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Sauk Rapids Herald Saturday, January 4, 2020
Roscoe’s roundabout research adventure PHOTOS BY SARAH COLBURN
John Roscoe is pictured Dec. 10 by a round barn off Pinecone Road in Sartell in Stearns County. Roscoe has researched every barn of its kind in the state, and written “Minnesota’s Round Barns,” containing information on the iconic landmarks.
Book on round barns defines remaining icons BY SARAH COLBURN STAFF WRITER
SARTELL – John and Fran Roscoe have traversed the state of Minnesota, end to end, in search of the state’s 72 documented round barns. Traveling in their Mitsubishi Outlander, the Roscoes followed maps, plugged GPS coordinates into their navigator and asked for directions in hometown bars and restaurants in small towns throughout Minnesota. “These barns really represent
a period in agricultural history when farming was becoming a little more progressive,” John Roscoe said. “A lot of what we know about our agricultural history is going away; either traditional farms are going down, (or) turning into more corporate farming. And the families that built these farms years ago, we’re starting to forget about that. They were the backbone of America for many, many years and these barns were just part of that history.” The Roscoes found all 72
locations and documented 48 barns still in existence. John Roscoe shares them in his newest book: “Minnesota’s Round Barns.” The barns saw popularity from the 1890s to the 1930s and were a way to efficiently milk a number of cows at once, Roscoe said. The round milking style became so popular that Sears, Roebuck and Company came out with plans for barns around 1910. People could purchase a Sears barn kit back then for $1,627 that included not only the plans but the precut lumber. The style, while visually unique, only lasted a few decades before more modern farming methods kicked them out of production, with farmers opting
round barn. Early on, the barns had few windows and were dark and hard to light. As time went on, builders inserted windows around the barn and throughout the different levels to allow in natural light. Though Roscoe is now officially a round barn expert, he does not have a history with farming or agriculture. He was an English teacher in Albany Area Schools for 32 years before he retired 20 years ago. A round barn sitting just off Pinecone Road near his home in Sartell piqued his interest in the structures. There was talk of how the barn sitting amongst houses, apartments and stores
for rectangular buildings that could house larger machinery and bigger herds. Round barns, Roscoe said, had self-supporting roofs and much of their architecture came out of agricultural colleges including the University of Illinois. Farmers received the basic plans for the foundation, the building of the walls, the hay mow floor, building the roof and adding the cupola. They could choose some of the exterior finishes like fieldstone applications on the lower level wall, which was popular until farmers began opting for poured concrete or cement block. Windows, Roscoe said, were one of the biggest decision factors for those building a
Roscoe page 2B
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Roscoe from front
could be converted and saved. As talk continued, Roscoe began researching. He visited the barn, took photos and then started looking to see how many other similar round barns were in the state. He did not envision creating a book; he just wanted to document what was nearby. He found a decadesold database that listed round barns by county and nearest town and he found his mission – to capture a piece of history and photograph every round barn in Minnesota. His wife, Fran, said she has always been supportive of his work and came along, serving as navigator as John tried to take “shortcuts� she advised against. They visited the barns in the area every Sunday, hopping in the car and venturing to a destination, planning to arrive around 1 p.m. and hoping they would find cars in a nearby driveway and people to talk with. The Roscoes pulled in and explained what they were working on, getting permission for photographs and asking about the history of the property. Each time the couple
PHOTO BY SARAH COLBURN
While researching Minnesota’s round barns, John and Fran Roscoe, of Sartell, took many photos of round barns still standing in various states of repair. John Roscoe completed a book, “Minnesota’s Round Barns,� from the historical knowledge the two gathered.
approached a different barn, Roscoe said it led to a certain spark of joy. Other times though, he had a feeling of disappointment as they arrived at a jumbled pile of lumber or the remains of exposed footings. Some barns were still standing but heavily damaged by the elements, with large holes in their roof structure and shredded wood. Still, Roscoe documented what he could and took photos. Some they visited early in their research they returned to later to find they had been significantly damaged or removed.
Eventually, the two realized they could visit barns any day of the week and sporadically took off on mini-adventures. Most times the Roscoes stopped for lunch, seeking out an independently-owned restaurant wherever they were. Even though some of the barns were hundreds of miles away, they couple returned home the same day, only staying overnight if they scheduled to see a handful of barns in a day that were all located in one particular area of the state. As they traveled, they discussed the day’s agenda and the barn they were
about to see. The database they Roscoes followed was created prior to the 911 system and the current naming convention for roads, meaning the addresses were not the PHOTO BY SARAH COLBURN best way to locate the Fran and John Roscoe have traveled throughout barns. After a few ventures Minnesota in search of the state’s 72 documented round without success, Roscoe barns. Rounds barns were popular from the 1890s to 1930s. Roscoe page 3B
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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JAN. 4, 2020 | Page 3B
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A round, traditional red barn still stands in Stearns County. The bottom half of the exterior is built with fieldstone, a trend for the outside of foundation walls until farmers began opting for poured concrete or cement block. Stearns County boasts two round barns, one in Sartell and one north of Albany.
Roscoe received calls from Indiana, Illinois and other states asking how to get a copy. “There’s a nostalgia for bygone years,” Roscoe said. Roscoe’s book,
“Minnesota’s Round Barns,” was published in spring 2019. It is the second of his books; the first was “Legacies of Faith – The Catholic Churches of Stearns County,” a piece he wrote with his brother,
Robert Roscoe. “I really think that there are very few people who really know much about round barns at all,” Roscoe said. “There’s a lot of curiosity about them.”
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realized they needed to search for the properties by latitude and longitude – entering those into the GPS instead. Many times, the Roscoes arrived at a vacant barn and property with nobody to speak with about the history. Roscoe spent hours working on the internet doing research, looking for a family name connected with the property. He looked at old newspaper clippings and spent even more time working with local historical societies tracking down the families connected to the barns. Occasionally he put the barn coordinates into Google Earth to find a trackable current address for the property and handwrite the address in a letter asking for information about the barn. He was pleasantly surprised to receive letters back outlining a history. Tracking down the information was the most difficult part of the project. “I was frustrated a lot but I kept at it,” Roscoe said. “I just knew I wanted to do this and I’m pretty persistent and wanted to keep going. I’ve always been that way. I don’t quit, I keep pounding away until I find it.” Once he found all the details, he wrote about each barn, organizing them in the book in alphabetical order by county. Now, he is speaking to local historical societies about the barns. Roscoe found a number of people interested in the topic. He has a website that attracts barn enthusiasts, and when he announced the publication of his book
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Battle of the
buckthorn PHOTO BY ELIZABETH HOAG
Peyton (left) and Alivia Kroska stand outside with their father Mike Kroska Dec. 31, 2019, at their property southeast of Foley. Kroska has been working at clearing buckthorn, an invasive species, in his 10-acre wooded area for the past four winters.
Kroska works tirelessly to control invasive species BY ELIZABETH HOAG STAFF WRITER
FOLEY – Mike Kroska and his family have worked toward controlling buckthorn on their property southeast of Foley. “I grew up cutting wood, learning about the different species of wood,” Kroska said. “My dad was always clearing out his 40-acre wooded area.” According to Benton Soil and Water Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Service, common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) was brought to Minnesota in the mid1800s from Europe. Shortly after its introduction, buckthorn was found to be an
aggressive invasive species. “The vines and branches intertwine and out-competes native plants for nutrients, light and moisture,” Kroska said. “Buckthorn is a shrub, but it can also grow into a small tree, reaching up to or over 20 feet.” Kroska’s father, Jerry, was the first person to realize the prevalence of buckthorn on their property and taught his children the importance of clearing the invasive species. After Jerry’s passing in 2015, Kroska took to the woods as a coping mechanism, maintaining his 10 acres. With the knowledge of woodland species and determination to clear his land while leaving saplings of native plants,
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Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) Information provided by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Appearance: Tall understory shrub or small tree up to 20 feet high with a spreading loosely branched crown, often multiple stems at the base. Brown bark with elongate silvery corky projections. Caution: native plums or cherries have a similar bark. Female and male plants. Branches: Buds and leaves are sub-opposite, opposite or alternate. Cut branch expose yellow sapwood and orange heartwood. Twigs often end in small, sharp, stout thorns. Leaves: Alternate, sometimes
opposite; broadly elliptic pointed at the tip, smooth, dark glossy and small-toothed. Leaves stay green late into fall. Flowers: Inconspicuous, appear in May or June, clustered in the axils of leaves. Fruit: Clusters of black onequarter inch fruit ripen on female plants in August and September. Seeds are viable for two to three years in the soil. Each berry has three to four seeds. Roots: Extensive fibrous root system.
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Kroska developed his own method. “Nothing was done with the land before I moved here,” Kroska said. “Buckthorn continuously gets worse until you do something about it, so it turned into a weekend thing for me.” Kroska typically spends eight days a month, for two to three hours, clearing his woods during the winter months. From December to March, Kroska is busy in his woods with the help of his daughters, Peyton, 11, and Alivia, 8. With a brush saw, Kroska
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Mike Kroska sprays blue-dyed Tordon on buckthorn in his woods February 2017 at his home southeast of Foley. Kroska spent four winters heavily clearing the invasive species and now maintains it.
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spends 15 minutes cutting down buckthorn trees and shrubs. “After I get done cutting, my girls then help me gather the brush and put it in a pile to burn,” Kroska said. “While it is burning, I go around and spray the stumps to kill the root. The plant cannot merely be cut. Spraying is the only way I have found to get rid of it.” When he began, Kroska mixed blue dye into Tordon, a highly concentrated picloram herbicide, as a way to easily mark where he had sprayed. He now uses a less abrasive brush spray because a lot of the hard work has been done. “It only takes one spray to kill the plant,” Kroska said. “I just have to make sure to get it in either the stump or directly on the bark. The plant just has to be actively growing.” The Foley native said people can spray in summer months to avoid cutting down trees and brush, but he prefers a cooler climate due to the lack of insects. “I take the time and spray each plant because I don’t want to kill my woods, just the buckthorn,” Kroska said. “By doing that, the saplings of other trees have a chance to grow.” Because of the hours and time put into clearing his woods of the invasive vegetation, Kroska’s daughters have even learned how to identify buckthorn. “In the late fall, my girls are pointing to the tree lines as we drive down the road,” Kroska said. “Buckthorn is easy to identify because the leaves are the last to fall while all the other trees are bare.” The invasive species is not only the last to lose its leaves but also fight for the edge of the tree line because of the light. “It is the worst brush there is because it grows every which way to reach for the sun,” Kroska said. “And, the seeds can germinate even years after falling off the branches.” Buckthorn seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to 10 years, Mike said. “Buckthorn is a
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Buckthorn fills Mike Kroska’s wooded area February 2017 on his property southeast of Foley. From December to March, Kroska spends about eight days a month in his woods clearing the invasive plant.
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A part of Mike Kroska’s property is clear of buckthorn February 2017 southeast of Foley. Kroska uses a brush saw to cut down buckthorn while leaving other native saplings to thrive.
start to grow and thrive. this kind of a feat might “Someone tackling not think they’re doing much until they start to look around and see a difference,” Kroska said. “They’re not going to see a difference overnight, but the key is to keep pecking at it and tackling this kind of a not over do it.”
“Someone feat might not think they’re doing much until they start to look around and see a difference. They’re not going to see a difference overnight, but the key is to keep pecking at it and not over do it.” - Mike Kroska
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major problem because eventually if no one does anything about the regrowth and once the mature native trees die, there will be nothing able to grow but buckthorn,” Kroska said. “I’m not going to sugar coat it. It can get pretty expensive. I’ve probably spent around $250 each winter on spray, but the end result is worth it.” After four winters, Kroska’s hard labor has been minimized. “I just have to go back and spray the regrowth and little stuff every year now,” he said. “Every time I go out, I know I’m making a difference. I can see 400 feet through my woods versus 40 feet through my neighbor’s woods.” Kroska and his children may not see it in their lifetime, but the fruits of his labor will pay off when the saplings of native trees
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Mike Kroska holds a brush saw Dec. 31, 2019, on his property southeast of Foley. Kroska spends two days a week for two to three hours cutting, burning and spraying buckthorn.
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MDA announces restriction on use of dicamba herbicide for 2020
Grants for equipment, feasibility studies now available Apply for value-added grants through Jan. 23, 2020 ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation Value-Added Grant Program. The MDA anticipates awarding up to $1 million using a competitive review process. The intent of the program is to increase sales of Minnesota agricultural products by investing in production capacity, market diversification and market access for value-added products. For-profit businesses, agricultural cooperatives and local governments may apply for funding to purchase equipment or to conduct feasibility studies. Grant funds reimburse up to 25% of the total project cost. The maximum equipment award is $150,000, and the minimum award is $1,000. The maximum feasibility study award is $25,000, and the minimum award is $1,000. Grant details, including eligibility, are explained in the request for proposals. There will only be one round of funding this fiscal year. Applications must be received no later than 4 p.m. Jan. 23, 2020, in order to be considered for funding. The MDA prefers applicants submit proposals through the online application system. Full grant details are available at https://www.mda. state.mn.us/business-dev-loans-grants/agri-valueadded-grant-program. Funding for the grants was established through the AGRI Program to advance Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy industries.
Applicators must cease treatment June 20 ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has announced a statespecific restriction for the use of the herbicide dicamba in Minnesota for the 2020 growing season. Dicamba used on dicamba-tolerant soybean will have a cut-off use date of June 20. The 2020 Minnesota restriction is in addition to those established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The affected formulations are XtendiMax by Monsanto, Engenia by BASF, FeXapan by DuPont and Tavium by Syngenta. The decision follows the MDA’s ongoing investigations and informal surveys into reports of crop damage from alleged dicamba off-target movement over the past three growing
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Dicamba herbicide cutoff date Do not apply after June 20. Setting an application cutoff date of June 20 is again expected to help reduce the potential for damage to neighboring crops and vegetation. The majority of Minnesota soybeans are still in the vegetative growth stage by June 20, and research has shown that plants in the vegetative stage are less affected than those in the reproductive stage. In Minnesota, the XtendiMax, Engenia, FeXapan and Tavium formulations of dicamba are restricted use pesticides for retail sale to and for use only by certified applicators. this again in 2020.” The June 20 cut-off date for the 2020 growing season was established after the review of
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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JAN. 4, 2020 | Page 7B
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Upcoming training opportunities for small farmers C o n t i n u i n g education is an excellent way to stay up to date on the latest research and practices. The University of Minnesota, along with several other organizations, are working hard to provide those opportunities to you. Here are a few of the upcoming training opportunities being offered in January. Produce safety rule. The University of Minnesota Extension, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and other partners are hosting a Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule Grower Training in St. Cloud Jan. 15. Register at http://www.psp.tix.com. Registration deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 7. Space is limited. The day begins with check-in at 8:30 a.m. with the class running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Do not delay your registration. If your farm is not excluded or exempt from the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, at least one supervisor or responsible party from your farm must complete a training that uses FDArecognized curriculum or equivalent. This course will satisfy this requirement. Fee includes training materials, lunch,
BY KATIE DREWITZ University of MN Extension
refreshments and a certificate of attendance. Fruit and vegetable pesticide safety. The University of Minnesota Extension Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education Program will offer a Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification workshop focused for fruit and vegetable growers. Growers who are not certified but wish to learn more information on pesticide safety are also welcome to attend. This recertification workshop will take place from 1-4:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at the St. Cloud Regional Extension Office. This workshop is intended for individuals who are certified private pesticide applicators whose certification expires March 1. Private pesticide
applicators are anyone using a restricted use pesticide on land they own or rent to produce an agricultural commodity. Private applicators can attend this workshop for recertification instead of taking a test. Go to https://z.umn.edu/2020f ruitvegprivateapplicator recert to register so staff knows how many people to expect. Workshop payment will be taken at the door. Bring an official photo identification card, such as a driver’s license, passport or other official document and your private pesticide applicator certification identification card for workshop registration. Walk-in registration will be taken as well, but preregistration is strongly encouraged. Northern Growers and Marketers Conference. The Northern Growers and Marketers Conference is hosted by the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, the Minnesota Farmers Market Association and the Minnesota Apple Growers Association. The conference brings together produce growers and farmers marketeers for sessions on fruit and vegetable
production, marketing and more. This conference takes place at the Rivers Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud Jan. 1617. To register, go to https://www.mfvga.org/ registration.php. If you have questions or would like additional information about any of these opportunities, reach out to your extension educator. Residents in Stearns, Benton and Morrison counties can contact Katie Drewitz at 320-255-6169, Ext. 1 or wins0115@umn.edu.
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The world’s underground sources they were also able to determine that of water, which 2 billion people rely on, some of those underground water are in serious trouble. supplies may be smaller than earlier Since 2003, researchers from the estimates. What is not known is how University of California Irvine have much water is in those aquifers. The been working with NASA scientists satellite data can only measure change using their Gravity Recovery and not volume. Climate Experiment satellites to As for the Central Valley Aquifer, measure changes in aquifers. it is now estimated that over 100,000 They have concluded that, as the wells are tapping into it. With the result of increasing human demand continuing drought, many of those combined with global warming, 21 BY ROGER STROM wells are drying up and well drillers of the world’s 37 largest aquifers are The Business of Farming cannot keep up with the demand for beyond the tipping point and are being even deeper wells. On average, people drained faster than they can recharge. The Arabian and farms would normally rely on the aquifers for Aquifer System that serves more than 60 million about 35% of their needs, but during the California people is in the worst condition, with little chance drought that percentage increased to 65% and remains of recovery, followed by the aquifer under northern above average. Some experts predict California will Africa and the Indus Basin aquifer which supplies eventually have to get all of its water from an aquifer much of India’s water needs. that has been dropping 2 feet a year in some areas. Jay Famiglietti, a water scientist at NASA’s Californians will not be the only ones to feel the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, said the impact. That same aquifer supplies over 15% of the situation is quite critical. And, the water table is groundwater for the entire country. dropping all over the world. Based on the NASA findings and predictions for Of those water sources for the United States, the future, maybe now is the time to reevaluate the California’s Central Valley Aquifer is in the worst spending of millions of dollars to see if there was condition. Also in trouble is the Atlantic and Gulf ever water on Mars. Money that would be better Coastal Plains Aquifer which is under the southeast spent on developing an economical and sustainable coastal states and down into Florida. The good news method of removing salt from ocean water, so we is the three aquifers supplying water for those of us can be assured of having enough water and food for in the middle of the country are actually in pretty future generations on the planet we are inhabiting. good shape. … just sayin’. Not only have the water sources changed, but
On dairy farms, we talk about a lot of things, like efficiency, productivity, profitability and that magical spot where all of those things come together. A good example of this in the milking parlor. A parlor that runs efficiently will have a high throughput and will maximize labor usage. BY EMILY WILMES Building on that, efficient University of labor will also lead to a calm MN Extension environment for cows which in turn stimulates milk flow and even production. Add to that the milk quality benefits of a well-run parlor, and profitability ties in to the whole system. Is your parlor running at its most efficient? Are tasks performed in the parlor helping your cows stay healthy and productive? Let us review ways to keep a parlor in tip-top shape. Think about the environment of the parlor itself. Is your parlor a place cows want to go? Is it clean? Is it calm and inviting? Things to consider in your parlor include cleanliness, noise levels and light. A clean parlor will help manage environmental pathogens and help keep cows and milkers healthy. A quiet, calm parlor will help stimulate milk letdown and reduce potential teat damage of milking machines pumping when little milk is coming out. Loud music or milkers yelling may cause adrenaline release in the cows which prohibits milk letdown. Lighting in a parlor is often overlooked but should not be underestimated. A well-lit parlor benefits the cows as they like to clearly see where they are going and what is going on. It also benefits employees as they are able to see the udder well and ensure its cleanliness. Good lighting can also aid in the visual examination of milk when stripping the udder during prep. Next, think about the management of the parlor. How are cows brought in? How are they prepped for milking? How long does it all take? The flow of your parlor matters, from the moment that pump turns on to the moment it turns off. Cows should be brought in efficiently while still allowing them to move at a comfortable pace. Consider grouping cows by milking speed, or, at the very least, keep your slowest milkers until the end. While prepping cows, are all of the milkers (if there are multiple) doing the same thing? Is the prep pattern always the same? Is it timely? A quick review of important milking preparation times: - The teat skin surface requires 10-20 seconds of stimulation for optimum milk letdown. - Teat dip should be on the teats for 30 seconds to effectively kill bacteria on the teat surface. - Prep-lag time, or the time it takes from initial stimulation to attachment of the milking machine, should be 60-120 seconds. Preparation of cows in a timely manner that allows for proper stimulation and contact time is crucial to a well-run parlor. It also has a direct impact on parlor throughput which is especially important in herds that run the parlor nearly 24 hours a day. The environment and management of your parlor play critical roles in ensuring it is efficient, productive, and in the end, profitable.
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Good Luck Cow-calf seminar, trade show travels around the state on your Retirement Sandy!
Sessions begin Jan. 21 GRAND RAPIDS – The University of Minnesota Beef Team is proud to host the annual Cow-Calf Days Seminar Tour and Trade Show at 10 locations across the state in January. This event has been held for 47 years and continues to be the leading information, technology, and research outlet for cow-calf producers in the state of Minnesota. The 2020 event will feature information on opportunities to evaluate carcass characteristics in your herd, calf scours prevention, finding profit in the cow-calf sector, and management of calves before and after
All of us at Pierz Co-op want to wish her a happy retirement.
Agron. Petro. Feed
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Feed: 320-468-6655 Toll Free: 877-468-6655 Agron./Petro: 320-468-2509 www.pierzcoop.com
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A Golden opportu
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Third generation tree farm capitalizes on Ch ristmas holiday
weaning. Updates from the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association and the Minnesota Beef Council will also highlight the event. The corresponding tradeshow will feature vendors with new information, technology and products
with a wide-array of practical uses for the operators in the cow-calf sector. The program is directed at cow-calf producers and allied industry representatives. It is open to the public. A meal will be served with the program, and a registration fee will include the meal,
Jan. 21, 9:30 a.m. Central Lakes College, 1830 Airport Road, Staples. Jan. 21, 5:30 p.m. American Legion, 112 Main Ave. N., Bagley. Jan. 22, 5:30 p.m. Community Center, 95 Second St. W., Lancaster. Jan. 23, 5:30 p.m. Gene’s Bar Grill, 1095 Third St. N.W., Roseau. Jan. 24, 5:30 p.m. Clinton Hall, 9831 Highway 37, Iron. Jan. 27, 5:30 p.m. Grand Event Center, 2025 Rowland Road, Mora.
proceedings book and program materials. More information can be found at the CowCalf Days Seminar Tour and Trade Show website: https://www.extension. umn/edu/beef or contact Eric Mousel at 218-5130781, emmousel@umn. edu.
Jan. 28, 9:30 a.m. Jim Wulf Bull Development Center, 30819 250th St., Starbuck. Jan. 29, 9:30 a.m. Minnesota West Community College, 1314 N. Hiawatha Ave., Pipestone. Jan. 30, 5:30 p.m. Tony Rossman Farm, 7000 70th St. N.W., Oronoco. Jan. 31, 9:30 a.m. 4-H Center, 320 S. Plut Ave., Le Center.
and Discover the versatility metal s durability of Metal Sale ls roof and wall pane
BY NATASHA BARBE R STAFF WRITER
when Golden’s grandp arents, production Clarence and EfÀ in e, Minnesota from moved to the late 1970s, RICE – The Nebraska. the Christmas tree growelife of a The couple had plans Goldens dedication and patienr is that of their newly purchased to ranch h a r v e s t e d proper ce – just but soon ask Joel Golden. discovered it was ty 2 7 , 0 0 0 Golden lives suitabl less w h olesale the Christmas season e for raising livesto year- than the ck round and has since Great Plains. Their Christmas trees he was a adult annually child. sons Gerald (Golde in n n’s addition to father) and “It’s a family traditio ir n; it’s a in Minne Virgil joined them retails sales. their legacy,” said Golde Today sota the following ay – with help from generation owner n, the third- spring, and the four his of Goldens for looked siblings Nursery and Tree Farm an alternative solutio Jay Golde olden n, n to Joy Nemet “It started from nothin in Rice. support their family. h and nd J Jill g, just by Kleeberger as wel cutting trees out of “In 1958, they welll as a windbreak cutting began uncle Bob Dubbiinn an to make ends meet trees out of windb and nd their reaks respective to a huge busine and grew and sawing them familie iess – Golden ss. for a family tradition. Now, it’s piece,” said Golde $2 a sells roughly 150 prem premiu mium m and n, who 150 lower see everybody comeIt’s nice to also works as a custod ecut trees out every Royalt ian at each year grade precut year.” in addition to choose on High School. “From and there, they expand The evergreen ed. Land was growscut sales. The business business cheap, planted its roots spruce and , Balsam they bought a lot of Scot Àr, and in Benton l d h N C
Other counties and outside Minnesota To Subscribe to Benton Ag Plus $55 per year
that is when PHOTOS BY NATASH we really started AB BARBER Joel Golden, third working. We were working 40- owner of Goldens generation 46 hou Nurser d
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