Benton Ag Plus - October 6, 2018

BENTON AG | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2018PAGE | Page1B 1B

BENTON AG Serving rural Benton County, Morrison, Mille Lacs & Kanabec Counties.

Plus

right decision Autumn’s apples

Sauk Rapids Herald

Making the

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2018

Whitcombs continue multigenerational farm, transition to orchard

BY ELIZABETH HOAG | STAFF WRITER

PRINCETON — Down a dirt road at J.Q. Fruit Farm and Orchard are bushes of blueberries, raspberries and rows of colorful apples, welcoming a festive fall feeling.

Following the weekend after Labor Day, Dan and Carol Whitcomb open their orchard to the public as a you-pick operation from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

While not on the farm, Dan works as a substitute teacher, and Carol is employed at a sign company and also babysits.

“We opened Sept. 8 and will be open until the first frost,” Dan said.

Among the 100-acre homestead, 12 acres are used for commercial fruit production. The Whitcombs reserve an area for their raspberry canes and six acres for their 10,000 blueberry plants, which they sell during the summer months.

J.Q. Fruit Farm page 2B

“It’s definitely hard knowing you’re going into a losing battle, but I knew what I was facing.”

- Mitchell Mehrwerth PHOTO BY JENNIFER COYNE

Mitchell Mehrwerth milks 55 cows on a rented farm site in Sauk Rapids. The 25-year-old began dairy farming in March 2017.

Mehrwerth gets start in industry

BY JENNIFER COYNE STAFF WRITER

PHOTO BY ELIZABETH HOAG

Carol and Dan Whitcomb stand in their orchard Sept. 18 in Princeton. The couple owns and operates J.Q. Fruit Farm and Orchard.

Mehrwerth page 3B

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SAUK RAPIDS — As Mitchell Mehrwerth fills the holding pen with dairy cattle and prepares for evening milking, he is humbled by the work he does.

“I’ve always wanted to do something bigger than myself,” Mehrwerth said. “I like helping people and being able to help feed the world.”

Mehrwerth, 25, milks 55 cows on a rented farm site in

Sauk Rapids. The herd consists of primarily Holsteins, along with a few Jerseys and Holstein-Brown Swiss crossbreds.

Dairy farming is a career Mehrwerth envisioned for himself many years ago.

“I met a girl in ninth grade whose parents dairy farmed,” Mehrwerth said. “I spent a lot of my time helping on her farm, and that’s when dairying really grew on me. By the time I was a junior in high school, I knew I liked working with cows and wanted to

dairy farm.”

Every day begins at 4:30 a.m. for the young farmer as he arrives at the dairy and prepares the double-4 step-up parlor for milking.

Throughout the morning, Mehrwerth will shuffle between the parlor and other on-farm facilities, cleaning pens and feeding youngstock, dry cows and the milking herd. He also must haul manure each day.

“I get plenty of help from family and neighbors, but I do dairy all by myself,” Mehrwerth

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Page 2B | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2018 | BENTON AG

BENTON AG

MAKE THE MOST OF E VERY MINUTE.

PHOTO BY ELIZABETH HOAG

Three hundred sixty-one apple trees stand in J.Q. Fruit Farm and Orchard Sept. 18 in Princeton. The orchard is named after Dan Whitcomb’s grandfather.

J.Q. Fruit Farm from front

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As soon as September arrives, their six acres of apple trees are full of ripening fruit, ready for picking.

Even though the Whitcombs run their farm as a commercial fruit production business, it was not always managed that way. Former variations of the farm included raising dairy, chickens and bees and growing potatoes and carrots.

“The farm has been in my family since 1906,” Dan said. “I am the fourth generation, and I wanted to keep the century farm going.”

Originally, the farm, which was ran by Dan’s great-grandparents, consisted of a 40-acre homestead along the Rum River on the north side of Princeton. In 1940, Dan’s grandfather, John Q. Penhallegon, who the orchard is named after, took over the farm, which had grown to 200 acres.

“In 1977 my mother, Beverly A. Penhallegon, took over the farm, where rental grain crops were only being grown and urban sprawl had reduced the homestead to 100 acres,” Dan said. “She passed away in 1984, which is when I took over the farm.”

Carol joined the operation seven years later, and together they had to decide how to maintain the family farm lifestyle for another generation and make it profitable and selfsustainable.

“My grandparents adopted my mother after the loss of their child,” Dan said. “My mother was originally born to a Swedish immigrant family and often said she was born in a blueberry patch… . As a child, I often ventured north to pick blueberries by my family’s old log cabin, so it only seemed appropriate to transition the farm to a blueberry and fruit specialty crop farm.”

The apple orchard was completed in 2008.

Among the 361 apple trees, the orchard has 14 varieties of apples, including Haralson, Honeycrisp, Honeygold,

PHOTO BY ELIZABETH HOAG

Dan Whitcomb grabs a Frostbite apple Sept. 18 at his orchard in Princeton. The orchard grows 14 varieties of apples.

State Fair, Sweet 16 and Zestar.

“Not all of our apples ripen at the same time,” Carol said. “My favorite apples are Connell Reds and Honeygolds.”

When it comes to the upkeep of their orchard to ensure the ripening of apples, the Whitcombs select trees and care for them throughout the year.

“We purchase some of our trees at 2 years old because it takes an average of five years for an apple tree to reach production,” Carol said.

To ensure and maintain their orchard’s success, the work does not begin in September, but rather in February.

“We start pruning trees in the beginning of February until the end of April,” Dan said. “Apple trees need stress to produce fruitful and bigger apples.”

During the same time, the Whitcombs fertilize the soil until the end of June.

There are challenges the orchard caretakers have to watch for, like the apple maggot fly and fungus to the like of fire blight. The couple also manages sun scald, which breaks open the bark and exposes the inside of the tree.

After a few rough years, the Whitcombs are now trying to figure out how to replace 80 to 100 trees.

However, they said this year has been a blessing.

“This year has been strange,” Carol said. “Every tree has apples. Normally we have trees that skip

years or don’t do as well. I think it had a lot to do with the late spring. We didn’t have a killing freeze either.”

With the hearty season and overabundance of apples, the Whitcombs encourage families and children to visit their orchard.

“When families come out to our orchard, we want them to feel comfortable walking out and picking apples off the trees,” Carol said. “The reason you come to the orchard is to try the apple. We encourage everyone to pick apples off different trees and try them to experience the variety of tastes and textures. We want people to spend more time out there.”

During the apple season, the Whitcombs also bring their fruit to the Isanti and Princeton farmers markets.

“We have been participating in farmers markets since 1985 and helped create the farmers market in Princeton,” Dan said. “We get a lot of customers from the cities and north metro who come through.”

The Whitcombs are looking forward to reinventing the farm and keeping current with the changing clientele.

“When the leaves begin to change, that’s when people feel like coming out to the orchards to buy apples and make apple pie,” Carol said. “We never sell all of our apples, but we try.”

BENTON AG | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2018 | Page 3B

PHOTO BY JENNIFER COYNE

Mitchell Mehrwerth hooks up the milking units as he prepares for evening milking Sept. 12 at his dairy farm site in Sauk Rapids.

herd.

In the months leading up to Mehrwerth usfrom front ing the rented facilities, he and Scapanski made imsaid. “While I try to stick to provements to the 58-stall a schedule, the afternoons freestall barn, parlor and usually just depend on milkhouse. what’s happening that day.”

“The added bonus of By late afternoon, Mehthis property was that it rwerth mixes two batches of came with a freestall and feed for the milking herd, parlor, but it came with one to be fed in the evening work,” Mehrwerth said. and another for the follow“We put in new headlocks ing morning. and replaced gates and Mehrwerth’s first day poured concrete around the as a dairy farmer was March parlor and milkhouse and 27, 2017. However, it was put in all new sand in the an occupation long in the freestall barn. There was a making.

I lot of cleaning to get this After high school gradhuation, Mehrwerth pursued how I wanted.” ta degree in agriculture busiAdditionally, the Scapanski family had to ness with a dairy emphasis nfrom Ridgewater College in close the manure pit, add fWillmar. Then, from 2013filter strips and correct drainage for clean water to 16, he worked in the indusdtry with a genetics company meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the rand then on two nearby local soil and water district dairy farms. regulations. e “This farm was first When the time came tavailable for rent in 2012, for Mehrwerth to start milkebut I was still in school ing, it was not an easy task. and not ready to do it on Nearly two-thirds of his my own,” Mehrwerth said. l herd was not familiar with e“Then, it became availstep-up parlors. able again in 2016 and [the y “It was a scary feelowner and I] both contacte ing,” said Mehrwerth, reed each other at the same f calling his first milking. “I mtime.” thought it would be no big Knowing the state of f deal, but then the water line the industry, Mehrwerth t wasn’t working, the TMR was hesitant to pursue a caereer in dairy farming, but wasn’t working and training the cows to use the step-up after speaking with area efarmers he felt it was the parlor was hard.”

In 3.5 hours, Mehrwright decision for him. e erth was able to milk 27 “It’s definitely hard cows. knowing you’re going into “I couldn’t have done it without help from everyone, n and they continue to help me,” Mehrwerth said. “I’m d extremely grateful. There’s no way I could ever repay everyone for how they’ve f helped me in any way.”

Now, the dairyman still e receives regular help from his dad, brother, Rob, and Scapanski’s son, Adam.

Adam is on the farm d frequently, while Mehrwe erth’s family makes time during the week after their n full-time jobs and on the n weekends. t Likewise, Mehrwerth has a strong relationship l with area farmers who serve f as mentors for him.

PHOTO BY JENNIFER COYNE “School and my other Mitchell Mehrwerth pushes up feed to his milking herd jobs taught me about the during evening chores Sept. 12. Mehrwerth is renting a basics of running a farm, farm site in Sauk Rapids.

Mehrwerth

a losing battle, but I knew what I was facing,” Mehrwerth said. “I looked at it as an opportunity because my overhead would be limited, my largest expense being rent.”

As a young hopeful with no family dairy to come back to or much equity to show, it was not an easy process for Mehrwerth to show his worth to lenders.

“Starting from nothing is really hard,” he said.

“The biggest challenge I had was finding a bank and someone to back me.”

It was not long before Mehrwerth had a contract developed between himself and former dairy farmer Cheryl Scapanski to rent the facilities and surrounding 30 acres.

Mehrwerth also established a rental agreement for five additional acres from his dad, Rick, and solidified a milk contract with Gilman Co-op Creamery in Gilman.

Throughout the years, Mehrwerth purchased calves from registered Holstein sales. He also had two milking cows, which he housed at different farm sites.

Purchased cows from area farmers and housing four of the Scapanski family’s cows, as well as a dozen registered Jerseys and Holsteins from the late Larry Popp established the remainder of Mehrwerth’s

but neither can teach you everything until you go out on your own,” Mehrwerth said. “You think you know it all, but you find out fast you don’t. So, you find the right people to work with and people you can trust.

You listen to them.”

In the past 18 months, Mehrwerth has become accustomed to his new career and is appreciative of the chance to be a part of the dairy industry in this capacity.

“I think the advantages of dairy farming outweigh the disadvantages, no matter how bad they can be,” Mehrwerth said. “The troubles I’m facing as a dairy farmer are small compared to what other people may be going through. … It’s all a matter of perspective.”

While Mehrwerth is cognizant of the uphill battle he faces in the dairy industry, he is driven to pursue his passion and develop a lifelong career as a dairy farmer.

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Page 4B | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2018 | BENTON AG

BENTON AG

Public Notices PS Form 3526

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation (Requester Publications Only)

1. Publication Title STAR PUBLICATIONS/SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

2. Publication Number 21690

ISSN 26387727

4. Issue Frequency WEEKLY

5. Number of Issues Published Annually 6. Annual Subscription Price 52 $ 50.00

7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication 11 2ND AVE N SAUK RAPIDS, BENTON, MN 56379-1650

3. Filing Date 09/19/2018

Contact Person JOYCE FRERICKS Telephone (320) 250-0862

8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher 522 SINCLAIR LEWIS AVE SAUK CENTRE, MN 56378

9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor Publisher (Name and complete mailing address) STAR PUBLICATIONS, LLC 522 SINCLAIR LEWIS AVE SAUK CENTRE, MN 56378

Editor (Name and complete mailing address) NATASHA BARBER 11 2ND AVE N UNIT 103 SAUK RAPIDS, MN 56379

Managing Editor (Name and complete mailing address) MARK KLAPHAKE 522 SINCLAIR LEWIS AVE SAUK CENTRE, MN 56378

10. Owner (Do not leave blank. If the publication is owned by a corporation, give the name and address of the corporation immediately followed by the names and addresses of all stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or more of the total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, give names and addresses of the individual owners. If owned by a partnership or other unincorporated firm, give its name and address as well as those of each individual owner. If the publication is published by a nonprofit organization, give its name and address.)

Full Name

Complete Mailing Address

MARK A KLAPHAKE

41835 COUNTY ROAD 184, SAUK CENTRE, MN 56378

JEFFREY E WEYER

535 ALEX MOORE ST, SAUK CENTRE, MN 56378

MELISSA A TRAEGER

39744 444TH ST , SAUK CENTRE, MN 56378

JOYCE A FRERICKS

1208 PARK LANE, SAUK CENTRE, MN 56378

11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Hoding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds. Mortgages, or Other Securities. If none, check box Full Name

X None

Complete Mailing Address

13. Publication Title

14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below

STAR PUBLICATIONS/SAUK RAPIDS HERALD 15. Extend and Nature of Circulation

09/14/2018 Average No. Copies Each Issue No. Copies of Single Issue During Preceding 12 Months Published Nearest to Filing Date

a. Total Numbers of Copies (Net press run) Outside County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541. (Include direct written request from telemarketing and Internet requests from (1) recipient, recipient, paid subscriptions including nominal rate subscriptions, employer requests, advertiser's proof copies, and exchange copies.) b. Legitimate In-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions stated on Paid PS Form 3541. (Include direct written request from and/or recipient, telemarketing and Internet requests from Requested (2) recipient, paid subscriptions including nominal rate Distribution subscriptions, employer requests, advertiser's proof (By Mail copies, and exchange copies.) and Sales through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Outside (3) Counter Sales, and Other Paid or Requested Distribution the Mail) Outside USPS (4) Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes Through the USPS (e.g. First-Class Mail) c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation (Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3), (4)) Outside County Nonrequested Copies stated on PS Form 3541 (include Sample copies, Requests Over (1) 3 years old, Requests induced by a Premium, Bulk Sales and Requests including Association Requests, Names obtained from Business Directories, Lists, and other soruces) d. NonreIn-County Nonrequested Copies stated on PS Form quested 3541 (include Sample copies, Requests Over 3 Distribution (2) years old, Requests induced by a Premium, Bulk (By Mail Sales and Requests including Association Requests, and Names obtained from Business Directories, Lists, Outside the and other soruces) Mail) Nonrequested Copies Distributed Through the USPS (3) by Other Classes of Mail (e.g. First-Class Mail, Nonrequestor Copies mailed in excess of 10% Limit Nonrequested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail (4) (include Pickup Stands, Trade Shows, Showrooms and Other Sources) e. Total Nonrequested Distribution (Sum of 15d (1), (2), (3), (4)) f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e) g. Copies not Distributed h. Total (Sum of 15f and 15g)

4078

4444

240

281

2769

2923

0

0

0

0

3009

3204

0

0

0

0

0

0

717

937

717

937

3726

4141

352

303

4078

4444

80.76 %

77.37 %

a. Requested and Paid Electronic Copies(Sum of 15c and 15e)

0

0

Total Requested and Paid Print Copies(Line 15c) + Requested/Paid b. Electronic Copies

0

0

c. Total Requested Copy Distribution(Line 15f)+ Requested/Paid Electronic Copies

0

0

0.00 %

0.00 %

i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation ((15c / 15f) times 100) 16. If total circulation includes electronic copies, report that circulation on lines below.

d. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (Both print and Electronic Copies) I Certify that 50% of all my distributed copies (Electronic & Print) are legitimate requests.

17. Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requester Publication is required and will be printed in the 10/06/2018 issue of this publication.

18. Signature and Title of Editor,, Publisher,, Business Manager, g , or o Owner Title JOYCE FRERICKS

BUSINESS MANAGER

Date 09/19/2018 21:11:53 PM

I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).

R40-1-JF

www.saukrapidsherald.com

A message from China China has a message for the Midwest, and they are making their case by buying ad space in the Des Moines Register.

It is a four-page section in the Sunday edition with the disclaimer: Paid for and prepared solely by China Daily, an official publication of the People’s Republic of China.

The ad tells farmers the trade war is forcing China to buy soybeans from South America instead of the United States, and they quote Davie Stephens, vice president of the American Soybean Association saying, “As the largest importer of U.S. soybeans, China is a vital and robust market we cannot afford to lose.”

The Chinese supplement also includes a story highlighting a book about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ‘fun days in Iowa’ during trips to the state in 1985 and 2012, and a column with the headline, “Beijing can set an example for the world”.

Targeting Iowa is a strategic move by China

BY ROGER STROM The Business of Farming

with tariffs threatening Iowa exports of soybeans valued at $30.8 million. Some argue the placement of the ad is also an attempt to target one of the key states critical for Republicans in upcoming elections.

In a related story, the vice president of China’s largest soybean crusher delivered a message for U.S. soybean growers at the international ag exports conference in Kansas City.

Speaking to attendees, Mu Yan Kui said, “Many foreign business people and politicians have underestimated the determination of Chinese people to support the government in a trade war.” He outlined plans

to cut soybean use in hog rations in China by using alternative protein sources like rapeseed or cotton seed.

One of China’s biggest suppliers of animal feed plans to totally eliminate U.S. soybeans from its feed mix by October, using corn meal along with other protein sources.

He said China will increase purchases from Brazil and Argentina and use their own surplus soybean stocks and the government reserve to avoid buying from the United States. Since the trade war began, Chinese crushers have accumulated record supplies of beans and meal.

Earlier this month one of the top Chinese processors predicted they will only need 700,000 tons of U.S. beans this marketing year, compared to the 32.9 million they bought last year.

Tariffs will also add uncertainty to propane costs this winter. With China’s increased tariffs on U.S. propane, suppliers are forecasting more price volatility in the months ahead.

Dennis St. Aubin, the director of propane marketing for CHS, is urging those who depend on propane for drying crops and heating their homes to be prepared by having their tanks full in case a demand spike triggers higher prices. … just say’n’

BENTON AG Plus

To advertise in Benton Ag Plus contact your marketing specialist below Lynnette Ostendorf St. Cloud lynnette@saukherald.com 320-241-1866 Tim Vos Sauk Rapids tim@saukherald.com tim@albanyenterprise.com 320-492-6987

Brent Plumski Morrison, Northern Benton, Kanabec, Pine, Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties, Foley, Rice, Royalton and Little Falls brent.p@star-pub.com 320-249-2718 Brian Trattles Holdingford and Bowlus brian.t@saukherald.com 320-491-0512

BENTON AG | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2018 | Page 5B

BENTON AG

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All things considered, Palmer amaranth may reduce corn yields by as much 90 percent and soybean yields by 80 percent.

Identification of Palmer amaranth can be difficult. Early in the growing season, this plant can resemble another weed species

Due to the genetically diverse nature of Palmer amaranth and common waterhemp, it becomes necessary to use multiple identifying features to correctly separate the two plants.

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important. Good news for those already managing fields with common waterhemp, managing Palmer amaranth is similar. Bad news is due to the aggressive nature of this weed species the opportune times in which to manage this weed species will be smaller.

Keep in mind this weed has to be eradicated when found, but managing fields in a manner that does not provide a good environment for Palmer amaranth to establish is better than waiting.

While reliance on herbicides is the usual go-to for management, consider tillage and cultural tactics as well.

Also, do not simply focus on the inner workings of the field. Remember to watch field edges and waterways as weeds in those areas can contain unmanaged weeds and be a source of weed seed next season. For those areas, hoeing or hand-pulling may be the easiest way to remove those plants. Keep in mind, a few hours of work to prevent weed escapes now may save you a lifetime of trouble later.

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in the pigweed family which we are more familiar with in this area, common waterhemp.

Due to the genetically diverse nature of Palmer amaranth and common waterhemp, it becomes necessary to use multiple identifying features to correctly separate the two plants. This can lead to improperly identified weeds, or worse by placing all pigweed species in the same general term. This may result in weed species that are not as aggressively managed as needed. Due to the complicated and extensive nature of the identification, call the Benton County Extension Office at 320-968-5077 for more information on picking these plants apart.

As Palmer amaranth becomes more common across the landscape, properly managing fields for this species will be

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The Minnesota Department of Agriculture announced Sept. 28 that a new population of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) was identified in Redwood County.

This is the fifth county in Minnesota in the last three years found to have a population of Palmer amaranth. This population was found in a soybean field in mid-September and, through genetic analysis, positively identified.

Mark Abrahamson, MDA Director of Plant Protection, is hopeful the limited number of plants found means it is limited to a small area.

Palmer amaranth is on the prohibited weed seed and Minnesota’s prohibited noxious weed eradicate list. This means no seed contaminated with Palmer amaranth seed can be offered for sale in the state and, if found, both above and below ground parts of the plant must be destroyed.

Also, transportation, propagation and selling of this plant is not allowed in Minnesota.

In an effort to eradicate and prevent the spread of this weed, the MDA scouted a five-mile radius around the soybean field and did not find any other plants. They are investigating the source of the population. For more information on this population, I urge you to read the MDA article, “Palmer Amaranth found in Redwood County�.

Palmer amaranth is a highly competitive weed native to the southern United States. It has become increasingly difficult to manage as it has developed resistance to many of the herbicides that are effective at controlling the weed.

Palmer amaranth has separate male and female plants and can produce between 100,000 and 500,000 seeds per female plant. These two traits combined can increase the chance of resistance development and spread.

Research indicates that over time it can evolve traits that increase the potential to grow and reproduce in specific crop rotations. This means height, weight, length and shape of the leaf may change depending on if the plant is growing in a soybean or corn field. Under good growing conditions, Palmer amaranth can grow 2-3 inches per day.

This is an important trait

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Page 6B | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2018 | BENTON AG

BENTON AG

Benton County to celebrate National 4-H Week Oct. 7-13 FOLEY — Benton County 4-H youth will celebrate National 4-H Week Oct. 7-13 by showcasing the experiences 4-H offers youth and will highlight the remarkable 4-H youth in our community who work each day to make a positive impact on those around them.

“4-H provides positive non-school learning opportunities

that are critical for the development of young people,” said Dorothy McCargo Freeman, state 4-H youth development program leader. “As a result, 4-H youth are able to contribute and make a difference in positive ways in their homes, schools and communities throughout Minnesota.”

Today’s 4-H projects include traditional, popular agriculture and

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animal science projects.

But 4-H youth also work on cutting-edge technology projects, such as aquatic robotics, digital photography and community service and environmental projects, such as maintaining local hiking trails and testing water in area streams for contaminants.

Benton County 4-H continues to grow with projects from crafts, woodworking and photography to livestock and pets to performing arts and stem projects.

Some of the rapidly growing projects like shooting sports, robotics, horse and dog provide opportunities for 4-H youth to be engaged.

4-H alumni around the country are always the first to acknowledge the significant impact 4-H had on them as young people. Recent findings from Tufts University’s 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development indicate young people in 4-H are three times more likely to contribute to their communities than youth not participating in 4-H. Notably, the Tufts research discovered that

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Emily Schreindl, sophomore at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, relaxes during the Benton County Fair in August. Schreindl participated in the beef, dairy and clothing fashion revue projects.

the structured learning, encouragement and adult mentoring 4-Hers receive plays a vital role in helping them contribute to their communities. In Benton County, more than 500 4-H youth and

180 volunteers from the community are involved.

“I love 4-H because I get to interact with new people” said Sophie Janorschke, a sophomore from Foley. “I want to be involved because I want

to help in my community and others along the way.”

Adam Scapanski, a senior at Sauk RapidsRice High School, 4-H page 7B

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Marissa Kuklok, of Foley, discusses her photography entry with judge Bonnita Bernhardt in August at the Benton County Fair in Sauk Rapids. Kuklok is in eighth grade.

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Benton County 4-H participants – Sophie Janorschke (front, from left), Bryant Pierce and Jake Janorschke; (back, from left) Morgan Molitor and Austin Molitor – take a break at the Benton County Fair in August. National 4-H Week is Oct. 7-13.

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“I truly love being part of 4-H. It has provided me an opportunity to learn about a lot of different things and develop relationships with various businesses,” said Scapanski, president of Benton County 4-H Leader’s Council. “It is family orientated and has created many longtime friendships. My favorite thing is showing dairy cattle, and I hope to continue that after my time with 4-H is complete.”

The 2018 Benton County Senior Premiere Showmanship award recipient was Rylee Hackett, of Sauk Rapids.

The premiere showman is determined by judges who ask each of the ytop showman in sheep, eswine, dairy, beef and goat questions about each aspecies to determine who -was most knowledgeable ,in all species.

“Throughout my 4-H career, I’ve shown sheep, pigs, beef and dairy cattle and have loved each one of them, but the beef project has always been my favorite,” Hackett said.

“Showing these species as well as working at the Gilman Co-op Creamery helped me be able to successfully answer questions and have a basic idea as to how to show them. My family and I show at beef yearround and the amount of work that goes into that

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Page 8B | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2018 | BENTON AG

Zhykhovich sees benefits in equine interaction

BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER

OAK PARK — When comparing countries across the world, contrast is evident. People share different languages, foods and cultural beliefs. Yet agricultural practices, business models and the way people care for animals – or the way animals care for people – seem to translate without confusion.

A turn down a gravel road 10 minutes east of Foley brings you to a dream in the making.

Tracy Zhykhovich, her husband Stepan, and their children Liza, 17, Misha, 15, and Anya, 13 are creating their ideal farmstead in the comforts of a wooded area. A driveway lined in tall evergreens and covered in washed river-rock leads to Healing Hooves Family Farm LLC. It was a concept Zhykhovich began developing when she lived in Russia; she began contemplating the idea of a bed and breakfast where people could enjoy an environment with equines.

When the family moved to the United States nearly 10 years ago, her ideas began to come to fruition. “I am always planning and thinking,� said Zhykhovich, of Oak Park. “Things I had planned and thought over there have just been with me.�

Tracy Zhykhovich holds the muzzle of an Appaloosa miniature horse Sept. 23 in Oak Park. The animals at Healing Hooves Family Farm LLC help teach physical and mental skills to visitors, as well as offer comfort.

PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER

Tracy Zhykhovich and her daughter Anya, 13, stand with their pony “Amigo� at the family’s farm in Oak Park July 23. The Zhykhoviches own Healing Hooves Family Farm LLC.

Zhykhovich, who grew up in Maple Grove, traveled to Russia for the first time in 1990 when she accompanied a soccer team to the country. “I had made some acquaintances there,� she said. “The following year I went back, and I was working in children’s homes, teaching Bible studies in St. Petersburg. I liked it, and I moved about an hour north and bought a

house there. That’s where I met my husband and had my kids. We came back here in December 2009.�

Knowing the transition to the United States may be difficult for her family, Zhykhovich looked for a staple in their lives that could be easily shifted to their new environment.

She chose to continue the family’s involvement with horses. “I love horses, and they

are very therapeutical,�

Zhykhovich said. “I’ve been blessed and I like to share that blessing with others.

When I sold my two horses there, they were worth a lot more than horses here. So, I was able to buy my horses and feed them for a year for that same amount.�

On the families 40-acre farm, the Zhykhoviches raise two full-size horses, a pony and four miniature horses. They also raise

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chickens, turkeys and other foul and plan to someday own goats and cattle.

Although they are not a licensed equine therapist, the Zhykhoviches invite people to the farm to experience the healing aspects of their animals and beauty of nature. A benefit that translates across distance and cultures.

People come to the farm for different reasons.

Some want to learn about caring for horses, brushing hair and cleaning hooves.

Others come to work on physical or mental challenges.

Zhykhovich uses her full-size Appaloosa and pony to help children who have disabilities or challenges improve their core strength and balance through riding. People also practice leading horses to increase their confidence.

Others are simply looking to interact. “We have people who come out to see the foal but love the chickens and spend 45 minutes taking pictures with the chickens,� Tracy said.

The family also takes

their animals off-base and have been featured at the Sauk Rapids Market, area nursing homes and church festivals. Zhykhovich offers pony parties as well as “Pony Tales�, a reading program offered to classrooms and libraries where children have the opportunity to read and create art alongside a miniature horse. “We really cater to what people want,� Zhykhovich said.

Zhykhovich said horses, as well as animals in general, bridge gaps and comfort people in ways human interaction cannot. “I see it and feel it from experience,� Zhykhovich said. “Animals are not judgmental. You can go out and you can be you.

They don’t care your race, religion, handicap – they don’t look at any of that.

People connect with them.�

With the end result being to potentially own a bed and breakfast, the Zhykhoviches look forward to bringing the benefits of equine interaction to communities for years to come.

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A colt grazes freely on Healing Hooves Family Farm in Oak Park July 23. The farm has horses, chickens and turkeys.