Benton Ag Plus - November 18, 2023

BENTON AG Plus

Sauk Rapids Herald | Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023

Serving rural Benton, Morrison, Mille Lacs and Kanabec counties

Raising

Gratitude, turkey food

turkeys

University of MN Extension

by Tyler Rice

By this time of year farm elds are looking more vacant than they have for at least the past ve months. The United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service indicates nearly all of the soybean crop has been harvested while corn harvest is past the 93% mark, well on its way to being complete by Thanksgiving Day. Despite extreme drought conditions that began early in the season and persisted well into the fall, there was still a harvest to be had. That is something to be thankful for.

If you live in this part of the world, you might know that Minnesota is the No. 1 producer of farm raised turkeys. If you are planning on having this delectable bird on your Thanksgiving table, there is nearly a 1 in 5 chance that your turkey grew up a few miles down the road.

Turkey page 3B

Cofells and Gessells supply quality meat

BY EMILY BRETH | STAFF WRITER

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Samantha and Jon Paul Cofell gather with their children, Lawrence and Lillian, on their farm near Swanville. The Cofells raise turkeys with Samantha’s parents, John and Lynette Gessell.

(Above) A group of turkeys wanders in a finishing barn on the Cofell farm near Swanville. The poults stay at the farm until they are around 13.5 pounds.

Samantha Cofell said she wakes every morning ready and enthusiastic to continue the family tradition of raising turkeys for everyone to enjoy.

“I do love the sense of it being family oriented,” Cofell said. “Now we are fortunate enough to be raising our children in it.”

Cofell and her husband, Jon Paul, do their chores every day on their farm near Swanville. Their children, Lawrence and Lillian, help when they do not have school work to complete. Cofell’s parents, John and Lynette Gessell, also help on the farm, continuing their part within the family tradition. The Cofells and Gessels operate under a partnership called Badger Creek Farms.

Until 2020, Cofell used to work full time as a nurse as well, but she decided to focus even more on the family farm.

“I need to be at home,” Cofell said. “It felt like the right time.”

The decision has allowed Cofell more time with her kids, just like her father had with her. Cofell remembers being a young girl when her father would take her along to the turkey barns in the morning before she could go to school.

Now with six barns total — four on one site and two on another — Cofell and her family raise around 470,000 turkeys within a year. The tradition of farming goes all the way back to her great-grandpa and great-grandma, who passed on their work ethic to the next generations.

Gessells/Coffells page 2B

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Turkey farmers face reappearance of highly pathogenic avian influenza

from page 2B The biggest reward Cofell receives throughout the year, she said, is knowing she is providing other families with a delicious turkey, which is raised happy and healthy, to enjoy over the holidays or at any time throughout the year. The Cofell family makes a point to celebrate the holidays themselves, enjoying a wonderful meal.

“We always celebrate Thanksgiving with our (extended) family,” Cofell said. “We always make the turkey.”

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2023 | Page 3B

BY AMY KYLLO | STAFF WRITER

Raising healthy turkeys is a top priority for turkey farmers across the state of Minnesota. To help ensure these healthy flocks, biosecurity is paramount.

Since winter 2022, turkey growers in Minnesota have faced an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza which was last seen in 2015. The disease is a global one and is spread through the droppings and nasal discharge of infected birds. Contaminated dirt can be brought in on clothing, shoes, equipment and vehicles. Waterfowl are also reservoirs of the disease.

Ashley Kohls, the executive director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, said the virus was first detected in February 2022. From there came a lull in summer 2022 before a resurgence was seen in fall 2022. From December 2022 through this summer, there were no cases of HPAI until it was detected this fall.

HPAI does not pose a food safety risk or a human health risk, Kohls said. She said it is also not anticipated that there will be any shortage of turkey over the holiday season.

HPAI is a virus that can be carried by migratory birds, so spring and fall pose a greater risk to turkey farms. Biosecurity is a protection against HPAI for farmers and their turkeys.

Some biosecurity measures include changing clothes and wearing personal protective equipment in barns.

“You want to make sure you don’t bring anything in, and it is also important that you don’t want to bring anything out,” Kohls said.

Training employees, keeping barns in good repair and even installing bird deterrents on the roofs of barns are also biosecurity measures.

“Commercial turkey growers focus on biosecurity year-round,” Kohls said. “They want to make sure they protect the health and welfare of their birds.”

HPAI is a serious disease for turkeys. If a barn of turkeys is infected, the turkeys are destroyed, and the barn is sanitized, quarantined and tested for the disease before being used again.

Kohls said turkey farmers are prepared.

“Turkey growers are resilient people,” Kohls said. “They’re constantly evolving to ensure they can better protect and take care of their turkeys.”

Turkey recipes • • • • • • • •

Butter Garlic salt Celery Onion Carrots Garlic Mayonnaise Salt

The day before you cook the turkey, melt 1 cup butter; add some garlic salt. Inject into thawed turkey. On the day of cooking, stuff with desired amount of celery, onion, carrots and garlic. Rub the outside of turkey with mayonnaise and sprinkle with salt.

Cook as directed according to weight of bird.

Turkey from page 1B This also means the turkey’s diet has most likely been grown in the neighborhood as well.

Most commercial turkeys receive a balanced diet of corn and soybean meal along with essential vitamins and minerals. On average, it takes 75-80 pounds of feed to raise a 38-pound tom turkey. Assuming that the turkey requires 75 pounds of feed, 85% of that diet is corn and soybean meal, and Minnesota produces 40 million birds a year – a rough 1.28 million tons of corn and soybean meal, often from local or regional sources, is required just to put the main dish on tables across America.

The turkeys you nd in the freezer aisle at the grocery store aren’t the only turkeys in Minnesota that bene t from cropland, however. The

Department of Natural Resources estimates that Minnesota is home to more than 70,000 wild turkeys. Studies in Wisconsin, Iowa and Ohio have shown that wild turkeys rarely cause signi cant crop damage but instead eat waste grain caused by lodged or damaged crops and escapes from harvest. Wild turkeys also bene t from cover crops and crop diversity. Their primary food sources include insects, grubs and seeds of all kinds. They can even be a bene t to farmers by eating harmful insects and weed seeds.

One way to improve habitat for wild turkeys is to strategically plan and place food plots so the turkeys can bene t from cover and a reliable food source.

Good agronomy combined with an existing appreciation for wildlife behavior is essential to the success of food plots species selection, establishment and maintenance. If you are intending to embark on

Cheesy turkey sandwiches • Leftover Place shredded leftover turkey in turkey crockpot on low or high, depending • 1 box Velveeta on how soon you want to eat. In cheese a separate pan, melt the Velveeta • 2 cans cream cheese, cream of chicken/mushroom/ of chicken, celery soup. Once melted, pour over mushroom or turkey in crockpot and stir well. Serve celery on buns of choice.

• Buns

this process in the future, consider these starting points: — Site selection: Evaluate the potential for nearby wildlife cover and consider the site’s inherent soil characteristics.

— Soil testing: Take soil samples according to university recommendations and send to a reputable soil testing laboratory to understand the existing soil chemistry and crop nutrient availability. This will also help with a fertilization plan.

— Crop species selection: Wild turkeys prefer insects and small arthropods, so establishing vegetation that creates habitat for these creatures is at least as important as the seeds produced. Consider the seasonality of when the crops are growing and maturing, so these provide habitat consistency and refuge in leaner times of the year.

— Crop establishment: Good seed to soil contact and proper seed

Growing your education Sheep and goat pasture management webinar Jonathan Kilpatrick, of the Sustainable Farming Association, will discuss fencing options and grazing management strategies for small ruminants at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20.

Kilpatrick will provide information on maintaining healthy pastures and maximizing forage production.

People may register at z.umn.edu/gsfence for the free webinar. A link will be emailed following registration.

Registrants unable to attend the live session will be sent a recording of the discussion via email.

Beef Quality Assurance online training The University of Minnesota Extension and Minnesota Beef Council will host online Beef Quality Assurance training at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30. Producers attending the free workshop will receive a three-year certification.

Certification is voluntary, but over the last three years, people have been asked to the complete the program in order to market to certain processors. Only one person from an operation is required to be certified to ensure the entire operation is following standards.

Register for the two-hour online training at z.umn. edu/BQANov30.

Land rental agreement sessions

From the kitchen of Samantha Cofell, Swanville, Morrison County

Whole turkey

A calendar of area events to expand agricultural knowledge

placement is essential for germination and seedling success. Preparing the seedbed properly, especially for smaller seeded crops, will in uence the overall outcome of the plot. Diverse seed mixes tend to complicate this fact, so if you are planting several species beware this may produce additional challenges to good establishment.

— Crop protection: Consider the integrated pest management approach as you maintain your food plots.

Methods of weed control can include mechanical, cultural or chemical approaches, and thinking about these before crop establishment will pay big dividends.

Whether you are a turkey producer, a turkey consumer, a wildlife enthusiast or some combination of the three, I am sure you can appreciate this humble bird and the feast it takes to get it from pullet to Thanksgiving dinner.

Farm land rental rates are the largest input for producers, and negotiating fair rental agreements is a challenge.

Landlords, producers and agri-business professionals can learn more about establishing fair farm rental agreements by attending a presentation in December.

David Bau and Nathan Hulinsky, extension educators in agriculture business management, will provide several ways — through examples, factsheets and worksheets — to determine a fair farm land rental rate for both parties.

No registration is required.

Remaining land rent meetings will be: — 9:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at Sherburne Princeton Area Library, 100 Fourth Ave. S., Princeton.

— 9:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4, at Meeker County Extension Office Conference Room, 1230 N. Armstrong Ave., Litchfield.

— 1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, at Wright County Government Center Room 1104, 3650 Braddock Ave. NE, Buffalo.

Reducing Market Risk Program Reducing Market Risk is a farm finance program offered by the University of Minnesota Extension that aims to increase resiliency of dairy producers in complex markets.

The program is open to all livestock producers and will takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Initiative Foundation, 405 First St. SE, Little Falls.

The event features four speakers and a catered lunch.

Register at z.umn.edu/reducingmarketrisk2023 or by contacting Dana Adams at adam1744@umn.edu or 320204-2968. Deadline to register is Nov. 28.

“Dairy producers have been struggling with low milk prices and continually have to battle a fluctuating market,” said Adams, a University of Minnesota Extension Educator.

“Dairy producers might benefit from hearing ways to optimize cash flow and hear about ways they can strategically control risk on their operations. This program will give our attendees the opportunity to ask experts their tough questions and start the ball rolling on wrapping up farm finances for 2023.”

Starting a Cottage Foods Production Business Cindy Hale, a University of Minnesota Extension Educator in food safety, will present a free workshop regarding cottage foods in Minnesota.

The workshop, will cover what types of foods qualify as cottage foods, the advantages of cottage food production and how people can register as a cottage food producers and sell products from their homes. The workshop takes place from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation’s large conference room, 501 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud.

Space is limited. People can register at ifound.org/ trainings or contact Haakon Lehn at hlehn@ifound.org with questions.

Page 6B | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE 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: September 9, 2011 MORTGAGOR: Thomas Kolbo, a single adult.

MORTGAGEE: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for Liberty Savings Bank its successors and assigns.

DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: Recorded September 21, 2011 Benton County Recorder, Document No. 383861.

ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to: JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association.

Dated December 17, 2015 Recorded December 23, 2015, as Document No. A413639.

And thereafter assigned to: Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC. Dated October 9, 2019 Recorded October 15, 2019, as Document No. A438849.

TRANSACTION AGENT: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. TRANSACTION AGENT’S MORTGAGE I D E N T I F I C AT I O N NUMBER ON MORTGAGE: 10036241045299240-8 LENDER OR BROKER AND MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR STATED ON MORTGAGE: Liberty Savings Bank RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SERVICER: LoanCare, LLC M O RT G A G E D PROPERTY ADDRESS: 909 7th Street Northeast, Rice, MN 56367 TAX PARCEL I.D. #: 150066600 LEGALDESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 16, Block 2, Fox Meadows, Benton County, Minnesota.

COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Benton O R I G I N A L PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $161,658.00 AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID

BY MORTGAGEE: $125,602.93 That prior to the commencement of this mortgage foreclosure proceeding Mortgagee/

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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: January 11, 2024 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 owneroccupied, 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 July 11, 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 P E R S O N A L R E P R E S E N T AT I V E S 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: November 2, 2023 Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC 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 100 - 23-005956 FC IN THE EVENT REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW: THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. R-45-6B

BENTON AG

Helping herd bulls bounce back post breeding season The breeding season can be tough on Excessively thin animals at the end of the bulls. breeding season may need some dietary For beef producers to have a tight assistance. These bulls can be provided calving window that will deliver a unisupplementary grains to help with weight form group of calves as well as achievrecovery, depending on the nutritional qualing a calf per cow per year requires that ity of grazing and other available forages. bulls be very, very active.

Conversely, over-conditioned bulls at the For a mature bull, running with 36 start of the breeding season will commonly or more cows at any one time, they are exhibit low sperm count and lower breedvery focused on their task of breeding.

UNIVERSITY OF ing activity when compared to bulls in ideal Activities that fall to the wayside inMN EXTENSION condition. When planning to meet nutriclude eating and resting. It is common tional needs for your young bulls, keep in DANA ADAMS for a bull to lose between 100 to 200 mind that they are still maturing and should pounds of weight during this period. Consequently, be gaining 1.5 to 2 pounds per day, depending on the post breeding recovery window stretches up to the amount of weight loss during the breeding seaeight months, allowing them to get back to work the son. Winter diets should aim to deliver 10% to 12% following season. crude protein.

Providing a post breeding recovery period and Bulls are a linchpin in beef operations and meeting the needs of bulls of all ages will give the should be cared for both before and after they animals the opportunity to be ready to effectively do perform their valuable task of siring the future of an their jobs during the next breeding period. operation. Meeting nutritional requirements for an Mature bulls that are in good condition at optimal body condition score of 2.5-3 post-breeding the end of the current breeding season will easily through quality forages will keep these assets to recover any weight lost with access to quality feed. your herd performing their best.

Having them back in tip-top condition revolves Information for this article was obtained from around bulls having access to good quality grazing Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural followed by good quality winter forage (i.e. hay) Affairs (https://z.umn.edu/OntarioPostBreedingReand not requiring grains or other supplementary covery). feeding. Quality hay for this purpose should contain Residents of Stearns, Benton, Morrison 8% to 10% crude protein when tested. and Sherburne counties can direct questions to The body condition score for these intensely adam1744@umn.edu or call my desk phone at 320performing animals should range between 2.5 to 3 200-3135. on a 1-5 scale at the start of the breeding season.

PUBLIC NOTICES 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.

M O RT G A G E E : 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

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE AGENT’S MORTGAGE I D E N T I F I C AT I O N NUMBER ON MORTGAGE: NONE LENDER OR BROKER AND MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR STATED ON MORTGAGE: Homeland Mortgage, LLC RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SERVICER: Select Portfolio Servicing, Inc. M O R T G A G E D 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 owneroccupied, 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.

M O RT G A G O R ( S ) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE: None “THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION

BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S P E R S O N A L R E P R E S E N TAT I V E S 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 NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Pursuant to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 580.07, the foregoing foreclosure sale is postponed until January 11, 2024 at 10:00 AM at the Benton County Sheriff’s Of ce, 581 Highway 23 Northeast Foley, MN, in said county and state.

Dated: November 14, 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-46-1B

BENTON AG

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2023 | Page 7B

The United States Department of Agriculture will provide more than $3 billion to commodity and specialty crop producers impacted by natural disaster events in 2022.

Eligible impacted producers can apply for nancial assistance through the Emergency Relief Program 2022, which will help offset the nancial impacts of crop yield and value losses from qualifying disasters occurring in the 2022 calendar year.

Background On Dec. 29, 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117328) that provides about $3.7 billion in nancial assistance for agricultural producers impacted by eligible natural disasters that occurred in 2022.

ERP 2022 covers losses to crops, trees, bushes and vines due to qualifying 2022 natural disaster events including wild res, hurricanes, oods, derechos, excessive heat, tornadoes, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought and related conditions.

ERP 2022 bene ts will be delivered to eligible producers through a two-track process. Farm Service Agency intends to make both tracks available to producers at the same time. This twotrack approach enables USDA to streamline the application process, reduce the paperwork burden on producers, proactively include provisions for underserved producers who have not been well served by past emergency relief efforts and encourage producer participation in existing risk management programs to mitigate the impacts of future severe weather events.

Disaster-impacted producers may be eligible for ERP 2022 assistance under one or both tracks. To avoid duplicative bene ts, if a producer applies for both tracks, the Track 2 payment calculation will take into account any payments received through Track 1.

ERP 2022 Track 1 application process ERP 2022 Track 1

Farm Service Agency News

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

leverages existing federal crop insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program data as the basis for calculating payments for eligible crop producers who received indemnities through these risk management programs.

Although FSA is sending pre- lled ERP 2022 Track 1 application forms to producers who have crop insurance and NAP data already on le with USDA, producers indemni ed for losses resulting from 2022 natural disasters do not have to wait to receive the application before requesting ERP 2022 assistance. Effective Oct. 31, producers can apply for ERP 2022 bene ts whether they have received the pre lled application or not.

Receipt of a pre- lled application is not con rmation that a producer is eligible to receive an ERP 2022 Track 1 payment.

USDA estimates that Track 1 bene ts will reach more than 206,000 producers who received indemnities for losses covered by federal crop insurance and more than 4,500 producers who obtained NAP coverage for the 2022 crop year.

ERP 2022 Track 2 application process Track 2 is a revenue-based certi cation program. It is designed to assist eligible producers who suffered an eligible decrease in revenue resulting from

2022 disaster events and when compared with revenue in a benchmark year that uses information from tax records.

In cases where revenue does not reasonably re ect a normal year’s income, Track 2 provides an alternative method for establishing revenue. Likewise, Track 2 affords producers a method for establishing revenue when crops are used within an operation versus being sold. Producers are not required to submit tax records to FSA unless requested for a compliance check.

Although not required when applying for ERP 2022 Track 2, applicants might nd the following documents useful to the process: — Schedule F (Form 1040) — Pro t or Loss from Farming or similar tax documents for tax years 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023.

Track 2 targets gaps in emergency relief assistance for eligible producers whose eligible losses were not covered by crop insurance or NAP, including revenue losses too small to be covered by crop insurance.

Producers interested in applying for ERP 2022 Track 2, should contact the FSA of ce.

Additional reference resources can be found on FSA’s emergency relief website.

Future insurance coverage requirements All producers who receive ERP 2022 payments must purchase crop insurance, or NAP coverage where crop insurance is not available, in the next two available crop years as determined. Purchased coverage must be at the 60/100 coverage level or higher for insured crops or at the catastrophic coverage level or higher for NAP crops.

INTRODUCING THE NEW 30” DRUM DIAMETER

• 1/2” drum wall thickness • 12’, 15’, 30’, 36’, 40’, 45’, 62’ sizes • Wing steering for easy folding • Rollers flex in the field on uneven surfaces Easy to use • Easy to Fold • Transports Easily OVER 2,000 LAND ROLLERS OPERATING IN THE MIDWEST!

Ag B R I E F S U of M Extension website is published in Spanish ST. PAUL – A version of the University of Minnesota Extension website is now available in Spanish at es.extension.umn.edu. The website was launched in recognition of Minnesota’s growing Spanish-speaking population and as part of Extension’s goal of being inclusive and accessible to all Minnesotans.

The translated version is a mirror of the extension.umn.edu site, so it is almost simultaneously updated and optimized for search engines. Not every page is translated; for example, English-language events are displayed in English while Spanish-language events are in Spanish.

An arti cial intelligence tool translates the site, which includes about 4,000 pages and is constantly being updated.

For questions, email mnextweb@umn.edu.

Apply to be on the animal science youth leadership team ST. PAUL — The Minnesota 4-H animal science youth leadership team members will work together to provide youth voice in 4-H animal science programming.

Youth team members in eighth grade and up will have the opportunity to plan, implement and evaluate a variety of animal science programs while exploring their passions and practicing leadership skills. They will also serve as positive role models for Minnesota 4-H and the animal science program. This experience will offer an opportunity to network with peers, mentors and industry professionals.

The program is a one-year commitment from January to December and includes virtual and in person meetings. 2024 dates include: Jan. 13 (virtual), March 11 (virtual), April 13 (in-person at a location to be decided), June 10 (virtual), Aug. 21 (Minnesota State Fairgrounds), Sept. 16 (virtual), and Nov. 14 (in person at a location to be decided).

Youth must apply by Dec. 15.

Questions can be directed to Katie Johnson at kwending@umn.edu or 507276-9629 or David Foley at djfoley@umn.edu or 507-649-0684.

Scholarship open for FFA, 4-H members PLAINVIEW — The Minnesota FFA Foundation has announced that the James W. Tracy scholarship application period is open. The deadline to apply is Feb. 1, 2024.

This is the ninth year the Minnesota FFA Foundation has offered the youth agricultural scholarship program.

James W. Tracy was born in 1941. He grew up on a farm near North eld. During his childhood, Tracy was an active FFA and 4-H member. After graduating from high school, he served two years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Tracy loved helping young people and wanted to see agriculture and rural America remain strong. He farmed his land until he lost his battle with illness in 2014.

Tracy’s desire to support youth in agriculture led him to donate his farm to an organization that he admired most, FFA. The scholarship is open to Minnesota FFA and 4-H members.

Applicants can be high school seniors or college students, who are Minnesota residents, and who are enrolled or plan to enroll in an accredited post-secondary school in the United States. Scholarships recipients must plan

to pursue an academic award (certi cate, diploma or degree) in agriculture or animal husbandry.

This year $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to students based on the following criteria: — Leadership, involvement and agriculture interest.

— Three essay questions limited to no more than 500 words.

— Two letters of recommendation.

Letters must be from non-family members. One letter must be from someone who has worked with the student over the last 12 months.

Students are eligible to apply annually. If selected each year, they can receive this scholarship once as a high school student and once as a college student.

Scholarship recipients being announced by May 1, 2024.

For full details, visit www.mnffafoundation.org/james-w-tracy-scholarship. Student applications can be completed with the Google Form link on the website.

For questions on the James W. Tracy Scholarship Program, contact Amanda Sommers at 507-461-2214 or visit website at www.mnffafoundation.org.

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