Saturday, August 20, 2022 | Country Acres South • Page 1 Saturday, August 20, 2022Volume 1, Edition 6 Focusing on Today’s Rural Environment ST PublicationsRbliti The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow. This month in theC ountry: Watch for the next edition of Country Acres on September 3, 2022 SOUTH PRSRTECRSTD U.S. PERMITPOSTAGEPAID#278Madelia,MN 522 SaukLewisSinclairAveCentreMN56378
Shea cousins’ dog, Remi, models his new ‘corn star’ t-shirt. Bronson Shea enjoys eating the sweet corn and watching their dog eat the sweet corn. (left) Rowan Shea stacks freshly picked sweet corn on Aug. 10. The boys grow around 5 acres of sweet corn each year.
andcousinsRECHTZIGELPHOTOSBYKATETheShea(fromleft)Bronson,Bennett,Ryan,RowanandCarter–havebeenraising,pick-ing,sellingdonatingsweetcornontheirfarmnearEyotasince2017.
2
Over
4 4-H Q&A’s 5 A new, locally sourced fair food Elgin 8 Klugs,
celebrate
of the breed SpringGrove 11A fruitful way of life Winona
everycomecustomersknowboysyears,thethehavegottentoalotofpeople,learnedhowtointeractwiththemandhavealotofreturningbackyear,”-JasonShea““ Beraneks 100 years
EYOTA - The Shea cousins - Ryan, Bronson, Carter, Bennett and Rowan - started their sweet corn business, Shea Boys Sweet Corn, in 2017 as a way to keep busy in the summer. Along the way, they have gained some lifelong“Carter,lessons. Bennett and Rowan’s dad, Jason, had thought of the great idea to sell sweetcorn, as he did it when he was a kid,” Bronson said. “Ever since, it just stuck and now we pick and sell sweetcorn in the summer.”Bennett agreed. “Now we are famous,” he Bronsonsaid.and Ryan, , are the sons of Tom and Melissa Shea, and Bennett, Rowan, and Carter, are the sons of Jason and Mindy Shea. Their families work together to milk 950 cows and run 1,250 acres, which is used to feed their dairy operation, near Eyota. Each year, the cousins work together to raise, pick, sell and donate around 5 acres of sweet corn which is planted a quarter mile from their farm in Olmsted CounShea cousins sell sweet corn, gain life-long lessons BY KATE RECHTZIGEL | STAFF WRITER ty. “We try to keep it close to the farm so the boys can get back and forth and pick it safely,” Melissa“SafetyBennettsaid.agreed. first,” he said.With the income they generate, the Sheas pay off their seed and save the leftover money. The cousins have also donated around 50 dozen ears of corn to silent auctions, local churches, the Knights schools.taDover-Eyo-teachersandRochesterbusColum-ofintheiratpublicEachMay, Jason takes out the planter and plants the super-sweet, top-secret variety. He plants each section of rows at different times within a two-week window of each“Thisother.way it’s not all ready at the same time,” Carter said. Shea page
Julia Mullenbach, julia.m@star-pub.com507-438-7739
Sarah Colburn Staff Writer
Jaime Ostendorf, Jaime@star-pub.com320-309-1988
PHOTO BY KATE day.sweethand-pickcousins10.sweetSheaRowanBennett,RECHTZIGELCarter,andBronsonhandpickcornonAug.ThegroupoffreshlytheircorneveryPHOTOSUBMITTED
Jennifer Coyne, jenn@dairystar.comWriter
Tim Vos, tim@albanyenterprise.com320-845-2700
Mark Klaphake, mark.k@dairystar.comEditor
SALES STAFF Laura Seljan, laura.s@dairystar.com507-350-2217
Mike Schafer, mike.s@dairystar.com320-894-7825
CZJune18-1B-JM
Christine Behnen FreelanceWriter mark.k@dairystar.comgrace.j@star-pub.com
Page 2 • Country Acres South | Saturday, August 20, 2022 Published by Star Sauk522CopyrightPublications2014SinclairLewisAve.Centre,MN56378Phone:320-352-6577Fax:320-352-5647 NEWS STAFF
Grace Jeurissen, grace.j@star-pub.comEditor
Kate Rechtzigel, kate.r@dairystar.comWriter
Diane Leukam, diane@saukherald.comWriter
Missy Traeger, missy@saukherald.com320-291-9899
Story ideas send to:
The Shea cousins (back, from left) Carter, Rowan and Bennett. (Front, from left) Bronson and Ryan pack up an order of 200 dozen ears of sweet corn to go to the Metropolitan area. Shea page 3
PRODUCTION STAFF Pat AnnikaCheyenneMaddyAmandaTurnerThooftNancyPowellPetersonCarlsonKarenKnoblachGunderson Deadlines: Country Acres will be published the first and third Saturday of every month. Deadline for news and advertising is the Thursdaypublication.before ST PublicationsRbliti “Committed to being the eyes and ears of our communities.” SOUTH We’re here for you, every step of the way. Rushford Office: 219 S Mill St. Rushford, MN | (507) 864-7755 Houston Office: 108 E Cedar St. Houston,
| (507) 896-7755 CZAug20-1B-JM rushfordstatebank.com Dynamic Masonry Products www.dynamicmasonryproducts.comLLCSTONE | BRICK | BLOCK & LANDSCAPINGJordanSUPPLIESSteier507-315-1000 jordan@dynamicmasonryproducts.com609BarbareeLane|Byron,
Bob Leukam, bob.l@star-pub.com320-260-1248 MN MN 55920 Bronson agreed. “And, when one crop runs out, we can move on to the next one,” he said. The Sheas usually let mother nature work her magic to grow the crops, and check on them every couple of weeks. However, this year, they were hit with a challenge when their first crop did not come up. “We are late to selling this year as we are two weeks behind,” RyanBennettsaid. “Weatheragreed.isweather,” he said. To overcome this Shea from front challenge, they kept reassuring their customers and started selling corn on Aug.“People8. want their corn so they have been asking us about when their corn is going to be done,” Mindy said. Carter theirgust,inready’,”isandcame“Sometimesagreed.peopleinthedrivewaytheyasked‘whenthecorngoingtobehesaid.ToharvestthecornlateJulyorearlyAu-thecousinstakerangerouttothe field, hand picking the corn after the dew is off and putting it into 12 totes.“It’s freshly handpicked either once or twice a day,” Bronson said. Carter agreed. “The batch we are selling today we just picked last night,” he said.Then, the cousins work together to market and promote their sweet corn and sell it for $7 a dozen and $4 a half dozen. They market through social media, word of mouth and have business cards and matching t-shirts.“Over the years, the boys have gotten to know a lot of people, learned how to interact with them and have a lot of returning customers come back every year,” JasonTheysaid.also sell freezer corn and finish selling around Labor Day weekend.“Alot of people like to freeze the sweet corn for the winter,” Mindy said.Over the last five years, the Sheas have tried selling a number of different places, but have found that they are most successful staying local in their front yard. So, they have the stand open 24/7 with options to pay through either self-pay or Venmo if the boys are either not around or are busy with chores.
Warren Stone, warren@star-pub.com320-249-9182
Galaty grows industrial hemp, RECHTZIGEL (Above) Ted Galaty stands in one his with a walking stick out of hemp July 27 at his farm near Zumbrota. Galaty grows six acres of industrial (Left) Hemp, otherwise known as Cannabis Sativa, has been an agricultural crop for 10,000 years. Ted Galaty growsthefibervarietyonhisfarminGoodhueCounty.(Below)OilandsoaparesomeoftheproductsTedGalatyandhisfamilymake.
Saturday, August 20, 2022 | Country Acres South • Page 3 FEATURING STORIES AND PHOTOS ON SEVERAL LOCAL FARMERS, RECIPES AND MORE COUNTRY ACRES – SOUTH 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Call 320-352-6577 or email lori@saukherald.com Subscribe today! Know someone who wants NO REFUNDS CITY:ADDRESS:NAME: STATE: ZIP: PHONE: E-MAIL: Please return this form along with check or money order for $40.00 payable to: Fill out the form below and mail in to receive your copy COUNTRY ACRES? Saturday, August 6, 2022 | Country Acres South • Page 1 Saturday, August 6, 2022Volume 1, Edition 5 Focusing on Today’s Rural EnvironmentAcresCountryountry SOUTH PRSRT STD U.S.PERMITPOSTAGEPAIDMadelia,MN 522MNSinclairAveCentre56378
The Shea cousins grow 5 acres of sweet corn a quarter of a mile from the family farm. This year’s crop was late as their first crop did not come up.
fields
OROR SSOUTH
On the farm, the cousins work together to mow the lawn, weed whip, feed, bed and take care of the calves, feed the cats, take care of their three fair goats, help with chopping alfalfa and corn and hauling bales, and wash calf huts and machinery. “We help out wherever we are needed,” RyanTheysaid. are also involved in sports at their school, and balance out the farm work and school activities by working together as a team.“They all help cover for each other if someone has football or another activity going on,” Melissa“WeRyansaid.agreed.alsostop selling sweet corn when school starts so that helps,” he Jason’ssaid. original idea was for the boys to learn how to keep track of money and be responsible, however, they have also learned how to work together as a team and be organized.“The older boys teach the younger boys,” Mindy said. Over the years, each cousin has learned a different lesson throughout their time at the sweet corn stand; Bennett learned how to work together with his cousins, Ryan learned time management skills, Carter learned how to socialize with customers and Rowan and Bronson learned how to have fun. “I like having fun with my cousins and picking sweetcorn with them,” Bronson said. They each have their own favorite parts of the business; Carter likes hanging out with his cousins, Bennett likes seeing customers pull in, Rowan likes picking the sweet corn, Bronson likes eating the sweet corn and watching their dog, Remi, eat sweet corn and Ryan likes hearing the reactions.customers’
Shea from page 2
Scan
he made
to make
PHOTO BY KATE RECHTZIGEL
of
rop The world’s oldest crop ZUMBROTA Twenty minutes north of Rochester along Highway 52 ies a 10-acre industrial hemp farm, the sole purpose of which is to educate and inform others about hemp. “There are thousands of things you can do with hemp and I’m never going to have all the knowledge,” Ted Galaty said. “I decided to get into this industry dustrial p retiring in 2019 to focu on the farm and business.Before coming to Minnesota, however, Galaty grew up in California, just outside of LosAngeles.“Outof all my relatives, I never thought I’d be a farmer,” Galaty said.The farm, otherwise known as Willow’s Keep Farm, is a turn of The worl Look for the next Septemberissue3 this QR code with your smartphone camera your payment today! A cres Ccres ountr y ountry
The Shea cousins (from left) Bennett, Bronson, Rowan and Carter model their new ‘corn star’ t-shirts they made this year. The boys use the shirts to market their sweet corn.
“I like hearing them tell us how awesome it is,” Ryan said. Some of their favorite memories have been donating sweet corn, eating the first ear and playing around while waiting for customers. “I like when most of us are here so then we can have a little bean bag tournament,” Bronson Theysaid. plan to sell their sweet corn for more years to come. And, they can be found selling everyday up until Labor Day weekend on their farm in County.Olmsted A stack of freshly picked sweet corn sits on the back of a ranger on Aug. 10. The boys hand-pick their sweet corn daily and put it in 12 totes in the back of the Ranger.
sells products PHOTOS BY KATE
Q...? &A...4-H
Were there any critiques the judge at your county fair gave you to improve on? There were no major critiques from the judge this past year, he simply told me that I had done a good job and that I should keep working hard. Tell us about your best experience while showing livestock through 4-H. My best experience while showing livestock through 4-H was winning Reserve Champion Intermediate Dairy Steer Showman at the Minnesota State Fair.
What are you looking forward to about the State Fair Livestock Encampment? During the livestock encampment I am looking forward to meeting new people and hanging out with 4-H friends. The best part is showing my steer in the show ring and setting him up so that he looks the best for the judge.
Page 4 • Country Acres South | Saturday, August 20, 2022 V6750 V8950 ROUND BALERS COMPACT LOADERS WHEEL LOADERS The generationnewof TL Series inline bale wrappers custombuiltTube-Linefromaretoprovideproducersandoperatorswithhighefficiencyand proven reliability. To ensure that everyone can reap the benefits of the high moisture hay, Tube-Line BaleWrappers are available in multiple configurations to suit your needs and your budget. Tub & GrindersGrain -SALES & SERVICE - Daniel Showalter (641) 832-0361 www.clearviewagllc.com FINANCING AVAILABLE THROUGH AGDIRECT AND DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL MOWERS TEDDERS RAKES CZ-TFN-1-B-JM 320.352.3477 Located 1.5 miles west of Sauk Centre at 42739 County Road 184 320.352.3477 320.352.3477 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! We have all your summer attachments needs covered! CZ-Aug20-1B-JO SHIPPING! Visit our website at www.messerrepair.com to see all of our attachments or call us at 320-352-3477COMING SOON! Snow Pusher • Stump Bucket Grapple Brush Mower BRUSH STUMPGRAPPLEBUCKET HYDRAULIC PALLET FORK LAND LEVELERBALE SPEAR 3 PT. GOOSNECK Balealsoextensionsavailable asionsble SHFREEIPPING TOWBAW
What do you have to do to prepare your animal for the state fair? In order to prepare my steer for the fair I walk and bathe him every day. I also clean the stalls and give fresh feed and water at least once daily. I spend a considerable amount of time practicing setting him up for the judge. I walk him, then stop, and I try to get him to stop in the set position every time. The goal is to show off the muscle of the animal to the judge. When he stops I want him to look his best right away so that the judge can see his best qualities.
Do you have any goals for the state fair, or something you want to try? This isn’t my first time at the state fair, however, this year I am taking my first crossbred steer which is something that I wanted to try. My goal is always to be the best in my class of steers. Feeding quality feed, caring for my animal, working on showmanship, setting my animal up, are all ways in which I am working towards my goal.
What are you looking forward to about the State Fair Livestock Encampment? I am looking forward to just going up there, hanging out with friends and showing. I like the tough competition up there. What do you have to do to prepare your animal for the state fair? It’s pretty much the same things we do before every fair. At home, we wash them twice a day, get them on a good feed ration and get them looking nice for the state fair.
Do you have any goals for the state fair, or something you want to try?
What livestock project are you taking to the state fair this year? This year I am taking my champion crossbred dairy steer to the state fair. I have been in the beef project for 9 years. I have shown Holstein dairy steers in the past and this is my first year showing a crossbred dairy steer at the Fillmore County Fair and at the Minnesota State Fair.
Were there any critiques the judge at your county fair gave you to improve on? There wasn’t many as she is a really nice heifer. One thing I would change about her is, I would get her a little bit wider in the back to make her look fuller. I could also work on setting her up a little bit wider too. Tell us about your best experience while showing livestock through 4-H. I would have to say it’s one of the week-long national shows. It’s always fun to go out to the different states and see all the cool things they have to offer.
Who has been your 4-H mentor in your project area and why? Throughout my 4-H career I can’t really single out one mentor. When I was first starting out Erica and Valerie Earley taught me how to clip my steers. My uncle, Weston Pease, helped me halter break the steers, as well as helping me transport and feed my animals. My Mom and Dad have also been there every step of the way and have assisted me with everything you can think of. What livestock project are you taking to the state fair this year? I have been showing beef cattle for eight years and am taking my Angus fall heifer, Peg, to the state fair. She got reserve champion breeding heifer at the fair, and was born in the fall of 2021, so she’s not quite a year old yet.
Emma Rowen Age: 17 Parents: Christopher and Suzette Rowen FILLMORE COUNTY Cody Ostertag Age: 15 Parents: Ben and Dana Ostertag GOODHUE COUNTY
Last state fair I won the interview, so my goal is to at least get called back for interviews and try to win again. Along with getting a higher placing in my class, that would be great. Last year, I brought a little calf who got third overall at the county fair level, and fifth out of eight in her class at the state fair. It was not what we were hoping for, but competition is harder than at the county fair. However, it is always a good learning experience while you are up there.
Who has been your 4-H mentor in your project area and why? My dad, because he has helped me most of the way. We have had other people help us out feeding wise, but my dad and I do pretty much all the work and he takes me to all the shows.
page 6
Kleins
ELGIN - When looking for a sandwich to feature at this year’s Minnesota State Fair, the Minnesota Farmers Union was looking for something that could be sourced locally and would promote Minnesota farmers and their members. “We had a few ideas,” Chris Koch said. “But we wanted something that would pair well with fair foods and be either fried or on a Kochstick.”is an executivechef at the Farmers Kitchen + Bar in Minneapolis which is owned by the Minnesota Farmers Union. The Farmers
Eric Klein agreed. “We had been working with them for the past two years providing bacon for their BLTs at the fair, and on a weekly basis providing vegetables, eggs, beef or pork for the restaurant. So, when they asked us if we could provide the loins for their booth, we were excited to help out and sell our pork to them,” he said.Eric and his wife, Lisa, and their kids - Andrew, Benjamin, Katy, Sarah, Isaac and April - raise 1,000 feeder pigs as well as 3,000 broiler chickens, 300 laying hens, and 70 beef cattle a year. They also run about 500 acres of certified organic cropland consisting of hay, oats, wheat, corn, soybeans, cover crops and rye. The Klein family has been a part of the Minnesota Farmers Union for 12 years and is the third-generation on their farm. “We’ve been involved because they really took an interest in promoting small farms and local food which aligned with our goals,” Klein said. “It’s been a really good organization.”Lisa’s dad, Everett, first started raising pigs on the farm in Wabasha County in 1989. He had recently retired from milking cows.“He milked cows for 40 years and then put some pigs out in the pasture,” Klein said. “The old story is that people driving by saw the pigs out in the pasture and they wanted one of those; they didn’t want a confinement pig.”
A new, locally sourced fair food Kleins supply pork for Minnesota Farmers Union’s pork schnitzel BY KATE RECHTZIGEL | STAFF WRITER Kitchen + Bar, along with the Minnesota Farmers Union, decided to serve the pork schnitzel sandwich at the state fair this year and get 200 whole pork loins from the Klein family who own and operate Hidden Stream Farm near“WeElgin.had to keep it top secret for a while,” Koch said. “But the Kleins were really easy to work with, and their loins were fresh and still had the bellies attached which meant we could also use them for our carnitas tacos in the restaurant.”
Saturday, August 20, 2022 | Country Acres South • Page 5 2840 Wilder Rd. NW Rochester, MN 55901 rochph.com Your local residential and commercial experts since 1922 (507) SERVICES:288-4275• Jetting clogged or frozen parlor lines • Jetting clogged or frozen pump and gravity manure lines • Vacuuming out large settling tanks • Clearing trench drains • Hydro excavation • Televising of sewer lines We can clean anything from 2” to 60” CZ-July16-24-B-JM CZJuly16-12B-JM
Eight years later, in 1997, Eric and Lisa came back to the farm and started expanding the farm. They now work with a local farmer to feed out Yorkshire, Duroc and Hampshire pigs. “The commodity market is so unstable and we couldn’t build a small family farm not knowing what we were going to get every week,” Klein said. “So, we thought that by setting our own price, it was the best way (for us) to make a living.”
The pigs are housed in hoop barns that are deep bedded with straw and corn stalks and fed non-GMO grains.
PHOTOS BY KATE RECHTZIGEL The Klein family (front from left) Lisa, April, Eric and Kathy (back from left) Sarah, Andrew and Isaac stand in their rotationally grazed pastures on Aug. 1. Not pictured is Benjamin Klein. Eric Klein opens the door for an excited group of chickens on Aug. 1. He lets them out to graze each day around Noon, and puts them back inside around 8 p.m. so they can lay their eggs.
“We tried raising farrow-to-finish pigs on pasture for a number of years, but it got too hard,” Klein said. “Lisa was raising all of the kids and trying to do the chores and I was making all the deliveries. So, we transitioned into feeder pigs so we could have more time with marketing and family.”
the bookwork, works with the chefs and maintains orders, and Eric and the rest of the kids handle chores on the farm. “It depends on the day,” Klein said. “Some days I am down in Dover hauling animals in and helping customers get their animals unloaded, while the boys are working on chores. Four days a week, Andrew drives to the twin cities or La Crosse, Wisconsin for deliveries, or he drives to the processor for product. If both Andrew is gone and Ben is out landscaping, then I am on chores with the rest of the kids. We kind of all do everything.”Inaddition to the pork products, the farm also sells grass fed beef and chicken such as brats, snack sticks, roasts, chicken hearts, chicken breasts, chicken thighs, legs and whole chickens as well as many other products which are raised on their farm.
The Kleins are honored to represent Minnesota farmers at the fair this year.“We are excited for this farm recognition and we really enjoyed working with the Minnesota Farmers Union,” Klein said. “We don’t always have an outlet for the pork loins so it really helped us out and we are excited to see what next year will bring.”
“We rotate the cattle and the chickens and they both help the ground,” Klein said. “We rotate the broilers every day, egg layers every five days and cattle every other day.”
“Consumers love it,” Klein said. “The biggest reaction is ‘This is what I remember when I was growing up on a farm, or this is what I remember grandma making.’”
This year, the Kleins have been stockpiling their pork loins since May. “We put our heads together on what we could do, kept track and made an inventory,” Klein said. “We set 10 to 20 pork loins aside a week and fulfilled the order in ThroughoutJuly.”
To run their successful farm and business, each family member helps out. Andrew heads up the food business working with the chefs and the consumers to get orders and deliver products, Benjamin splits his time between working for a landscaper and helping on the farm, Katy takes care of the egg business when she is home from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, Lisa handles
Selling products, however, is not new to the Kleins as they also own Dover Processing in Dover and work with local businesses within a 50-mile radius of the farm to sell local produce. “It’s a one stop shop whether that be direct to consumers or wholesale to schools and restaurants,” Klein said. “We sell to Carleton College and St. Olaf College in Northfield, through a food management company called Bon Appetit. And, it worked out really well because they were buying all of our loins and then all of those kids went on vacation for the summer so we had more loins.”
PHOTO SUBMITTED This year’s new fair food, the pork schnitzel, will be served at the Minnesota Farmers Union booth during the Minnesota State Fair. The Kleins at Hidden Stream Farm are supplying 200 pork loins to the Farmers Union for the schnitzel.
seetionthecalstakidorogsoThliganob
Kleins from page 5
The sandwiches will be available beginning Aug. 25 at the Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop on the northside of Dan Patch Avenue between Cooper and Cosgrove streets. If people can’t make it to the fair and still want to try the sandwich, it will be served at the Farmers Kitchen + Bar in Minneapolis after the fair.
The family also implements regenerative practices such as rotationally grazing the other animals, implementing waterways and growing cover crops.
the venture, Andrew delivered the product weekly to the Farmers Kitchen + Bar where Koch and his team would cut, bread and freeze the loins until they will be deep-fried in the mobile food trucks at the fair. “Surprisingly, the pork loin stays fresh when frozen,” Koch said. The sandwiches will be topped with pickled cabbage and served with mustard-mayo on a toasted bun. “The sandwiches will be a slice of everything and promote local farmers,” KochOnesaid.of Koch’s biggest challenges was realizing that he couldn’t process all the pork by hand, and that as the Minnesota Farmers Union will be making 10,000 sandwiches to serve at the fair, about one-third of those will be from the Kleins pork. “It was hard to come up with 15,000 pounds of pork so we couldn’t get everything from the Kleins,” Koch said. “But we enjoyed working with them as they are one of the few who also delivered the product.”
PHOTO BY KATE RECHTZIGEL (above) The Kleins raise 1,000 feeder pigs, 3,000 broiler chickens, 300 laying hens, and 70 beef cattle each year on their farm in Wabasha County. They also run 500 acres of certified organic cropland consisting of hay, oats, wheat, corn, soybeans, cover crops and (right)rye.To deliver their product, the Kleins ship directly to customers in insulated coolers with ice packs or dry ice, or use a refrigerated van.
The Kleins market the products on their website and through social media, and deliver products in a refrigerated van or ship directly to customers in insulated coolers with dry ice. Most are sold regionally, and over the years, they have enjoyed building relationships with their“Icustomers.likemeeting the customers, seeing what they like and seeing their families grow as ours does,” Klein said. Some of their favorite memories on the farm consist of being able to raise a family and work with their kids outside doing what Lisa’s dad started. “It’s not work if you enjoy what you are doing,” Klein said. “The kids are always with us and I like seeing the next generation take an interest in the farm.”Thefamily typically only attends the state fair if one of the kids is taking a project or if they are to be recognized in the Minnesota Cooks events. The family was highlighted in 2007, 2010 and 2015.“Wewould go up on the day we were to be featured, and they would have a chef cook the meal and give out samples while another chef or a TV personality would emcee the event,” Klein said. “It was really fun.”
PHOTO BY KATE RECHTZIGEL Hidden Stream Farm sells pork products as well as grass fed beef and chicken. All the beef, chicken and pork are raised on their farm near Elgin and processed at Dover Processing.
Page 6 • Country Acres South | Saturday, August 20, 2022
Saturday, August 20, 2022 | Country Acres South • Page 7 Online Bidding @ www.zielsdorfauctions.com AUCTION EQUIPMENTEQUIPMENTANHYDROUSANHYDROUSLIQUIDATIONLIQUIDATION ONLINE ONLY ONLINEONLY Closing September 6 6th at 3 p.m. AUCTIONEER NOTES: ZIELSDORF AUCTIONEERS ARE PROUD TO HELP GLACIAL PLAINS COOPERATIVE PHASE OUT OF THE ANHYDROUS APPLICATION BUSINESS. FOR THE PAST 50 PLUS YEARS GPC AND JOHNSON FERTILIZER HAS PROVIDED THIS SERVICE TO OUR AREA. THEY HAVE A LARGE SELECTION OF APPLICATORS, DOUBLE AND SINGLE TANKS ON WELL-MAINTAINED RUNNING GEARS, ALONG WITH A HUGE SELECTION OF PARTS AND ACCESSORIES. MARK THE OPEN HOUSE DATES AND THE CLOSING DATE OF SEPTEMBER 6TH ON YOUR CALENDAR. ALL ITEMS AND EQUIPMENT WILL BE ON THIS ONLINE-ONLY AUCTION. THANK YOU GPC FOR SERVING OUR AREA FROM MURDOCK, BENSON, DE GRAFF, SUNBURG, KERKHOVEN, CLONTARF & MILAN TANKSAPPLICATORS PARTS & ACCESSORIES • (21) DOUBLE 1000 GAL ANHYDROUS TANKS ON RUNNING GEAR EQUIPPED WITH TRUCK TIRES, BRAKES LED LIGHTS, DOUBLE 1INCH AND NEWER ONES WITH ONE AND QUARTER INCH LINES, FIXED ON 30ONCH ROWS • (15) SINGLE 1450 GAL TANKS SET ON 22INCH AND 30INCH ROW SPACING • (28) SINGLE 1000 GAL TANKS MOST ON ADJUSTABLE AXLE RUNNING GEARS • (13) ADJUSTABLE AXLE RUNNING GEARS NO TANKS • (4) DOUBLE TANK RUNNING GEARS NO TANKS • JD 2410 ANHYDROUS APPLICATOR 65FT, RAVEN COLD FLOW TWIN COOLERS, 3-ADJUSTABLE HITCHES ON REAR, SINGLE POINT DEPTH CONTROL, 100GAL STABILIZER TANK, STANDARD FLOW CONTROLS, 30INCH SPACE AUTO TRIP SHANKS • CASE IH 940 65FT ANHYDROUS APPLICATOR, HIGH PERFORMANCE COOLER, MANUEL DEPTH CONTROL, AUTO TRIP • SHANKS, ACCU FLOW VORTEX COOLER, USED TWO SEASONS • (2) DMI NITRUMASTER 8500 65FT ANHYDROUS APPLICATORS, DUAL COOLERS, RCM CONTROLLERS, ISO FLOW CONTROLLERS, 100GAL STABELIZER TANK WITH QUICK FLUSH ANTIFREEZE SYSTEM, TRIP SHANKS, 11R22 TIRES FOR MORE CLEARANCE DURING WET CONDITIONS, TOOLBOXES, AND KNIFE HOLDERS (STABILIZER HIGH FLOW PUMPS SOLD SEPARATE) • DMI 5300 NUTRIPLACER 47.5FT ANHYDROUS BAR, ADJUSTABLE HITCH, CONTINENTAL COLD FLOW, DICKEY JOHN COMPUTER SYSTEM • (2) DMI 4300 16 ROW 30INCH APPLICATOR BARS WITH ADJUSTABLE HITCHES • (2) DMI 3250 NUTRIPLACER 16 ROW 30INCH SIDEDRESS BARS • PLUS 3200 BARS AND OTHERS • DOUBLE LOADING STATION WITH BREAKAWAY SWIVEL DISCONNECTS • SINGLE LOADING STATION REGULAR CONNECTORS • NITROGEN STABILIZER PUMPS • SHANKS TO FIT ALL APPLICATORS (TOO NUMEROUS TO COUNT) ALL NEW • AUTO TRIP SHANKS • KNIVES- STANDARD, FREEZELESS, AND VENTED • SPRING TRIP SHANKS • ANHYDROUS HOSE AND TUBING • BAR EXTENSIONS • TIRES OF MANY VARIOUS SIZES LIKE NEW • GAUGE WHEEL STANDARDS • ADJUSTABLE HITCHES • MONITORS 440 RAVENS AND OTHERS • EXTRA ELECTRICAL HARNESSES (WILL BE IDENTIFIED) • CONVERSION HITCHES FROM 3PT TO PULL TYPE • REPLACEMENT HITCHES • VAPOR PUMP FROM ANHYDROUS LOAD OUT • SPRINGS, VALVES, CLAMPS, PARTS FOR BAR REPAIR, PULL YOKES FOR HITCHES, S 10SeptemberHOUSEOPEN2AM-3PM AND MUCH MUCH MORE TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION WATCH FOR CATALOG AND LISTING OF LOTS PRIOR TO AUGUST 26, 2022 195 30th Ave. NE Benson, MN 56215 100 E. Becker Ave. Clontarf, MN 56226 or Items Located at Tom Johnson, 320-808-0712 20222022 CZAug20-1B-MS
Brown
Brown Swiss page 9 bring back in 2007 said. “Most ad and oodewtomanytatefair
PHOTO SUBMITTED (from left) The 2019 Brown Swiss Judge is pictured with Minnesota Brown Swiss Ambassadors Morgan Wingert and Kelsey Erf, Tom Foss, Minnesota Brown Swiss Ambassador Kendra Waldenberger, Matt Klug, Diane Fjelstad and Minnesota Brown Swiss Ambassador Anna Sachs. This year the Klugs and Beraneks plan to use the Brown Swiss Ambassadors to educate the public on the importance of dairy, and why they have the Brown Swiss breed. Swiss herd to showa t M i n n e s o ta State Fair
The families have shown their herd at many open class shows, county fairs and the state fair. The Klugs’ children have also shown at the Southeast Minnesota Youth Show and the Minnesota Brown Swiss Association youth show held in conjunction with the state sale which Matt organizes along with Mark Fjelstad from Minnesota. “We like to engage as much as possible with the public while we’re there,” Klug said. “We’ve always prided ourselves in keeping our area clean and well-kept so people approach us and ask Klugquestions.”isalsoinvolved in the Houston County American Dairy Association, Matt was a National Director for the Brown Swiss Association, and Steve was on the board of directors for their creamery, Swiss Valley (now Prairie Farms), for many years. “Our family likes to step up and take active roles in participating in our communities and organizations,” Klug said.
The Klugs will be bringing 12 cows from their farm, Cozy Valley, as well as three cows and one heifer from Linda Beranek and her family who own Bluff View Farm. “We will have cows from 2 years old all the way up to some 8-year-olds,” Klug said. “We just want to highlight the rich heritage of Brown Swiss in Minnesota.”
The Klug family (Front from left) Chayce, Ann, Steve, Maverick, Estelle, Dallas and Nikoli (back from left) Carter, Katie , Krista, Darrel, Matt, Mariah and Julie. The Klugs milk 100 cows near Spring Grove and are the Minnesota State Fair showcase herd this year along with Linda Beranek and her family.
PHOTO CREDIT TO J. ERICA PHOTOGRAPHY
Myriah, her husband, Matt Klug, and their kids, Estelle, Maverick and Dallas, farm with Matt’s parents, Steve and Ann Klug, and Matt’s brother, Darrel, his wife, Krista, and their kids, Carter, Katie and Chayce. They milk 100 cows near Spring Grove. Matt’s sister, Julie, and her son, Nikoli, are also involved with showing but not the day-to-day operations as Julie has an off-farm job. The herd at Cozy Valley is mostly Brown Swiss with some Holsteins and Milking Shorthorns. “I was born and raised a Holstein girl so when I met my husband, I brought some with me and we’ve been slowly growing our Holsteins ever since,” Klug said. The Beraneks - Paul and daughters, Linda Beranek, Sandy Johnson and Tammy Reichenbacher, and her husband, Tom, and their kids, Maya and Ella - milked for a number of years before retiring and now house their eight cows at John and Karyl Dierson’s in Caledonia.
Page 8 • Country Acres South | Saturday, August 20, 2022 American BrownSw Ron Sheridan | Dr. Square Foot www.drsquarefoot.com | 651-246-4146 | Rochester & Zumbrota Real Estate Auctions. Certified Appraisals. | Auctioneer #25-33 | Certified Appraiser #08404 Machinery | Ag. Const. | Livestock | Domestic Exotic “Best fertilizer for Land is the print of the owner” The Certified Appraisal Will Contain: A. 8 1/2x11 booklet of all equipment/subject property. B. Photo of each appraised item, catalogued to appraisal. C. Individual appraisal of each item. D. Unbiased, independent, non collutive. E. Defendable in court - if necessary. F. Data is legal, irrefutable documentation of value. 1. Divorce 2. Estate 3. Insurance 4. Refinance 5. Asset Recovery 6. Liquidation 7. Tax Evaluation 8. Bankruptcy 9. Mediation 10. Acts of Droughtnature:-FloodBlizzard - Tornado Dr. will show you lots & homes “If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.” CZAug20_1B_JM Klugs, Beraneks celebrate 100 years of the breed BY KATE RECHTZIGEL | STAFF WRITER
SPRING GROVE - To celebrate 100 years of the Brown Swiss breed in Minnesota, the Klug and Beranek families will be featured at the Minnesota State Fair as a part of Moo Booth’s dairy showcase herd. “It’s a long time coming,” Myriah Klug said. “We realized several years ago that it would be 100 years of the Brown Swiss breed in Minnesota so we spoke to the state fair and they agreed to let our breed be showcased. It turned out to be easiest for our families to take it on.”
Showing dairy cattle is rich in both the Beranek and Klug families, and most of the animals they will be bringing to the fair are show animals. “Matt and I actually met at the state fair back in 2007 so it’s always fun to show there,” Klug said. “Most of the animals are also already broke to lead and quite friendly so it was naturally a really good fit for us to bring them. There will be a few new faces though because it is challenging to find that many show cows to bring.”
Arland Voth enters into a contract with Grinnell Mutual Arland opens Voth Insurance in Goodhue, serving more than 500 customers Jerry Tipcke is hired as an agent Jerry & Carol Tipcke take over the business. Arland retires & continues farming and serves on the board of directors for Hay Creek Mutual for 30 years
Stop in to see Jerry & Brandon for all your insurance needs, or give them a call at 651-923-4048 CZAug20-1B-LS
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
The Beranek family (Front center) Paul Beranek (back, from left) Tom, Tammy and Maya Reichenbacher, Sandy Johnson, Linda Beranek and Ella Reichenbacher. The Beranek family are a part of the Minnesota State Fair showcase herd this year along with the Klug family. (From left) Matt Klug, Tom Foss and Linda Beranek show their Brown Swiss at the Minnesota State Fair. The families hope to educate the public and showcase their herd at this year’s fair.
V O T H I N S U R A N C E I N G O O D H U E
Celebrating
Brown Swiss from page 8
Many changes have taken place in the past 40 years. Voth Insurance now offers most lines of insurance including home, auto, commerical, farm, health, Medicare & life. life.
Arland & Ardie are proud of the way Voth Insurance has continued to serve their customers and pass on the legacy of Voth Insurance. 40 years later, Voth Insurance remains committed to serving their customers needs 1982 1987 1999 2007 2022
Their herd is also well known and has made a huge impact on the breed. In 2005, Matt bought some embryos which resulted in the bull, Top Acres C Wonderment.“Wehave a lot of diversity amongst our herd as we have both show and some genomic animals,” Klug said. The family also partnered with Mark and Diane Fjelstad of Zumbro Falls to create BMG Genetics. That partnership led to the development of BMG Lust Get Lucky, a breed leader for milk production for the Brown Swiss“Webreed.have worked hard to create more genomic animals, have really good cow families and put several bulls in stud,” Klug said. “We really believe in developing good, solid families that have stood the test of time. A daughter of Blessing Prophet Ashton was purchased by Myriah at the Maryland National Convention and her granddaughter will be featured in the showcase, as well as a daughter of (World Dairy) Expo grand champion, Eloc Wagor ThroughoutKandid.”the fair, they plan to highlight the benefits of the Brown Swiss breed by using videos from the Minnesota Brown Swiss ambassadors as well as explaining farming practices in general. “I really want to highlight why Brown Swiss and show the public why we treat cows the way we do and why we have the breed we have,” Klug said. “Most people don’t know where their food comes from, and I have a unique perspective because I work for a dairy processing company and see both sides of the product from when it’s produced on the farm to when it hits the factory and how those different products are made.”Brown Swiss are also higher in components which are better for making cheese, are more heat resistant and have lower somatic cell counts, said Klug. In preparation for the showcase, Klug has worked with Midwest Dairy and plans to have a QR code for people to scan during the fair. “I’m hoping that this is an engagement that will reach the younger generation,” Klug said. “They may not be as comfortable coming up and asking questions face to face so I’m hoping that they will be able to get their information this way and be more willing to ask Throughoutquestions.”the12 days of the fair, the Klugs, Linda and Kevin Brown will be handling chores as well as two overnight people.“Linda is what we call the super sweeper,” Klug said. “She keeps everything clean and everybody on task. We couldn’t do it without her support. Kevin also worked with the Sprengelers for a number of years so it will help to have his insight on what to do. It really takes a village to do this.” Meanwhile, Steve and Darrel will be handling chores on the farm and keeping everything going while the family is at the fair. The Klugs normally just bring their animals to the state fair for open class and occasionally for 4-H but are looking forward to staying at the fair for the whole duration this year. “Our intent is to bring several cows to the showcase and then also show many, if not all, of them in the open class show,” Klug said. “I’m excited that we won’t have to move in the middle of the night like we’re used to. We will already be set and just have to bed down and bring the animals back in instead of unloading multiple trailer loads of stuff when we arrive for open class.”To get ready for the fair, the Klugs have to make some final touches on the marketing end of things, clip animals and work with a few animals who will be new to the show ring. “Our county fair is the week before the state fair starts, and it’s my son’s first year showing in 4-H,” Klug said. “So, we will be coming right from the county fair straight to the 12 days of the state fair, but we are definitely ready for that challenge.” At the fair, Klug hopes to share her passion for the dairy industry with the public and tell people how important it is to add dairy to their diet and daily lives. “We want to encourage kids who are in sports to refuel with chocolate milk and let the public know that dairy farming is environmentally friendly,” Klug said. “We have made so many strides, are very focused on our environmental impact and want to let everyone know dairy is safe and nutritious.”
Saturday, August 20, 2022 | Country Acres South • Page 9 YearsofService!
WINONA – A simple new way of life exwhat Ben and Natalie McAvoy yearned the opportunity to work with the land as a family was that they sought out while living Chicago. with two seasons under their belt of managing Blue Fruit Farm, the couple has a positive outlook on what they would like to see blossom from their hard work. The McAvoys are the current farm managers of Blue Fruit Farm in Winona County. In the future, they look forward to having the opportunity to continue the work of the current farm owners, Jim Riddle and Joyce Ford. “We were looking for a more sustainable way of living,” Ben said. “This opportunity to work with the farm and Jim and Joyce came at the perfect Thetime.”farm grows a variety of fruits like black currants, blueberries, honeyberries, aronia berries and elderberries. Blue Fruit Farm has a reputation for providing fruit high in antioxidants that are not commonly found in grocery stores. “We started offering a you-pick option for harvesting berries this year which has totaled about 50% of our harvest,” Natalie said. “It’s been great seeing people come out to pick their own fruit and spend time at the farm.” Ben “Evenagreed.getting feedback while delivering fruit has been positive,” he said. “It reassures you that what you’re doing is right, and that’s a good feeling.”Blueberries are a more commonly known fruit that carries an array of essential vitamins and minerals. Black currants, honeyberries and aronia berries carry even more antioxidants that are great to add into a Natalie’sdiet.favorite way to eat some of these fruits are in smoothies. She enjoys blending them to create a healthy nutritious snack that is perfect for hot days. The farm also does business with several local restaurants and breweries that each have incorporated the fruits into different recipes like pastries, pies, savory dishes, and beverages. “Some of the fruits, like the black currants, are more tart so they taste better in something,” Natalie said. “After freezing aronia berries, it can tame their taste a bit also.” Before the McAvoys moved to Minnesota, they were in search of a sense of community.
Page 10 • Country Acres South | Saturday, August 20, 2022 FARM | AUTO | LIFE | ESTATE PLANNING Rochester, Austin & Harmony, MN 507-886-2100 | HarmonyInsuranceGroup.com CZJune18-1B-JM The Best in Animal Care for 54 Years Large & Small SurgeryMedicineAnimal& Harmony 507-886-6321 Cresco 563-547-3121 Drs. Rein, Collins, Remold, Sadler, Hanson CZJuly2_24B_JM (507) 498-5422 | 123 W Main Street, Spring Grove, MN 55974 Mulqueen’s True Value/Napa NOW HIRING Looking for an all-around employee to work full-time. Some weekends included. To apply call today! CZAug20-1B-JM TOM HEFFERNAN Family Owned Ford Store going into 50th Year Low Overhead on New & Used Cars & Trucks WE PAY TOP DOLLAR FOR USED CARS See our inventory: TomHeffernanFord.com 651-345-5313 310 N L AKESHORE DRIVE | LAKE CITY, MN CZJuly2-tfnB-JF
and grow their lives together
Joyce Ford (from left) Jim Riddle, Natalie McAvoy, Ben McAvoy and the McAvoy’s daughter run Blue Fruit Farm near Winona. The McAvoys are the farm managers and are excited to get the opportunity to work with Ford and Riddle. People walk through the berry bushes to learn about the different fruits grown on Blue Fruit Farm. The farm grows a wide variety of fruits high in antioxidants.
in the suburbs of
A FRUITFUL WAY OF LIFE
McAvoys page 11
Now
BY GRACE JEURISSEN STAFF WRITER PHOTOS SUBMITTED
actly
for. Having
something
McAvoys embrace a life change
is
|
Ben’s dairy-freesmoothiefavorite learned from them. There were certain plants that did not do well here, which they ended up removing and replacing with more suitable varieties. They inform us about everything they have dealtRiddlewith.”and Ford took a large step back from the farm this year as they enjoy their new place in New Hampshire, but the McAvoys feel well prepared for their first season alone. They can still call on the owners if anything were to come up; so far things have been going well.
“Neither of us grew up on a farm, but we had started our own little oasis type of garden in our backyard in Illinois,” Ben said. “We had been looking for an opportunity like the intentional community that brought us to the farm.” Natalie agreed. “We also wanted to raise our daughter somewhere she could have more freedom, not in the city,” she said. “She was our biggest inspiration for change and continues to motivate us.”There is a lot of hard work the McAvoys put in to tend the four-acre farm site. As certified organic producers, they must be innovative in the ways they manage pests. To combat birds, they place nets over their bushes. This summer, they started using a portable vacuum for Japanese beetles. Promoting soil health is a big part of Blue Fruit Farm’s philosophy. They make compost using materials from the farm and locally sourced horse manure. The McAvoys use things like fish concentrate to provide different nutrients as well. The fish concentrate gets added to their drip irrigation system that waters the plants. Before Blue Fruit Farm, the site had previously been used in organic vegetable farming for several decades. Eventually in 2008, the land was fenced in, but growing little of anything other than weeds. Riddle and Ford saw it as an opportunity to start growing perennial berries not readily available in the local food supply. “It took Jim and Joyce a few years to get this land suitable for blueberries,” Ben said. “The soil pH of the Driftless area of southeast Minnesota is too alkaline for the fruits we grow to prosper naturally,” so Riddle and Ford spent many years amending the soil to get it ready for blueberries. They built up the soil with cover crops, organic material and sulfur to turn the pH more“Jimacidic.and Joyce pretty much wrote the book on organics,” Ben said. “We have been so fortunate to learn from them.”Natalie agreed. “We aren’t flying blind because they have already made mistakes and Ingredients: 1/2 frozen banana 3/4 cup aronia berries 1 ice cube of coconut milk (or plain dairy free yogurt) 6 ounces coconut water Optional: 1 tablespoon collagen 1 tablespoon ground flax, chia, or hemp seeds Top off ingredients with 6 ounces of coconut water. Add more if needed. Blend togetheringredientsuntilsmoothtextureisachieved.
McAvoys from page 10
“The fruit is selling faster than we can pick it,” Ben said. “That’s a good problem to have.”
As the berry season pushes on and harvest continues, the McAvoys still have the future in mind. They are planting more bushes to provide for the demand they are getting this year. They are also working to build more financial sustainability with the farm.
Cut me out!
Saturday, August 20, 2022 | Country Acres South • Page 11
PHOTOS SUBMITTED Blueberries ripen on a bush Aug. 10 at the Blue Fruit Farm in Winona. Blueberries are known to be high in antioxidants and are one of the moreknowncommonlyfruitsgrownatthefarm.
Natalielearntodaughterandforthatingplacebeautifulthisgrow-thingsaregoodcustomersgivingouraplaceadventure,andgrow,”said.Benagreed.“Ifeellikeweare doing something good for us, others and the environment,” he said.
Black currants are one of the super fruits the McAvoys grow on Blue Fruit Farm. Black currants have a tart taste and are best in smoothies or pastries.
The orchard waits patiently for spring last winter. The bushes go dormant during colder months and reach peak production mid-July.
The McAvoys are growing health in the berry bushes and their efforts are catching wind in the southeast Minnesota“Iarea. am excited to be out in
Butterflies are a common site in the summer months due to the many different plants around Blue Fruit Farm that promote pollinator activity.
