Back Roads

This week’s Back Roads is the work of The Land Managing Editor Paul Malchow. Goats, kids and gardening

Much like small family farms are disappearing in America, family-owned garden centers are becoming rare. Mega-retailers such as Walmart and Menards now feature lawn and garden centers which buy in quantity and enjoy a deeper labor pool which keeps costs down. Dedicated customers and a discriminating clientele are willing to pay more at a local garden center, but slim profits and a demanding workload takes a toll on the ma and pa operations.

But does Walmart have chickens and micro mini-donkeys?

South of Prior Lake, Minn. gardeners can find Queen Bee’z Lawn and Garden. A true throw-back to the garden center of yesteryear, Queen Bee’z is loaded with country charm.

Crystal Dahlgren is the owner of Queen Bee’z. She purchased the Waderich Feed and Garden operation in 2018. You can’t say Dahlgren is a naïve newcomer to the garden center business. She worked at Wederich since she was 14 years old. “Dennis is like a father to me,” she said.

“At a young age I immediately fell in love with growing all the plants,” Dahlgren went on to say. “As time went on, I knew I wanted to own it one day and that is what I worked towards.”

The bright red growing houses provide a warm welcome to shoppers. Right now they are packed with an impressive variety of plants — just waiting for a break in this cold spring to be moved outdoors. We grow all of our vegetables and herbs from seed,” explained Dahlgren. “We grow over 50 different varieties of tomatoes and have a big selection of annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs.”

Landscapers will find a handy rock and mulch selection. The quaint garden

Prior Lake, Minn.

shop offers a little of everything — from soil to garden products to decorations and enhancements for lawns and gardens.

But the real show lies in the rear of the garden center. A fair number of chickens are scattered about, busily grazing the yard. They pay little mind to visitors and don’t seem the least alarmed. The goats and pony show a curious interest; but the welcoming committee is definitely the mini-donkeys — pressing up to the fence for a close look. “My love for chickens is accidental,” Dahlgren laughed. “People who would order chicks didn’t show up to get their orders; so I just began raising them. They produce the most beautiful colored eggs which we sell in the shop. I love having families come out just to see the animals. Kids — big and small — love coming to visit and the animals love all the visitors too!”

The name Queen Bee’z came courtesy of Dahlgren’s children — who have been accompanying Dahlgren to the center since they were infants. “They said, ‘mom, you never leave the hive! How about you name it Queen Bee’z!’”

With her daughters now working with her side-by-side, Dahlgren reflected on family. “I would really like to see more kids get involved with growing,” she said. “I’m hoping to get more involved with the community and get these kids’ hands dirty. I want to show them all the beauty that is created from growing all the things — from vegetables to trees. It’s important to show these younger kids the way we grow.”

Queen Bee’z Lawn and Garden is located at 17860 Panama Ave., Prior Lake, Minn. Their web site can be found at https:// www.queenbeezgarden.com/ and the phone number is (952) 440-8165. v

County soybean boards across the state are coming together to use their checkoff dollars to donate soy-based shoes to local frontline workers, while bringing awareness to the benefits and versatility of soy.

Checkoff taking giant strides with new statewide promotion

This summer, the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) is taking another giant leap forward to promote checkoff investments – from the farm to frontline.

“Each year, our farmer-led board tasks our team with spotlighting checkoff projects – everything from biodiesel to road sealants to tires – in unique ways,” MSR&PC CEO Tom Slunecka said. “These initiatives help inform growers throughout the state on the ways the checkoff continues to add to their bottom lines.”

MSR&PC, which directs the state’s soybean checkoff resources, is Stepping Up to amplify farmer profitability and promote the value-added uses of the “miracle bean.” Coming off the heels of the successful Driving Soy promotion, Minnesota soybean farmers are lacing up to promote value-added products while also giving back to frontline health care workers in their counties. In 2020, Skechers released its GO line of footwear, which incorporates soybean oil to improve grip, stability and durability. Skechers is using the same technology featured in Goodyear Tire Company’s checkoff-supported line of soy-based tires, which incorporated soy into its rubber technology. MSR&PC promoted the soy-based tires in summer 2021 by donating sets of tires to dozens of sheriff’s departments throughout the state. As part of the campaign, Minnesota’s 44 county boards are eligible to donate up to 50 pairs of Skechers soybased shoes to a local health care facility as a thank you for their continuous sacrifice.

The Stepping Up campaign kicks off in May and runs throughout the summer. The statewide effort strives to inform both farming and non-farming public on the environmental advantages of soybean oil and the myriad uses of soybeans. To learn more, visit mnsoybean.org/ stepping-up or follow #SoySteppingUp all summer long.

Minnesota soybean farmers ‘stepping up’ for frontline workers

SOY: IT’S EVERYWHERE!

Thanks to the soybean checkoff, consumers across the nation are now able to purchase hundreds of soybased products. From vehicle tires to running shoes to energy efficient roofing materials, these products help curb dependence on foreign oil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, all while supporting our local farmers and rural economy. Here are five checkoff-funded, soy-based products you can utilize today.

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady & Assurance ComfortDrive Tires

Checkoff-supported research showed soybean oil can improve tire flexibility at low temperatures, helping the rubber to remain pliable in cold weather. Goodyear now has four lines of soy-based tires,two of which are made for everyday vehicles.

Skechers GO sneakers

The soybean checkoff is putting its best foot forward on the path toward improving profitability, thanks to a collaboration with Skechers, which uses Goodyear Tire’s soy rubber technology to improve its outsoles in its line GO athletic and leisure shoes. After several test trials, Skechers determined the shoes’ rubber outsole compound featured improved durability and traction in a range of climates and conditions – ideal for Minnesota’s four seasons. It’s GO time for the soybean checkoff!

The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council oversees the investment of soybean checkoff dollars on behalf of the nearly 28,000 soybean farmers in Minnesota. This money is used to promote, educate and develop market opportunities for soybeans.

Roof Maxx

Through checkoff investments and research, soybean oil is helping keep roofs over people’s heads, literally. Supported by checkoff research and development, Roof Maxx can treat about 90% of roofs, extend its life at five years per treatment and can treat the roof up to three times. In Minnesota, a Roof Maxx application could extend the life of the roof by up to 12 years. The soybean checkoff is raising the roof!

Biodiesel

No checkoff, no biodiesel. Checkoff investments helped kickstart biodiesel in Minnesota and fuel its growth nationwide. Today, homegrown biodiesel accelerates profitability by raising the price of soybeans by as much as $1 per-bushel and The environmentally friendly fuel also removes nearly 1.25 million tons of CO2 from the air. This equates to removing the emissions of a quarter-million passenger vehicles each year.

DUST seed lubricant

Marketed as 20 times less abrasive to seed than Talc, Low Mu Tech’s seed lubricant, made from soy protein, is carcinogen-free and reduces health risks to farmers and the environment. DUST was developed to be a direct replacement for Graphite or Talc. Learn more at lowmutech.com.

TWO DECADES. ONe tough fuel.

Twenty years ago, Minnesota’s soybean checkoff launched a national movement when farmers sought to improve our state’s economy and environment by using soy-based biodiesel.

Today, Minnesota’s historic 20% biodiesel blend in the summer and a 5% blend in the winter removes the emissions from nearly a quarter-million passenger vehicles each year. We’re also boosting the state’s economy – biodiesel contributes nearly $1.7 billion toward Minnesota’s economy and adds nearly 5,400 jobs. That’s a win-win worth celebrating.