WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2019
Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897
VOL. 121 NO. 33 www.osceolasun.com $1.00
SPORTS: Athletes named to All-Conference teams. PAGE 10
Decision time approaches for school referendum BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
Voters will decide April 2 whether to increase funding for the Osceola School District’s operating budget. If approved, the funds would be used primarily to maintain operations at the current level, keeping classes at
similar sizes, course offerings consistent, and offering competitive wages to attract and keep high-performing staff. Money will also be used to ensure student safety, keeping staff in place to monitor visitor entry and equipping the school to help students with mental health and crisis management.
Tax impact The district is requesting a non-recurring, stepped increase as follows: $1.5 million for the 2019-2020 school year; $1.75 million for 2020-2021; $2.25 million for 2021-2022; SEE REFERENDUM, PAGE 19
job loss. Although the theme is one few like to dwell on, in a world of outsourcing and downsizing, layoffs are almost commonplace. In a typical year, between 1.5 and 2 million Americans are laid off, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Barr has lived the experience, and is not afraid to talk about it. Her book is based on day-to-day reflections on the journey from SEE BOOK, PAGE 19
SEE HEMP, PAGE 12
Learn how to evaluate the news Susan LoRusso, assistant professor at Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication at University of Minnesota, will be the guest presenter on “Fake News and Media Literacy.” The educational forum will be held Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Unity School District’s Performing Arts Center. The League of Women Voters—Upper St. Croix Valley is sponsoring this free public event. Dr. LoRusso, alumna of Luck High School, teaches undergraduate courses on
Susan LoRusso media literacy, health communication, media effects, and mass media and pop-
ular culture. Her research examines the effects of the public’s routine exposure to information in media, with a particular focus on misinformation, conflicting information, and controversial information. Research topics include news coverage and social media sharing of cancer and mental health information. Her recent research has been published in the Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, Journal of Magazine & New Media Research, Health Communication, Preventive Medicine, and Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. Because the League is
committed to voter education, they are excited to offer this program in an effort to help the public become more media literate, specifically when using and evaluating information acquired from various platforms including social media. LoRusso will ground her presentation on the 1st Amendment and principles and practices of journalism. As Patti Hurd, event chairperson, observed, “The average person, with limited time, is often in a quandary trying to discern what is fact, and how can I SEE NEWS, PAGE 12
Real talk when there’s no roadmap Writer reflects on life after job loss BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
“This is a book about losing my job.” So begins “What Comes Next,” a new book from Lindstrom author Heidi Barr. In it, Barr offers a frank look at the emotions, financial challenges and other upsets that come with
Heidi Barr
NEWS 715-294-2314 editor@osceolasun.com
BY MARA MARTINSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
With 2,500 acres of hemp already planted in Wisconsin, the growing rise of hemp farming sparked a discussion at a February 28 Wisconsin Towns Association Meeting about the potential for hemp farming in Polk County. With Wisconsin starting to take this type of farming seriously, WTA Chairperson Doug Schmidt asked for a Wisconsin Farm Bureau representative, Abbie Testaberg, to present on the specifics of what farmers should expect if they venture into hemp farming. Testaberg operates an 18.5 acre hemp farm with her husband in River Falls, Wisconsin. Before this undertaking, Testaberg owned a restaurant for ten years, where she met her husband. Her husband introduced her to the farming industry and the lucrative path of farming hemp. She now makes it her mission to “walk a bridge trying to help people understand the hemp tradition and eastern application for the plant.” The 2014 Farm Bill makes the distinction between marijuana and hemp clear; although they come from the same plant genus, cannabis, marijuana contains .3 percent or more THC and hemp holds .3 percent or less THC. Testaberg describes THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, as the plant chemical that “gets you high.” Generally, hemp is thought of for use in rope, fabric, and auto parts but Testaberg breaks the plant down into many components to clarify all of its practical uses. The stalk may be used for rope and fabric, the interior may be converted into concrete and bio fuel, the leaves may be made into bedding and food, the seeds contain amino acids and protein and may be formed into milk, olive oil, and shampoo. The female flower, when not fertilized, produces excess medicinal oil used to decrease inflammation, anxiety, redness, and seizures. This oil, known as CDB oil, is in high demand and costs a lot less to make than some other medicinal oils. This is why so many farmers are beginning to fall under its charm. Wisconsin’s Industrial Hemp Research Pilot Program, under terms of the 2014 Farm Bill, is likely a first step in legalizing the longterm farming of industrial hemp. Of the program, Testaberg said, “We are lucky to have one.” The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer
What is the tax impact?
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Hemp farming: What’s the buzz about?
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