Table Talk

You are the first farm wife I ever knew. And now that I have been one for the past three decades, I can only understand in part all you went through to do your job.

Coming from the east coast to (eventually) Northwest Iowa — and living in town all of your childhood — you knew nothing of life on the farm until you married Dad.

Yours was a gutsy decision. Learning how to be a farmer’s wife was a sinkor-swim proposition for you. But you eventually got the hang of it.

You were the woman of the farm and your contribution mattered. You didn’t have a job outside the home because your job was the home … and seven kids … and all the things Dad needed you to do. It was a big job that rarely offered you time off just to be you.

You helped bring forth a brood of children to help Dad get not only the farm work done, but also to help you in the house … not that we girls did it very willingly, as you know.

It was no easy task to cook and clean in a house in which nine people lived. And those were in some of the days before microwaves, automatic washing

machines, clothes dryers, cake mixes, sewing machines with mending arms, and artificial Christmas trees. You must have swept acres of dirt out of your house because of that south wind that blew all the dirt in.

And when you had to wash ‘sick’ laundry, there was plenty of it to do, since when one person got the flu, most everyone else followed.

You made more than 150 birthday cakes in your years on the farm. And it doesn’t account for any birthday cakes made for you, which I don’t often remember us doing.

I now understand your quiet panic that time when you burned the steaks you were grilling for supper. You knew Dad wouldn’t be happy, and you quietly ordered them to be taken out to the grove, while you found something else for the main entrée.

Finding and thawing something else for that many people had to be no small feat.

Even family vacations were not that much fun for you, because the only way you and Dad could afford to do that was to go camping. I remember you saying, “The first thing I had to do was sweep the mouse poop out of the Dear Mom,

TABLE TALK

By Karen Schwaller

No Gimmicks - No Games We like to keep your seed buying experience simple

Visit website or give us a call www.andersonseedsmn.com • 507-246-5032

Compromising too much? camper.” Then you had to stock it with all the essentials: food, bedding, cooking utensils, dishes, towels, etc. You said, “All that did was take my job and put it on wheels.”

And yet, I never knew you didn’t like camping until you told me.

It’s been said that a smart person knows to delegate the work. You did that when you gave me the job of rinsing out my baby brother’s soiled diapers. I’m pretty sure I was snarky about it then, but when my husband and I couldn’t afford disposable diapers when our twins came along, I wasn’t afraid to use cloth diapers and get my hands dirty rinsing them out. You were a genius.

Quietly, amid all the work you had to do to keep the farm going, society — and even your family — often overlooked your true value. There are many things that would not have happened had your work on the farm not been done … the never-ending pile of blue jeans you mended (which saved a lot of money); running to town to get tractor parts and groceries; doctor and dentist visits; Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas mornings, clean clothes on an endless clothesline; three meals a day; cleaning chickens; clean flannel sheets all winter long; tending to our illnesses and injuries; and your discipline so we wouldn’t grow up to be the ungrateful brats we sometimes were at home.

ture crises very shortly. I think he simply has to.

You might have viewed a Fox News interview earlier this week with Gordon Chang, author of “The Coming Collapse of China.” Yes, this huge country, now the equal of the United States in economic productivity, has huge internal malfunctions according to Chang. He accuses the Chinese government of pushing business imperatives before telling the truth. And he wonders if our government is doing too much compromising for the sake of doing business with China. Yes, he acknowledged the proposed agricultural trade package with China could be significant for American farmers. But he also asked, “How much will actually happen? And what pressures — other than more tariffs on products purchased from China — will our government attempt to enforce?” He credits our president with being the first American president to challenge the Chinese government on their unfair trading policies of the past. Chang also said eliminating China as a major source of health products for American consumers has to happen and hurriedly. “This action

LAND MINDS, from pg. 2

Your job as a farm wife and mother was hard, never-ending and thankless.

But now I say thank you for being my first example of how to be a farmer’s wife.

And thank you for being my beautiful angel on earth … even if your wings were a little dirty from that south wind blowing towards the house. You’ve carried that look very well.

Karen Schwaller can be reached at kschwaller@evertek.net. v

will accelerate the coming collapse of China in my opinion.”

I think I will check with our local library about this book. It must indeed be intriguing reading based on how China and U.S. relations appear to be questionable again.

My concerns? Trivial stuff like when can I reconnect with my coffee drinking friends at the Round Table at the Chatterbox Café. As I’ve said before, we all talk; the next day we pretty much talk the same stuff again. But this daily exchange of intelligence whet’s my soul. And we all agree we could certainly slow the aging process if it had to work its way through Congress.

The ugly reality is that American agriculture is in severe crisis right now. Hog and beef markets have crashed; thanks to schools’ shut down across America, we have a surplus of milk; some dairy farmers now having to dump their milk. And there’s simply no quick recovery for anyone.

Let’s pray that as America starts reopening in the next few weeks, Covid-19 starts sliding into history. May your troubles be less, may your blessing be more, and may nothing but happiness come through your door. v

Minnesota FFA State Convention reworked for 2020

Sometimes, even the brightest hope is dampened by the blanket of reality. Such is the case for the 2020 Minnesota FFA convention. The annual gathering of FFA members usually takes place in April. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, organizers postponed the event until June. However, FFA Executive Director Juleah Tolosky recently posted this statement on the Minnesota FFA Association’s website (https://www. mnffa.org/):

“Due to the changing and uncertain nature of Covid-19; along with current recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health, Department of Education, State Government and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and restrictions on school and large group gatherings; the Board of Adult Directors and Student Officers has made the difficult decision that the 2020 Minnesota FFA Convention will no longer be held in person on the proposed postponed dates of June 8-10. Instead, student engagement, awards and recognition will occur over a three-day virtual experience May 19-21.” Photo submitted Minnesota state FFA officers for 1994-95 posed for this group photo at the state convention. Pictured are (left to right): President Tracy Mickelson, Vice President Carl Aakre, Secretary Lori Kidrowski, Treasurer Jody Koubsky, Reporter Heather Jo Schaufler and Sentinel Andrew Bakken.

FFA plans to have a finalized schedule of the virtual experiences available no later than May 13. All awards presentations and sessions will be released for a live viewing experience and then available on demand after they premier.

In addition to the virtual convention, plans are being made to offer a Minnesota FFA celebration the evening of Sept. 1 at the Minnesota State Fair in the Lee and Rose Warner Coliseum. The evening event will recognize the highest award recipients and share motivational content.

The FFA’s constitution contains a provision which allows the Board of Student Officers and Adult Directors to appoint state officers for the succeeding year in the event a state convention is not held in any given year. Timing of the ceremonial installation of officers is still being determined, but may happen virtually at a future board meeting.

With that said, The Land is pleased to present our annual visit with state FFA officers from 25 years ago (1994-95). v

President Fink is still utilizing FFA leadership skills

By KRISTIN KVENO The Land Staff Writer

MARSHALL, Minn. — Tracy Fink has been a leader throughout her life. That drive and ambition all began on the dairy farm in Lanesboro, Minn., where she grew up. Fink’s interest in agriculture led her to enroll in agricultural classes in high school. While in those classes, she discovered opportunities found in FFA. “I didn’t realize what FFA had to offer until I was in an ag class.”

At that time there were 15 to 20 members in the Lanesboro FFA chapter. “We had a very solid chapter, we produced many state presidents,” Fink said.

“Freshmen year, I attended Greenhand Camp.” Edric Funk was the state president that year and encouraged campers to write a letter with their goals for themselves that would be mailed to them in four years. “I wrote that I would like to be state president someday,” Fink said. When she got that letter mailed to her four years later, she made the decision to run for a state office.

The interview process for state officers was intense and with no region president experience, Fink wasn’t sure of her chances of getting a state officer position. “I didn’t know how it was going to net out.” When it was announced that she was president, Fink was overwhelmed with emotion. “It was pure joy, utter Tracy (Mickelson) Fink President

astonishment.”

As president, it was important to Fink to make sure all officers had the opportunity to lead. It was during that time that there was a transition from state advisor Paul Day to Joel Larsen. “I had to say goodbye to a state icon (in Paul Day). Both of those men are phenomenal.”

Fink has so many good memories of being state president. Like when FFA members would write Fink letters about how she made an impact on their time in the organization. “It’s knowing that you made a difference and touched peoples’ lives,” she said.

During her time as state FFA president, Fink was attending the University of Minnesota, where she graduated with a degree in Animal and Plant Systems with a Dairy Science emphasis.

Fink obtained many skills from her time as state president which she uses today in her job as a global food safety consultant for Sterilex — a microbial control company. “I definitely use my ability to manage and lead meetings.”

Fink has been a parliamentarian for several organizations. She also volunteers for Junior Achievement which has given her the opportunity to teach business curriculum in schools in Marshall, Minn. where she lives. Fink and her husband Bernard have three

children: Thad, a senior in high school; Alex, a fourth grader; and Ryan, a preschooler. Thad is taking after his mom and is a proud FFA member and is on the ag mechanics team.

Her advice to those that may be interested in running for a state FFA office is to remember that “anyone can be a leader. You too can make a difference. I believe in kids; I want them to believe in themselves.” Fink recognizes that leadership opportunities abound in FFA and encourages youth to take that leap and get involved. She’s certainly glad she did. v

EARLY DEADLINES for The Land on May 29

DISPLAY ADS - Ad copy due Wednesday, May 20 CLASSIFIED LINE ADS - Ad copy due Thursday, May 21 at Noon The Land office will be closed on Memorial Day

By KRISTIN KVENO The Land Staff Writer

PERHAM, Minn. — Growing up on a dairy farm four miles southeast of Hawley, Minn. Carl Aakre found opportunities-a-plenty through his time in FFA. “I was encouraged by my parents to join FFA.” It was advisor Dave Swanson who was integral in getting Aakre to seek opportunities throughout the organization. “He got me involved in a couple career development events,” Aakre said. Swanson also encouraged him to attend Greenhand Camp. Aakre went on to serve in a variety of roles on the chapter level such as vice president and reporter.

With all his experience in FFA leadership positions,Aakre decided to run for a state office in 1994. It was the leadership components offered at the state level that Aakre valued. Having previously been a region president and treasurer, he had an idea of what he was getting himself into when it came to the state officer selection process. Aakre distinctly remembers feeling relaxed and cracking jokes before the interviews. Being calm through it all helped as Aakre was named state FFA vice president. “It was very exciting, thrilling,” Aakre said. “A sense of relief that I did receive an office.”

Reflecting on the experience of being a part of the state FFA officer team, “I think our time was very diverse.” Aakre recalled it was a challenge at first to work together. Then the officers bonded well. It was a year of transitions as state FFA advisor Paul Day retired and Joel Larsen was named his successor. “It was early to mid-fall that we found out that Joel was going to be our advisor.”

One of Aakre’s favorite memories of his time as a state officer was the few days before state FFA convention, being with his fellow officers, reflecting on their time together over the past year.

Aakre went to North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D. for his first year of college, then transferred Carl Aakre Vice President

ning for a state officer one of my goals.” In 1994, Anderson ran for state office and was selected as secretary. “It felt intense at the time; but looking back it was an enjoyable experience.”

“We had a really strong team. The team had so much experience as chapter officers and regional officers.” For Anderson, some of the best memories she had was hosting the Greenhand camp and other leadership camps. She is proud of what she and her fellow state officers were able to accomplish. “It was really amazing what the team could do as we came together.”

Anderson attended school at Ridgewater College and later at the University of Minnesota. She is now the director of sales associate financial management for American Solutions for

Anderson: ‘Enjoy the experience — life does go fast’

By KRISTIN KVENO The Land Staff Writer

GLENWOOD, Minn. — Lori Anderson was raised on a farrow-tofinish hog farm near Clara City, Minn. where her family also grew corn, sugar beets and soybeans. Having an interest in agriculture, joining FFA in high school just made sense. Anderson was a member of KMS/MACCRAY FFA. Becoming a leader in the organization was all in the family. “My sister (Christine) was actually a state officer when I was in junior high.”

In 1993, Anderson was chosen for an FFA month-long trip to Russia. “It was such a great experience.” That led Anderson to seek more leadership roles within the organization. “My experience as a chapter and region officer made runLori (Kidrowski) Anderson Secretary

to the University of Minnesota where he received his degree in Applied Economics. He wasn’t the only one among the state officers to attend the University of Minnesota. In fact, they all attended school there. All six officers lived on the St. Paul campus.

After college, Aakre was a Minnesota ag teacher for 16 years in Marshall, Vadnais Heights and Perham. It was his time as a state officer which shaped his career path. “It really helped me learn how to lead and network in the ag community.” His time as an educator led to an opportunity to develop curriculum for ag science teachers through Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education. Since 2014 he’s been Curriculum Coordinator for CASE managed by the National Association of Agricultural Educators.

Residing in the Perham area, Aakre and his wife, Anna, are the parents of three children — two in high school, Carter, a senior; Lily, a freshmen and Reid, a fifth grader.

Aakre encourages those that are interested in running for a state FFA officer position to go for it. “Never give up and work hard. Trust in yourself and never set limits.” v

could total as much as 20 percent of domestic production. “But that small share would mean everything to local economies — good jobs with good benefits; new investments in local meatpackers, wholesalers and retailers; better housing; better tax bases; better schools; better food; better everything.”

The cost?

GUEBERT, from pg. 3

NO MORE GUTTER CLEANING, OR YOUR MONEY BACK GUARANTEED!

1-855-577-1268 CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE

Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST

% OFF 15 YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE *

% OFF 10 AND! +

SENIOR & MILITARY DISCOUNTS

% OFF 5 TO THE FIRST 50 CALLERS! **

Local support would mean everything

Business. The vital skills that she obtained in her time in FFA — and more specifically as state FFA secretary — she now utilizes every day in her job, like the ability to lead a team. “I regularly do presentations, speaking in front of crowds has really helped me personally in my career growth,” Anderson said.

Residing in Glenwood, Minn., Anderson and her husband, Mike, have three adult children: Katie, Ashley and Tori. All three of Anderson’s daughters followed in their mother’s footsteps as they were FFA officers. Two were Region 3 officers.

Anderson encourages those interested in seeking a state FFA office to follow their dreams. “You have to be able to believe in yourself. Enjoy the experience. Life does go fast.” Anderson continues to be grateful for the experiences and the opportunities that FFA afforded her. v

“We still don’t know what this pandemic will cost, but we do know it’s trillions,” says the rancher. “The next one will cost us even more — maybe everything — and there’s no fixing anything after that.”

The Farm and Food File is published weekly through the United States and Canada. Past columns, events and contact information are posted at www.farmandfoodfile.com. v

ALEXANDRIA, Minn. — Growing up near Glenwood, Minn., Jody Koubsky was raised on a diversified farm which transitioned from dairy production to a beef operation while she was in junior high. Agriculture was an integral part of her life and so was FFA. “My parents were strong supporters of FFA.”

Koubsky grew up with a great appreciation of the program as her older siblings were involved in the organization. “My first convention, I was in fourth grade.” That year she watched her sister in the FFA band, and her brother receive his state degree.

Starting in Koubsky’s junior year, she went to the newly-built, Minnewaska high school. It was that year, 1992, that the FFA chapter was established Everyone can benefit from FFA Jody Koubsky Treasurer

By KRISTIN KVENO The Land Staff Writer

By KRISTIN KVENO The Land Staff Writer

GRAND MEADOW, Minn. — Heather Voigt did not grow up on a farm, but she did grow up in a house that valued FFA. Her father, Richard Schaufler, was the LeRoy-Ostrander FFA advisor for well over 30 years. Raised within city limits in LeRoy Minn., Voigt fostered her leadership abilities through her time in FFA. She was on various judging teams and proudly earned her State and American degrees as well.

The chance to run for a state office was the perfect opportunity for Voigt. “I truly love people and I love to be involved. It was the next right step.” It had been a goal for Voigt to be a state officer. “It took time and effort and preparation,” she said. When it was announced that Voigt was named state reporter, she was first and foremost filled with gratitude. She recalled she was vying for that position among incredibly qualified candidates.

Some of Voigt’s favorite memories of her time as state reporter was doing presentations at schools around the state as well as speaking at numerous FFA chapter banquets. Her goal was to make a positive impact on fellow FFA members.

Through her experience as a state officer, Voigt learned the value of communication and working with others. She utilizes those skills in both her home life as a wife and mother as well as in her work environment in health care.

there. “That ended up being one of the largest or the largest chapter in the state.” Koubsky served as chapter president for her junior and senior years of high school. She was involved in many aspects of FFA, including speech. “I enjoyed the challenge, I liked being pushed.”

Koubsky ran for a state office her senior year. She was involved in a lot of activities at the convention that year. It was an overwhelming experience, and Koubsky was not elected to office. “It wasn’t meant to be that year.” The next year at convention she was selected as state treasurer. “I remember shaking on stage. It was amazing.”

Some of her favorite memories of being a state officer include interacting with ag businesses all over the state as well as getting the opportunity to be in ag classrooms. “I really loved getting to know people

Voigt did not start off her professional career in health care. She began in education. After graduating from the University of Minnesota, Voigt became an ag teacher at Byron high school from 1997-2003. She then went back to school to become a nurse, then onto additional schooling to become a nurse practitioner. “I love people. I love having a job taking care of people,” Voigt said. She’s currently a nurse practitioner at Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin, Minn. She also supervises nurse practitioners and physician assistants throughout the I-90 corridor Mayo Clinic Health System locations.

Voigt and her husband, Brandon, live in Grand Meadow, Minn. and have five children: Hattie, a junior at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire; Masie, sophomore at South Dakota State University; Rece, a junior in high school; Lucie, an eighth grader; and Mollie, a fourth grader. “All of our older kids have been involved in FFA.”

Voigt encourages current FFA members to find leadership opportunities that would best suit them, then go for it. “My biggest thing is that everyone has the capability to do it.” v Heather (Schaufler) Voigt Reporter

and appreciate them.”

Koubsky credits her time as a state officer in helping her increase confidence in her leadership skills as well as hone her public speaking abilities.

Koubsky graduated from the University of Minnesota and has farmed, worked for the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, and the University of Minnesota Extension 4-H youth development, which she left in 2016 for medical reasons. She is currently working part time in music ministry at her church in Alexandria, Minn. “This is giving me a purpose and healing.”

“I’m so thankful for my parents and siblings for getting me into the FFA program.” Koubsky is grateful for the experiences that FFA has given her. She encourages the organization’s members to get involved in leadership opportunities. “Don’t be afraid to fail, you don’t really fail. The experience is so valuable.” She wants FFA members to take that chance and get involved. “We allow fear to inhibit us way too much.” v