Benton Ag Plus - August 1, 2020

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Rye harvest page 5B

BENTON AG Plus

Serving rural Benton, Morrison, Mille Lacs and Kanabec counties

Sauk Rapids Herald | Saturday, August 1, 2020

Research compares wages, expenses in metro to outstate BY JENNIFER COYNE STAFF WRITER

Help wanted signs scattered throughout rural Minnesota tell the tale of strong job markets and growing communities. The question is how do these communities attract urban dwellers to fill the workforce demand as well as establish long-term residents? The answer may lie in the cost of living. “It’s common to hear that wages play a role in how people view an area,” said Kelly Asche, research associate for the Center for Rural Policy and Development. “Wages are lower (in Greater Minnesota), yes, but cost of living is also lower. What does this mean when we put those two things together?”

Rubes Sponsored by Fluegge’s Ag

Rural living page 3B

A livelihood worth creating Skrochs named Benton County Farm Family of the Year BY JENNIFER COYNE STAFF WRITER

RICE – As Mark and Pam Skroch commuted back and forth from the Twin Cities area to Pam’s home farm in Rice, they knew it was not a lifestyle they wanted to last very long. They longed for the freedoms of the country and the great responsibility of raising their family on a dairy farm. “We wanted to continue farming with my family, the way of life it gave us and our kids,” Pam said. “We had the opportunity to move out here and still take advantage of the opportunities available in town, so we took it.” The Skrochs milk 118 cows, feedout about 180 steers and run 500 acres of land on their farm, Sunny Oak Farm, near Rice. For the couple’s contributions to their community and farming philosophy, they were named this year’s Benton County Farm Family of the Year. “I hope this recognition shows others that it’s possible to raise a family and expand a farm and make a living farming,” Mark said. “All of our hard work is paying off.”

PHOTO BY JENNIFER COYNE

Mark and Pam Skroch milk 118 cows at their dairy, Sunny Oak Farm, near Rice. The couple is this year’s Benton County Farm Family of the Year.

Mark and Pam begin their day around 4:30 a.m. Mark starts milking the herd in their double-8 parallel parlor and Pam joins him shortly after. Once milking is complete, Pam feeds the calves as Mark cleans the parlor and checks the herd. Their youngest son, Eric, makes up the total mixed ration

for the lactating group before going to his full-time job as a diesel mechanic. Throughout the day, Mark and Pam work together on the farm, and then Eric joins again for evening chores. Pam also does the farm’s bookwork. “Family has been our focus right from the beginning,” Mark

said. Pam grew up on the farm, which was purchased by her parents in 1965. The family began milking 34 cows on the farm site in the 1970s.

Skrochs page 2B

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Rural living: Is it worth it?

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