Benton Ag Plus - October 5, 2019

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, OCT. 5, 2019 | Page 1C

Serving rural Benton, Morrison, Mille Lacs and Kanabec counties

BENTON AG Plus

Sauk Rapids Herald

| SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2019

Know how to apply nitrogen fertilizer MDA weather resources can help with timing ST. PAUL – As the seasons begins to change, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture encourages farmers and applicators to be patient if they plan to apply fertilizer this fall. Check the soil temperatures and delay application of anhydrous ammonia and urea fertilizer, as well as manure, in areas suitable for fall application until the average soil temperatures reach 50 degrees F or below.

To assist tracking soil temperature, the MDA provides real-time 6-inch soil temperatures at 25 locations across the state. The MDA also provides soil temperature data for University of Minnesota research stations and North Dakota Ag Weather Network weather stations. View the interactive map to find the current 6-inch soil temperature and the past week’s history by visiting http://www.mda.state. mn.us/soiltemp.

Fall fertilizer application is not recommended in all areas of the state due to groundwater contamination concerns.

Regions with coarse-textured soils, areas over shallow

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Students get glimpse into technology used in agriculture

BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER

SANTIAGO – Area students had the opportunity to get hands-on with agriculture Sept. 25.

The Benton Sherburne Corn Growers Association teamed with Centra Sota Cooperative as well as other partners to host its first Ag Careers Field Day at Centra Sota’s Santiago location.

Over 100 students attended the 4.5-hour event.

“I was happy to see the turnout we had,” said Sean Arnold, Benton Sherburne Corn Growers president and general manager at Arnold’s in St. Cloud. “We started planning for 40 to 50 people.

A couple days before the event we had 118 students signed up. I was pleasantly surprised.”

Students from area high schools such as Foley, Milaca

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

Adam Johnson, sales agronomist for Centra Sota Cooperative, talks about corn moisture with a group of Foley High School students Sept. 25 in Santiago. The Benton Sherburne Corn Growers Association hosted a first-of-its-kind agricultural career day at the business’s answer plot.

and Buffalo made their way to Santiago Wednesday morning to learn about innovations in precision agriculture and other technological advancements in the ag industry. They were divided into groups of about 12 people and spent the day attending 10 sessions that

detailed aspects of the trade.

Students experienced driverless technology, estimated yields, viewed demonstrations on equipment, learned potential career paths and more.

The event was the first of its kind for the partners,

and it came together after conversations about ways to engage and educate youth.

“We wanted to get the students intrigued with some of the technology in the industry,” Arnold said. “To Career day page 2C

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Page 2C | SATURDAY, OCT. 5, 2019 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

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let them know there are careers in agriculture and a future in it for anyone who wants to get involved.”

Roughly 60 Foley High School students joined the field day. Al Stemper, instructor of the agricultural education department and FFA chapter advisor, said the biggest takeaway for his students was realizing how technology has advanced equipment. He also said the opportunity for students to learn about viable and lucrative career paths from presenters was impactful, especially because three or four were FHS graduates.

“For many of them, that was eye opening,” Stemper said. “You hear about agriculture and some people think of the farm as all gloom and doom, but there is a big difference when you start looking at some of the technical careers.”

One such alumnus was Adam Johnson, a sales agronomist with Centra Sota. Johnson presented on yield estimation and had students work through

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Hunter Brown counts cobs of corn with classmates during an exercise at the agricultural career day which took place Sept. 25 in Santiago. Students rotated through 10 sessions during the event.

Mark Glady, of WinField United, speaks to students inside a root pit at the Centra Sota Cooperative property Sept.

25 in Santiago. Glady talked with students about soil and root systems.

he can quickly use to get a birds eye view of what is happening in the field,” Lambert said. “… In all reality, a farmer gets to do

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an exercise by counting, recording and solving math formulas using a portion of a corn answer plot.

Ryan Burggraff, a precision farming specialist at Arnold’s in St. Cloud, explained the advancements in row unit technology and precision planting.

“Some of the earlier planters had a seed disk and depending on how close you wanted the seeds in the trench and your population, you would put a different size disk in,” he said.

Now, Burggraff said, producers can write prescriptions for each field and control aspects of planting with electronics and digital technology.

“We take a map of the field and we can tell it if we have a low spot and we want to plant heavier or if we have some sand ground and want to plant lighter,” Burggraff said. “We can go on the computer through a software program and tell the equipment we want to plant 30,000 seeds per acre here and 28,000 here. The row unit will read that map and adjust to that.”

Burggraff said precision planting is important in the agricultural industry as it allows producers to track problems through harvest and remedy in seasons to come.

Andrew Lambert, Centra Sota technology services advisor, agreed in the importance of technology and reiterated the sentiment at the event’s station on drones.

Lambert said 90% of calls for drone use are farmers looking for assistance in crop scouting.

“It’s just another tool in a farmers’ toolbox that

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his job maybe 50 times in his life – he grows a crop once a year. So, if you can learn something once, you can carry that and make changes for the next 49 times (and so on). … That’s’ a big deal because you only get 50 chances to get it right.”

After a half day of learning at the site, students had plenty of what they learned to talk about. “There was interest in the planter trailer, interest in the root pit; I think they even liked doing the tractor ride,” Arnold said.

“Some of the students we had there had been in a tractor and some have been involved with (agriculture), but I would say the bulk of them were not. To experience first-hand some of this technology was key.”

An experience that is hoped to be repeated in the future.

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, OCT. 5, 2019 | Page 3C

BENTON AG

Equipment, roadway safety reminders for the harvest season

Fertilizer from page 1C

bedrock and regions with karst geology are the most vulnerable to nitrate loss and groundwater contamination. Beginning in fall 2020, fall fertilizer application in these vulnerable regions will not be allowed under the MDA’s Groundwater Protection Rule. Areas in central Minnesota are included, and residents may view a map of the vulnerable regions of the state at http:// www.mda.state.mn.us/ vulnerableareamap.

In other areas of the state where fall nitrogen fertilizer application is allowed, the MDA

operation, be inspection or sure to inspect repair, shut it the equipment down, turn off for any safety the engine, hazards. remove the D u r i n g key and wait inspection, for all moving also identify all parts to stop. safety hazards This is the including: only time moving parts, you should pinch points, BY EMILY WILMES be removing crush points, any safety University of pull-in areas devices such MN Extension and freeas shields wheeling areas. Be sure from the equipment. anyone who is going to When any work you are be using the equipment doing is complete, safety is aware of these areas as devices should be put well. back on.

While using the In addition, be equipment, keep mindful when using public bystanders – especially roadways. Use lights children – away from and flashers to ensure the equipment operation you are easy for drivers area. Before approaching to see and have a slowequipment for an moving emblem on your

encourages delaying application until soil temperatures cool to below 50 degrees F to help prevent loss, protect water quality and ensure more nitrogen will be available for next season’s crop.

At cooler soil temperatures, the incorporated fertilizer is less likely to be converted to water soluble nitrate.

This occurs because the microbes in the soil that convert ammonium to nitrate are less active in cooler temperatures.

Less activity and less conversion mean more ammonium will remain in the soil. Once converted to nitrate, it can be moved by water percolating through the soil, leaching out of the root zone. This commonly occurs in early

spring when soils thaw.

Although the soil temperature network was established to support application of commercial fertilizer, it is equally useful for those applying manure in the fall. University of Minnesota Extension recommends the same temperature delay (6-inch soil temperature below 50 degrees F) to prevent leaching losses. Research from the University of Minnesota at Waseca showed liquid dairy and hog manures injected in November produced yields 10 bushels per acre higher than manures injected in September and October.

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It is Minnesota law for all vehicles travelling under 30 miles per hour on public roadways. You may also consider using a follow vehicle when moving large pieces of equipment, especially at night. Proper safety

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We cannot control how other drivers may react to farm equipment being on the road, but it is vital that farmers are doing whatever they can to keep

everyone safe.

Farm equipment is a dangerous part of farming, but following safety guidelines, keeping others away from the operation area and using public roads in a safe manner will keep us all out of harm’s way.

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Jake Bauerly stands in a soybean field Oct. 1 in Sauk Rapids. Bauerly, along with other farmers, is struggling to harvest this fall because of the excess rainfall.

Drewitz provides advice

BY ELIZABETH HOAG STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – With an abundance of rain, farmers are feeling the stress as crop harvest is delayed. The accumulation of rain without an extended period of warm days to dry the land has caused an increase in white mold and sudden death syndrome, lower than expected yields and unfavorable muddy conditions that has prevented machinery from entering fields.

Jake Bauerly, a Sauk Rapids corn and soybean producer, knows firsthand what other farmers are struggling with.

“This fall is going to be tough,” Bauerly said.

“It’s really been a hard year overall, especially with the late planting season due to the late snow and cold front.”

Bauerly, along with his employees, planted their crop before Mother’s Day only to receive snow days later.

A cold spurt and rain set the team back, killing off the crop.

“We had to dig up and replant quite a bit of our crop,” Bauerly said.

“The seeds were too wet and too cold for too long.”

The operations team, led by Bruce and Colby Kaschmitter, replanted drowned-out areas between June 5-7 – similar to many farmers in the area. As spring turned into summer and summer rolled into fall, the seasons came with additional rainfall.

“Typically, August is our driest month but since the first of that month until now, we have gotten about 12 inches of rain,” Bauerly said. “This past August has been the coldest we’ve had in a long time and the wettest since 1890. It’s been a vicious cycle.”

Bob Weisman, St. Cloud State University meteorology professor, provides statistics as to the amount of rainfall the area has received within the past few months.

“At the St. Cloud Airport, there have been 30.83 inches of precipitation since April 1,” Weisman said.

“That’s 10.58 inches above average, and this September was been the third wettest September in St. Cloud records.

There were 7.55 inches of rain at the St. Cloud Regional Airport, more than double the average amount of 3.46 inches.”

Weisman’s said the St. Cloud State University rain gauge had 9.45 inches with even more, 10-15 inches,

near Paynesville and from Popple Creek northeastward through Lake Mille Lacs, Mora and Sandstone for the month of September.

“The total precipitation during the first nine months of the year is now 34.89 inches, which ranks as the third highest January to September total in St. Cloud records,” Weisman said.

Normally, Bauerly begins his soybean harvest by Sept. 25. But, with all the rain, his operation will likely not begin harvest until Oct. 7. The start date relies heavily on the weather.

“With all this moisture, it’s put us behind by two weeks,” Bauerly said. “We might even have to wait until the ground freezes.”

Weisman said the slow spring thaw and lack of sunshine have made a later than average frost badly needed for a complete growing season.

“The average date for St. Cloud’s first frost is Sept. 26,” Weisman said. “The area would likely need a frost among the latest on record to salvage another 10 to 15 growing days in October.

So far, most of central and southern Minnesota have escaped a below freezing temperature.

There are threats for such a cold night on at least a couple of nights in early October.”

According to

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Jake Bauerly (from left), Colby Kaschmitter and Bruce Kaschmitter stand in front of a combine Oct. 3 near Sauk Rapids. The team works together to plant soybeans and corn and are now faced with a two-week delay due to the higher-than-average rainfall.

conditions by installing moisture. perforated tile every 60 “I use tracks on feet to drain away extra my heavy machinery

to lower the ground pressure, reducing the chance of sinking,” he said. “We also travel on previously compacted tramways.”

Bauerly hopes for three days without rain to begin harvest of his soybean crop. He would like to harvest field corn come late October into late November.

“I really feel bad for the dairy farmers who have to chop silage under these wet conditions,” Bauerly said.

However, when Bauerly and farmers alike access their fields, yields are projected to be lower than previous years due to white mold and SDS. “Soybean fields with white mold and SDS are becoming quite apparent even from a distance,” said Nathan Drewitz, University of Minnesota Extension crop educator for Stearns, Benton and Morrison counties.

According to Drewitz, white mold is identified by fluffy white growth on soybean stems.

“Pods affected by white mold are typically smaller, lighter and fuzzy,” Drewitz said.

“The fungus may survive in the soil for several years, making management of this

disease a long-term issue.”

SDS is yet another problem this harvest season.

“The disease is identified by scattered interveinal yellow chlorotic blotches that eventually progress into large irregular patches,” Drewitz said. “SDS will cause root rot.”

Bauerly said this is the second worst year for white mold for his crop.

“There really is nothing you can do about white mold once it’s infested the plant,” he said. “This was just a really wet and cold year, and our good crop had a heavy canopy which trapped moisture and there was not enough heat to dry it out.”

Even though the destructive diseases have affected many crops, producers focus their attention to the next few

months, hoping for a stable harvest.

“I expect my early planted crop on lighter soil or drain tile to have a pretty fair yield,” Bauerly said. “But my late planted crop on wetter soil doesn’t look promising.”

Bauerly guesses his corn yield will be 25 bushels below and soybean yield 5-10 bushels below his fouryear average.

With a delayed harvest, producers are hoping for drier weather to wrap up the season. In the meantime, Drewitz advises farmers to be cautious.

“If you’re sinking, you’re going to spend a lot of time pulling your equipment out,” he said. “Compaction can also cause a lot of issues down the line so be careful, use safety and rely on common sense.”

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Jake Bauerly points to white mold on a soybean plant Oct. 1 at his home in Sauk Rapids. Bauerly is a farmer who has been struggling with white mold this season due to the excess precipitation.

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the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service Minnesota Crop Progress and Condition report for the week ending Sept. 29, corn dented or beyond was 88%, 16 days behind last year and two weeks behind the 5-year average.

Twenty-two percent of corn was mature, 18 days behind last year and two weeks behind normal. Ninety percent of soybean has turned color or beyond, 13 days behind last year and eight days behind the average.

Sixty percent of soybean have begun dropping leaves, 12 days behind last year and eight days behind normal. Five percent of the soybean crop has been harvested, 15 days behind last year and 11 days behind average.

Soybean condition was rated 56 percent good to excellent.

Bauerly combatted

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, OCT. 5, 2019 | Page 5C

Page 6C | SATURDAY, OCT. 5, 2019 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

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Hackett elected to national board of Holstein USA

RICE – Spencer Hackett has reached the culmination of his leadership opportunities in the dairy industry.

At the National Holstein Convention, June 24-27 in Appleton, Wis., Hackett was elected to represent Region 6 on the national board of directors for Holstein Association USA. He was sworn into the position Sept.

24 at the organization’s headquarters in Brattleboro, Vt. “I was involved with our Mid-Minnesota Holstein Club,” Hackett said.

“I served nine years on the Minnesota Holstein board. I was slowly looking down the tunnel if I wanted to be at that next level. This was the next or final step, so to be; if I wanted to take the journey or not.”

Hackett milks 175 registered Holsteins with his family on their

PHOTO BY JENNIFER COYNE

Spencer Hackett milks 175 cows with his family at Melarry Farms near Rice, Minn.

Hackett was recently elected to represent Region 6 on the national board of directors for Holstein Association USA.

ise this area I’m going to voice my opinion and concerns or ideas people will have.”

Hackett has long been a member of the national organization and strong advocate for genetic advancement in the dairy industry.

He serves on the organization’s Genetic Advancement Committee, which provides insight

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“I am truly passionate about the registered Holstein business,” Hackett said. “Not just because (the cow is) registered, but to make something that will help all dairymen stay in business longer.”

Melarry Farms has created a market for its genetics through genomic technology. Last year, the Hacketts sold 27 bulls to artificial insemination companies, and they continue breeding for bulls that will propel the dairy industry forward.

“Since (genomics came out), our purebred business has exploded,” Hackett said. “We’re always trying to make bulls that I feel, hopefully, the business will want going forward. The commercial dairyman wants a moderate stature cow with plenty of strength; he’s going

to have to be able to milk, a low somatic cell count and an easy keeper. Those are the cows that make us the most money.”

Hackett feels his new role as director marries nicely with his notable contributions in the industry, and his passion to continue learning about and developing dairy cattle genetics.

In the next three years, Hackett wants to give back to the organization he has spent his whole life being a part of.

“They always tell me I’m an outside-thebox thinker, so maybe I’ll come up with ideas that keep the (dairy farm) numbers up there; keep the excitement going,” Hackett said.

One of the personal goals Hackett has for his term as a director is to create an interest in the organization and breed

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among younger dairy farmers. He wants those farmers to not only become more educated about the industry because they sell milk, but also because the public needs to become more informed about agriculture and what dairy farmers do for a living.

“I considered kicking it around – should I run?

Shouldn’t I run?” said Hackett about the elected position. “If people like me don’t step forward and have a voice, that means someone else has to cover that much more ground on my behalf.”

Hackett also encourages Region 6 dairy farmers to voice their opinions and ideas to him in hopes of creating effective change in the industry.

However, no one thought may lead to immediate improvements, which is Hackett’s greatest foreseen challenge.

“A lot of people have approached me already and giving them the results as quickly as they expect them will be tough,” Hackett said.

“When President Trump got into office, it didn’t change overnight. It takes time; it may even happen after I’m gone, but it’ll be something I’ve helped put in motion.”

As Hackett begins this next journey in his dairying career, whether at the organization’s headquarters in Vermont or at his family’s dairy farm in Minnesota, he will be doing so with a greater purpose in mind.

“I’ve had a dream of always making a positive impact in this profession I love long after I’m gone,” Hackett said.

“In serving on the national board, what can I do to help another small dairy farm, or large dairy farm, be more productive and stay in the business we are all so passionate about?”

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dairy, Melarry Farms, near Rice. For the next three years, Hackett will represent Holstein USA members in the Upper Midwest from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

He serves on the board with 11 directors from across the country as well as four officers.

“I’m looking forward to serving on the board with these people,” Hackett said. “We’re coming from all over, and that doesn’t mean we all think the same. That’s what makes a good board.”

During Hackett’s time as a director, his responsibilities will reflect the purpose of the organization: To help provide the most productive animal to help farmers feed the growing population in the most efficient way possible.

While the responsibilities are vast, the central Minnesota dairy farmer is most looking forward to his chance to be a voice for fellow dairy farmers.

“I am very, very proud,” said Hackett about representing Region 6. “I will bend over backward. I can prom-

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last Board meeting, there was some discussion about a couple of projects in the five-year road construction program; there was some concern that we are doing projects too early in the life of the project and that we should wait.

He stated his plan to provide additional information about those projects and the design behind them.

• CSAH 2 (River to TH 25), mill and overlay slated in construction year 2020, actual traffic counts are in line with traffic counts projected in 2001; Byrd feels the need to capitalize on the fact that a hot mix ready plant is coming into this location next year for the CR 78 project—should result in a competitive bid • CSAH 12 (CSAH 21 to TH 25), mill and overlay slated in construction year 2020; in 1999, this roadway was a 7-ton design—mill and overlay will add structure to the roadway to extend its life and add slight safety improvements; will “shoot for” a 10-ton roadway, but should accomplish a 9-ton roadway at minimum • CSAH 5 (Gilman to Mille Lacs County Line), mill and overlay slated for construction year 2021, split into three projects, have consumed the life of that pavement in ten years—cracking and rutting; was designed as a 9-ton road in 2008, but will be a 10-ton road after the 2021 project • CSAH 8 (TH 23 to CR 47), reclaim slated in construction year 2020, traffic volumes are high enough that this roadway may be paved before winter • CSAH 2 (in conjunction with Little Rock Lake drawdown), was paved before the rain, guardrail is up, need to complete some grading in the ditches and some striping, could open the road on the Friday completion date Byrd reported that, recently, the Public Works Department installed driver feedback signs (speed limit, radar signs) on CR 55 near Gordon’s Bridge; there have been numerous complaints about speeders in the area—the road is posted at 35 MPH. He stated his belief that driver feedback signs may change driver behavior; the location of the 35 MPH speed zone is comprised of closely-spaced residential lots with numerous driveways and the roadway is somewhat winding with limited visibility. Byrd pointed out that these signs have connectivity to the “cloud”, allowing him to access and retrieve data collected by the sign, i.e. traffic counts/speed violations in “real time”. He added that the signs contain GPS chips; Byrd has the ability to change settings on the signs per computer and data can be sent via email or text.

Board members reported on recent meetings they attended on behalf of the county.

No Committees of the Whole were set.

Monty Headley, County Administrator, explained that September 30th is the statutory deadline for certification of the County’s proposed 2020 property tax levy and budget to the Auditor-Treasurer; the proposed resolutions reflect board consensus from recent Committee of the Whole meetings. Headley provided a summary of the major factors in the proposed 2020 budget and levy: • The proposed 2020 levy increases 1.99%, or $392,835 from 2019, to a total of $20,119,369 • With this proposed change for 2020, the 10-year average levy change for Benton County is a 0.87% increase (the proposed 2020 levy is $169,000 higher than it was 10 years ago) • The proposed levy keeps the increase below the 7.8% expected growth in the County’s payable 2020 tax capacity, which translates into a reduced County tax rate in 2020; the estimated 2020 County tax rate will fall from 61.5% to 58.16% of tax capacity (down from a peak of 77.74% in 2013) • The proposed 2020 operating budget totals $45,067,381, a decrease of $624,878, or a 1.4% reduction from 2019 • The proposed levy increase is comprised of the following major elements: o Employee compensation and benefits $551,053 o Additional County Program Aid (245,061) o Funded “PolicyIssues” (newfunding) 271,943 o All other operating and capital budget changes (185,100)

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BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 17, 2019 The Benton County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on September 17, 2019 in the Benton County Board Room in Foley, MN with Commissioners Spencer Buerkle, Jake Bauerly, Ed Popp and Warren Peschl present and Commissioner Steve Heinen absent (excused). Call to order by Chair Bauerly was at 9:00 AM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Popp/Peschl unanimous to approve the amended agenda—add item: presentation of retirement award to Kim Woolery.

A retirement award was presented to Kim Woolery, Detention Officer in the jail, in appreciation for 21 years of loyal and distinguished service to Benton County; her retirement is effective September 27, 2019.

No one was present to speak under Open Forum.

Peschl/Buerkle unanimous to approve the Consent Agenda: 1) approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of September 3, 2019 as written; 2) accept and file Committee of the Whole Minutes of September 4, 2019 as written; 3) accept and file VSO Quarterly Report as presented; 4) accept and file Administrator’s Report/ Monthly Financial Report as presented; and 5) issue $24,996.62 in funds from the AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) Fund to the Little Rock Lake Association for costs related to planting during the Little Rock Lake drawdown.

Nancy Silesky and Steve Novak, Government Relations representatives with the Minnesota Inter-County Association (MICA), provided an overview of the 2019 legislative session and outlook for the future; topics included Transportation, Public Health and Human Services.

Doug Host from CliftonLarsonAllen, the County’s independent auditor, appeared before the Board to provide a summary of the results of Benton County’s 2018 audit; an unmodified or “clean” opinion was issued on the financial statements.

The Regular County Board meeting was recessed at 9:46 AM to conduct a Human Services Board meeting.

The Regular County Board meeting was reconvened at 10:08 AM. Heather Bondhus, Auditor-Treasurer’s Office, explained that Parcel 12.00969.00, 9170 Indian Road NW, Rice, became tax-forfeited on May 13, 2019; prior owners of record, Leroy & Nancy Theisen, are requesting to repurchase the property for the amount of tax, special assessments, penalties, and fees owing in the amount of $2,072.36. Buerkle/Popp unanimous to adopt Resolution 2019-#31, approving the request of Leroy & Nancy Theisen to repurchase Parcel 12.00969.00, 9170 Indian Road NW, Rice, and authorize the Chair to sign.

Nadean Inman, Auditor-Treasurer, explained that, on August 1, 2019, the License Center began collecting an additional $1.00 filing fee for each DMV transaction; this additional fee will generate approximately $5,200.00 in additional revenue for the county in 2019. She requested Board approval to hire the new part-time DMV employee prior to the start of the 2020 budget year; the estimated salary for a part-time DMV employee from October 15th through December 31st would be $4,000.00, which would be offset by the additional filing fee revenue. Inman noted the importance of training the new DMV employee prior to January since that is the start of the busy season for the DMV; in addition, the staff within the office that currently serve as back-up for the DMV will be busy assisting with election tasks. Peschl/Popp unanimous to approve hiring the new part-time DMV employee to start in October 2019.

Inman requested Board approval to utilize the MNLARS reimbursement funds in 2019 to enhance the DMV services prior to the start of the 2020 budget year. She pointed out that, by implementing these improvements now, the DMV staff will have sufficient time to be trained in the operation of the new queue system prior to January and February, the busiest months for the DMV. Inman added that restructuring of the office now will save the county money as the prices of the queue system and restructuring are expected to increase in 2020. She noted that the MNLARS reimbursement funds were received from the State of MN in August 2019. Peschl/Popp to approve beginning the DMV office restructure in 2019 since the MNLARS reimbursement funds were already received. Motion carried with Popp, Bauerly and Peschl voting aye and Buerkle voting nay.

Roxanne Achman, Department of Development Director, explained that the plat of “Thousand Oaks 1st Addition” is located in Sauk Rapids Township; Steven & Patricia Posch have requested to combine two platted lots into one lot. She indicated that the City of Sartell has no issues with the project and Sauk Rapids Township has signed off on the preliminary plat. Popp/Buerkle unanimous to approve the final plat of “Thousand Oaks 1st Addition” as recommended by the Planning Commission, and authorize the Chair to sign the final plat.

Achman reported that the plat of “Virgils Pasture” is located in Mayhew Lake Township; property owner, Bonita Skuza, and applicant, Aaron Storkamp, are requesting to split two single family lots off of approximately 137.44 acres—one lot will be 6.70 acres and the other 13.43 acres.

She noted that Mayhew Lake Township has signed the preliminary plat. Peschl/Popp unanimous to approve the final plat of “Virgils Pasture” as recommended by the Planning Commission, and authorize the Chair to sign the final plat.

Chris Byrd, County Engineer, explained that, at the

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, OCT. 5, 2019 | Page 7C

Total Levy Change for 2020 $392,835) • The proposed budget includes the following “Policy Issues”: o An additional Supervisor position in Human Services, based on a Human Services study recommendation to reduce the number of direct reports for current supervisors ($93,387) o Abolishing a vacant Community Health Specialist position to help fund the new Supervisor position ($81,082 in savings) o A Deputy Director position for Human Services as recommended by the Human Services study ($114,048/$81,599 net levy after revenue offsets) o A part-time position for the License Center to address increased customerm volume at the DMV counter ($18,552) o Adding $35,000 to Auditor-Treasurer for increased election year expenses o Funding a new payroll and Human Resources information management system ($17,612) o Using $36,875 in reserves for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Drone) for the Sheriff’s Office o Using the County Board’s contingency account in 2020 to fund a new leadership training program for County managers • The 2019 State Legislature increased County Program Aid (local government aid) by $27 million statewide; this increase plus the County Program Aid formula provides Benton County with an additional $245,061 in Aid for 2020; the County’s total certified County Program Aid for 2020 is $2.7 million; without this additional County Program Aid, the County’s proposed levy increase would be 3.2% Headley referenced the “Funding to Outside Agencies” handout, noting the County Board’s agreement to increase the SWCD funding by $40,000 for 2020 (a 20.1% Increase); he explained that this amount could potentially be reduced prior to final budget adoption in December should the SWCD receive additional grant funding. Peschl/ Buerkle unanimous to adopt Resolution 2019-#32, a Resolution setting the proposed 2020 levy at $20,119,369, and authorize the Chair to sign. Popp/Buerkle unanimous to adopt Resolution 2019-#33, a Resolution establishing the proposed 2020 Benton County budget as presented, and authorize the Chair to sign.

Chair Bauerly announced that the Benton County Board of Commissioners will conduct a Truth in Taxation public meeting on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 7:00 PM in the Benton County Board Room.

Amy Diedrich from Marsh & McLennan Agency (MMA) appeared before the Board to present their recommendation for employee health insurance funding (premium rates) for 2020. She stated “...self- funded employee health insurance continues to perform very well...when we look at premium settings, we look at several different factors...fixed costs...stop loss in place...fees...actual claims... number of high cases...see where the reserves are...strive for stability in costs...MMA recommendations are to increase the funding factor by 2% and increase stop loss to $60,000 (potentially increase to $70,000 for 2021)...”

Buerkle/Peschl unanimous to approve the 2020 health insurance renewal as recommended by the County’s broker, including a 2% premium increase and increasing stop-loss coverage to $60,000 per event.

Popp/Buerkle unanimous to conduct a closed meeting of the County Board (at 11:15 AM), pursuant to MN Statutes §13D.03, Subdivision 1, to consider strategy for labor negotiations.

The Regular County Board meeting was reconvened at 12:31 PM. Chair Bauerly adjourned the meeting at 12:32 PM. A. Jake Bauerly, Chair Benton County Board of Commissioners Montgomery Headley Benton County Administrator R-40-1B

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Farm Rescue

Every year at this time, we hear stories of farmers stepping in to help others who, for one reason or another, are having trouble getting their crops harvested. Such generosity led to the formation of a nonprofit organization called Farm Rescue based in Horace, N.D. Bill Gross, founder and president of Farm Rescue, BY ROGER STROM The Business of Farming is a farm kid who grew up in Cleveland, N.D. He is a pilot for UPS Airlines, but he thought he would get his farm fix by spending his retirement years driving a tractor and planter through farm country, helping farmers get the crops in.

Seeing a big need for that kind of help, he decided to make his random good Samaritan project bigger by organizing volunteers to help farmers who were dealing with a crisis in their lives.

He now has more than 1,000 registered volunteers from 49 states helping an average of 60 agriculture producers each year with planting, harvesting or haying assistance for individuals who have suffered from illness, injury or natural disaster.

The group has helped more than 500 producers in the North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Iowa since the project began in 2006, and this year, with the massive flooding in Nebraska, they expect to help between 125-140 farm individuals and families.

This year, Gross said he has seen a marked increase in stress and anxiety along with an increase in farm related suicide. He said Farm Rescue wants to help the families get their work done before they are overwhelmed.

If you want to be part of Farm Rescue, Gross said they are always short of drivers with a commercial driver’s license.

“That’s always critical and seems to be our pinch point,” Gross said. “There are never enough people to drive trucks. Anyone who is interested and has a CDL license is welcome to apply at farmrescue.org. If we have 20 who apply, we could use them all.”

The volunteers are often backed by businesses and organizations with equipment dealers contributing tractors, planters and combines and seed companies donating seed, fertilizer and herbicides. But, it also takes money to keep the organization going.

And, if you know of someone who could use a helping hand, contact Farm Rescue at the address above, call 701-252-2017 or email info@farmrescue. org for more information.

Neighbor helping neighbor. That is just the way it is in farm country. … just sayin’.

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