The Bookworm Sez

By WHITNEY NESSE The Land Correspondent

CHASKA, Minn. — On April 13 at The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, around 200 women gathered for the 24th annual Women’s Agricultural Leadership Conference. The conference room was bustling with conversation and networking between high school and college students, producers, lenders, ag education supervisors, FFA and 4-H representatives, ag professionals and extension educators.

The theme for this year’s conference was “Agriculture 2022: Deep Roots Strong Future;” and the lineup of speakers and breakout session topics reflected the theme well. Stacked with women excelling professionally in the agricultural industry, there was much to glean at this one-day event.

Helping her students develop deep roots and strive towards a strong future, Tracy Nelson, ag teacher and FFA advisor for the Dassel-Cokato school district, has high hopes for the future of agriculture. “I brought six high school students. Girls that I have [with me], have some leadership roles in our chapter. I want to show them how to network and show them that women can have a strong role in agriculture. There is so much variety and so many different careers in agriculture,” Nelson said.

Natalie said. Natalie also said that she was looking forward to learning more about the agricultural industry while in attendance. During a panel discussion, those attending heard from Sarah Dornink, executive director of MALEC; Heather Moore, owner of Moore Family Farms and Moore Local; and Corey Scott, livestock sustainability services leader with Truterra, LLC, a division of Land O’ Lakes. When asked to comment on growing for the future, Scott responded with encouragement. “Growth is different for every person for every different season of life. Growth isn’t always bigger and better,” she said. Moore chimed Photo by Whitney Nesse in saying it is always good to analyze the She is very hopeful when talking about the next worst case scenario when making business decisions. generation of young ladies joining the agricultural If you can accept and make peace with the worst industry. “I think that they are creative and they are case, then move forward towards goals. All three of determined. They can hold their own,” Nelson stated. the panelists agreed that exploring options with an Also attending the conference was Natalie Neumann, a high school senior from Maple Lake, agile mindset is beneficial when making decisions and take challenges in stride. Minn. Neumann and her cohorts were wearing their The Women’s Agricultural Leadership Conference green blazers and representing the 4-H state ambas- is organized by women from a variety of ag backsadors. This was the first time she had attended this grounds as well as numerous ag organizations, focusconference and was looking forward to facilitating ing on the fundamental role women play in agriculround table discussions regarding the opportunities ture. By helping develop deep roots, the future of 4-H has to offer. “This is my thirteenth year in 4-H,” women in agriculture looks bright. v Animal get-togethers have many names

Sometimes, you’re such a goose.

And that’s okay; a little horsing around never hurt anyone and times with friends are the best. You can chatter like monkeys, laugh like hyenas, get a little squirrely, and memories are made like that. You need your friends to get wild every now and then; and in “The Social Lives of Animals” by Ashley Ward, you’ll see that flying, running, climbing, and crawling creatures are really no different at all. THE BOOKWORM SEZ By Terri Schlichenmeyer Teamwork may be essential at your job, just as it is with army ants. One bite

Anyone watching a few dogs playing in from a single a park, or a clowder of cats in a windowsill would army ant hurts like crazy but likely agree that animals can form relationships. it won’t kill you. A bunch of army But how does that matter to humans? ants, though? That’s a different matter entirely. Says Ward, being able to “trace direct... parallels between our own societies and those of the animals ... [can] help us to appreciate how sociality shapes our lives...” Flocks of birds have influenced the making of selfdriving vehicles. Fish have taught scientists how many influencers are needed to move a crowd. Studies with rats show the effects of dense crowding

We love to gather in groups, for instance, and on mental health, and cows are good at recognizing Antarctic krill likewise hate to be alone. As it turns friends by their portraits. Hyenas communicate to out, gathering in large groups helps keep krill alive the pack which prey they plan to hunt for the day. because it confounds whales, who enjoy krill for din- Whales play, and dolphins play with them. Monkeys ner. Being in groups keeps locusts alive, too. Locusts lie to get what they want. Animals innovate, reason, are can be cannibals, and the innate desire not to be have a culture, and communicate, Ward says, and eaten keeps them all moving “in the same direction.” they have a lot to tell us...

“The Social Lives of Animals” by Ashley Ward c.2022, Basic Books $30.00 373 pages

So you say that someone called you a birdbrain the other day. What a compliment, as you’ll see when you read “The Social Lives of Animals.”

Chances are (especially if you’re an animal lover) you’ve already an observer of animal behavior and, if so, you’ll be happy that author Ashley

Ward extends your knowledge. There are, it seems, dozens of facts on each page that will delight lovers of fin, feather, and fur, as well as new findings and fascinating anecdotes.

But this book isn’t all serious bull. Ward is a lively writer who’s obviously interested in his subject — he’s a professor of Animal Behavior at the University of Sydney, after all — and his personal tales of exploration and discovery are academically lighthearted, like cocktail party banter that’ll make you chuckle.

Perfect for armchair biologists and animal lovers of all kinds, this is one of those “hey, listen to this” kinds of books that you’ll want to share out loud. Start “The Social Lives of Animals” and you’ll go ape over it.

The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old and never goes anywhere without a book. She lives in Wisconsin with three dogs and 10,000 books. v

By WHITNEY NESSE families and they really, really The Land Correspondent care about where that comes

Marrying the worlds of digi- from,” Huebner said. Mile Four tal marketing and e-commerce feed is milled weekly in order to rural farm life is not an easy to keep their product as fresh task. However, Luke Huebner, as possible. Huebner said they owner of Mile Four, an organic offer a subscription on the webchicken feed company, has suc- site, so most people subscribe cessfully done just that. After and get feed deliveries once per working in digital marketing month. and e-commerce in the Twin When starting Mile Four, Cities area for 15 years, Huebner worked very closely Huebner was interested in with a nutritionist so they using his career skills and his could offer well-balanced feed love for agriculture in a new products for each phase of a way. Thus, he formed Mile Four laying hen’s life — as well as — a family owned, organic, feeds for hen production. “There non-GMO, antibiotic-free chick- are many people selling chicken feed company. en feed of different varieties.

Huebner grew up in the rural Our big thing is non-GMO, Morris, Minn. area on a corn organic, non-medicated and and soybean farm and raised a U.S.-only grains. That is how few chickens as a hobby. we differentiate ourselves in Huebner said his father and the market,” noted Huebner. brother are the fourth and fifth Mile Four products begin generations to farm their fami- with a starter feed, move to a ly’s land and are still doing so grower feed, and end with a today. The Huebner family layer feed. Huebner said they farm lies about four miles out offer a whole grain product, a of town, which is where Luke pelleted feed and a mash, with came up with the name “Mile the whole grain being their most popular feed. Four” for his company. Mile Four uses organic field peas and organic

Started three years ago and headquartered in wheat as their two main feedstuffs. They also offer Minneapolis, Mile Four still has rural roots. “We extras such as grit to help with healthy gizzard partnered with a smaller, organic grainery in the development, calcium supplements for stronger eggMorris area,” said Huebner. All of the grains used for shells, and scratch as a little treat for the hard-workfeed for Mile Four are grown in Minnesota and the ing layers. Huebner says, “People can see a noticeable Dakotas, are milled and bagged in rural western difference in their eggs and egg colors, and the feathMinnesota and then trucked to Minneapolis for pri- ers or plumage of their chickens and that’s what they vate and wholesale distribution around the United want.” States. The springtime rush is no stranger to the folks at

In Minneapolis, Mile Four has five employees who Mile Four. Huebner says people usually like to purmanage the day- to-day tasks such as designing, chase chicks in the spring, so their busy season is developing, marketing and media — as well as distri- coming up with new customer acquisition on the rise. bution. “We’re growing faster than anticipated, which Mile Four offers sample feeds and products for new is a great problem,” stated Huebner. “We need to customers to try and Huebner said those new cusincrease staff, warehouse, stock and basically every- tomers tend to stick around. “Customers tend to see thing quickly. Growth is their hens more as pets or family members and great, but we want to ensure really care about what they feed their chickens — we’re growing sustainably.” who, in turn, provide eggs for their families.” One of the many things Owning a web-based chicken feed company is not which make Mile Four unique is they are almost exclusively an online company. Their main focus is providing feed for folks raising six to 15 backyard laying hens. “These people have chickens specifically so they can get eggs for their

Photos submitted Luke Huebner’s Mile Four organic chicken feed is developing quite a following among backyard poultry owners.

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without a unique set of challenges. Huebner and company faced difficulties related to Covid — as did many businesses. “Covid-related trucking delays and trucking cost volatility were a large challenge,” he said. “USPS was so backed up last year we changed vendors — which made us redo all of our packaging, pricing and shipping.”

If you find yourself driving around in Minneapolis, you will not find a Mile Four storefront. “We sell chicken feed on the internet,” Huebner said chuckling. You can find them, however, on all of the major platforms such as Amazon and Chewy as well as their website www.milefour.com. You can also find Mile Four products at Egg|Plant Urban Farm Supply in St. Paul. v

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By KRISTIN KVENO Mental health outreach continues in various forms The MDA has a helpline for people to connect to a The Land Staff Writer through the MDA. The National Institute of Food rural mental health specialist. There is also the option

Ending the stigma of mental health and Agriculture awarded the MDA and 11 project to text or e-mail. “Some age groups are more comfortis vital for all; but how do we do that, partners grants to address farm stress and mental able reaching out in text… Sometimes it’s easier to especially in rural areas? That’s health in Minnesota. These partners will work on reach out to someone you don’t know. It’s an opportuwhat Meg Moynihan, senior advisor initiatives across the state ranging from expanding nity to unburden themselves,” Moynihan said. with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, is passionate about: helping her fellow rural Minnesotans. “How do we make it easiest as possible for farmers to connect with people for support?” farm advocates opportunities to suicide prevention train-the-trainer course to traditional healing approaches in the indigenous communities. Each of these efforts is to try to reduce stress and increase well-being in the communities they serve. Monica McConkey is one of the two rural mental health specialists in Minnesota. “I’ve been in the mental health field for 25 years.” Raised on a farm in northwestern Minnesota, McConkey understands the complexities and demands that

Moynihan knows first-hand about the stresses that Ending the stigma of reaching out when help is ag producers face. McConkey found come from life on the farm. “Our farm went through needed is the first step in knowing things can change. her calling when the Minnesota lega difficult situation.” In 2016 the co-op no longer Moynihan never tires when addressing mental health islature approved funding in 2019 could take their milk. There was no other market for needs in rural Minnesota. “We can never abandon for another mental health profesit. Moynihan’s husband had to temporarily work off our families in stress.” sional to work with farmers and the farm while Moynihan took a leave from the MDA to manage their organic dairy operation in Le Sueur County. Loneliness and isolation were setting in for Moynihan. A brief ten-minute conversation with a Getting the information out is essential. MDA does this through brochures, can koozies, magnets and go-to events. “It’s an ongoing challenge, You can never have enough outreach.” farm families, and she was hired in that role. “I feel like I understand the lifestyle. I get the drive to hold on to the family farm.” veterinarian who stopped to check on the herd pro- When someone reaches out to vided a mood lifter. Moynihan calls that vet- McConkey, she can meet one-on-one erinarian a connector. “You lose that connec- in person, via Zoom, or on a phone call. tion to other people.” She forced herself to “Seventy-five percent of the contact with farmreach out to connect with others, helping ers or farm family members is in person. Most herself find hope in the process. often at the farm around the kitchen table.”

Farmers often put the farm and their fami- McConkey’s free counseling services allow lies ahead of their own needs. “We put our- the client to share their burdens and concerns selves last.” However, Moynihan points out with her. She understands that farm life can that addressing your own needs helps the be filled with many stressors. “A farmer/farm family and the farm. “We are the most impor- family, their identity is wrapped up on the tant investment.” farm, in the land.”

Feeling like you’re not alone in dealing with The hesitation to address mental health struggles is essential. That’s why MDA issues remains, especially in rural communiteamed up with the Red River Farm Network ties, but it continues to move in a more open to create TransFARMation. “We started spon- direction. “We’ve come a long way in talking soring stories about farmers navigating tough about stress, mental health and suicides. It’s times.” In addition to the stories airing on the becoming an accepted topic.” However, RRFN, they’re also available on a podcast. McConkey quickly points out that we still “Key was farmers talking about stuff they’re have a long way to go in talking about mental coping with,” Moynihan said. health the same way we do about physical

The project initially began with five epi- health. Nevertheless, she encourages anyone sodes, but public interest led it to expand to struggling with their mental health not to 30 episodes. The series includes stories of remain silent. “Reach out and talk to somedealing with the loss of a spouse to suicide, body. Find a person that will listen. It doesn›t loss of a son and a farm loss. In addition, this get better if we don’t do anything about it.” project expands to southern and central For McConkey, her desire to help farm famiMinnesota to share these stories on the Linder lies remains steadfast. “I work with people Farm Network. The TransFARMation series’ every day that are just like my family. I feel it popularity was due to the listeners connecting on a very personal level.” with the stories — whether they were going through the same thing or knew someone that was. It was feeling like you weren’t alone. For more information on mental health services for farmers and farm families, visit https://www.mda.state.mn.us/about/

Moynihan encourages those struggling with mnfarmerstress/copingstress. The phone nummental health to look for someone to talk to, ber for the Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline whether a trusted family member, friend, is (833) 600-2670. You can also text clergy, therapist or the MDA Helpline. “Where FARMSTRESS to 898211. Minnesota’s Rural am I most comfortable being vulnerable? Be Health Specialists are Monica McConkey, willing to try something, knowing that things (218) 280-7785; and Ted Matthews, (320) 266will change.” 2390. v

Meg Moynihan

Monica McConkey Counties step up to help

Minnesota is working to address access to mental health care in rural areas through various programs, but counties’ efforts are also critical in getting people connected to services.

Diane Erkens, the social service supervisor with Wright County, notes there are various ways people are reaching out for help in the county. “There are more options for telehealth — it’s a great tool.”

Erkens often sees older clients asking for in-person services. The county can accommodate in-person, telehealth or phone visits with clients.

Wright County is part of a four-county consortium consisting of Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright that the CommUNITY Adult Mental Health Initiative supports. This initiative was created in 1995 as way to transition mental health access from state hospitals to more community-based services. The goal is to bring services to the clients, reducing the need for hospitalization.

The four counties’ response teams typically receive over 1,000 calls per month. Erkens has seen a slight increase in calls each month in the last year. That increase in calls could be due to a number of factors including pandemic-related isolation. If needed, a Crisis Response Team can respond to the person in critical situations.

The county is advertising its mental health services through a variety of way including bulletin boards, radio ads, movie theater ads — any way to reach as many people as possible. There is also representation at local career fairs and events to get the word out: help is available if someone is struggling with mental health issues.

“Our mission is to strengthen and support our community.” So if you live in Wright County and need to talk to someone, help is available. “Just give us a call.”

If you are in need of help and live in Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright contact the Four County Crisis Response Team at (320) 253-5555 or AskCRT@cmmhc.com. v