until you are ready to use them!

Berries have a natural protective coating that keeps them from spoiling. If you wash this o before immediate use, you will unintentionally cause them to start going bad.

2. Pick through your berries and remove any overly soft fruit, stems or leaves.

3. When you are ready to freeze your berries, ďŹ ll up a big bowl (or your sink) with cold water. Drop in the berries and swish them around gently for no more than 10 seconds before draining them in a colander.

Place them on paper towels to dry them completely.

Remember, if you soak the berries for too long they will absorb water and lose their taste.

4. Line a cookie sheet or pan with wax paper (or other lining) and layer your berries. Try to see that they are not touching; you want to ash freeze them individually. Place the pan on a level freezer shelf for 30 minutes.

5. Once all berries are frozen in this way you may bag them in labeled zip lock bags.

Freezing your berries in this way (vs. dumping them in the bag all at once) results in berries that hold their shape much longer when thawed and

2017 Discounted

Jumbo Raspberry Chocolate Chip MuďŹƒns

INGREDIENTS • 3 cups all-purpose our • 4 teaspoons baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 2 large eggs, at room temperature • 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 1/4 cup light brown sugar • 1 cup milk, at room temperature • 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 2/3 cup dark (or semi-sweet) chocolate chips • 1 1/4 cup fresh raspberries • Coarse sugar

Valleyfair Tickets With more than 75 rides and a�rac�ons, Valleyfair is the Twin

Ci�es’ amusement park where families come to play the Minnesota way! Discover your next adventure on one of eight thrilling coasters, hanging out with Snoopy and the gang at Planet Snoopy, reliving your childhood on the classic rides in Route 76 or making a splash at the area’s premier waterpark. Find your true north in 2017 with the all-new 230-foot North Star.

Valleyfair discounted ďż˝ckets are now available online through the Minnesota Farm Bureau website. Log onto ďż˝mn.org, click on Membership and click on Membership BeneďŹ ts. First ďż˝me userďż˝ ďż˝ou will need to create a login to gain access to the “members onlyâ€? informaďż˝on and the order form or link to order ďż˝ckets online. Click on Family Entertainment. Scroll down to Valleyfair. To order ďż˝ckets using your credit card, click on the link. Enter in the Valleyfair username (MNFARM) and password (MNFARM) assigned to Farm Bureau.

ONLINE TICKETS • Good Any Day: $34.36 (Gate price $56.91) (Adult, ages 3-61, 48� or taller in shoes) • Ride & Refresh: $42.14 (includes unlimited drink wristband, not available at the gate, special promo only) • Junior/Senior: $34.36 (Gate price $37.58) (Ages 3-61, under 48� tall in shoes or age 62 or older.

Ages 2 and under free. Includes Dinosaurs Alive admission!) • Dinosaurs Alive: $2.68 with adult park admission (Gate price $5.37) • Parking Voucher: $12 (Gate price $15)

HARD COPY TICKETS - can be ordered through Minnesota Farm Bureau (pay with check or cash only).

County: ____________________________________________________________________________ Name:______________________________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________________ City: _______________________________________________ State: _____ Zip Code: ____________ Phone: __________________________________ Cell Phone: ________________________________ ______ Adult Ticket(s) x $34.36 ______ Ride & Refresh Ticket(s) x $42.14 ______ Junior/Senior Ticket(s) x $34.36 ______ Dinosaurs Alive Ticket(s) x $2.68 ______ Parking Voucher x $12 Total Amount Due:

cooked. Because they are individually frozen, they won’t stick together – so you can grab a few for a smoothie, pancake batter or to add to your yogurt without having to thaw the entire bag.

Once frozen, your berries will keep for 10 to 12 months. To thaw them, simply place them in the refrigerator. Toss each cup of frozen berries with 1 or 2 teaspoons of our, then follow your recipe as usual.

If you do thaw your frozen berries before use, put them in a mixing bowl and toss with one tablespoon sugar for each quart of berries or they will be overly-tart when defrosted.

= $_______ = $_______ = $_______ = $_______ = $_______ $_______

Mail payment and completed form to: MN Farm Bureau | A�n: Judy Pilcher | P.O. Box 6437� | St Paul, MN 55164 Tickets may be purchased during business hours, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Please call ahead. 651-768-2114.

DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray jumbo muďŹƒn pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, gently toss together our, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Mix until all dry ingredients are combined.

Set aside.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, granulated sugar and brown sugar until combined.

Mix in milk, oil and vanilla extract. Mixture will be pale and yellow. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix everything together by hand.

Avoid over-mixing, which will produce tough, dry muďŹƒns.

Gently mix until all the our is o the bottom of the bowl and no big pockets of our remain.

The batter will be extremely thick and somewhat lumpy. Fold in the chocolate chips, then very gently to avoid them from leaking their color, fold in the raspberries.

4. Spoon batter into prepared muďŹƒn tins, ďŹ lling all the way to the top. Sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes.

Keeping the muďŹƒns in the oven, reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and continue to bake for 25-26 minutes until tops are lightly golden. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean. Cool for 10 minutes. MuďŹƒns taste best fresh the same day. Store muďŹƒns at room temperature in an airtight container for up to ďŹ ve days.

Source: Minnesota Grown

Market Place

To advertise in the Classifieds

Call 1-800-798-2691

Index

ANNOUNCEMENTS: (003) Notices (005) Farmers Market (006) Travel BUSINESS-TRAINING: (008) Schools (010) Computer Training (012) Computer Programs FINANCIAL: (013) Loans (015) Investments COMMUNICATIONS: (020) Radio Communications (023) Satellite Systems/Cable (024) Computers (025) Cellular Phone SERVICES: (028) Farm Services (031) Professional

(033) Repair Services (035) Diesel Repair (036) Tiling/Ditching/Terracing PETS: (040) Pets For Sale (043) Pets Wanted HELP WANTED: (047) Help Wanted (050) Job Wanted MOTOR VEHICLES: (053) Autos/Vans (055) Trucks/Pickups (056) Heavy Duty/Commercial (057) Parts/Accessories (058) Motorcycles VEHICLE TIRES/ACCESSORIES: (060) Passenger Tires (063) Truck Tires (065) Agricultural Tires (067) Accessories

(028) Farm Services

(003) Notices

WANTED DAMAGED GRAIN We pay top dollar for damaged grain.

All grains.

Any condition.

A+ Painting Inc Painting ALL Farm Buildings 320-492-8264 Booms/Lifts www.apluspaintingmn.com

(040) Pets For Sale For Sale: AKC German Rottweiler Puppies. UTD shots. 5 yr guarantee. Lv mess 319-238-2454 636-290-6999

Trucks & Vacs available.

Immediate response anywhere.

Call for a quote today.

PRUESS ELEV. INC

800-828-6642 QualSight LASIK Save up to 40% on Lasik Eye Surgery 18 MN Locations Call 866-244-0962 QualSight.com/-MNFB Buyers & Feeders of Damaged Grains Corn,Beans & Screenings.

Wet,dry,hot & silo corn.

Trucks available Z BAR YARDS 319-480-1673 319-480-1426 563-926-2190

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New & High Tread Used Tractor Tires, Dual Hubs & Hardware Call 641-843-3536 Used Portable Sawmills!

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE: (069) Antiques (070) Home Furnishings (072) Appliances (073) Articles For Sale (074) Gardening Equipment (075) Heating/Fuel (076) Fish Farms (077) Plants/Trees (078) Wanted To Buy SPORTING EQUIPMENT: (080) Boats/Motors (082) All Terrain (084) Snowmobiles (085) Hot Tubs (086) RV/Marine FARM EQUIPMENT: (090) Misc. Farm Equipment (091) Tractors (095) Farm Trailers (094) Material Handling (096) Salvage Parts (097) Farm Equip. Wanted

ENERGY: (100) Wind Power (103) Generators LIVESTOCK: (110) Dairy (113) Beef (115) Calves (117) Purebred Cattle (119) Feeder Pigs (121) Swine (123) Purebred Swine (125) Sheep/Goats (127) Purebred Sheep/Goats (128) Llamas (129) Horses (135) Poultry/Rabbits (137) Exotic Animals & Wildlife (139) Livestock Equipment (141) Livestock Equip. Wanted (142) Livestock Materials HAY/FEED/BEDDING: (150) Hay/Straw/Grain (152) Feed

(154) Bedding SEED/FERTILIZER/CHEMICALS (160) Seed (162) Fertilizer (164) Chemicals REAL ESTATE: (170) Farms (172) Farm Land (174) Mobile Homes (176) Resort Property (178) Land For Rent (179) For Rent (180) House (181) Small Acreage BUILDING MATERIALS: (185) Building Materials (187) PreCnst. Bldgs. Util./Mach.

(189) Bins/Silos AUCTIONEERS: (190) Auctioneers (193) Auctions (195) Coming Sale Dates

(075) Heating/Fuel THE BEST FLOOR HEAT WATER TUBING AT GUARANTEED LOWEST PRICES. Also volume discounts & contractor pricing.

Free Estimates on a complete system. Compare & SAVE!!! www.mikesheating.com or

1-800-446-4043

(096) Salvage Parts Eiklenborg Combine & Tractor Salvage Combine-Baler & Tractor Parts Aplington, Iowa 319-347-5510

(164) Chemicals

Buy/Sell

Call Sawmill Exchange

800-459-2148 713-729-6455 USA & Canada

www.sawmillexchange.com

(075) Heating/Fuel OUTDOOR WOOD & COAL BURNING FURNACES, ALL STAINLESS STEEL. LIFETIME

WARRANTY ORDER NOW! Save up to $1450 w/in-stock specials!

Heat your House,Garage, Shop & Domestic Water. GUARANTEED LOWEST PRICE FREE Estimates! www.mikesheating.com or

1-800-446-4043

Morris Grain Wholesale Ag Chemicals

800-872-2501 www.morrisgrain.com

(185) Building Materials Silo Doors -- Wood or Steel Shipped promptly to your farm, stainless steel staples, hardware available! 800-222-5726 Landwood Sales LLC

THE VOICE OF AGRICULTURE, the official publication of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation reaches every county in the state of Minnesota 6 times per year. Each edition is read by nearly 60,000 Minnesota residents who are Farm Bureau Members.

VOICE OF AGRICULTURE

P.O. BOX 640, IOWA FALLS, IA 50126 PHONE: 800-798-2691 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ASK FOR THE â&#x20AC;&#x153;VOICEâ&#x20AC;?

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8B • JULY 2017• VOICE OF AGRICULTURE • fbmn.org

THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP!

farm fresh

DIRECT

FARM & BUSINESS n�Caterpillar Inc. Members receive up to $2,500 in purchase incentives on Caterpillar Inc. machines. Eligible equipment includes: skid steer loaders, compact and multi-terrain loaders, wheel loaders, telehandlers, backhoe loaders, hydraulic excavators and track-type tractors. Discounts cannot be applied to past purchases. Farm Bureau members in Minnesota must provide a valid Member Verification Certificate to the Cat dealer at the time of purchase or lease quote to receive the discount. To obtain your certificate, go to fbmn.org, click on Membership Benefits, then click on Farm and Business, enter your member ID and zip code. For more information call 651-768-2114. n�Grainger, Inc. Farm Bureau Members can save through Grainger on more than a million different products. To ensure your membership discount is applied, ALWAYS reference Minnesota Farm Bureau’s unique account number (860600410) when visiting your local branch or ordering via Grainger Customer Support Call Center. Create a user ID and password and view exclusive Farm Bureau pricing online. Call Farm Bureau Member Support line at 877-620-2852 for help getting registered, place orders using the state discount code, check stock, answer questions and provide support for www.Grainger.com. FREE standard ground shipping on any orders placed with Grainger. n�Case IH Tractor and Equipment Incentive Program Eligible Farm Bureau members will receive an incentive discount – from $300-$500 – when purchasing qualifying Case IH equipment from participating dealerships. This discount is stackable, meaning it can be used with other discounts, promotions, rebates or offers that may be provided

by Case IH or a Case IH dealership. Farm Bureau members in Minnesota must provide a valid Member Verification Certificate to the dealer at the time of purchase or lease quote to receive the discount. To obtain your certificate, go to fbmn.org, click on Membership Benefits, then click on Farm and Business, enter your number and zip code. For more information call 651-768-2114. n�AgriPlan/BizPlan Save $5,000 a year with AgriPlanNOW! TASC’s AgriPlanNOW Section 105 Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) plans save members an average of $5,000 annually by enabling family farmers and other qualified small business owners to deduct 100 percent of their family health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket medical, vision and dental expenses not covered by insurance as business expenses. TASC offers an industry-exclusive audit guarantee, a money back guarantee and a TASC card to make medical expense reimbursement as easy as the swipe of a debit card. Farm Bureau members in Minnesota receive a 15% discount. For more information, contact TASC toll-free at 855-591-0562. Be sure to mention discount code MNFA. For a free tax savings analysis, visit the MN Farm Bureau affiliate partner page online at http://bit.ly/MNfarmbureau. n�Business Succession Handing over the reins of a family farm or business isn’t easy.

It takes time and teamwork to create a strategy that fits the goals and objectives of both the current and future owners, especially as operations grow in size and complexity. And oftentimes, starting the conversation is the hardest part.

With the right tools and resources at your fingertips, you can be on your way to a successful succession strategy - and peace of mind. Visit www.SmallBusinessTransition.com to find tips for starting the conversation, assembling a team and understanding planning options.

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT For tickets and information on benefits call 651-768-2114 or visit fbmn.org. Select Membership Benefits under Membership. First time users will need to create a login. n�Minnesota Sea Life Aquarium, Mall of America Check out the re-designed aquarium. Members receive up to 40% discount on tickets. Order online at fbmn.org. n�Nickelodeon Universe®, Mall of America The nation’s largest indoor family theme park. Discounted all day wristband tickets may be ordered at fbmn.org. n�Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley Discounted zoo admission tickets—offering $2 adult and $1 children and seniors. Can be ordered at fbmn.org. n�Valleyfair, Shakopee Members receive a savings off gate price tickets and parking during the season. Order online at fbmn.org. n�Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul Enjoy discounts to events at xcelenergycenter.com/MNfarm.

The site is updated as new events are announced.

n Great Wolf Lodge, 13 Locations A perk for the whole pack! A 30% savings off best available room rates and includes up to four waterpark passes. Visit greatwolf.com or call 866-925-9653 to make reservations. Use code: MNFB551A. (Offer guaranteed when reservations are made 30 days prior to arrival date).

HEALTH n�ScriptSave A prescription drug savings card. Save on brand name and generic prescription purchases at local pharmacies and use Group Number 941. Visit scriptsave.com and go to card services page, click on option to enroll and enter requested information. Print out your card. Or call 800-700-3957 to request your card. n�Life Line Screening Receive the following four screenings for $135 and an additional osteoporosis screening at no extra cost: stroke/carotid artery, heart rhythm, abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral arterial disease. If there are any issues after screenings, in most cases there are many treatment options available. These decisions are ones you should carefully and thoughtfully discuss with your doctor.

For more information call 877-564-7283 or visit lifelinescreening.com/mnfb. n�Anytime Fitness, LLC Farm Bureau members in Minnesota and their immediate family members are eligible to enjoy the following at participating Anytime Fitness clubs: 10% off standard monthly fees; 50% off standard enrollment fees• ; Free, 7-day trial passes offered to members who bring proof of their membership to an Anytime Fitness club (one pass per person).

Anytime Fitness honors health care fitness incentive programs.

*Valid at participating locations. For a complete list of club locations, visit anytimefitness.com.

n�QualSight LASIK Offers a 40% - 50% off the national average price savings on LASIK vision correction at over 700 locations nationwide.

QualSight doctors are credentialed, Board Certified and use the latest FDA technologies. Call 877-507-4448 or visit qualsight.com/-MNFB for a doctor near you. n�Clear Value Hearing Clear Value Hearing and Starkey Hearing Technologies have partnered their resources to offer a comprehensive hearing benefit program offering Farm Bureau members discounts on today’s latest technology. Includes FREE hearing assessment, FREE annual testing, 100% guaranteed custom fit, and much more. Call 888-497-7447 or visit clearvaluehearing.com for more information.

HOTEL n�Choice Hotels Save up to 20% off rates at almost 6,300 hotels worldwide.

Ascend, Quality Inn, Comfort Inn & Suites, Cambria Suites, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Mainstay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotels, EconoLodge and Rodeway Inn. For reservations call 800-258-2847 or log onto choicehotels.com. ID # 00209660. n Wyndham Hotel Group Farm Bureau members receive a rate up to 20% off at nearly 7,400 participating hotels. Call ahead to 877-670-7088 to make reservations at Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Ramada, Travelodge, Knights Inn, Wingate Inn, Baymont Inns & Suites, Dream Hotels, Night Hotels, TryP, Super 8, Microtel, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Wyndham Garden, Wyndham Grand and Hawthorn Suites (10% discount). Refer to group number 8000002603. Visit wyndham.com. n�IHG Hotels Members save 10% at over 1,400 participating IHG Hotels.

Brands include some of the best-known and most popular in the world. The nine hotel brands include: InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Hotel Indigo®, Holiday Inn®, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites®, EVEN™ Hotels and HUALUXE® Hotels and Resorts. In order for a member to redeem the Farm Bureau discount, call 877-4242449 or walk into the hotel and ask for the “Farm Bureau Federation” discount, or book online at www.IHG.com, click on Advance Search option and enter in the Corporate ID# 100334603.

AUTOMOBILE n�AAA Farm Bureau members receive up to a 20% discount off AAA membership, applies to new and renewal. Waiver of $10 enrollment fee for new members. For more information on this exclusive program, contact AAA at 800-677-2227 during business hours. Be sure to mention that you are a Farm Bureau member and refer to Group #M875. aaa.com. n�Avis Car Rental Save up to 25% on daily, weekend and weekly rates. For information and reservations, call 800-422-3809 or log onto avis.com. Mention your Avis worldwide discount number: Minnesota Farm Bureau, A298823. n Budget Rental Enjoy savings of up to 25% off Budget base rates when renting a vehicle from a participating location in the contiguous U.S. and Canada. Use Budget Customer Discount (BCD) number Y775723 to shop the lowest rates for your next rental. Visit www.budget.com/mnfb or call 800-527-0700 to make a reservation.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

EXTRA REWARDS

n�Farm Bureau Financial Services (FBFS) FBFS offers a wide range of competitive products and services to county Farm Bureau members in Minnesota. We can help meet your individual and business needs through all stages of your life with home, vehicle, farm/ranch and life insurance, along with products for retirement and education funding, estate preservation, and more. Contact your local Farm Bureau agent or visit our website at www.fbfs.com today for more information.

n�Theft & Arson Reward Service Rewards individuals up to $1,000 for offering information leading to the arrest and conviction of person(s) committing theft, arson or vandalism to property belonging to Farm Bureau members. Forms available at local Farm Bureau offices or call 651-768-2114.

*Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company and Western Agricultural Insurance Company, West Des Moines, Iowa

n�Farm Bureau Bank We proudly serve the members of the Farm Bureau and strive to offer the very best products and services. Our banking products include vehicle, equipment and recreational loans with up to 100% financing, FDIC insured deposit products, personal and business credit cards plus more. For more information or to apply visit farmbureaubank.com or call 800-492-3276.

COMMUNICATIONS n�FB Benefits Mobile App Available for free on both Apple and Android devices, the free Farm Bureau Member Benefits App includes alphabetical and categorical listings of member benefits available in Minnesota.

It also features a convenient mapping feature to help you identify member benefits near you at any time. You can also find your Farm Bureau insurance or agent information.

Download the app today and get the most from your Farm Bureau membership! Search: FB Benefits. You will need your membership number and zip code to get started.

n�No-Cost Accidental Death Insurance Accidental death insurance policy for the member, spouse and unmarried children younger than 22 years and living at home.

The maximum amount of the policy is up to $2,000 for the member and spouse and $1,000 for the children. For more information call 651-768-2114. See fbmn.org. n�Farm Bureau Marketer Farm Fresh Guide For the farmer who would like to sell their farm fresh items direct to the consumer. Publishes in the May edition and at fbmn.org. To be included contact Judy Pilcher, jpilcher@fbmn.org, 651-768-2114, Fax: 651-768-2159 or visit fbmn.org.

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