Country Acres - December 18 edition by Star Publications

ountry C Friday, December 18, 2020

cres A Focusing on Today’s Rural Environment

Volume 8, Edition 17

Grass-fed beef a good ﬁt

for Litchfield familY

Ahrndts raise American Aberdeen Angus on small farm

BY KAYLA ALBERS STAFF WRITER

ITCHFIELD – Randy and Linda Ahrndt have always been on a farm and around animals after growing up on a beef and dairy farm, respectively. That made their decision to raise beef cattle easy. In 2013, with his son, Luke, Randy bought a small herd of cattle to begin the family’s grass-fed beef operation, The Twin Oaks Farm, in Litchfield. After reading about the health and ecological benefits of raising grass-fed beef, that was the method the Ahrndt family chose for raising their cattle. “We wanted to raise some good quality meat,” Randy said. “After we tasted it, we didn’t want to go back to anything else.” The choice was a good fit for their farm. “With our hilly terrain, this farm was not meant to be a grain farm,” Linda said. “It produces grass, so we wanted something that would utilize that.” The Ahrndts live on 130 acres of land, 40 of which are allocated as pasture for their 36 head to graze. Randy made the decision to purchase American Aberdeen Angus because of their medium size, docile nature and be-

end result was a breed that is efficient on grass, moderate in size, black, polled and the purest of Angus genetics. “Mature American Aberdeen bulls generally fall into a range of 45-48 inches measured at the hip and weigh from 1,300 to 1,600 pounds. Mature cows generally measure from 42-46 inches at the hip and weigh between 900 and 1,100 pounds.” Herd maintenance has not been a problem. “They kind of maintain themselves,” Randy said. “They are very easy to take care of and they are better for the environment because they are easier on the land.” When calving season comes around in the spring, the stress on the animals and their owners is minimal. “We have never had to assist a delivery,” she said. “We don’t even see them calve, they just come back with the calf.” For the Ahrndts, the main reason for raising grass-fed beef are the various health and environmental benefits. The meat itself has a lower fat content and the fat that it does have contains Omega-3 fats, which are characterized as healthier fats. Grass-fed beef is also better for the land, according to Randy and Luke. By Linda (front, from left), Jessica, Randy (back, from left) and Luke Ahrndt are the owners planting their land back into pasture, they and operators of The Twin Oaks Farm in Litchfield, where they raise grass-fed American have eliminated erosion and have been Aberdeen Angus beef. able to rebuild the soil. “By planting the land back into pascause they are easy calvers. According to mal Scientists began with a herd of regis- ture, the grass and clover that we plant AmericanAberdeen.com, the breed was tered Champion Angus cattle, purchased developed at the Trangie Research Cen- in 1929, that were carefully selected for Ahrndts page 3 tre in New South Wales, Australia: “Ani- high quality and moderate framed. The

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

A cow grazes on pasture at The Twin Oaks Farm near Litchfield. The Ahrndt family uses a rotational grazing model so the cows are always on fresh grass.

ST R

Publications The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.

This month in the

COUNTRY

Surviving together St. Augusta

(Trying to) think like a Scandinavian Diane Leukam column

12 Seed money St. Martin Township

Christmas Q&A with our advertisers

Treasures unearthed Opole

16 Engineering creative juices Lowry

20 Country Cooking St. Cloud 23 What’s this? 26 Animals we love 27 As the Child first cried

Page 2 • Country Acres | Friday, December 18, 2020

Diane Leukam, Editor diane@saukherald.com Ben Sonnek, Writer ben.s@saukherald.com Herman Lensing, Writer herman@melrosebeacon.com Jennifer Coyne, Writer jenn@dairystar.com Evan Michealson, Writer evan.m@star-pub.com Carol Moorman, Writer carol@melrosebeacon.com Natasha Barber, Writer natasha@saukherald.com Kayla Albers kayla.a@star-pub.com Sarah Colburn, Freelance Writer

Story ideas send to: diane@saukherald.com SALES STAFF

Kayla Hunstiger, 320-247-2728 kayla@saukherald.com Missy Traeger, 320-291-9899 missy@saukherald.com Tim Vos, 320-845-2700 tim@albanyenterprise.com Mike Schafer, 320-894-7825 mike.s@dairystar.com Warren Stone, 320-249-9182 warren@star-pub.com Jaime Ostendorf, 320-309-1988 Jaime@star-pub.com Bob Leukam, 320-260-1248 bob.l@star-pub.com

PRODUCTION STAFF Pat Turner Amanda Thooft Nancy Powell Maddy Peterson Cheyenne Carlson

Deadlines: Country Acres will be published the first Fridays of April, May, June, September, October and November, and the third Friday of every month. Deadline for news and advertising is the Thursday before publication.

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T. AUGUSTA – A veteran stands beside a 1,000-pound horse, one hand near the horse’s heart and one near the withers. As the horse stands patiently, the man begins taking deep breaths, creating space from his flashbacks and unwanted memories, grounding himself. “It’s an electrical exchange, an energy exchange between the horse and the human; the horse allows the human to become grounded and pull away from those unwanted negative memories and emotions,” said Katherine Zachman, founder of Angel Reins Stable in St. Augusta. Therapeutic techniques such as this are the mainstay at Angel Reins, a non-profit that offers equine-assisted activities to veterans, victims of human trafficking, victims of domestic violence and others. “Trust is a huge thing. There’s so many times people don’t want to talk to people, they don’t trust them,” Zachman said. “The horses don’t have an agenda, they just understand, they offer peace and understanding, no judgement, they’re just a safe emotional place for people to go.” Ten of the 13 horses at Angel Reins are rescues, some from kill lots as far away as Texas and Los Angeles. The horses, she said, often gravitate towards the humans. “Sometimes there’s just that intangible. I can’t explain why

a particular horse and person connect, but they do,” Zachman said. “Rescue horses seem to be different from a hand-chosen baby with no previous neglect or trauma. There appears to be an understanding between the two survivors; the only difference is one has four legs and one has two.” A horse often chooses a human and will walk up to him or her. From there, the two connect regularly. Prior to the onset of COVID-19, survivors came to visit weekly at the stable. Visits are coordinated for veterans with the Eagle’s Healing Nest in Sauk Centre, an organization dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of war and providing assistance to veterans. Visits for

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

A veteran from Eagle’s Healing Nest spends time with Blue, a horse who doesn’t get close to many people but chooses people discerningly. Blue is often referred to as the “faraway horse.”

survivors of human trafficking and survivors of domestic violence are coordinated through organizations serving those groups. For Zachman, the stable is a natural extension of her being. “God placed this mission on my heart,” she said. “I’ve always had a compassion for help-

ing two-legged and four-legged. It was just a deep intuition. It wasn’t anything other than a calling.” The work of Angel Reins has been going on for several years, even before the organization had a name. With the support of friends and active board members, the numbers it serves are growing. Two years ago, Angel Reins Stable was officially founded as a nonprofit and this past summer it was granted 501 (c3) status. The mission began seven years ago when Zachman met Cynthia Terlouw of Terebinth Refuge, a place that offers services and shelter to sexually exploited and trafficked women. Zachman learned about the progress the women were making through equine-assisted activities and began her mission. Zachman’s father was a United States Navy veteran and she soon realized she could help both groups. Much like the work found A survivor of human trafficking visits with Cowboy, a rescue horse her, she said horses find her too. from a kill lot. The survivors help one another heal and build trust.

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Country Acres

Friday, December em mb b 18, 2020 | Country Acres • Page 3

Ahrndts from front

Although grass-fed beef has a number of benefits, it does not come without challenges for the Ahrndts. Once they began the farm, they had to build up their clientele and market to their customers. Early on, Luke’s wife, Jessica, took on all of the marketing for the farm via Facebook and local community groups. Another challenge was keeping up with the demand for the meat and having enough cattle ready to process at the right time. “Last year, we oversold, so we didn’t have any left for us at the end of the season,” Luke said. At times, The Twin Oaks Farm will have four generations of cattle living on it at once. There were 13 calves born this year, so next year there will be the cows, new calves, yearlings and 2-year-olds on the farm. The 2-yearolds will be the ones that go to market. Despite the challenges that come with raising beef cattle, a love for

An American Aberdeen Angus calf looks curiously at the camera at The Twin Oaks Farm in Litchfield. The Ahrndt family welcomed 13 calves in May.

er’s Market on Saturdays during the summer to inform others in the community about grass-fed beef. The family’s main goal is to build a relationship between them and their customers. They also offer ordering right from their Facebook page at The Twin Oaks Farm. “Our goal is to develop a relationship with the customer so they know where their food is coming from,” Luke said. “We want them to understand not just the benefits of the

food, but how it benefits the local economy and how that affects everything.” Not only do the Ahrndts want to create a relationship with their customers, but they want to create a business-to-business relationship between those customers and the butcher they use to process the meat. “It is not only about supporting us, but supporting other local businesses that help support us,” Luke said.

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bring kids up in the farming lifestyle and maintain the traditions that Luke was raised with. “We come from a long line of farmers; my wife and I are trying to carry that on,” Luke said. “We want to continue the family farm tradition. Hopefully, we can develop the farm into something that will make Mom and Dad proud.”

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farming and the lifestyle that comes with it heavily outweigh the challenges for the Ahrndts. They enjoy working outside, being with the animals and that there is always something to keep them busy. “I can’t imagine living anywhere but a farm,” Linda said. Luke and Jessica hope to keep the farm going in the future, and possibly

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roots down, creates a carpet and locks the soil in place,” Luke said. “That way, we are able to rebuild the soil as the cows graze it and spread their manure around.” The plant/animal connection has been beneficial to both. “When the land is alive, it can raise good plants and sustain the animals,” Linda said. The cattle will rotate through the different pastures multiple times a year to give the grass time to rest and grow. During the winter, the cattle are given bales of grass hay. The cows receive no antibiotics or growth hormones. Although The Twin Oaks Farm is not licensed organic, they still follow those practices. The Twin Oaks Farm is licensed to sell their beef directly from their farm. They sell individually packaged cuts of meat or from a quarter to a whole animal that the purchaser can have processed specifically how they want with the butcher. This year, the family started selling allbeef hotdogs, and they were a huge hit at the market. The Ahrndts also attend the Hutchinson Farm-

Friday, December 18, 2020 | Country Acres • Page 5

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r u o y t e g r o f t ’ n o D PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Cowboy Church at Angel Reins attracts more than 75 people each month. Pictured are Allyson Goff (front, from left), Jim Logsdon and Katherine Zachman; Back: Ranone Thompson, Laurie Beltrand and Christine Olson.

Angel Reins

from page 2 a horse named Hope who came from a kill lot in Texas. After the first chance meeting, the veteran began taking riding lessons with Abbie Schramm of North Gait Horse Company, who regularly works out of Angel Reins during the summer months. He’d never been on a horse other than once as a teen, but Schramm taught him the basics and the veteran went on to choreograph his own ride with the horse to a song he chose. He rode the horse bareback with a halter and a lead rope. As the horse galloped, the veteran held the American flag and at the end of the routine, with the cowboy church attendees present, he stood on the back of a horse who once nearly took down a railroad tie fence with her anxiety and triggers, and held the flag flying high above his head. “It was a beautiful routine,” Zachman said. “He doesn’t know how amazing the performance was – they rode on complete trust … I’ve never seen anything quite that deep.” Though that particular veteran rode Hope and created a routine, much of the equine-assisted activities are done from the ground. Angel Reins Stable offers a six-week Pegasus Program where participants focus on a different theme each week such as gratitude, fear, etc. They define the word and think about how it applies to them individually and to the horse world and herd behavior. “The same dynamics in the herd play out in the human world,” she said. “We discuss different emotions and the horses will help people discover different things about themselves, they’re just a conduit of self-expression.” Zachman doesn’t have a background in therapy, but she understands horse behavior. As soon as COVID-19 limitations al-

low, Zachman and several of her board members plan to get certified in Eagala, a model that incorporates the use of an equine specialist working parallel to a licensed mental health professional, together with the horse, to support a person. There is an expansion planned for Angel Reins in the near future. Its leaders are in the process of raising funds to purchase a neighboring 10 acres of land. So far, they have raised $20,000, a down payment toward the $80,000 land purchase. Currently, Angel Reins operates out of an enclosed barn and stable with a heated lounge area and many of the exercises with visitors are done in the pasture or the lower outdoor riding arena. The plan for expansion includes an indoor riding arena which will allow for year-round work with horses. Additionally, the plans include office space for a mental health professional to work together with visitors and the horses, helping heal

those seeking peace from trauma. The fundraising, Zachman said, is important because Angel Reins provides services free of charge to people who need them. With the help of many, Angel Reins is working to fundraise and secure grant dollars for the expansion. “We believe these are His horses to share and help heal,” Zachman said. Friends, donors and volunteers, otherwise known as the angels of Angel Reins, keep the organization running. From providing food for events to physically assisting in the barn grooming horses and cleaning stalls, to setting up Cowboy Church, volunteers make the program possible. In addition, the angels plan an annual 5K walk and silent auction to raise funds for the mission. Angel Reins is truly a mission of many, Zachman said; “He just placed it on my heart to steward it.”

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Mike Dunfee, a veteran from the Eagle’s Healing Nest, spent weeks taking lessons and working with Hope, a horse at Angel Reins. He rode bareback to choreographed music with the American flag blowing in the wind behind him in an act of what the organizer of Angel Reins said was complete trust.

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Page 6 • Country Acres | Friday, December 18, 2020

(Trying to) think like a Scandinavian As the sounds of skates sliced across the ice, laughter and joy filled way home. the air. Dad, Mom and the kids were all out on the frozen lake skating. How times have changed. But, winter is still long and cold, and Just 30 miles south, another family hiked the rugged trails of Sibley it’s up to us to figure out what to do with it. We can have the mindset State Park, but not before tossing a few stones onto the clear ice of a of a Floridian and panic at the first snowflake, or we can think like nearby lake to hear the distinctive, other-worldly sound it makes in the a Scandinavian who is excited for winter. Not only do they love the cold air. That was last weekend, and families were enjoying a winter outdoors, but they also enjoy the indoors. A story in Quartz (qz.com) day; they could have been part of a scene from Currier and Ives, albeit about winter joy tells of the word, “hygge,” (pronounced “hooga”) without snow. and explains how Scandinavians thrive in winter: Currier and Ives was a printmaking company that operated be“The word evokes both coziness and togetherness. It’s not just tween 1835-1937, and no doubt you have seen the sentimental scenes cozy with a blanket and a glass of wine, it’s also interpersonally cozy of pond skating and sleigh rides through the snow, among the 7,000 Random Reflections – so having a few people with you talking about issues and things you by Diane Leukam others they did. The images can still be found on tins of candy, nuts and care deeply about. Having some candles lit, maybe a nice warm drink popcorn, on Christmas cards and the like. in your hand. Feeling safe and content.” Winter is here and we might as well enjoy it. My lifelong mindset – outIf you are German, this would be described as gemütlichkeit; if Dutch, geside of reveling in the beauty of snowy, frosty mornings – has been to simply zelligheid. endure winter, but that’s fairly self-defeating. I should take the attitude of my Monday is technically the first day of winter. I wish you well-being and former boss, Dave Simpkins, a Norwegian who loved winter. There was nothing “hygge,” and I wish you a very blessed and Merry Christmas! he would rather do than cross-country ski, snowshoe through the woods near his home or trudge through the snow to his simple little grass-topped sauna. It was about the size of a fish house, and he probably sat there and thought about the next chapter in the book he was writing. People in his ancestral Norway love winter and wait in anticipation for the dark, cold months. They plan outside activities and enjoy the beauty of the season. As one of their sayings goes, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.” For some reason, I just remembered growing up on the farm and wearing old four-buckle boots lined with bread bags. The bags kept the moisture out and helped keep your feet from freezing. A little. During the coldest stretches of winter, I always think of the people who have to be out working in the weather for hours at a time. Farmers with frozen corn silage and gelled up diesel fuel in their tractors are probably not concerned with the aesthetics of Currier and Ives prints. Instead of appreciating the sounds of snow crunching under their feet, they might be hearing the sounds of what they are muttering under their breath. Cold winters on the farm were also tough years ago. The memories of winter change with every generation, many of them revolving around horses and tractors. My grandparents’ memories were different than mine, or those of my parents, kids or grandkids. My parents both farmed using horses when they were kids. Yikes, that dates me. Anyway, Dad told many stories of working with the horses. Let’s just say PUBLIC DOMAIN PHOTO they weren’t his favorite creatures on the planet. Mom spoke of cleaning the This image, “Early Winter, ” was published by Currier and Ives in 1869, one of many gutters in the barn by hand as everyone did in those days. In the winter, manure of prints published by the company from 1835-1937. The “Early Winter “ was loaded onto a sled which was pulled by a team of horses and hauled out to thousands pattern also made its way onto China dishware in white with royal blue. the field where it was unloaded, again by hand. On the very cold winter days, Grandpa would start a fire with part of a straw bale to keep them warm on the

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Friday, December 18, 2020 | Country Acres • Page 7

Q &A s a m t Chris with our advertisers! Tim Kampsen,

Do you decorate for Christmas, and if so, what do you do? Yes, we have five Christmas trees decorated in our house: one in the living room, family room, one in the basement for my wife’s daycare and one in each of our daughters’ bedrooms. We start decorating our house on Nov. 1.

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What are your favorite Christmas traditions? For about the last 15 years we, as a family, go and cut our own Christmas Tree at Cornerstone Pines Christmas Tree Farm. We pick a night and drive around our town, with our popcorn and treats from the Main Street Theatre, and look at Christmas lights, and we also pick a night and eat pizza by the Christmas tree.

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What is your typical Christmas Day? Since we now have grandkids, we have Christmas Day at our house. We get up early and put caramel rolls in the oven; by the time they are done, our girls are up and the grandkids show up. We are all in our pajamas and then we open gifts. We have Shake ‘n Bake chicken with all of the trimmings for lunch and then in the afternoon we play games and have a few drinks; and of course, have our homemade Christmas cookies and treats.

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What is your favorite Christmas memory? One of my favorite memories I have is from when I was a kid growing up on the farm. On Christmas Eve after supper, me and my two bothers would go outside with my dad and help with milking the cows and doing the chores. My two sisters – one just a baby – would stay in the house to do the dishes from supper and clean up. Once Dad would remove the milker from the last cow, we were able to go in the house and get cleaned up. We would then wait until Dad came in from the barn. Once he came in, he would get cleaned up and then me, my two brothers and two sisters would go upstairs and sit at the top of the steps and wait for Santa to come. It seemed like we were there for hours waiting, but in reality it was like 15 minutes. All of a sudden, Mom would holler to us and say, “Santa was just here,” and then we would race downstairs to see all of our gifts. If you could choose any gift for Christmas, what would it be and why? The gift I always want is the gift of family! I am so fortunate to be able to spend Christmas with my wife, kids, grandkids, parents, siblings and in-laws every year. To me, that is one of the greatest gifts anyone could get!

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Do you decorate for Christmas, and if so, what do you do? Myself not so much, but my wife really loves Christmas and loves to decorate. So, I do have to help with some of the high and heavy stuff. I just try to steer clear and let her do her thing, it works out better that way. What are your favorite Christmas traditions? Family. My wife and I have families that love to get together whenever we can and Christmas is one of those holidays that when we get with our families, it is an all-day thing with gifts, games, cards and just having fun.

What is your typical Christmas Day? Christmas Day is usually spent with my wife and our kids, first thing in the morning of course is presents. The kids wake up to see what was brought by Santa overnight, then usually a good breakfast. Depending on what the grandparents are doing that year, either my parents or my wife’s parents will come and have breakfast with us and the grandkids, maybe spending a good part of the day with us. There is a lot of snacking going on all day, which usually leads to an early night.

How is Christmas different now than when you were young? Well, back in the day (my wife loves when I say that), it used to be about getting the gifts, now it is about the giving. Not saying that one is better than the other because they both give you that feelgood feeling.

What is your favorite Christmas memory? A couple of years ago, my step-daughter really wanted this one gift and it was one of two things she wanted in the worst way. It wasn’t an expensive gift, just hard to get and limited time to get it. Well, my wife sat and waited online for I have no idea how long and was able to get this gift for my step-daughter. Christmas day came and she opened the gift and she was so happy that she start crying. Of course, it was one of those moments that gives a wet eye to everyone because she so appreciative and surprised by it.

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Q&A page 8

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Friday, December 18, 2020 | Country Acres • Page 9

Treasures unearthed

Rock collecting an ongoing adventure for Opatzes

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Ed Opatz kneels by a malachite copper mineral stone found by his wife, Marcia, last year. In the background is a large shed containing much of their rock collection.

cupies much of their time and energy, and gives great enjoyment to both. Ed has been a rock collector since he was about 8 years old, when he began working for his father at Opatz Construction. He began picking agates and selling them a couple years later when a buyer would come to town. Throughout the years, he continued collecting various types of rocks, even taking vacation days to indulge in his favorite pastime. Ed met Marcia when they were both in their early 40s, and it was all new to her. She had worked

for ROCORI Community Education, from which she has now retired after 36 years. She fell in love with Ed and rocks, and is all in on the process. She loves sharing the experience as much as Ed – perhaps more so. “It’s sort of awe-inspiring,” she said. “You look at what exists and it’s amazing; I was never into rocks. You’d kick up rocks and you had no idea this stuff exists. Now I do.” Together, they work several two- to three-day rock and mineral shows

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Opatz page 10

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OPOLE – What weighs more than 60,000 pounds, barely fits in a large shed and has many parts? A combine, you say? No, combines don’t weigh that much. This riddle can be solved by visiting with Ed and Marcia Opatz, who live on acreage just north of Opole. Inside their shed and spilling out into their yard, garage and home is what you might call the Opatz obsession. They are rock collectors. There are raw specimens, slabs, decorative applications and fountain rocks. There are big rocks and little, of dozens of varieties. Some are sparkly and colorful, some are agates and amethysts, petrified wood, Native American artifacts and even artwork created by Marcia. On Labor Day weekend this year, the Opatzes had a rock sale at their place. By Monday morning, someone called Ed to see if they had anything left to sell since they had been unable to attend the last couple of days. He laughed and said, “About 30 tons or so.” The couple loves to talk about their collection, most of which is for sale at any given time. On Dec. 7, they sat down in their home to talk about that which oc-

We have

Page 10 • Country Acres | Friday, December 18, 2020

Opatz

from page 9 around the state of Minnesota each year, including Brainerd, Moose Lake and Cottage Grove. They also attend a number of town days and craft shows, adjusting what they bring along depending upon who will be there. For people who are not familiar with rocks, there is one main rule. “It must be pretty,” Marcia said. The highlight of the shows is the kids. “You get to a show and cut open a rock for a young kid and they ooh and ahh all the time, because they are not expecting it,” Ed said. It is the element of surprise that gets them, and Marcia enjoys being there as a witness.

PHOTOS BY DIANE LEUKAM

Marcia and Ed Opatz are pictured Dec. 7 in their home near Opole. Their rock collection can be weighed by the ton, but also includes delicate pieces such as this artwork Marcia created.

“Ed’s really it together and say, ‘you’re good at it; he’ll cut a the first one to ever see inrock, clean it off and hold side this!’ It’s drama and

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they get so excited,” Marcia said. Getting excited about rocks, and the treasures they can hold within, is part of everyday life for the Opatzes. Looking around their home where some of their favorites are displayed, Marcia picked up a rock that sits on the floor near a display case. It is a septarian, a rock that has unique angular cracks that have filled with calcite, and crystals in the geode center. “I like to look at this and say, ‘who would ever pick up this thing?’” Marcia said. “The septarians are perfect; they look like baked potatoes on the outside. You would not pick this up in Minnesota, because this would just be a mud ball of some sort.” Throughout the years, they have traveled throughout the country and wherever they go, they are bound to be searching for something interesting. They have friends all over, many of them with mineral rights to land, and where they go hunting. They have learned much of what they know from other “rock people” who are more experienced and knowledgeable. That has been gradually changing; as the Opatzes shared their story, Ed’s phone rang several times with people who would like to access his expertise. For the past seven years, Ed has been the president of the Cuyuna Rock Club in Brainerd, while Marcia has been the editor of their newsletter. Years ago, when traveling to their cabin near Outing, they would drive past where a rock club met. Marcia suggested

Rocks are organized in boxes for sale Sept. 7 near Opole.

Ed check out a meeting. After doing so, he came back to the cabin and with excitement shared his experience. “You have found your people,” she said. Now, she said, he is starting to look like the guru in their club of 75 households, where they have monthly meetings with speakers, keep in touch on social media and do three or four field trips annually. They often call one another with questions about lapidary equipment, what could be wrong with a saw that is not working or where to find parts. “It’s nice to hang out with a whole bunch of other people because you start learning these tricks,” Ed said. “And, more than 98% of rock people are good, honest people.” Ed has slowed down with his excavating business, decreasing his hours by 50% in the last year. That gives the two of them more

time to work on their collection. Every year when they travel, it will involve some sort of adventure. For instance, almost four years ago in Arizona, they got lost on a mountain when they realized a sign along the trail had been turned. They were heading in the wrong direction as it began to get dark. They found themselves in a box canyon and ended up needing to be rescued. Back in Minnesota, they used the harrowing experience as one of the monthly speakers at their meeting. What they learned could at least be used to help others avoid the same mistake. With all this knowledge and a collection that measures by the ton, one might ask the Opatzes, what are their favorite

Opatz page 11

“The Baby” is 5.75-pound Lake Superior agate, the favorite in the Ed and Marcia Opatz collection. This one is not for sale, and is kept with other valuable stones at a local bank.

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Friday, December 18, 2020 | Country Acres • Page 13

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Page 14 • Country Acres | Friday, December 18, 2020

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of the cousins has used their own natural talents to raise funds too, seeking pledges for home runs, catching fish or scoring points in volleyball, as well as selling wares at craft and bake sales. Together though, they plan, plant and run the annual CaSaMa BrIsSp Foundation Plant Sale on their grandparents’ property. Through the years the plant sale has become so successful that Betty and Jim constructed a greenhouse to aide in the production. The kids begin in the middle of March planting tomatoes and peppers, roughly 400 of each. They buy the soil and some of the seeds with money from the foundation, they cover the cost of advertising the sale and they reuse as many donated planting containers as they can. The kids, who now range in age from 14 to 20, grow approximately 2,500 vegetables, annuals and perennials a year. They’re in charge of not

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Spencer Lieser plants seeds for the annual foundation plant sale. The group usually plants around 400 tomatoes (between 25-30 varieties) and 400 pepper plants (between 25-30 varieties) each year, plus another 500700 other plants including squash, flowers, eggplant and cabbage.

only planting, but caring for the plants and watering them, which takes 1.5 to 2 hours twice a week. They move the peppers and tomatoes to insulated and portable hot houses they have to set up in order to do a second planting, and by the time they’re ready to sell, the tomatoes are two feet tall. Together, the cousins move the plants, set up the sale, price things, assist customers and clean it all up when the sale is over. Anything that doesn’t sell, Schmidt said, gets donat-

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Samantha Lieser writes out plant tags for each individual plant to be sold at the foundation’s annual plant sale.

ed to the Melrose Area Food Shelf for its community garden. Annually, the sale raises about $2,000. The 150 to 200 customers each year include community members and the kids’ teachers and principal. This year, to fall inline with COVID-19 regulations, the Schmidts allowed the kids to run the plant sale in a large, 1,200-square-foot gazebo on their property. This year, it’s where the family will gather for their Christmas celebration in order to socially distance. In 2010, Betty and Jim told the grandchildren that the foundation could disband after the seed money had been doubled 100 times, meaning they’d raised and donated $15,000. Instead, this year, the foundation has started something new. The grandkids have decided to launch a grant program from the foundation – which to date has raised more than $22,000. The grants are up to $1,000 and are open to kids age 13-19 who want to start a business. The only caveat … the recipients must agree to help someone else along the way. They may agree to a grant to buy start-up supplies for a lawnmow-

CaSaMa BrIsSp page 15

FROM

May joy, hope and happiness be yours this Christmas season.

Brad Herickhoff, Owner 320-351-4872

Friday, December 18, 2020 | Country Acres • Page 15

Joy to the World!

The Lord has come!

from page 14 ing business as long as the person mowing lawns also agrees to mow a certain percentage of lawns for the elderly free of charge. Each applicant must have two letters of reference and parent permission to participate. The foundation, begun all those years ago by Jim and Betty Schmidt after hearing an inspirational challenge from John Tesh to go into the world and make a difference, is now leaving a lasting legacy.

It continues a tradition of giving that has always been part of their family culture. Betty, even when she was working full-time, got up early, before heading to work, to feed the dairy cows on her mom’s family farm which is now run by her brothers. The couple has worked together in a multitude of ways to help non-profits throughout Central Minnesota, and when their kids were little, they brought them along to help. In addition, Jim, who grew up with a sister who had special needs, worked helping others for decades. He worked for Catholic Charities, first providing peer counseling to farmers and then as the

organization’s database administrator. “Growing up in that kind of tapestry, you kind of have that understanding that there’s a lot of need in the world, so if you see something, you have to do something,” he said. They’re hoping they’ve passed along the same edict to their grandchildren. “I’m hopeful that they would be willing to find things in their own life,” Jim said. “That they are willing to share with others, whether it’s being generous or being able to give of themselves and their time through volunteering.”

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PHOTO SUBMITTED

Isaac Lieser works with Matthew Lieser’s fiancée, Allison Hukreide, to move plants into the hothouses.

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One Tough Animal

Page 16 • Country Acres | Friday, December 18, 2020

Engineering creative juices in whitetail country

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Four of the Haberers’ wines have medaled at the American Wine Society competition.

Haberer’s many interests meld into winery BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER

LOWRY – The creator of Whitetail Meadow Winery has always been intrigued with process, with engineering, with design. The same attention to detail Deanna Haberer has used in her careers as an automotive mechanic, automotive engineer and quality-control engineer, is intrinsic to the way she creates her own, unique blends of wine. Now, with two silver and two bronze medals from the American Wine Society competition in Virginia, Haberer is expanding her production area to produce more than double the amount of wine she did last year. The Lowry winery owner is also dreaming of opening a retail and tasting room on the property along with a little restaurant – if production keeps expanding, she

Deanna Haberer named Whitetail Meadow Winery after the whitetail deer that frequents the property and lives among the tall prairie grass.

Haberer page 17

Deanna and Reid Haberer’s daughter, Skylar, helps pick grapes at her parents’ winery.

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Friday, December 18, 2020 | Country Acres • Page 17

Haberer

Happy

from front

envisions her dream could be a reality in the next three years. “Wine is the perfect combination of artistry and chemistry,” Haberer said. Haberer’s yearn for the craft began when she was little, wandering around her dad, Dale Wussow’s construction company D&W Construction. She’d aim her squirt guns at the mechanic and he’d show her how to fix things. When she became a teen, her dad taught her to change the oil and she became interested in fixing engines and learning exactly how they worked. She got her first pickup truck, a 2000 Chevy Silverado half ton, and she was so meticulous with her truck she wanted to fix it herself. While in high school she worked as a mechanic for a few years and then spent two years at St. Cloud Technical and Community College studying automotive service technology. She went on to double major in automotive engineering technology and manufacturing engineering technology at Minnesota State University –

Holidays

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Thank you to everyone for your business in 2020!

Deanna and Reid Haberer are pictured with a wine tank on their property near Lowry.

Mankato. She wanted to build vehicles. She learned about vehicle design, thermal dynamics, composites and more. “My passion for designing and creating started,” she said. She tried to get into GM in Michigan and spent time working at the Nevada Automotive Test Center, testing military vehicles, Jeeps and John Deeres. She worked to redesign a chassis in a military vehicle used for detecting weapons of mass destruction. She went on to meet and marry her husband,

Deanna Haberer’s father Dale Wussow, assists in making the very first batch of what is now known as Antler Red. They combined all the grapes from harvest before the two took a trip to Alaska.

Reid, and the two eventually moved to Lowry. Because her dad was into winemaking, Deanna wanted to plant grapevines on their property, envisioning a side hobby. She and Reid built the trellising themselves. At the time, Deanna worked as a quality-control engineer, designing food safety programs and testing the quality of incoming product for Reid’s parents, Randy and Ann Haberer, at their company, Haberer Foods International. Reid farmed and did commodity trading for the company. When Reid and Deanna’s daughter Skylar, now 6, came along, Deanna stayed home for 18 months, but her brain couldn’t stop creating. She launched her own clothing line for outdoor women, Legacy Huntress. The line included T-shirts, jackets, pants and concealed carry jackets, all designed by Haberer herself. She worked with manufacturers overseas and did procurement, but was finding it increasingly difficult to break into the retail clothing market. She and her dad planned a getaway trip to Alaska and before they left for their trip in 2017, they quickly took the first batch of grapes off the vines at Reid and Deanna’s, put them all in one fermenter and took off for their trip.

Haberer page 19

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Page 18 • Country Acres | Friday, December 18, 2020

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With the Purchase of a Fully Constructed Building or a Complete Material Package If Your Purchase is Valued At

Receive a Gift Card Valued At

$10,000 to $30,000 $30,001 to $50,000 $50,001 to $75,000 Over $75,000

Contact Diane at diane@saukherald.com

$100 $200 $300 $500

***Your choice of a Cenex, Amazon, or Cabela’s Gift Card*** Offer valid through Dec 31, 2020 Gift card will be mailed upon receipt of final payment

R FO Country lot

near Big Sauk Lake 40044 Sauk Hills Circle

Grizzly Buildings, Inc.

20 buildable country acres south of Sauk Centre Getty Twp. Sect 27

305 W Hwy 212 Danube, MN 56230 Local: 320-826-2512

CADec18-MS

L SA

www.grizzlybuildings.com License #BC638144

Dale Zaczkowski Farm & Land Sales | 320-248-2146 hughesrealestate.net CA-Dec18-1B-RB

Miss the Sprout Market in Little Falls? Come to the farm!

HELP WANTED

31367 201st Ave Browerville, Mn 56438

DIESEL MECHANIC at our Sauk Centre location

320.527.0050

CA-Dec18-1B-MT

Shag rugs, some sewn goods, 2 hand-quilted quilts available, pickles, pickled beets, no sugar dills, jam and jellies, candies and misc. Will do baking orders for Christmas etc. and anytime. Also baby bunnies ready to go by December 14th.

CADec18-1B-JO

Please send resume to: resume@modernfarmequipment.com or call Mike or Mike Jr. at 320-352-6543

131 12th St. S.

Sauk Centre

FOR SALE:

CA-Dec18-1B-RB

QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WILL: • Perform Intermediate Diagnostics • Service Repairs • Maintenance work on ag equipment and light construction equipment

www.mnnationalagency.com info@mnnationalagency.com

706 S Lake St.

Long Prairie 320.732.6612

Let us help you with your insurance needs! Carol Rieland, CISR; Mark T. Maloney Agency Manager; Heidi Beissel, CISR Elite/Account Manager

DECEMBER SPECIAL BUY 5 CAR WASHES GET 5 FREE

Quality Construction...

Built to Handle Our Midwest Weather!

Disclaimer: Dealer not responsiblw for lost or forgotten codes, or any remaining car washes that are left on code. Not valid with any other offer or discount. See service for complete details. Expires 12/31/2020.

320-845-2801 • 800-392-3426 Fax: 320-845-4788

Custom Built to Any Size

Fast & Economical!

CA-Dec18-1B-WS

www.albanychrysler.com

SERVICE HOURS:

Mon.-Fri. 7:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.; Sat. 7:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

CA-Jan17-1B-TV

Big Enough to Earn Your Business... Small Enough to Keep It

24x24x10 ........$7,500 30x40x10 ......$11,000 36x48x10 ......$14,000 40x64x12 ......$18,000

Subject to local building codes, snow-load requirements, delivery & crew travel in some areas. Prices subject to change without notice.

Ask Abou Concretet Prices!

Fully Insured #BC574944

320.492.6364

j.austinconstruction@yahoo.com

Page 24 • Country Acres | Friday, December 18, 2020

For Those Hard to Buy for Christmas Presents!

Low payments for a highly productive poultry farm.

Small Gift Box Low Profile Series

• (2) = 1# Cheese (your choice) • (1) = Unmarked Summer Sausage ($7.00 Value) Gift Box included

105.6-114.1 HP Designed for orchard & poultry farms

$22.00

Now is the best time to save on the Kubota low profile series.

$0 DOWN 0% APR 48 MONTHS

SAVE UP TO $3,000

NO PAYMENTS FOR 90 DAYS

VISIT US TODAY FOR THIS LIMITED-TIME OFFER

Large Gift Box • (3) = 1# Cheese (your choice) • (1) = Unmarked Summer Sausage ($7.00 Value) Gift Box included

$27.00

COUNTRY STORE

KubotaUSA.com

Monday – Friday: 8:00AM to 6:30PM Sat.: 8:00AM to 3:00PM Sunday: Closed 300 Main St., Cold Spring, MN • (320) 685-8651

© Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2020. $0 Down, 0% A.P.R. financing for up to 48 months on purchases of new Kubota M5L, M6L Series equipment from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory is available to qualified purchasers through Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A.; subject to credit approval. Example: 46 monthly payments of $21.74 per $1,000 financed. Customer instant rebates of $3,000 are available on qualifying finance or $6,000 on cash purchases of M6L equipment. Contract term begins from the date of first payment which is due 90 days from the contract date. Example: Purchase made on 11/1/20, first monthly payment is due 2/1/21. Some exceptions apply. Offers expire 12/31/20. Terms subject to change. This material is for descriptive purposes only. Kubota disclaims all representations and warranties, express or implied, or any liability from the use of this material. For complete warranty, disclaimer, safety, incentive offer and product information, consult your Dealer or KubotaUSA.com.

CA-Dec18-1B-MS

Building A Bin Should Be Simple, Right?

Quality | Selection | Service 2020 CHEVROLET TAHOE LT

Are You Tired Of....

MSRP $64,215 - $18,000 off MSRP 21K miles. Stock #U3464

• No Communication? • Additional Costs & Surprises? • Crews Not Showing Up? • Excuses, Lies & No Return Calls? • Picking Up After Bin Crews? • Lack of Quality & Care?

46, 215

2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX Premier MSRP $36,895 - $10,500 off MSRP 17K miles. Stock #U3465

2017 CHEVROLET BOLT EV Premier

WINTER DISCOUNTS ARE HERE! We Know You Have More To Do Than Babysit & Pickup After Bin Crews. You Simply Want A Competitive Price On A Quality Grain Bin! You Need It Installed Correctly, Done On Time, And A Contractor That Answers Your Phone Call For Service & Questions.

TRUST IN 50 YEARS OF HAPPY CUSTOMERS! CALL US TODAY OR VISIT WWW.AGRI-SYSTEMS.COM LITCHFIELD, MN (800) 246-6094

COTTONWOOD, MN (507) 530-2365

mdoering@agri-systems.com

bjeseritz@agri-systems.com

26, 395

MSRP $42,530 21K miles. Stock #U3450

211 G

LEN S

TREE

T F

18,990

, MN OLEY

5632

320-968-6239 | 888-868-6239 Open Monday-Friday 8-6 • Sat 8-2

www.murphychevrolet.com

CA-Dec18-1B-BL

CA_Dec18_1B_WS

COLD SPRING CO-OP &

E Hwy 12 - Willmar | 320-235-2717 | haugkubota.com

Friday, December 18, 2020 | Country Acres • Page 27

As the Child first cried

redhorizonequipment.com 21915 160th Street Glenwood, MN 56334

Phone: 320-634-4445

Equipment & Truck by Herman Lensing

There may not have been snow in Palestine that day. When a couple from Nazareth came Bethlehem’s way. There was no greeting as they looked for a place to stay. All the rooms were crowded, they were told, “go away.” It was not in the plan of this angel-foretold birth, Heaven would be there, to help them on Earth. But now heaven was silent, guidance a dearth, This child would be born absent any mirth.

2018 Versatile 610

2019 Degelman 33’ Protill

4wd 751.40 hours, Cummins ISX 15 liter, 610 HP, Cat 16 speed power shift, front, mid and rear weights, 6 hydraulic remotes-high flow, radio/ CD, front and rear diff lock, 800/70R38 tires, drum duals, Deluxe cab, autosteer ready, Cat V drawbar, tow cable, LED lighting chassis and cab, remaining factory warranty.

600/50R22.5 tires, 33' working width, 19" double V notched front blades, 19" smooth rear blades, OTICO rubber roller with max life scrapers, Cat IV and V hitch.

2013 Kenworth $ T660 Daycab

New 2021 Timpte 4066 Super Hopper

A stable was given them, where animals slept, Fodder, bedding, water for creatures were kept. Into a house not of kings but of livestock they crept. Cattle lowed, donkeys brayed and mice in straw leapt.

298,500

105,500

Outside it was night, a star-filled celestial dome, On hills, sheep bleated and chewed grass at their home. Shepherds wished for a quiet night and perhaps said, “shalom,” For what was to happen this night, no one said a proem.

46,500

380,741 miles, Cummins ISX, 450 HP, 13 speed Eaton Fuller, air ride, 275-80R22.5 front tires, 295-75R22.5 rear tires, 180" wheel base, 3.70 ratio, dual fuel tanks, sing exhaust, air slide 5th wheel, 6 aluminum wheels, power windows and door locks.

The first Christmas, in a distanced time and faraway land, A moment so important, announced by an angel band. God sent His Son that day, to save us by His hand, For His love for us was greater than we could understand.

Have all your Ag & Truck equipment repaired locally:

We are now focused on a festive, happy Yuletide, As we smile and greet, song and a blessing we provide. Remember always that Birth, as the Child first cried, Was a Merry Christmas to which salvation was tied.

• Combines & Heads • Tillage Equipment • Mowers

• Tractors • Trailers • Trucks

39,750

AG hoppers, air ride, 11R22.5 tires, 4 with aluminum wheels, 40'x66"x96", stainless steel front corners and rear panel, 2 rows of 3 bullet LED lights, Thunder electric tarp with Thunder cords, easy flow electric traps, FET paid.

Large in-stock parts and bulk oils for Trucks & Farm Equipment: Oil, Washerfluid, Lights and more

CA-Dec18-1B-JO

Then a Child was born, announcing His birth with a first cry. The parents felt joy; wonder and love they did apply. In the heavens word spread, shepherds saw light in the sky, Angels announced a new time was here, salvation was nigh.

WE DO PLANTER SERVICE CALLS Emergency service, any day, any time.

Call whenever you need us, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

320-251-5090 141 28th Ave. S. Waite Park, MN

Time to go through your meters

trautcompanies.com

• Test your John Deere, Knize, Case, White, and Precision Planting meters for only $30 per meter per test. • Drop them off at one of our shops or we can pick them up at your farm.* *$10.00 charge to pick up. Planter must be capable of getting to. • All Meters will be ran on test stand and a parts list and quote will be presented to the grower. BELGRADE 616 Parkway Drive, Belgrade, MN Nick Hanson • 320-979-6820 CA-DEC18-1B-WS

LAKE LILLIAN 4041 180th Ave SE, Lake Lillian Peter Johnson • 320-212-8551

CADec18-1B-JO

Because we value your business, your call will always be answered by a live person, not a machine.

Test Your Meters Today!

GET THOSE LAST MINUTE TUNE UPS DONE BEFORE WE HIT THE FIELD