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Southwest Minnesota news and notes Tuesday, September 12, 2006
School districts united for renewable energy
REDWOOD FALLS, Minn. -- Fourteen Minnesota school districts are joining forces hoping to create a revenue source and an educational experience for students by tapping the font of renewable energy.
The districts have signed on to a plan that would give schools cooperative ownership of a wind farm.
Mike Pieper from Johnson Controls, the firm organizing the project, says the schools involved want to bring math and science to students in a way that has positive economic, social and environmental outcomes.
Johnson Controls will fund the development costs of the wind farm. The subsequent revenue is expected to pay back those costs and then supplement school budgets.
The site of the wind farm hasn't been chosen, but six locations in south central and southwestern Minnesota are being considered.
Eurasian water milfoil found in 11 more lakes
ST. PAUL -- Eurasian water milfoil has been found in an additional 11 Minnesota lakes, all but one within 50 miles of the Twin Cities, the state Department of Natural Resources said Wednesday.
Eurasian water milfoil is an invasive plant that can choke waterways and interfere with boating and fishing. The DNR said the plant is now established in 188 lakes or river segments in Minnesota.
The majority of the infestation is in bodies of water in central and north-central Minnesota, said Chip Welling, who coordinates the water milfoil program for the DNR.
The newly infested waters are Lake Winona in Winona County; Maria or Little Mary and Emma lakes in Wright County; Fish Lake in Chisago County; and Clear, Mud and Bone lakes in Washington County.
Milfoil also was discovered in four bodies of water with no public water access: Lucy Lake in Carver County; an unnamed and unprotected lake in Washington County; Quarry Lake in Dakota County; and Lakewood Cemetery Pond in Hennepin County.
Farm Beginnings deadline now Sept. 22
HUTCHINSON, Minn. -- The application deadline for the 2006-2007 edition of the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings program has been extended to Sept. 22.
The deadline was extended to give as many beginning and transitioning farmers from the region an opportunity to participate in the course, according to Karen Stettler who coordinates Farm Beginnings in southeast Minnesota.
The course will be tailored to those just thinking about entering farming, as well as those who are currently farming but are looking to make changes in their operations. The program is a nationally recognized, and it provides participants the opportunity to learn first-hand about sustainable methods of farming.
The course consists of a series of classes that take place twice each month between October and March. After March, course participants have the opportunity to attend on-farm educational field days.
The course consists of 34 hours of class time, on-farm education, skills sessions and one-on-one mentoring.
Classes will begin in Winona on Oct. 14, and in Hutchinson on Oct. 28. For more information on enrolling or serving as a mentor, contact the LSP's western Minnesota office at (320) 269-2105.
For applications and more information see the web site, www.farmbeginnings.org.
Anti-DM&E forces getting additional help
PIERRE, S.D. -- A former Bill Janklow staff member is coordinating an effort to get video comments from people who live and work along the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad, which wants to upgrade track and build a new line to haul Wyoming coal across South Dakota and southern Minnesota.
Janklow, a former congressman and South Dakota governor, is working with consultants brought in by Rochester, Minn., and the Mayo Clinic, which oppose the Sioux Falls-based railroad's plans.
The video will be part of testimony to the Federal Railroad Administration, said Marshall Damgaard, whose crew was in Pierre last week.
Special wheat designed to make cat litter
GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- Some North Dakota farmers are growing a special type of wheat that's unsuited to make bread or rolls. It's meant for cat litter.
North Dakota State University developed the variety, which has lower protein content -- for better odor control -- and added starch for improved absorption.
John Hughes, who runs the Detroit Lakes, Minn., company that produces Swheat Scoop litter, said the litter has normally used lower grades of wheat for its product rather than wheat grown specifically for the kitty box.
Hughes founded Pet Care Systems Inc. in 1994 to create and market the litter. He sold the company four years ago to the Farmers Union Marketing and Processing Association of Redwood Falls, Minn.
Pork Board's annual meeting is Nov. 30
MANKATO, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pork Board's Annual meeting is planned Nov. 30 beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the Best Western Hotel in North Mankato.
Lunch will be served prior to the meeting at 11:30 a.m.
Any Minnesota pork producer who has paid all assessment due into the mandatory Pork Checkoff is eligible to attend and run for a leadership position.
Meeting attendees will elect individuals to serve as Pork Act Delegates and as the executive members of the Minnesota Pork Board.
Pork Act delegates will represent Minnesota at the 2008 national meeting, which is known as the Pork Industry Forum. Minnesota will likely be awarded 12 Pork Act Delegates.
Executive board members serve one-year terms and they deal exclusively with the distribution of Pork Checkoff dollars and Pork Checkoff programs.
Resolutions that relate to the Pork Checkoff are due into the MPB office by Oct. 30. Resolutions may be submitted to: Minnesota Pork Board, 360 Pierce Av., Suite 106, North Mankato, MN 56003; Fax (507) 345-8681; or e-mail mnpork@mnpork.com. Resolutions will also be taken to the floor during the annual meeting.
Hutchinson hosts festival Sept. 15-16
HUTCHINSON, Minn. -- Hutchinson will hold their 32nd Annual Arts and Crafts Festival and Taste of Hutchinson on Sept. 15 and 16.
There will be over 200 arts and craft vendors and 20 food vendors.
For more information dial 1-800-572-6689 or visit the website at www.explorehutchinson.com |
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