Farming in the Heartland Spring 2015

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 20

SPRING 2015

PLANTING THE SEED FOR 2015An Agricultural, Farming & Rural Development Supplement Covering Freeborn County, Mower County & Surrounding Areas

From material handling to planting, seeding and tillage, the John Deere 6M and 6R Series Tractors (105–210 hp†) are big machines that can handle big challenges. Efficient PowerTech™ engines offer high torque and fuel economy. Multiple PowerQuad™, AutoQuad™ and IVT™ transmissions are available, with operator stations built for comfort and control. And during Deere Season, you’ll get special financing or cash discounts.

†Manufacturer’s estimate of power (ISO) per 97/68/EC.

Osage, IA2197 Hwy 218 E(641) 732-3719

Belle Plaine, MN 1051 Old Hwy 169 Blvd

(952) 873-2224

Hollandale, MN West Hwy 251(507) 889-4221

Owatonna, MN3555 SW 18th St(507) 451-4054

Northwood, IA 806 Central Ave(641) 324-1154

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Real Estate Sales and Farm ManagementFor all of your agricultural landowner needs, contact your local land professionals.

To find out about all of FNC’s quality services, contact:

Jeanne Williams, Agent Lake Crystal, Minnesota

(507) [email protected]

www.FarmersNational.com/JeanneWilliams

Doug Bergemann, AFM Farm Manager/Agent

Austin, Minnesota(507) 420-8328

[email protected]/DouglasBergemann

www.FarmersNational.comReal Estate Sales • Auctions • Farm and Ranch Management • Appraisal • Insurance • Consultations

Oil and Gas Management • Timber Resource Management • National Hunting Leases • Lake Management • FNC Ag Stock

Lee Williams, AFM Farm Manager/AgentLake Crystal, Minnesota(507) [email protected]/LeeWilliams

Lowell GabrielAgent/AuctioneerAlden, Minnesota(507) [email protected]/LowellGabriel

Work

ing Together to85Years

Continue Your Legac

y

507-373-9000 2120 Consul St. • Albert Lea

Visit Our Website At: ww.northstarpowersports.com

OFFER ENDS APRIL 30TH!

Farming in the

HEARTLAND

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 2 Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 19

We cultivate relationships one farm at a time.

195 N Broadway, Alden507-379-6060

217 S Newton, Albert Lea507-377-7000

Meet Our AG Team

Serving you in two locations

1400 18th Avenue NW, Austin, MN 55912 • 507.433.7437

Store Hours:M-F 7:30 am-9:00 pmSat 8:00 am-7:00 pmSun 9:00 am-6:00 pm

We proudly carry thesebrands....

Runnings in Austin features

an expanded Sporting Goods

selection, including firearms.

Our Departments• Air Compressors • Animal/Pet Care • Automotive • Bird Feeding • Clothing • Electrical• Equine • Farm • Food & Candy • Footwear • Hardware • Heating & Cooling• Housewares • Lawn & Garden • Paint• Plumbing • Power Equipment • Sporting Goods • Tools • Toys • Welding

Protect what matters most.Our customized interactive security systems protect your

home and farm with video surveillance, temperature monitoring, door sensors, and more.

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Perfect Place for the end of your day.

Freeborn Lumber Co.917 Plaza Street W

Albert Lea, MN 56007507-377-4284

Where downtime is about relaxation, family, friends.

And life is inspired.

Welcome to the deck



Albert Lea, MN 56007507-377-4284



Welcome to the deck



Albert Lea, MN 56007507-377-4284



Welcome to the deck

Farm Equipment SafetyLarge and powerful equipment can be found all over a farm. This equipment is also a source of many injuries. By developing a “safety first” attitude and following some basic equipment safety guidelines, you can stay out of harm’s way and set a good example for others.

Pay attention to all safety information. Read operator’s manual and warning decals.

Inspect the equipment and correct any hazards before operating.

Identify hazardous areas on equipment and make sure you stay away from moving parts. Beware of pinch points, shear points, wrap points, pull-in areas, thrown objects, crush points, stored energy hazards and freewheeling parts.

Shut down equipment, turn off the engine, remove key and wait for moving parts to

stop before dismounting equipment.

Keep bystanders and others away from equipment operation area.

Personal Farm SafetyDon’t wear loose clothing around equipment or work areas.

Use safety equipment the way it was intended. That means appropriate gloves, hearing protection and safety eyewear, not to mention face masks and respirators when working in dusty conditions.

Always have a helper nearby when entering grain bins, breeding pens or other high-risk areas.

Discuss safety concerns with children as you explain safe handling and operating procedures. Practice what you preach, and they will practice it, too.

Minnesota Department of Agriculture Farm Safety Tips

Frontier Communications supports Farm Safety and wishes all farmers a safe and successful planting season. Keep in touch with family members.

Aluminum, Yellow Rescue Tube Durable No Tools Required Clamps together

Red Rescue Tube Unloads quickly Uses a std 1/2” power drill

Poly Platforms Aids rescuers Improves Footing

1.800.527.8775 1.800.KC.SUPPLY www.kcsupply.com [email protected]

Respirator Helmet NOT designed for engulfment

prevention NOR rescue Filters dust

Grain Dust Explosion Proof

Grain Bin Engulfment Rescue

EMERGENCIES HAPPEN! B-PREPARED.

Life Safety Building105 E. Oakland Ave, Austin, MN • 507-440-5733

Pam Hollrah-Asleson, RN, CLNC, QP [email protected] www.LifeSafety4-U.com

Farmer Emergency Upcoming WeekendsFree Demo of Personal Alarms for the Farm (both tethered and untethered alarms with Help Button, LLC)

Untethered Alarms have GPS to LOCATE YOU quickly and bring help! Don’t Risk Life or Limb...know what to do!

Protect Yourself and Your Family with CPR and First-Aid!CPR 2 & 8 Hr classes will be offered each weekend

(check website www.LifeSafety4-U.com or call for dates/options)Stacyville • Lyle • Adams • Brownsdale & other towns in southern MN

Call for information to set a date for your community’s Farmer Weekend


Congratulations Cole and Katie Pestorious!

The 2015 Farm Family of the Year!Congratulations Cole and Katie Pestorious!

The 2015 Farm Family of the Year! Entanglement with overhead power lines and farm equipment is one of the most common electrical hazards on the farm. Many types of farm equipment can come in contact with overhead power lines. Tractors with front-end loaders, portable grain augers, fold-up planters, dump truck beds and sprayer booms are all examples of equipment that can easily get caught in overhead power lines.

Recommendations: • LOOK UP! before moving or transporting equipment especially

around buildings, grain bins or entrance/exiting fields and farms.

• Power lines should be at least 18 feet above the highest point of grain bin with which portable augers or other portable filling equipment are used.

• Considering burying electric lines to reduce the risk of accidental contact.

• Remember some equipment during transportation is actually taller than when in use.

• Another thing you need to be careful of is bumping into the guide wires on electrical poles. This will cause sagging in the overhead lines and will make entanglement more likely.

• Always stay alert and never take unnecessary risks.

Overhead Power Lines

If your equipment becomes entangled in power lines, stay in the tractor or truck unless the tractor or truck starts on fire.

Jump as far from the tractor as possible but land on both feet. Then hop with feet together to get to safety!

If on fire, contact 911…if you are staying in the vehicle, contact FMCS Operations at 800-734-6421.

Brought to you by:

www.fmcs.coop

2501 Main Street East, Albert Lea, MNThis institution is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

SEPTIC PUMPING• Septic Compliance

Inspections• Design & Install

• Pumping & Maintenance

• Licensed & Insured

• Complete Septic Service!!

pandlexcavating.com Kyle: 507-383-3385 Forrie: 507-319-6664 MN License #3133

P&L Excavating

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Bobcat®, the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. 15-B034

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Got a new challenge on your jobsite? Or a special project at home? Find the answer by visiting your local rental dealer with the most comprehensive fleet of compact equipment.

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2317 Consul St, Albert Lea, MN507-377-1631

Your First Tractor Is a Big Deal

STANDARD L SERIES COMPACT TRACTORSL3901 shown as example only.

*$0 down, 0.0 % A.P.R. financing for up to 60 months on purchases of new Kubota L Series equipment available to qualified purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory through 6/30/2015. Example: A 60-month monthly installment repayment term at 0.0% A.P.R. requires 60 payments of $16.67 per $1,000 financed. 0.0% A.P.R. interest is available to customers if no dealer documentation preparation fee is charged. Dealer charge for document preparation fee shall be in accordance with state laws. Inclusion of ineligible equipment may result in a higher blended A.P.R. Not available for Rental, National Accounts or Governmental customers. 0.0% A.P.R. and low rate financing may not be available with customer instant rebate offers. Financing is available through Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A., 3401 Del Amo Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503; subject to credit approval. Some exceptions apply. Offer expires 6/30/2015. See us for details on these and other low-rate options or go to www.kubota.com for more information.** $2,000 Customer Instant rebate includes two separate instant rebates available on L3901 or L4701 with the purchase of two qualifying implements. The first offer is for a Customer instant rebate (C.I.R.) of $1,000 are available on cash or finance purchases of new Kubota 3901 or L4701 Series tractors to qualified purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory through 4/30/2015. The second offer is for a Customer instant rebates(C.I.R.) of $1,000 available on cash or finance purchases of new Kubota L3901 or L4701 Series with two or more qualifying new Kubota or Landpride implements qualified purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory through 4/30/2015. Dealer subtracts rebates from dealer’s pre-rebate selling price on qualifying purchases. Sales to Rental, National Accounts or Governmental customers do not qualify. C.I.R.s not available after completed sale. Financing is available through Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A., 3401 Del Amo Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503; subject to credit approval. Some exceptions apply. Offer expires 4/30/2015.KCDA-04-TK

$0 down, 0.0% for 60 Months*

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SANCO EQUIPMENT2317 Consul St

Albert Lea, MN 56007507-377-1631 • BobcatOfAlbertLea.com

10060 MN-30Blooming Prairie, MN

507-583-666154685 175th St

Austin, MN507-437-2644

Congratulations to Cole & Katie Pestorious and Children Danica, Bridget & Cael Co-Owners of Frontier Family Farms Cole and Katie Pestorious accepted the award at the 10th annual Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Luncheon at the Fairlane Building at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

2015 Farm Family of the Year

2015 Farm Family of the YearCole & Katie Pestorious

& Family

We specialize in underground solutions for farmers, landowners,

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Serving No. Iowa & Southeran MN • Family Owned & Operated Since 1954

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Adam J. GritzUSDA Farm Service Agency

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The Farm Service Agency (FSA) developed the Microloan (ML) program to better serve the unique financial operating needs of beginning, niche and small family farm operations.

FSA currently has a borrowing limit for the microloan

program of $50,000. The loan features a streamlined application process built to fit the needs of new and smaller producers. This loan program will also be useful to specialty crop producers and operators of community supported agriculture (CSA).

Eligible applicants can apply for a maximum amount of $50,000 to pay for initial start-up expenses such as hoop houses to extend the growing season, essential tools, irrigation and annual expenses such as seed, fertilizer, utilities, land rents, marketing, and distribution expenses. As financing needs increase, applicants can apply for a regular operating loan up to the maximum amount of $300,000 or obtain financing from a commercial lender under FSA’s Guaranteed Loan Program.

Individuals who are interested in applying for a microloan or would like to discuss other farm loan programs should call the Farm Loan Team in Preston, MN at (507) 765-2123.

Micro-Loan Program

Express Pressure Washers, Inc.15880 SE 74th Avenue, Blooming Prairie, MN 55917

Open Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 5:00 and Saturday 8:30 to 12:00 Phone: 507-583-2703 Fax: 507-583-2060

[email protected] www.expresspressurewashers.com

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Parts * Accessories * Soap * Repair * On-site Service ALL OUR MACHINES ARE 100% SATISFACTION GAURANTEED

R & S Grain Systems, Inc.Manufacturing & Fabrication

25863 650th Ave., Dexter, MN 55926Phone: 507-584-6794 • Fax: 507-584-6634 • rsgrain.com

We Have on Hand:Belts • Bearings • Electric Motors • Nuts & Bolts

Hubs • Pulleys • Dodge Gear Drives • Roller Chain

Col. Frank Fox, Cell: 641-420-3243www.foxauctioncompany.com

Call me for all your auction needs.“Professional Auctioneering - It’s What We Do”

15740 665th Avenue • Adams, MN

Mr. Charlie Gilles507-582-3253

Offering you today’s technology at your fingertips - www.ffmbank.com

Mark NowakContact me for the following services:

• Financial Analysis • Ratio Analysis • Cash Flow Plans• Ultra Farm Record Keeping • Marketing Strategies

Nowak Ag ConsultingHelping farmers succeed in South Central Minnesota for over 40 years

[email protected]

15330 580th AvenueWells, MN 56097

373-5411 874-2600 863- 2455

MORRISON WELL DRILLING

ALBERT LEA/AUSTIN ALDEN FREEBORN

Serving Freeborn & Mower Counties

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and

Would like to remind all our area farmers to be alert to the dangers and practice farm safety this season!

ShopperThe Freeborn County

ShopperThe Mower CounTy

Kirk W. PhelpsUSDA Farm Service AgencyMower County Executive Director

Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced fruit, vegetable and wild rice provisions that affect producers who intend to participate in certain programs authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014.

Producers who intend to participate in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs are subject to an acre-for-acre payment reduction when fruits and nuts, vegetables or wild rice are planted on the payment acres of a farm. Payment reductions do not apply to mung beans, dry peas, lentils or chickpeas. Planting fruits, vegetables or wild rice on acres that are not considered payment acres will not result in a payment reduction. Farms that are eligible to participate in ARC/PLC but are not enrolled for a particular year may plant unlimited fruits, vegetables and wild rice for that year but will not receive ARC/PLC payments for that year. Eligibility for succeeding years is not affected.

Planting and harvesting fruits, vegetables and wild rice on ARC/PLC acreage is subject to the acre-for-acre payment reduction when those crops are planted on more than 15 percent of the base acres of a farm enrolled in ARC-CO or PLC. Planting violations no longer apply. A farm or producer does not need to have a history of vegetable planting under the new rules.

Fruits, vegetables and wild rice that are planted in a double-cropping practice will not cause a payment reduction if the farm is in a double-cropping region as designated by the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation.

USDA Announces Changes to Fruit, Vegetable & Wild Rice Planting RulesSupplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 16 Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 5

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The Minnesota Agricultural Interpretive Center (Farmamerica) was established by the Minnesota legislature in 1978 to preserve the state’s rich agricultural heritage. We started out with a few acres, donated by Roy Lukken in the late 1970’s and, with the help of the local community, legislators and contributors, built the center into a 360-acre site which includes an impressive Visitor Center (built in 2000), a pond and prairie restoration, many external historical buildings, plus a large collection of antique tractors and farm equipment.

Our primary focus has always been education. It is important to us that we teach schoolchildren about our rural history and how farms in Minnesota helped to provide food for the nation and the world. In many cases, their visit to Farmamerica is the first time they see live farm animals up close. Research shows that 90% of kids living in rural areas today have never had a farming or agricultural experience.

7367 - 360th Avenue, Waseca, MN 56093507-835-2052 Directions: 2 mi W of Waseca just off HWY 14 on CR 2 or 17

RatesSelf-guided tours: Free Will Donation Call for guided group tour rates, Free parking.Farmamerica is an IRS 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit public charity.Jun 3, 2015 - Aug 29, 2015

AboutChanges in agriculture, 1850s to the present. Historic farm sites, country school, country church, blacksmith shop, feed mill, historic gardening and field cropping; monthly events; Self-guided walking tours available June 2 - August 30 - Tuesday - Friday - 9 am - 2 pm and Sunday’s Noon - 4 pm; group tours available by appointment

School ToursFarmamerica offers fun and educational tours for school groups for grades 3 to 6. We can only accept the first 200 students for each date, so call 507-835-2052 or email [email protected] and book now to make sure you get the date you want! Further information about our school tours, including the agenda for the day, is available in our 2015 School Tours Brochure.

Spring & Fall 2015SPRING: Full day school tours:

May 5, 7, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 28 and 29

SPRING: 1850’s day (tour will be of the 1850’s site only): May 15

FALL: September 23, 24, 29, October 1 and 6

Fall FairFREE Admission and FREE Parking!Sat. & Sun., Sept. 12 & 13, 10am - 4pm

The annual Fall Fair is your best opportunity to experience all Farmamerica has to offer, and for the first time, admission is free! See the Sheriffs Posse Wagon Train Saturday and theAntique Tractor Pull Sunday. Visit an early 19th century Peddlers Grove tent city with demonstrations of Native American and pioneer traders, trappers and settlers crafts and games, black muzzle loader and bow and arrow shooting demonstrations. Take a tram ride around the beautiful Time Lane with 10 historic sites including 1850s settlers houses, an 1881 church, one-room schoolhouse, a 1930s farmstead, Agri-Hall with antique tractors and farm equipment, and more. Interpreters at each site share the stories and experiences of the settlers and farmers who established agriculture in Minnesota.

The 2015 Fall Fair will also have a Bounce

House, Corn Maze, and Vincent the Gypsy Horsefor kids; Bee Hut Ice Cream Parlor on the 1930s farmstead; and an 1860s Mankato Baltics baseball game. tractor_pullPlus special guests, threshing and corn harvest demonstrations, lessons about the prairie, wildlife, and restoration. Breakfast Sunday morning featuringDad’s Belgian Waffles from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm for $7.50, with proceeds going to the Waseca High School Band.

Admission and parking are free. Donations are appreciated, to advance Farmamerica’s ongoing agriculture education program.

This event is made possible in part by a generous grant from DuPont Pioneer.

What is Farmamerica?

Water Management Solutions Since 1972Contact James Becvar at 507.438.7676 or [email protected]

or [email protected] for more information.

308 West Main Street, Adams, MN 507-582-3528

Heating • Ventilating • Air ConditioningElectrical • Plumbing

Albert Lea437 Bridge St.

373-1481 www.securitybankmn.com

Emmons201 Main St.

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See Us for Your Next AGRICULTURE LOAN• Operating Lines• Farm Land Loans• Farm Equipment• Local Approval• Flexible Terms• Competitive Rates

Member FDIC

Pat GavleAg LenderNMLS #921688

Freeborn County Government Center 411 South Broadway | Albert Lea, MN 56007 | (507) 377-5660

See Us For All Your Farm Tire Needs

505 E. MAIN ST. • ALBERT LEA, MN • 507-373-0636

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Also BuyingAluminum,

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Let’s be honest, you can never predict what the weather in Minnesota is going to do next. In the last few years we’ve had more intense and frequent weather events like large rain or snow falls and temperature extremes. This last June one of our volunteer rain gauge recorders near Clarks Grove reported 10.6” of rainfall in just one week, and 3.3” of that fell in one day. For most people these events are just an annoyance. But for local producers and landowners these unpredictable weather patterns can cause some anxiety.

In particular, large rain or snow melt events can wreak havoc on agricultural fields. Some of the main problems we see are large gullies on hillsides, sheet and rill erosion that moves precious topsoil from hilltops into local water bodies, and large areas of ponding in fields. All of these issues can have an impact on the productivity of their crops. Erosion moves the soil and its nutrients to locations that plants can no longer use them and often areas where we don’t want it. Areas of ponding prevent farmers from planting crops or drown out crops that are already there. There are a number of conservation practices that can help fix existing problems and several others that can help prevent future issues.

The Freeborn SWCD can offer cost share for a number of practices to help fix existing erosion problems; grassed waterways, water and sediment control basins and grade stabilization structures are all ways to help gully erosion.

Terraces that follow the contour of the field are an excellent way to prevent sheet and rill erosion. Reduced tillage and cover crops can help reduce the amount of storm runoff by increasing the soil’s ability to absorb rain. The SWCD can assist in determining the best and most cost efficient solution to the current issue, develop a design, and oversee the construction of the practice to ensure it’s built to standards. It can all start with a simple visit into our office located at 1400 West Main Street in Albert Lea.

Extreme Weather Events & Conservation

Sediment deposited at the bottom of a hill after a large rain event in 2013.

DaveThompsonBroker/Auctioneer

Thinking of Selling Your Equipment or Land?Consider Thompson Auction Service

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PO BOX 87 • Lansing, MN 55950Cell: 507-438-9646

Home: 507-433-6784

AUSTIN: 608 1st Ave SW 507-433-4144

WASECA: 118 North State Street (same building as Waseca Family Dentistry) 507-521-2758

OWATONNA: 685 Bridge St. Suite 1B (by Torey’s Restaurant) 507-451-3879

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As we are preparing to plant yet another crop in the coming weeks, I remember sitting in the planter tractor one of the more recent seasons and letting my mind wonder just a bit

as the vehicle steers itself from end to end, time after time, across the field. Not that there aren’t enough things to occupy my time as I traverse across the landscape.

All the technological gadgets we have installed to keep us constantly abreast of what’s happening behind the tractor on the planter is really quite amazing and, I might add very expensive. That alone is enough to obligate me to pay close attention. And of course all the information on display is very valuable. The consequences of not knowing these things, especially if something goes wrong, can have a direct impact on how well the crop will yield in the end.

And of course I am constantly preparing for

the next operation needed to keep planting such as refilling the planter with seed (including which hybrid to have the guys deliver), filling the tank with starter fertilizer, swapping out the insecticide boxes with full ones, watching the fuel tank for the next fill needed, figuring which field will be ready to plant next, and so on and so forth.

But I digress. There still are a few moments here and there when things are working properly that I find time to think in between.

For instance as I was planting the last field of the season I thought I would calculate how far I had actually driven the tractor during the season. This takes a little of the high school math that I so disliked when I was in class. Remember those days? How often we said “why in the world will I ever need this knowledge in the real world?” Well here I am using it to figure out something that is probably just as useless except for some entertaining and interesting trivia.

So, okay let’s see, if I take the total acres planted (this year it was 2150 acres including all corn and soybean acres) and multiply that times 43,560 (the number of square feet in an acre) I come up with 93,654,000 square

feet planted. Then if I divide this number by my planter width of 40 feet (feet² = length x width) I should have the total number of feet traveled, right? It comes to 2,341,350 feet. And by dividing this by 5280 feet in a mile, I discover that during the entire planting season I drove this thing over 443 miles! And all that at a maximum speed of 5.2 miles per hour! Wow, that’s a long ways. It would take me well into Canada for a fishing trip, or to Grand Island Nebraska to see how the crops look, or to Grand Forks, North Dakota to see-well I’m not sure what there is to see there but you get the point.

Then I took it one step further and figured out if I took all the 30 inch rows planted this year and strung them out into one continuous line, how far would this row go? Thirty inches equals 2.5 feet so applying the same formula, 93,654,000 square feet divided by 2.5 is 37,461,600 feet. And dividing this by 5280 feet in a mile, it comes to 7095 miles of row planted- Holy Smokes! This row of corn or soybeans would reach from southern Minnesota to Hawaii and back to California. Or it would cover the round trip distance from Austin, Minnesota to Seattle, WA., down to Los Angeles, CA. over to Miami, FL.,

then up to New York, NY. and back to Austin again. Quite a trip! On a celestial scale, this distance is almost equivalent to the diameter of the earth itself! Or if you remember the Apollo moon missions, it would make more than one complete orbit around the moon as our astronauts did in the sixties. Amazing!

Okay, so enough of the fun math and back to the job of planting. As you are reminded many times in all the farm magazines and seed company publications, be sure all your equipment is ready to go this coming season. Your Pioneer Sales Professional has lots of useful information such as a check list to prepare both the equipment and all the monitors necessary to complete the job as efficiently and effectively as possible. And take that extra time to be safe. One little saying I like to express to all the help around our operation is “be carefully thorough and thoroughly careful.” This kind of covers everything.

And if you get a couple minutes to let your mind wonder, have some fun with your calculator and a little math. In the words of an old song writer named Jim Stafford, you can “take a trip and never leave the farm”.

Long Row To Hoe

Mike Merten, CCA Pioneer Sales Professional

BRICELYNINSURANCE AGENCYCovering All Your Farm Insurance Needs

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Ron Erickson, AgentAnn Jensen, Agent

BRICELYN INSURANCE AGENCY

Farmer’s Trust & Savings Bank BuildingBricelyn, MN

507-653-4440 or Toll Free 800-779-0490

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I make it simple to help you select the coverage that’s right for you today and provide options for the future of your growing operation.


Farming is your livelihood, and it’s our business to help protect that.

Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company,* Western Agricultural Insurance Company,* Farm Bureau Life InsuranceCompany*/West Des Moines, IA. *Company providers of Farm Bureau Financial Services PC044‐ML‐1 (12‐14)

Darrell Ingvaldson,100 S Mill StreetBrownsdale, MN 55918

507-567-2296


Wells Insurance Agency53 1st SW | Wells, MN 56097 | 507-553-6644

03/12

N12-272 columns x 5 inches

A Policy of Working Together

You need a farm insurance company that knows the area and your individual needs. We have protected area farmers for decades with quality insurance coverages and friendly, local service.


We have your back.

Agents: Chuck Schulenberg and Donna Yokiel

Did you hear about when the banker, soil scientist, farmer, and seed salesman met

in Albert Lea to talk about Soil Health? It sounds like a set-up for a lame joke but

it actually describes the Freeborn County Soil Health Team meetings. This group

is a conglomerate of private businesses, local producers, and local government

organizations with an interest in improving our soil health and water quality right

here in Freeborn County Minnesota. The team was organized just over a year ago

and meets about once a month to discuss community outreach and ways to improve

the health of soils and the quality of water in and around the Freeborn County area.

The Freeborn County Soil Heath Team focuses on four key principles to increase soil health:

• Keep the soil covered• Reduce soil disturbance• Keep living roots as long as possible• Increase crop diversity

Join us for an informational field day to gain hands on experience regarding soil

health on Saturday, May 30th 2015 from 9am-12pm. The host farm is located three

miles south of Geneva, MN on County Road 45. The producer has spent over 30 years

implementing the four key principles of soil health in his corn-soybean operation.

The producer has successfully implemented cover crops into his corn-soybean

rotation the past four years. If you are curious how soil health practices can fit into

your operation, help increase net profits and improve plant vigor you will want to

attend this field day! For more information on this field day contact the NRCS at

507-373-5607 extension 3.

Introducing the Freeborn County Soil Health Team Full Sales & Service

for

Grain Handling Equipment

RON’S ELECTRIC

MOTOR REPAIR 1005 N. Main St., Blue Earth, MN 56013

24-Hour Emergency Service UL Listed 507-526-3060

Call or stop in today!

Full Sales & Service for


RON’S ELECTRIC






RON’S ELECTRIC



Call or stop in today! Full Sales & Service

for


RON’S ELECTRIC






RON’S ELECTRIC






RON’S ELECTRIC



Call or stop in today! Full Sales & Service for


RON’S ELECTRIC




Get Ready for SpringSAVE on Spring Construction!

Specializing in Post Frame and Steel Frame Buildings

Agricultural • Equestrian • Storage • Commercial • Hangars • Residential

RAM Can

Do It All For You!

Excavating - Concrete

HVAC - Plumbing

Electrical Services

Landscaping

320-485-2844800-710-4726

www.rambuildings.com

We Buy or Loan

Money On:Guns - Gold

TVs - VCRs/DVDs Stereos - US Tools Digital Cameras -

Coins

Ron’s Pawn ShopI90 Exit 178A 2203 4th St. NW, Austin, MN 55912

Now Selling New and Used GunsHours: Tues.-Fri 10-6; Sat. 10-2 • 437-1301

HI-POINTMODEL CF380

CALIBER .380$150 NEW

Farm tab1 spot9.16.14

Mower-Freeborn Co FARMING edition 5” x 2.5” Sept

Built on your level site.

Local Sales ConsultantsDave Baldner, Austin

Steve Schwebke, Fairmont

Find out why a Northland building is your best value in post-frame construction! We’ve been building agricultural buildings for 20 years! Trust in our experience and quality!

DOUG’S PAINTING & SANDBLASTING

• Farm & Industrial Equipment • In-Shop Painting

• Interior & Exterior Refinishing/Painting

• New & Existing Commercial Buildings

FREE ESTIMATES | DOUG, JASON & DAN EVANS2190 S. Lincoln Ave. | Albert Lea, MN 56007 | 507.377.1508

202 Ash Ave. S. New Richland, MN 507-465-3888

Stop In & Check Out Our Full Service Retail

Meat & Deli Counter

CUSTOMPROCESSINGAt It's Best!

Beef • Pork • Lamb

State & National Grand Champion SMOKED MEATS

Best in Show SUMMER SAUSAGE

DIESEL REPAIR • TRAILER REPAIR

IDWEST DIESELMSales & Service, L.L.P.

GARY LETENDRE24 Hour Emergency Service

I 90 EXIT 178 A2409 - 4TH STREET NW

AUSTIN, MN 55912

Authorized Dealer(507) 437-6394


Chris & Holly Dahl

27296 730th Ave. 507-826-3463 or 507-383-4931 Albert Lea, MN 56007www.dahlfarmsupply.com

Ag Chemicals - Gold Country & LG Seeds - Liquid Fertilizer - Seed Tenders - Nurse Trailers - Enduraplas Poly Tanks - Traeger Grills

See us for all your LP Gas needs

- Kevin Reed

Hi Yield Products Inc.23282 620th Ave • Alden, Minnesota 56009

Bus: (507) 874-3750Cell: (507) 383-0874

Email: [email protected]

We do installation, leak detection, and testing. We can help with your fertilizer and chemical needs.

We also offer variable rate fertilizer.

Support Our Farmers!

Paid by Citizens for Sparks. 2009 7th Ave. SE, Austin, MN 55912

HEATH REINDAL507-874-3863507-473-0345

507-874-3863 507-473-0345507-874-3863 507-473-0345507-874-3863 507-473-0345HEATH REINDALHEATH REINDALHEATH REINDALFor All Your Electrical Needs

IS YOUR AIR CONDITIONERREADY FOR SUMMER?

License #062813PM

24 Hour Service Free Estimates

For more info: www.armstrongai r.com

105 3rd St S • Rose Creek, MN

37 Years in Service

Hamilton Auction Co.Call for all your Auction needs!

507-584-0133 • 130 State Hwy 16 Dexter, MN

www.hamiltonauctioncompany.com

507-528-2228 • www.hodgmandrainage.com“Draining your fields for higher yields”

Employee Owners Providing Manufacturing Solutions

Contract Engineering and Manufacturing®

U l t r a P r e c i s i o n E x t r u s i o n s®

505 W. Front St. Albert Lea, MN 56007innovance.com507-377-8910

300+Owners

4 Companies 1Team

•



lawn & garden 07

stacey

SPECIALIZING IN SEPTIC SYSTEMS DESIGN~INSTALLATION~SEEDING

• Conservation Construction • Land Drainage• Wildlife Ponds • Road Boring • Backhoeing • Consulting

PHILLIP OR MARK MORREIM71610 263rd St. • Albert Lea • Office (507) 826-3449

Marks Cell (507) 383-6550 or Phil’s Cell (507) 330-1889

IRLBECK Grain, Inc.72670 State Hwy 16, Grand Meadow, MN 55936

507-754-5247 | Fax 507-754-5267DRIVERS NEEDED

We are accepting applications for full/part time drivers pulling 53’ dry vans. Providing service to our customers in the Midwest with the ability to be home weekends. All drivers must be CDL Class A qualified, have a minimum of 2 years verifiable driving experience with an acceptable MVR and meet all pre-qualifying testing and hiring requirements. Drivers must possess customer service skills as well as a safe, dependable background. Irlbeck Grain offers great pay with incentives, a sign-on bonus, paid vacation and the opportunity for 401K. Qualified drivers may inquire at our office: 72670 State Hwy 16,

Grand Meadow, MN 55936 or email resume to [email protected]

Matt Ulwelling, owner


Farmland Sales & Acquisitions • Farm AuctionsAppraisals • Professional Farm Management

www.Hertz.ag641.423.9531

Make the Most of Your Farmland Investment

Serving the Midwest for almost 70 years.

2800 4th St. SW, Suite 7Mason City, IA 50401

WISHING OUR LOCAL FARMERS

A SAFE PLANTING SEASON

The same tradition of hard work and innovation that has made POET one of the world’s largest producers of ethanol and other biorefined products, is the same tradition that makes Glenville a great place to live and work. We’re proud to call Glenville home.

507.373.8895

POET.COM/GLENVILLE

+biorefining

Putting the Farmer

First!

Sales | Service | Parts www.KibbleEq.com

Kibble Equipment is proud to serve farmers and families like yours. We work to keep operations productive and thriving season after season.

Chemical • Fertilizer • Feed • Grain • Seed • Soil Sampling • LP • Refined Fuels

Grand Meadow 507.754.5125 • Rochester 507.289.4086

Ostrander 507.657.2236 • Leroy 507.324.5347 • Elkton 507.754.5041

Spring Valley 507.346.7261 • Wykoff 507.352.5281 • Chester, IA 563.565.2415

High Pressure Cleaning Equipment DealerSales and Service

*Hot & Cold Washers *KO Cleaning Products102 3rd St S, Rose Creek, MN 55970

507-433-2227

STROUP & LEWISON DISTRIBUTING, LLC.

73137 State Hwy 16, Grand Meadow, MN 55936800-657-4910 www.valleytransinc.com

Call Us Today for A Quote

Now hiring for the following positions: drivers and owner operators, diesel mechanic, customer service manager and freight brokers.

Drivers please contact our recruiter, Mike, for more information; all other positions contact Kristi in HR.

"Our Goal Is To Help You Reach Yours"

Member of Independent Equipment Dealers Association

Albert Lea Seed Home of Viking Corn,

Soybeans and Alfalfa

please visit usfor both farm and

home projectscall for our free 52 page

catalog 800-352-5247 or 507-377-2372

Albert leA Seed HouSe ww.alseed.com

1414 W. Main, Albert Lea, MN 507-377-2372 800-352-5247

WITH ALLOC LAMINATE FLOORING Alloc laminate flooring creates a warm environment inside your home without

compromising the environment outside. We use sawdust and wood scrapings that would otherwise be discarded to craft our

superior performance flooring. We manufacture responsibly by diverting

100% of our waste from landfills and utilizing it as energy.

Our authentic wood looks are achieved through eco-friendly printing processes,

and 100% of our aluminum and packaging comes from recycled materials.

Doors & Floors, Inc. 101 11th st. sE AustIn • 433-3420

Mon-FrI 8AM-5pM • thurs 8AM-6pM • closED sAturDAys

a beautiful home environment should never come at the expense of our outdoor

environment.


FarmersFeed the World

[email protected]

Paid for by the POPPE for the People committee.

Dealer Imprint Area

Get a $100 per tire rebate on any purchase of Michelin® or Kleber®

brand ag tires during the Spring 2015 AgVantage promotion.

PICK UP A REBATE FORM FROM AN AUTHORIZED MICHELIN DEALER AND START SAVING TODAY. Offer valid from 2/1/2015 to 4/30/2015. Must be postmarked by 5/15/2015. See your dealer for complete terms and conditions.

©2015 MNA. All rights reserved. The Michelin Man is a registered trademark of Michelin North America, Inc.

Save BIG with a Rebate today!

Go BIGwith Michelin AG

Traction. Tread Life. Comfort.

Alignments, brakes, belts, bearings and exhaust work*

1353 SE Broadway, Albert Lea, MN507-373-6469

24/7 Commercial Roadside AssistanceOn-site Ag Assistance

Passenger and Light Truck Tire and Mechanical Needs

Buy 5 oil changes, get 1 free ($24.95 standard oil change)

*most vehicles

O�er extended to 6/30/2015. Claims must be postmarked by 7/15/2015. See your dealer for complete terms and conditions.

Minnesota’s Largest County Fair

Owatonna, MN • www.scff.org or 800-423-6466

August 18-23SCFF and Gold

Star Amusements Present

David Smith Jr.Human Cannonball



August 18-23

Map3.5x3.5

process

Serving the community since 1926!

Checking • Savings • Loans • CDs • IRAsHSAs • Safe Deposit Boxes • Debit/Credit Cards

ATMs • Internet/Telephone Banking

MEMBERFDIC

109 W Park Ave.Hollandale, MN 56045

(507) 889-4311

2401 Bridge Ave. Albert Lea, MN 56007

(507) 373-8600

Offices at:

www.producestatebank.com

109 W. Park Ave.

Hollandale, MN 56045

(507) 889-4311

2401 Bridge Ave.

Albert Lea, MN 56007

(507) 373-8600

220 E. William St.


(507) 373-5500

800-373-5550 • ClearyBuilding.com

36’ x 56’ x 10’

Contact us for a FREE consultation!

24’ x 40’ x 16’24’ x 40’ x 16’

KASSON, MN • 507-634-6640MANKATO, MN • 507-625-5170HUMBOLDT, IA • 515-332-9825WAVERLY, IA • 319-352-9497

81’ x 200’ x 19’

Partnering With Farmers For More Than 37 Years

PROTECTING WHAT YOU VALUE!

Cleary Building Corp. designs, manufactures, delivers and

constructs high-quality commercial, equine, farm, suburban and residential

pre-engineered structures.

DARFURELYSIANHOPE

JANESVILLELASALLE

LAKE CRYSTALMADELIANICOLLET

VERNON CENTERWALDORF

WWW.CRYSTALVALLEY.COOP

Agronomy | Energy | Feed | Grain

Maximize Your Acres with Northern Country Coop’s Precision Ag & Agronomy

* Crop Scouting* Composite Soil Sampling* Micronutrient Packages* GPS Field Boundary Mapping* Nitrate Nitrogen Grid Sampling* Variable Rate Planting, Fertilizer

& Nitrogen

Herb Dowse Precision Ag Specialist

[email protected]

Check us out online www.ncountrycoop.com

* Planter Data Management* Yield Data Processing* Technical Service* Grid Sampling* Tissue Testing* Stalk Nitrate Testing* Nitrate Nitrogen Testing

Adams, Alden, Brownsdale, Conger, Emmons, Lansing, LeRoy, Lyle, Oakland, Rose Creek, Stacyville, Toeterville

Center For Hearing Excellence

Change Your World For The Better!We Provide Hearing Solutions

to Meet Every Budget!Watch for our upcoming Hearing

Healthcare Events in Austin and Albert Lea.

608 1st Dr. NW, Austin507-433-6214

1707 W Main St, Ste 7Albert Lea

507-373-1318Toll free 877-333-6125


FarmersFeed the World

[email protected]

Paid for by the POPPE for the People committee.

Dealer Imprint Area

Get a $100 per tire rebate on any purchase of Michelin® or Kleber®

brand ag tires during the Spring 2015 AgVantage promotion.

PICK UP A REBATE FORM FROM AN AUTHORIZED MICHELIN DEALER AND START SAVING TODAY. Offer valid from 2/1/2015 to 4/30/2015. Must be postmarked by 5/15/2015. See your dealer for complete terms and conditions.

©2015 MNA. All rights reserved. The Michelin Man is a registered trademark of Michelin North America, Inc.

Save BIG with a Rebate today!

Go BIGwith Michelin AG

Traction. Tread Life. Comfort.

Alignments, brakes, belts, bearings and exhaust work*

1353 SE Broadway, Albert Lea, MN507-373-6469

24/7 Commercial Roadside AssistanceOn-site Ag Assistance

Passenger and Light Truck Tire and Mechanical Needs

Buy 5 oil changes, get 1 free ($24.95 standard oil change)

*most vehicles

O�er extended to 6/30/2015. Claims must be postmarked by 7/15/2015. See your dealer for complete terms and conditions.



August 18-23SCFF and Gold

Star Amusements Present

David Smith Jr.Human Cannonball



August 18-23

Map3.5x3.5

process

Serving the community since 1926!

Checking • Savings • Loans • CDs • IRAsHSAs • Safe Deposit Boxes • Debit/Credit Cards

ATMs • Internet/Telephone Banking

MEMBERFDIC

109 W Park Ave.Hollandale, MN 56045

(507) 889-4311

2401 Bridge Ave. Albert Lea, MN 56007

(507) 373-8600

Offices at:

www.producestatebank.com

109 W. Park Ave.

Hollandale, MN 56045

(507) 889-4311

2401 Bridge Ave.


(507) 373-8600

220 E. William St.


(507) 373-5500

800-373-5550 • ClearyBuilding.com

36’ x 56’ x 10’

Contact us for a FREE consultation!

24’ x 40’ x 16’24’ x 40’ x 16’

KASSON, MN • 507-634-6640MANKATO, MN • 507-625-5170HUMBOLDT, IA • 515-332-9825WAVERLY, IA • 319-352-9497

81’ x 200’ x 19’

Partnering With Farmers For More Than 37 Years

PROTECTING WHAT YOU VALUE!

Cleary Building Corp. designs, manufactures, delivers and

constructs high-quality commercial, equine, farm, suburban and residential

pre-engineered structures.

DARFURELYSIANHOPE

JANESVILLELASALLE

LAKE CRYSTALMADELIANICOLLET

VERNON CENTERWALDORF

WWW.CRYSTALVALLEY.COOP

Agronomy | Energy | Feed | Grain

Maximize Your Acres with Northern Country Coop’s Precision Ag & Agronomy

* Crop Scouting* Composite Soil Sampling* Micronutrient Packages* GPS Field Boundary Mapping* Nitrate Nitrogen Grid Sampling* Variable Rate Planting, Fertilizer

& Nitrogen

Herb Dowse Precision Ag Specialist

[email protected]

Check us out online www.ncountrycoop.com

* Planter Data Management* Yield Data Processing* Technical Service* Grid Sampling* Tissue Testing* Stalk Nitrate Testing* Nitrate Nitrogen Testing

Adams, Alden, Brownsdale, Conger, Emmons, Lansing, LeRoy, Lyle, Oakland, Rose Creek, Stacyville, Toeterville

Center For Hearing Excellence

Change Your World For The Better!We Provide Hearing Solutions

to Meet Every Budget!Watch for our upcoming Hearing

Healthcare Events in Austin and Albert Lea.

608 1st Dr. NW, Austin507-433-6214

1707 W Main St, Ste 7Albert Lea

507-373-1318Toll free 877-333-6125


Farmland Sales & Acquisitions • Farm AuctionsAppraisals • Professional Farm Management

www.Hertz.ag641.423.9531

Make the Most of Your Farmland Investment

Serving the Midwest for almost 70 years.

2800 4th St. SW, Suite 7Mason City, IA 50401

WISHING OUR LOCAL FARMERS

A SAFE PLANTING SEASON

The same tradition of hard work and innovation that has made POET one of the world’s largest producers of ethanol and other biorefined products, is the same tradition that makes Glenville a great place to live and work. We’re proud to call Glenville home.

507.373.8895

POET.COM/GLENVILLE

+biorefining

Putting the Farmer

First!

Sales | Service | Parts www.KibbleEq.com

Kibble Equipment is proud to serve farmers and families like yours. We work to keep operations productive and thriving season after season.

Chemical • Fertilizer • Feed • Grain • Seed • Soil Sampling • LP • Refined Fuels

Grand Meadow 507.754.5125 • Rochester 507.289.4086

Ostrander 507.657.2236 • Leroy 507.324.5347 • Elkton 507.754.5041

Spring Valley 507.346.7261 • Wykoff 507.352.5281 • Chester, IA 563.565.2415

High Pressure Cleaning Equipment DealerSales and Service

*Hot & Cold Washers *KO Cleaning Products102 3rd St S, Rose Creek, MN 55970

507-433-2227

STROUP & LEWISON DISTRIBUTING, LLC.

73137 State Hwy 16, Grand Meadow, MN 55936800-657-4910 www.valleytransinc.com

Call Us Today for A Quote

Now hiring for the following positions: drivers and owner operators, diesel mechanic, customer service manager and freight brokers.

Drivers please contact our recruiter, Mike, for more information; all other positions contact Kristi in HR.

"Our Goal Is To Help You Reach Yours"

Member of Independent Equipment Dealers Association

Albert Lea Seed Home of Viking Corn,

Soybeans and Alfalfa

please visit usfor both farm and

home projectscall for our free 52 page

catalog 800-352-5247 or 507-377-2372

Albert leA Seed HouSe ww.alseed.com

1414 W. Main, Albert Lea, MN 507-377-2372 800-352-5247

WITH ALLOC LAMINATE FLOORING Alloc laminate flooring creates a warm environment inside your home without

compromising the environment outside. We use sawdust and wood scrapings that would otherwise be discarded to craft our

superior performance flooring. We manufacture responsibly by diverting

100% of our waste from landfills and utilizing it as energy.

Our authentic wood looks are achieved through eco-friendly printing processes,

and 100% of our aluminum and packaging comes from recycled materials.

Doors & Floors, Inc. 101 11th st. sE AustIn • 433-3420

Mon-FrI 8AM-5pM • thurs 8AM-6pM • closED sAturDAys

a beautiful home environment should never come at the expense of our outdoor

environment.


Chris & Holly Dahl

27296 730th Ave. 507-826-3463 or 507-383-4931 Albert Lea, MN 56007www.dahlfarmsupply.com

Ag Chemicals - Gold Country & LG Seeds - Liquid Fertilizer - Seed Tenders - Nurse Trailers - Enduraplas Poly Tanks - Traeger Grills

See us for all your LP Gas needs

- Kevin Reed

Hi Yield Products Inc.23282 620th Ave • Alden, Minnesota 56009

Bus: (507) 874-3750Cell: (507) 383-0874

Email: [email protected]

We do installation, leak detection, and testing. We can help with your fertilizer and chemical needs.

We also offer variable rate fertilizer.

Support Our Farmers!

Paid by Citizens for Sparks. 2009 7th Ave. SE, Austin, MN 55912

HEATH REINDAL507-874-3863507-473-0345

507-874-3863 507-473-0345507-874-3863 507-473-0345507-874-3863 507-473-0345HEATH REINDALHEATH REINDALHEATH REINDALFor All Your Electrical Needs

IS YOUR AIR CONDITIONERREADY FOR SUMMER?

License #062813PM

24 Hour Service Free Estimates

For more info: www.armstrongai r.com

105 3rd St S • Rose Creek, MN

37 Years in Service

Hamilton Auction Co.Call for all your Auction needs!

507-584-0133 • 130 State Hwy 16 Dexter, MN

www.hamiltonauctioncompany.com

507-528-2228 • www.hodgmandrainage.com“Draining your fields for higher yields”

Employee Owners Providing Manufacturing Solutions



505 W. Front St. Albert Lea, MN 56007innovance.com507-377-8910

300+Owners

4 Companies 1Team

•



lawn & garden 07

stacey

SPECIALIZING IN SEPTIC SYSTEMS DESIGN~INSTALLATION~SEEDING

• Conservation Construction • Land Drainage• Wildlife Ponds • Road Boring • Backhoeing • Consulting

PHILLIP OR MARK MORREIM71610 263rd St. • Albert Lea • Office (507) 826-3449

Marks Cell (507) 383-6550 or Phil’s Cell (507) 330-1889

IRLBECK Grain, Inc.72670 State Hwy 16, Grand Meadow, MN 55936

507-754-5247 | Fax 507-754-5267DRIVERS NEEDED

We are accepting applications for full/part time drivers pulling 53’ dry vans. Providing service to our customers in the Midwest with the ability to be home weekends. All drivers must be CDL Class A qualified, have a minimum of 2 years verifiable driving experience with an acceptable MVR and meet all pre-qualifying testing and hiring requirements. Drivers must possess customer service skills as well as a safe, dependable background. Irlbeck Grain offers great pay with incentives, a sign-on bonus, paid vacation and the opportunity for 401K. Qualified drivers may inquire at our office: 72670 State Hwy 16,

Grand Meadow, MN 55936 or email resume to [email protected]

Matt Ulwelling, owner


Wells Insurance Agency53 1st SW | Wells, MN 56097 | 507-553-6644

03/12

N12-272 columns x 5 inches

A Policy of Working Together



We have your back.

Agents: Chuck Schulenberg and Donna Yokiel

Did you hear about when the banker, soil scientist, farmer, and seed salesman met

in Albert Lea to talk about Soil Health? It sounds like a set-up for a lame joke but

it actually describes the Freeborn County Soil Health Team meetings. This group

is a conglomerate of private businesses, local producers, and local government

organizations with an interest in improving our soil health and water quality right

here in Freeborn County Minnesota. The team was organized just over a year ago

and meets about once a month to discuss community outreach and ways to improve

the health of soils and the quality of water in and around the Freeborn County area.

The Freeborn County Soil Heath Team focuses on four key principles to increase soil health:

• Keep the soil covered• Reduce soil disturbance• Keep living roots as long as possible• Increase crop diversity

Join us for an informational field day to gain hands on experience regarding soil

health on Saturday, May 30th 2015 from 9am-12pm. The host farm is located three

miles south of Geneva, MN on County Road 45. The producer has spent over 30 years

implementing the four key principles of soil health in his corn-soybean operation.

The producer has successfully implemented cover crops into his corn-soybean

rotation the past four years. If you are curious how soil health practices can fit into

your operation, help increase net profits and improve plant vigor you will want to

attend this field day! For more information on this field day contact the NRCS at

507-373-5607 extension 3.

Introducing the Freeborn County Soil Health Team Full Sales & Service

for


RON’S ELECTRIC






RON’S ELECTRIC






RON’S ELECTRIC



Call or stop in today! Full Sales & Service

for


RON’S ELECTRIC






RON’S ELECTRIC






RON’S ELECTRIC



Call or stop in today! Full Sales & Service for


RON’S ELECTRIC




Get Ready for SpringSAVE on Spring Construction!

Specializing in Post Frame and Steel Frame Buildings

Agricultural • Equestrian • Storage • Commercial • Hangars • Residential

RAM Can

Do It All For You!

Excavating - Concrete

HVAC - Plumbing

Electrical Services

Landscaping

320-485-2844800-710-4726

www.rambuildings.com

We Buy or Loan

Money On:Guns - Gold

TVs - VCRs/DVDs Stereos - US Tools Digital Cameras -

Coins

Ron’s Pawn ShopI90 Exit 178A 2203 4th St. NW, Austin, MN 55912

Now Selling New and Used GunsHours: Tues.-Fri 10-6; Sat. 10-2 • 437-1301

HI-POINTMODEL CF380

CALIBER .380$150 NEW

Farm tab1 spot9.16.14

Mower-Freeborn Co FARMING edition 5” x 2.5” Sept

Built on your level site.

Local Sales ConsultantsDave Baldner, Austin

Steve Schwebke, Fairmont

Find out why a Northland building is your best value in post-frame construction! We’ve been building agricultural buildings for 20 years! Trust in our experience and quality!

DOUG’S PAINTING & SANDBLASTING

• Farm & Industrial Equipment • In-Shop Painting

• Interior & Exterior Refinishing/Painting

• New & Existing Commercial Buildings

FREE ESTIMATES | DOUG, JASON & DAN EVANS2190 S. Lincoln Ave. | Albert Lea, MN 56007 | 507.377.1508

202 Ash Ave. S. New Richland, MN 507-465-3888

Stop In & Check Out Our Full Service Retail

Meat & Deli Counter

CUSTOMPROCESSINGAt It's Best!

Beef • Pork • Lamb

State & National Grand Champion SMOKED MEATS

Best in Show SUMMER SAUSAGE

DIESEL REPAIR • TRAILER REPAIR

IDWEST DIESELMSales & Service, L.L.P.

GARY LETENDRE24 Hour Emergency Service

I 90 EXIT 178 A2409 - 4TH STREET NW

AUSTIN, MN 55912

Authorized Dealer(507) 437-6394


Auto

I-35Recycling

Highest Prices for Scrap Cars, Trucks, Farm Machinery, Iron & Steel

Exit #18 (Clarks Grove)East 100 Yards Then

North 1 Mile on Co. Rd. 45(4 miles North of Albert Lea)

507-256-7375

CLARKSGROVE

CO

. RD

. 45

EXIT 18

Pick Up Service & Roll Off Boxes Available

Also BuyingAluminum,

(NO ALUMINUM CANS) Brass & Copper

Let’s be honest, you can never predict what the weather in Minnesota is going to do next. In the last few years we’ve had more intense and frequent weather events like large rain or snow falls and temperature extremes. This last June one of our volunteer rain gauge recorders near Clarks Grove reported 10.6” of rainfall in just one week, and 3.3” of that fell in one day. For most people these events are just an annoyance. But for local producers and landowners these unpredictable weather patterns can cause some anxiety.

In particular, large rain or snow melt events can wreak havoc on agricultural fields. Some of the main problems we see are large gullies on hillsides, sheet and rill erosion that moves precious topsoil from hilltops into local water bodies, and large areas of ponding in fields. All of these issues can have an impact on the productivity of their crops. Erosion moves the soil and its nutrients to locations that plants can no longer use them and often areas where we don’t want it. Areas of ponding prevent farmers from planting crops or drown out crops that are already there. There are a number of conservation practices that can help fix existing problems and several others that can help prevent future issues.

The Freeborn SWCD can offer cost share for a number of practices to help fix existing erosion problems; grassed waterways, water and sediment control basins and grade stabilization structures are all ways to help gully erosion.

Terraces that follow the contour of the field are an excellent way to prevent sheet and rill erosion. Reduced tillage and cover crops can help reduce the amount of storm runoff by increasing the soil’s ability to absorb rain. The SWCD can assist in determining the best and most cost efficient solution to the current issue, develop a design, and oversee the construction of the practice to ensure it’s built to standards. It can all start with a simple visit into our office located at 1400 West Main Street in Albert Lea.

Extreme Weather Events & Conservation

Sediment deposited at the bottom of a hill after a large rain event in 2013.

DaveThompsonBroker/Auctioneer

Thinking of Selling Your Equipment or Land?Consider Thompson Auction Service

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PO BOX 87 • Lansing, MN 55950Cell: 507-438-9646

Home: 507-433-6784

AUSTIN: 608 1st Ave SW 507-433-4144

WASECA: 118 North State Street (same building as Waseca Family Dentistry) 507-521-2758

OWATONNA: 685 Bridge St. Suite 1B (by Torey’s Restaurant) 507-451-3879

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As we are preparing to plant yet another crop in the coming weeks, I remember sitting in the planter tractor one of the more recent seasons and letting my mind wonder just a bit

as the vehicle steers itself from end to end, time after time, across the field. Not that there aren’t enough things to occupy my time as I traverse across the landscape.

All the technological gadgets we have installed to keep us constantly abreast of what’s happening behind the tractor on the planter is really quite amazing and, I might add very expensive. That alone is enough to obligate me to pay close attention. And of course all the information on display is very valuable. The consequences of not knowing these things, especially if something goes wrong, can have a direct impact on how well the crop will yield in the end.

And of course I am constantly preparing for

the next operation needed to keep planting such as refilling the planter with seed (including which hybrid to have the guys deliver), filling the tank with starter fertilizer, swapping out the insecticide boxes with full ones, watching the fuel tank for the next fill needed, figuring which field will be ready to plant next, and so on and so forth.

But I digress. There still are a few moments here and there when things are working properly that I find time to think in between.

For instance as I was planting the last field of the season I thought I would calculate how far I had actually driven the tractor during the season. This takes a little of the high school math that I so disliked when I was in class. Remember those days? How often we said “why in the world will I ever need this knowledge in the real world?” Well here I am using it to figure out something that is probably just as useless except for some entertaining and interesting trivia.

So, okay let’s see, if I take the total acres planted (this year it was 2150 acres including all corn and soybean acres) and multiply that times 43,560 (the number of square feet in an acre) I come up with 93,654,000 square

feet planted. Then if I divide this number by my planter width of 40 feet (feet² = length x width) I should have the total number of feet traveled, right? It comes to 2,341,350 feet. And by dividing this by 5280 feet in a mile, I discover that during the entire planting season I drove this thing over 443 miles! And all that at a maximum speed of 5.2 miles per hour! Wow, that’s a long ways. It would take me well into Canada for a fishing trip, or to Grand Island Nebraska to see how the crops look, or to Grand Forks, North Dakota to see-well I’m not sure what there is to see there but you get the point.

Then I took it one step further and figured out if I took all the 30 inch rows planted this year and strung them out into one continuous line, how far would this row go? Thirty inches equals 2.5 feet so applying the same formula, 93,654,000 square feet divided by 2.5 is 37,461,600 feet. And dividing this by 5280 feet in a mile, it comes to 7095 miles of row planted- Holy Smokes! This row of corn or soybeans would reach from southern Minnesota to Hawaii and back to California. Or it would cover the round trip distance from Austin, Minnesota to Seattle, WA., down to Los Angeles, CA. over to Miami, FL.,

then up to New York, NY. and back to Austin again. Quite a trip! On a celestial scale, this distance is almost equivalent to the diameter of the earth itself! Or if you remember the Apollo moon missions, it would make more than one complete orbit around the moon as our astronauts did in the sixties. Amazing!

Okay, so enough of the fun math and back to the job of planting. As you are reminded many times in all the farm magazines and seed company publications, be sure all your equipment is ready to go this coming season. Your Pioneer Sales Professional has lots of useful information such as a check list to prepare both the equipment and all the monitors necessary to complete the job as efficiently and effectively as possible. And take that extra time to be safe. One little saying I like to express to all the help around our operation is “be carefully thorough and thoroughly careful.” This kind of covers everything.

And if you get a couple minutes to let your mind wonder, have some fun with your calculator and a little math. In the words of an old song writer named Jim Stafford, you can “take a trip and never leave the farm”.

Long Row To Hoe

Mike Merten, CCA Pioneer Sales Professional

BRICELYNINSURANCE AGENCYCovering All Your Farm Insurance Needs

Crop Farm Policies & More

Ron Erickson, AgentAnn Jensen, Agent

BRICELYN INSURANCE AGENCY

Farmer’s Trust & Savings Bank BuildingBricelyn, MN

507-653-4440 or Toll Free 800-779-0490

THOMPSON SANITATIONOFFICE 256-4370

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Darrell Ingvaldson100 S Mill StreetBrownsdale, MN 55918507-567-2296


Farm/Ranch Commercial Ag Crop Business Succession

I make it simple to help you select the coverage that’s right for you today and provide options for the future of your growing operation.


Farming is your livelihood, and it’s our business to help protect that.

Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company,* Western Agricultural Insurance Company,* Farm Bureau Life InsuranceCompany*/West Des Moines, IA. *Company providers of Farm Bureau Financial Services PC044‐ML‐1 (12‐14)

Darrell Ingvaldson,100 S Mill StreetBrownsdale, MN 55918

507-567-2296

Kirk W. PhelpsUSDA Farm Service AgencyMower County Executive Director

Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced fruit, vegetable and wild rice provisions that affect producers who intend to participate in certain programs authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014.

Producers who intend to participate in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs are subject to an acre-for-acre payment reduction when fruits and nuts, vegetables or wild rice are planted on the payment acres of a farm. Payment reductions do not apply to mung beans, dry peas, lentils or chickpeas. Planting fruits, vegetables or wild rice on acres that are not considered payment acres will not result in a payment reduction. Farms that are eligible to participate in ARC/PLC but are not enrolled for a particular year may plant unlimited fruits, vegetables and wild rice for that year but will not receive ARC/PLC payments for that year. Eligibility for succeeding years is not affected.

Planting and harvesting fruits, vegetables and wild rice on ARC/PLC acreage is subject to the acre-for-acre payment reduction when those crops are planted on more than 15 percent of the base acres of a farm enrolled in ARC-CO or PLC. Planting violations no longer apply. A farm or producer does not need to have a history of vegetable planting under the new rules.

Fruits, vegetables and wild rice that are planted in a double-cropping practice will not cause a payment reduction if the farm is in a double-cropping region as designated by the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation.

USDA Announces Changes to Fruit, Vegetable & Wild Rice Planting RulesSupplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 16 Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 5

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The Minnesota Agricultural Interpretive Center (Farmamerica) was established by the Minnesota legislature in 1978 to preserve the state’s rich agricultural heritage. We started out with a few acres, donated by Roy Lukken in the late 1970’s and, with the help of the local community, legislators and contributors, built the center into a 360-acre site which includes an impressive Visitor Center (built in 2000), a pond and prairie restoration, many external historical buildings, plus a large collection of antique tractors and farm equipment.

Our primary focus has always been education. It is important to us that we teach schoolchildren about our rural history and how farms in Minnesota helped to provide food for the nation and the world. In many cases, their visit to Farmamerica is the first time they see live farm animals up close. Research shows that 90% of kids living in rural areas today have never had a farming or agricultural experience.

7367 - 360th Avenue, Waseca, MN 56093507-835-2052 Directions: 2 mi W of Waseca just off HWY 14 on CR 2 or 17

RatesSelf-guided tours: Free Will Donation Call for guided group tour rates, Free parking.Farmamerica is an IRS 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit public charity.Jun 3, 2015 - Aug 29, 2015

AboutChanges in agriculture, 1850s to the present. Historic farm sites, country school, country church, blacksmith shop, feed mill, historic gardening and field cropping; monthly events; Self-guided walking tours available June 2 - August 30 - Tuesday - Friday - 9 am - 2 pm and Sunday’s Noon - 4 pm; group tours available by appointment

School ToursFarmamerica offers fun and educational tours for school groups for grades 3 to 6. We can only accept the first 200 students for each date, so call 507-835-2052 or email [email protected] and book now to make sure you get the date you want! Further information about our school tours, including the agenda for the day, is available in our 2015 School Tours Brochure.

Spring & Fall 2015SPRING: Full day school tours:

May 5, 7, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 28 and 29

SPRING: 1850’s day (tour will be of the 1850’s site only): May 15

FALL: September 23, 24, 29, October 1 and 6

Fall FairFREE Admission and FREE Parking!Sat. & Sun., Sept. 12 & 13, 10am - 4pm

The annual Fall Fair is your best opportunity to experience all Farmamerica has to offer, and for the first time, admission is free! See the Sheriffs Posse Wagon Train Saturday and theAntique Tractor Pull Sunday. Visit an early 19th century Peddlers Grove tent city with demonstrations of Native American and pioneer traders, trappers and settlers crafts and games, black muzzle loader and bow and arrow shooting demonstrations. Take a tram ride around the beautiful Time Lane with 10 historic sites including 1850s settlers houses, an 1881 church, one-room schoolhouse, a 1930s farmstead, Agri-Hall with antique tractors and farm equipment, and more. Interpreters at each site share the stories and experiences of the settlers and farmers who established agriculture in Minnesota.

The 2015 Fall Fair will also have a Bounce

House, Corn Maze, and Vincent the Gypsy Horsefor kids; Bee Hut Ice Cream Parlor on the 1930s farmstead; and an 1860s Mankato Baltics baseball game. tractor_pullPlus special guests, threshing and corn harvest demonstrations, lessons about the prairie, wildlife, and restoration. Breakfast Sunday morning featuringDad’s Belgian Waffles from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm for $7.50, with proceeds going to the Waseca High School Band.

Admission and parking are free. Donations are appreciated, to advance Farmamerica’s ongoing agriculture education program.

This event is made possible in part by a generous grant from DuPont Pioneer.

What is Farmamerica?

Water Management Solutions Since 1972Contact James Becvar at 507.438.7676 or [email protected]

or [email protected] for more information.

308 West Main Street, Adams, MN 507-582-3528

Heating • Ventilating • Air ConditioningElectrical • Plumbing

Albert Lea437 Bridge St.

373-1481 www.securitybankmn.com

Emmons201 Main St.

297-5461

See Us for Your Next AGRICULTURE LOAN• Operating Lines• Farm Land Loans• Farm Equipment• Local Approval• Flexible Terms• Competitive Rates

Member FDIC

Pat GavleAg LenderNMLS #921688

Freeborn County Government Center 411 South Broadway | Albert Lea, MN 56007 | (507) 377-5660

See Us For All Your Farm Tire Needs

505 E. MAIN ST. • ALBERT LEA, MN • 507-373-0636

We Offer On-SiteRepair


Adam J. GritzUSDA Farm Service Agency

Fillmore County Farm Loan Manager

“This is a great update for Minnesota producers.”

Helping our clients achieve success in the swine industry.

A swine-exclusive veterinary clinic offering customized solutions for your business.

We have 3 office

locations - Algona, IA

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The Farm Service Agency (FSA) developed the Microloan (ML) program to better serve the unique financial operating needs of beginning, niche and small family farm operations.

FSA currently has a borrowing limit for the microloan

program of $50,000. The loan features a streamlined application process built to fit the needs of new and smaller producers. This loan program will also be useful to specialty crop producers and operators of community supported agriculture (CSA).

Eligible applicants can apply for a maximum amount of $50,000 to pay for initial start-up expenses such as hoop houses to extend the growing season, essential tools, irrigation and annual expenses such as seed, fertilizer, utilities, land rents, marketing, and distribution expenses. As financing needs increase, applicants can apply for a regular operating loan up to the maximum amount of $300,000 or obtain financing from a commercial lender under FSA’s Guaranteed Loan Program.

Individuals who are interested in applying for a microloan or would like to discuss other farm loan programs should call the Farm Loan Team in Preston, MN at (507) 765-2123.

Micro-Loan Program

Express Pressure Washers, Inc.15880 SE 74th Avenue, Blooming Prairie, MN 55917

Open Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 5:00 and Saturday 8:30 to 12:00 Phone: 507-583-2703 Fax: 507-583-2060

[email protected] www.expresspressurewashers.com

Join us on Facebook!

Parts * Accessories * Soap * Repair * On-site Service ALL OUR MACHINES ARE 100% SATISFACTION GAURANTEED

R & S Grain Systems, Inc.Manufacturing & Fabrication

25863 650th Ave., Dexter, MN 55926Phone: 507-584-6794 • Fax: 507-584-6634 • rsgrain.com

We Have on Hand:Belts • Bearings • Electric Motors • Nuts & Bolts

Hubs • Pulleys • Dodge Gear Drives • Roller Chain

Col. Frank Fox, Cell: 641-420-3243www.foxauctioncompany.com

Call me for all your auction needs.“Professional Auctioneering - It’s What We Do”

15740 665th Avenue • Adams, MN

Mr. Charlie Gilles507-582-3253

Offering you today’s technology at your fingertips - www.ffmbank.com

Mark NowakContact me for the following services:

• Financial Analysis • Ratio Analysis • Cash Flow Plans• Ultra Farm Record Keeping • Marketing Strategies

Nowak Ag ConsultingHelping farmers succeed in South Central Minnesota for over 40 years

[email protected]

15330 580th AvenueWells, MN 56097

373-5411 874-2600 863- 2455

MORRISON WELL DRILLING

ALBERT LEA/AUSTIN ALDEN FREEBORN

Serving Freeborn & Mower Counties

• Residential• Municipal Wells• Geothermal Wells• Sealing Old Wells

• Well Drilling• Well Pump Repair• Backhoe Trenching

60 YEARS EXPERIENCE

www.morrisonwelldrilling.com

and

Would like to remind all our area farmers to be alert to the dangers and practice farm safety this season!

ShopperThe Freeborn County

ShopperThe Mower CounTy


Congratulations Cole and Katie Pestorious!

The 2015 Farm Family of the Year!Congratulations Cole and Katie Pestorious!

The 2015 Farm Family of the Year! Entanglement with overhead power lines and farm equipment is one of the most common electrical hazards on the farm. Many types of farm equipment can come in contact with overhead power lines. Tractors with front-end loaders, portable grain augers, fold-up planters, dump truck beds and sprayer booms are all examples of equipment that can easily get caught in overhead power lines.

Recommendations: • LOOK UP! before moving or transporting equipment especially

around buildings, grain bins or entrance/exiting fields and farms.

• Power lines should be at least 18 feet above the highest point of grain bin with which portable augers or other portable filling equipment are used.

• Considering burying electric lines to reduce the risk of accidental contact.

• Remember some equipment during transportation is actually taller than when in use.

• Another thing you need to be careful of is bumping into the guide wires on electrical poles. This will cause sagging in the overhead lines and will make entanglement more likely.

• Always stay alert and never take unnecessary risks.

Overhead Power Lines

If your equipment becomes entangled in power lines, stay in the tractor or truck unless the tractor or truck starts on fire.

Jump as far from the tractor as possible but land on both feet. Then hop with feet together to get to safety!

If on fire, contact 911…if you are staying in the vehicle, contact FMCS Operations at 800-734-6421.

Brought to you by:

www.fmcs.coop

2501 Main Street East, Albert Lea, MNThis institution is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

SEPTIC PUMPING• Septic Compliance

Inspections• Design & Install

• Pumping & Maintenance

• Licensed & Insured

• Complete Septic Service!!

pandlexcavating.com Kyle: 507-383-3385 Forrie: 507-319-6664 MN License #3133

P&L Excavating

www.bobcatofalbertlea.com

Bobcat®, the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. 15-B034

the right tools.Don’T STArT The worK wIThouT

Got a new challenge on your jobsite? Or a special project at home? Find the answer by visiting your local rental dealer with the most comprehensive fleet of compact equipment.

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SANCOEQUIPMENT

2317 Consul St, Albert Lea, MN507-377-1631

Your First Tractor Is a Big Deal

STANDARD L SERIES COMPACT TRACTORSL3901 shown as example only.

*$0 down, 0.0 % A.P.R. financing for up to 60 months on purchases of new Kubota L Series equipment available to qualified purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory through 6/30/2015. Example: A 60-month monthly installment repayment term at 0.0% A.P.R. requires 60 payments of $16.67 per $1,000 financed. 0.0% A.P.R. interest is available to customers if no dealer documentation preparation fee is charged. Dealer charge for document preparation fee shall be in accordance with state laws. Inclusion of ineligible equipment may result in a higher blended A.P.R. Not available for Rental, National Accounts or Governmental customers. 0.0% A.P.R. and low rate financing may not be available with customer instant rebate offers. Financing is available through Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A., 3401 Del Amo Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503; subject to credit approval. Some exceptions apply. Offer expires 6/30/2015. See us for details on these and other low-rate options or go to www.kubota.com for more information.** $2,000 Customer Instant rebate includes two separate instant rebates available on L3901 or L4701 with the purchase of two qualifying implements. The first offer is for a Customer instant rebate (C.I.R.) of $1,000 are available on cash or finance purchases of new Kubota 3901 or L4701 Series tractors to qualified purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory through 4/30/2015. The second offer is for a Customer instant rebates(C.I.R.) of $1,000 available on cash or finance purchases of new Kubota L3901 or L4701 Series with two or more qualifying new Kubota or Landpride implements qualified purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory through 4/30/2015. Dealer subtracts rebates from dealer’s pre-rebate selling price on qualifying purchases. Sales to Rental, National Accounts or Governmental customers do not qualify. C.I.R.s not available after completed sale. Financing is available through Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A., 3401 Del Amo Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503; subject to credit approval. Some exceptions apply. Offer expires 4/30/2015.KCDA-04-TK

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SANCO EQUIPMENT2317 Consul St

Albert Lea, MN 56007507-377-1631 • BobcatOfAlbertLea.com

10060 MN-30Blooming Prairie, MN

507-583-666154685 175th St

Austin, MN507-437-2644

Congratulations to Cole & Katie Pestorious and Children Danica, Bridget & Cael Co-Owners of Frontier Family Farms Cole and Katie Pestorious accepted the award at the 10th annual Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Luncheon at the Fairlane Building at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

2015 Farm Family of the Year

2015 Farm Family of the YearCole & Katie Pestorious

& Family

We specialize in underground solutions for farmers, landowners,

municipalities and contractors.

Serving No. Iowa & Southeran MN • Family Owned & Operated Since 1954

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We cultivate relationships one farm at a time.

195 N Broadway, Alden507-379-6060

217 S Newton, Albert Lea507-377-7000

Meet Our AG Team

Serving you in two locations

1400 18th Avenue NW, Austin, MN 55912 • 507.433.7437

Store Hours:M-F 7:30 am-9:00 pmSat 8:00 am-7:00 pmSun 9:00 am-6:00 pm

We proudly carry thesebrands....

Runnings in Austin features

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Our Departments• Air Compressors • Animal/Pet Care • Automotive • Bird Feeding • Clothing • Electrical• Equine • Farm • Food & Candy • Footwear • Hardware • Heating & Cooling• Housewares • Lawn & Garden • Paint• Plumbing • Power Equipment • Sporting Goods • Tools • Toys • Welding

Protect what matters most.Our customized interactive security systems protect your

home and farm with video surveillance, temperature monitoring, door sensors, and more.

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Albert Lea, MN 56007507-377-4284



Welcome to the deck



Albert Lea, MN 56007507-377-4284



Welcome to the deck



Albert Lea, MN 56007507-377-4284



Welcome to the deck

Farm Equipment SafetyLarge and powerful equipment can be found all over a farm. This equipment is also a source of many injuries. By developing a “safety first” attitude and following some basic equipment safety guidelines, you can stay out of harm’s way and set a good example for others.

Pay attention to all safety information. Read operator’s manual and warning decals.

Inspect the equipment and correct any hazards before operating.

Identify hazardous areas on equipment and make sure you stay away from moving parts. Beware of pinch points, shear points, wrap points, pull-in areas, thrown objects, crush points, stored energy hazards and freewheeling parts.

Shut down equipment, turn off the engine, remove key and wait for moving parts to

stop before dismounting equipment.

Keep bystanders and others away from equipment operation area.

Personal Farm SafetyDon’t wear loose clothing around equipment or work areas.

Use safety equipment the way it was intended. That means appropriate gloves, hearing protection and safety eyewear, not to mention face masks and respirators when working in dusty conditions.

Always have a helper nearby when entering grain bins, breeding pens or other high-risk areas.

Discuss safety concerns with children as you explain safe handling and operating procedures. Practice what you preach, and they will practice it, too.

Minnesota Department of Agriculture Farm Safety Tips

Frontier Communications supports Farm Safety and wishes all farmers a safe and successful planting season. Keep in touch with family members.

Aluminum, Yellow Rescue Tube Durable No Tools Required Clamps together

Red Rescue Tube Unloads quickly Uses a std 1/2” power drill

Poly Platforms Aids rescuers Improves Footing

1.800.527.8775 1.800.KC.SUPPLY www.kcsupply.com [email protected]

Respirator Helmet NOT designed for engulfment

prevention NOR rescue Filters dust

Grain Dust Explosion Proof

Grain Bin Engulfment Rescue

EMERGENCIES HAPPEN! B-PREPARED.

Life Safety Building105 E. Oakland Ave, Austin, MN • 507-440-5733

Pam Hollrah-Asleson, RN, CLNC, QP [email protected] www.LifeSafety4-U.com

Farmer Emergency Upcoming WeekendsFree Demo of Personal Alarms for the Farm (both tethered and untethered alarms with Help Button, LLC)

Untethered Alarms have GPS to LOCATE YOU quickly and bring help! Don’t Risk Life or Limb...know what to do!

Protect Yourself and Your Family with CPR and First-Aid!CPR 2 & 8 Hr classes will be offered each weekend

(check website www.LifeSafety4-U.com or call for dates/options)Stacyville • Lyle • Adams • Brownsdale & other towns in southern MN

Call for information to set a date for your community’s Farmer Weekend

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 20

SPRING 2015

PLANTING THE SEED FOR 2015An Agricultural, Farming & Rural Development Supplement Covering Freeborn County, Mower County & Surrounding Areas

From material handling to planting, seeding and tillage, the John Deere 6M and 6R Series Tractors (105–210 hp†) are big machines that can handle big challenges. Efficient PowerTech™ engines offer high torque and fuel economy. Multiple PowerQuad™, AutoQuad™ and IVT™ transmissions are available, with operator stations built for comfort and control. And during Deere Season, you’ll get special financing or cash discounts.

†Manufacturer’s estimate of power (ISO) per 97/68/EC.

Osage, IA2197 Hwy 218 E(641) 732-3719

Belle Plaine, MN 1051 Old Hwy 169 Blvd

(952) 873-2224

Hollandale, MN West Hwy 251(507) 889-4221

Owatonna, MN3555 SW 18th St(507) 451-4054

Northwood, IA 806 Central Ave(641) 324-1154

NEW LOCATIONS

www.agpowerjd.com

105 to 170 hp† engines6M SERIES UTILITY TRACTORS

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105 to 210 hp† engines 6R SERIES UTILITY TRACTORS

Sam Kain, ALC, National Sales Manager 1-800-798-4509 • [email protected]

West Des Moines, Iowa

Real Estate Sales and Farm ManagementFor all of your agricultural landowner needs, contact your local land professionals.

To find out about all of FNC’s quality services, contact:

Jeanne Williams, Agent Lake Crystal, Minnesota

(507) [email protected]

www.FarmersNational.com/JeanneWilliams

Doug Bergemann, AFM Farm Manager/Agent

Austin, Minnesota(507) 420-8328

[email protected]/DouglasBergemann

www.FarmersNational.comReal Estate Sales • Auctions • Farm and Ranch Management • Appraisal • Insurance • Consultations

Oil and Gas Management • Timber Resource Management • National Hunting Leases • Lake Management • FNC Ag Stock

Lee Williams, AFM Farm Manager/AgentLake Crystal, Minnesota(507) [email protected]/LeeWilliams

Lowell GabrielAgent/AuctioneerAlden, Minnesota(507) [email protected]/LowellGabriel

Work

ing Together to85Years

Continue Your Legac

y

507-373-9000 2120 Consul St. • Albert Lea

Visit Our Website At: ww.northstarpowersports.com

OFFER ENDS APRIL 30TH!

Farming in the

HEARTLAND

Documents

Farming in the Heartland Spring 2015