Progress - Agriculture & Pride of Dakota

North Star Farms old-fashioned, yet innovative, Page 2.

M & S makes products from recycled materials, Page 8.

Black Beards sells N.D. grains for wheat weaving, Page 12.

Minot Daily News

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

Agriculture/Pride of Dakota Ranchers enjoy good times in cattle market

By JILL SCHRAMM

Staff Writer jschramm @minotdailynews.com Record cattle prices haven’t changed the routine on the ranch for John Thomas.

He still braves the winter cold to ensure his herd’s protection during snowstorms, and he takes pleasure in watching developing calves frolic around their mothers in the warmth of summer.

He raises cattle because he enjoys them, but the economics of ranching in the past few years have been a bonus.

“It’s easier to make things work,” Thomas said of the cash flow.

Having built a herd of 10 starter cows 45 years ago into an operation expected to calve at least 360 newborns this spring, Thomas is content with his herd size at a time when things are good in the ranching business.

“We are pretty much maintaining,” said Thomas, who has brought two sons into the operation over the years. “We have been at the numbers we are at for the last couple of years.”

Having experienced the ups and downs of ranching, he’s conservative with the extra income generated by current strong cattle prices, investing in a limited amount of livestock equipment.

“I know what some of the lean years will bring so I try not going overboard,” Thomas said. The diversity of raising both livestock and grain helps manage the ebbs and flows.

“Now that the grain prices are lower, you can rely on the cattle to carry a lot of the load,” he said. The drop in corn prices has been welcome on the input side of the cattle, too.

“It’s a littler easier to treat your animals and use corn in the diet,” he said.

Last year was phenomenal for the beef industry, said Tim Petry, livestock marketing economist with the North Dakota State University Extension Service, Fargo.

“We had record high prices and record high profits. You may say the stars all aligned perfectly,” he said.

“It seems like everything that can affect prices was supportive last year.”

For several years, many of the large cattle-producing areas in the United States experienced drought and tight operating margins.

Cattle numbers declined, reducing the market supply.

At the same time, the export market for U.S. beef ramped up. High beef prices typically would stymie demand, but declines in cattle numbers occurred in many of the major cattleproducing countries, such as Canada, Australia and areas of South America, largely due to weather-related issues, Petry said.

Between a stronger than expected export market and the improving U.S. economy, the demand for beef has been high.

As short supply was forcing prices up, an abundance of corn was driving ranchers’ feed costs down.

Competition from other meat sources can influence beef prices as well, but the expectation of a 3 percent

Jill Schramm/MDN

Cows come to graze as feed is spread at the John Thomas ranch near Velva April 6.

Technology results in better herds

A new calf lies in the hay on the John Thomas ranch April 6.

Beef cows that calved Dairy cows that calved All cattle, including calves Cattle, on feed Sheep, including lambs Hogs (December 2014)

904,000 16,000 1.65 million 44,000 64,000 139,000 — Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

N.D. Livestock Inventory January 2015

rise in hog numbers was dashed due to a viral disease impacting herds. Poultry growers suffered genetic issues in flock breeding.

The peak of the beef market occurred last November, Petry said. Prices since have declined some, although they remain at record highs for this time of year, he said.

The forecast is for prices to continue to fall off somewhat. Issues in the poultry and hog industries have

resolved, and those industries can rebound more quickly than the beef industry due to their shorter reproduction cycles. The USDA reports pork production should be up 6 percent over last year’s lower than expected numbers, Petry said. Pork and poultry will give beef more competition for the consumer dollar.

Nationally, cattle ranches are producing more calves but they also are putting

more heifers back into replacement rather than sending them to market.

“Beef production in 2015 is still going to be down about 1 percent over last year, which was down 6 percent,” Petry said. “From a supply standpoint, we are going to have less beef in 2015.”

On the input side, ranchers are watching what happens with corn prices. Corn acreage is expected to drop

Jill Schramm/MDN

nationally by 1.4 million acres, according to the latest report from the USDA on planting intentions. In addition, Petry said, if continued dry conditions cut yields, that puts upward pressure on corn prices.

“There’s a very direct relationship between fall calf prices and corn,” Petry said. A 10-cent increase in corn price can translate into a $1 less a hundredweight on calves.

Petry estimated calf prices will be down $20 to $25 a hundredweight this fall.

“That would still be the second highest price ever, and it would still be profitable,” he said.

Higher prices and lower input costs aren’t much good if you don’t have the cattle, though, and that’s where many ranchers See RANCH — Page 4

Technology is changing what it means to raise cattle in America.

“A lot of attention has been put into studying the genomics of cattle and tools for selection to selectively improve and breed cattle, and itʼs getting fairly commonplace now,” said John Dhuyvetter, livestock specialist with North Central Research Extension Center.

Companies are offering DNA testing to identify genes for traits related to favorable production, such as carcass tenderness and marbling, fertility or growth curves.

Dhuyvetter said it is used most extensively with breeders who offer bulls for commercial production.

“Thereʼs research dollars being put into it for additional traits,” he said.

Itʼs an area of science still being explored, but early adoption is occurring and potential is apparent, he said.

Some of the reliance on technology is consumer-driven. DNA testing can reduce the need for other tools, such as antibiotics and growth promoters.

Bulls with good genetics also are being cloned in some instances, Dhuyvetter said.

With the strong market for beef cattle, ranchers are looking to invest in better cattle, which means good prices being paid for quality bulls, he said.

“We are seeing people optimistic about the future and taking a time of prosperity to make investments to improve efficiency,” he said.

“Thereʼs some good outcomes coming from good times.”

Page 2

Minot Daily News PROGRESS

Agricu l t u re/Pri d e of Dakota

Saturday, April 25, 2015

A step toward the future For more information about North Star Farms, visit northstarorganic.com or call 720-2635

North Star Farms is old-fashioned, yet innovative

By MARISSA HOWARD Staff Writer mhoward @minotdailynews.com

In a world where convenience is largely sought after, fresh and organic produce is often seen as a delicacy.

Pride of Dakota’s North Star Farms, owned and operated by Marvin and Ilene Baker and opened in July of 2004, is an innovative operation in north-central North Dakota that grows certified organic produce for its shareholders and farmers’ markets.

The Bakers’ original goal was to give close friends and family fresh, naturally grown garden produce.

While they started out small, this goal soon expanded.

“My brother and his wife asked if they could get some garden vegetables from us, and the next thing we knew it became a bona fide business,” said Marvin Baker. As the demand grew, so did the farm–by 2.5 acres to be exact.

Now, on three acres of land, North Star Farms is a demonstration site for the production of organic and locally grown produce in western North Dakota, has a passive solar greenhouse that is the first of its kind in this state and grows around 80 different varieties of produce for almost 70 shareholders in Minot Air Force Base, the city of Minot and Kenmare. Last year, the farm

George Barton, left, samples a fresh tomato from a 2014 variety trial at North Star Farms while his mother, KD Barton, and Marvin Baker, owner of North Star Farms, look on.

Submitted photo

produced around 13,000 pounds of produce and the Bakers eagerly anticipate breaking the 20,000-pound mark this upcoming season.

“It has grown exponentially over the years,” said Marvin Baker, adding how their reputation grew as well when they became finalists at an Innovate North Dakota competition. Innovate North Dakota promotes North Dakota-based entrepreneurs or innovators working on new and exciting concepts.

And North Star Farms fits that description. It includes high value crops such as fruits and vegetables, it is designed to protect the environment in the 21st century

and enhance the use of green energy, it uses E-85 and E-10 ethanol in an effort to reduce the dependence on foreign oil and improve the environment and it continues to strive to become a total electric farm driven by wind power.

A major milestone for North Star Farms happened in 2008, when it was named a private sector partner with the Entrepreneurial Center for Horticulture at Dakota College in Bottineau. This gave the farm the boost it needed to become and remain a demonstration site.

Further, the Entrepreneurial Center for Horticulture presented North Star Farms a

$20,000 grant a year later to fund the building of the solar greenhouse, one of only two on the northern Great Plains. The greenhouse became operational on May 28, 2011, and gave the Bakers the opportunity to grow their own transplants, for ECH and public use, for the first time. The greenhouse saw its first crop of seedlings in the 2012 season.

“The building of that greenhouse was huge for us,” said Marvin Baker. “We used to have to go to a different town to get seeds and the greenhouse virtually zeroed out that cost. We no longer have to buy seeds, and it bumped up the number of things we can plant on the farm.”

North Star Farms is also one of 10 pepper and tomato trial sites in North Dakota through the Northern Plains Sustainable Ag Society’s Farm Breeding Club. The goal is to discover which varieties of tomatoes and peppers are most likely to thrive in North Dakota, and

so far the “King of the North” bell pepper and “Rutgers” tomato show the most promise.

In 2006, North Star Farms became certified organic through International Certification Services Inc., an agency in Medina, North Dakota that is recognized around the world for its commitment to certified organic agriculture.

While the certifications and demonstrations are certainly appreciated, people become shareholders for one primary reason: the fresh, organic produce.

“It used to be that every farm in North Dakota had its own garden,” said Marvin Baker. “That faded away over time, and you just don’t see it very often now.” He reasoned that farmers’ markets have sprung up so quickly because of this fact.

“I think a lot of people feel more comfortable when they can put a face to a product,” he said. “I can tell our shareholders and customers exactly how I grew it, and they’re becoming savvy to that.”’

Because North Star Farms is located just 26 miles northwest of Minot and 20 miles west of Minot Air Force Base, the Bakers pride themselves in bringing their customers and shareholders quality produce that they harvest and then deliver the very next day. None of their produce comes from other growers or is shipped across the country, and that in turn represents longer storage time and less of a carbon footprint.

North Star Farms grows a number of fruits, vegetables, flower and herb varieties, garlic varieties, legume varieties, onion and leek varieties and tomato varieties.

They seem to grow a larger amount of different varieties on the farm each year, last year capping at 70 or 80 different types of produce.

The Bakers also take pride in growing unusual varieties that are seen as ‘impossible’ or very difficult to produce in North Dakota.

“I love to experiment with things,” said Marvin Baker. “People will say, ‘You can’t grow that here!’ and I say, ‘Well, let’s see.’”

The Bakers have proved the possibility and success of produce like okra, honeydew melons, specialty pie pumpkins and French breakfast melons that do not normally thrive in North Dakota. The Bakers even tried their hand at growing cotton. While they said the cotton failed miserably the first year, they were able to start it in the newly-built greenhouse the following year and it was a success in 2014.

This year, North Star Farms will grow the unusual varieties of the Inca tomato, Chinese Giant pepper from New Zealand, Cascade hops, red foliated cotton once again and sugar cane.

North Star Farms is proud to be a part of Pride of Dakota, joining the association in 2007. The Bakers carry the pride with them in their work on North Star Farms and hope their grandchildren might one day take over the farm and display the pride for their state as well.

With all the hard work, unknowns and constant changes and additions, Marvin Baker said he enjoys working on the farm with the sights and smells of North Dakota all around him.

“There are times when I’m dirty and mosquitoes are everywhere, but at the end of the day, it’s satisfying,” he said. “Some of the things I’ve seen in nature are just remarkable — foxes playing together like kittens, a bird nesting right in our onions...

This job is like nothing else.”

ed Best ! t o V the ving of ed Li t s Be ssist in A

Make yourself right at home

Fireside Bistro, movie theater, fitness room, and beauty shop, without ever leaving home!

Welcome to Edgewood, a distinctive neighborhood offering Edgewood Plus, assisted living and memory care services to seniors.

Residents of Edgewood enjoy: • Largest variety of services and/or levels of care than any other assisted living • Neighbors and staff members that make this a special place • Gracious living spaces with sun-filled rooms • Personalized activities, outings and events • Outdoor courtyards and walking paths • The care you need when you need it

assisted living. basic care.

Edgewood at home.

Limited Time Offer!

ASSISTED LIVING COUPON

One Bedroom Apartments 800 16th Ave. SE • Minot, ND

* With appropriate service level

Limited offer Coupon for Edgewood Vista Minot, ND

From the moment you see Edgewood, you’re home.

For a tour, contact Shannon at 701.852.1399 or visit www.edgewoodseniorliving.com

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Minot Daily News PROGRESS

Page 3

Agricu l t u re/Pri d e of Dakota

Planting decisions more difficult this year

By JILL SCHRAMM

Staff Writer jschramm @minotdailynews.com With the markets offering no slam dunk decisions on where to make a profit, area farmers have had to think hard about their planting decisions this spring.

“Right now, it’s less corn and more of everything else,” said Keith Peltier, general manager at PROSEED, a seed dealer based in Harvey.

“It’s a little of everything,” said manager Kevin McDonald at Bottineau Farmers Elevator in Souris.

Frayne Olson, crops economist and marketing specialist with North Dakota State University Extension Service in Fargo, said the outlook for commodity prices doesn’t indicate any big swings up or down, but there are variables related to weather, exports and other factors that could end up making a difference.

Peltier said the cost of planting corn, given the low market prices currently, has shifted interest to soybeans in areas to the east and pulse crops to the west.

“Your choices are limited,” Peltier said. “A lot of those choices you lose

N.D. Historical Crop Plantings

Crop All Wheat Pulse

Flaxseed

Soybeans

Sunflowers Canola

Hay

Barley Oat

Corn

* Record year

Year 1996* 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014

Acreage 12.68 million 6.1 million 7.96 million 864,000 970,000 150,000 275,000 4.65 million 5.9 million 499,000 665,000 920,000 1.2 million 2.6 million 2.7 million 760,000 620,000 225,000 235,000 3.85 million 2.8 million

Area Extension specialist Shana Pederson works with plants in the greenhouse at North Central Research Extension Center in Minot in this photo from the Northern Pulse Growers Association.

Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

money on. When that happens, guys wait until the last second to see if the market will give them any direction. ... There’s more guys holding out this year than there has been in the last five or six.”

McDonald said soybeans are getting the most new interest at his elevator, but farmers are buying seed for spring wheat, barley, canola, sunflowers and also a little

more durum than usual.

McDonald also expects a lot of last-minute decisions.

“Nothing is set in stone.

There’s going to be some swing acres if something changes,” he said.

Mike Hanson, branch manager for Wilbur-Ellis in Sawyer, said soybeans have received a lot of interest this

Submitted photo

See PLANT — Page 7

North Dakota

Velva

Founded in 1897, Known as “The Star City.” The reason is the community is located on the southernmost point of the Mouse River loop, where the river turns to begin its winding way back north to Canada. Early day cartographers used to mark this spot with a star, long before Velva became a town.

107 Main St. N. (701) 338-2971 velvafreshfoods.com Here you will find featured departments and services,view the weekly avertisement, find recipes and more!

Thompson-Larson Funeral Home

Serving Minot & the surrounding areas with Commercial & Residential Garbage Service and Roll-Off Containers

21 3rd Ave. SW Minot, ND Community Funeral Homes in Velva, Kenmare & Powers Lake

Velva Community Development Corporation

Providing affordable, reliable electric service since 1939 to help develop the Velva area.

838-1182 Toll Free 866-8391868 “Family Owned & Operated Since 1980”

PO Box 40 • Velva 701-338-2821

ADM PROCESSING 1388 Highway 97 Velva, ND 58790-9003

Serving the Velva & Minot area!

Tel: (701) 338-2491 • US: (800) 548-8613

Committed To The Communities We Serve!

Voltaire • (701) 338-2530 - Surrey • (701) 728-6430 Norwich • (701) 728-6786

Minot 838-5141 Willow City 366-4508

Velva 338-2029

www.ntiernd.org

Butte 626-7153 Minot AFB 727-6111

Minot Daily News PROGRESS

Page 4

Agriculture/Pride of Dakota

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Ranch

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Minot Daily News PROGRESS

Agriculture/Pride of Dakota

Page 5

Continued from Page 1

around the nation are sitting. However, once again, the stars have aligned perfectly for North Dakota, Petry said.

North Dakota had good moisture conditions the past several years, and ranchers have built their herds, positioning themselves to take advantage of last year’s high prices. The latest USDA report in January showed N.D. beef cow numbers at 904,000.

That’s down somewhat from 943,000 head in 2014, the highest year since 2005, when there were 947,000 beef cows. The lowest numbers of the decade came in 2012 with 862,000 cows.

“We have expanded our herds back to what our carrying capacity is for the pasture we have and the resources we have,” Petry said. “We are back to what I would call normal and adequate stocking rates.”

John Dhuyvetter, livestock specialist at North Central Research Extension Center in Minot, said the expansion has occurred among existing rather than new operations, although the good times in the industry are drawing young people back to the ranch.

He added that 2015 is starting out well for North Dakota ranchers.

“We are starting our spring season a little on the dry side, which is somewhat welcome by people after all the wet springs,” he said. It has meant no special problems or disease issues with calving this spring.

However, if the weather stays dry, then the issue becomes whether there will be adequate grass and hay. Fortunately, hay and feed stocks are high, which enables ranchers to adjust to weather conditions more easily, Dhuyvetter said.

Cows hang around a feeder and shelter April 6 near Velva.

Jill Schramm/MDN

Making Progress Since

Making Progress Since

Making Progress Since

1884

1903

1906

Minot Daily News 301 4th St. SE Minot, ND 58701

857-1900

107 South Main Street

Morning on the Thomas ranch brings the young heifers to the trough for feeding.

Jill Schramm/MDN

Full Service Plumbing & Heating Needs

838-8612

Business Years 1884 thru 2013

Toll Free 1-800-735-3119 www.minotdailynews.com

701-838-5151

Making Progress Since

Making Progress Since

Making Progress Since

Making Progress Since

Making Progress Since

Making Progress Since

1910

1912 1921

1922

1931

1936

1 Great Bank 3 Great Locations

www.MinotPlumbingHeating.com

No. 10 South Broadway • Minot

ucbnd.com

Making Progress Since

1939

member FDIC

Making Progress Since

www.trinityhealth.org

852-3536 TOLL FREE: 1-800-253-2846

Making Progress Since

Making Progress Since

Making Progress Since

Making Progress Since

Making Progress Since

Making Progress Since

1940

1949

1951

1951

1955

1959

“People Helping People”

“The Power of Human Connections”

www.westliemotors.com 852-1354

For Youth Development For Healthy Living For Social Responsibility

858-1200

3515 16th St. SW

852-0141

gemcu.org

Making Progress Since

1963 1967

852-1211

www.srt.com

www.ymcaminot.org

Making Progress Since

129 5th Ave. NW

Making Progress Since

1967 1973

Making Progress Since

Making Progress Since

1975

1990

Making Progress Since

1999

Over 420 combined years of experience.

Minot • 838-5141 Minot AFB • 727-6111 Velva • 338-2029 Willow City • 366-4508 Butte • 626-7153

Your One Stop Print Shop

852-3161

852-5250

Making Progress Since

Making Progress Since

1992

Making Progress Since

1998 1998

Material Testing Services LLC Call for reservations

3 blocks North of the airport

852-5126 Making Progress Since

839-2767

8-20th Ave. SE, Minot 852-5553 • 838-0500

BAR & BOTTLESHOP

2015 N. Broadway

Making Progress Since

2000 2003

1990

1990

Free Vehicle Pick-Up & Delivery In The City Limits AUTO SERVICE BY

2105 16th St NW MINOT, ND

Northwest Tire

701-852-5246

701-852-3308

Making Progress Since

2010

701-852-3711

•Alignment • Tune-Ups • Air Conditioning • Brakes • Belts & Hoses • Batteries • Shocks & Struts • Oil Change

1-800-279-8683

Making Progress Since

2011 CHOICE

JOHN’S AUTOBODY Has Paid More Than $1,500,000 In Insurance Deductables. Let Us Pays Yours!

4121 South Broadway Minot, ND 58701

701-839-8896

Making Progress Since

2013

AUTO GLASS l Travis Borh Owne

1-800-735-5868 1510 26th Ave. SW Minot

2705 N. Broadway

900 S. Broadway MINOT, ND

Making Progress Since

In North Dakota

800 S Broadway, Minot (702) 570-1153

1964

Making Progress Since

TECHNICIANS

Architecture • Wind Energy • Industrial

Making Progress Since

800 5th Ave. SW Minot, ND 58701

838-0735

Backhoe Service Minot, ND

Backhoe / Dozer / Loader / Excavator Basements / Sewers / Landscaping • Demolition / Water Lines / Hauling

Home: 701.722.3315 Cell: 701.721.7878

611 East Villard St. Dickinson, ND 58601

1111 20th Ave SW, Minot (701) 852-1026

3701 S Broadway, Minot (701) 852-1111

701-225-9377 820 11th St. E. Ste. 101 Williston, ND 58801

701-572-9320

2215 16th St NW, Minot 701-857-4070

Page 6

Minot Daily News PROGRESS

Agricu l t u re/Pri d e of Dakota

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Putting the ‘can’ in candy Mikey’s Country Candy handmakes sweets for over 25 years

By MARISSA HOWARD Staff Writer mhoward @minotdailynews.com

Sweets, sweets and more sweets.

Pride of Dakota’s Mikey’s Country Candy, formed in North Dakota more than 25 years ago in original owner Mikey Wilkens’ home, from Hannover, makes a variety of chocolates and other sweet treats by hand in Burlington, the majority of the recipes created from scratch by Wilkens.

Now owned by sisters Lesli Getzlaff and Sharon Brauer, also owners of The Wife’s Kitchen, Mikey’s Country Candy continues to offer candy products unique to North Dakota. One of its products, Chokecherry Creams, is even made from chokecherries grown in our homestate.

“I’ve cooked my whole life,” said Getzlaff. “I love to cook. My sister is the brains of the company, and you could say I’m the brawns.”

With 22 products and counting, including the newest additions of the Mint Dark Chocolate Bar and The Prairie Chipper, a chocolate candy bar with potato chip crumbs throughout, Mikey’s Country Candy offers everything from candy bars to toffee, and salted caramel rolls to potato chips dipped in chocolate.

While Getzlaff says the candy bars are the easiest to make, the Chokecherry Creams are her favorite.

“I make the cream from jelly from the chokecherries, and I could eat the entire bag of just the cream,” she said with a laugh.

Their most popular product, and ironically the product that takes the longest to make, is Dakota Crunch, real butter toffee dipped in a milk chocolate coating and topped

Marissa Howard/MDN

Mikeyʼs Country Candy, formed in North Dakota more than 25 years ago with candy handmade in Burlington, offers 22 different products, from chocolate-dipped potato chips to homemade turtles.

For more information about Mikeyʼs Country Candy, visit mikeyscountrycandy.com

Lesli Getzlaff, owner of Mikeyʼs Country Candy along with her sister, Sharon Brauer, poses with a large pan of Dakota Crunch, the companyʼs most popular candy, before it is chopped into bite-sized pieces.

Marissa Howard/MDN

with roasted almonds. This sweet treat even made its way into the Food Network magazine as North Dakota’s representative, with only one candy chosen for each state.

While all products have a Pride of Dakota sticker, there are products specifically made to carry on that North Dakota pride. Pride of Dakota bars, chocolate bars with the

Pride of Dakota emblem engraved, and Dakota chocolate bars with a picture of a buffalo imprinted on them, come in multiple flavors, the Pride of Dakota bars with the option of crispies and the Dakota chocolate bars with sunflower seeds.

No matter the product, Getzlaff said customers can be sure that everything is

handmade and hand-dipped.

Born in Minot, Getzlaff and Brauer were both raised in Burlington, with Getzlaff living there ever since. They have three other siblings and, though their mom has since passed, their dad has also gained a love of making candy and helps with Mikey’s Country Candy as much as he can.

“My dad is our chip-dipper,” said Getzlaff, speaking of the chocolate-dipped potato chips. “He’s 88 years old and hand-dips more potato chips than I can count. He’s the hardest working person you’ll ever meet and it killed him to have to retire. He can’t wait to come here and help us out.”

Mikey’s Country Candy has six employees total, with the others mainly wrapping candy and Getzlaff cooking.

Along with making candy, she loves experimenting and trying new ideas and products. Before the Mint Dark Chocolate Bar was created, Getzlaff said she wanted to make something that tastes just like Junior Mints.

“I’m a Junior Mint freak,” she said. “It took a couple of weeks, but I finally created a candy bar that tastes just like them. Give me something to invent, and I will. I love inventing things.”

Mikey’s Country Candy has been a part of Pride of Dakota for one year, since it

was taken over by the sisters in January of last year.

Getzlaff is excited to see what year two has in store and says many Pride of Dakota businesses already feel like family.

“You have to support North Dakota products,” said Getzlaff. “That’s what this state was born and raised on, farmers.”

Since Mikey’s Country Candy first began 25 years ago, Getzlaff said that it has grown substantially. The company now sells products in more than 50 stores in North Dakota and sells online to many other states.

Getzlaff says it is a goal of hers to expand the company even more in the future, in customers and in size.

“I just started with this company, and there’s no plan to quit until I’m too old to make the candy,” she said.

“I grew up in a community that if there was anything extra in the garden, you shared. That’s the way of life in North Dakota — the farmer’s way.”

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Minot Daily News PROGRESS

Page 7

Plant

Agricu l t u re/Pri d e of Dakota

N.D. farmers look to lentils and sunflowers

North Dakota farmers indicate they may plant more sunflowers, lentils, barley and flax this spring, according to a survey released March 31 by the USDAʼs National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Lentils make up a small portion of North Dakotaʼs planted acreage, but the 130,000 acres that producers indicate they want to plant this year is up 73 percent from last year.

Oil sunflower planting intentions are 790,000 acres, up 52 percent.

Frayne Olson, crops economist and marketing specialist at North Dakota State University Extension Service, said the price outlook for oil sunflowers is positive because of a couple of large food companies seeking oil from non-genetically modified oil seeds.

Most canola and soybeans seed varieties have genetically modified traits, while sunflower varieties do not.

Non-oil sunflower acreage is expected to fall 45 percent to 80,000, bringing total sunflower planted acreage to 870,000, up 31 percent.

Other crops generating strong interest: ® Barley, 900,000 acres, up 45 percent. ® Flaxseed, 370,000 acres, up 35 percent. ® Dry edible peas, 295,000 acres, up 11 percent. ® Oats, 250,000 acres, up 6 percent. ® Sugarbeets, 224,000 acres, up 4 percent.

Spring wheat remains the number one crop intention with 6.3 million acres, which is up only 1 percent from 2014. Durum wheat acres are expected to total 870,000, up 4 percent.

Winter wheat is expected to fall off by 250,000 acres, or 71 percent from last yearʼs record high of 870,000 acres.

Farmers also are indicating small declines in the following: ® Soybeans, 5.8 million acres, down 2 percent. ® Corn, 2.7 million acres, down 4 percent. ® Hay, 2.6 million acres, down 4 percent. ® Dry, edible beans, 610,000 acres, down 3 percent.

Canola planting intentions are holding steady at 1.2 million acres.

Estimates are based on a survey conducted during the first two weeks of March. Olson said the survey gives some idea about what farmers are considering this spring, although thereʼs plenty of time and opportunity for changes in those plans before planting begins.

Continued from Page 3

year. For many farmers, it’s one crop that pays off in terms of input costs versus price, he said. Although there’s no great prices or low inputs with any crop, Hanson said, farmers are looking for crops that let them minimize their risk, It also appears troubles with disease in the wheat crop last season haven’t discouraged farmers from planting the crop North Dakota is most noted for. However, Hanson said he sees some farmers looking for more scab-resistant varieties. Spring wheat seed purchases also may appear to be up because farmers who typically grow their own seed weren’t able to use last year’s crop because of disease.

Premier Pulses International in Minot finds a lot of interest in yellow peas and lentils this year.

Mark Schmidt, Tioga, president of the Northern Pulse Growers Association, has raised pulse crops for more than 20 years and plans to have quite a few acres in yellow peas this year.

“I believe pulse acres are going to be up because there’s a chance of making a net profit on them compared to the small grains,” he said.

“Yellow peas are probably one of the easier types of pulses to raise because they are not affected by rain at harvest time. They don’t bleach and lose quality.”

The market for peas is strong right now due to the demand for pea flour as a protein source.

Pulse crops also are advantageous in crop rotations, breaking the disease cycle in grain crops. They also have low nitrogen requirements so have lower fertilizer costs on the input side.

This photo from Northern Pulse Growers Association shows peas growing in a field at the North Central Research Extension Center in Minot.

Submitted photo

“They finish earlier and they use less moisture,” Schmidt said.

Olson said there’s some optimism about the pulse market because India, a major consumer of pulse products, is experiencing production decline in its own country.

There’s no guarantee India will buy from the United States if it imports, but it would boost prices if it happened, he said.

The rapid rise in the value of the U.S. dollar in the past six months is a concern for the United States, a major exporter of wheat and soybeans. The high value makes American commodities less attractive to foreign buyers. In addition, countries that have been big

purchasers might not have a lot of buying power this year, Olson said.

“Things are getting better in the U.S. economy,” he said.

“When you look at the other major countries, in particular those that buy our grain, they are still struggling from an economic standpoint.”

Olson said he is optimistic about wheat because of the dry conditions in more southern wheat-growing states and crop concerns in Russia. Dry conditions are affecting the core wheat-producing regions in Russia. Russia is a major player in the wheat market.

“If they have problems, world wheat markets will be affected,” Olson said.

Another issue is the dam-

age to the winter wheat in the Central Plains.

“We are still trying to figure out how bad the damage is and what the implications are, but the rains and the springtime weather will have a pretty big impact on what that yield outlook is,” Olson said.

The heavy snowfall and potential for more rain east of the Mississippi River could impact the number of planted acres, types of crops grown and yields, he said.

Olson said he remains concerned about soybean prices even though they seem stable now. That doesn’t mean farmers shouldn’t grow soybeans, he said, but they may want to look at locking in pricing before harvest.

Christ Lutheran Church ELCA • 838-0746 502 17th Street NW

Bethel Free

ELCA

1415 17th Ave. SW 838-3360

Saturday Worship 5:00 pm Sunday Worship 8:30 am & 10:45 am Church School Wed at 6:00 pm Sun at 9:30 am

Lutheran Church - AFLC 530 22nd Ave. NW, Minot • 852-6492 “Building Followers of Jesus Christ” Sunday: Sunday School................9:00 am Fellowship.....................10:00 am Worship Service............10:30 am Wednesday: Bible Study.............1:30 pm Supper...................6:15 pm

Saturday Worship 5:00 pm Sunday Education 10:00 am Sunday Worship 9:00 & 11:15 am

Holy Communion is celebrated at every worship service.

Pastor Taryn Montgomery Pastor Alex Hoops Everyone Welcome!

David Maxfield, Pastor Barbara Haugerud, Interim Pastor

Bible Study, FLY & Kids’ Club.7:00 pm

www.bflcminot.com

Pastor Shane McLoughlin

breadoflifeminot.com

First Lutheran Church - ELCA

Real God Real People

120 5th Ave. NW 852-4853 www.firstlutheran.tv (Live Stream & Recorded)

Radio Broadcast KRRZ 1390AM • 8:30 am

Worship Services: Saturday Worship .........5:30 pm Sunday Worship........8:30 & 11:00 am

101 16th St. SW Minot, ND Sunday Worship 10:30 am www.eagleswingscf.com

Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church 707 16th Ave. SW Minot, ND Father Bruce Krebs ourladyofgraceminot.parishesonline.com

Saturday.................................................4:00 pm Sunday.....................................8:30 & 10:30 am Monday Mass.........................................7:15 am Communion Service................................9:00 am Tues., Mass.............................................7:00 pm Wed.-Fri. Mass........................................9:00 am Confessions Saturday. .3:00-3:30 & 5:30-6:00 pm

Sunday School..................9:45 am Wednesday Supper...........5:15 pm Wednesday School & Conformation....6:00 pm Summer Worship............5:30 pm (Sat.) 9:30 pm (Sun.)

Pastor Ken Nelson • Pastor Brandy Gerjets

A Church of the Lutheran Brethren 700 16th Ave. SE

701.838.0750 www.ourredeemers.org Sunday Worship 8:30 & 10:45 am (Deaf Interpreters available at 10:45 service)

Radio Broadcast KHRT 1320 AM @11am Sunday 11:00 am Sunday School/Gathering Grounds Coffee Hour 9:45 am Wednesdays: Super 5:30 pm AWANA 6:15 pm Check us out on Facebook @Our Redeemers Church

Margie’s “Custom Glass Designs” for Business & Residential Now Etching Glass with Names, Logos, etc ...

837-8555 • 109 S. Main St., Minot

www.margiesartglass.com Hours: Wed., Fri., Sat. 10 am-5:30 pm; Tues., Thur. 10 am-8:30 pm; Sun. & Mon. Closed

Page 8

Minot Daily News PROGRESS

Agricu l t u re/Pri d e of Dakota

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Recycling resources M & S Enterprises makes products from recycled materials in N.D.

By MARISSA HOWARD Staff Writer mhoward @minotdailynews.com

In Minot, snowmen are made from more than just snow. Like birch trees, for instance.

Pride of Dakota’s very own M & S Enterprises has made unique products from recycled materials found in North Dakota, such as barn wood, old fence posts, driftwood and more, for over 20 years.

Becoming a part of Pride of Dakota in 1993, the business is one of the longest to be a part of the association and has been a testament to North Dakota’s growth in product variety and creativity.

Owner Mark Carey was in the military for 20 years with employment in missile maintenance. After being stationed in Minot twice and meeting his wife, Sandy, who now co-owns the business with her husband, he decided to call North Dakota home.

“We both love making things, and we always have,” said Sandy Carey. “It turns into a real joy when people end up loving your product, too.”

M & S Enterprises has the slogan “Recycling North Dakota Resources,” and neither of the Careys take this statement lightly.

The duo makes everything from picture frames to pot holders, and ornaments to figurines of snowmen and Santa Claus. The items may sound standard enough.

However, it is not the items so much as what they are made from that makes their business so unique.

The picture frames are made from barn wood and old fences, the pot holders from feed sacks dating back to the 1940s with mattress pads sewn inside for padding, the ornaments and figurines of snowmen from birch trees in the Turtle Mountains and the Santa Claus figurines from driftwood. Sandy Carey even sews tiny hats and scarves for the figurines, made from recycled clothing and blankets.

“Everything is made from resources in North Dakota,” said Sandy Carey. “Very little of what we bring home does not go to use.”

To get the materials for their products, the Careys hunt through garage sales, retrieve wood from old barns, fences and cattle windbreaks from around the state that are no longer of use or are being torn down and even take summer trips to a friend’s property in the Turtle Mountains for birch wood trees that are not going to survive.

When asked if they have a standard for the wood that they choose, Mark Carey said they’ll work with anything.

“Unusually shaped or strange material sometimes works best,” he answered.

“We’ve made some pretty unusual snowmen with branches sticking out, but that’s what makes them all unique. The gnarlier, the better.”

The overall steps it takes to make the snowmen are much more than many would think, though. First, the Careys said they have to travel to the Turtle Mountains and find the trees that will work for the making of the snowmen. Next, they have to cut the trees down, which is a process in itself.

Then they have to chunk the trees to match the appropriate sizes for the snowmen they want to make. Finally, Mark Carey turns the pieces of wood on a lathe to carve out the snowmen, waits for the wood to dry, sands the figurines and drills holes for the stick arms.

After the body is created, Sandy Carey takes over. She paints black buttons, eyes and a smile, sews tiny hats and scarves for the snowmen, no matter the size, puts arms in the holes and tops

¨ M & S Enterprises, a long-standing member of Pride of Dakota, has made unique products from recycled materials found in North Dakota, including barn wood, old fence posts, driftwood and more, for over 20 years. Pictured are some of the products they make, including snowman and Santa Claus figurines, ornaments, picture frames and pot holders. ¬ Mark Carey, owner of M & S Enterprises together with his wife, Sandy, turns wood on a lathe to create the outline of a snowman. After wearing one completely down, outgrowing one and disliking another, this is the fourth lathe that he has owned.

Photos by Marissa Howard/MDN

them all off with a ‘carrot’ nose.

“We never get tired of making snowmen, though,” said Mark Carey, mentioning that the snowmen were his favorite item to make. “Every one has got its own character, and that’s why people keep buying them.”

The smallest snowman they have made is the width of a pencil, at a mere height of one and a half inches, while the largest stands 24 inches tall.

The Careys sell their items at the four Pride of Dakota shows located in Grand Forks, Minot, Fargo and Bismarck, as well as the Norsk Høstfest. All of the Pride of Dakota Shows are in either November or December, while the Høstfest is in late September.

This makes fall the busiest time of the year for the Careys.

“It’s so busy in the fall because the shows are so compact,” said Sandy Carey.

“The drives and the weather are worth it though, because we love being a part of the shows and the people there are just wonderful.”

The Careys make items all year specifically for the shows, and they still have come close to selling out many times.

“We just cannot make enough snowmen,” said Mark Carey with a laugh. “So many come to the Pride of Dakota shows because everything is homemade in North Dakota. People love that.”

Mark Carey has been on the Pride of Dakota Advisory Council for multiple years, and because M & S Enterprises was one of the first to become a part of the show, he has been able to see a large amount of growth since it first began.

“I remember when there were only 100 something members when Pride of Dakota first began,” said Mark Carey. “Now there are over 500 members and there is a much greater variety of booths and merchandise than ever before. It has grown so much in every way.”

One of the trademarks that the Careys say makes their items unique are the tags that they attach to each item with information about

what the item is made of and often where the material was found.

On each snowman figurine, the attached tag reads, “North Dakota ‘Barkbelly’ Snowman handturned from trees harvested in the Turtle Mountains.” The tags on the picture frames, by contrast, say, “These pictures are handmade from old boards salvaged from barns and fences found on the prairies of North Dakota.” Each tag is unique, just like the item it is

on.

When asked if they have plans for making additional items or increasing advertising in the future, the Careys both answered by saying how busy they were with what they do now.

“Why change when it’s going so well already?” said Sandy Carey, and Mark Carey agreed. “It’s going great right now; all we can do is keep up and that’s fine with us,” he added.

Along with in their home,

some M & S Enterprises handmade items are sold at Fort Mandan, Fort Lincoln and Visit Minot. People that are interested can call the Careys directly at 838-9655.

Both owners of M & S Enterprises agree that their successful company will not be slowing down anytime soon. “We’re going to do this for as long as we possibly can,” said Sandy Carey, reaching for some hats to sew as their temporary break came to its end.

Beautiful Town ...

Beautiful People YOUR ONE STOP DROP! Brittney Roemmick Pharm D. Telepharmacy Pharmacist

115 Main Street West, Mohall, ND

701-756-6000 or 1-877-774-5788 Fax 756-6382 Store hours: Mon-Fri 9-5

Paragon Chuck Goble, Manager

Accelerated Production 111 Main Street East, Mohall, ND 58761 www.acceleratedproduction.com (701) 756-6934 Fax: (701) 756-6926 chuckgo06@acceleratedproduction.com

In business over 31 Coffee Still 50¢ Years!

107 Main St. West, Mohall, ND

Open 7 Days A Week!

The Citizens State Bank at Mohall 756-6364 • Mohall, ND 58761 “Stations At Sherwood & Lansford” Sherwood 459-2258 • Lansford 784-5571

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Minot Daily News PROGRESS

Page 9

Agricu l t u re/Pri d e of Dakota

Simply soap Blue Canary Creations takes soap back to its roots

By MARISSA HOWARD Staff Writer mhoward @minotdailynews.com

All-natural soaps handmade from scratch, bath salts and teas that soothe the senses, creamy shaving soaps and candles that double as warm massage cream.

These are all products that Pride of Dakota’s Blue Canary Creations & Soapery offers to its homestate, made from owner Cheryl Firth’s own recipes and formulated from pure, natural oils, including oils infused with fresh herbs from her garden.

It’s a company that was born, bred and raised in North Dakota, with the state’s textures and smells all over it.

The business began more than 10 years ago in Minot, Firth’s birthplace, when she developed chemical sensitivities to store-bought soaps.

This led to her researching, experimenting and beginning to make a trail in the world of homemade soap.

Following in the footsteps of her creative family, which includes artists and photographers, Firth decided to turn her hobby into a business.

“I’ve always been really crafty,” said Firth, standing next to the seemingly endless shelves of colorful soaps and products she had made. “The artistic bug runs in my blood.”

Now Blue Canary’s website proudly portrays that Firth makes “handcrafted high quality natural soaps made from scratch, the old fashioned way using the cold process method with pure rich oils, enriched with exotic butters, herbal infusions and botanicals.”

It’s a weighted statement to live up to, but Firth does it with pride and purpose.

“Homemade soap is moisture rich, non-drying, and much better for your skin than store-bought soap because it doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals,” she said.

“It’s body safe, skin safe and the only thing not natural about it is the fragrance.”

For those who do not like scented soaps, Firth said that she offers unscented and also takes special requests for those who have further sensitivities.

“Making soap is a constant she learning process,” explained. “I’m always looking up new recipes and products I can try, new things I can add to previous recipes.

Anytime I come across something new, I try it.” She said this as she flipped through her soap recipe book, heavy with age and invention.

Firth strives to use quality ingredients in her products, such as sustainable palm oil and coconut oil, hormone free and grass fed goats milk, cruelty free silk and cleaner and purer food grade lye. In addition, she grows herbs and makes oils such as rosemary, peppermint and lemongrass from her garden.

Different soaps have different recipes, some with lighter oils and others with heavier oils, and it is a constant balancing act of trial and error, according to Firth. Each soap contains numerous oils and butters, usually at least eight or more. To ensure the best possible outcome, she uses lye calculators and other such methods.

Firth loves experimenting with colors and scents as well.

From lavender to peppermint and lemongrass to poppy seed, with colors ranging from a swirling pink, white and black to a milky white and gray, each created batch is small and no two are alike, according to Firth. The soaps are scented using premium fragrance and essential oils and colored using natural pigments, micas and sometimes cosmetic grade dyes depending on the type of soap. She makes the swirls and designs in the soap with wooden

Photos by Marissa Howard/MDN

Marissa Howard/MDN

Blue Canary Creations & Soapery, owned by Cheryl Firth, offers soap, bath and other similar products made from Firthʼs own recipes and formulated from pure, natural oils, including oils infused with fresh herbs from her garden. With all-natural ingredients, Firth makes over 50 different kinds of soap, some of them pictured here.

For more information about Blue Canary Creations & Soapery, visit bluecanarycreations.com

shishkabob skewers.

“I like to think of myself as a different kind of soap company,” she said. “Many other companies just have plain jane soaps. Blue Canary is the designer edge of natural soaps.”

The actual process of making soap takes longer than many might think. After researching, calculating and finding the ingredients, Firth said the soap, depending on the ingredients that make it up, takes about a day to set, then she slices it into bars on the slicer and has the soap cure on racks for four to eight weeks. The longer the cure, the harder the bar, and the harder the bar, the longer the soap will last.

Though Firth started with just a few products, she is now up to many more, including shampoo bars, shaving bars, bath truffles, shower streamers, beard oil, organic baby oil, bath teas, goats milk bath milk, bath bombs, chapstick, deodorant, lotion, massage candles, soap bath toys for kids and more.

In addition to these items is the more than 50 different kinds of soap, including North Dakota Novelty soaps, a series of soaps made to celebrate North Dakota. This series includes bars of soap titled Dakota Deep Freeze, Joking Jackalope, Moose Poo, No Mosquito, Prairie Bonfire, Prairie Dog Drool and Wiley Walleye, colored and scented accordingly.

“I’m continually trying new things and making new additions,” Firth said. “It’s just fun for me.”

Blue Canary Creations & Soapery has been a part of Pride of Dakota for three years and will be back again next

year. In addition, products are available in selected local shops including the Visit Minot Scandinavian Heritage Center, North Country

¨ Firth grows herbs and makes oils such as rosemary, peppermint and lemongrass from her garden for the soap, pictured here. ∂ Though Firth started with just a few products, she is now up to dozens.

Mercantile and Coffee Grind, the first two located in Minot and the last in Wishek.

A business that thrives on the natural aspect of North Dakota, Blue Canary Creations & Soapery isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Sister is coming back to Minot!

Sister Rolls the Dice! the latest class in the sinfully funny Catechism series.

Sister will tackle topics ranging from Magicians and live animal acts to the dangers of drive-through marriage chapels. Don͛t forget: ͞What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas͟ but God sees everything!

Wednesday, April 29, 2015 * 7:30 pm Ann Nicole Nelson Hall, Minot State University 500 University Ave W, Minot, ND 58703 Tickets: $40 Show sponsored by St. Therese, Church of the Little Flower For tickets or information: Phone 701-838-1520 Or online at www.LateNiteCatechism.com

REDISCOVER YOUR

ZOO

The zoo OPENS nd May 2

2015

GET YOUR SEASON PASS TODAY!

ROOSEVELT PARK ZOO 1219 BURDICK EXPY EAST MINOT, NORTH DAKOTA 857-4166 • WWW.RPZOO.COM

Page 10

Minot Daily News PROGRESS

Agricu l t u re/Pri d e of Dakota

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Three businesses, one location Mohall resident manages three businesses that work hand in hand

By MARISSA HOWARD

Staff Writer mhoward@minotdailynews.com

Stonja Stromswold, owner and manager of The Flower House Garden Center, Sonjaʼs OldFashioned Delicacies and The Prairie Bistro, all located at 9243 38th Avenue NW in Mohall, poses with popular products sold through Sonjaʼs OldFashioned Delicacies.

Included are carrot cake, Extreme Nut Candy, Sea Salt Caramels, Molasses Spice Cookies and Cranberry Orange Shortbread, all homemade from recipes passed down for generations.

Marissa Howard/MDN

As the saying goes, sometimes things are so much more than they seem.

One mile west and one half-mile south of Mohall is a farm with a yellow house and a greenhouse beside it, teeming with viridescent plants and blooming flowers of all kinds.

To the naked eye, no one would ever be able to tell that this seemingly simple place consists of three businesses that work together like strands in a rope: Sonja’s Old-Fashioned Delicacies, The Prairie Bistro and The Flower House Garden Center. Sonja Stromswold, with help from her husband, is the owner and manager of all three.

The Flower House Garden Center The Flower House Garden Center, the oldest of the three, was started in 1969 by Stromswold’s mother on a farm three miles north of Mohall, where Stromswold grew up. It began as a tiny hoop house built for a home garden and slowly grew to a full-service, destination garden center that grows a selection of annuals, perennials, roses, shrubs and specialty containers. The Flower House Garden Center is a member of Pride of Dakota.

“My mom is 74 years old now and she still comes and helps with the plants and flowers,” said Stromswold. “She has always loved gardens and growing things, and she has a good eye for design. She attends all of the Pride of Dakota shows with me.”

The Flower House Garden Center, now at the Stromswold’s place, offers its assortment of greenery to the public as well as Container Workshops, Planter Play Days for Kids, Mother’s Day Open House, Garden Parties with buggy rides and Dirty Dining, where attendees can enjoy a gourmet meal before playing in the dirt.

“People love that!” said Stromswold. “There’s nothing like being able to eat a homemade meal and then get your hands dirty in the garden right afterward.”

There is also an entire area of the greenhouse devoted just to others’ plants; Stromswold and her team will take tender loving care of your container creation until the weather is nice enough for you to take it home. Display gardens on the property showcase beautiful flower arrangements for just a stroll or an idea for your own garden, and with the opportunity to have lunch among the flowers in the greenhouse, it truly is a unique experience.

The Flower House Garden Center is open from mid-April through June with hours, workshops and more displayed on their website, flowerhouse mohall.com.

Sonja’s Old-Fashioned Delicacies In 1989, Stromswold decided to earn some money See MOHALL — Page 14

Farmers and ranchers are North Dakota’s lifeblood. Agriculture here isn’t just a profession, it’s a way of life. And our farmers demand machines that work as hard as they do. That’s why more and more of our ag producers have come to rely on the GMC Sierra - the toughest, most dependable work truck on the market.

So stop into Ryan GMC BUick Cadillac today for the truck you need at a price you’ll love.

1111 20th Ave. Minot, ND 58701

www.DriveRyan.com

(701) 852-1026

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Minot Daily News PROGRESS

Page 11

Agricu l t u re/Pri d e of Dakota

Ag commodities are major N.D. exports

By JILL SCHRAMM

Staff Writer jschramm @minotdailynews.com North Dakota saw export increases in its agricultural commodities in 2014, with wheat and soybeans leading the way, according to tracking sources.

Exports can be a Gorder tricky item to measure.

The U.S. Department of Commerce lists North Dakota with record exports of all goods in 2014 with trade valued at $5.3 billion, up 42 percent from 2013.

However, more than half that amount was crude oil, and most of the crude traveled briefly into Canada via pipeline before flowing back into the United States.

The department listed the total of agricultural products at $568 million, led by wheat exports at $141 million, a 28 percent increase over 2013.

Soybeans, at $109 million, represented a 123 percent increase. Exports of tractors were down 5 percent to $293 million, and biodiesel exports were down 28 percent to $112 million.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which measures exports differently, listed ag exports at more than $4 billion in 2013.

U.S. Commerce Department data is the official source for government export data. It uses the location where the export journey begins to assign the export to a particular state.

This tends to undervalue exports from states such as North Dakota that are without major ports or loading facilities. It can overvalue states, often coastal states, with ports and export terminals.

USDA commodity export data is based on each state’s estimated share of total exports. The estimates use farm cash receipts to determine each state’s share of U.S. total production in the commodity categories measured.

The top five N.D. ag exports according to the latest available USDA Economic Research Service information from 2013 were: wheat $1.27 billion; soybeans $885.7 million; plant products such as sugar, oilseeds, planting seeds and processed foods, $468.3 million; feeds and fodders, $236.5 million; and soybean meal, $223.9 million.

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture issued 3,392 phytosanitary certificates in 2014, up from 2,887 in 2013. Some countries require the certificates to ensure the commodities are free of pests.

North Dakota is the number two exporter of whole soybeans in the United States, according to the state ag department. The majority of soybeans are shipped to China and other destinations in Asia and Southeast Asia.

The top five markets for North Dakota crops are Canada, Mexico, Spain, Japan and India.

The U.S. Department of Commerce recently released an economic brief indicating that exports from North Dakota supported 32,332 jobs in 2014, an increase of 16.3 percent since 2009.

The brief also noted nearly $4.7 billion, or 88 percent, of North Dakota’s exported goods in 2014 went to free trade partners. Over the past 10 years, North Dakota exports to these markets grew by 565 percent, with sales to Canada, Mexico, Dominican RepublicanCentral America, and Korea showing the largest dollar growth over this period.

The North Dakota Trade Office opened in 2005 to assist other agencies in making exporting more accessible to manufacturers and producers. The trade office offers a variety of services, including guided trade missions that involve one-onone meetings with buyers.

The office provides a number of educational programs to prepare companies to enter the export market and

Heitkamp seeks reauthorization of export-import bank

Eloise Ogden/MDM

Grain and oil cars fill the tracks under the U.S. Highway 83 viaduct at Max last October. North Dakota saw export increases in 2014, led by oil and also boosted by agricultural commodities. has experts available to answer questions or help develop an international marketing program.

Dean Gorder, executive director at NDTO, responded to questions about what is happening in North Dakota’s export trade.

Does the data showing increased exports reflect more companies getting into exporting or an increase in volume, or some of both?

Gorder: North Dakota’s export statistics are growing due not only to an increase in export volume but also the number of North Dakota companies and products now being marketed internationally. When the North Dakota Trade Office first opened its doors in 2005, the majority of exporters were larger companies due to the risk and large amount of resources required to export.

While exporting still takes significant investments of both time and capital, with increased technology, the world is becoming seemingly smaller place and smallto-medium sized companies are understanding the importance of looking outside of U.S. borders to capitalize on their full potential.

How difficult is it for a N.D. company to tap into an export market, particularly a close one such as Canada?

What type of assistance is available?

Gorder: The level of difficulty involved in exporting depends on the product being exported as well as the market to which you are exporting. Regardless of if a company is exporting to Algeria or Canada, there are rules and regulations by which all exporters must abide. If a company is new to exporting, or to a specific market, working with a trade association or trade expert is highly recommended.

Free Trade Agreements, or FTAs, reduce the barriers to and risks of exporting to an international market, which is why FTA markets are highly sought after for U.S. exporters. Currently, the U.S. has FTAs with 20 countries. In North Dakota, trade with these FTA regions accounted for $4.7 billion, or 88 percent of total exports, in 2014. In the last decade, exports to these markets have grown 565 percent, with the largest dollar growth showing for NAFTA, CAFTA-DR, Korea, Chile and Panama.

Canada is a natural export destination for many exporters because of proximity, but the ease of exporting is highly dependent on the North American Free Trade Agreement.

What are the trade issues that might affect major export crops like wheat and soybeans? Will the amount of vomitoxin in the 2014 crop affect exports?

Gorder: Year over year, there are always issues that affect the export of our crops.

Luckily, because 95 percent of consumers are outside of the United States, when one market is depressed, it usually means an increase in opportunity in another part of the world. Major issues that are currently affecting North Dakota exports include transportation, the value of the U.S. dollar and geopolitical issues.

The lack of efficient intermodal transportation, throughout the United States, and even more so in the Midwest, is making it dif-

ficult for exporters to get their product to market, and the U.S. as a whole is losing its reputation for being a reliable supplier. This could result in potential long-term damage to the USA brand if solutions are not found.

The strength of the dollar will likely impact exports in 2015 because our products are simply more expensive.

Additionally, we are seeing some shifts in export markets due to geopolitical issues; established partners in the former Soviet Union, for example, have slowed their buying, while many emerging markets throughout Africa, South America and Southeast Asia have increased their imports from North Dakota.

Long term, we expect that exports from North Dakota will steadily rise due to population growth around the world and the demand for food. Each country or company that is importing USA products sets the specifications, so whether its vomitoxin or low protein, the quality of the grain dictates the market into which it can be exported.

What kind of changes or trends have been occurring in agricultural exports in the past several years?

Gorder: Countries around the globe continue to expand

their middle-class societies.

These middle-class people have more disposable income and a taste for higher quality food products for themselves and their families, which positively impacts the exports of North Dakota’s high-quality agricultural products. Wheat is a staple in many places around the world, so exports of these grain commodities are a constant for our state. Healthrelated crops such as flaxseed and pulse crops have seen a significant increase in the last 10 years because of the focus on healthier lifestyles around the world.

Pulse crops — peas, lentils, chickpeas — and beans become more highly sought after each year, especially in emerging markets.

There has been a worldwide focus on the importance of incorporating more protein into the diet. In emerging countries, and those in which malnutrition for mothers and children is an epidemic, pulse crops are highly sought after, and in North Dakota we’ve seen a steady increase in the exports of these products. In fact, the United Nations has recognized the importance of pulse crops around the world and has designated 2016 ‘The Year of the Pulse.’

Is the oil industry in N.D.

having much impact on the state’s export volume?

Gorder: The oil industry has had an effect on many aspects of North Dakota and exports are no exception. On one hand, some North Dakota machinery manufacturers have turned their focus to domestic sales because the success of the Bakken has been so positive for their sales within North Dakota that they do not have time to focus on international markets. On the other hand, at NDTO we have seen a number of technologies arise because of the needs of the Bakken, but many of these companies and their products have application around the world and are now entering the export market.

Of the 1,491 products exported from N.D. in 2014, were most of them ag-related in some way? Were many of them manufactured products rather than raw commodities?

Gorder: Value-added foods and agricultural machinery still account for the majority of products exported from North Dakota.

In 2014, $2.4 billion in exported North Dakota products were manufactured goods; in 2013 (the mostrecent USDA data), just over $4 billion in exported ND

U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp has introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the ExportImport Bank, which supports s m a l l b u s i - Heitkamp nesses in exporting their products.

The authorization for independent federal government agency is set to expire at the end of June. The bill reauthorizes the bank through September 2019 and would increase the agencyʼs required lending to small businesses to 25 percent of its portfolio, up from the bankʼs current 20 percent requirement.

Since 2007, the agency has supported $100 million in exports from North Dakota.

Since 2012 alone, it has supported $49 million in sales from North Dakota companies.

Heitkamp hosted the president of the bank a year ago at a forum in North Dakota to discuss export opportunities with businesses. products were raw commodities. While the largest volume of food products exported from North Dakota is raw commodities, the general trend has been an increase in value-added, processed and identity preserved (IP) products being exported from North Dakota.

For example, Alliance Grain in Minot is now exporting protein starch and fiber instead of just peas. We expect this demand for value-added foods will continue to increase around the world.

AUCTION GUIDE thing you must do is When you make the decision to sell by auction, the and auctioneer or auction company to handle your auction. hire a

Bearman Auction 116 8th Ave Nw Minot, MD 58703

(701) 838-6245 925 11th St. N. Carrington, ND 58421 Ph. 701.652.CARS Fax: 701.652.2280 www.centralcityautoauction.com

Minot Daily News PROGRESS

Page 12

Agriculture/Pride of Dakota

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Minot Daily News PROGRESS

Page 13

Agriculture/Pride of Dakota

Black Beards sells N.D. grains for wheat weaving

By MARISSA HOWARD

Staff Writer mhoward@minotdailynews.com Sometimes it’s the simple things that have the potential to be extraordinary. A few blobs of paint can become a distinctive picture, a pile of yarn can be twisted into a vibrant blanket and wheat – plain, stocky, North Dakota wheat – can be woven into things that seem impossible.

Black Beards, a business that grows and supplies black-bearded durum and other small grain varieties for wheat weaving and floral design, first opened in 1981 and has been one of Pride of Dakota’s own since the association was created in 1985, or 30 impressive years.

Dennis and Sharon Hanson, founders and owners of the company, grew up in Turtle Lake. This is where the farm resides, an area where soil and climate come together in a way that makes it an ideal location for growing types of grain popular with wheat weavers and the dried floral industry, according to the Hansons.

While the Hansons were not originally planning to stay in Turtle

Dennis and Sharon Hanson, founders and owners of Black Beards, a business that grows and supplies black bearded durum and other small grain varieties for wheat weaving and floral design, stand in one of their fields on their farm near Turtle Lake.

Submitted photo

Lake, they came back in 1980 because of an illness and began to farm with Sharon Hanson’s parents.

In the winter of 1980, Sharon Hanson took a wheat weaving class and saw the cost of a bundle of black-bearded Italian durum. She talked to her husband about it and the rest is history.

Because Dennis Hanson was orig-

inally a farmer, the Hansons decided to use part of their own farm for products for the wheat weaving industry. From their 1,500 acre farm, they chose between 10 and 20 acres that they thought would work best, and Black Beards was born.

Now they supply wheat weavers throughout the United States and Canada with the small grains of

golden beardless, Dakota blackberries, speltz, North Dakota wheat, oats, flax and their most popular product, black bearded durum.

They also sell instruction books on wheat weaving, wheat weaving kits and finished wheat weavings.

“The black-bearded durum is our best seller because it’s showy and different,” said Sharon Hanson.

“When people weave it it’s stunning.

Wheat weavers like a long straw, and this one is very weavable.”

Sharon Hanson still enjoys wheat weaving but does not do it often because the business exists to sell to the weavers. However, she sees the attraction to the trade.

“It’s just different, very rural and attractive,” she said. “It amazes me that not many people weave wheat in North Dakota with the amount of wheat that is grown in this state.”

From ornaments to figurines and fans to decorations, just about anything can be created with wheat.

And Sharon Hanson said just about anyone is capable of trying their hand at the craft.

“I’ve seen all ages weave wheat into anything and everything,” she said. “We know an art teacher who teaches her students to weave wheat and she sends us pictures of the final results. It is amazing some of the things these kids can create.”

The process for growing the varieties of wheat for weaving and the floral industry is very similar to growing any other wheat. The seeds are planted in the spring and harvested in August or September.

However, when it is time for harvest, the Hansons use a binder that makes smaller bundles instead of large ones, like normal wheat usually undergoes. The bundles are carefully watched and turned by hand to dry in the late summer sun. Next, the dried grain is sealed into a chamber and fumigated to insure that it is pest-free, then moved into a barn until it is cleaned, graded and packaged for shipment.

The entire family has pitched in in the past to clean and grade the grain, including the parents of both of the Hansons. Black Beards prides itself on these generations of expertise.

Because of bad weather and their chosen labor, the Hansons said there are seasons that they have not been able to grow or harvest their crops.

Luckily, though, wheat lasts for years when it is dry and pest-free.

The Hansons have storage space on their farm in which they store wheat for future years, a strategy that also allows them to skip a year or two.

Because of this and their hard work during harvest, Black Beards sells a few thousand bundles of wheat each year to wheat weavers

Black-bearded durum, Black Beardsʼ most popular selling grain because of its long straw, appearance and weavability, is ready for harvest at the Hansonʼs farm in Turtle Lake.

Submitted photo

and floral design companies across North America.

When asked whether they believe that wheat weaving is here to stay, the Hansons answered that wheat weaving is like any other craft or art and its popularity goes in cycles. However, they have many regular customers that have been weaving wheat for years.

The Hansons have been a part of the National Association of Wheat Weavers for around 30 years and were two of the original members when the association was first created. The National Association of Wheat Weavers strives to preserve and perpetuate the history and traditions associated with the folk art of corn dollies, wheat weaving and

other forms of straw art, according to their website.

While the total membership is about 200 people, the Hansons said that it feels like family. They also mentioned the number of young people that are a part of the group, a testament to the fact that the art of wheat weaving is not going anywhere anytime soon.

For more information about Black Beards and to see pictures of some wheat weaving creations, visit www.blackbeards-wheat.cc

The Hansons have enjoyed their business and have the highest respect for their customers. They feel, however, that it is time for them to retire. In commitment of keeping wheat weaving alive, they want to sell their business to someone with an interest and passion in preserving and sharing this unique trade. The individual or family would take the inventory to their own farm and continue the business there.

“We have too many faithful customers to just stop our business,” said Sharon Hanson. “We have met so many great people and learned so much through this; it’s a unique experience.”

While Black Beards is moving on, wheat weaving will continue to be an art that has the smells, texture and character of a state we all know well: North Dakota. Both the state and the trade turn the simple into the sumptuous.

Interior Designer

136 S. Main Ave Rugby, ND 58368 701.776.5877 ellieanns@gondtc.com www.ellieanns.com

1310 Hwy. 3 South PO Box 285 Rugby, ND 58368

701-776-6980

great food great friends Take out Call 208-1365

Your local Hardware Store!

We know insurance.

We know North Dakota.

We might even know you.

Rugby Manufacturing Co.

515 1st Street NE Industrial Park Rugby, ND 58368

Steven Mueller Rugby

200 West 2nd Street Rugby, ND

776-6111

Serving the Community Since 1897 www.merchantsbankrugby.com 210 S. Main Rugby, ND

776-5811

776-6950 Agents with answers

with strength from the past!

Hwy 2 West • Rugby, ND • 701-776-5274

Lotvedt Home of “Friendly Service”

• Complete Car Care • Bulk Fuel Delivery

776-6421 120 S Main

C O N S T R U C T I O N & L U M B E R , I N C .

Neil Lotvedt, Owner

402 9th St. SE Rugby, ND 58368

201 Hwy 2 SE Rugby 701-776-5863 • 1-800-467-5863 Pierce County

Phone: 701.776.5870 Fax: 701.776.5870 Cell: 701.771.2072

The Tribune Covering All of your Hometown News for 120 Years!

Congrats from Gil, Sheila, Mark, Eugene, Darrin, Kevin, Dale, Donna & Austin

• Official Newspaper of Pierce County • Your best source for local news, sports & events Gary Kirchofner • Kevin Kirchofner

Rugby C-Store & Truck Stop

OPEN 24 HOURS RUGBY

Junction Hwy. 2 & 3

776-6220

701-776-5878 • toll free: 1-888-771-5878 1040 Hwy. 3 South • P.O. Box 351 Rugby, ND 58368 www.rugbyhomesandrvcenter.com

219 South Main Rugby, ND 58368 776-5252 Fax: 776-2159 www.thepiercecountytribune.com

Page 14

Minot Daily News PROGRESS

Agricu l t u re/Pri d e of Dakota

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Challenging environment: Good yields needed to profit in 2015

By JILL SCHRAMM

but no sure profits anywhere.

“It’s a challenging environment, Staff Writer jschramm@minotdailynews.com but it’s certainly not insurmountable,” Swenson said.

Crops such as lentils, peas and Good yields are going to be important in turning a profit in durum that are favored in the west 2015, according to calculations of a show better profit potential than North Dakota State University farm soybeans or corn, grown more widely in the east. Cattle producers management specialist.

Andrew Swenson with the also have a strong potential to show NDSU Extension Service prepared good profits.

“On the crop side, it’s a little conprofit projections last December that showed a more promising out- cerning that some of the input costs look in the western part of the state haven’t gone down as much as you compared to the Red River Valley would like, mainly the fertilizers,”

Mohall

Swenson said.

Fuel prices are down, but fuel accounts for just 5 percent of crop input costs. Other input costs are staying fairly stable, Swenson said.

Seed cost changes vary by commodity, with increases in some, such as canola. Land costs also aren’t coming down, and land and fertilizer are the big costs when it comes to inputs.

“Those are the ones we haven’t gotten much relief in,” Swenson said.

To reduce their financial risk,

farmers may look to crops that require less investment, he said.

Some may make use of their own seed wheat, which can save money if the quality is there. Swenson said his financial analysis shows spring wheat has potential to be profitable if the yields are good.

“A lot can depend on the yield we get. We need pretty strong yields at these prices,” he said.

Farmers also are at the mercy of the weather, both locally and in the grain-growing regions around the world. The biggest threat to world

Continued from Page 10

during Christmas by baking her family’s traditional holiday treats and selling them at a local craft show. From this simple hobby, Sonja’s Old-Fashioned Delicacies was born, a baking and confectionery business that specializes in cookies, candies and desserts made from scratch, “just like grandma’s!” Stromswold uses family recipes handed down from her Scandinavian grandmother as well as others for her sweet treats.

“I was surprised at the demand for homemade baked goods. When I brought them to the craft fair the business kind of just exploded after that,” said Stromswold.

“Making homemade foods is kind of a lost art. It seems the older people get, the less cooking they do.”

One of the most popular products that Sonja’s OldFashioned Delicacies makes is caramels, slow-cooked and hand wrapped, made from a recipe passed down for generations. Four different kinds of caramels are available–original, nutty, sea salt and licorice caramels.

Other popular products include Molasses Spice Cookies, Cranberry Orange, Scottish and Pecan Shortbreads, and Almond Butter Crunch, a buttery almond toffee topped with chocolate and almonds.

Stromswold uses real butter, fresh eggs and North Dakota flour, with no preservatives in any of the products.

“I think the more choices

wheat supply other than weather is the political unrest in Russia and the Ukraine, which could affect the economy and the ability of farmers to invest in inputs or even plant, Swenson said.

Whatever happens, farmers are counting on some level of profit, even if it is smaller than in past years.

“I am hoping we can have kind of a soft landing and not a crash,” Swenson said. “The key to that is guys are going to have to manage well, and hopefully, we get a decent crop.”

Pictured here is the dining room of The Prairie Bistro, a restaurant that specializes in homemade soups, salads and sandwiches.

Antiques from countless time periods and walks of life hang from the ceiling. The Prairie Bistro is open for lunch from mid-April through late June, in addition to special dinners at select dates and times.

Marissa Howard/MDN

we make that are close to nature, the better,” she said.

Sonja’s Old-Fashioned Delicacies sold their products locally when the business first began and has since expanded, now shipping boxes of sweets all over the country, during the holidays especially. The business joined Pride of Dakota in 1991 and participates in the four Big One Art and Craft Fairs that take place in Minot, Bismarck, Grand Forks and Fargo.

“It’s an honor to be able to say that my product is a North Dakota-made product,” said Stromswold. “It puts a certain amount of respect on my product, and I make sure it’s a positive representation for people who don’t know anything about this state.”

Sonja’s Old-Fashioned Delicacies has been in business from 1989 to 1997, and then 2005 to the present.

More information and a full list of products can be found on their website, sonjas bakeshop.com, or by calling

701-756-6441.

The final business of the three sprung up because of Stromswold’s success with Sonja’s Old-Fashioned Delicacies.

The Prairie Bistro The Prairie Bistro, first opened in 2007, is a restaurant that serves homemade foods and desserts at The Flower House Garden Center. Lunches are served Monday through Saturday, mid-April through late June, with the exception of Memorial Day. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Prairie Bistro also caters special events both on site and off, as well as serves special dinners for Valentine’s Day, March Madness, Dirty Dining and the Garden Party.

Homemade soups, sandwiches and salads are the lunch specialties.

“Some of the recipes are from family, some from friends and others are recipes that I have found and love,” said Stromswold. “We’re always experimenting and

trying to find new recipes.

When you get different people in the kitchen, there are different ideas and we’re excited about that.”

Some of the popular lunch choices include soups of the day, such as Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice and Grandma’s Chicken and Noodles. Specialty sandwiches include the Tuscan Chicken Panini, Corned Beef with Cabbage Panini, Bistro BLT, Classic Grilled Cheese and more. The Mandarin Chicken Salad is a customer favorite as well. Stromswold made sure to mention that dessert is always available, with a constant supply of homemade cheesecake as well as the occasional banana cake, jumbo cupcakes, cookies and carrot cake.

Customers are welcome to bring their own bottle of wine or other beverages.

At the special dinners during select dates and times, The Prairie Bistro serves delicacies like prime rib, jumbo shrimp, halibut, certified angus sirloin, ribeye and

more.

“My husband does the grilling, so it works well for us,” said Stromswold.

Customers can dine among the flowers in the greenhouse or in the dining room, with antiques from countless time periods and walks of life hanging from the ceiling.

More information about The Prairie Bistro is available at theprairiebistro.com.

All three businesses are located at 9243 38th Avenue NW in Mohall. Between The Flower House Garden Center, Sonja’s OldFashioned Delicacies and The Prairie Bistro, there are 16 employees, which Sonja Stromswold said depicts the growth that the three companies have undergone.

“It’s gone from me, myself and I to the fact that I don’t have to worry if I’m not here,” said Stromswold. “We’re a tight-knit group–they’re all like family to me.”

Stromswold said that she hopes to see more growth in the three companies in the

future, but at the same time they are in a position where they have as much as they can handle sometimes, too.

She hopes to continue the businesses for 10 or 15 more years and then possibly sell them to someone who will carry out her values and visions.

“It’s kind of tough when you have a business that is so personal and so tied to your past and visions, it almost makes it unsellable,” Sonja Stromswold said. “If I can find someone who shares these visions when I retire from the companies, then great. There is just no way to know whether that will happen.”

Stromswold also said that the companies work best together, and no company would be as successful without the other two.

“They really are three businesses that were created off of each other and are successful because of each other,” she said. “If I took away one, it just wouldn’t be the same.”

HACIENDA DINING

sourisriverbrewing.com

facebook.com/sourisriverbrewing

@loveSRBrew

32 3rd St. NE, Minot, ND 58703

701-837-1884

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Minot Daily News PROGRESS

Page 15

Agricu l t u re/Pri d e of Dakota

Rolla

&

Rolette Rolla, Bryan Schweitzer, Agent

Business: (701) 228-3022 Toll Free: 1-866-228-3022 115 E. 11th Street, Bottineau, ND 58318 Fax: (701) 228-5133 www.bryanschweitzer.com 1104 Hwy. 5 West, Rolla, ND 58367 Bus: (701) 477-3022 • Fax: (701) 477-3288

Serving school districts with their transportation needs across North & South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Washington.

PO Box 399 Rolette, ND 58366 1-800-437-2072

A proactive community developing high tech, biomass, agribusiness and wind energy opportunities for the region.

Rolla Job Development Authority 14-1st Street SE • 477-9130

ROLETTE INSURANCE AGENCY, LLP Personal Lines Farm Lines Commercial Lines Contact: Lisa Thompson, Agency Manager Andy Gilje, Ageny

701-246-3395 Fax: 701-246-3550 Rolette Insurance Agency, LLP is not affiliated with Rolette State Bank. Securities and insurance products offered through Rolette Insurance Agency, LLP are NOT FDIC INSURED, MAY LOSE VALUE, NO BANK GUARANTEE.

We have great unique gift items & all your pharmaceutical needs.

Print your memories in just minutes with our Kodak picture Kiosk.

208 Main Street, Rolette, ND 246-3600

Personal, Business & Agricultural Banking Internet Banking available at: www.rolettestatebank.com Rolette, ND • 246-3395

Rolette Hours: M-F: 8am-6pm Sat: 8am-5pm

246-3431 Today’s Fashions For Today’s Families Under Armour • Nike Miss Me Jeans Asics • Silver Jeans Rock Revival Fox Racing • Roxy • Quiksilver Affliction • American Fighter

502 Main Street, Bottineau, ND 58318 228-2970

208 Main St. Rolette

“Our Customers Come First”

Friendly Hometown Service!

477-3155 18 2nd Street NE, Rolla, ND 7:30 am to 9:00 pm Daily 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday

Page 16

Minot Daily News PROGRESS

Agricu l t u re/Pri d e of Dakota

Saturday, April 25, 2015