2024 Central MN Farm Show by Star Publications

2024 FREE

Central MN

Farm Edition Central MN

Farm Show February 27 - 28, 2024 Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Wednesday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

River’s Edge Convention Center 10 4th Ave. S, St. Cloud, MN

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Brought to you courtesy of the many advertisers throughout this publication. Thank you for supporting them.

2F « Central MN Farm Edition « February 17, 2024

INDEX: Vendor Booth Map - 2024 Central MN Farm Edition

5 7 12 16 19 23 27 29 35 36 45

Farm Show Speakers Sharing their story Vendor Spotlight: Q&A Vendor Spotlight: Q&A MN Tarp & Liner Advertorial Zielsdorf Advertorial Lifestyle Lumber Advertorial St. Cloud Foam Advertorial Scholarship recipient shares love for ag Past scholarship winners Midwest Machinery Advertorial

and index

Visit the trade show vendors and see what’s new in the ﬁeld of agriculture!

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SALES STAFF Missy Traeger, 320-291-9899 missy@saukherald.com Robin Brunette, 320-293-5911 robin@star-pub.com Tim Vos, 320-492-6987 tim.v@star-pub.com Jaime Ostendorf, 320-309-1988 jaime@star-pub.com Neil Maidl, 320-292-4454 neil.m@star-pub.com Bob Leukam, 320-260-1248 bob.l@star-pub.com Mike Schafer, 320-894-7825 mike.s@dairystar.com

NEWS STAFF Tiffany Klaphake Editor & Writer tiffany.k@dairystar.com Sarah Colburn Writer Sara Eisinger Writer Maria Bichler Copy editor

PRODUCTION STAFF Amanda Thooft Nancy Powell Maddy Peterson Cheyenne Middendorf Karen Knoblach Annika Gunderson Nadiia Zalitach

A321, A410 A.M. Maus and Son and LINEX of St. Cloud A508, A600 Adam Tabberson- Farm Bureau Financial Services A309 ADM Fertilizer A714 Advanced Ag Products A202-A203 Ag Tech Drainage, LLC B1034 Agri Spray Drones A212 Agri-Dynamics, LLC A103 AgroValley Solutions B812 All Energy Solar A427 Alloy Insurance A425 Ameribuilt Buildings, Inc B835 American Door Works A102 American Family InsuranceEhlinger & Associates, Inc. A422 American Family InsurancePeichel & Associates B914-B916 American National Insurance A715-A716 American Pressure A713 AMPI A314 AMPS INC A509 Anez Consulting, Inc. B922-B925,B1000-B1003 Arnold's of St. Cloud B932-B933, B1010-B1011 Arnzen Construction Inc. A601 Auto Value Parts Store A002 Avon Lime A109 AzTech Ag A104 Base Camp Leasing A007 Batteries Plus Bulbs A712 Beaudry Oil & Propane B830, B909 Beck's Hybrids B901 Benton County American Dairy Association B822 Big Gain Inc. B1025 BigIron A421, A498 Bioret Agri B801 Bongards Creameries A302-A303 Boomerang Marine & Sports B807-B809 Boss Supply, Inc

A500 Brandon Communications A602 Byron Seeds A317 Catholic United Financial Center A112, A200-A201 Centra Sota Cooperative A101 Central Minnesota Mental Health Center A426 Central MN Pressure Washers LLC A706-A707 Century Builders B1020 Champion Solar B1022 Channel (Gold Country) B811 Community Land Solutions, Inc. B821, B900 Compeer Financial B803-B804 Complete Grain Systems, Inc. B1033 Country Acres/Benton Ag B836-B837 Crop Fertility Services A012 Cutco A612-A617, A700-A705 Dairyland Supply B814 Dooley's Petroleum A106 Dynamic Homes, LLC A114-A115 EASYFIX USA A301 Edward Jones B934-B935 Everlast Industry B838, B917 Falcon National Bank B908 Farm Bureau Financial ServicesTom Rockis A311-A313, A400-A402 Farm-Rite Equipment of St. Cloud A429 Farmers & Merchants State Bank B828 Feed Stuff Bagging A214 Finken Water Treatment, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling B827, B906 Gilman Co-op Creamery A217 Granite Electronics / West Central Communications A510 Growers Mineral, Corp A516-A518, A608-A610 Hanson Silo Company B936-B938, B1014-B1016 Hartung Sales A404 Healinglife B1012 Heartland Builders Co.

B1013 Hotsy Minnesota A502 Hydro Engineering B831-B833, B910-B912 Isaacson Sales & Service, Inc. A010 Jenn Kerfeld Photography A221, A310 Jordan Ag Supply A001 KASM - AM & KDDG - FM Radio A403 Kitchen Club A407-A409 Lake Henry Implement, Inc. A405 LeafFilter Gutter Protection B824 Legacy Seeds A003 - A004 Legend Seeds, Inc B810 LG Seeds A719 Lifestyle Lumber A005 - A006 Litzau Farm Drainage B829 Lumber One Avon & Cold Spring A319 Magnifi Financial B802 MCC Ag Solutions A307-A308 Midwest Machinery CO A219-A220 Mies Outland A110 Mimbach Fleet Supply B822 Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program B823 Minnesota Farmers Union B931, B1009 MN Tarp & Liner A513-A515, A605-A607 Momentum Truck Group B902 Mustang Seeds B813 Nelson Sanitation & Rental, Inc. A009 Nelson's Agri Structures A213 Northern Plains Airseeder Repair A318 Northland Buildings B1031 NutraDrip Irrigation Systems|Netafim A108 O'Reilly Auto Parts A211, A300 OK Tire Stores, Inc. A406 Osakis Silo Repair A603 - A604 Peterson Farms Seed A215-A216 Power Lodge A122, A210 PowerLift Doors by French Manufacturing, Inc. A316 PSI Powerwashers, Inc.

A320 Puck Enterprises A511-A512 R & S Tire Service B1006 Rahn's Oil & Propane B1019 RAM Buildings A423-A424 RDO Euipment Co A717-A718 Real-Tuff, Inc. A506 Rejuv Medical A113 Renewal By Andersen A499 Renk Seed A621-A622, A709-A710 River Power and Equipment A105 Roof Maxx B1032 Royal Renovations A304 Royalton Lumber, Inc. B1023 Sam's Club B903 Schaeffer Oil A618 St. Cloud & Sauk Rapids Lions Clubs A011 St. Cloud VA Health System A708 Stearns Bank A504- A505 Stearns County Soil & Water Conservation District B815-B816 Stearns History Museum A014-A015 Steffes Group A218 STINE SEED A111 Sustainable Farming Association A305 Switchboard A501 The Boot Shack A107 The Janel Morgan Team A008 The Land Magazine A315 Top Down Silo, LLC A013 Tri County Broadcasting B1024 Tri-County Foam Insulation, Concrete Lifting & Painting A116-A121, A204-A209 Universal Truck Sales LLC B928-B930 West Wind Shelters A428 Wieser Concrete A430-A431, A507-AA Woller Equipment Inc. A306 Your Home Improvement Company B1021 Zip's Diesel Injection Service, Inc.

February 17, 2024 » Central MN Farm Edition » 3F

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WARNING: Polaris® off-road vehicles can be hazardous to operate and are not intended for on-road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to operate. Passengers, if permitted, must be at least 12 years old. All riders should always wear helmets, eye protection, and protective clothing. Always use seat belts and cab nets or doors (as equipped). Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. All riders should take a safety training course. Call 800-342-3764 for additional information. Check local laws before riding on trails. Purchaser must qualify for promotion ©2024 Polaris Inc.

February 17, 2024 » Central MN Farm Edition » 5F

2024 Farm Show Speakers KEYNOTE SEMINARS

Keynote seminar speakers are a 45-minute presentation on timely and relevant topics by industry professionals. The seminars are FREE to attend and are located in the Glen Carlson Hall.

2024

TOPICS ON THE HOUR

Topics on the Hour are 30-minute presentations by our show vendors highlighting their product, services or available technology. Topics on the Hour are held in the Glen Carlson Hall.

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 27 10 a.m. - Cybersecurity on the Farm Panel by IntelCONNECT

1 p.m. - Estate Planning Panel Keith Olander, Bethany Cross and more!

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 28 10 a.m. - Making Milk Into An Experience with Cheese & Spirits Lucas Sjostrom- Redhead Creamery

1 p.m. - Family History & Mission with Haubenschild Farms by the Haubenschild family

Farm Show Keynote Speakers

Warren A. Morrow Scholarships. Lucas Sjostrom: Part-owner of Keith Olander: Executive Before Rinke Noonan, she spent Director of AgCentric Redhead Creamery Keith Olander is executive director eight years as a paralegal in A graduate of the University of renewable energy. Emphasizing of AgCentric, (a Minnesota Minnesota’s animal science program teamwork, problem-solving and State Agricultural Center of with a master’s degree in dairy collaboration to her children is Excellence). He also oversees management, Lucas Sjostrom is a strategic agricultural partnerships vital for Cross as these basic life respected leader in the dairy industry. lessons have influenced her legal Formerly the executive director at Central Lakes College as practice, proving their significance of Minnesota Milk, Sjostrom and dean of Agricultural Studies. As even in complex transactions. executive director of AgCentric, his wife, Alise, also own Redhead Olander’s major responsibilities Creamery, a dairy farm and cheeseHaubenschild Family Farms making operation in Brooten. Since are to augment the capacity and Haubenschild Farms is a 1,600enrollment in comprehensive entering the cheese industry in 2014, agricultural education from K-12, acre, family-owned and operated Redhead Creamery has become an through postsecondary to industry. dairy farm near Princeton. Their established agritourism destination Workforce development includes cows serve in the Miracle of Birth and added innovative processes and building partnerships, developing Center at the Minnesota State product lines. Fair each year. This sustainable, seamless educational pathways, environmentally-friendly farm and informing audiences of the InteleCONNECT Inc. is home to 2,500 dairy cattle and InteleCONNECT is a full-service agricultural web that surrounds is operated by a three-generation telecommunications consulting every person who enjoys a good family. They are passionate meal and an environment that is firm that works with businesses about conservation, renewable sustainable. on their local, long distance, VoIP, energy and food production. wireless, internet and cable TV Haubenschild Family Farms has Bethany Cross: Attorney, service needs. Locally owned and been awarded the Commissioner’s operated, the InteleCONNECT Rinke Noonan Iowa native Bethany Cross, has a Good Farm Neighbor Award and team is experienced in taking on legal studies degree from Mitchell the National Dairy Quality Award challenging telecommunication Hamline College of Law where she for its production and operations. issues and providing real solutions received the Wendy Watson and for customers, as well as keeping customers safe online.

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6F « Central MN Farm Edition « February 17, 2024

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February 17, 2024 » Central MN Farm Edition » 7F

Sharing their story

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

The Haubenschild family — Tom (from left), Bonnie, Marsha, Dennis, Bryce, Dane, Owen, Jill and Bryan — stand together at their farm near Princeton. The Haubenschilds will present as a keynote speaker at this year’s Central Minnesota Farm Show.

haven’t been exposed to many dairy farms and are just interested in what we do. We have brought schools through our farm as well.” Dennis has given many presentations in the past, and this year, Dane will also be giving presentations. BY TIFFANY KLAPHAKE Dane, a senior at the University of STAFF WRITER Minnesota-Twin Cities, plans on Environmental, sustainable, gaining additional dairy experience off responsible and profitable are the family farm upon graduation later all equally important on the this spring. Haubenschild Farm near Princeton. “We are speaking at the farm show Haubenschild Family Farm about the history of the farm and how is managed jointly by Dennis and it’s our mission to be a top provider Marsha Haubenschild and their sons, of milk using sustainable practices,” Bryan and Tom. Together they milk Dane said. 1,500 cows in a double-20 parlor and Not only do the Haubenschilds crop farm 2000 acres. Bryan and his use cover crops and no-till practices wife, Jill have three sons, Dane, Owen on their farm, they also installed a and Bryce, that also help in between methane digester in 1999. college classes for Dane and Owen “We were one of the first farms Corn is being harvested as silage at the Haubenschild Family Farm near Princeton. The Haubenschild family milks 1,500 cows and farms 2,000 acres. and high school classes for Bryce. in Minnesota to have a methane At this year’s Central Minnesota digestor,” Dane said. “That helps us “The older audiences quite often Cloud. Farm Show, the family will be with our energy.” grew up on farms and are interested Jill has given presentations to featured as a keynote speaker at in what farming is like today,” Jill various groups and organizations 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, at the said. “Younger groups, like students, about their family farm. River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Haubenschild page 9

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8F « Central MN Farm Edition « February 17, 2024

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February 17, 2024 » Central MN Farm Edition » 11F

Haubenschild from page 9 For more than 20 years, the Haubenschilds have been providing cows for the CHS Miracle of Birth Center at the Minnesota State Fair. “We are close to the cities and with our population of livestock, have enough cows due to freshen during the 12 days of the fair,” Jill said. Each August, on the evening before the fair starts, the Haubenschilds bring between five to six cows to the fair that are due to calve. Then, about half way through the fair, depending on how soon each of the cows have their calf, the Haubenschilds swap out those cows for another group of cows that are due to freshen. “We believe it is important to educate the public on what we do,” Jill said. “We do this through presentations, tours and the CHS Miracle of Birth Center.”

PHOTO SUBMITTED

The Haubenschild family farm is a multi-generational farm a located near Princeton. The farm has their own methane digestor that converts manure generated on the farm into energy for the community and fertilizer for the farm’s fields.

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12F « Central MN Farm Edition « February 17, 2024

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VENDOR SPOTLIGHT: Q&A

Dave Dahlberg, co-owner REAL-TUFF LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT OF CLEARBROOK Tell us about your business: I have been in the cow/calf business all my life, so I am very interested in cattle handling equipment. We started our business in 1994. We specialize in high-quality, heavy-duty equipment. We build everything ourselves to be Real-Tuff and designed to last. We make bale feeders, squeeze shoots and portable systems. We recently started making hydraulic squeeze shoots and hydraulic double alley systems. How many years has your business been a vendor at the Central Minnesota Farm Show? We have been going every year since we started our business in 1994, so it has been 30 years now.

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Why does your business think it is important to be in attendance at the Farm Show? We believe that the more interactions we have with customers is only for the better. Also, farmers like to see and touch what they are buying. This farm show is a great opportunity for us to showcase what we have to offer. What does your business plan to highlight or share with attendees at the Farm Show? We have a maternity pen we will showcasing as well as our squeeze shoots and our brand-new headgate. We are constantly trying to improve our products. We strive to make all of our products strong, simple and safe for farmers and their animals. For you personally, what is your favorite part of attending the show? Talking with the customers. When you have been at a show for 30 years, you make a lot of friends. We look forward to catching up with old friends and meeting new customers.

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Tell us about your business: We sell and service anything that has to do with vertical farm storage. We build and repair silos and silo unloaders. We are a Zabel Equipment dealer and a Lorenz Manufacturing dealer. Osakis Silo has been in business for more than 100 years. How many years has your business been a vendor at the Central Minnesota Farm Show? I have been going for Osakis Silo for over 20 years and I know the company exhibited at this show before I started working here. Why does your business think it is important to be in attendance at the Farm Show? It is a great location and St. Cloud is in the heart of farm country, so it is a great show to meet existing and new customers at. What does your business plan to highlight or share with attendees at the Farm Show? We have some new products that we hope to showcase if we can get them ready in time. Other than that, we will highlight what we can all do with silos.

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For you personally, what is your favorite part of attending the show? I like talking to customers as well as other vendors about how things are going for them in their area. The food is always good, too.

February 17, 2024 » Central MN Farm Edition » 13F Established in 1975

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16F « Central MN Farm Edition « February 17, 2024

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT: Q&A

Craig Yager, CEO FEED STUFF BAGGING, OF WAVERLY Tell us about your business: We offer custom forage bagging rentals, sales and upgrade parts. How many years has your business been a vendor at the Central Minnesota Farm Show? We have been exhibiting at the Central Minnesota Farm Show for more than 35 years. Why does your business think it is important to be in attendance at the Farm Show? To meet with longtime customers and inform new customers of our services and forage maintenance.

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What does your business plan to highlight or share with attendees at the Farm Show? We plan to show our latest products for faster more effective bagging and new automatic venting for silage bags. For you personally, what is your favorite part of attending the show? Visiting with attendees and offering solutions to make their days more productive during harvest season.

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Tell us about your business: Compeer Financial is part of the farm credit system. We are an agriculturally-based lender and specialize in everything from land/farm purchases to equipment and operating loans. We also have a team that takes care of crops insurance as well as livestock and milk revenue protection insurance. How many years has your business been a vendor at the Central Minnesota Farm Show? I am not sure the exact number of years, but I know it has been a very long time. Agstar merged with two other farm credit systems in 2017 and became Compeer Financial. Why does your business think it is important to be in attendance at the Farm Show? The Farm Show is a great way to visit with producers and educate them about Compeer. We are able to learn about their operations and see where Compeer can help.

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What does your business plan to highlight or share with attendees at the Farm Show? Compeer has many areas we can help with. With cattle prices being high right now, Livestock Revenue Protection has been a big topic. Interest rates are another topic we get a lot of questions on right now. We will have insurance officers and ﬁnancial officers there to help answer all questions. For you personally, what is your favorite part of attending the show? My favorite part of the farm show is visiting with the attendees/producers. It is so much fun to learn about all the different producers in our area.

February 17, 2024 » Central MN Farm Edition » 17F

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20F « Central MN Farm Edition « February 17, 2024

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24F « Central MN Farm Edition « February 17, 2024

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26F « Central MN Farm Edition « February 17, 2024

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February 17, 2024 » Central MN Farm Edition » 27F

ADVERTORIAL

Mueller buys Lifestyle Lumber

to kick-off new year

Lifestyle Lumber ownership just transferred to Derek Mueller Jan. 2 to kick-off the new year. “A big goal of mine is to encourage younger people interested in the construction industry to go for it by telling my story,” Mueller said. “If you put in the time and effort, and don’t allow yourself to get distracted, you can be successful at a young age.” Mueller did just that, diving head-first into the construction trade immediately after high school graduation. He started working for Jerry Haus Construction, a local contractor, and was hired by former Lifestyle Lumber owner Ralph Leither in 2012. Mueller worked as a sales associate. Leither sold Lifestyle Lumber in 2014 to Randy Heyne, who owned the business right up until Jan. 1 of this year. Many know Mueller as the owner of Smart’n Construction out of Richmond, a general contracting company. The business owner was proud to take on ownership of a second business, espe-

cially one so close to his heart. “We still have a small town feel and family friendly environment,” Mueller said. “We offer all the same services that larger lumber yards offer with a personalized experience.” Lifestyle Lumber has nine knowledgeable and friendly full-time employees. Customer satisfaction is important to Mueller as a business owner, but also as a community member and neighbor. “We ask questions to get to know our customers before trying to sell them something,” Mueller said. “We want to sell our customers what they are looking for and need. We listen and get to know them in order to make the correct recommendations.” Going after what he wants is how Mueller got to where he is at today. But he has had some help along the way. “I could not do what I do every day without my wife, Sadie,” Mueller said. “She has been so supportive. She manages everything at home and

Owner achieves business goals, hopes to inspire future construction workers

Mueller hopes to offer that same support to his employees and prospective applicants, as well as all those interested in a construction career. As for potential customers, if searching for a lumber yard or general contractor, Mueller promises to exceed all building needs. From project design and construction management to the supply of top-quality building materials, Lifestyle Lumber can provide everything one would need to successfully start and finish any construction project. Lifestyle Lumber offers the following contracting services: general contracting, new home PHOTO SUBMITTED Lifestyle Lumber Owner Derek Mueller with wife, Sadie, and kids, Walker, 10, and construction, remodeling, storm damage repair, Georgia, 8. Walker has big plans to take over dad’s business one day. agricultural construction and light commercial playing teacher. “He is already begtakes wonderful care of construction. “I do a lot of consult- ging to work for me,” our kids. She keeps that For nearly three ing and teaching,” Mueller Mueller said. “The kids part of our lives welldecades, Lifestyle Lumsaid. “Maybe she’ll follow help on job sites, doing organized.” the same footsteps that small jobs. We have little ber has been central MinOn top of managing nesota’s go-to resource way.” field trips on the weekthe family, Sadie works for honest construction But the couple’s ends, sometimes. Walker as an operating nurse at results. St. Cloud Surgical Center. 10-year-old son, Walker, is is just excited to do more Schedule your conand be a part of it. Who Needless to say, the Muel- all about daddy’s lumber and contracting busiknows, though, we will let sultation with Lifestyle ler family-life can get nesses. In fact, he has big him decide what he wants Lumber today at 320-548busy. When things quiet plans to take over Lifeto do. We will always sup- 3459. down for the evening, port both.” 8-year-old Georgia enjoys style Lumber one day.

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28F « Central MN Farm Edition « February 17, 2024

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Farm Edition Section 2

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34F « Central MN Farm Edition « February 17, 2024

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36F « Central MN Farm Edition « February 17, 2024

2023 Farm Show Scholarship recipient

shares love for ag Joos earns Central MN Farm Show Scholarship BY SARA EISINGER | STAFF WRITER

St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Central Minnesota Farm Show at River’s Edge Convention Center Feb. 27-28, where area hardworking high school seniors and college students will each receive $1,000 from the Farm Show Scholarship Program. Last year’s class of 2023 scholarship winners were Natasha Erickson of Central Minnesota Christian School, Kalie Ritter of Albany Area High School, Joseph Achen of Royalton High School and Gabrielle Joos of Hancock High School. University of Wisconsin River Falls student Kallie Frericks and Haley Van Nurden of University of North Dakota were last year’s college-level recipients.

“They presented in-person at my high school,” Joos said, remembering her time in the Farm Show spotlight. “They gave a whole speech of recognition and bragged me up. They based it on what I wrote in my scholarship application. It felt so good to me.” Laura Wagner, who is the chamber’s director of programs and events, hopes the scholarship program rewards dedicated agriculture students, like Joos, who aspire to be the farming professionals of tomorrow. “The scholarship is important because our community is ag-based, and we want to help the next generation support agriculture,” Wagner said. Joos found the scholarship application to be

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Gabrielle Joos is pictured alongside a beef steer in 2023 at her family farm, Joos Livestock near Hancock. Joos was one of six Central Minnesota Farm Show Scholarship recipients.

“short and to-the-point,” confidently answering its essay questions with ease. She wrote about her experience growing up and helping out on her family’s feedlot beef finishing farm, Joos Livestock of Hancock.

“We buy feed steers when they are around 800 to 900 pounds and keep them until they are 1,500, give or take,” she said. “We house close to 500, depending on the time of year. We send them off to processing plants.”

Joos learned everything she knows about beef cattle from her father, Shane Joos, and Grandfather Jerry Joos, aka “Pete.” “It’s what started my passion for agriculture,” she said.

Joos joined Stevens County 4-H in kindergarten and went on to participate in FFA throughout high school.

Joos page 39

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46F « Central MN Farm Edition « February 17, 2024

Affordable and sustainable Minnesota Ag Water Quality Program continues to grow BY SARAH COLBURN | STAFF WRITER

Ben Mergen had just begun no tilling “Part of the benefit is working with his soybean crop but was chisel plowing a local conservation planner to identify and ripping his corn when his agronomist some resource concerns and practices,” suggested he look into the Minnesota Ag Pearson said. Water Quality Certification Program. After the review of the land and pracMergen was looking for ways to be tices is complete, the specialist can create more efficient and implement conservaan improvement plan for that particular tion practices on his farm. The certificafarm to meet the water quality certification program allowed him to do both with tion standards. Each plan is individualized a little infusion of cash. and the suggested improvements are up “Water quality to each farmer to implecertification isn’t the ment. Participation and/ end goal, it’s just a or implementation is step,” Mergen said. completely voluntary. It was a step that Often times, Pearallowed him to acson said, a specialist cess $5,000 in grant may be able to educate money that he used to farmers about potenpurchase a no till drill tial funds available for to plant cover crops. improvement. An initial Information $5,000 grant is available about the water qualto producers who are ity certification prowater quality certified or gram he went through actively seeking certificaGrant Pearson will be available at tion and are looking for this year’s Central funds to cover up to 75% Minnesota Farm Show. of the cost to help implement a new water Grant Pearson is an area certification quality conservation practice on the farm. specialist with the Stearns County Soil “That’s been really popular for farmand Water Conservation District. In the ers especially if they’re looking for relalast 8 1/2 years, he said his office alone tively lower cost water quality projects,” has processed 323 applications to parPearson said. ticipate in the water quality certification Farmers involved in the project can program in the 11-county area they serve. continue to receive $5,000 each fiscal “It’s a voluntary program to review year in financial assistance for making their current management practices, and conservation improvements on their farm. we give them a grade or report card on The only stipulation is the dollars can’t where they’re at … and identify opporbe used for the same practice on the same tunities to maybe modify some practices acre more than one time. that help the landowner stabilize the soil Specialists may also know of ada little more or improve nutrient effiditional funds available at the state and ciency.” federal level that can help with further The plans, Pearson said, not only implementation plans. help farmers improve water quality, they One of the most popular uses for the can also help with farm economics. As initial grant dollars, Pearson said, are for farmers improve erosion, runoff and producers to put them toward the cost of nutrient application they can save dollars, implementing cover crops for the first he said. time. Conservation planners and specialists Mergen received some funds the first meet with each applicant to discuss their time he delved into cover crops. current processes and land. Then, they “There was some grant money availtalk about any areas of water or wind ero- able to take the risk off the table,” Mergen sion, how many nutrients are applied to said. the soil as well as the application process. The first year he went with a leafy

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Soybeans are planted into a cover crop in 2021 on Ben Mergen’s land in Stearns County. Mergen began no till farming and implementing cover crops on his farm to reduce erosion, improve soil health and practice conservation methods on his land.

crop that died off over winter and didn’t require any additional handling in spring. The next year and the year following, he said, he was able to do some more planning and planted cereal rye. Mergen has now implemented strip tilling on his land for corn, and he said it has reduced his time in the field. He makes one pass in the fall and is ready to plant in the spring, saving him the need to cover his 450 acres another time. It has also reduced the amount of time he spends picking rocks because he only needs to check a 10-inch area rather than a 30-inch area. Pearson said Mergen’s initial cover crop plan is a common one. “Farmers want something with good establishment and minimal risk of a negative impact the following spring,” Pearson said. Eventually, he said, a lot of those farmers implement different cover crops and eventually adopt no till practices altogether. “The goal becomes to follow the soil health principles out there and work to eliminate or minimize tillage and have cover crops on their land 12 months out of the year,” Pearson said. Outside of cover crops, Pearson said the second most popular plan producers have for the grant dollars is to implement the grazing of cattle. “Smaller operators want to get away from confinement and get cattle back on the landscape,” he said. “That’s part of a

soil health practice.” Some farmers, he said, use those initial funds to set up prescribed grazing systems including perimeter fences, watering facilities and watering pipelines. Another benefit to producers is the timing of the enforcement of new water quality regulations handed down from the state. Producers who participate in the MN Ag Water Quality Certification project have until the end of their 10-year certification to meet any new water quality rules that are set in place. In addition to the planning, recommendations, regulatory certainty and potential funding that come along with participation in the MN Ag Water Quality Conservation project, Pearson said there is an added benefit of notoriety for farmers who want it. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the farm business management team that works through the different Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, including St. Cloud Technical and Community College and Central Lakes College, is sharing stories of farmers and their conservation practices on its website. “MDA is a farmer-friendly organization and we’re helping to tell a positive story about what farmers are doing in the landscape to be sustainable and help protect everybody’s water resources,” Pearson said.

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