FARMING IN THE HEARTLAND
SPRING 2025
An Agricultural, Farming and Rural Development Supplement to the Freeborn and Mower County Shoppers.
LOOK UP before moving or transporting equipment especially around buildings, grain bins or entering or exiting fields and farms.
POWER LINES should be at least 18 feet above the highest point of grain bin where portable augers or other portable filling equipment is used.
CONSIDER BURYING electric lines to reduce the risk of accidental contact
STAY BACK from the guy wires on utility poles Bumping these will cause sagging in the overhead lines and will make entanglement more likely.
Remember during transportation, some equipment is actually taller than when in use.
ENTANGLEMENT
If your equipment becomes entangled in power lines, stay inside unless the equipment catches on fire
If your equipment catches on FIRE, jump as far away from the equipment as possible landing on both feet. Then hop with feet together to safety, and call 911!
Strategies to Navigate the Agriculture Labor Shortage
Labor shortages can make it hard for any business owner to compete, and those working in the agricultural sector are no exception to that reality. The U.S. Senate Committee on Aging notes that the median age of farmers in the United States is 58, and more farmers are older than 65 than under 44. That doesn't bode well for the future, but the labor shortages confronting the agricultural sector pose an immediate problem as well.
A January 2025 report from the agricultural tech firm Sabanto noted there are currently 2.4 million unfilled jobs within the agricultural sector. Labor shortages pose a unique challenge, but the following are some strategies agricultural operations can consider to overcome a lack of help.
• Look for ways to automate. Automation can be a lifeline that helps to meet the challenge of labor shortages within the agricultural sector. Modern technology enables completion of various tasks, such as water measurement and soil analysis, through the use of automated sensors or programs. Automation can allow farmers to direct their limited personnel resources toward tasks that require hands-on work.
• Join forces with fellow
farmers. Another potential solution is to pool limited labor resources with other farmers in your area. Farmers can work together to identify workers who can be trained as specialists and then transported to various sites to perform vital tasks each farm needs to survive.
• Cut down on field operations when possible. Reducing reliance on tasks that cannot be automated is another strategy to confront the labor shortage. For example, no-tillage farming methods require fewer personnel. Seasonal farming that limits operations during times of year when the available workforce is particularly scant also can help navigate the labor shortage.
• Encourage local politicians to promote legislative solutions. Policy reform that prioritizes access to labor within the agricultural sector can serve both short- and long-term needs. Farmers can contact local politicians and let them know about the challenges facing the agricultural sector, offering
invaluable feedback that can be used to write and promote farmer-friendly legislation.
The agricultural sector faces immediate and long-term labor shortages. Confronting that sizable challenge may require a willingness to embrace new strategies and promote important policy changes in the years ahead.
Continuing to Serve North Iowa at our Two Locations:
Be Prepared
If an accident or an emergency was to occur to you, are you prepared? Youth that go through the Scouting America program learn to always be in a state of readiness in mind and body for anything that may come up. This involves the youth learning and demonstrating all the different aspects of first aid and emergency preparation with both merit badges having an extensive list of critical skills to master.
Through this process the youth and adult leaders are also being trained to anticipate possible situations that may occur and to take measures in advance to mitigate the risk of a possible serious situation. When a scout troop is in an isolated environment where emergency help is difficult to reach in a timely manner it is critical to take measures to reduce risk and have the skills to apply appropriate treatment when needed. Youth that participate in leaning emergency preparation skills are learning to better evaluate risk and reward in other areas of life.
Recently I visited a close personal friend that had experienced a serious accident. During the visit my friend asked me if I knew how to use my Apple Watch to contact someone. My response was no because I always use my cell phone for contacting others. His response was that I need to learn how and everyone else that has an Apple Watch also needs to know how to use an Apple Watch for sending a text or making an emergency phone call. My friend being able to send a text from his Apple Watch to his wife is what made the difference in experiencing a better outcome that involved a serious accident. There are situations where the cell phone is maybe out of reach, but the Apple Watch is attached on the wrist being available for communication.
None of us intentionally plan on being in a serious accident. But serious accidents do occur. It is the responsibility of each of us to be prepared to respond with the appropriate first aid or other emergency skills when the situation arises. That means that everyone of us need to take the time to learn or refresh our first aid skills from a trained professional. Here is a link to start with for finding First Aid/CPR/AED training in your area: Red Cross First Aid Classes.
It is also essential to have a first aid kit available in several key locations which includes the farm shop, the farm barn office, tractor, combine, pickup and/or personal car so that the essential first aid items are available when needed. The first aid in farm office is of no value when the accident occurred in a field 2 miles away. Even having a small personal first aid kit in several locations is beneficial for taking care of the minor cuts.
Below is the list of supplies that came from Scouting America that is used by Scout leaders.
Personal First-Aid Kit
Having a few first-aid items will allow you to treat scratches, blisters, and other minor injuries and to provide initial care for more serious emergencies. You should be able to fit everything in a resealable plastic bag. Your kit should include as a minimum the following:
• Adhesive bandages (6)
• Sterile gauze pads, 3-by-3-inch (2)
• Adhesive tape (1 small roll)
• Moleskin, 3-by-6-inch (1)
• Soap (1 small bar) or alcohol-based hand sanitizing gel (1 travel size bottle)
• Triple antibiotic ointment (1 small tube)
• Scissors (1 pair)
• Nonlatex disposable gloves (1 pair)
• CPR breathing barrier (1)
Comprehensive First-Aid Kit
A more comprehensive first-aid kit suitable for treating a wide range of injuries. After assembling your comprehensive kit, be sure everyone knows where the kit is being stored. It also is a good idea to carry a firstaid kit in the car in case of roadside emergencies. At a minimum, the kit should contain the following:
• Roller bandage, 2-inch (1)
• Roller bandage, 1-inch (2)
• Adhesive tape, 1-inch (1 roll)
• Alcohol swabs (24)
• Assorted adhesive bandages (1 box)
• Elastic bandages, 3-inch-wide (2)
• Sterile gauze pads, 3-by-3-inch (12)
• Moleskin, 3-by-6-inch (4)
• Gel pads for blisters and burns (2 packets)
• Triple antibiotic ointment (1 tube)
• Triangular bandages (4)
• Soap (1 small bar) or alcoholbased hand sanitizing gel (1 travel size bottle)
• Scissors (1 pair)
• Tweezers (1 pair)
• Safety pins (12)
• Nonlatex disposable gloves (6 pairs)
• Protective goggles/safety glasses (1 pair)
• CPR breathing barrier (1)
It is in our best interest to make our farms and homes a safe environment. This includes learning the necessary first aid skills and have the first aid resources readily available.
Lynn Hoffmann
Farm Business Management Instructor
Riverland Community College
Southland | Suite A212 | 1700 3rd St SW, Austin, MN 55912 507-320-8193
lynn.hoffmann@riverland.edu
A member of Minnesota State
Land as an Investment
As the stock market sours, investors might look to land as an alternative investment. Agricultural land often outperforms other types of investments for some of the reasons below:
Investments in agricultural land can offer returns through both land appreciation and rental income, with historical average annual returns ranging from 8% to 12%.
providing capital gains for
Leasing the land to farmers for cultivation generates a steady income stream.
Historical Returns:
Since 1991, U.S. farmland has returned an average of 10.7% annually, including income and appreciation.
Over the last 50 years, the value of American farmland has risen by about 6.1% per year, with only five down years during that period. Over the last 20 years, United States farmland has offered average returns of
USDA Expediting $10 Billion in Direct Economic Assistance to Agricultural Producers
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, on National Agriculture Day, announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing up to $10 billion directly to agricultural producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for the 2024 crop year. Administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), ECAP will help agricultural producers mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices.
Authorized by the American Relief Act, 2025, these economic relief payments are based on planted and prevented planted crop acres for eligible commodities for the 2024 crop year. Producers can visit fsa.usda. gov/ecap to apply using a login.gov account or contact their local FSA office to request an application.
Eligible Commodities and Payment Rates
The commodities below are eligible for these per-acre payment rates:
• Wheat - $30.69
• Corn - $42.91
• Sorghum - $42.52
• Barley - $21.67
Eligible oilseeds:
• Canola – $31.83
• Crambe – $19.08
• Flax - $20.97
• Oats - $77.66
• Upland cotton & Extra-long staple cotton - $84.74
• Long & medium grain rice - $76.94
• Peanuts - $75.51
• Soybeans - $29.76
• Dry peas - $16.02
• Lentils - $19.30
• Small Chickpeas - $31.45
• Large Chickpeas - $24.02
Producer Eligibility
• Mustard - $11.36
• Rapeseed -$23.63
• Safflower - $26.32
• Sesame - $16.83
• Sunflower – $27.23
Eligible producers must report 2024 crop year planted and prevented planted acres to FSA on an FSA578, Report of Acreage form. Producers who have not previously reported 2024 crop year acreage or filed a notice of loss for prevented planted crops must submit an acreage report by the Aug. 15, 2025, deadline. Eligible producers can visit fsa.usda.gov/ecap for eligibility and payment details.
Applying for ECAP
Producers must submit ECAP applications to their local FSA county office by Aug. 15, 2025. Only one
application is required for all ECAP eligible commodities nationwide. ECAP applications can be submitted to FSA in-person, electronically using Box and One-Span, by fax or by applying online at fsa.usda.gov/ecap utilizing a secure login.gov account.
If not already on file for the 2024 crop year, producers must have the following forms on file with FSA:
• Form AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet.
• Form CCC-901, Member Information for Legal Entities (if applicable).
• Form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan for an individual or legal entity.
• Form CCC 943, 75 percent of Average Gross Income from Farming, Ranching, or Forestry Certification (if applicable).
• AD-1026, Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification.
• SF-3881, Direct Deposit.
Except for the new CCC-943, most producers, especially those who have previously participated in FSA programs, likely have these forms on file. However, those who are uncertain and want to confirm the status
BUILDING TOMORROW BY HONORING YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS
of their forms or need to submit the new Form-943, can contact their local FSA county office.
If a producer does not receive a pre-filled ECAP application, and they planted or were prevented from planting ECAP eligible commodities in 2024, they should contact their local FSA office.
ECAP Payments and Calculator
ECAP payments will be issued as applications are approved. Initial ECAP payments will be factored by 85% to ensure that total program payments do not exceed available funding. If additional funds remain, FSA may issue a second payment.
ECAP assistance will be calculated using a flat payment rate for the eligible commodity multiplied by the eligible reported acres. Payments are based on acreage and not production. For acres reported as prevented plant, ECAP assistance will be calculated at 50%.
For ECAP payment estimates, producers are encouraged to visit fsa.usda.gov/ecap to use the ECAP online calculator.
Freeborn County 4-H Ambassadors Add Value
The Freeborn County 4-H Ambassador group is once again, up and running, and doing some pretty amazing things for our local program and our community.
In the 2023-2024 4-H programming year, the 4-H Ambassadors were a group of 23 youth that were led by two volunteers. Over the course of that 4-H year, our Ambassadors met/planned/delivered/facilitated over 20 events. They worked with Cloverbuds (grades K-2), Club 3-5-4 (grades 3-5), ACWA (Ambassadors Connecting With Ambassadors), & volunteered at Oktoberween, the Alzheimer’s Walk, & Relay for Life, in addition to meeting monthly to plan these events and work on building up themselves with different leadership tools and opportunities to experience as well as learn and practice team building exercises to strengthen this group of leaders.
community in 2023-2024 4-H year was over 450 hours and utilizing the national volunteer rate at the time of calculation was $33.49 means that this group of 4-H Ambassadors donated a value of over $15,000. That is outstanding. It is superb. It is amazing. And very much appreciated.
Upon reflection of that 4-H year, the Ambassadors decided they wanted to do more community events and give back to organizations in the coming year. To date in 2025, we are sitting at 28 ambassadors that have participated in 18 events that they have met/ planned/delivered/facilitated. They are living out experiences that are going to position them well in their futures.
The number of hours these ambassadors contributed/donated to Freeborn County 4-H & our
To learn more about Freeborn County 4-H, please connect with the Freeborn County Extension Office at 1-507-377-5660 or email Amy Wadding at mads0150@umn.edu.
4-H Ambassadors volunteered to fill the eggs for the City of Albert Lea Park & Rec Easter Egg Hunt. They stuffed over 2,200 eggs.
My FFA Journey:
I’m Danica Pestorious and I am currently a junior at Albert Lea High School. I have been an FFA for about three years now, and I have learned and grown so much because of it. Last year, my sister and I decided that we wanted to compete on a team for our chapter. We were encouraged to try out the Farm Business Management team. We got two other girls to join our team and we started studying a lot. It was very tough at first, but once we got familiar with the subject, it got a lot easier. Farm business management is a career development event where we compare principles to real life farm situations. We analyze things such as financial
records, farm data, management decisions, and more. In our first year competing, we made it to state and did well as a team. This year, we did even better by making it to state once again, with two of our members placing top five in the region. Being involved in a team like this has prepared me for my future career as well as learning lifelong skills, such as teamwork and problem solving. FFA is the perfect opportunity for students to become leaders and make new friendships.
FBM
team (left to right): Brielle Bakken, Danica Pestorious, Bridget Pestorious, Katie Barclay
FREEBORN COUNTY FARM
FAMILY OF THE YEAR 2025PAUL
& BECKY ROGNES FAMILY
The annual Agricultural Luncheon has been a tradition for over 40 years! As part of this annual gathering, the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee and the University of Minnesota Extension service recognize a “Farm Family of the Year” each year.
To be nominated, the Farm Family must be Minnesota food producers actively involved in agricultural production with one or more agricultural enterprises or have made significant short-term progress and/or innovative contributions with their agricultural endeavors. Winners are selected based on their commitment to enhancing and supporting the fields of agriculture and production and their involvement in their communities and/or related organizations.
The 2025 Freeborn County Farm Family of the Year honor goes to the Rognes family of Glenville—Paul and Becky Rognes and their two adult daughters, Lindsey and Leah. Focused on agriculture, their farm operations center around corn and soybean rotation, and their dedication to farming is matched only by their deep commitment to their community.
The Rognes family is actively involved in the LIFE Center of Freeborn County and plays a leading
role in organizing the local Night to Shine prom/ dance. They are passionate advocates for inclusion and are known for their kindness, humility, and willingness to serve. Their faith plays a central role in their lives, and they are active members of First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.
Highly community-oriented and engaged in multiple organizations, the Rognes family exemplifies what it means to be excellent friends and neighbors. As Paul humbly shared when receiving the award, looking out at the other farm families, he knew he was “in good company.”
This recognition is well-earned by a truly deserving family whose impact reaches far beyond the boundaries of their farm.
CONGRATULATIONS
A Heartfelt Thank You to All Freeborn County Farmers.
Proud Co-Sponsor of the Freeborn County Farm Family of the Year and 4-H Livestock Auction.
Paul & Becky Rognes Family!
Was winter cold enough to reduce insect populations in 2025?
By University of Minnesota Extension
Cold winters can help prevent many potential pest insects from establishing or reaching large populations in Minnesota. In fact, despite the problems the cold can cause for farmers, gardeners and homeowners, a cold winter can be a welcome event from a pest management perspective.
Each year, Dr. Anthony Hanson, an entomologist and University of Minnesota Extension educator based out of Morris, Minnesota, provides overwintering forecasts for some of these insects. The 2025 forecasts, supported by a federal USDA grant, include weather data from NOAA.
Insect cold tolerance
For the most part, insects match the temperature of their surrounding environment, making them “coldblooded.” Unlike warm-blooded animals, wind chill doesn’t affect most insects, but air temperature does. Many insects can survive temperatures well below freezing due to compounds that lower the freezing point of water in their bodies, similar to antifreeze in a car.
Some crop and garden pests like black cutworm die out entirely each winter in Minnesota, but then simply migrate back in spring from southern states where they survived. Many Minnesotans hope a cold winter will knock back nuisance insects such as mosquitoes or deer flies, though these pests are often overwintering in aquatic areas where they are protected from cold.
Crop insect forecasts
One of the simplest ways to forecast insect overwintering uses minimum winter temperature, similar to plant hardiness zones. Soybean aphid is a major crop pest that avoids freezing.
“If you know when they freeze, you can get an idea of how many survived the winter,” Hanson said. Soybean aphid eggs overwinter on buckthorn buds
Predicted soybean aphid winter mortality in 2025 is related to the coldest winter air temperatures.
The winter of 2024-25 wasn’t cold enough in most parts of the state of Minnesota to freeze out soybean aphids. Photo by David W. Ragsdale, Texas A&M University, Bugwood.org
and freeze between -25 and -35 °F, with most freezing around -29 °F.
In 2025, very little mortality for soybean aphid is expected in the southern half of the state, though areas of north-central Minnesota will see over 25% mortality.
Hanson said: “These maps can be valuable for seasonlong planning, so I like to show farmers what I’d plan for on my family’s farm as an example.” (In-depth crop forecasts are available at z.umn.edu/winterpest2025.)
Forest insects
Emerald ash borer (EAB) is a well-known invasive pest of ash trees that overwinters underneath the insulating bark of ash trees. Mortality starts to be noticeable when these insects experience temperatures of -22 °F, around half of them freeze at -24.5 °F, and a small percentage can even survive brief exposure near -40 °F.
This year, most of the northern half of the state will have 25% or more predicted EAB mortality. Unfortunately, in areas where EAB is most prevalent
in the southern half of the state, expected mortality is 10% or less.
Soil insects
Other insects overwinter in the soil, such as Colorado potato beetle, Japanese beetle and corn rootworm, which can affect field crops, garden plants and turfgrass. Due to the lack of snow this winter, upper soil temperatures reached single digits in many areas of west-central Minnesota that reduce numbers of these insects. Those six inches or deeper were instead relatively well-insulated from the cold, so these insects will still be emerging, just in reduced numbers.
Anthony Hanson is a University of Minnesota Extension educator and entomologist who specializes in integrated pest management. Learn more at extension.umn. edu/news.
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Summer Fun ‘19
