Rural Living

RURAL SPRING 2019 EDITION

Living THE GOOD LIFE For some, country living is everything

TAPPING THE TREES

'IT IS WHAT IT IS'

Stu Peterson talks Minnesota maple syrup

Dairy farmers contend with cold, snowy winter

SUPPLEMENT TO THE WADENA INTERCOM SATURDAY, MARCH 30 AND THE PERHAM CONTACT SUNDAY, MARCH 31

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RURAL LIVING SPRING 2019

Stu Peterson rides around the sugar bush in an ATV with tracks.

"It's impossible right now to get around out there," he said of the snow.

On cover: Peterson stands in front of Camp Aquila's first sugar house.

He started producing maple syrup as a hobby in 2000 with his wife, Corinne. Today, Camp Aquila is a commercial enterprise.

Carter Jones / Rural Living

Sucker M

Carter Jones For Rural Living

aple syrup is a staple on every breakfast table, but just like anything else on the grocery store shelf, most consumers don’t stop to think about how that product got to them.

Camp Aquila Maple Syrup is one local producer carving out a growing niche as a commercial maple syrup maker in Minnesota.

“We stumbled into heaven,” Stu Peterson said, referring to the 190 acres that Camp Aquila Maple Syrup calls home, on a woodsy peninsula on Star Lake.

Peterson, along with his wife, Corinne, bought the land, the former home of Camp Aquila Boys Camp, in 1983 with the agreement that they

would preserve the rich forest and not develop it. After retiring in 2000, Peterson started experimenting with maple syrup production.

“This started out as a silly hobby,” he said. Now, Camp Aquila is a full-blown commercial enterprise, with retailers all around lakes country and even some in the Twin Cities metro.

That first year, the Petersons tapped 45 trees and cooked the sap in their neighbor’s backyard.

“It used to take a 12-pack to cook a batch, that’s how we’d measure it,” Peterson fondly recalls. Within three years, they were up to 400 taps.

“We thought that was pretty good,” he said. “I knew if I was going to get serious, I needed to buy my own equipment.”

In 2003, the Petersons built their first

Camp Aquila Maple Syrup maker is optimistic about the season, despite another one of Minnesota’s ‘normally abnormal’ winters sugar house and became licensed by the state of Minnesota.

Since then, they’ve expanded to 1,300 tapped trees. A larger sugar house, constructed in 2013, houses all the equipment to get sap out of a tree and into syrup on the table.

“I told my wife, I’m not building a new sugar house, I’m giving you a garage,” Peterson says grinning.

Native Americans have been processing maple syrup longer than anyone knows. Using stone tools to cut into maples, they drained the sap into birch bark buckets before boiling it in water to cook with venison. Now armed with plastic and power tools, the process is much more efficient, but largely remains the same.

Venturing out in the woods at Camp

G

Aquila, the first thing one notices is the maze of blue plastic tubing zig zagging from one tree to the next. Once a tree is tapped, the sap flows downhill through the tubes to 40 different pickup points, each named after a landmark on the property.

Right out of the tree, the sap is only three percent sugar and looks just like water, rather than the finished product’s amber glow. Once it’s harvested, the sap is boiled over a wood flame until it reaches the proper density, which is about 66 percent sugar.

“I learned by doing and learned by seeing how others did it,” Peterson said.

That learning process has earned Camp Aquila three second place finishes and one blue ribbon at the world championships held in Quebec, Canada.

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RURAL LIVING SPRING 2019

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Left: A nozzle dangles on the end of a tube in Camp Aquila's sugar bush. Once tapped, a sugar maple can produce 10 to 20 gallons of sap on average.

Right: Once a tree is tapped, the sap runs downhill through tubing to 40 different collection points. Peterson can't even guess how many feet of tubing span the 1,300 tapped trees.

Carter Jones / Rural Living

“It’s about as subjective as a dog show, because it’s flavor,” he said, smacking his lips. “Then they declare one winner.

We do make pretty good syrup most all of the time, if I do say so.”

Peterson estimates that 90 percent of a season’s success depends on what happens with the weather in March and April.

“What we have to have for any sort of decent year is freezing and thawing cycles,” he explained. “There’s got to be enough thaw out of the frost so that the trees can grow out moisture, then you need a hard freeze, because what causes sap to run is pressure inside the sapwood. When a tree warms up after a freeze, it creates a little pressure, we drill a hole, and out squirts the sap.”

He said that while there’s no way of predicting which way the season is

going, moisture is a good sign.

“In a good season, you can get 15 to 20 of these cycles,” he said. “In a poor year, you can get three, four, five, then all of a sudden they’re playing golf at

50 gallons, on virtually the same number of taps.

“It all depends on how you come out of winter,” he said. “Once you get a few days above freezing, the trees stop

“I tell my buddies, being a farmer isn’t easy. If it wasn’t fun, I wouldn’t do it.”

Stu Peterson, owner and operator of Camp Aquila Maple Syrup the golf course and the season’s over.”

In the sugar shack, Peterson keeps a detailed record of every year’s output, and how long the sap was running.

Camp Aquila’s best year produced 450 gallons of sap; the worst year produced

running. The trees warm up enough to match the air temperature. If you don’t get that next freeze, the season’s done.”

Before he even taps a tree, Peterson has to traipse through the woods checking each line.

“All I’ve done so far this season is take my snowshoes out and walk every one of those lines,” he said in midMarch. “All I’m trying to do is break enough trail to go out with our drill and tools and get things set up.”

Despite weather he calls “normally abnormal,” he remains optimistic.

“We’re not late yet, it’s just a matter of having things ready when the sap does start to run,” he said. “Then it’s a crapshoot. Are we going to get into May? I mean we could, with this amount of snow. If it goes to 70 degrees for a while, we’re done.”

“I tell my buddies, being a farmer isn’t easy,” he added. “If it wasn’t fun, I wouldn’t do it. You begin to wonder at 4:30 in the morning in this weather, ‘Why am I doing this?’”

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Why rural living? father’s business, Bryan Wegscheid Plumbing and Heating. ogan Wegscheid is the type And after graduation, he plans to of teen who likes a little attend Northwest Technical College in Bemidji for plumbing and mud on his tires.

There’s something about rural heating.

He’s a busy guy that seems to living that makes him confident that, after he graduates high have life figured out, even the school, after he gets his degree in part where he’ll come back to the plumbing and heating, and after Wadena area after college to work, he experiences life outside of rural live and enjoy life.

“I would see myself coming back Wadena for a while, he’ll be back.

The junior is a bright student, to this area and working for my dad currently polishing up a Chevy 350 and one day, maybe taking it [the engine he’ll rebuild and drop into business] over,” Wegscheid said.

While his life won’t likely a truck he’ll use to haul his enduro cars. He’s active in wrestling and revolve around farming, he likes trap shooting. He’s the president the idea of raising his own meat, of Wadena-Deer Creek’s FFA club, cutting his own hay and having where he excels in fish and wild- some land where he can make life identification. He’s vice presi- some noise without disrupting the dent of his local 4-H club, where neighborhood.

“I could see myself doing he enjoys woodworking projects.

In addition, he’s currently plumbing and heating as my main interning with his father at his job, but I would still have my trac-

L

Michael Johnson For Rural Living

While not for everybody, it’s everything to some.

tor and put up hay in the summer,” he said.

One of Wegscheid’s many teachers in the WDC school district, Mike Shrode, who teaches engineering and technology, said the rural areas of Minnesota need more students like Wegscheid.

Shrode encourages his students to get out and experience life in different places, much like he did.

“Go out in the world and experience it,” he said. “But I would hope that a percentage of those kids that do that will take some of those great ideas and come back here and be able to give back to the community with a successful business. Successful business is going to bring in more people, more people are going to bring more tax dollars, more tax dollars allows the community to do some extra things. It’s kind of a spiraling effect.”

Logan Wegscheid with his freshbaked engine block ready to be rebuilt as part of his large gas engines class at WadenaDeer Creek High School.

Michael Johnson / Rural Living

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How to bring them back

Part of leading young adults back to rural areas to work, buy homes and invest in communities, starts with high schools offering classes that allow students to learn skills they can put to use in jobs close to home.

One class that consistently fills up with students at Wadena-Deer Creek High School is a home building class. It provides practical knowledge for fixing and building homes. Many students who take the class have other plans for their futures, but feel that having a background in building is a good asset.

As of early spring, students in the class were well on their way to completing construction on a residential home near

the school. Those working on it, mostly seniors and a few juniors, noted that the work they’re learning to do is in high demand in the area.

Since that’s the case, and because of the high level of student interest in the class, Shrode feels the class is a worthwhile pursuit. It’s hard not to encourage youth to learn more about something that could bring them joy and allow them to do great things — whether it brings them back or sends them away.

Much can be said about the merits of bringing the “best and brightest” students back to their hometowns. Shrode feels more incentives could be in place to give tax breaks to those looking to return to the

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area and start a business. He’s been having conversations about how to make those incentives happen.

“Just some things to encourage people to come back,” Shrode said.

One example he brought up was for teachers. He said in working with Lakes Country Service Cooperative out of Fergus Falls, he’s been hearing ways that potential teachers could find a faster, less expensive way to get credentials to teach their specific craft, such as welding. If there is a high need for this type of teacher in the rural areas, it would make sense to make it easier or more attractive for those teachers to make the leap, especially if they would be taking a pay cut to make that change.

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Why rural life?

Shrode comes from living in Mankato, Minn., and also lived in and around Philadelphia for much of his high school and college years. He always knew he wanted to come back to Minnesota someday, and get out into a rural area.

When he and his wife, Kelly, started searching for such a place more than 10 years ago, they found the Wadena area was a place where a person could find work as well as a place to hang their hat with a little bit of acreage, for a lot less money than in a lot of other places.

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While life in the metro area has its conveniences, rural living offers a better sense of community, Shrode said.

“You get to know your community members, you get to know folks,” he said. “It’s just more relaxed.”

That is really important to youth like Wegscheid, who likes to work with his hands, be outdoors, be around likeminded people, and be at least somewhat self-sufficient.

“My whole life, I’ve lived in the rural area,” the 17-year-old said.

He says the rural life allows more freedoms, and that’s a big draw for him.

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RURAL LIVING

‘It is what it is' Carter Jones For Rural Living ark Jorgenson went to college to become a history teacher, but the allure of being his own boss and working outside kept him from leaving his family’s dairy farm.

After winters like this last one, though, which refused to show any mercy, that decision might not always seem like such a great idea.

“The fall wasn’t too bad, then we got to about the 10th of January... It started to get cold and it’s pretty much been cold ever since,” Jorgenson said at the time of this writing, in mid-March.

“In the last three weeks there’s been a lot of snow. I’ve been making trails around the yard to get from building to building. It’s been a rougher winter than normal.”

Jorgenson’s father bought the farm east of Big Pine Lake in 1965, and it’s now home to 235 milk cows. Jorgenson doesn’t get to just huddle inside until it warms up — his family’s livelihood depends on milking the cows twice a

M

SPRING 2019

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Dairy farmers contend with cold, snowy winter

day, at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m.

“It takes a while, but it is what it is,” he said of chasing the cows around to milk them.

When he’s not milking, Jorgenson can be seen pushing snow around the farm and clearing snow off the barn’s roof, something he’s had to do three times this winter.

The cold doesn’t really bother the animals, as long as they’re protected from the wind, Jorgenson said.

“All of our animals are under cover, they like it better when it’s 20 below, if they’re protected from the wind, than if it’s 100 above,” he said.

“It’s a lot easier on them. They milk more when it’s colder because they eat more.”

While the cold may be easier on the animals, it raises unique problems for dairy farmers like Jorgenson.

“There’s been a lot of manure freeze Carter Jones / Rural Living up in the barns. I have a cold barn, so when it gets 20 below I’m usually haul- A pair of dairy cows are seen in Mark Jorgenson's barn in mid-March. For dairy ing frozen manure out of the back of farmers like Jorgenson, the cold is fine on the animals, but brings unique challenges the barn,” he said. to his work days.

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“I did that probably more this year than I have since ‘96, when we built our barn.”

Jorgenson contends that the ‘96 winter was still worse than this one.

“I think it was colder longer, and the snow by this time might’ve been the same, but I think ‘96 was the worst one,” he said.

Dan Dryer, a dairy farmer in Ottertail, said between the cold temperatures and profitability, “it’s been a little depressing.”

Dryer said the cold temperatures mean everything takes more time.

“There’s a lot more snow to move — that takes quite a bit more time,” he said. “You have to be watching the cattle more, giving them extra bedding, making sure the bedding is clean and dry.”

At the end of January, a number of Dryer’s cows got frostbite. While most of them recovered, a few had to be sold after they developed mastitis.

Looking to spring, Dryer doesn’t anticipate the heavy snowfall having an effect when he starts planting seeds on his farm’s 500 acres.

“We farm on sandy ground. I’m already seeing some dry spots,” he said. “It’s farming. There’s not a lot we can do.”

Heavy snow caused this barn to collapse near Frazee. More than 70 barns had collapsed so far this year as of midMarch, according to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Special to Rural Living

After barn collapses, Minn. farmers could see disaster loan option Dana Ferguson Forum News Service Minnesota farmers hit by catastrophic winter weather could access zero-interest disaster loans through the state.

The Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives both unanimously approved a bill on March 14 that would let the Rural Finance Authority offer loans through the Disaster Recovery Loan Program to farmers who’ve faced damages from snow and ice.

Minnesota farmers have endured years of low commodity and milk

prices and extreme winter weather has worsened problems for some as barns and other structures have collapsed under the weight of snow and ice.

“It’s truly is a disaster what’s happened, and that on top of the declining farm economy has been adding more pain to an already painful situation,” Sen. Kent Eken, DFLTwin Valley, said.

More than 70 barns have collapsed so far this year, according to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Sen. Michael Goggin, R-Red Wing, carried the bill and said it was key to

giving farmers another tool as they navigate tough financial times. The loans would extend back to damage caused since Jan. 1.

“We’ve had a tremendous amount of snowfall in the month of February and to make matters worse, the economy for the ag folks is not very good right now,” Goggin said.

“It’s all over the state and we need to make sure that our farmers have access to relief loans.”

At press time, the bill was moving to Gov. Tim Walz’s desk for his signature.

Follow Dana Ferguson on Twitter @bydanaferguson, call 651-290-0707 or email dferguson@forumcomm.com.

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Helping Our Youth Achieve Their Dreams W

adena-Deer Creek junior Logan Wegscheid is a farm kid at heart.

Growing up east of Wadena, he’s always enjoyed taking care of his family’s cattle, pigs and chickens.

In seventh grade, there was little doubt Logan would join WDC’s FFA chapter. This school year, he was elected president by his FFA peers; competed at the regional level on the fish and wildlife team; and helped with chapter events. He’s also involved in wrestling, trap league and track & field for the Wolverines, as well as a member of the 4 Corners 4-H Club. In his spare time, he is an avid hunter and loves to fish with his family.

Logan’s plans after his high school graduation is to attend Northwest Technical College in Bemidji to study plumbing and heating, then return to work at his dad’s business and someday have a farm of his own. “I’ve been helping my dad with his business since I was big enough to hop in the truck with him,” said Logan with a smile, adding, “Someday, I hope to take over my dad’s business, too.” #WDCproud #WolverineWay

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RURAL LIVING SPRING 2019

after the frost FLOWERS

Be prepared once growing season arrives

shop’s brightly colored lobby, where the sight and smell of flowers fill the sensfter a long, cold and snowy es. Rasmussen said business doesn’t winter, flower shop owner Jean really slow down in the winter, as ValRasmussen, of Northside Floral entine’s Day, funerals and birthdays in Wadena, is dreaming of sunny days, fill in the cold weather gardening gap, but the shop does seem to be missing warm weather and beautiful flowers.

Her years of gardening and floral something when there’s not a greendesign experience are evident from her house filled to the brim with plants.

A

Michael Denny For Rural Living

Tips for good growing

The urge to garden and grow strikes every year around the tail end of winter.

Rasmussen isn’t the only one pining for freshly cut flowers or a garden filled with veggies. “When should I start growing?” is the important question on every gardener’s mind. Plant early and things will bloom sooner, but it’s a gamble: if the winter season hasn’t completely passed, frost could kill the plants.

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centennialrealty@gmail.com Serving Wadena, Otter Tail, Douglas, Becker and Todd counties.

Visit our Hunter Douglas Display at 138 W. Main St., Perham, MN Located inside P.S. I Love You Boutique

centennial-realty.com

Bring this coupon in to receive

$250 off

the purchase of a new or pre-owned vehicle.

Expires 4/30/19.

Must present coupon at time of purchase to receive discount.

Bring this coupon in for a

FREE car wash or $5 off an oil change.

Expires 5/31/19. Must present coupon at time of purchase.

THE ALL NEW 2019 CHEVY BLAZER

Bring this coupon in for

$20 off a complete detail.

Schedule appointment by 4/30/19.

Must present coupon at time of purchase.

SALES - SERVICE - AUTO BODY - EXPRESS LUBE - DETAILING - AUTO GLASS - PARTS AND ACCESSORIES www.MNMOTORCO.com 218-739-3331 1108 Pebble Lake Road, Fergus Falls

14

RURAL LIVING SPRING 2019

1025R

XUV835M

$400OFF

0%APR FOR 60 MONTHS

1

ALL MODEL YEAR 2018 XUVS

PLUS UP TO

$800 OFF

XUV835M

• 23.9-hp(17.8-kW)Tier4dieselengine • Quik-Park™LoaderandAutoConnect™ Drive-over Deck compatible • Covered by a 6-year powertrain warranty*

A RIDE FOR EVERY JOB. AND BUDGET.

DEALS THAT DO THE HEAVY LIFTING.

1025R COMPACT UTILITY TRACTOR

• 20 hp (14.9 kW),* 724 cc engine • 42-in Accel Deep™ Deck • Optional MulchControl™ Kit • 4 year/300 hour bumper-tobumper warranty**

• 23.9 hp (17.8 kW), Tier 4 diesel engine • Quik-Park™ Loader and AutoConnect™ Drive-over Deck compatible

$200OFF

3 WITH THE PURCHASE OFTWO OR MORE IMPLEMENTS

1

1,2

WITHTHEPURCHASEOFTWO OR MOREIMPLEMENTS 1025RCOMPACTUTILITYTRACTOR

• Factory-installed cab with optional heat and A/C • Three-person cockpit • Power steering for maneuverability

X330 SELECT SERIES TRACTOR

1

0% APR FOR 60 MONTHS

2

PLUS $500 OFF

1 Offer valid for $400 off on all New John Deere model year 2018 Gator XUVs and $200 off on all New John Deere X 330 Select Series Tractors purchased from a participating John Deere dealer between 1 March 2019 and 30 April 2019. Some restrictions apply, prices and models may vary by dealer. This can be combined with the regular installment options. Prices and savings are in U.S. dollars.

2 Offer valid on qualifying purchases made between 1 February 2019 and 30 April 2019. Subject to approved installment credit with John Deere Financial, for agricultural, consumer, or commercial use only. No down payment required. $16.67 per month for every $1,000 financed. 0% APR is for 60 months only. Taxes, freight, setup and delivery charges could increase monthly payment. Available at participating U.S. dealers. Prices and models may vary by dealer. Offer available on new John Deere 1025R Compact Utility Tractors and in the U.S. only. Prices and savings in U.S. dollars.

3 Offer valid for $500 off on all New John Deere 1 Family Sub-Compact Tractors when purchased with two or more John Deere or Frontier Implements from a participating John Deere dealer between 1 February 2019 and 30 April 2019. Some restrictions apply; prices and models may vary by dealer. This can be combined with the regular installment options. Prices and savings are in U.S. dollars. *The engine horsepower and torque information are provided by the engine manufacturer to be used for comparison purposes only. Actual operating horsepower and torque will be less. Refer to the engine manufacturer’s website for additional information. **Term limited to years or hours used, whichever comes first, and varies by model. See the LIMITED WARRANTY FOR NEW JOHN DEERE TURF AND UTILITY EQUIPMENT at JOHNDEERE.COM. Before operating or riding, always refer to the safety and operating information on the vehicle and in the operator’s manual.

1 Offer valid the for $400 offdeer on all New John year 2018 and $200 off on all New John Deere X 330 Select Series Tractors purchased from a John Deere, leaping symbol, and Deere green model and yellow tradeGator dressXUVs are trademarks of Deere & Company.

participating John Deere dealer between 1 March 2019 and 30 April 2019. Some restrictions apply, prices and models may vary by dealer. This can be combined with the regular installment options. Prices and savings are in U.S. dollars.

2 Offer valid on qualifying purchases made between 1 February 2019 and 30 April 2019. Subject to approved installment credit with John Deere Financial, for agricultural, consumer, or commercial use only. No down payment required. $16.67 per month for every $1,000 financed. 0% APR is for 60 months only. Taxes, freight, setup and delivery charges could increase monthly payment. Available at participating U.S. dealers. Prices and models may vary by dealer. Offer available on new John Deere 1025R Compact Utility Tractors and in the U.S. only. Prices and savings in U.S. dollars.

3 Offer valid for $500 off on all New John Deere 1 Family Sub-Compact Tractors when purchased with two or more John Deere or Frontier Implements from a participating John Deere dealer between 1 February 2019 and 30 April 2019. Some restrictions apply; prices and models may vary by dealer. This can be combined with the regular installment options. Prices and savings are in U.S. dollars. *The engine horsepower and torque information are provided by the engine manufacturer to be used for comparison purposes only. Actual operating horsepower and torque will be less. Refer to the engine manufacturer’s website for additional information. **Term limited to years or hours used, whichever comes first, and varies by model. See the LIMITED WARRANTY FOR NEW JOHN DEERE TURF AND UTILITY EQUIPMENT at JOHNDEERE.COM. Before operating or riding, always refer to the safety and operating information on the vehicle and in the operator’s manual.

John Deere, the leaping deer symbol, and green and yellow trade dress are trademarks of Deere & Company.

3025E COMPACT UTILITY TRACTOR

2038R COMPACT UTILITY TRACTOR

• 24.7-hp (18.4-kW) Tier 4 diesel engine • Hydrostatic, 2-range transmission • Covered by a 6-year powertrain warranty* 0% APR FOR 60 MONTHS1 AND UP TO $1,500 OFF1,2

• 37.3-hp (27.4-kW) liquid-cooled diesel engine • Quik-Park™ Loader and AutoConnect™ Drive-over Deck compatible • Covered by a 6-year powertrain warranty*

WITH THE PURCHASE OF 2 OR MORE IMPLEMENTS

0% APR FOR 60 MONTHS1 AND UP TO $1,500 OFF1,2

WITH THE PURCHASE OF 2 OR MORE IMPLEMENTS

Offer valid on qualifying purchases made between 1 February 2019 to 30 April 2019. Subject to approved installment credit with John Deere Financial, for consumer or commercial use only. No down payment required. $16.67 per month for every $1,000 financed. Fixed rate of 0.0% APR for 60 months only. Taxes, freight, setup and delivery charges could increase monthly payment. Available at participating U.S. dealers. Prices and models may vary by dealer.

2 Offer valid on qualifying purchases made between 1 February 2019 to 30 April 2019. $500 off implement bonus is in addition to low-rate financing and requires the purchase of two or more qualifying John Deere or Frontier implements. In addition to implement bonus and low-rate financing, get $300 off 1025R Tractors, $1,000 off 3E Series Tractors and 2038R Series Tractors. Prices and models may vary by dealer. Some restrictions apply; other special rates and terms may be available, so see your dealer for details and other financing options. Available at participating U.S. dealers. *All compact utility tractors purchased new from an authorized John Deere dealer come standard with a 6-year/2,000-hour (whichever comes first) powertrain warranty. See the LIMITED WARRANTY FOR NEW JOHN DEERE TURF AND UTILITY EQUIPMENT at dealer for details.

John Deere, the leaping deer symbol, and green and yellow trade dress are trademarks of Deere & Company.

1

Offer valid on qualifying purchases made between 1 February 2019 to 30 April 2019. Subject to approved installment credit with John Deere Financial, for consumer or commercial use only. No down payment required. $16.67 per month for every $1,000 financed. Fixed rate of 0.0% APR for 60 months only. Taxes, freight, setup and delivery charges could increase monthly payment. Available at participating U.S. dealers. Prices and models may vary by dealer.

2 Offer valid on qualifying purchases made between 1 February 2019 to 30 April 2019. $500 off implement bonus is in addition to low-rate financing and requires the purchase of two or more qualifying John Deere or Frontier implements. In addition to implement bonus and low-rate financing, get $300 off 1025R Tractors, $1,000 off 3E Series Tractors and 2038R Series Tractors. Prices and models may vary by dealer. Some restrictions apply; other special rates and terms may be available, so see your dealer for details and other financing options. Available at participating U.S. dealers. * All compact utility tractors purchased new from an authorized John Deere dealer come standard with a 6-year/2,000-hour (whichever comes first) powertrain warranty. See the LIMITED WARRANTY FOR NEW JOHN DEERE TURF AND UTILITY EQUIPMENT at dealer for details.

John Deere, the leaping deer symbol, and green and yellow trade dress are trademarks of Deere & Company.

1

218-631-2311

62505 West Highway 10 Wadena, MN 56482

www.mmcjd.com

RURAL LIVING SPRING 2019

Rasmussen said many people will try to start planting in early May. Mother’s Day seems to be a popular day to prepare gardens and start planting. She suggests waiting for the ground to thaw and to be sure the cold weather has passed before getting started.

Rasmussen takes a simple and straightforward approach to growing. She recommends that gardeners: ► Fully understand the needs of flowers and plants. Before planting, gardeners should do a generous amount of research. ► Know the moisture, sunlight and soil nutrient requirements of each plant. The sunlight needs of plants, especially, is something Rasmussen stresses for every garden.

Some plants need to grow in full unhindered sunlight, others need shade. Placing a begonia in full sunlight will cause it to burn up. Vegetables however, should be put in partial to full sunlight. ► Remove weeds and sod from a garden before planting. ► Put down some compost and nutriPioneer Journal-Wadena- Rural Living edition- 1/8 page- $169 ent-rich dirt. ► Till the land. Tilling by hand or with regular gardening implements is possible but can be difficult and time consuming.

Rasmussen recommends renting a powered tiller to prepare the soil a little faster.

Michael Denny / Rural Living ► Get to planting! Rasmussen highly Gardeners always get excited at the start of springtime, when they can get suggests petunias, marigolds and geraniums as great flowers for the region. back to the dirt.

STILL TAKING

VENISON TRIMMINGS FOR SAUSAGE

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

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YES WE DO ACCEPT WHOLE DEER

We’re your one-stop processing plant.

Our Specialty is Sausage OPTIONS TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION

MILLS LOCKER PLANT

218-385-2875 | New York Mills, MN

CALL FOR YOUR SLAUGHTER APPOINTMENTS

REGULAR HOURS: OPEN MON. - FRI. 8AM - 5PM | SAT. 8AM - NOON

NEW CONSTRUCTION REMODELING • BATHROOMS CONCRETE WORK • GARAGES SHEDS AND MORE For quote or information, call today!

Ron Heinonen 218-298-4980 | Andrew Heinonen 218-298-4972 Licensed and Insured

94 Miller street | New York Mills, MN 56567

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RURAL LIVING SPRING 2019