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Southeast Minnesota news and notes Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Farming of Yesteryear is Sept. 11-12
KIESTER, Minn. -- The 21st annual Farming of Yesteryear Threshing Festival is planned Sept. 11-12 in Kiester. The 2004 event will feature John Deere tractors and gasoline engines.
The gates open at 9 a.m. Saturday. Events include bingo, a 1 p.m. parade and a free soup supper. Gates open at 6:30 a.m. Sunday with a church service at 7 a.m. Breakfast will be served from 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
A kids pedal pull is planned at noon with a parade at 1 p.m.
Daily events also include a flea market, horse events, games, prizes, craft and hobby sales, tractor plowing, various field events, a sawmill, sorghum cooking and more.
Admission is $5 for adults and the event is free for children ages 12 and under. For additional information, call (507) 294-3293.
MDA offers septic system assistance
ST. PAUL -- In rural Minnesota, almost 500,000 homes and businesses have on-site septic systems. About 200,000 of those aren't treating wastes properly.
Landowners who suspect their septic systems aren't functioning properly can get financial help through a Minnesota Department of Agriculture low-interest loan program.
Properly maintained septic systems can last 20 years to 40 years or more. Improperly used systems frequently fail and will cost $5,000 to $15,000 for repair or replacement.
Pollution from bad septic systems can cause algae to grow in lakes, reducing transperancy of the water and oxygen for the fish.
Hypoxia task force meeting in St. Paul
ST. PAUL -- A EPA official will lead a federal and state task force meeting Sept. 1 that is designed to encourage work on improving water quality in the Mississippi River Basin and the Gulf of Mexico.
The program will be held in the Science Museum of Minnesota, located at 120 Kellogg Blvd West in St. Paul.
Benjamin Grumbles, who works at the EPA, will preside over the meeting. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will be represented by commissioner Sheryl Corrigan.
Registration information can be obtained by calling Melissa Canfield at (703) 385-6000, Ext. 166.
The task force was created in 1997 to address the growing zone of hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. Hypoxia, a condition of little or no dissolved oxygen in the water, affects an area in the gulf roughly the size of Connecticut.
4-H Adult Leaders Training will be offered
WABASHA, Minn. -- 4-H Adult Leaders Training titled "Making Clubs Better'' is planned at several locations in southeastern Minnesota.
All training will begin with a light supper 5:15 p.m. with the training to follow at 5:30 p.m.
Sessions are planned Sept. 13 in the Millville Legion; Sept. 27, in the 4-H Building, Zumbrota; Sept. 11, the Extension office in Preston; and Oct. 4, in the Houston County Courthouse, Caledonia.
For more information, call (507) 529-2791. The registration deadline is Sept. 8.
Poultry Ventilation School is Oct. 5-6
ST. PAUL -- The National Poultry Ventilation School will be held Oct. 5-6 on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota.
The school is intended for poultry farm owners, managers and personnel, service representatives and those involved with allied industries. Topics will include ventilation principles, ventilation and flock performance, ventilation and air emissions, operation and maintenance of equipment, and problem solving.
Space is limited to the first 80 people who register The cost of the school is $275 and registration can be made by calling 1-800-380-8636.
Young Producers Conference in Wisconsin
BARABOO, Wis. -- The 2004 Young Producers Fall Conference is planned Oct. 30-31 in the Chalet Landhaus in New Glarus.
The event begins with 10 a.m. registration. Featured speaker Gary Sipiorski will talk about how to approach farm transitions for family and non-family members.
A transition cow roundtable will be featured after lunch. A farm tour of Voegli Swiss will also be held.
Day two of the conference will being at 9 a.m.
The Accelerated Genetics program is designed to help producers develop friendships, build leadership skills and strengthen communication skills. Accelerated Genetics pays all costs for the conference except for the hotel room. For more information or to register, call 1-800-451-9275.
Jensen hired by Blue Earth River Basin
MANKATO, Minn. -- The Blue Earth River Basin has added Jeff Jensen to its staff as marketing/program assistant. Jensen will help landowners in identifying, coordinating, promoting and developing third crop markets in south central Minnesota.
Jensen will also help implement various BERBI projects that improve water quality in the Greater Blue Earth River Watershed. The focus of his work will be on accelerating the incorporation of perennials and alternative crops into the landscape through easements, demonstrations, research and education.
4-H Market Livestock Sale nets $38,615
OWATONNA, Minn. -- The 60th annual 4-H Market Livestock Sale produced $38,615 in total revenue. The Aug. 21 auction involved 139 head, including 16 beef cattle, 72 hogs, 35 lamb, 13 poultry, two goats and one pen of rabbits.
The Steele County 4-H Foundation earned $13,308 from the sale. It uses the money for 4-H programs and activities throughout the year.
Four sheep scholarships are available
STARBUCK, Minn. -- Four sheep scholarships will be awarded by the Minnesota Hampshire Sheep Association. The four, $100 scholarships are earmarked for Minnesota youth interested in beginning or expanding a sheep project.
The scholarships are designed to be used on the purchase of a registered Hampshire breeding ewe or breeding ewe lamb offered at the Minnesota Bred Ewe Sale in Rochester on Nov. 27.
Any interested youth between ages 6 to 18 can apply for a scholarship by sending a one-page essay to Dale Carter, 26708 County Road 10, Starbuck, MN 56381. Applications are due by Nov. 1.
Corn, bean growers plan plot day
CLAREMONT, Minn. -- The Dodge County Corn and Soybean Growers are planning a plot day for Sept. 8.
The event will be held at 10 a.m. on the Roger Toquam farm, south of Claremont.
To reach the farm, go south of Claremont on Dodge County Road 3 and then west on 690th St. for one-half mile. |
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