BENTON AG Plus
SERVING RURAL BENTON, MORRISON, MILLE LACS AND KANABEC COUNTIES
Sauk Rapids Herald | Saturday, December 4, 2021
USDA builds pandemic support for certified organic, transitioning operations The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide pandemic assistance to cover certi cation and education expenses to agricultural producers who are certi ed organic or transitioning to organic. USDA will make $20 Farm Service million available through Agency News the new Organic and by Ryan Brunn, Transitional Education executive director and Certi cation Program for Benton and as part of USDA’s Mille Lacs counties broader Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, which provides new, broader and more equitable opportunities for farmers, ranchers and producers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, certi ed organic and transitional operations faced challenges due to loss of markets, increased costs and labor shortages in addition to costs related to obtaining or renewing their organic certi cation, which producers and handlers of conventionally grown commodities do not incur. Transitional operations also faced the nancial challenge of implementing practices required to obtain organic certi cation without being able to obtain the premium prices normally received for certi ed organic commodities. Eligible expenses OTECP funding is provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Certi ed operations and transitional operations may apply for OTECP for eligible expenses paid during the 2020, 2021 and 2022 scal years. For each year, OTECP covers 25% of a certi ed operation’s eligible certi cation expenses, up to $250 per certi cation category (crop, livestock, wild crop, handling and State Organic Program fee).
Rubes Sponsored by Fluegge’s Ag
USDA page 3B
Winning
Dolly PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Abigail Nelson stands with her Charolais heifer, Dolly, Nov. 21 at her home in rural Rice. Nelson won the animal through the Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program.
Nelson awarded heifer as part of Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program BY MAURA WENNER STAFF WRITER RICE – Christmas came early for one 15-year-old Rice girl this October. Abigail Nelson was awarded a Charolais heifer as part of the Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program. Abigail traveled alongside her parents, Kelly and Shannon, and her younger brother, Keaton, to St. Paul where she received the animal Oct. 23 at the 2021 Minne-
Kuhn GA300T
sota Beef Expo. When Abigail answered a phone call in the beginning of October that informed her she was one of 11 chosen winners, she went into shock from excitement and disbelief. “It was just a shock, I was excited and did not think I would be one of the winners,” said Abigail, a sophomore at Royalton High School. “It has been a great experience so far.” Receiving the Charolais heifer
named Dolly was not exactly by fate. To be eligible to win a heifer, Abigail completed an application that involved letters of recommendation and information as to why the candidate deserved the animal, how the animal would be cared for and future plans. “I wrote about my love for the Charolais breed, how I want to grow in the industry, show for as long as I can and start my own herd one day,” Abigail said.
Nelson page 2B
9’ Rotary Rake - $3,200
Used Kuhn SR 300 12-wheel rake, tandem/kicker - $10,900
New Kuhn FC3161 TCR,
Gehl 425 bu. spreader
McKee 7’ Rear mounted Snowblower
new floor, new apron - $6,995
Hyd. spout - $2,000
10’3”, center pull, rubber roller - Call
FLUEGGE’S AG
ROD FLUEGGE “the boss” 2040 Mahogany St., Mora, MN 320-679-2981 BA-48-1B-BL
1960-2021 Celebrating 61 years!
Farm Material Handling Specialist WWW.FLUEGGESAG.COM