ELGIN — From birth, Arrow, a wiry-haired rauhhaar teckel dog, has been trained to be obsessed with one thing: deer. Her experience has been immersive, whether gnawing on deer legs, chasing her owners as they dragged a piece of deer liver behind them or coming along to recover deer when she was a few months old.
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more extensively to their repertoire last year during Arrow’s first season. Hunters who believe they have fatally wounded a deer but have been unsuccessful in recovery can contact the Axleys to bring Arrow out to track.
Arrow’s owners are Josh and Nicole Axley who live near Elgin. Using Arrow, they operate UncleTracker Whitetail Recovery, a free whitetail tracking service in southeast Minnesota.
and Nicole who live n Arrow Uncle Whitetail R free white i Minne “ w pu p p th w to he real mak awesome, i Josh A Avid ou Ax whitetail
“From Day 1, we would let her have her puppy toys and that, but if we were going to play with her and get really excited and make something seem like it’s awesome, it was a deer part,” Josh Axley said. Avid outdoorspeople, the Axleys added whitetail tracking
“We’re involved with one of the most fun parts of the hunt,” Axley said. “We’re coming in at often times the hunter’s worst hour; they’re feeling desperate. (It) feels like they lost their deer. They’re doing this as essentially a last-ditch effort to try to recover.”
During her first full season after training as a puppy, Arrow ran about 60 tracks and made 18 recoveries. Of the non-recoveries, the Axleys later received almost 30% proof of life game camera photos from those hunters.
As of publication, Arrow had run 33 tracks and made 12 recoveries.
“We run tracks (where) the deer might not be dead, and we exhaust a lot of effort to determine or provide that hunter closure,” Axley said.
Arrow is trained to track the secretions released from the interdigital gland between the hooves of deer. Arrow’s lineage is from original hunting dog bloodlines from Germany.
To keep Arrow sharp, the Axleys lay tracks for her regularly. The Axleys have track-laying boots which can be strapped over shoes. In the bottom of these boots is a place to insert the hooves of a deer. Between laying tracks, the boots are placed in the freezer.
PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO
Nicole and Josh Axley kneel by Arrow Aug. 28 on their property near Elgin. The Axleys own UncleTracker Whitetail Recovery.
(Above) Twelve-year-old Audree Poulter holds her first buck shot during the 2023 youth firearms deer season in Olmsted County. The buck was recovered by Arrow 17 hours after the shot, following a 576-yard track.
PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO
(Right) Arrow rides out to run a track Aug. 28 at the Axley family’s property near Elgin. Arrow can comfortably run 3-4 tracks a day without over-exerting herself. Axley
PHOTO SUMBITTED ld Audree Poulter holds ng n Olmsted The y Arrow 17 hours after the yard track.
track
herself.
Axley from front
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Nicole lays the track so Josh is blind to where the dog should go. These tracks are generally 1/4 to 1/2 mile in length and are given 12-24 hours to become aged.
When Arrow was younger, they also added blood to the tracks. Arrow is certified by the United Blood Trackers with a UBT II certification, demonstrating her capability in tracking.
Arrow can comfortably run around 3-4 tracks in a day without overexerting herself.
Tracking deer with dogs became legal in Minnesota in 2019. While tracking, as per Minnesota law, Arrow stays on a 30-foot leash controlled by her handler. This keeps her secure while allowing her to use her skills effectively, ensuring the best chance of success in locating the wounded deer.
During tracking, one of Josh’s roles is to encourage her to drink water. Not only does it keep her hydrated, it also helps the receptors in her mouth detect pheromones.
On the track, Axley has to read Arrow’s body language to understand whether she is still on the trail while also looking for signs himself to validate the direction.
“She gets anxious,” Axley said. “She’s maybe lost that scent hormone smell (or) the deer is not as wounded as originally thought.”
ST R
Publications bli ti
“The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.”
With less scent to follow, Axley said Arrow might get a little whiny or restless, showing that something has changed in the track. If he sees her exhibiting this behavior, he takes her back to their last point of confidence on the track.
Axley page 3
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Hunter Friesen and Arrow pause with Friesen’s doe in 2023 in Olmsted County. Arrow’s first official track of 2023 covered 410 yards, advancing 300 yards to a recovery in the stream.
PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO
Josh Axley’s tracking gear rests on a table Aug. 28 at the Axley family’s home near Elgin. Axley carries water for Arrow among other things.
Returning a piece of
identity
BY AMY KYLLO STAFF WRITER
WELCH — Johnny Johnson remembers the day in 1992 when a buffalo arrived again at Prairie Island Indian Community. Banging noises emitted from inside a cattle trailer, while outside the trailer, seated in a circle of lawn chairs, the tribal council deliberated on what to do with the gift.
The buffalo bull, Shooting Star, had been
intended for another Dakota tribe; but when that tribe was unable to take it, the animal was sent on to the Prairie Island Indian Community. The decision in front of them was whether to butcher the gift or start a herd.
“The elders that were there said, ‘We want to bring back our relatives,’” Johnson said.
Now, over 30 years later, the Edwin Buck Jr. Memorial Buffalo Project herd stands about
on
Buffalo at Prairie Island Indian Community restart legacy of provision
250 animals strong.
Johnson is the education director for the Prairie Island Indian Community.
“These animals, the
tatanka (the word for buffalo in the Dakota language), have been a survival object for us,” Johnson said. “Every part of their body is
used for some means of daily activity. … Bringing them back, it’s just a very important project that we wanted to see again.”
For the tribe, the buffalo are part of its identity.
Buffalo page 8
PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO
Johnny Johnson (left) and Richard Buck smile Sept. 26 by the buffalo at Prairie Island Indian Community near Welch. Johnson is the education director for the the Prairie Island Indian Community, and Buck oversees the buffalo as the public works and Edwin Buck Jr. Memorial Buffalo Project manager.
Buffalo relax on pasture Sept. 26 at Prairie Island Indian Community near Welch. The Edwin Buck Jr. Memorial Buffalo Project began in 1992.
Buffalo from page 8
“Unfortunately, they can’t roam like they (historically) used to, so we have to have them penned in,” Johnson said.
Where their paddocks are close to major roads, the buffalo are surrounded by two layers of fence.
“It’s not to keep them in,” Johnson said. “It’s for human beings staying out.”
Without the double fence, people try to get in with the buffalo or feed them.
The herd is cared for by four workers. Richard Buck oversees these workers as the public works and Edwin Buck Jr. Buffalo Project manager for the Prairie Island
Indian Community.
“It takes a family to get this whole project going and make sure the herd is maintained and healthy,” Buck said.
“At this point, I believe they’re in the healthiest state they’ve been in a long time.”
Buck credits much of the herd’s success to their nutrition consultant, Jim Dressen. Dressen helps manage their diet, balancing the ration according to the number of animals and nutrient content of their feedstuffs.
“He’s done a tremendous job, (of) not only figuring that stuff out, but teaching us,” Buck said.
Last year, there were 63 calves born to the herd during their calving season, which starts at the end of April or early May.
Every three years,
the community brings in new bulls for fresh genetics. They have received genetics from across the nation from other tribes and national parks including the Badlands National Park, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Meskwaki Nation Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, Wind Cave National Park and Yellowstone National Park.
Currently, the herd’s growth is limited by the land base available to support them. Eventually, depending on the decisions of the tribal council, more land may be secured for the herd.
“We could be the largest (herd in Minnesota) at one point in time,” Johnson said. “But, it’s just important that our people, our membership, gets to know the importance of them.”
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Case IH 6140 Combine, 2606 & 3162 Heads
•2017 Case IH 6140 Axial Flow Combine, AFS, PreHarvest 1915 Engine Hrs, PreHarvest 1559 Separators Hrs, Pro 700 Monitor With 372 Globe, Full Auto Guide/Yield, Pwr Fold Bin Topper, Dlx Cab, Chopper, Spreader, 520/85R42 Duals, Set to 6 Row Head, Self Leveling Sieves, Electric Sieve Adjust, Pivot Grain Spout, BU Camera, Grain Tank & Unload Auger Cameras, Single Pt Hookup, Beacon, 600/65R28 Rear Tires, 2nd Owner Combine, In 2022 Over $20,000 Spent At Combine Clinic, New AC in Fall Of 2023, All Service Work Done At MN Ag Group
•2011 Case IH 2606 Chopper Corn Head, 6 Row 30”, Full Poly, Single Pt Hookup, Dual PTO, Hyd Deck Plates, Field Tracker, 2nd Owner
•6) Maywes Stalk Stompers
•EZ Trail 680 Head Cart, 20’, 4 Wheel Transport
•‘14 Case IH 3162 TerraFlex Drapper Grain Hd, 30’, Field Trckr, Sing PTO
•Industrias America 836R 36’ Head Cart, Dolly Front Tires, Tandem Axle 2022 Case IH 2150 12 Row 30” Planter & Seed Tender
•2022 Case IH 2150 Center Fill Planter, 12 Row 30”, 500 Gal Lqd Fert Tank, In-Furrow Fert, Individual Row Shutoffs, Electr Pump & Electr Fert Monitoring, 2 St Closing Wheel Cab Adjust, Yetter Clean Sweep Row Cleaners, Markers, Standard Seed Tubes, 2pt, 2100 Acres
•Hitchdoc Travis Seed Cart HSC2200 Box Seed Tender, 2 Box, Digi-Star Scale, Kohler 9.5HP Power Unit Engine, Telc Applicator, Tandem Axle
Kubota M5-111 MFWD, JD 5425 MFWD, Agco
RT130 MFWD Tractors
•Kubota M5-111 MFWD Tractor, Kubota LA1854 Hydraulic Loader w/Joystick, 1360 One Owner Hours, 24 Speed w/Two Speed Power
JD Auto Trac Steering, Shows 235 Hours comes with old tach replaced at 7800 hours, 8 Speed PS, 2 hyd., 3 pt., JD ATU 200, Firestone 18.4R42 Dual Tires w/10-Bolt Hub Duals
•2004 JD 1293 Corn Head, Hyd. Deck Plates, AHH, Row Sense, Lankota Stalk Stompers, Flex Shafts, Single Pt. Hookup, Calmer Knife Rolls & Complete Calmers System
•2011 JD 635F Flex Head, AWS 2000 Air Reel, Flex Shafts, Stubble Lights, Single pt. Hook Up, Lankota Dividers, 1 1/2” Cut
•J&M HT8 Head Trailer, 30’, 4 Wheel
•Unverferth HT36, 4-Wheel Head Trailer, 36’ PLANTER & SEED TENDER
•2015 Kinze 4900 Planter, 24x30”, Central Fill, In-Furrow Fertilizer, Front Fold, VacuMeter, 2 pt. Hitch, AG Leader
Hydraulic Down Force, Electric Drives, Kinze No-Till Coulters/ Row Cleaners, DigiStar Scale, Hydraulic Drive Variable Rate Liquid Fertilizer, 750-Gallon Liquid Fertilizer Tank, Corn/Bean Plates, No Markers, ISO Bus used JD Monitor or Others
•International 5100 Soybean Special Grain Drill, 12’, 7.5” Spacing
•JD 2500 Semi-Mounted Plow, 5 bottom Vari-width, Auto Reset,
Auto Boom Height, Traction Control, Hyd. Tread Adjust, 20” Nozzle Spacing, 5-Way Nozzles, High Flow Pump, 7-Section Control, Wheel Motor Shields, Fenders, 380/105R50 Tires, with JD 2630 Monitor, Auto Trac and Section Control
•2023 EZ-Drop Liquid Fertilizer System, for 120’ JD Sprayer Boom, (82) Drop Nozzles, w/Quick Attach Boom Extension Kit
•Land Pro 3 Point Sprayer, 80’, 3 pt., 20” Spacing, 3-Way Nozzles, 4 Section Control, Hyd. Drive Pump, Front Row Nozzles, Hyd. Folding Booms, Raven 450 Controls
•Ag Systems 8000 NitroMaster NH3 Bar, 52’, C-Shank, Double Wing Fold, Cooler, Tandems on Main Frame & Wings, Dual Hose, Rear Hitch
•1952 International Farmall M, 2WD, NF, Gas, 1 Hyd., 540 PTO, 14.9x38 tires, Recent Engine Rebuild, New Clutch
• 1948 International Farmall M, 2WD, WF, Gas Engine, 1 Hyd., 540 PTO, Wheel Weights,14.9x38 Tires, Recent Engine Rebuild, New Clutch, w/Hyd. Loader
TRUCKS – SEMIS – TRAILERS
•1996 Kenworth T800 Conventional Day Cab Semi, 859,108 Miles, 400 hp. CAT 3406E Engine, 9 Spd., Cruise, Air Ride, Air Slide & Cab, Dual Tanks, 214”Wheelbase, 11R22.5 Tires on Aluminum Wheels & Rear Steel
• 1995 Freightliner FLD 120 conventional Semi with 48’’ Flattop Sleeper, Cat 3406 E Model, 500hp, 13 sp with Double overdrive, air ride suspension, air slide, air ride cab, diff lock, jake brake, 236’’ wheelbase, 285/75R24.5 Tires with Alum outside rims, 250,000 miles on engine rebuild
• 1991 Kenworth T600 Grain Truck, 568,863 Miles, Detroit Series 60 Engine, 12.7L, 13 Spd., Jake Brake, 20’ Box & Hoist, Tandem Axle, Air Ride, Roll Tarp, Dual Tanks & Exhaust, 3 piece end gate, 11R24.5 on aluminum
•2000 Doepker Step Deck Trailer, 42’x102”Wide, All Steel, Air Ride, w/255/70R22.5 Tires on all Steel Wheels, includes: Convey All, 5 Compartment Commodity Cart w/SS Rear Conveyor, Honda Engine, Powered Hyd.
•2012 Timpte Super Hopper Hopper Bottom Trailer, 42’x66”x96”, Air Ride, Tarp, Scale, AG Hopper, Single Spd. Traps, 11R24.5 Tires on Aluminum Wheels, Black Sided
• 2007 Timpte Super Hopper Hopper Bottom Trailer, 42’x66”x96”, Air Ride, AG Hopper, LED, Scale, Roll Tarp, 11R24.5 Tires on all Aluminum
•2014 Timpte Super Hopper Hopper Bottom Trailer, 42’x66”x96”, AG Hoppers, Electric Roll Tarp, LED Lights, Air Ride, Scale, 11R24.5 Aluminum Wheels, Black Sided
•JD Brown Box w/Mobile Processor, AutoTrac SF1 Keycard
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Bidding Opens: Friday, November 8th at 10:00 am
Parcel 3
•145.19+/- Acres – 122.95 Tillable Acres
•Located in Section 21 Red Rock Township
•Great Access off State Hwy 56
•CPI Rating of 69
Parcel 4
•27.2 +/- Acres – 25.26 Tillable Acres
•Located in Section 9 of Red Rock Township
•Property lays in the City Limits of Brownsdale, MN
•CPI Rating of 90
Parcel 5
•13.30 Acres+/- Acres – Zoned Commercially
•Located in Section 5 of Windom Township
•Great access off 220th Street with Interstate 90 Exposure
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Knoche Farms LLC, Seller
Veterans Day November 11
Honoring all who served
Tick tock go the memories
Veteran designs custom clocks, memorabilia
BY EMILY BRETH | STAFF WRITER
ST. CHARLES — After returning home with an empty cardboard box from his job, Jerry Balko had the idea of making clocks.
“At work, I’m looking at these boxes that are being destroyed,” Balko said. “I took one home and thought, ‘That would be some pretty good shipping material if I could figure out what to use it for’.”
From there, Balko got to work cutting down a piece of wood to the size of the box and decided it would be perfect for a clock. He started creating military-themed clocks, each representing a branch of the military.
“That was going really good,” Balko said. “Then, my wife said, ‘You’ve got to start doing more stuff than just military,’ so I went to a couple tractor shows and started doing tractors.”
Balko, who is the owner of Jerry’s Military Exchange, makes a wide variety of memorabilia much of which is military themed including clocks, license plates, plaques, mugs, identification tags, Christmas ornaments and whirligigs.
Some of the profits Balko makes goes into material for making customized clocks for veterans in health care facilities, which Balko gifts to them.
Balko page 12
Stephen
Jason
Joshua
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Ken Axelson (left) and Jerry Balko pause with Axelson’s custom clock April 2 at Axelson’s birthday party held at his care facility in Rochester. Axelson passed away nine days later. Delivering clocks to other veterans is one of the many things Balko said he enjoys, because he connects with them on a personal level.
Balko from page 11
Delivering clocks to other veterans is one of the many things Balko said he enjoys about his work. He said it allows him to connect with them on a more personal level.
“Here are these big guys that served our country, and it doesn’t take much (for them to) break down and get emotional,” Balko said. “They always seem to open up and talk to me, especially since I am a veteran myself.”
Balko served in the Air Force for six years which included six months in the Middle East.
The first type of memorabilia Balko made was a license plate. For the plates, Balko makes a design based off a person’s military experience. The pattern is then printed on the same kind of vinyl used to make car decals and signs.
Customers can custom order memorabilia or purchase an already made piece. Balko uses a printer for the designs and photos he customizes specific items with. However, the designs on the whirligigs he makes are hand painted.
Balko had many family members who enlisted in the military. Growing up on a dairy farm in northwest Wisconsin, Balko was in charge of caring for the farm. His dad was a World War II veteran, and all his older brothers were in the Marine Corps.
“My oldest brother got out of the Marine Corps a year before I graduated,” Balko said. “He asked me what I wanted to do, and I said probably take over the farm.”
Balko’s brother told him to enjoy his senior year, and that he would help out on the farm. Eventually, Balko’s brother wanted to take over the farm, and Balko made the decision to enlist.
“I didn’t know at the time if I was going to college or what,” Balko said. “I told him I might join the military, and
he is the one who told me to join the Air Force because they have better food.”
Balko served out of the K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base near Marquette, Michigan, which shut down in 1995. Today, the former military base is the K.I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum. For the last eight years, Balko has provided nearly 90% of the souvenirs the museum sells. He makes license plates for every unit that has served out of the base.
“I’ve tried doing shirts, but you have to have a variety of different sizes and shirts,” Balko said. “I like the idea of one-size-fits-all.”
Over his 12 years of making clocks, he said every piece has become a favorite. However, one he made for a Navy chaplain who served in the Vietnam War stays in his memory. When Balko made the clock, he wrote a saying to be included on it.
Balko page 14
PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO
Jerry Balko puts the hands on a clock Oct. 16 at his shop in St. Charles. Other items Balko makes include plaques, mugs, identification tags, Christmas ornaments and whirligigs.
Veterans Day
Events
Roundtable Discussion — Nov. 7, 1-2:30 p.m.
All are invited to a roundtable discussion at the Goodhue County History Center with the Red Wing American Legion Post #54. Local veterans will answer questions and share stories from across a range of experiences. The event is free, but please consider bringing items to donate to the Auxiliary Closet 54 Project.
Goodhue County History Center
1166 Oak St. Red Wing
Hometown Hero Appreciation Meal — Nov. 10, 5 p.m.
We are hosting our first Hometown Hero Appreciation Meal to honor and celebrate our Kasson community active duty and reserve service members.
Kasson American Legion
212 W Main Street
Kasson
Veterans Interviews with Kristine Fitzgerald — Nov. 9 and 10, 2-4 p.m.
Kristine Fitzgerald would like to acknowledge you or your beloved veteran to give you/them the recognition you/they deserve for your/their service to our country on this Veterans Day. Please come to meet, have your picture taken and share your story. Feel free to wear military clothing.
Wabasha VFW
Second St. E
Wabasha
Veterans Day Chili Dinner — Nov. 8, 5 p.m. until gone. Come down to the VFW to have some delicious soup and visit with our veterans. Free will donation. All proceeds will benefit the wish list for the State Veterans Home in Preston.
VFW Post 6913 & Auxiliary
9 Second St. SW Chatfield
Veteran’s Day Program — Nov. 11, 2:20-2:55 p.m.
Special speaker Master Sgt. AJ Anderson.
Lanesboro High School
100 Kirkwood St. E.
Lanesboro
Winona Veterans Day 24 Hour Vigil — Nov. 11.
Sign-up sheets are posted at the VFW and American Legion for watch standers who would like to stand a one-hour watch. Even if a time period is filled, your participation is welcomed. You do not have to be a veteran or family member.
Bandshell, Lake Park
113 Lake Park Drive
Winona
Red Wing Community Veterans Day Commemoration — Nov. 8, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
This year’s assembly will include music by students from Red Wing High School and Minnesota State College Southeast, a recognition of our visiting veterans and service members and a reception to follow. We will feature guest speaker Sgt. Atreyu Moore, U.S. Army. Veterans, current service members and their guests will have reserved seating on the floor level. Guests are asked to enter RWHS through Door 36.
Red Wing High School
2451 Eagle Ridge Drive
Red Wing
Veterans Day is celebrated Nov. 11 each year, the day of armistice for World War I. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson declared the first commemoration of Armistice Day. In 1938, Armistice Day became an official holiday, and in 1954, it was changed to Veterans Day to honor veterans of all wars.
Information source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Minnesota veteran statistics
• 294,232 is the number of Minnesota veterans as of 2023. Of those veterans, 220,046 are wartime veterans and 74,186 are peacetime veterans.
• 5.14% of Minnesota’s population are veterans.
Veterans in our counties
Dodge — 1,104
Fillmore — 1,240
Houston — 1,164
Goodhue — 3,059
Olmsted — 8,021
Wabasha — 1,424
Winona — 2,693
Information source: Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Annual Report Fiscal Year 2023
– Repurposing Urban Timber –
507-272-8997
firstsoutheastbank.com
Veterans Day November 11
Honoring all who served
Balko from page 12
“He was reading what I put on there, and he said, ‘Wouldn’t you like if you could write as good as this guy?’,” Balko said. “Coming from somebody as distinguished as him, (it was a great deal of) approval I got.”
A non-military related clock that sticks out to Balko is a multi-generation customized piece. The picture
included a grandpa, dad and son with a tractor that had been in the family through all three generations.
As long as a photo is good quality and can be sent digitally, Balko can print it for a clock. He has done a wide range of clocks, including many for graduates.
Balko sells at flea markets and vendor shows between Illinois, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota. Balko has not been making any donated clocks for veterans lately due to how busy he has been with attending multiple-day
Balko holds a Christmas ornament featuring his squadron Oct. 16 at his shop in St. Charles. Balko attends a variety of flea markets and vendor shows selling his pieces, traveling to Illinois, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota.
shows. With the season slowing down, Balko will be attending a couple one-day shows and starting to make more clocks again for the veterans.
“At (Minnesota State Veterans Home — Preston), they had two wings full, and they were waiting to get approval to fill two more wings,” Balko said. “Hopefully the timing is right where they got more residents now, and I can proceed with making clocks.”
PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO
Ship-themed clocks hang on the wall Oct. 16 at Jerry Balko’s shop in St. Charles. Balko has done different themed clocks including custom clocks for graduations.
Jerry
Afterward, the Gardners decided to leave their off-farm jobs and increased to 1,000 chickens in 2021. They advertised directly through farmers markets and farm sales, dabbling in a couple Twin Cities markets. In 2022, they grew to about 1,500 chickens and added 50 turkeys and some sheep; in 2023, they had 2,500 chickens and 100 turkeys, and this year, they had 2,600 chickens, 250 laying hens, about 155 turkeys and 17
Sheep
sheep. Gardner Family Farm started with the
Cornish cross chicken breed, and they still use it today because they
pasture well and do not take long to raise. The turkeys are broadbreasted white, which the Gardners selected mainly because they make a nicer-looking Thanksgiving bird. Gardner Family Farm has nearly 80 acres they actively farm, with another 40 for pasturing. The chickens are kept in chicken tractors, movable 10-by-10-foot pens which hold about 75 chickens each. The units are about a foot and a half off the ground, topped with a flat roof over three-quarters of it and chicken wire over the remaining quarter. This gives the birds
new pasture daily and varies their diet.
“It makes a goodtasting bird while giving them this quality of life they’re well-suited to,” Gardner said. “It’s what their bodies are designed for. … We physically pull the tractors forward every day. We try to put a chicken on a given part of pasture about once every season, at most twice, but well-spaced apart.”
The laying hens go in the Gardner Family Farm “eggmobile,” a portable shelter where they can nest.
Turkeys start in chicken tractors, and when they outgrow the
“(Chickens and turkeys) are really similar,” Gardner said. “(Turkeys) take longer (to raise), so they’re on the land longer, and they eat a lot more of the pasture and bugs. They take about 16 to 18 weeks to reach the weight we like to see on a Thanksgiving table. Chickens take 8 weeks to finish.”
If she had to choose, the turkeys would be Gardner’s favorite bird on the farm.
near Spring Grove. The sheep are raised for their meat. space, they are moved into portable electric netting, giving them a larger area to roam because they forage more heavily than chickens.
PHOTOS
A sheep pauses from grazing Oct. 18 at Gardner Family Farm
Gardner from page 16
“They make this cute little trilling noise and are very curious,” she said. “They’ll come up to you, next to the fence. As they get older, if you know how to make the female turkey sound, you can call right next to the pen and get all of the tom turkeys to gobble and puff up their feathers. It’s really funny to see.”
This year has been the only time Gardner Family Farm has used offfarm processing for one batch of their birds. Otherwise, it is all done on site. The Gardners bring in a few additional people to help, catching the birds the night before, then slaughtering, plucking, cleaning and chilling. Packaging is handled the following day to allow the meat to become more tender beforehand.
Gardner Family Farm raises Dorper sheep for their meat, and they will have their first lamb processing this month.
Jim and Ellen’s young daughter, Esther, enjoys the farm life along with her parents. She is particularly drawn to the animals.
“She sees her mom and dad go out and process chickens and take care of animals, and I’m pretty sure she’s assumed this is normal for every family on earth,” Gardner said. “She loves going out to pick eggs with dad (and) has done some tractor riding this year during hay season, … and lambing season this year was really fun with her.”
Gardner Family Farm’s products mainly go to the farmers markets in
northeast Minneapolis, Rochester and Winona, and they deliver to Bloomington and other communities.
“This year, we started shipping for the first time,” Gardner said. “We can ship anywhere in the state of Minnesota. We’re really excited about it; I think the farthest we’ve gone so far is the Alexandria area.”
So far, Gardner Family Farm has received a lot of positive feedback from their customers, particularly regarding egg quality.
“It amazes me how many people have never had a farm-fresh egg before,” Gardner said. “People try the egg, and they’re like, ‘Wow, it tastes so different.’ When they try the chicken, … I had this one customer come back a week or two after (buying), and he was like, ‘I just need you to know that was the best chicken I’ve ever had. I didn’t expect it to taste so different.’ That’s a common experience.”
Looking ahead, the Gardners want to expand their herd of sheep and are thinking about adding cattle as well as goats, which could graze in their woods.
While Gardner Family Farm has been operating for less than 5 years, the family has already seen its positive effects on their land.
“Each animal has a role in creating a healthy ecosystem,” Gardner said. “(We want to) offer a more ethical food source for a wider range of customers.”
MONDAY
8:00 am Overnight market cows/bulls 10:00 am Fed cattle, followed by day-delivered market cows & bulls
1:00 pm Dairy cattle, stock cows & breeding bulls followed by feeder cattle
4:00 pm Baby calves, arena 2
TUESDAY
8:00 amSheep and goats
11:00 am Feeder pigs
WEDNESDAY
10:00 am Hog/Sow/Boar Auction 2:00 pm Fed cattle, followed by market cows and bulls
THURSDAY
10:00 am Special feeder cattle auctions, September - April
FRIDAY
Closed Office open 8:00 am – Noon
YARD HOURS
Sunday Noon – 10pm
Monday 6am – 10pm
Tuesday 6am – 10pm
Wednesday 6am – 4pm (Open until 10pm, preceding special Thursday sales ONLY)
Thursday 6am – 4pm
Friday 6am – Noon
Saturday By Appointment
PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO
Ellen Gardner holds a frozen turkey Oct. 18 at Gardner Family Farm near Spring Grove. The farm typically processes all their birds on site, with this being the first year they have needed another facility.
Jim Gardner feeds his laying chickens grain Oct. 18 at Gardner Family Farm near Spring Grove. The animals Gardner Family Farm raises include meat chickens, laying hens, turkeys and sheep.
Lawrence from page 18
Lawrence’s dad, Larry, specialized in birds and fish when he owned the shop; but after he retired, except for helping process deer in the fall, Lawrence phased out birds and fish.
“It was too much going from a two man shop to a one-man shop and just too much work,” Lawrence said. “I’m still way behind.”
Lawrence’s wait time from drop off to pick up is over a year.
“People are waiting too long to get their stuff back,” Lawrence said. “I don’t like people having to wait.”
Lawrence’s shop has been backed up with work for about 7-8 years. The problem was compounded by the fact that there were several years where he received 150 whitetail deer to mount. This was too many for him.
“Every day, it was just deer, deer, deer,” Lawrence said. “I like doing deer and stuff, but those 3-4 years just burnt me out.”
Lawrence takes time on his work.
“I’m very particular to make sure that the mounts are really nice and quality,” Lawrence said. “There are taxidermists that really push out a lot of work and really slap it together, but I kind of like a really quality mount, so it isn’t the fastest thing to do.”
A whitetail mount takes him approximately 16-18 hours to complete.
One of the biggest challenges of taxidermy, Lawrence said, is getting each side of the head to match. He uses his left hand on the left side and right hand on the right side to help with this.
“You’re trying to basically make it look real, but it also has to be symmetrical,” Lawrence said. “The right side is a piece of cake; that left side is a lot (more) difficult.”
Proper symmetry is important to Lawrence.
“That’s where the real art comes in, is trying to make it look real and both sides to look the same,” Lawrence said. “That’s hard because you’re never happy with it.”
Lawrence does both shoulder mounts and European mounts. Though the work has some unpleasant sights and smells, he handles it.
“Once I get through the initial bad smell or whatever, and it gags me once I’m done, I’m good,” Lawrence said. “Then, it doesn’t bother me anymore after that.”
He does charge extra for animals which were not properly taken care of.
“Bring it over here, or get it in the freezer,” he said. “I don’t want to deal with that, either.”
Many of the deer he mounts were processed by him in the processing business, which is an advantage, he said.
2 parcels of bare cropland with some woodland/pasture and 2 parcels of woodland/ pasture ground. Total of 112 tillable acres, very good soils. Open house date Wednesday, November 6th 4 - 5:30 pm. Live auction starts Thursday, November 7th at 10 am. (Maring)
Tuesday, November 12th (online only) Construction, Farm, Vehicles and Tools Auction for The Robert Adamek Estate; Loaders, excavator, 5th wheel travel trailer, tractors, combines with heads, tillage and planting equipment, grain trucks, machinist tools, welders, metal band saw, drill press, power and hand tools, lighted beer signs, framed prints and household items. Bidding starts opening Saturday, November 2nd at 8 am and starts closing Tuesday, November 12th at 10 am. (Maring)
Wednesday, November 13th (online only) 105 Acres of Farmland in Rice County MN for Earl Thom Trust and Marian Thom Estate; 105 acres of bare farmland located in section 21 Warsaw Township with 78.41 total cropland acres, 22.22 acres enrolled in CRP and a Crop Productivity Index average of 83.2 good soils. Bidding starts opening Saturday, November 2nd at 8 am and starts closing Wednesday, November 13th at 10 am. (Maring)
Monday, November 18th @ 10 am (live and online) 352.6 Acres of Farmland in Mower County, MN for Knoche Farms LLC located in Brownsdale, MN; Located in Red Rock Township. Offered in 5 parcels including 1 13.30 acre property located in Windom Township near Austin, MN City Limit. Bidding starts opening Friday, November 8th at 10 am and live auction starts Monday, November 18th at 10 am. (Hamilton)
Tuesday, November 19th (online only) Multi Ring Auction, Equipment, Tools, Antiques, Beer Signs, Collectibles; John Deere dozer and loader, GMC pickup, Polaris Ranger, single axle trailers, skid loader attachments, tool benches, engines, woodworking tools, power and hand tools, collectible beer and neon signs, antiques, craft and sewing items, baskets, furniture and over 1,000 lots to be sold. Bidding starts opening Saturday, November 9th at 8 am and starts closing Tuesday, November 19th at 1 pm. (Maring)
Tuesday, November 26th (online only) Clean Farm Equipment Auction for Austin and Elizabeth Bauer and Haven and Judy Bauer; Case IH combine, Case IH chopping corn head, Kubota and John Deere tractors with loaders, Kubota skid steer and attachments, Case IH planter, seed tender, Brent grain cart, DMI field cultivator and ripper, Krone round baler and mower, bale wagons, H&S rake, New Idea and H&S manure spreaders, PATZ TMR, grain trailer, livestock trailer, Dodge Ram pickup, augers, wagons and other farm support equipment. Bidding starts opening Saturday, November 16th at 8 am and starts closing Tuesday, November 26th at 10 am. (Maring)
Tuesday, December 3rd @ 10 am (live and online) Craig D Monnier Charitable Remainder Unitrust Auction located in Dexter, MN; John Deere tractors, John Deere combine and heads, Kinze planter, John Deere sprayer, Brent grain cart, semis and Timpte grain trailers. Online bidding starts opening Friday, November 22nd at 10 am and live auction starts Tuesday, December 3rd at 10 am. (Hamilton)
Wednesday, December 4th (online only)
Large Farm Equipment, Tools, Antiques and Household from the Lawrence Schweich Estate; John Deere utility tractor, 3 pt attachments, livestock equipment, power and hand tools, welders, metal working equipment, farm tools, very nice antiques, modern household and furniture, gas grills, patio furniture and much more. Bidding starts opening Saturday, November 23rd at 8 am and starts closing Wednesday, December 4th at 10 am. (Maring)
Sunday, December 8th (online only) Local Area Collector Toys and Memorabilia; Large collection of Ertl Farm Toys and Memorabilia consigned from area collectors including many 1/16 and 1/64 scale farm toys, cars, decanters and collectibles. Bidding starts opening Friday, November 29th at 10 am and starts closing Sunday, December 8th at 5 pm. (Hamilton)
Monday, December 9th (online only) Coins and Currency Auction from a Single Estate; Over 1500 lots of collector coins and currency, gold pieces from 1880 to 1990’s, dollar coins, half dollar coins, many quarters, nickels, dimes and pennies, uncirculated coins and gold and silver bars. Bidding starts opening Friday, November 29th at 8 am and starts closing Monday, December 9th at 1 pm. (Maring)
Tuesday, December 10th (online only) After Harvest Consignment Auction; Consignment sale accepting consignments now.
PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO
Attention to detail
16 at his shop near Lake City. Olson said he does not cut corners when he does tractor painting.
Olson paints restored tractors
BY AMY KYLLO | STAFF WRITER
LAKE CITY — Whether air temperature and quality, multiple trips through the wash bay or the best equipment and paint, the minute details of quality tractor painting are on Josh Olson’s mind.
“Every customer has told me, ‘I have never seen a tractor this nice brand new,’ that it’s above and beyond,” Olson said.
Olson has done around 30-40 tractors in his career. He does 2-3 a year. He does some of the required mechanical restoration work, but he prefers it already completed. Each tractor paint job takes about 150-200 hours to complete.
“It’s going to be my way,” Olson said. “It’s
going to be my quality of work, not your quality (of) work. So, if you want me to cut corners, I always say, ‘Go — you’re going to have to find somebody else to do it.’”
Besides his painting operation, Olson also operates a trucking company that primarily specializes in hog hauling alongside his wife, Holly, daughter, Natalee, and sons, Nathan and Nicholas, as well as a lawncare business with about 20 acres of lawns.
Olson page 22
PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO
Josh Olson looks over a partially prepared piece of sheet metal for an International Gold Demonstrator tractor Oct.
PHOTO SUBMITTED Light gleams off the fenders of an International Harvester Gold Demonstrator Dec. 14, 2019, at Josh Olson’s shop near Lake City. Olson said air temperature is important for the paint to finish with “mile deep” gloss and no sags or runs.
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