County Commission and Bond Issuance Story Continued From Page 1

ies. Tri-County will provide its own office supplies and computer equipment, but technology support comes packaged with the rent to the county. Administration fees total $6,000 paid directly to the county for payroll and benefits administration, accounts payable/receivable, cash, investment and budget reports. TriCounty will pay a staffer from the county, capped at $3,528 per year for support services. The motion was carried to approve the agreement.

They discussed the 2023-2027 strategic plan for the county. It provides a roadmap for the county’s strategy and mission going forward. The last county strategic plan was approved in 2018 and adopted in 2021. It identifies the county’s core values, mission and vision. Those are identified as such: Mission - providing efficient services with innovation and accountability.

Vision - Setting the standard for providing superior and efficient county government services through leadership, accountability and innovation to a growing and diverse society.

Core Values - Leadership: having a vision, sharing that vision and inspiring others to support our vision while creating their own. Integrity: Our decisions and actions display a consistent commitment to moral and ethical values. Accountability: to account for our activities, accept responsibility for them and to disclose the results in a transparent manner. Efficiency: Our ability to do things well, successfully and without waste. Innovation: Our transformation of an idea into a service that creates value.

The County Commissioners also took a look at the 2023-2027 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which is a multiyear guide for the county to plan for the maintenance of all of the county assets, including roads, parks, courthouses, etc. There is currently more than $2 million debt for CIP in Nicollet County. The 2023-2027 CIP will be

MNEN Entrepreneur Business & Funding Resources Kickoff Takes Place on March 14

The MN Entrepreneur Network (MNEN), an informal association of 43 organizations, hosts the annual Minnesota Entrepreneur Kick-off, which provides an opportunity to connect with and learn from the state’s leading entrepreneur support providers and funding sources for companies as they startup and scale up. The 12th Minnesota Entrepreneur Kick-off will be held in person and virtually on Tuesday, March 14th.

“A unique aspect of the Kick-off is a livestreamed session of Q & A, with legal, accounting, strategy and investing advisors,” shared Lois Josefson, Kickoff coordinator. “It is a chance to ask respected leaders in these fields about navigating your business or advancing your vision in these uncertain times.

Questions can be submitted when registering,” Josefson added.

The 12th MN Entrepreneur Kick-off includes multiple Founder to Founder and specific Technology Trend presentations with discussion and networking time for connection built in.

This year the Kick-off is highlighting the importance of women and veteran founders as well as family businesses. These Featured Founders hale from across the state. funded through a variety of sources including bonds, capital notes, tax levy, cash reserves (both restricted and unrestricted funds), grants, federal and state aid and donations. The cost of CIP over the next four years will be more than $83 million. Initially, the county expects to cover costs with reserves, $3 million this year, then $1.3 million and tapering down progressively from there until 2027. They will need to issue bonds for $20 million in 2025 and another $9 million in 2026 funded via tax levy and sale tax respectively. These include obligations for a public works facility and County Road 16 project.

“A special component of the annual Entrepreneur Kick-off is the presenting of the Lifter Award. In 2023, we are honored to recognize Marilyn Carlson Nelson, former chair and chief executive officer of Carlson, a global travel, hospitality, and marketing company, with the Lifter Award for her ground breaking leadership that has lifted the lives of individuals across our state and across the globe,” stated Josefson.

See: www.mnentrepreneurs.org for further information.

A jail roof replacement in 2023 costs the county $600,000 and the parking lot project in St. Peter cost $750,000. Public works equipment ran up $562,000. The vehicle leasing, including law enforcement, total $133,000, while technology came in at $145,000. For the next couple of years, things like roof replacement and vehicles dominate the CIP. From there, the new public works facility and public works equipment have large price tags. The Sheriff’s Department will routinely spend around more than $100,000 on vehicles.

The County also heard from Bolten & Mink, who provided a presentation of the TH 22 Corridor Study. This road is known locally as Dodd Road. The study looked at alternatives to connect CSAH 20 to Highway 169. The study response included goals such as providing efficient vehicle mobility, future development, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, safety, cost-efficient and enhancing community identity/aesthetics. They presented concepts for areas along Washington Avenue in Saint Peter to CSAH 20 to Sunrise Drive. Some included the addition of more roundabouts. There will be a public open house on the matter in Saint Peter at the Community Center from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on March 15. The meeting adjourned after the Drainage Authority meeting. to Granby Township residents

The Annual meeting for Granby Township will be held on March 14 th 2023 at the Marvin Krohn seed office at 43527 Cty Rd 4, Nicollet Mn 56074 at 7:00P.M. The regular monthly meeting will follow the Annual meeting.

Clerk Bob Wills

Focus on Ag Continued From Page 2

Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Le Sueur, Mower, Rice, Waseca and Watonwan.

Iowa

Based on the NASS yield data, the estimated 2022 Iowa statewide average corn yield was 200 bushels per acre, which trailed the 2021 state record corn yield of 205 bushels per acre but far exceeded the average yield of only 178 bu./A in 2020 that was reduced due the damage caused by the derecho storm that year. Iowa had an average soybean yield of 58.5 bu./A in 2022, which compares to the record statewide soybean yield of 62 bu./A in 2021, 53 bu./A in 2020 and 55 bu./A in 2019.

Delaware County in East Central Iowa had the highest 2022 average corn yield at 230.8 bu./A, followed by Clinton County at 225.2 bu./A, Dubuque County at 223.7 bu./A, Benton County at 221.7 bu./A. and Cedar County at 221.4. Scott County had the highest 2022 average soybean yield at 69.1 bu./A, followed by Dubuque County at 68.6 bu./A, Delaware County at 67.4 bu./A, Cedar County at 67 bu./A and Des Moines County at 66.9 bu./A. Twenty counties in Iowa had 2022 average corn yields that exceeded 215 bushels per acre and 49 counties had average soybean yields that surpassed 60 bushels per acre. Corn and soybean yields in the western third of Iowa were reduced by drought conditions in 2022.

South Dakota

For the second year in a row, the South Dakota corn yield was significantly impacted by drought conditions. NASS estimated the 2022 average corn yield in South Dakota at only 135 bu./A, which was even lower that the 2021 statewide corn yield of 135 bushels per acre and compares to a 2020 average yield of 162 bu./A. Coddington County in the Northeast portion of South Dakota had the highest 2022 average corn yield at 184.6 bu./A, followed by Minnehaha County at 181.2 bu./A, Brookings County at 174.9 bu./A, Hamlin County at 174 bu./A and Deuel County at 170.9 bu./A. South Dakota had an estimated 2022 statewide average soybean yield of 38 bu./A, which was down from 40 bu./A in 2021 and 45.5 bu./A in 2020 and was well below the statewide record soybean yield of 49.5 bu./A. Minnehaha County had the highest average 2022 soybean yield at 54.4 bu./A, followed by Moody County at 53.2 bu./A, Hamlin County at 49.9 bu./A, Deuel County at 48.1 bu./A, Brookings County at 47.8 bu./A and Coddington County at 47.1 bu./A.

North Dakota

The 2022 North Dakota average corn yield of 131 bushels per acre was a nice rebound from the 2021 drought-reduced statewide corn yield of only 105 bu./A. The 2022 state corn yield compares to 139 bu./A in 2020 and 131 bu./A in 2019, as well as the state record yield of 158 bu./A in 2016. Cass County had the highest 2022 average corn yield at 174.7 bu./A, followed by Traill County at 172.6 bu./A, and Ransom

County at 172.1 bu./A. Dickey, Grand Forks, Richland, Steele and Walsh counties also topped 150 bu./A. North Dakota had an estimated 2022 average soybean yield of 35 bu./A, which compares to recent average yields of 25.5 bu./A in 2021 and 33.5 bu./A in 2020, as well as the 2016 record statewide soybean yield of 41.5 bu./A. Cass County also had the highest 2022 soybean yield at 45.6 bu./A, followed by Pembina County at 44.7 bu./A, Ransom and Walsh Counties at 42.8 bu./A, Sargent County at 42 bu./A, Traill County at 41.1 bu./A and Dickey County at 40.5 bu./A.

Nebraska

The drought last summer had a dramatic impact on 2022 corn yields in Nebraska, resulting in a statewide yield of only 165 bushels per acre, which was the lowest yield in a decade. The 2022 average yield compares to statewide yield levels of 194 bushels per acre in 2021, 181 bu./A in 2020 and 182 bu./A in 2019. Only five counties in Nebraska had a 2022 average corn yield above 200 bushels per acre. The highest 2022 average corn yield in Nebraska was 227 bu./A in Phelps County, followed by Hamilton County at 218.7 bu./A, Holt County at 211.1 bu./A, Polk County at 210.6 bu./A and Valley County at 204.3 bu./A. The estimated 2022 average soybean yield in Nebraska was 49 bushels per acre, which was well below the statewide record soybean yield of 63 bu./A in 2021. The 2022 average yield compares to other recent statewide yields of 57 bu./A in 2020 and 58.5 bu./A in 2019. Eleven counties exceeded 60 bu./A, with Hamilton County topping the list at 66.9 bu./A, followed by Phelps County at 65.5 bu./A, York County at 64.4 bu./A, Hall County at 64.1 bu./A and Lincoln County at 63.7 bu./A. Other counties exceeding 60 bu./A. were Adams, Dawson, Fillmore, Harlan, Perkins and Valley.

Wisconsin

NASS estimated the Wisconsin average corn yield in 2022 at 180 bu./A, which tied the statewide record corn yield set last year in 2021 and compares to a 2020 average yield of 174 bu./A. The highest 2022 average corn yield in Wisconsin was in Lafayette County at 217.5 bu./A, followed by Grant County at 211.3 bu./A, Rock County at 204.8 bu./A, Green County at 199.1 bu./A and Dane County at 197.4 bu./A., with Columbia, Dodge, Jefferson and Walworth counties also exceeding 190 bu./A. Wisconsin had an estimated 2022 statewide average soybean yield of 54 bushels per acre, which was just below the record statewide soybean yield of 55 bu./A. in 2021 and compared to 51 bu./A. in 2020. Lafayette County also topped the Wisconsin soybean yields with a 2022 yield of 67.6 bu./A, which was followed by Grant County at 65.2 bu./A, Green County at 64.8 bu./A, Dodge County at 63.9 bu./A and Iowa County at 62.2 bu./A. Other counties exceeding 60 bu./A. in 2022 were Dane, Columbia, Rock and Walworth.

Minnesota Corn announces 2023 scholarship recipients

Nicole Koziolek, Brynn Lozinski, Meredith Taylor, and Charles Tesch will each receive $5,000 for their college educations

BURNSVILLE — Today, Minnesota Corn is excited to announce the recipients of its 2023 young adult scholarships. Nicole Koziolek of Northfield, Brynn Lozinski of Clara City, Meredith Taylor of Randolph, and Charles Tesch of Henderson will each receive $5,000 for their college educations.

Koziolek is a junior at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities studying agricultural communication and marketing. She has been interested in a career in agriculture since joining her local FFA chapter in ninth grade and served as state FFA secretary in 2021-22.

In addition to her studies, Koziolek works for the university’s Agricultural Communication and Marketing program, is a partner in her family farm, and a member of the Lambda Delta

Phi sorority and multiple ag clubs. After college, she plans to work for in the marketing department of an agriculture company and become an active MCGA and Minnesota Farm Bureau member.

Lozinski is a freshman at South Dakota State University studying agriculture communications and animal science. She works for her family’s pork production company, SDSU’s Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, and writes for the college newspaper, The Collegian. After college, Lozinski hopes to pursue a master’s degree in swine science.

Taylor is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities studying agricultural communication and marketing. She’s an assistant for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Program at the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Family Development. She is also involved with Lutheran

Campus Ministry and a member of Beta of Clovia Sorority, the Block & Bridle Club, and the Randolph FFA chapter. After college, Taylor plans to pursue graduate studies in rural mental health and farm safety.

Tesch is a junior at South Dakota State University studying agronomy and precision agriculture. He’s vice president of the SDSU Agronomy and Precision Ag Club and an ambassador for SDSU’s Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. Last summer, Tesch was a crop consulting intern with Mittman Agronomics Inc. After graduating, he plans to work in the field of research agronomy in southern Minnesota. He also plans to spend his free time working on his family’s diversified livestock and crop farming operation.

Since 2019, Minnesota Corn has awarded scholarships to young adult members pursuing careers and degrees in agriculture as part of its mission to support the next generation of farmers and agricultural professionals. To learn more about the Minnesota Corn scholarship, and scholarships offered by county corn and soybean grower associations, visit mncorn.org/scholarships.

About the Minnesota Corn Minnesota Corn is comprised of two organizations, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) and Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council (MCR&PC), both of which focus on creating opportunities for corn farmers. With more than 6,700 members, MCGA advocates on behalf of corn farmers in St. Paul and Washington, D.C., supporting policies that improve quality of life for growers and rural communities. The MCR&PC ensures the responsible stewardship of the Minnesota corn check-off, investing funds in research, promotion, and outreach programs that develop markets for corn and increase on-farm sustainability.