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| Friends and Neighbors, Minnesota has a long agricultural tradition. We are blessed with fertile soil and a climate well-suited for agriculture. We also have an amazing legacy of family farms – over 85% of farms here are small individual or family-owned operations. These farms are pillars of rural communities and represent our agricultural heritage. State Fair and Farm Bureau Recognitions Among these family farms, some very special ones have been worked continuously by the same families for over 100 years, some for more than 150 years. These historic farms are honored by the State Fair and Farm Bureau with Century Farm and Sesquicentennial Farm awards. The Sesquicentennial Farm designation is reserved for a rare and special group of farms that have remained in the same family for 150 years or more. To qualify, the farm must be at least 50 acres in size and actively involved in agricultural production. Just imagine – these families have nurtured the same land through the Civil War era, two World Wars, the Great Depression, and every other national and global event over the past century and a half. I’d like to congratulate 2 farms in Chisago County that have been in operation since 1873 – Medin Farms in Center City and the farm of David C & Virginia K Johnson from Lindstrom. Century farms have been in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years and encompass 50 acres or more. Receiving the Century Farm honor is a momentous achievement, signifying a family’s commitment to preserving their land and way of life across multiple generations. Since the program began back in 1976, over 11,000 Minnesota farms have earned this distinguished recognition. This year, one Chisago County Farm was recognized for this accomplishment – Bostrom Farm in Taylors Falls has been in operation since 1911. University of MN Farm Family Recognition Program The University of Minnesota Farm Family Recognition Program honors farm families from throughout Minnesota for their significant contributions to the agriculture industry and their local communities. The Farm Family Recognition Program has honored Minnesota farmers since 1979. It is coordinated by University of Minnesota Extension, the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine. Our district was well represented at FarmFest in Redwood County this year (Aug. 1st through Aug. 3rd) with one farm from both Chisago and Isanti Counties. Congratulation to May Family Farms from Chisago County and to Steve & Sandy Clemons from Isanti County for earning this honorable recognition. Please congratulate these farm families. They have cared for their land throughout history. They inspire us all. They show farms can thrive for generations with dedication. We celebrate their past success and wish them prosperity in the future! Continuing the Tradition If you are currently operating a farm or know someone who is just beginning the life of farming, here are some helpful links that can aid in funding or serve as a good source of information: * The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the AGRI Livestock Investment Grant Program. Applications are due by 4pm on Oct. 12, 2023. * The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is seeking public input as the department considers proposals for the 2024 Minnesota legislative session. There are two Zoom meetings in late August which are open to the public, as well as an option to submit written comments by September 1, 2023. This is a good opportunity to weigh in on agriculture and the food system. * The AGRI Value-Added Grant is for value-added businesses (including bioenergy producers and hemp processors) to invest in equipment. The program is intended to increase sales of Minnesota agricultural products by investing in production capacity, market diversification, and market access for value-added products. * The AGRI Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing Grant offers grants to facilitate the start-up, modernization, or expansion of meat, poultry, egg, and milk processing businesses. These grants are intended to assist local businesses start or expand in our communities. Those businesses will provide jobs, broaden the tax base, increase the number of processing options for farmers, make the food supply chain more resilient, and provide more purchasing options for consumers. Supporting Agriculture at the State Fair If you’re planning on attending the State Fair in a couple weeks (August 24th-September 4th), remember to swing through the Agriculture Building and animal barns. Whether you are winding your way through the Sheep & Goat Barn to see the peculiar ears of the Lamancha goats, stampeding down the aisles of the Equine Barn to see the magnificent Clydesdales, or rooting your way through the crowd to see fresh piglets in the Swine Barn, you’ll see numerous young folks tending to the animals and completing chores related to the exhibits. Be sure to encourage them and tell them you appreciate what they’re doing because they are the next generation of Minnesota farmers. As the last few weeks of summer approach us, I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had during the interim to get out and meet many of you at our community events or chat over coffee to talk about important topics on your mind. But the summer isn’t over yet! Please, don’t ever hesitate to reach out to me about your ideas and to share inspiration through your vision of how you see the Chisago/Isanti area. Working together is how we make this community our Home and the great state of Minnesota prosper. Until next time – see you at the fair! |
| Sincerely, Mark |