Benton Ag Plus - October 7, 2023

Honey ‘resi’due list

AG BENTON

farming flowers flowers

University of MN Extension

by Tyler Rice

Crop residue, by de nition, is the vegetative material left behind after harvesting and often includes leaves, stalks, straw, pods, cobs and roots. Like many things in the agricultural world, nding the sweet spot between too little and too much can be a challenge. Residue management on crop elds after the duration of the growing season is one of those things.

Healthy amounts of residue are helpful in reducing impact of falling raindrops on bare soil, reduction of soil erosion by damming concentrated ows and protecting the soil surface from wind. Residue is also known to reduce soil crusting, decrease evaporation and improve water in ltration. In the winter, residue can help reduce snow drift, helping to maintain even distribution for later soil moisture reserves.

‘Resi’due page 2B

Smude sunflower enterprise grows through challenges

BY LAURA GRIMM CONTRIBUTING WRITER

This month Tom and Jenni Smude will begin transforming their elds of sun owers into useable products including sun ower oil and sun ower meal.

The company, which operates on a farm just outside Pierz, distributes their Smude’s Sun ower Oil to local stores, cooperatives throughout Minnesota, the shelves of major grocery chains in the country and online stores that ship to all 50 states.

Each week, the Smudes produce around 750 bottles of retail sun ower oil. They also sell bulk sun ower oil through their sister company, Midwest Processors, averaging a total of 1,000 gallons produced each day. Their daughter Katelyn is the marketing manager for the Smudes’ various enterprises.

“Because our business revolves around an agricultural commodity — sun owers — Mother Nature is oftentimes our biggest challenge,” Katelyn said. “As all farmers know, the best-laid plans hinge entirely upon the weather.”

This year’s drought has been very dif cult even for a drought-tolerant

crop like sun owers. The Smudes are expecting the yield to be 75% lower this year than usual. This affects their output of product offerings and cattle feed, meaning they need to plan carefully for next year.

Careful planning starts at the soil level.

According to Tom, they are proud, not only of their products, but also of being good stewards of the land.

“Proper crop rotation is critical to soil health, and sun owers are the perfect complement to Minnesota’s two major crops: corn and soybeans,” Tom said.

Sauk Rapids Herald | Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023

Serving rural Benton, Morrison, Mille Lacs and Kanabec counties

Smude page 3B

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY KATELYN SMUDE

Tom (from left), Katelyn, Mitchell and Jenni Smude gather in their sunflower field on their farm outside Pierz. The family works together to grow, process and market sunflower oil products through their company, Smude’s Sunflower Oil.

COVER CROP of the month

Cover crops improve soil health, even on a small scale

May be used in gardens when main crops are not growing

BY NATALIE HOIDAL University of Minnesota Extension Educator

Have you ever felt like you want to invest in soil health, but it is hard to know how to apply soil health concepts on a small scale? Cover crops are an important tool to improve soil health.

While many of the resources available to help growers navigate cover crops are aimed at larger farms, cover crops can be applied at any scale.

Barley

Producers may know that cover crops benefit the soil and agricultural operations, but do they know the benefits of each species? Each month a different cover crop species will be highlighted to provide producers with information needed to successfully grow cover crops or alternative forages on their operation.

Barley is a member of the grass family and was one of the first grains to be cultivated over 10,000 years ago. It originated in the area of Eurasia but has since become widespread. Barley is commonly grown as a grain crop that has many different uses. Beyond being used as a grain crop, barley can also be used as a cover crop or as a forage.

As a cover crop, barley’s large fibrous root system is excellent at reducing soil erosion caused by wind and water. The root system is also great for nutrient scavenging making barley a good green manure crop. Barley’s large amounts of biomass help suppress weeds by competing with light, nutrients and water. Although, barley competes with weeds, it is not as competitive as other small grains and can be used as a nurse crop for many crop species.

Barley should be planted at a depth of 1-1.5 inches between July 15 to Sept. 15 for the best growth. Rates of seeding will vary based on the intended use and if in a mix. When planted alone the minimum seeding rate should be 50 pounds an acre of pure live seed.

Information provided by the Morrison County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Soil health thrives when living roots are kept in the soil. Living roots help maintain nutrients in the upper soil; they support a diversity of soil microorganisms and they can help the soil retain water. Cover crops also build soil organic matter when they are broken down and reincorporated into the soil, and, depending on the species, they can provide pollinator habitat and x nitrogen.

In Minnesota, we typically only grow crops for a couple of months, leaving the soil bare the rest of the time. Any time a primary crop is not growing, a person can grow a cover crop. Common windows include before planting main crops, in between crops, and after harvest.

Here are three example scenarios:

— If tomatoes or pumpkins are planted in mid-June, a cool-season cover crop could be planted in early May and then worked it into the soil in June before planting the main crop.

— If a bed is used to grow an early-season crop like lettuce, harvest may happen in May or June, and then the bed is planted again later in summer. A fast-growing cover crop could be sown in the window between plantings.

— Some crops like cucumber and zucchini get pulled around early August, leaving the soil bare for the remainder of the season. Plant a cover crop after harvesting the main crop, and either allow it to die over the winter or cut it and work it into the soil the following spring.

Cover crops can be grown during the main season in areas that are not being used. A common example is planting clover between rows instead of mulching.

There are three main things to think about when choosing a cover crop: Will the cover crop die over winter? What bene t to the soil is wanted? When will the crop

‘Resi’due

Ultimately, crop residue returns plant nutrients to the soil while feeding a vast army of soil macro and microorganisms. The bright side is the “trash” we leave behind is worthy of our due diligence. The alternative is that lack of residue management following a harvest can sidetrack future cropping plans and result in unevenness in crop performance.

The rst steps begin with harvest. Leaving as much residue as possible and spreading it evenly across the eld will provide the most bene t. This is, of course, dependent on the crop and the end purpose of the crop. For example, harvesting a corn crop as silage instead of grain is going to change the amount of residue left on the eld. This year, many elds that would have been harvested for grain have been harvested instead, for forage, and producers will need to be mindful when planning for subsequent crops. This is especially true as it relates to forward-crediting nutrients. Even distribution of residue

be planted?

Most cover crops will naturally die over winter. Others, like winter rye, survive the winter and need to be killed and worked into the soil. In a small garden, a species that will die over winter is easier to manage.

Farmers who use cover crops that overwinter have equipment to get rid of the crop. People can do this with a machete or a very tough lawnmower, but if trying a cover crop for the rst time, a winter-killed species will be less work.

Make sure to choose a legume — like peas, vetch, clover or beans — if the cover crop is intended to x nitrogen de ciencies in the soil.

Choose a owering crop like buckwheat, phacelia or clover if planning to provide food for pollinators, and make sure to read the seed label in order to plant it with enough time for it to ower before the rst freeze.

When a grower intends to plant a cover crop will limit options. The Midwest Cover Crop Council has an excellent decision-making tool with a long list of cover crops and planting windows

often means adjusting your combine to ensure the maximum “trash” distribution width. This can sometimes be a challenge when harvest heads are very wide, greatly exceeding the width of rear discharge. To overcome this challenge chaff spreaders will better spread out the material on the backend. Choppers can also assist with wider material distribution, but the size of residue particles will in uence how effective residue on the eld performs benecial soil enriching and soil stabilizing purposes.

Small particles are more likely than large particles to move easily by wind and water. Another way to in uence crop residue distribution is to leave as much of the plant material intact and rooted to the soil as physically possible. Finally established cover crops will act as a second line of defense in holding residue in place.

Fall tillage will determine how much or how little residue is left on the soil surface and how quickly residue will be broken down.

Conservation tillage is often de ned by a system that leaves greater than 30% of the eld surface covered by residue. This amount of cover is proven to reduce soil erosion by

counties.

Many garden stores sell cover crop seeds as do vegetable seed catalogs. The seed company should list the recommended number of seed for the area. Most cover crops should be planted fairly densely, more like a crop eld than a vegetable garden.

If the area is smaller and can be seeded by hand, one simple trick that mid-size growers use is drilling seed-sized holes in a 5-gallon bucket, lling the bucket with seed, and walking up and down the eld shaking the bucket for even seeding.

For best results, start with a weed-free seedbed and make sure to fertilize the cover crop.

One of the goals when using a cover crop is to establish as much biomass as possible, which can then be worked back into the soil as organic matter. If a crop is adequately fertilized, it will be more likely to produce a healthy amount of biomass.

For more information, visit extension. umn.edu/managing-soil-and-nutrients/ cover-crops-and-greenmanures.

at least 50% compared to clean till soil.

Producers can and will often remove certain amounts of residue for various purposes including fall grazing, animal bedding, for use in a ration or for feedstock in biofuel production. University of Minnesota researchers suggest that corn with an estimated stover yield of seven bales total will sustain soil organic carbon levels when removing 1.3 bales in conventional tillage systems and 3.1 bales in a conservation tillage system. Assuming dry residue and a 1,200-pound bale of stover, nutrients retained in each bale will be removing approximately 3.5 pounds of phosphate, 19.2 pounds of potassium oxide, a varying amount of nitrogen as well as a host of other nutrients.

As they say, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.

My collecting tendencies tell me accumulating things that will be useful in the future is not a bad thing but the organization and ling away of these things will also be useful in the future. The same could be said of crop residues. How high is crop residue management on your priority list?

AG BRIEFS

Ag transportation handbooks available

EAGAN — The Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation in partnership with the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council and Compeer Financial has updated the Agriculture Transportation Handbook with state and federal statutes, rules and exemptions for transporting agricultural goods on highways.

“The Agriculture Transportation Handbook is a valuable resource, especially during fall

Smude

from page 1B

“By incorporating sun owers into our crop rotation, we’re able to naturally optimize our soil health and minimize the need for fertilizer and other inputs.”

Another way the Smudes address challenges on the farm is by using a sustainable model, optimizing each bloom.

“We also pride ourselves on being a zero-waste farm and facility,” Tom said. “We use every single part of the sun ower.”

The Smudes have learned from previous challenges. In fact, drought is what started the company in the rst place.

Tom and Jenni initially purchased the farm in 1998 and raised Angus beef cattle, growing crops to feed their animals. A decade later when they were faced with two years of drought-induced crop devastation, they looked for ways to diversify. In 2006, they planted 60 acres of drought-tolerant sun owers. Initially they envisioned pressing the sun ower seeds into oil, using the resulting sun ower meal as cattle feed and selling the byproduct sun ower oil in bulk. But, when bulk oil prices fell, they opted to pivot to retail-sized bottles.

Now, harvest begins every October, and they monitor for the right moisture content to maximize the oil produced.

First, they dehull the sun ower seeds to use for cattle bedding. Then

harvest,” said Ruth Meirick, foundation director. “Understanding state and federal transportation laws and regulations helps ensure safe transportation of agricultural goods.”

Copies of the handbook are available free of charge through the foundation. Call 651-7682100 or email info@fbmn.org to receive your copy or stop by the Farm Bureau of ce at 3080 Eagandale Place, Eagan. For a downloadable PDF version, visit https://fbmn.org/In-Action/ Ag-Transportation-Handbook.

Fall acreage report due Nov. 15

Farmers who plant any crop for grain that is intended to be harvested in 2024 are reminded that they must report the crop and planting date before Nov. 15. Crops such as rye and winter wheat are the most common in our area.

Farm Service Agency News

the sun ower seeds are pressed, creating sun ower oil and sun ower meal. The sun ower meal is a high-quality source of protein and healthy fats, so it is fed to their herd of more than 300 cattle.

The sun ower oil is then ltered and bottled — or turned into one of Smude’s other products. Over the years, Smude’s Brand expanded its offerings. One of their biggest hits is microwave popcorn, launched in 2017.

The Smude family and their customers enjoyed using the sun ower oil to make popcorn, but they were looking for a more convenient option. The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute provided the Smudes with an opportunity to attend Farmfest, and Jenni said it set them on the path toward microwave popcorn.

“While at Farmfest, we were fortunate to meet a group of engineers who

said they could help us build a machine to make our own microwave popcorn — so we took the gamble,” Jenni said. “It was a real challenge because sun ower oil is a liquid, but we were able to gure it out.”

Not all of Smude’s products are edible, though. They also partner with B and B Farmco, a local company in Crosslake, to make health and beauty products with goat milk and Smude sun ower oil. The product line includes soap, lotion and lip balm.

In addition to establishing partnerships with local businesses, Katelyn said the Smude family engages with their customers to generate feedback for new ideas.

“Usually when we’re thinking of adding a new avor, we put it out on social media for our customers to let us know what they want,” Katelyn said. “We then use that as inspiration to see if we can develop it into a viable product that customers will be happy to buy.”

Smude’s Sun ower Oil is offered in nine avors as part of their infused line, Jenni’s favorite product line. Katelyn’s favorite avor, garlic pepper, is one of their top sellers, along with their Mediterranean infused oil.

The Smudes also

offer recipe ideas on their website for ways to use their products — often with their popular infused oils.

“One of our favorite ways to add a ‘Smude air’ to a recipe is by using one of our infused oils to add more avor to the dish,” Katelyn said. “A particular favorite is to use our Mediterranean Infused Oil in place of butter when making grilled cheese sandwiches.”

According to Katelyn, Smude’s brand began from adversity. However, they have overcome all the challenges they have faced to provide allnatural products to their loyal customers — and they plan to continue doing so.

In order to maintain program eligibility and benets, producers must le timely acreage reports. Failure to le an acreage report by the crop acreage reporting deadline may cause ineligibility for future program bene ts. Farm Service Agency will not accept acreage reports provided more than a year after the acreage reporting deadline.

by Ryan Brunn, executive director for Benton and Mille Lacs counties

Producers are encouraged to le their acreage reports as soon as planting is completed.

For more information, contact the United States Department of Agriculture Service Center for Benton and Mille Lacs counties at 320-9685300, ext. 2.

Farm Transition and Estate Planning Webinars

The University of Minnesota Extension is presenting four webinars on introductory farm transition and estate planning. Webinars will be Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon, beginning Oct. 4. There is no cost to attendees. Attend one or attend all four.

Transferring the farm has many challenges and each situation is unique. David Bau, Nathan Hulinsky and Susanne Hinricks, extension educators in agriculture business management, will discuss several issues and ideas for farm transition and estate planning.

Attendees will receive a link to materials from each session. Participants can register at z.umn.edu/farm-transition-and-estate-planning23.

Remaining topics for each session are as follows:

— Oct. 11 is All Things Tax: Gifting, Selling and Transferring.

— Oct. 25 is Wills, Trusts, Ownership Titling; What Does it all Mean?

— Nov. 8 is Putting the Basics Together: Estate, Retirement, Healthcare and Business Transfer Planning.

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY KATELYN SMUDE Smude’s Sunflower Oil started selling microwave popcorn in 2017, and they now carry three flavors. The popcorn bags contain sunflower oil as the popping agent.

The Smude family originally planned to sell bulk sunflower oil, but now they sell a full lineup of retailsized bottles for customers. Sunflower oil is offered in nine different flavors as part of their infused line.

THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in conditions of the following described mortgage:

DATE OF MORTGAGE:

January 5, 2002

MORTGAGOR: Jeffrey Ralph Millner, a single person.

MORTGAGEE: Homeland Mortgage, LLC.

DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: Recorded January 18, 2002 Benton County Recorder, Document No. 282046.

ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to: First Federal Savings Bank.

Dated January 10, 2002

Recorded January 18, 2002, as Document No. 282047. And thereafter assigned to: Washington Mutual Bank, FA. Dated January 10, 2002

Recorded January 18, 2002,

as Document No. 282048. And thereafter assigned to: Wells Fargo Bank, NA. Dated April 7, 2007 Recorded April 17, 2007, as Document No. A347525. And thereafter assigned to: Specialized Loan Servicing LLC. Dated January 25, 2019 Recorded January 25, 2019, as Document No. 433959. And thereafter assigned to: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, as trustee for the bene t of the Freddie Mac Seasoned Loans Structured Transaction Trust, Series 2019-3. Dated March

3, 2020 Recorded March

5, 2020, as Document No. 441612.

TRANSACTION

AGENT: NONE

TRANSACTION AGENT’S MORTGAGE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON MORTGAGE: NONE

LENDER OR BROKER AND MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR STATED ON MORTGAGE: Homeland Mortgage, LLC

RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SERVICER:

BENTON AG PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

Select Portfolio Servicing, Inc.

MORTGAGED

PROPERTY ADDRESS: 264 Birch Drive, Foley, MN 56329 TAX PARCEL I.D. #: 13.00648.00

LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: LOT TWENTY-ONE (21), BLOCK SIX (6), FOLEY DEVELOPMENT PLAT IN THE CITY OF FOLEY; COUNTY OF BENTON, STATE OF MINNESOTA.

COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Benton ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $115,000.00

AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY MORTGAGEE: $92,702.68

That prior to the commencement of this mortgage foreclosure proceeding Mortgagee/ Assignee of Mortgagee complied with all notice requirements as required by

statute; That no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof;

PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows:

DATE AND TIME OF SALE: November 16, 2023 at 10:00 AM

PLACE OF SALE: Benton County Sheriff’s Of ce, 581 Highway 23 Northeast Foley, MN to pay the debt then secured by said Mortgage, and taxes, if any, on said premises, and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys’ fees allowed by law subject to redemption within six (6) months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns unless reduced to Five (5) weeks under MN Stat. §580.07.

TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owner-

occupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under section 580.23 is 11:59 p.m. on May 16, 2024, unless that date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, in which case it is the next weekday, and unless the redemption period is reduced to 5 weeks under MN Stat. Secs. 580.07 or 582.032.

MORTGAGOR(S)

RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE: None

“THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING,

AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.”

Dated: September 11, 2023 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, as trustee Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee LIEBO, WEINGARDEN, DOBIE & BARBEE, P.L.L.P. Attorneys for Mortgagee/ Assignee of Mortgagee 4500 Park Glen Road #300 Minneapolis, MN 55416 (952) 925-6888 38 - 23-005114 FC IN THE EVENT REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW: THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR R-37-6B

BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

The Benton County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on September 19, 2023, in the Benton County Board Room in Foley, MN. Call to order by Chair Scott Johnson was at 9:00 AM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the ag. A roll call showed Commissioners Beth Schlangen, Steve Heinen, Scott Johnson, and Ed Popp present. Commissioner Jared Gapinski was absent. Chair Johnson noted the absence excused.

There were two additions to the agenda: 1) to add the 4-H Proclamation by the Extension Of ce as the second item under County Administrator Montgomery Headley at 9:05 AM; and 2) to add the discussion of a communication with the City of St. Cloud regarding the homeless encampment and homeless shelters as the last item under County Administrator Montgomery Headley at 9:05 AM. Headley also added an update to the construction manager project that has been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney. This item is currently on the agenda but did not have the County Attorney’s signature before the agenda was published. Motion by Popp and seconded by Heinen to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried unanimously.

There was no one present to speak under Open Forum.

Motion by Heinen and seconded by Schlangen to approve Consent Agenda items 1 – 6: 1) approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of September 5, 2023 and authorize the Chair to sign; 2) approve the Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes of September 6, 2023 and authorize the Chair to sign; 3) approve the Management Representation Letter related to the Audit of the Benton County Financial Statements for the year ending December 31, 2022 and authorize the Chair to sign; 4) accept and le the County Administrator’s Monthly Financial Report through July 31, 2023; 5) approve the Resolution for Victim Services Grant and authorize the Chair to sign; 6) accept and le the Veterans Service Of cer Quarterly Report for the period of May 1, 2023 through August 31, 2023. Motion carried unanimously.

Next, Human Services Director Robert Cornelius presented a Retirement Award to Social Services Administrative Aide Sandy Block in appreciation for 48 years of loyal and distinguished service to Benton County. Block’s retirement is effective September 28, 2023.

Next, Benton County Extension Educator Ann Olson requested the County Board consider proclaiming the week of October 1 – 7, 2023 as National 4-H Week. Students Katherine Mersinger, Claudia Schlough, Brady Roberts, Ashley Betker, Monica Schlough, and Johnathan Mersinger spoke on how 4-H has positively impacted their lives. Motion by Popp and seconded Johnson to approve the Proclamation recognizing the week of October 1 – 7, 2023 as National 4-H Week. Motion carried unanimously.

Next, Sheriff Troy Heck and County Attorney Karl Schmidt requested the County Board to consider approving a proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence is a pervasive issue that affects far too many individuals in Benton County and across our country. Law enforcement, prosecution, courts, probation, and advocacy all play critical roles in building a culture of ending domestic violence. Building this culture includes of cial recognition of the issue and the work being done. Anna Marie’s Alliance Executive Director Charles Hempeck reiterated what Heck and Schmidt shared with the County Board regarding domestic violence and requested Board approval of the proclamation. Motion by Heinen and seconded by Schlangen to approve the proclamation recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Benton County. Motion carried unanimously.

Next, Headley requested the County Board to consider an agreement with a construction manager for the government center project. Headley noted that the County received ve responses to its Request for Proposals. Of those ve, the County Board interviewed three on August 28th. The Board reached a consensus to contract with Contegrity and directed Headley to check references. Headley contacted counties that had used Contegrity’s services. All reported excellent service from Contegrity and had no reservations about recommending Contegrity. Based on the foregoing, Headley recommends entering into an agreement with Contegrity to serve as construction manager (CM) for the County’s government center project. Headley further recommends a “CM as Agent” type agreement. Contegrity has proposed $22,000 for pre-construction services, a CM fee of 1.95% of construction cost and site expenses of $445,545. On a $20 million project, the CM fee would be $473,000. Total CM cost would be $830,545. Site expenses consist primarily of the Site Superintendent and other personnel dedicated to the site. Headley noted that the contract has been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney. Motion by Popp and seconded by Heinen to approve an agreement with Contegrity to serve as construction manager for the County’s government center project. Motion carried unanimously.

Next, Headley requested the County Board consider the reorganization of the Application Data Services Manager position. The Applications Data Services Manager position currently resides in Human Services (and was formerly known as the Data Analyst position). The proposed reorganization would move this position to the County Administrator’s Of ce as a countywide function. The position is currently held by Brenton Marshik. Motion by Heinen and seconded by Johnson to move the Applications Data Services position to the County Administrator’s Of ce; incumbent employee placed at a salary of $90,000; incumbent employee shall be eligible for general wage adjustments as provided to non-union employees each January 1st. Motion carried unanimously.

Next, Headley requested the County Board to consider a communication with the City of St. Cloud regarding the homeless encampment and homeless shelters. This letter was initially prompted by the August 18th relocation of homeless individuals from encampments near the East St. Germain bridge over the Mississippi River. The letter refers to the event, as well as addressing the broader issue of homelessness in the St. Cloud region and inviting the cities and counties to come together to discuss regional strategies. Human Services Deputy Director Sandi Shoberg was recommended to be the staff lead on the homeless issue. Motion by Heinen and seconded by Schlangen to approve the letter and authorize the Board Chair to sign, and identi ed Social Services Deputy Director Sandi Shoberg as the staff lead on the homeless issue. Motion carried unanimously.

Next, Cornelius requested the County Board consider step advancement for Nicole Knowles, Social Services Supervisor. Knowles was promoted to Social Service Supervisor on 6/21/2021 and has been performing her duties as a Social Services Supervisor well. Per policy, upon promotion Knowles was given a 5.5% salary raise. Had Knowles not been promoted to supervisor, she would have been promoted to Senior Social Worker in July of 2022 (this position did not exist prior to February of 2022). Several of the Social Workers promoted at that time had less seniority than Knowles, but because of the timing of her promotion, their hourly rate is more than Knowles’ hourly rate as a supervisor with less seniority. Cornelius recommends that the County Board approve to move Knowles from Grade 13, Step 6 ($41.80) to Grade 13, Step 7 ($43.11) effective 9/09/2023. Motion by Heinen and seconded by Schlangen to approve the Step Advancement for Nicole Knowles, Social Services Supervisor effective 9/09/2023.

Motion carried unanimously.

The Regular County Board meeting was recessed at 9:45 AM to conduct a Human Services Board Meeting.

The Regular Board meeting reconvened at 9:45 AM. Next, Board members reported on recent meetings they attended on behalf of Benton County.

Under Comments by Commissioners, Commissioner Popp stated that he is not in favor of not using the County Program Aid that was provided to Benton County from the State Legislature to help lower the County levy. Popp stated that by sitting on the funds to be used towards the upcoming government center project does not show constituents that we are using the funds to help with the levy increase. Johnson added that once the levy is set on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, we can discuss ways to lower the levy, however we cannot increase the levy once it is set.

Heinen/Popp to set the Committee of the Whole Meetings:

Thursday, September 21, 2023 Benton County Association of Township Of cers Meeting, St. George Town Hall, 1310 105th Ave NE, Foley, MN 56329, 7:00 PM; Tuesday, September 26, 2023, GLT Architects Government Center project, use of one- time Public Safety Aid, and allocation of remaining ARPA funds, Benton County Boardroom, Foley, 8:30 AM;

Wednesday, September 27, 2023 Public Meeting/Open House for CSAH 7 Reconstruction Project, County Boardroom, Foley, 4:00 PM; Monday, October 9, 2023 Tobacco Ordinance revisions, Foster Care provider assistance, Dental Clinic, opioid discussion, homeless strategies discussion, Benton County Boardroom, Foley, 8:30 AM; Monday, October 16, 2023 Association of Minnesota Counties District 5 Meeting at Stearns County West Service Center at 3301 County Road 138, Waite Park, MN, 8:00 AM. Motion carried unanimously.

Chair Johnson adjourned the Regular Board Meeting at 10:04 AM.

ATTEST:

Scott Johnson, Chair Benton County Board of Commissioners

Montgomery Headley

Benton County Administrator R-40-1B

2023 County “SCORE” Grants Available for Solid Waste Abatement, Recycling Projects, and Tire Recycling

Are you looking for a way to positively impact your community but don’t have the funds to bring your idea to life?

Benton County is seeking to enhance existing or promote new solid waste abatement and recycling activities/ programs through our SCORE grant application process. Examples of recently funded projects include recycled material playground equipment, composting, and educational plays at schools. These grants are open to the individuals, public and private sectors.

NEW! Benton County Tire Recycling Program. This grant is now open for applications.

For more information about either grant program and to obtain application forms, please access the Benton County Web site at www.co.benton.mn.us or contact the Benton County Planning & Zoning at: Benton County Government Center, 531 Dewey Street, P.O. Box 129 Foley, MN 563290129, (320) 968-5065. Applications must be received by November 13th, 2023 at the above address.

Summer’s end, new beginnings

For most folks, the summer ended when students went back to school, and typically, that would be the same for us, but not this year. Our summer ended with the wedding of our oldest son, and it was beautiful.

Though there were many decisions, the couple had chosen to have the ceremony on our farm, making the whole event so much more special. We have a small lake on our property, and our son spent hours mowing the pasture and cutting brush.

RUMINATIONS WITH MARY MARY BARRON-TRAUT

On Friday evening, the wedding party and immediate family gathered for the rehearsal. Before we departed the spot for the dinner, my hubby gave a speech welcoming our new daughter-in-law-tobe, spoke of his pride for our son and talked about how special it was to have the ceremony in this spot because it already held so many happy memories.

The weather forecast for Saturday was a bit concerning at 65% rain, but fates looked kindly upon us and it held off until later in the evening.

On Saturday morning, while my hubby nished chores, I skedaddled off to get my hair done; gosh, the stylist did a beautiful job and it held throughout the day.

When I arrived back home, a whirlwind began because I discovered none of my men were ready, and the groomsmen were due to arrive at any moment for pictures at the farm. Once everyone was ready, I helped straighten ties and pin on boutonnieres; it was dif cult holding back tears as I pinned the owers to my son’s suit.

The photo shoot on the farm with the men was a blast. All of our John Deere tractors and a few other favorites had been lined up on the lawn, and the photographer, who had never had a photo session on a farm before, enjoyed creatively lining everyone up. The barn, of course, was perfect back drop for the guys as was the corn and alfalfa elds. The most unique backdrop was suggested by one of the groomsmen — the grain bins curved stairway.

Eventually, our son had to leave for the rstlook photos of his bride-to-be, and the guys gathered on our deck to wait for the ceremony. It was here that I discovered my rst mistake: I’d forgotten about feeding all these guys. Fortunately, a local favorite pizza place was available to prepare several pies and make a quick delivery.

Finally, it was time for the ceremony. A few friends and immediate family gathered on covered straw bales and shed tears of happiness for the couple as they shared their vows. The joy and love in their eyes as they held hands while speaking made my heart sing.

After family photos were taken, it was off to the reception. They chose to host the celebration in a brother-in-law’s brand-new shed, and it was decorated beautifully. White lights were strung all across the ceiling and hung down illuminating the pristine white walls. Stained wood had been used as a complement to the white adding an earthy feeling to the venue.

My new daughter-in-law had been planning the

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A food truck had been hired for the event, and guests could choose from chicken wings with many sauces, mac and cheese, corn dogs, coleslaw, potato salad, and falafels. Along with the pop and an adult beverage selection, a coffee truck had been secured for the evening providing a tasty selection of brews.

The night was lled with lively conversation, much laughter and a lot of dancing. I was happy I had remembered to bring an extra pair of comfy shoes to change into.

The evening culminated with a performance by re dancers. With a night sky lled with a light rain and a bit of lightning, it was a memorable sight. Finally, the couple was sent off with twinkling sparklers held by the remaining guests.

The summer is now completely closed for us, and our sights turn to fall and the cold weather to come, but the memories of that day will bring warmth enough to last for years.

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