Benton Ag Plus - March 6, 2021

BENTON AG Plus

Serving rural Benton, Morrison, Mille Lacs and Kanabec counties

Sauk Rapids Herald | Saturday, March 6, 2021

Farming Today conference is March 9-10 Online presentations free to the public

Cultured

living

PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER

Dalquists make kefir for probiotic boost

The Dalquist family – Cora, Elsie, 3, and Michael holding Christina, 2 – eat homemade yogurt at their Randall home March 2. The Dalquists own Little Elk Organic Farm and utilize their dairy products when making foods from active cultures.

BY NATASHA BARBER | STAFF WRITER

RANDALL – As temperatures rise and the landscape thaws in Minnesota, farmers and gardeners look forward to the upcoming planting season. The Dalquist family has started vegetable seedlings under grow lights in their entryway.

But these small plants are not the only things organic farmers Michael and Cora Dalquist grow in their Randall home. They also maintain foods that utilize active cultures in the four corners of their kitchen and dining room.

Among the no-yeast bread, yogurt and clabber milk is kefir – a cultured dairy product with probiotic properties that has become

increasingly popular in the United States in the last 20 years but has been a staple in some Eastern European societies for centuries.

“It’s really healthy for your gut, especially if you’re ever on antibiotics,” Cora said. “Antibiotics destroy all the good bacteria in your gut for up to a year, some people even say up to two years.

Dalquists page 2B

Jars of fermenting kefir sit upon the countertop at the Dalquists’ home in Randall March 2. After pouring milk over kefir grains in the glass jar, the thin yogurt-like substance is ready to consume in about 36 hours.

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ST. CLOUD – Farming Today is a new online agricultural conference designed specifically for farmers, farming-enthusiasts and agri-businesses, and is presented by the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce.

This program offers relevant hot-topic educational presentations; information about new, innovative strategies being introduced in the ag-industry; demonstrations; and the opportunity to engage with speakers and attendees in small group networking rooms.

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Page 2B | SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021| SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

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So, it’s good to repopulate the good bugs with the healthy probiotics in kefir and yogurt.”

Michael and Cora own Little Elk Organic Farm where they raise their daughters Elsie, 3, and Christina, 2. They milk a herd of 30 certified organic Holsteins and farm 110 tillable acres, from which they sell milk, cream, free-range eggs, beef, produce and flowers.

The Dalquists’ kefir strain was originally purchased in 2016, shortly after the couple was married and living in North Dakota. After making kefir for a couple years, the couple froze the culture only to revive it when moving to Michael’s family farm in June 2019.

“We started the kefir up again,” Michael said.

“We had been making yogurt for years, and then we bought a cream separator. That opened things up for us to do all kinds of things with the skim milk, cultured cream and things you can get from whey.”

According to the Dalquists, kefir has a thin yogurt-like consistency and a tart taste. The family generally consumes it in smoothies, mixing it with fruits such as strawberries or peaches to sweeten the dairy product. They tried adding cocoa powder to the kefir for a chocolate flavor but agreed it does not work well with kefir’s tanginess.

The drinkable supplement is made by mixing milk with kefir grains – the mother culture. Kefir

PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER

Kefir grains are strained from the fermented substance March 2 in Randall. The grains, which are the mother host, consist of bacteria, yeast, proteins, lipids and sugars.

Cora Dalquist strains kefir from kefir grains March 2 in Randall. Kefir is known for its probiotic properties.

grains are not grains in the sense of traditional crops such as wheat or oat. Instead, the small opaque crumbles have the appearance of cauliflower. The grains consist of bacteria, yeast, proteins, lipids and sugars. When milk is mixed with the culture, the grains react, turning the lactose in the milk into lactic acid and fermenting the beverage.

“When you eat kefir, it helps to break down food, particularly other dairy products that you consume,” Michael said.

While the United States Food and Drug Administration does not regulate food products and supplements sold as probiotics, the Mayo Clinic says kefir is rich in protein, calcium, B vitamins and probiotics. They say that while research is in its infancy, the drinkable supplement is associated with improved digestion and reduced inflammation and may show positive effects on some disease.

Michael said kefir has roughly 30-50 variants of bacteria and yeast where

yogurt contains only two to seven bacteria strains and is yeast free.

“You get a much better probiotic boost from kefir,” he said. “And I read that some of the bacteria in kefir will colonize in your gut whereas the ones in yogurt, while beneficial, pass through so you have to eat more yogurt to keep up.”

The Dalquists eat a quart of kefir every other day.

“It takes that long for the kefir to fully ferment the milk and to get it nice and thick,” Cora said. “In the summertime, it goes faster because it is warmer in the house and kefir likes that. So, then I might do it every day depending on what it looks like.”

Cora said the process of making kefir at home is simple once a person obtains the host grains.

The grains must be purchased or obtained from an existing culture, and the Dalquists have given others grains from their ever-multiplying supply.

Dalquists page 3B

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Public Notices CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333 ASSUMED NAME: Create Good MN. PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: 506 3rd Ave NE, Sartell, MN 56377 United States.

NAMEHOLDER(S): Desiree D Murphy, 506 3rd Ave NE, Sartell, MN 56377 United States.

(4) By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath. /s/ Desiree D Murphy 02/17/2021 R-9-2P

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant Section 9.14 of the Benton County Solid Waste Ordinance #471, the Benton County Board of Commissioners will conduct a public hearing to consider the applications submitted by Republic Services, Inc./Minden Transfer Station, Henkemeyer Landfill, Inc., Tri-County Organics LLC, Waste Management and Tom Kraemer Inc./ TKI East Side Transfer and Recycling to renew their Benton County Solid Waste Facility Licenses.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the public hearing will be held on March 16th, 2021, at approximately 9:00 a.m. in the County Board Room, Government Center, Foley. *Effective immediately, the Benton County Board may conduct its regular, special or emergency meetings by telephone or other electronic means, as permitted

by MN Statutes §13D.021.

Some or all Board members may participate by telephone or other electronic means until further notice. At least one member of the County or the County Administrator will be present during meetings at the County Board’s regular meeting location, which is the County Board Room in Foley, unless otherwise noted on meeting notices.

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the County will provide the means for persons to electronically monitor such meetings remotely.

To conform to MDH and CDC guidelines to minimize gatherings we are requesting public comment in written form prior to the County Board meeting; 1. You may submit written testimony, which must be received by 3pm March 15th in one of two ways: a. Email Roxanne Achman at Roxanne.Achman@ co.benton.mn.us b. Mail comments to the Benton County Department of Development, Attn: Roxanne Achman, 531 Dewey St, PO Box 129, Foley, MN 56329.

2. If you wish to make in-person comments during the public hearing, the Board room capacity may be limited to maintain social distancing standards.

Anyone who physically attends the hearing will be required to follow social distancing while waiting in the hallway and will be allowed to enter the Board room one at a time to testify during their chosen hearing. Please limit your testimony and if possible, have one person testify if your for a group shares the same concerns.

3. You may attend the meeting remotely by following the instructions below. a. The public can join the meeting from their computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting. com/join/834170141 b. You can also dial in using your phone.

Phone #: 1 (571) 317-3122 Access Code: 834-170-141 c. New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https:// global.gotomeeting.com/ install/834170141 FR-9-1B

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Herbicide rotational restrictions for alfalfa

Meeting season is ending and that specific crops. In some cases, there may means it is time to start focusing on the even be a date that if the herbicide is apupcoming planting season and the many plied after will further restrict the planting challenges it is sure to bring. I hope many of alfalfa. of you have a general crop plan in place. I The second tip is to understand the facalso recommend reviewing that crop plan tors that may influence the breakdown of in terms of previous issues you have seen those herbicides in the environment. This in those fields. includes moisture, temperature, microbial For soybean, white mold in 2019 was activity, soil pH, organic matter and other an issue in places throughout the area. For soil properties. This is a lot of information University of growers in a corn and soybean rotation, to look at and can be quite daunting and MN Extension those fields that had white mold issues in by Nathan Drewitz unnecessary unless you wish to get into 2019 may need special planning to help the weeds. However, in general, micromanage that risk. While there may be pest issues with bial activity is one of the primary ways herbicides corn acres from 2019, the bigger issue was due to are broken down in the system. Warm temperatures, flooding. adequate soil moisture aerobic conditions, good ferFor alfalfa, the herbicides applied in the prior tility and medium pH will all favor microbial activity crop should be considered for carryover prior to and herbicide breakdown. While cool and dry condiseeding in the spring. With more residual herbicides tions tend to slow degradation, other practices that utilized in the area, it is important to make sure those may influence carryover include tillage systems and programs are going to allow for successful alfalfa compaction. Tillage can help dilute the concentration stand establishment. It is important to note this is of the herbicide in a larger volume of soil and reduce not something new. We must make similar consider- the potential risk of carryover. Also keep in mind that ations for all crops. Rather, this is to help provide tips reducing the herbicide rate may help reduce the risk on what to look for when determining potential stand of injuring the crop, but that is not a recommended practice as that may lead to herbicide resistant weeds. establishment issues.

The third and final tip is to encourage agronomic The first tip is to read and follow the label. The label is the law, must be followed and also has useful practices that favor alfalfa emergence and growth. information that can help applicators avoid potential This includes planting at the proper depth, ensuring issues. This is also where people can find information a good seedbed, planting on an appropriate date and related to crop rotational intervals. These rotational proper fertilization. Essentially, less stressed plants restrictions must be followed. They are there to help will better tolerate herbicide carryover than stressed prevent both crop failure and the potential for pesti- plants.

If you have questions on the above information, cides to get into food sources. Also make sure to read any notes that may be denoted by a letter, number email me at ndrewitz@umn.edu or call 608-515or other marking. These notes reference important 4414. To receive future events, educational programinformation including potential temperature or rain- ming and agronomic updates by email, sign up at fall requirements that must be met prior to planting z.umn.edu/tricountysignup.

Dairy barn ventilation: Freestall barns

peratures than warmer ones. As we conI have been in Minnesota for the past tinually strive to maintain that optimal four months, observing a substantial range environment, keep an eye on your barns’ of weather. We arrived during a snowstorm temperatures and, of equal importance, the at the end of October 2020, which was folrelative humidity. lowed by balmy weather of 50 degrees, As dairy cows respire, they produce proceeding into actual winter of persistent heat, gases and moisture that, simply put, single digits or colder. Not to mention the have to go somewhere. Without an outlet, wind. we have a smelly, moist environment and a Weather in our region covers a respectable range throughout the year. This article UNIVERSITY OF cow health perfect storm. Preferably, if we will include several recommendations for MN EXTENSION have appropriate ventilation, we can stave DANA ADAMS off the continual fog of an under-ventilated freestall barn environmental temperature barn. Monitoring relative humidity with and ventilation for mature dairy animals to a goal of between 50%-80% will support both cow optimize cow comfort and animal health.

It is common practice in freestall dairies that as health and comfort. I have seen a few barns in my cold weather settles in, people baton down the hatch- time with a cheap digital humidity and thermometer es and tuck everything away for the winter ahead. monitor nailed to a barn post, and it always makes me Understandably, winter is coming, and we want our smile. As a scientist, I like to measure a parameter, animals to be comfortable as they ruminate, produc- such as relative humidity. By making that informaing milk. We know Holsteins perform best between tion accessible, the farm employee can keep an eye 20-76 degrees, being more tolerant of colder tem- on your goals as well.

Combined efforts regarding relative humidity, temperature and air passage will keep cows warm, dry and will play a big part in controlling environmental pathogens. By keeping a steady eye on all these factors, you can continue to keep your animals ASSISTANT NURSE MANAGER comfortable and productive during the colder weather.

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Producers urged to consider risk protection coverage before crop sales deadlines The United States Department of the average market price for crop losses Agriculture Farm Service Agency enthat exceed 50% of expected production. courages you to review available USDA For all coverage levels, the NAP crop risk protection options, including service fee is the lesser of $325 per crop federal crop insurance and Noninsured or $825 per producer per county, not to Crop Disaster Assistance Program covexceed a total of $1,950 for a producer erage before the crop deadline of March with farming interests in multiple coun15. ties.

Federal crop insurance covers crop Beginning, underserved, veterans Farm Service losses from natural adversities such as and limited resource farmers are now Agency News drought, hail and excessive moisture. eligible for free catastrophic level covby Ryan Brunn, NAP covers losses from natural disasters erage. executive director on crops for which no permanent federal Qualified veteran farmers or ranchfor Benton and crop insurance program is available. ers are eligible for a service fee waiver Mille Lacs counties All spring-seeded crops (vegetables, and premium reduction, if the NAP apgrains) in Benton and Mille Lacs counplicant meets certain eligibility criteria. ties have a NAP application deadline of March 15.

Federal crop insurance coverage is sold and You can determine if crops are eligible for federal delivered solely through private insurance agents. crop insurance or NAP by visiting the RMA website. Agent lists are available at all USDA Service Centers NAP offers higher levels of coverage, from 50% or at USDA’s online agent locator. You can use the to 65% of expected production in 5% increments at USDA cost estimator to predict insurance premium 100% of the average market price. Producers of or- costs. ganics and crops marketed directly to consumers also For more information on NAP, service fees or may exercise the buy-up option to obtain NAP cover- sales deadlines, contact your Benton-Mille Lacs age of 100% of the average market price at the cover- County USDA Service Center at 320-968-5300, Ext. age levels of between 50% and 65% of expected pro- 2 or visit www.fsa.usda.gov. duction. NAP basic coverage is available at 55% of

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BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 16, 2021 The Benton County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on February 16, 2021 in the Benton County Board Room in Foley, MN with Commissioners Scott Johnson, Ed Popp, Jared Gapinski, Steve Heinen and Beth Schlangen present (Johnson and Schlangen attended virtually). Call to order by Chair Popp was at 9:00 AM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Gapinski/Heinen unanimous to approve the agenda as presented.

No one was present to speak under Open Forum.

Gapinski requested that Consent Agenda item # 7 be pulled and moved to regular agenda. Chair Popp Invited Mike Harvey, Land Services Director to speak about Agenda item # 7. Johnson/Gapinski unanimous to approve the remaining Consent Agenda: 1) approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of February 2, 2021 as written; 2) accept and file Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes of February 2, 2021 as written; 3) approve annual renewal for professional services contract with SafeAssure and authorize Chair to sign Resolution 2021- #8; 4) increase half-time Auditor-Treasurer DMV position to 40 hours per week; 5) adopt Resolution approving application for exempt permit for Clear Lake Lions to hold a raffle at Jack and Jim’s Convention Center, 11025 Duelm Road NE, Foley on March 13, 2021 and authorize Chair to sign; 6) approve application for exempt permit for St. Elizabeth Church to hold a Raffle, Bingo and Pull-Tabs at St. Elizabeth Church basement, 16454 125th Ave NE, Foley on June 27, 2021 and October 17, 2021; 8) establish a Special Board of Appeal and Equalization for the 2021 assessment year and appoint members; set compensation for members at $150.00; set date and time of meeting for June 14, 2021 at 6:30 PM; 9) approve 2021 SCORE Grant Applications Round I as recommended by the Solid Waste Advisory Committee; 10) approve 2021 Solid Waste Hauler Licenses Round II Pierz Sanitation Inc., Republic Services Inc. Sauk Rapids, and Vanderpoel Disposal and authorize the Chair to sign; and 11) approve administrative agreement between City of Foley and Benton County and authorize the Chair to sign.

Consent Agenda item #7 (approve Ratification and signing of Ratification Statements for Tax and CAMA contracts between MNCCC and Conduent State and Local Solutions, Inc., through December 2023), Gapinski questioned the Consent Item and Land Services Director Mike Harvey informed the Board that this would be continuing maintenance on the already existing tax and CAMA we have in place. Harvey said he wants to keep the tax and CAMA systems going for the next three years and if we don’t agree to this now, there will be early withdrawal fees. Gapinski thanked Harvey for the clarification. Popp inquired about expenses and asked if there were any grants available for this new program. Harvey stated that we have already budgeted for two-thirds of the expense and would need an additional $90,000. Gapinski/Heinen unanimous to approve Consent Agenda item # 7 regarding the approval of Ratification and signing of Ratification Statements for Tax and CAMA contracts between MNCCC and Conduent State and Local Solutions Inc., through December 2023 and authorize the Chair to sign.

The next item on the agenda was the Employee Recognition Award Ceremony, where Amanda Edwards, Office Support Specialist in Human Services, was nominated by Social Worker Lindsey Bartosch under the “Innovation and Efficiency” category. Edwards received the award and was presented with a certificate, along with a $100.00 gift card for her efforts.

Amanda Othoudt from the Benton Economic Partnership presented BEP’s “Round One” Business Assistance Grants recommendations. Othoudt gave an updated list that morning for the Board to review which stated BEP had 71 applications received totaling $914,488.00 requested, with $787,399.76 available to be expended. Othoudt stated that of the 71 applications received, 43 have been approved, 16 were rejected (they were either home-based businesses or the business revenues increased over comparison periods), 3 late submissions, 7 applications were waiting for additional information, and 2 were non-compliant with city or county ordinances. The total amount for the 43 applications

PUBLIC NOTICES

that were approved is $365,887.50 which leaves $421,512 left to allocate in Round 2 March 2nd. Of the $421,512 left over, BEP wants to review applications received to date and identify ways to reallocate funds to the businesses that have already applied. Gapinski questioned the Grant amounts and how they were calculated. Othoudt said they looked at comparison periods of November through December 2019 and November through December 2020 and they looked at the increase or loss of revenue during that time period. If the loss of revenue was greater than $10,000, and as long as the business met the criteria, it is recommended the business receive $10,000. However, if the loss was less than $10,000, businesses that met the criteria are recommended to receive that amount of loss.

Sole proprietors would receive half of their loss during that period as well. Popp questioned if we had enough losses to match the remaining Grant monies that are left over.

Othoudt calculated the current loss of the businesses to be over $4 million from 2019 to 2020. Motion by Heinen to approve “Round One” of Business Assistance Grant Recommendations provided no current tax liens and to review the late applications from the Benton Economic Partnership. Second by Gapinski. Motion carried per roll call vote with Gapinski, Heinen, Schlangen and Popp voting aye.

Johnson abstaining from vote because of lack of time to look over new list. Johnson stated he is supportive of the Grant recommendations but feels he should abstain at this time.

Next, Othoudt requested a Resolution calling for public hearing for property tax abatement on “Project Capers”, a.k.a. Performance Food Group in Rice. Benton County and the City of Rice have received a request for tax abatement assistance in the form of “pay as you go” property tax abatement financing, submitted by the developer. The request is related to a proposed expansion of an existing facility in the City of Rice which includes two phases.

Phase 1 includes demolition, phase 2 adds 25,000 square feet to the plant. Estimates to create 22 new jobs within 2 years with an average salary of $45,000 per year. The company currently employs 285 full-time employees. Total tax abatement requested is $600,000, with $200,000 requested from the city and $400,000 requested from the County over a period of 15 years. The abatement request is only on the new taxable value. The assistance would be used to finance certain costs of the demolition and construction of the $12.4 million dollar project. Othoudt is looking for approval of Resolution 2021- #9 calling for a Public Hearing March 16, 2020 on the Proposed Property Tax Abatement and authorize the Chair to sign. Motion by Johnson to approve and second by Gapinski. Motion carried per roll call vote with Johnson, Schlangen, Popp, Gapinski and Heinen voting aye.

Department of Development Director Roxanne Achman asked the Board to consider a Resolution Proposing Benton County Boundary Commission Plat No. 1 Special Assessment Distribution, Term and Rate, and set a Public Hearing. Achman referenced the discussion on this matter at the February 2, 2021 County Board Committee of the Whole Meeting where they went over the total cost of $66,925.63, which would be $2,991.81 per parcel, including the township for public right of way. The term was set at 10 years with a rate of 2% from the date of the adoption of the assessment resolution. Achman would like to set the Public Hearing date for March 16, 2021 at 9:00 AM. Motion by Johnson to approve the Resolution 2021 - #10 with second by Heinen and authorize the Chair to sign. Motion carried per roll call vote with Johnson, Schlangen, Popp, Gapinski and Heinen voting aye.

The second agenda item, Achman asked to Consider Awarding RFP to Allied Waste Services of North America, LLC, d/b/a Allied Waste Services of Sauk Rapids/Republic Services of Sauk Rapids for services related to Amnesty Days for 2021-2024. Achman stated they have been working with them for the last six years and they were the only ones to submit a bid for this event. Costs do increase each year, as to be expected. It is unclear if we will have Amnesty Days at the Sauk Rapids High School in June since the school tends to be busy with activities on weekends. The school is pushing for a much cleaner sweep immediately after the event too. After discussions with Public Works, we may hold both spring and fall Amnesty Days events at the Benton County Highway Department in Foley. Motion by Gapinski to approve Allied Waste Contracts through years 2021 through 2024. Second by Heinen. Motion carried per roll call vote with Schlangen, Johnson, Popp, Gapinski and Heinen voting aye.

Regular County Board meeting was recessed at 9:41 AM to conduct a Human Services Board Meeting.

Regular Board Meeting was reconvened at 9:44 AM. County Engineer Chris Byrd presented the Agenda item regarding the Local Road Improvement Plan (LRIP) grant applications. The LRIP Grant program is available to Counties, Cities, Small Cities and Townships across the State. This Grant is intended to be used on road projects with a minimum life expectancy of 10 years as opposed to regular road maintenance project like patching or filling in cracks. Applications are due March 3, 2021. They anticipate the projects will be awarded in May. There are individual projects that have Resolutions to consider that accompany the Grant Application.

Byrd started with the County road projects. First one Byrd would like consideration on is CSAH 1. We could apply for LRIP to cover local match to Federal funding and for other project expenses to continue this reclaim project. We could also apply for doing a reclaim on this

road up to CSAH 2. This would be an easy Grant to apply for and an easy project to deliver according to Byrd.

Motion by Heinen to adopt the Resolution 2021 - #11 to support County Road 1 reclaim project from County Road 78 to CSAH 2 and authorize the Chair to sign. Second by Gapinski. Motion carried per roll call vote with Schlangen, Johnson, Popp, Gapinski and Heinen voting aye.

The second project Byrd presented to the Board to submit was the Local Road Improvement Program Grant Solicitation/Adopt Resolution of support for CSAH 3 to reclaim project from Gilman to Morrison County. Motion

by Gapinski to adopt Resolution 2021 - #12 support the reclaim for CSAH 3 from Gilman to Morrison County and to authorize the Chair to sign. Second by Johnson. Motion carried per roll call vote with Schlangen, Johnson, Popp, Gapinski and Heinen voting aye.

The third project Byrd presented to the Board for approval to submit was the Local Road Improvement Program Grant solicitation/adopt a Resolution of support for CSAH 21 to reclaim project from Rice to Morrison County.

This would be ready by 2023 which would be in alignment with Grant requirements. Motion by Johnson and second

by Popp to adopt Resolution 2021 - #13 to do a reclaim on CSAH 21 from Rice to the Morrison County line and authorize Chair to sign. Motion carried per roll call vote with Schlangen, Johnson, Popp, Gapinski and Heinen voting aye.

The fourth project Byrd presented to the Board to submit the Grant application for local road improvement program Grant application/adopt Resolution of support for Langola Township Grant Application for “165th Street improvement”. Byrd said that Townships are responsible for seeking a consultant to prepare the plans. Byrd also stated Townships are required to cover the costs that the Grant does not cover if awarded. Motion by Gapinski to approve to adopt Resolution 2021 - #14 in support of Langola Township Grant Application for “165th Street improvement” and authorize Chair to sign. Second by Heinen. Motion carried per roll call vote with Schlangen, Johnson, Popp, Gapinski and Heinen voting aye.

The fifth project Byrd presented to the Board to submit the Grant application for local road improvement program Grant application/adopt Resolution of Support for Watab Township Grant application for “Sucker Creek Road Improvements”. This project would happen at the same time as the County would replace the bridge over Sucker Creek Road. Motion by Johnson to approve and adopt Resolution 2021 - #15 and to authorize the Chair to sign the Grant application for improvements to “Sucker Creek Road”. Second by Popp. Motion carried per roll call vote with Schlangen, Johnson, Popp, Gapinski and Heinen voting aye.

The sixth project Byrd presented to the Board to submit the Grant application for local road improvement program Grant Application/Adopt Resolution of Support for the City of Rice Grant Application for “Gateway Drive Improvement Project”. Motion by Heinen to approve and adopt Resolution 2021- #16 to submit Grant application for “Gateway Drive Improvement Project” and to authorize Chair to sign. Second by Johnson. Motion carried per roll call vote with Schlangen, Johnson, Popp, Gapinski and Heinen voting aye.

Last project Byrd presented to the Board to submit the Grant application for local road improvement program Grant Application/Adopt Resolution of Support for Minden Township Grant Application for “Shadowwood Dr NE Project”. Motion by Gapinski to approve Resolution # 2021 - #17 to submit Grant application for “Shadowwood Dr NE Project” and to authorize the Chair to sign. Second by Schlangen. Motion carried per roll call vote with Schlangen, Johnson, Popp, Gapinski and Heinen voting aye.

Headley presented the Draft Joint Powers Agreement governing the Rum River Comprehensive Water Management Plan (“One Watershed - One Plan”). Assistant County Attorney Michelle Meyer and Gerry Maciej from Benton Soil and Water Conservation District were present virtually.

Headley asked the County Board to review the documents and let staff know if the Board is comfortable with the proposed structure of this new organization. Meyer stated that the current plan is to go forward with a Joint Powers Entity and not a Joint Powers Collaboration. The goal would be to protect the individual parties, to protect the fiscal agent and to overall limit the liability that you might get when you don’t have a separate entity. Proposed powers of this entity include the ability to contract, accept and apply for grants, and accept funds or accept gifts. The Joint Powers Organization would not have the power to hire employees , own real property, nor have the ability to levy or incur debt Popp noted this was not a unanimous decision among the member counties and SWCDs The County Board by consensus agreed to move forward with the proposed Joint Powers Agreement.

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

There were no Commissioner Concerns.

Heinen/Gapinski to set Committees of the Whole: Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 9:00 AM Vetter Johnson office space options, local assessing options, Tax/CAMA options and 5-year road program.

Meeting adjourned at 10:52 AM Edward D. Popp, Chair Benton County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Montgomery Headley Benton County Administrator R-9-1B

BENTON AG

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 | Page 7B

Rice Fire Department picked in grain bin safety campaign

Millennial Farmer donates $1,250 for equipment

BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER

STOCK PHOTO

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Grain bin entrapment incidents are on the rise nationally. Rice Fire Department received a $1,250 donation to be used toward grain bin safety equipment and training in January.

benefit from the grant because we have a lot of farming in our community that we respond to,” Walters said. “And the better we are prepared, the better the outcome could be if somebody is trapped inside of a grain bin.”

The timing of Johnson’s campaign lined up perfectly for the Rice firefighters as they had completed a simulated rescue at an area farmer’s residence in September 2020. Rice Fire Chief Scott Janski said the experience allowed his team to pinpoint holes in both their training and equipment. So, when Walters filled out the donation application nominating the department, he knew exactly what the money

would be used for: a rescue auger than runs off a cordless drill, and safety harnesses and roping.

After sifting through up to 400 emails of departments or people seeking funds, Johnson and a group of people who helped with the project placed around 80 departments into a pool.

“We literally put the departments names on pieces of paper and put them in a bucket and drew them to allocate the funds,” Johnson said.

Rice was picked.

“First, lucky,” Walters said of how the donation made him feel. …

“And then grateful, too, that we received some money that we normally would not have to get more safety equipment.”

Chief Janski said the benefits of the donation will go beyond the Rice department’s coverage area. Other fire departments will be able to access the equipment through mutual aid should a grain bin entrapment emergency occur.

Johnson said he is thankful to be a part of something that is much bigger than him.

“It started as an idea from us, but the platform exists and the money came in because of the viewers,” Johnson said.

“All we did was facilitate it and bring some awareness to it. … People care about farmers in the Midwest, and it was humbling to be a part of that.”

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– Is a rope and harness available for anyone entering a grain bin?

– If a worker enters, is an observer present and in communication?

– Is the observer trained and able to initiate rescue?

– Is rescue equipment provided and specifically suited for entry?

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SAUK RAPIDS – When Zach Johnson and his wife, Becky, set out to make a difference in agriculture this fall, they never expected the support they would receive.

The couple, having rallied around Farm Rescue in spring, decided to donate money to Midwest volunteer fire departments to be used toward grain bin safety equipment and training. But rather than only making a donation on their behalf, they called upon others to join the campaign.

“People jumped on it right away,” Johnson said. “I think we had about $18,000 to $20,000 in there almost overnight, and it continued to grow.”

Now, the Rice Fire Department will benefit from the safety campaign.

Rice was one of 51 volunteer fire departments to receive funds. The city accepted a $1,250 donation in January.

Grain bin entrapments have been on the rise in the Midwest, according to Purdue University. The nation experienced 38 entrapment cases in 2019, up 27% from the year prior. Minnesota led the country in 2019 with seven incidents.

Johnson, known to most by his online social media handle Minnesota Millennial Farmer, is a fifth-generation crop farmer near Lowry. He has more than 735,000 YouTube subscribers and over 550,000 followers on other social media platforms.

Using his social media channels, Johnson released a video calling for support for the fire departments this fall; he also opened a GoFundMe account for people to donate. In the end, the campaign raised more than $65,000.

Charlie Walters, a firefighter on the Rice Fire Department for over seven years, saw Johnson’s video, which also sought fire department nominations.

“I thought we could