Friends and neighbors,
In the aftermath of the assassination attempt at the Pennsylvania rally, my prayers are with former President Trump, the innocent victims and their families, and our Nation. This tragic event has deeply affected us all, and it is now time for us to come together as Americans and reflect on our shared values.
Congratulations to our local Farm Families of the Year recipient!
Since 1979, the University of Minnesota Farm Family Recognition Program has honored farm families from each county for their meaningful contributions to the agriculture industry and their local communities. Recently, the University of Minnesota announced the 2024 Farm Families of the Year.
In our community, Duske Dairy is this year’s Wright County award recipient. Garret and Amber are the third generation of the family to farm their land in Wright County, and Duske Dairy is home to a 120-cow dairy herd milked in a tie-stall barn. The family also has a 300-head feeder cattle operation, and they are slowly building their beef herd. They also raise corn, soybeans and alfalfa on the farm.
Congratulations to Duske Dairy on this prestigious award! Our family farms are the foundation of our state’s flourishing agricultural economy. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to our community and state!
Traditionally, the Wright County Fair honors these families, which is scheduled for July 24 through July 28, 2024. This event has a longstanding tradition of acknowledging the significant contributions of “Wright County Farm Families” to the food network, not just within the county, but across the state, our nation, and globally. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their vital role in agriculture.
Families will also receive recognition at Farmfest in Redwood County, and this year’s Farm Family of the Year Recognition Ceremony will take place on Thursday, Aug. 8. If you plan on attending Farmfest, I invite you to stop by and congratulate them!
Road Construction Tour in St. Michael
On Monday, July 15, I had the opportunity to join the Concrete Paving Association of Minnesota for a road construction tour in St. Michael!
During the tour, I learned that the standard concrete for roads is 7 inches thick. This project, however, opted for 8 inches to increase longevity by up to 70 years, compared to the usual 30-35 years.
Additionally, other states like Missouri and Illinois come to Minnesota to learn our techniques for building durable highways, particularly because of our challenging weather. Two more states are also visiting to see how Minnesota’s Department of Transportation and its partners achieve this.
It was so interesting to learn more about how concrete fits into the larger transportation policy landscape!
Sincerely,
Bruce Anderson