Country Acres - May 21, 2021 by Star Publications

ountry C Friday, May 21, 2021

cres A Focusing on Today’s Rural Environment

Volume 8, Edition 24

stone with a purpose Jerry Frank stands next to the upright stone destined to become a veterans’ memorial in his front pasture.

Frank honors veterans with pasture memorial BY SARAH COLBURN | STAFF WRITER

ANDALL – The veterans memorial on Jerry and Tina Frank’s front lawn has become a place where people stop to take photos and pay their respects to those who have served their country. Jerry erected the memorial in August 2016. It’s made of a 9-and-a-half-foot stone that was discovered when he was working with a company to get the big rocks out of his cow pasture. The stone was so large the company unearthed it but couldn’t lift it. It lay in the pasture for a year or two before Frank realized its true purpose. He hired a neighbor with a front end loader to help move the stone, but their equipment topped out at 22 tons so in-

stead, the neighbor dragged it across the pasture and lifted it vertical onto its natural square stone base. A natural triangular shape graces the top of the stone. “It was shocking,” Frank said. “That rock was perfectly square with the world on that base.” The stone was a natural fit to serve as a monument to veterans. Frank himself served as a Marine during the Vietnam War. He was stationed as northern artillery control in North Vietnam. His father was in the U.S. Army during WWII, his brother was in the Navy as a PHOTOS SUBMITTED Vietnam veteran and another A veterans’ memorial is pictured in all its glory, with flags honoring all five branches of the military service,

Frank page 2

located in Jerry and Tina Frank’s pasture near Randall.

ST R COUNTRY: Publications bli ti This month in the

The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.

(Watch for the next edition of Country Acres on June 4

“Our own little corner of the world” Spicer

14 Labor of love: a gift for Grandpa West Union

Big farm, little farm Diane Leukam column

16 Cojo, cattle and community Grove City

Life after dairy Watkins

20 Raising cattle, crops and children Sauk Centre

21 Country cooking 26 Animals we love photo page

Page 2 • Country Acres | Friday, May 21, 2021

Country Acres

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 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

Frank

from front was in the U.S. Airforce before Vietnam. He also has two brothers-in-law who served, and his son enlisted in the U.S. Army. Tina’s family has been equally involved in service. Her father served in WWII and two of her brothers served in the U.S. Navy during Vietnam. “It’s the sacrifice you make and it’s one hell of a learning experience – you grow up fast,” Frank said. For him, service to the country was an obligation he wanted to fulfill. Now, he takes pride in seeing others appreciate veterans right outside his house. “I’m so appreciative of how appreciative they are,” he said. “When people stop to take a picture…” Most of the fall and winter he can see the monument from inside his house and he drives right past it each and every time he comes up the driveway. The stone is erected 30 yards from his driveway, in the pasture, and about 50 feet from Apron Road. Frank maintains the monument out of respect. He takes the flags down when there’s

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

A friend of Jerry Frank’s moves the stone that would become the memorial in Frank’s pasture near Randall.

a storm on the horizon. Solar LED lights shine on the flags at night and another shines on the flag pole. “It looks good at night,” he said. He proudly flies the U.S. Marine Corp flag, the Minnesota flag and the POW flag. On holidays, including Labor Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Thanksgiving, he puts out flags representing all five branches of the military. While some flags fly from the main pole, others are affixed to poles that protrude directly out of the monument.

Frank spent 12 hours, 9-anda-half feet in the air, standing atop the rock drilling the very first hole so he could affix the first flag to the monument. Part of the rock is granite and, using a drill, he created a hole fiveeighths-inch wide and 4 inches deep; it took him three hours to drill out an inch of stone. “I’m sure there was an easier way to do it, but I didn’t know it at the time,” he said. Every time he sees a car stop to take pictures, or times like the day when 12 four-wheelers rolled up to his property for a day-break and a

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.

walk around the monument, he said it’s worth it. The stone is not only a tribute to all veterans, but also to those in his family. He hired a company to sandblast the rock on-site. It now carries the Marine Corp emblem, the Marines’ bulldog symbol, and his son’s emblem from the U.S. Army along with his name, his son’s name and son-in-law’s name – both his son and son-in-law are Iraqi veterans. Frank specifically enlisted in the service, knowing he would likely be drafted, but he wanted to sign up for the Marine Corp. “They’ve got the greatest fighting tradition in the world,” he said. “It’s a proud tradition of the Marine Corp.” Through the years, Frank has added to the monument site. The first year he erected the stone, moved it three or four inches and left it. Working in stages, he added the engraving. Then, as cows rubbed up against it, he opted to add a white fence, specifically built in the shape of the Pentagon. Visible from air or drone, the pentagon shape creates the outline for the memorial site. He jokingly refers to it as “the Department of De-Fence.” There’s a cement slab at the site to represent the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. He hired an artist in Cushing to create handcrafted metal statues for the space. One is a Marine

A friend of the Franks stencils and sandblasts the inscriptions into the memorial stone.

Frank page 3

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Friday, May 21, 2021 | Country Acres • Page 3

Frank

from page 2

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PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Solar lights illuminate the veterans’ memorial in Jerry and Tina Frank’s front pasture.

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guarding the tomb. Two silhouettes depict a soldier kneeling down with a cross with a helmet on it. The other is a nod to the Wounded Warrior Project and depicts a soldier carrying a fellow comrade. Frank was inspired to create the memorial after visiting an Amish village in Southeastern Minnesota where he noticed farmers had little flags and monuments for veterans in the corner of their fields. Through the years, various family members who are veterans have posed with the monument. Out of every evil, he said, there’s always some good and that’s what he hopes to perpetuate with his monument. “When we came home from Vietnam, we weren’t respected, we never got the recognition, and now we do,” he said. “A lot of veterans are happy to see the monument because it represents what they did.”

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Page 4 • Country Acres | Friday, May 21, 2021

PHOTOS BY ANNA HAYNES

This old farmhouse still stands on the original Nelson farmsite, shown here April 26 near Spicer. Alex Nelson plans to repair some old buildings and rebuild other structures, preparing for when he’ll move back with his wife and children in a newly built home.

Alex Nelson stands on his ancestors’ farm April 26 near Spicer. His predecessors emigrated from Norway to Minnesota to homestead a piece of land. The homestead still has many signs of the people who built it, including original outbuildings, horse saddles, a surrey, old farm tools and 150 years of history.

“Our own little corner of the world” Nelson’s sesquicentennial farm a connection to the past

SPICER – For many living in America’s breadbasket, farming is a connection to a family business, land and traditions. To Alex Nelson, farming is an important part of his connection to his heritage. Nelson operates a sesquicentennial farm outside of Spicer and continues his family’s tradition of living off the land and living on

their land. “Somehow, we’ve managed to stay here,” Nelson said. “We haven’t grown much, but we didn’t leave.” A sesquicentennial farm is a farm which has been in continuous operation by direct descendants of the original homesteaders for 150 years. Nelson lives nearby the homestead and maintains the original farmhouse. He also manages a small beef cattle and grain farm with his

wife, Haily, daughter, Taytum, 8, and 9-month-old son, Beckham. “When I was younger, I knew I enjoyed farming,” Nelson said. “I knew I wanted to stay on the land. It’s not just farming to support the family. I value the farm for the family history and the stories. From the begin-

Nelson page 5

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Friday, May 21, 2021 | Country Acres • Page 5

PHOTOS BY ANNA HAYNES

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The original kitchen from Alex Nelson’s ancestral farm home (right) was built detached from the main structure, as was common in days of no air conditioning. The farmhouse has been remodeled and had additions built several times in the last 100 years.

ning, I knew this was what I wanted.” Nelson grew up with dairy cattle. Around five years ago when he returned to farming, Nelson chose to begin growing crops and keep only a dozen beef cattle. He produces a small income from the farm and works a day-job to support his family. According to Nelson, his parents were living on the farm and sold their dairy cows in the mid 90s. In 2019, after several years of renting land from his father to crop farm, Nelson purchased his parents’ farm and is now in operation of their land and his family’s homestead. His parents live across the road from Nelson in their retirement home. Nelson remains close to his family and his heritage. The historical farmhouse is still used by some of Nelson’s extended family. Nelson said aunts and uncles often visit in the summer and stay in the house together, and it also holds several generations of artifacts, letters and furniture. “The history of the land is important to me,” Nelson said. “The house could burn down tomorrow and I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it; it’s the land. It’s what brought my ancestors here and keeps me here. I love this land. I want to make sure there’s still someone to value the history and appreciate what our ancestors went through

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father died. What promises and dreams were shared in those last hours can only be surmised from the farm that rose on the banks of Shakopee Creek. A farm that would be owned and worked by the descendants of Nils and Helga for over 130 years.” Nelson grew up outside of Spicer on his parents’ farm, next to the homestead farm where his grandparents still lived. Nelson said that after a few years living in Duluth while attending college, he knew it was time to return to his family’s land. Hanson describes the farm area by Lake Florida slough by saying, “On this land, six generations would follow cutting timbers and firewood, shooting at ducks, trapping muskrats,

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Nelson page 6

(above) Alex Nelson stands inside his family’s ancestral homestead April 26 outside of Spicer. (below) While living amid the history of his ancestors, Alex Nelson also works with modern technology for a modern farm, as shown April 26 near Spicer.

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to build this place.” In a 1998 letter to Nelson descendants, John Hanson described the farmhouse built on the site of the original settler’s dugout. Hanson is Nelson’s first cousin once removed and has documented and compiled much of the family history. Nils and Helge Thorson first lived there as the first generation of homesteaders in 1867. The same location would later hold a log cabin and eventually the farmhouse. Nils Thorson did not survive the first year in Kandiyohi County; he died hours after his son, Lars, arrived, and Lars would later build the log cabin and run the farm from 1876 until 1930. Describing Lars’ arrival at the new land, Hanson writes, “Now, Lars could only sit and watch as his

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Page 10 • Country Acres | Friday, May 21, 2021

Libbesmeiers from page 9

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“It was very difficult to make that decision that I was going to have to part with my dairy cows,” Dennis said. “I wanted more free time; I have grandkids coming up now and I want to be able to do things with them. I would also like to do some fishing.” They built a 750head slat barn in preparation and in 2018 bought their first batch of feeder calves. The transition out of dairy took time. They buy feeder calves at around 400 pounds and don’t sell them until a year later when they’re their full size at 1,400 pounds. After the first batch, though, Libbesmeier said he knew the transition was going to work. “It’s more flexible,” he said. “We spend onefourth of the time with 1,000 head of cattle ver-

sus 60 head of dairy. That’s a real number. It’s just overall much easier.” It took Libbesmeier a good five years to decide he was nearing the end of dairy and was going to have to make a decision. “My body was actually directing me to do something else,” he said. “A lot of dairy farmers think there’s no life after dairy, but there is.” Patrick also had a lot to do with the transition. He kept encouraging Libbesmeier to make the leap. “He would say, ‘I think it’s time, I think it’s time,’ that pushed me a little bit, too,” he said. In addition to the grandkids coming down the line, Libbesmeier knew the transition made it possible to pass the farm on to his son one day. Libbesmeier’s children all helped on the farm beginning in their teen years, but Patrick was the only one to continue on full time with the family farm. Libbesmeier

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PHOTOS BY ANNA HAYNES

Dennis (left) and Patrick Libbesmeier walk across their backyard to a soybean field May 10 on their farm outside of Watkins. (right) Dennis Libbesmeier climbs into a tractor with a roller; Libbesmeier is cutting back on the amount of farm work he does, but both he and Patrick work on the farm full time.

is proud of the paths all of his children have chosen. His daughters, Jill Massmann and Mandy Krippner, are nurse practitioners and Massmann is married to a farmer and works on her own land. Libbesmeier really didn’t begin to think about succession planning until he was 50 years old. At the age of 59 now, he said it’s exciting to think his family may carry on the farming

tradition. He grew up on a dairy farm a mile from his own, and his grandparents ran a dairy farm. His parents, Richard and Jeanette Libbesmeier, stopped their dairy business in 2007 but his mom still lives on the family farm today and hires kids to plant it and harvest it though she’s 85. “It kind of feels like a big deal to, down the road, have my son on the farm, and now possibly,

than they did for my grandson,” Libbesother families. meier said. “After I sold my dairy Though Libbesmeier I did feel a big weight liftdid manage to take fam- ed off of my shoulders,” ily vacations when his he said. “There’s so kids were younger, the Libbesmeiers little things he did with his kids looked different page 11

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Page 14 • Country Acres | Friday, May 21, 2021

Labor of Love: A gift for Grandpa BY DIANE LEUKAM STAFF WRITER

WEST UNION – With the approach of Chuck Hector’s 90th birthday, his family wanted to provide him with a gift that is turning out to be a true labor of love. The West Union farmer has acquired a collection of tractors – and lots of other things – over his time on the century farm. During the past few weekends, the family has gathered there to organize, clean and display the collection. Sheds were emptied and cleaned, tractors detailed and memories shared. “Dad wasn’t quite sure what we were going to do at first, but when things were all cleaned up and lined up, he seemed very happy and proud of the results,” Hector’s PHOTOS SUBMITTED daughter, Connie HellChuck Hector of Osakis has received an early 90th ermann, said. birthday gift as family members have been gathering One day a friend on weekends to clean and organize sheds, display collections and share memories on his West Union farm.

This group off Ch Chuckk H Hector’s to and display Thi t ’ ffamily il members b iis working ki t clean l d di l Hector’s collections of tractors and memorabilia on the century farm near West Union. Pictured are (sitting) Lennon Hellermann; Middle: Tyler Harth, Carol Jean VanVranken, Rikka Hector-Burrer, Connie Hellermann and Jan and Mark Pladson; Back: Chuck Hector, Eric Hellermann, Todd Burrer and Dan Hellermann.

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Friday, May 21, 2021 | Country Acres • Page 15 PHOTOS SUBMITTED

The Farmalls in Chuck Hector’s tractor collection are displayed in his farm shed near West Union. As a 90th birthday gift, his family members have been cleaning and organizing the sheds and collections on the century farm.

( (above) Chuck Hector’s great-grandson, g Tyler Harth, 12, hooks a H cchain to pull a tractor while grandson, Eric w Hellermann, H operates tthe skid loader. (left) This FFarmall Cub is one of Chuck Hector’s favorites C aamong his collection of ttractors. (below) Tyler H Harth sits proudly on an A Allis-Chalmers.

Chuck Hector leans on his H John Deere while watching family members work to clean and display his collection on his West Union farm.

Rikka Hector-Burrer (left) and Carol Jean VanVranken place memorabilia on display shelves built by grandson, Eric Hellermann.

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FILE PHOTO BY JENNIFER COYNE

Joe Jans and Taylor Fester talk about what a dairy cattle judge might look for in the show ring at Jans’ farm near Grove City in 2019.

Jans

from page 16 than 40 years ago, Greg is in full support of that aspect of the farm as is Joe, who showed with his sister, Codey, and Jennessa. At Cojo, Jennessa is considered to be another daughter, having been on the farm since she was provided daycare there many years ago. She is able to delegate work while overseeing the show side of the cattle. Other family members showing cattle are Greg’s grandsons, Taylor Fester, 18, and his brother, Eric, 15; Joe’s daughters, Liberty, 17, and Pyper, 9; Jennessa’s children, Kaylee, 13, Mya, 8, and Ty, 5; Edwyn Gonzalez, 15, and a calf feeder at the farm, described by Greg as a “cow man to the core.” Edwyn is the son of Greg’s nephew, Seth Beckstrand and his wife, Anna.

On April 26, Greg, Jennessa, Taylor and Edwyn gathered at the farm to talk about their experiences showing cattle. Through the years, they did well enough selecting cattle from the herd but, with encouragement from Taylor, began to breed certain cattle specifically for showing. He wanted to win more. “We always bred for milk production, reproduction, herd health and all that – not for show animals,” Greg said. That is quite logical for a herd of dairy cattle, but show cattle selections may stray slightly from those qualities; they are usually taller and longer in stature and very straight over the back. “We had been holding our own without buying our cattle,” Taylor said. “We won our county fair and the state fair (with cattle) bred on the farm.” Purchased heifer have been quite successful, with one earning All American as a heifer,

sixth as a cow, and then all American at the World Dairy Expo. “She is Khloe, the one everyone knows by her name,” Taylor said. He has hopes that Khloe, a Red and White Holstein, will do well at the expo again as a 4-yearold, with hopes for her daughters as well. “These guys gave done a good job,” Greg said. “They know how to pick them out.” The breeds represented at show by the family are as follows: Taylor: Red and White, and Black and White Holsteins; Liberty and Edwyn: Brown Swiss; Mya, Kaylee and Ty: Ayrshire. Edwyn has two good reasons for showing Brown Swiss. “I like the color they have and I don’t have to go against Taylor always beating me!” he said. The variety of cattle is satisfying to show.

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Friday, May 21, 2021 | Country Acres • Page 19

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Firemen assess the damage after a fire destroyed a re-purposed tie stall barn Jan. 4 at Cojo Dairy near Grove City. The lives of 28 show heifers were lost, a tragedy for the family who for generations has shown and leased cattle for the Meeker County Fair, the Minnesota State Fair and the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin.

from page 18 “We lost about a whole year’s worth of heifers, from 2 months to a year,” Jennessa said. “(So far), each of the kids has bought a heifer to start over. I think we have some decent animals that we will keep breeding, (and try to) get heifers out of them.” Not all was lost. “They still have the older show cattle; they didn’t lose all the genetics,” Greg said The fire was tragic,

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for a month. “One lady was not a farm gal, but she appreciated the kids helping out her daughter,” Greg said. “She sent a check for $10,000 for the kids to buy replacement animals. “It still brings tears to my eyes.”

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Page 20 • Country Acres | Friday, May 21, 2021

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PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Jessica and Marcus Minette and their four children, Levi (front, from left), Clare and Olen, and (back) Nora, stand in their beef cow pasture May 10 west of Sauk Centre. The Minettes have 75 cow-calf pairs on their farm.

Raising cattle, crops and children Minette is fourth-generation beef farmer BY JENNIFER COYNE | STAFF WRITER

SAUK CENTRE – One of Marcus Minette’s favorite activities of the day is checking pasture with his children. They travel through the rolling pastures of the farm, assuring all cattle are safe and healthy, and the fence line is secure. It is a chore that exposes the authenticity of raising beef cattle on the land. “Raising beef is something we’ve always done,” said Marcus of his family heritage. “It’s really neat to think how long we’ve been doing this, and I’d like to carry it on.” Marcus is the fourth generation of Minettes to raise cattle, crops and

children on the family farm west of Sauk Centre. He and his wife, Jessica, and their four children – Olen, 10, Clare, 8, Levi, 5, and Nora, 3 – care for 75 Angus cows and their calves in partnership with Marcus’ dad, Jerry. In addition to the livestock, the Minettes also grow corn and soybean as cash crops. “The majority of what we do as farmers is growing crops, but the cows and calves take most of our time,” Marcus said. “Beef farming isn’t an easy job whether you have a few head or a lot of head.” While ranching is a year-round job, the start

of a new herd begins in April when the cows start calving. For the Minettes, this is about a two-month period of diligent care for the soon-to-be mothers and newborn animals. About 75% of the herd calves in during the month of April; another 15% calve in the first 10 days of May; and the remainder calve through the rest of spring and into early summer. Marcus begins his days by checking on his herd for newborn calves or cows that may need assistance birthing. “When we’re in the height of calving season, I’m checking on these cows four or more times a day,” Marcus said. “It’s the first thing I do in the mornings and the last thing I do at night.”

Minette page 22

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Pickled Beans • 2 cups apple cider vinegar • 2 cups water • 1/4 cup canning salt • Fresh green beans

Memphis-Style Coleslaw • 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper* • Jalapeno slices* • Onion slices • Garlic cloves

Bring vinegar, water and canning salt to boil. Pack beans into sterile pint jars. To each jar add cayenne pepper, jalapeno slice, onion slice and 2 garlic cloves. Fill jars with liquid. Boil in hot water bath for 10 minutes. Serve Chilled. **Substitute jalapeno and cayenne with dill for mild beans.

• 2 bags pre-cut slaw material • 3/4 cup sugar • 8 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar • 1/3 cup ketchup

• • • • •

8 Tbsp. mustard 1/3 cup sour cream 3 Tbsp. Miracle Whip 2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

Mix sugar and slaw material in large bowl. In separate bowl, mix apple cider vinegar, ketchup, mustard, sour cream, Miracle Whip, salt and cayenne pepper. Mix well. Pour dressing mixture over slaw material and mix well. Chill for two hours before serving. Makes 16 servings

Chocolate Chip Cookies • 1 cup white sugar • 1 cup brown sugar • 2 large eggs 1 cup butter, melted • 1 tsp. salt • 1 tsp. vanilla

• • • •

1 tsp. soda 2-1/2 tsp. hot water 3-1/2 cups bread flour 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

In large mixing bowl, combine white sugar and brown sugar; mix well. Add eggs and butter; mix well. Add salt and vanilla; mix well. Dissolve soda in hot water and add to mixture; mix well. Add flour; mix well. Add chocolate chips; mix well. Chill in refrigerator for 2 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Form into balls, place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 14-15 minutes. Makes 24 cookies.

Meatloaf • • • •

1 Tbsp. olive oil, 1 tsp. honey 1 tsp. garlic, minced 2 tsp. jalapeno peppers, minced (optional but highly recommended) • Red wine vinegar • 2 cans black-eyed peas, rinsed

• 1 cup tomatoes, diced • 1 cup green bell pepper, diced • 1 cup red bell pepper, diced • 1 cup red onion, diced • 1 mango, diced • 1 tsp. salt • 1 tsp. pepper • Squeeze of lime juice • Hint of Lime chips

In large mixing bowl combine olive oil, honey, minced garlic, minced jalapeno peppers (optional but highly recommended) and a splash of red wine vinegar. Mix in black-eyed peas, tomatoes, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, red onion, mango, salt, pepper and lime juice. Serve with “Hint of Lime” chips.

Old Settler’s Baked Beans • 1 pound ground beef • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped • 1 pound bacon • 1/3 cup white sugar • 1/3 cup brown sugar • 1/4 cup ketchup • 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (prefer Ol’ West) • 1 Tbsp. Mustard • 1/2 tsp. pepper

• • • •

1/2 tsp. chili powder 1 tsp. salt 2 Tbsp. molasses 16 ounces pork-nbeans, undrained • 16 ounces kidney beans, drained and rinsed • 16 oz Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed

Brown ground beef and onion; drain. Fry bacon and dice. Mix separately in large mixing bowl the white sugar, brown sugar, ketchup, BBQ sauce, mustard, pepper, chili powder, salt and molasses. Add meat to the mixture, then add pork-n-beans, kidney beans and Great Northern beans. Mix thoroughly. Add to crockpot and set at low until heated through. Stir occasionally.

• • • • • •

1 pound ground beef 1/2 cup oatmeal 1/4 cup milk 1 large egg 1 Tbsp. ketchup 3 Tbsp. onion, finely chopped

• 3 Tbsp. celery, finely chopped • 1/8 tsp. salt • 1/8 tsp. pepper • 1/2 tsp. steak seasoning

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly coat 9x5x3 inch bread pan with Pam spray. Mix all ingredients together in large bowl. Put mixture in bread pan and cover with tin foil. Bake for 40 minutes. Remove tin foil and lightly spread ketchup over the top of the meatloaf. Bake additional 20 minutes, uncovered.

Brandy Slush • • • •

7 cups water 4 tea bags 2/3 cup sugar 16 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate

• 16 oz frozen lemonade concentrate • 1 cup brandy • 7UP

Bring water to boil and add tea bags after boiling. Let cool, then remove tea bags. Add sugar, orange juice concentrate and frozen lemonade concentrate. Add brandy and mix together. Freeze for 12 hours. Serve with 7UP.

Ice Cream Caramel Rolls • 2 frozen loaves white bread dough, thawed, unbaked

• 1 stick butter • 1 cup brown sugar • 1 cup vanilla ice cream

Cook butter, sugar and ice cream in sauce pan until melted, stirring constantly. Cut bread dough into small pieces and place in greased 9x13 inch cake pan. Pour caramel mixture over bread dough. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

Banana Bread • 1 cup sugar • 1/2 cup oil • 3 overripe bananas, mashed • 2 large eggs • 3 Tbsp. milk

• • • • •

1/2 tsp. vanilla 2 cups flour 1/2 tsp. soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat sugar and oil. Add eggs and bananas; beat well. Add milk and vanilla; beat well. Add dry ingredients; mix well. Generously spray two 9x5x3 inch bread pans. Split mix equally into both bread pans. Bake for 34 minutes.

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PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Cows and calves relax in one of the pastures the Minettes have for their beef operation. Most of their cows calve in April and May.

from page 22 for market at about 15 months. Some heifers are kept on the farm for replacements in the herd, or the Minettes will purchase animals to bring to their farm. “Going to the sales barn was always fun as a kid,” Marcus said. “Now, it’s fun to go with my kids.” It was no difficult decision for Marcus to continue farming the land his great-grandfather,

George, established as OK Ranch and Farms Inc. in 1935. Caring for the land and cattle is something that comes natural to him, but more importantly, it is the experiences he is able to create while working alongside his children. “Even though Marcus works a lot, the kids have the opportunity to be with him,” Jessica said. “I have pictures of every kid napping in the tractor while Marcus is doing fieldwork.” Similar to other agriculture markets, some years are better than oth-

ers in the beef industry. Despite the challenges that farming may bring, this month while May is recognized as National Beef Month, Marcus is reminded of his passion for the land and cattle, and the desire to continue the family farm into another generation. “I’ve been doing this for so long that it’s become second nature to me,” Marcus said. “It’s never easy but it is what I enjoy.”

Billy

Mitchell

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Ashley

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Page 24 • Country Acres | Friday, May 21, 2021

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Page 26 • Country Acres | Friday, May 21, 2021

Baltim or e

Animals we

le o i r

Photos submitted by Nancy Tommerdahl of Sauk Centre We have a beautiful backyard and I take natures photos every day; we have seen dozens of species of birds and other animals here. Enjoy!

White-throated sparrow

Male & Felmale wood ducks

Catbird

er Northern Flick

Eagle

Pine Sisken

llo Ye

-b e

llied

r Sapsucke

Wilson ’s Snip e

Great Egret

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Country Acres - May 21, 2021

Articles inside

Labor of love: a gift for Grandpa