Inside:

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IS DUE JUNE 20.**We accept Visa, Discover

& Mastercard.

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Day or Night1-888-884-3887

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Page 2• Minutes• Kory Johnson, Manager “Let Your Voice Be Heard”Page 3• Carl Henning, Safety “Know What’s Below”• Page 4• Guest Columnist Derrick Moe, CEO of MREA• GRE Solar ProjectPage 5• Energy SavingsPage 6• Tom Hoff man - Teaching Children About Electricity• Smart Kids WorksheetPage 19• Classifi edsPage 20• Elec ons at Annual Mee ng• Compact Fluorescent Coupon

Agralite Electric Cooperative • Benson, MN 56215 • 843-4150 or 1-800-950-8375

Election, cont. page 16

Volume LXXIII • JUNE 2014

Scholarship, cont. page 3

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Agralite Electric Cooperative • Benson MN 56215 • 843 4150

Volume LXXIII • JUNE 2014Volume LXXIII • JUNE 2014Volume LXXIII • JUNE 2014

AgraliteAgralite News NewsThe 75th annual meeting of Agralite

Electric Cooperative was a success! This year brought a full house to the Benson school for our members to hear updates about their electric cooperative. A spe-cial thank you goes to the Stevens Coun-ty Pork Producers who grilled. They did a great job again this year preparing the meat, thanks to Doug and the crew! The Agralite employees served the meal with the help of the Benson School Food Ser-vice Staff. Also the members were treated to a concert by Kathy Weckwerth, Exec-utive Director of Best Life Ministries. Kathy preformed a number of crowd fa-vorites and gospel songs to the delight of the audience.

General Manager Korwin Johnson re-ported on the 2013 audit performed by the EideBailly Company. The coopera-tive ended the year 2013 with operating margins, of $824,013 and total margins of $1,694,046. Total utility plant for coop-erative was reported to be $59,492,890 at 2013 year end. Total assets and liabilities equaled $46,428,214 for the period ending December, 2013. The fi nancial report was approved by the membership.

Board President Eldon Knutson report-ed to the membership that 2013 was a good year for the cooperative. Also, Eldon recognized special guests and retired di-rectors to the annual meeting. Eldon rec-ognized three employees who have retired this past year, Dave Odden, Lois Brandt, and Leroy Cluever. Special recognition was given to Annette Stelzig for her time of service on the board of directors of the cooperative.

For the manager’s report, Johnson spoke

about the history of the cooperative and the struggles that the leaders faced in estab-lishing the cooperative and bringing electric power to the rural ar-eas we currently serve. He talked about the fact that Agralite Elec-tric Cooperative is the result of a merger of Stevens-Bigstone Cooperative Power Association and Swift Electric Cooperative. How this fl edgling co-operative has grown from the fi rst line con-struction contracts that would build lines to serve just over 600 members to a co-operative today with over 2,400 miles of line serving 5,441 meters across the four county area.

Manager Johnson also spoke about is-sues that are of concern to the cooperative as we enter the next 75 years. The rules proposed by EPA are of concern as they will affect the cost of electricity and poten-tially impact the reliability of electric ser-vice. The levels that are proposed in these rules are beyond what is capable with ex-isting technologies today. Agralite’s cur-rent wholesale mix of power includes 30% renewable energy today, including our hydro allocation and our other renewable sources. He urged members to return the Action Coop post cards.

Annual Meeting, cont. p. 20

Congratulations to Chelsey Ehleringer of Morris Area High School and Joe Eix of Ben-son High School who were awarded schol-arships by Agralite Electric Cooperative on behalf of Basin Electric Power Cooperative.

This scholarship is part of the program administered by Basin Electric Power Coop-erative, a wholesale power supplier to more than 130 electric cooperatives in nine states, including Agralite Electric Cooperative. Ba-sin Electric’s scholarship program began in 1990 and is considered an investment in the economic future of rural areas. Each year Agralite solicits scholarship applications from throughout our service area and selects one outstanding young person to receive this award. This scholarship recognizes Chelsey’s academic and community achieve-ments. Chelsey is the daughter of Dan and Laura Ehleringer of Morris.

Joe Eix is the son of Laurie and Steve Eix of Benson. This scholarship, funded by Basin Electric, is designated to a dependent of an employee of a member cooperative.

Agralite Electric Cooperative and Basin Electric Award Scholarships

Joe Eix

Annual Meeting message: plans for the next 75 years

Agralite offi ces will be closed Friday, July 4th

At the June 2nd annual meeting of the cooperative, Orvin Gronseth and Warren Rau were re-elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the cooperative. Also, Andrea Thomson, was elected to fi ll the seat of retiring director, Annette Stelzig.

I would like to congratulate Andrea on her election to the board! Andrea lives in rural Benson. I will look forward to working with Andrea as she joins the board bringing a new perspective to the board of directors.

Also, thank you to Annette Stelzig for her service as a board member. Annette served as director, representing District 6 on the board for the past 15 years. Over the past 6 years as general manager I have very much appreciated Annette’s insightful and thoughtful comments. Annette dedicated herself to understand the workings of an electric cooperative and how many of these complicated proposals from Washington would potentially affect the mem-bership of Agralite. Annette was also the fi rst director of the cooperative to obtain her Board Leadership Certifi cation (BLC) from the Na-tional Rural Electric Cooperative Association. The purpose of the BLC courses enables directors to stay current on such important issues as power supply, regulatory requirements, and environmental issues.

Election results

Andrea Thom-son is the new Dis-trict 6 director for the Agralite board. The election took place at the Annual Meeting on June 2.

Annette Stelzig served as director, repre-senting District 6 on the board for the past 15 years. Most recently she was Secre-tary-Treasurer.

Chelsey Ehleringer

AGRALITE NEWS JUNE 2014PAGE 2

A Report to Patrons From the Board RoomMinutes of Meeting • Board of Directors • MAY 29, 2014

MINUTES OF MEETINGBOARD OF DIRECTORS

MAY, 2014

Board Chairman Eldon Knutson called a meeting of the Board of Directors of Agralite Electric Cooperative to order at 8:30 a.m., May 29, 2014. All members of the Board were present. Kory introduced Marissa Thompson, the new Executive Assistant, to the board of directors. The agenda, minutes of the last meeting, the monthly disbursements, and payment of capital credits of deceased members were approved.

Jennifer Stryhn, Manager of Finance, discussed Agralite’s margins. The 2013 Capital Credit Allocation was calculated and printed on the electric bills in May. The Capital Credit Refund checks will be distributed at the annual meeting. Refunds that were less than $10.00 will be applied to the member’s bill in June.

Jennifer reported that she has been working with EideBailly on gathering

Manager Kory Johnson

information so they can continue working on the 2013 990 Returns, working on the NRECA Benefi t audit, and has also been working with Bank of the West on security measures to better protect the Cooperative from fraud with Check Positive Pay.

Jennifer brought forth Work Order #413 and Special Equipment Summaries and the Board approved them.

Tom Hoffman, Manager of Engineering & Operations, discussed his department’s activities. The project along C.R. #6 is complete and Jacob Pillatzki and Morgan Staton have been hired as summer help to start in May. He also reported on the damaged facilities since the spring planting season began.

Tom gave the Safety Report.

Director Rau discussed Safety Meeting topics.

Director Gronseth and Director Stelzig

attended the STAR Board Meeting on April 29th and discussed matters from this meeting.

The East River video was shown.

The Great River Energy video was shown.

The fi nancials were given by Kory with a PowerPoint presentation.

Kory Johnson, General Manager, discussed the NRECA Legislative Conference and the GRE Manager’s meetings that he attended. He reported that this will be the fi rst time a President has made an announcement on EPA rules. Kory stated that Dave Johnson gave his letter of intent and will be retiring.

The June board meeting was set for the 26th.

Being no further business came before the Board, the meeting was adjourned.

www.agralite.coop

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& TWITTER

Agralite Electric CooperativeOffi ce Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday

320-843-4150 or 1-800-950-8375The Agralite News is circulated every third Friday of each month

by Agralite Electric Cooperative.Editor - LeRoy ClueverPublisher - Swift County Monitor NewsPostmaster send address changes to:Agralite Electric Cooperative, P.O. Box 228, Benson, MN 56215Second class postage, paid at 320 East Highway 12, Benson, MN 56215 (USPS 543-040)

Let YourVoice Be Heard!

A service ofAgralite Electric

Cooperative1-800-950-8375

Live alone without being alone

Medical alert response with the touch of a button --If you need assistance just press a button worn on your wrist or around your neck. The response center will send someone you trust to help you.

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Thank you for attending the annual meeting earlier this month. I truly en-joy the opportunity to welcome many of our member-owners to this event.

The day of our annual meeting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) release proposed rules on CO2 emission levels that will be permitted from existing power plants.

According to Joanne Emerson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooper-ative Association, EPA’s plan would set CO2 reduction goals for each state by 2030, with an “interim goal” in 2025 based on what EPA believes each state could achieve in four areas: 1) improv-ing the effi ciency of existing coal plants, 2) displacing coal with “underutilized” natural gas generation, 3) increasing use of nuclear and renewable sources, and 4) signifi cant end-use energy effi -ciency improvements.

We believe that EPA can only set a standard based on what can be done at an actual fossil-fuel based power plant,

but EPA has gone “outside the fence” of the power plants in setting these stan-dards. While EPA gives states substan-tial fl exibility in developing plans to meet the standards (a good thing), the standards themselves aren’t equitable and will present signifi cant challenges and costs to some states, while others will have a less-diffi cult time.

EPA did grant our request for a 120-day comment period, which will help provide us the time we need to thor-oughly analyze the rule and respond to it when comments are due in mid-Oc-tober.

(The 120-day clock begins when the rule is formally published in the Federal Register, which has not yet happened.) We’ll continue to evaluate the impacts of the 645-page proposal, as well as the 1,000 or so pages of technical support-ing documents and spreadsheets.

The EPA is expected to issue a fi nal rule in June 2015, and then states will have up to three years to send their

plans for EPA review. Compliance with the rule will begin in 2020.

As you can see by the comments by Joanne Emerson these are very com-plicated proposed rules. Our goal as a cooperative is balancing the responsi-bility of delivering reliable power at a reasonable price and to continue to be good stewards of our environment. At this time I don’t know what the exact outcome of these rules will be but I do know that the proposals will come at a very steep cost and these costs will fall on our members.

Stay tuned in coming months for more information concerning these pro-posed rules. Also take time to fi ll out the “Cooperative Action Network” card or go on the web to ACTION.COOP and express your concern about the ris-ing costs of energy. Let our voice be heard!

Our goal as a cooperative is balanc-ing the responsibility of delivering reliable power at a reasonable price and to continue to be good stewards of our environment.

AGRALITE NEWS PAGE 3JUNE 2014

Come on over to Smarthub

Go to www.agralite.coop and click on the Smarthub logo to sign up for Smarthub.

• Save Time - it’s convenient!• Make payments on line• Set up Autopay for your account• Check usage for the past month or year• Make a payment when you are not home• Check present and past billing amount• Communicate with billing via ‘contact us’

The smart way to pay your Agralite bill each month.

Scholarship, Cont. from p. 1

Safety: Carl HenningCLCP, Safety Coordinator

LogOn:

Each year dependents of member cooperative employees submit applications to the Basin Electric Selection Committee. This committee then selects the top applicants and awards these scholarships.

Basin Electric is a consumer-owned, regional cooperative headquartered in Bismarck, ND. It generates and transmits electricity to more than 130 member rural electric sys-tems, including your electric cooperative, in nine states: Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. These member systems distribute electricity to about 2.8 million consumers.

Know What’s Below: Call Before You Dig

Whether it’s a dreamed up deck addition or a landscaping masterpiece, summer weather is a great time for outdoor improvement plans to actually play out.

If your planned projects include digging, like planting a tree or bringing in a backhoe for trench work, you’ll have to wait a few more days so the job can be done safely. Underground utilities, such as buried gas, water, and electric lines, can be a shovel thrust away from turning a summer project into a disaster.

To fi nd out where utility lines run on your property, dial 811 from anywhere in the country a few days prior to digging. Your call will be routed to a local “one call” center. Tell the operator where you’re planning to dig and what type of work you will be doing, and affected local utilities will be notifi ed.

In a few days, a locator will arrive to designate the approximate location of any underground lines, pipes, and cables with fl ags or marking paint so you’ll know what’s below. Then the safe digging can begin.

Although many homeowners tackling do-it-yourself digging projects are aware of “Call Before You Dig” services, the majority don’t take advantage of the ser-vice. (A national survey showed that only 33 percent of homeowners called to have their lines marked before starting digging projects, according to the Common Ground Alliance, a federally mandated group of underground utility and damage prevention industry professionals.)

Although light gardening typically doesn’t call for deep digging, other seeming-ly simple tasks like planting shrubs or installing a new mailbox post can damage utility lines. A severed line can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, harm diggers, and potentially result in fi nes and repair costs.

Never assume the location or depth of underground utility lines. The 811 service is free, prevents the inconvenience of having utilities interrupted, and can help you avoid serious injury. For more information about local services, visit www.call811.com.

Sources: Common Ground Alliance, SafeElectricity.org

What & Where to PlantPaying attention to what and where

you’re planting can improve your proper-ty and minimize the chance of power line damage, the need for costly pruning, and prevent power outages for you and your community.

The keys to remember are height and location.

First, do not plant climbing vines near power poles or guy wires, and do not plant shrubs or vines within 3’ to the side of, or 12’ in front of, ground-mount-ed transformer boxes. Plan for plants to grow and still meet the clearance require-ments at maturity.

Second, because trees grow and mature to different heights, pay special attention to where you plant each specifi c type in relation to power lines and poles. For ex-ample:

In areas near power lines, trees that mature to 20’ or less in height are ideal, such as Dogwoods and Crape Myrtles.

Trees that mature to 40’ or less, such as Birches and Spruces, need to be locat-ed 30’ from utility poles.

Trees that mature to 60’ or more and have wide canopies, such as Oaks and Elms, need to be planted 65’ from utility poles.

SafeDigging

Facts & MythsMyth: If it is not raining, there is no danger from lightning.Fact: Lightning often strikes far from heavy rainfall. It may occur as far as ten miles

away from any rainfall.

Myth: Rubber soles on shoes or rubber tires on a car will protect your from being injured by lightning

Fact: Rubber provides no protection from lightning. However, the steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides some protection if you are not touching metal.

Myth: People struck by lightning carry an electrical charge and should not be touched.Fact: Lightning victims carry no electrical charge and should be attended to imme-

diately

Myth: Heat lightning occurs on very hot summer days and poses no threat.Fact: What is referred to as “heat lightning” is actually lightning from a thunderstorm

too far away for thunder to be heard. However, the storm may be moving in your di-rection.

LightningEvery thunderstorm produces

lightning!Lightning kills about 100 Americans

each year — more than tornadoes — and causes about 300 injuries.

Lightning Safety Tips NO PLACE outside is safe when

thunderstorms are in the area! If you hear thunder, lightning is

close enough to strike you. When you hear thunder, immedi-

ately move to safe shelter: a substantial building with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with windows up.

Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder.

Indoor Lightning Safety Stay off corded phones, computers

and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity.

Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets.

Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.

Do not lie on concrete fl oors, and do not lean against concrete walls.

Last Resort Outdoor Risk Reduction Tips

If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby the following actions may reduce your risk:

Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks

Never lie fl at on the ground Never shelter under an isolated tree Never use a cliff or rocky overhang

for shelter Immediately get out and away from

ponds, lakes and other bodies of water Stay away from objects that conduct

electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.)

Transformer Box

AGRALITE NEWSPAGE 4 JUNE 2014

(Allow at least 2 working days for crews to mark all underground utility lines.)

IT’S FREE!

Call before you dig!

1-800-252-1166

Agralite Electric Cooperative announces the“Recipe Corner “

Here is a chance for the great chefs of Agralite to share their creations with other readers. Let us see what tempt-ing treats you have to share with everyone. What favorite family recipes are on the menu this evening? All members

of the cooperative are encouraged to participate.

Each member may submit one recipe per month.

The recipes selected each month will receive a $5 credit on their electric bill.

Submit your recipe to mthompson@agralite.com or mail to:

Agralite Electric Cooperative320 East Highway 12

PO Box 228Benson, MN 56215

As construction continues on a solar photovoltaic array at Great River Ener-gy’s headquarters site in Maple Grove, Minn., the cooperative has additional projects in the works throughout the state.

Several panels are already in place at the Maple Grove installation, which is scheduled to be completed this month. The array will have an electric generation capacity of 250 kilowatts (kW). Perhaps more importantly, however, the proj-ect will help Great River Energy and its member cooperatives become more fa-miliar with solar technology.

“These projects are teaching us and our members a lot about how solar per-forms and what it takes to plan, fi nance and execute a solar project,” said Great River Energy Senior Engineering Project Manager Andy Bergrud. “We are learning a lot about the industry in general with this effort.”

The headquarters project will measure the performance of different panel tech-nologies, assess the benefi ts of a vari-ety of inverters, and document lessons learned while designing, permitting and installing the solar array.

Great River Energy is also working with its member cooperatives to identify potential sites for 20-kilowatt solar instal-lations in their communities. Site identifi -cation, material procurement and design will take place in the coming months on as many as 18 installations. Construction will begin this summer and all of the fa-cilities are expected to be in service by fall of 2015.

Cooperatives contribute to national solar studyIn support of the U.S. Department of

Energy SunShot Initiative’s goal to en-able large-scale deployment of solar en-ergy technologies without subsidies, Col-orado’s Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) received funding to test new solar busi-ness models that benefi t utilities, custom-ers and solar providers.

Great River Energy along with member cooperatives Dakota Electric Association of Farmington, Minn., and Steele Wase-ca Cooperative Electric of Owatonna, Minn., were selected to participate in the RMI study. The project seeks to optimize the value of solar technology while mini-mizing costs for the benefi t of cooperative members. The project is expected to con-clude in late 2014, and the fi ndings will be shared with utilities across the country.

Statewide solar ambitionsConnexus Energy recently announced

plans for SolarWise, a 245-kilowatt com-munity solar project. With 792 panels, it is believed to be the biggest community solar project in Minnesota. The panels will soon be available for members to purchase. The community solar site is ad-jacent to the Connexus Energy building in Ramsey, Minn.

Community solar projects were recent-ly completed by Lake Region Electric Cooperative of Pelican Rapids, Minn., and Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Elec-tric Association of Rockford, Minn.

Great River Energy provides wholesale electric service to 28 distribution cooperatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Those member cooperatives (including Agralite) distribute electricity to more than 650,000 member con-sumers.

Solar project progresses for Great River Energy

Construction on a 250-kilowatt solar array at Great River Energy’s headquar-ters building is expected to be completed this month.

Getting our message heard amidst the noise surrounding the issue of car-bon requires unity and focus. June 2 brought the much-anticipated release of the EPA’s proposed rules for limiting carbon emissions from existing power plants, referred to as “Section 111(d)” regulations. The authority underpin-ning the EPA’s regulations limiting CO2 for existing power plants is de-rived from Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act.

The proposed regulations are com-plex, weighing in at 645 pages, and are still being reviewed by MREA and our members. The EPA has indicated they will result in a 30% reduction in car-bon emissions from power production across the country when measured be-tween 2005 and 2030. However, each state has been given a target for reduc-ing carbon emissions from electric gen-erators located within its boundaries by 2030. Those goals include a Minnesota target of a 40.6% reduction, a North Dakota target of a 10.6% reduction, and a Wisconsin target of 34.2% reduction, as measured against carbon emission rates in 2012. These targets apply to the state as a whole; the proposal does not set out limits on individual power plants. There appears to be a signifi cant amount of fl exibility left to each state in developing and implementing a plan to achieve these targets. To what degree steps taken prior to 2012 can be con-sidered in getting to the targets is not immediately clear.

The EPA set a gloomy precedent by proposing rules in September of 2013 for new power plants that would make it impossible to build new coal plants without a carbon capture and seques-tration (CCS) system. The Great Plains Synfuels Plant, owned by Dakota Gas-

ifi cation Company, a subsidiary of Ba-sin Electric, converts coal to gasses and liquids and has successfully shipped CO2 to the world’s largest carbon cap-ture and storage project in the oil fi elds of Saskatchewan, Canada. (Technically, the carbon capture occurs at the plant. It’s the storage that takes place in the oil fi elds of Saskatchewan.) However, this is a rare example of a commercially successful CCS application. Numerous technical and legal obstacles must be overcome before CCS could be wide-ly applied. This limitation, along with numerous additional regulatory and economic factors, makes the prospects for building new coal plants daunting indeed.

With the release of the proposed rules on June 2, the regulatory push turns to coal plants already built, producing power, and being paid for within our ex-isting rates. Rural electric cooperatives around the nation are heavily invested in coal, due in part to the build out of a substantial portion of our generation fl eet during the period covered by the Power plant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978, which prohibited building new natural gas plants. According to Energy Information Administration (EIA) data, cooperatives across the nation rely on coal for 58% of their energy, compared to 45% of the electric industry as a whole.

Plant owners have installed emis-sions control technology to reduce a wide range of pollutants. Unfortunately, technology doesn’t exist to “scrub car-bon” from a plant’s emissions. There-fore, analyzing what steps are available for plant owners to respond to the rules will be major cause for concern and dis-cussion.

The rules unveiled June 2 are pro-

New rules put pressure on coal plants, rural co-ops

Rules, cont. page 19

AGRALITE NEWS PAGE 5JUNE 2014

Agralite offers the most energy effi cient securi-ty light available, a 100

Watt High Pressure Sodium security light to meet your outdoor light-

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MIXING VALVEAn anti-scald device blends hot water with cold

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BETTER INSULATION2.5 inches of foam insulation minimizes stand-

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Closing the blinds and turning up the thermostat just 10° to 15° as you walk out the door can shave a lot off your electric bill this summer.

Trees not only improve your land-scaping and help the planet; they can also contribute to saving energy on your heating and cooling bill.

Clean your vents and seal ducts properly to improve effi ciency by up to 20 percent.*

Installing a smart thermostat is a small investment, but quickly turns to huge savings and a warmer home.

Ensuring your vents can fl ow freely, replacing your furnace fi lter and prop-erly sealing windows and fi replaces are just a few simple ways you can save.

Prevent heat loss by sealing your attic door with gasketing or weather-stripping and be sure it’s insulated. Up to 15% of a home’s heat loss can be attributed to an improperly sealed attic entrance.

Consider buying a programmable thermostat. These handy devices allow you to more effectively heat and cool your home and they also help to lower utility bills.

Turning down your heat a few

degrees, when the temperature starts to dip, is one simple step to savings. Lowering the thermostat by just one degree can save up to 3% in electricity costs for heating.

A clean home is an energy effi cient home! Clean off your baseboard heat-ers and vents to improve air fl ow and reduce your energy use.

Installing foam gaskets is an easy, affordable way to close off electric outlets that allow air to enter and exit the home.

Strategically planting trees and shrubs to shade your home can save you up to 35% on cooling costs. Just be sure to avoid planting near your air conditioner unit, as trees, shrubs or other plants could obstruct the sys-tem’s airfl ow.

Exhaust fans are great for circulating air in your kitchen and bathroom. Just remember to shut them off 20 minutes after you are done using them to avoid unnecessary costs.

An annual tune-up of your air con-ditioner costs on average $50 to $100. However, having your AC unit tuned-up annually can reduce your cooling costs by 5% or more.

*Information provided by ENERGY STAR®

Save on Energy Costs:Accessing your energy use after a long winter

Myth: You should turn off your ceiling fans if you’re using an air conditioner.

Busted! When used properly, ceiling fans can actu-ally help save energy by taking some of the burden off of your AC unit. First, ensure that your fan is rotating in a counterclockwise direction. This will allow the fan to better distribute the cold air created by your AC. Once you have your fan spinning in the right direction, you can raise your thermostat by as much as four degrees without feeling a difference.

AGRALITE NEWSPAGE 6 JUNE 2014

Line WorkersTom Hoffman, Manager of Engineering

Teach your children well about electrical safety

Adequate space is needed for air circulation around transformers and other electrical equipment.

Electricity is a dynamic power source. We live our lives surrounded by it, but sometimes we forget just how danger-ous electricity can be. Many home elec-trical fi res, injuries and electrocutions can be prevented when we understand and practice electrical safety. This is especially true for our youngest co-op members.

Throughout the year, not just in May during National Electrical Safety Month, Agralite Electric Cooperative offers many value-added benefi ts to help teach youngsters about electricity. Each Spring, in conjunction with a Safe-ty Campaign, Agralite sends employees to the area schools to do demonstrations on Electrical Safety. But as your child’s fi rst and most important teacher, per-haps it’s time to have a talk with your sons and daughters to reinforce those lessons.

Start at an early age, teaching them about the physical dangers associated with electrical components and how to handle electrical plugs, outlets, switch-es and other devices. Keep in mind, talking to your children about electrical safety should also include fun activi-ties and facts about the basics—what is electricity, the need to respect its pow-er and how to use it effi ciently as they study, work and play.

As we all know, kids will be kids. Getting them to show interest in some of these lessons won’t be easy. Just re-member that what your children learn from you today can be a lifesaver later

when they encounter potential hazards like downed power lines in their path, play hide-and-seek behind those big metal electrical boxes in the neighbor-hood or are tempted to clamber up a utility pole.

Gather your youngsters around the kitchen table or on the front porch—some of the best teachable moments about electrical safety can happen in and around your home. Look around. There are plenty of opportunities to demonstrate safety that are as close as the electrical outlet on your living room wall. For example, show young children how plugs work, and let them know that even if they are curious about the slits of an electrical outlet, noth-ing else should be placed inside. Each year about 2,400 children end up in the emergency room after suffering inju-ries caused by inserting objects—paper clips, pens, screws, nails, forks, hair pins, coins and more—into electrical receptacles. That’s about seven children a day who sustain injuries ranging from electric shock to burns.

But this isn’t the only electrical mis-hap that impacts youngsters. Our reli-ance on electronics and gadgets have left both youngsters and their parents at risk when they overcrowd electrical outlets, continue to use frayed wires, place devices near liquids or leave electronics on for long periods of time. Some of the same guidelines Agralite offers to protect adults also help protect children. We should all set good exam-

ples for our youngsters.I recently found an informational

video online that describe the hazards of electricity from a lineman’s per-spective. The video was made in 1957, and is defi nitely dated but the message is still effective today. “It is titled My Pop’s a Lineman” and can be found by doing a search for the title on YouTube or Google.

As we all know, the internet can be a wealth of knowledge and can be used to supplement your lessons at home with resources galore; including those provided by Agralite. Also, the Electri-cal Safety Foundational International (www.esfi .org) is among the many na-tional organizations offering free kits, videos and interactive online tools that make learning and practicing electrical safety fun for you and your children. And as they grow older, remember to keep teaching them about the power of electricity and how to use it safely.

B. Denise Hawkins writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association,

the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profi t electric cooperatives.

Name: __________________________ Date: ________

1. You can move faster than electricity can. (True or False)

2. Circle three objects from the list below that conduct electricity:an aluminum ladder lineman’s rubber glovesa copper wire a metal bencha fiberglass ladder a glass insulator

What these objects have in common is that they are made of

_________________________________________________________________

3. Insulators are important for safety around electricity because

_________________________________________________________________

4. Plugging too many things into an outlet can overload it and cause

_________________________________________________________________

5. Guess whether the power lines to your building are overhead or underground. Nowlook outside. Were you right?

6. Use the following three items—a D battery, a light bulb, and two pieces of wire—to draw a complete electric circuit that will allow the bulb to light up.

The Travels of Electricity

kidskidse-STUDENT WORKSHEET

See answers, page 16

Enter for a chance to win a $500 energy credit

Due to the presence of mercury, CFLs must be recycled. In Minnesota, it is illegal to place them directly in the garbage.

Promotion runs from April 1 – August 31, 2014. To learn more, visit www.energywisemn.com.

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PAGE 7JUNE 2014 AGRALITE NEWS

By Kent ThiesseFarm Management Analyst & Vice President MinnStar Bank Lake Crystal

Focus On Ag

Dairy, Cont. p. 8

Stevens County is fastestgrowing area for dairy

Auctioneers & Clerks:Brown & Baker Auction Co., Appleton, MN & Buffalo Gap, SD

John Baker - 76-11- (320) 760-0478 • (605) 833-2020Merlyn Siegfried - Watertown, SD - 605-868-9266

Jeff Enquist – Stockholm, SD - 06-43 - (605) 880-2476www.brownandbaker.com

NOTICE: Buyers are responsible for their own items after purchasing. As between auctioneers, clerks and buyers all items are sold “AS IS” and the entire risk as to the qualityand performance of the product is with the “BUYER.” The auctioneers and clerks expressly disclaim all warranties either expressed or implied. The buyer acknowledges beingso informed prior sale. Announcements day of sale take precedence over printed material.

WWI & WWII ItemsMany Books, Newspapers, Literature 1941 Soldierʼs HandbookWWI HelmetsWWII German HelmetWWII Army Corporal JacketU.S. Regulation Bugle (No Mouth Piece)Military Bullet Proof VestOther Miscellaneous

Firearms • Hunting• Ammo • Fishing

A Select Number of Rifles (some Military) to beListed on brownandbaker.com

38 Cal XL Bull Dog Pistol (Non-Fire)38 Cal. The American Double Action PistolRemington, Peters, Hercules Ammo BoxesSmall Firearm PartsTrapper, Hunting & Firearms BooksSmall Amount Of Ammo.: 22 Cal. 12 Ga. Slugs, 1

Box Winchester 30-30” 76 BicentennialSpearing Decoys & Fishing LuresOther Miscellaneous Including Knives

Other CollectiblesNumerous Belt Buckles: Remington, 1983 NFR

25th Anniversary, 1985 NFR Hesston & ManyOthers

Costume JewelryCast Iron – Cookware, Implement Seats, School

BellHorse Tack & Saddles – 2 Old Calvary Type

Saddles (Not US Marked)Western Youth Saddle (Good Cond.)Collars, Hames, Eveners, Neck Yokes, Small

Driving Harness (Parts)Glassware Incl: Approx. 100 Pheasant Glasses & 2

PitchersNumerous Blue Fruit Jars w/Glass Lids, Pint,

Quart, 2 QuartPitcher, BowlsLots Of Fire King (Green)Dishes, Cookie JarsClocks – Case Clock, Mantel Clocks (Need Repair)Old Vehicle Clocks & Hub CapsCopper Boiler & Copper PailNumerous Antique Wooden Wall Telephones

(Some Not Complete)Vehicle Hood Ornament (Chevy 1929-1931)Numerous VHS Tapes – Military & OthersOld Milk BottlesRecords, 8 Track Tapes, Cassette TapesMany Tools Both Collectible & UseableSports MemorabiliaEvinrude Elto Outboard Motor 4203-02896 – SN4 Canada Goose Decoys (Leather & Straw)Several Wooden Duck

DecoysPictures, Prints, Old

Art & PictureFrames

Glass Top For VisibleFuel Pump 26”

Phillips Glass ForGas Pump Globes

3 Native American Hammers & Other RocksSeveral Kerosene Lamps & LanternsOil Cans & Advertising MemorabiliaGlass & Wooden Butter Churns2 Small Hohner AccordiansMany Other Items Too Numerous To Mention

CommemorativesTokens • Pins

Cyrus McCormick Centennial Coins (1831-1931)Lyon Cty Centennial Coin 1870-1970 & OthersMany TokensCalendars, Thermometers, Wall HangingsSouvenir Pins, Campaign ButtonsMany Souvenir & Church Plates, &

Commemorative PlatesWatch FobsSeveral Elvis Presley Memorabilia PiecesCoca Cola ItemsMany Other Items

Signage • Lights • PhotosWinchester Metal SignOld Beer SignsBeer Lighted

SignsNew Idea LightAthletic Photos –

Boxing &Baseball

Seed Corn Signs Elvis Presley PhotoPresident PhotosMany Others

Dolls FigurinesBlack Doll In Baseball Uniform 13”Cabbage Patch DollsBeanie BabiesStuffed Figurines4 GI Joe Classics –

TuskegeeBomber (2)Fighter Pilots (2)

Many Knick KnacksMany FigurinesMany Barbie & Ken

Dolls & AccessoriesRandy Moss “Bobble Heads”

Toys • Coin BanksSeveral Jeff Gordon NASCAR 1/24” Scale In Boxes

1995, 96, 97, 2000Texaco Gearbox 1955

Chevy Models InBox

1955 Chevy Bel-Air“American Muscle”1/18”

1934 Ford 3 Window,1/24” Scale

J.D. Tractors 1/24”Scale In Boxes

Old Dump Trucks,Tonka Trucks,Adams Traveloader

CommemorativeBanks

Horse Pull Toy,Rocking Horse

Lunch Box CollectionIncl. Hardy Boys, NFL, Muppet Babies & Others

Many More Toys

Unique Wooden AntiquesAntique Immigrant

Trunk, Wren,Chippewa County

Small Roll Top DeskLarge Wooden Wood

BinChairs & Other

MiscellaneousPieces

Literature • NovelsHistory Books

Numerous Implement & Service Manuals1916 Chippewa/Lac qui Parle History By L. R.

Moyer1918 Chilton Tractor Journal1951 Thomas Register Of American Manufacturers4 Sears Catalogues (2) 1958,1948, 1942Numerous Life, County Gentleman & Other

Magazines 1920s, 1930s & 1940sComic Books – DC, Goldbey Dell 1950s Several Zane Grey Hand Cover Books 1950ʼs

“Thundering Herd (1925)“Cow Country” Will James 1927Numerous Louie Lamour Paperbacks & OthersNumerous WWII Books Incl. Kampf Umʼs Dritte

ReichNumerous Cook BooksNumerous 1940s Star Tribune

Newspapers (WWII News)1940s Field Soldiers Hand BookNancy Drew BooksMany WWII History BooksFirearm Books & Hunting

BooksRailroad LiteratureMany, Many More Collectible

Pieces Of Literature“American Wildlife” 1940, Federal Works Agency

Crocks • Stoneware PotteryRedwing CrocksWestern Crock 8 Gal.Stone Jugs, BowlsShawnee, Royal Copley, McCoy, Redwing, Hull

LunchAvailable

Not

Responsible

For

Accidents

Sale Day

No ItemsRemoved

FromPremises

Until Settled For

BiddingOnlyBy

Number

Burdell Johnson Estate

LARGE ESTATE

AUCTIONSaturday, July 12 • 9:30 A.M.

Location: Montevideo, MN – 1st St. SW & adjacent to Cup A Joe (Watch for Signage)

See Website for Additional Photos

Auction Note This will be the first of

several auctions to liqui-date the Burdell JohnsonEstate. Burdell was a col-lector of almost all classesof antiques, collectibles,memorabilia, & literature.He collected his entire life.The property for this firstauction was stored in sev-eral storage units. We willcontinue to identify thesestored collectibles untilsale day. This ad will pri-

marily categorize the types of items discovered.We will post a more specific list & more photoson our web site: brownandbaker.com

There will be a massive amount of property &much cannot be sold as individual pieces. Planto buy in 2 auction rings & in larger lots. Therewill be many old & unique items that should be ofinterest to everyone.

Note: We Will Continue To Find MoreGood Collectibles Before Sale Day.

Plan To Attend This Auction!Terms: Cash, Check,

& Visa/Mastercard Credit Cards.

Burdell Johnson

For decades in Minnesota, June has been known as Dairy Month. Following are some interesting facts and fi gures about the Dairy industry:

- The June Dairy Month promotion of dairy products has been in existence since 1939.

- There are approximately 49,000 dairy farms and nearly 500 milk processing plants in the U.S., with dairy farms in all 50 States and in Puerto Rico.

- 97 percent of U.S. dairy farms are family owned farm businesses.

- There are approximately 9.23 million dairy cows in the U.S., with the average dairy farm in the U.S. having 187 cows.

- U.S. dairy farms are producing three times more milk today, as compared to 1960, with about half the number of dairy cows, reducing the total resources needed by the dairy industry.

- The average dairy cow produces approximately 6.5 gallons of milk per day, or about 2,300 gallons of milk per year.

- It typically takes less than 48 hours for milk to reach grocery shelves from the time it leaves the dairy farm.

- The value of all milk products sold from U.S. dairy farms is nearly $37.2 billion, and the U.S dairy production and processing industry accounts for over 900,000 jobs in the U.S.

- 70 percent of the calcium needs of the U.S. population are supplied by milk and dairy products.

- A dairy farmer receives about $2.00 per gallon for milk produced, which is approximately 40-45 percent of the amount paid for milk by consumers at the grocery store.

- The U.S. dairy industry contributes less than 2 percent of the total “greenhouse gasses” into the environment, and has reduced it’s “carbon footprint” by 60 percent in past six decades.

Following are some interesting facts from the Minnesota Ag Statistics Service and the Midwest Dairy Association regarding Minnesota’s Dairy Industry:

- In 2012, there were over 3,800 Grade A dairy farms, and approximately 465,000 milk cows, in Minnesota. The number of dairy cows in Minnesota has remained fairly steady in recent years, with a slight increase in total production.

- In 2012, Minnesota ranked seventh in U.S. dairy production, producing about 8.9 billion pounds of milk, or over 1 million gallons of milk, which represents approximately 5 percent of the total U.S. milk production.

- The top fi ve dairy producing states in U.S. were California, Wisconsin, New York, Idaho, and Pennsylvania, with California producing nearly 40 billion pounds of milk per year, and Wisconsin producing over 25 billion pounds per year.

- The average production per dairy cow in Minnesota in 2012 was just under 19,000 pounds of milk per cow, which compares to a national average production of approximately 21,000 pounds of milk per cow.

- Stearns County is the top dairy producing county in Minnesota, which produces more than twice as much milk

per year as any other county in the State. Other top producing counties are Winona, Morrison, Otter Tail, Wabasha, and Goodhue.

- The fastest growing Minnesota county in dairy production is Stevens County in West Central Minnesota, due to the initiation of some larger dairy operations.

Stevens County ranked seventh in total number of dairy cows in 2012, with 18,100 cows. However, there were only eight dairy herds listed in the county, resulting in an average herd size of over 2,000 cows per farm.

- Minnesota dairy industry is the fourth largest agricultural commodity in the

state, and dairy production generates the second largest amount of annual cash receipts of all livestock species in the State, trailing only the statewide hog production for total receipts.

- The Minnesota dairy industry utilizes

AGRALITE NEWS JUNE 2014PAGE 8

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Give us a call for all your Gravel

Benson GravelKerkhoven, MN 56252

320-264-5326Sue Benson

& Stan Wagner, owners

loader work

USDA Minnesota Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Debra Crusoe reminds farmers that planted acres must be reported to FSA by July 15.

The Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm Bill) requires accurate and timely fi led acreage reports for all crops and land uses, including prevented and failed acreage as well as Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres.

“Historically acreage certifi cation has been a requirement to be eligible for USDA programs and although some federal farm program sign-ups have not yet started, timely acreage

reports submitted to your local FSA offi ce will be important to ensuring program eligibility,” said Crusoe.

Acreage reports are considered timely fi led when completed by the applicable fi nal crop reporting deadline, which may vary from state to state. Prevented acreage must

USDA: 2014 reporting of planted acreage required by July 15

about 21 percent of the corn fed to livestock in the state, or approximately 3 percent of Minnesota’s total annual corn production, and about 15 percent of the total soybean meal produced in the State, as well as a large amount of the alfalfa produced.

- Minnesota has 47 dairy processing plants located in the State, and ranks sixth in the U.S. in total cheese production.

- Minnesota’s dairy farms accounted for approximately $1.77 billion in milk sales in 2013, generating approximately $5.6 billion per year in direct economic

impact to the State, with a total economic impact of about $11.5 billion, or about $25,000 per dairy cow.

- The Minnesota dairy industry supports over 38,000 jobs in Minnesota.

The dairy industry has undergone many changes and economic challenges in the past couple of decades, but remains a very viable industry for many producers, processors, and rural communities. A strong, vibrant, and profi table dairy industry is very important toward building a healthy economic future for Minnesota.

Dairy Month, Cont. from p. 7

The University of Minnesota is getting about $103,000 in federal money to help educate farmers and ranchers about the new farm bill.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is doling out $3 million nationwide to university extension services for outreach and education on the farm legislation signed into law in February, according to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

The nearly $100 billion-a-year farm bill sets policy for hundreds of programs, ranging from farm subsidies to nutrition. New legislation usually is written every fi ve years.

“Helping farmers and ranchers understand new farm bill programs and what the programs mean for their families is one of USDA’s top priorities,” Vilsack said in a statement this week. “With the

resources we’re providing, university experts will help ensure farmers and ranchers are highly educated as they make critical decisions about new programs that impact their livelihoods. The new tools that will be developed will empower farmers and ranchers to select the plan that best fi ts their unique needs.”

The money will fund outreach meetings where producers can talk with extension agents and staff with the Farm Service Agency, which oversees federal farm programs, to get a better understanding of the new programs and their options. The meetings are to begin late this summer.

USDA also is providing $3 million for offi cials at the University of Illinois, the University of Missouri and Texas A&M to develop online tools for producers and train experts to educate farmers.

U of M to help with farm bill education

320-843-39991020 Atlantic Ave.

Benson, MN56215

Sign up for GLACIAL REWARDS at the C-Store!

www.glacialplains.com

WE CARRY

PAGE 9AGRALITE NEWSJUNE 2014

Peterson Estate

www.HughesRealEstate.netor www.MidwestAuctions.com

AUCTIONEER NOTES: This unique auction includes a collection dating back 3 generations of Petersons (Doug “Porky”, Wayne & Shirley, & their parents). Call or log on to website for many more pictures and real estate

be on time. See you at the auction. - Jesse Hughes

Antiques & Collectibles

Dentistry Items

AUCTION LOCATION:

Auction

Ammunition/Reloading/MilitarySporting Goods

Email: info@HughesRealEstate.net

Misc. /Household

Furniture

Antique Furniture

Classic Car & Parts

Real Estate to be sold Friday, June 27, 2014 at 7:00 pm

MotorcyclesShop Equip/Tools

Camper

Scrap Metal

11 1/2” Cavalry SaddleBlue Norway platesScience Lab microscope &

dissecting kitFishing lures Traps2, 3 & 6 gal Redwing crocksSinger Sewing machinePicnic baskets CamerasWatering cans Sadd IronLots of cross country skisBall jars & bottlesChild’s school deskCoffee grinderCabbage slicersAntlers & deer hidesSchatz anniversary clock

(needs work)Small round top trunkImmigrant trunks12 pc. set of Silverware, oldFull set of china FigurinesSwift Co. notary stampCigar boxes Advertising3x5 slate chalk boardSmith & Corona typewriters

Fishing luresLots of marblesToys including DisneyWood highchair Ant. toolsRecords & 8-tracksGas street lamp (large)

“White & Bagley”MUCH, MUCH MORE....

10” model 30 Jiffy ice auger

Tip-ups Rods & reelsHunting clothes & bootsColeman lantern TackleCook stove BinocularsMinnow buckets BicyclesCoolers Stihl 025 chainsaw

Ultra Sonic cleanerDentist drillScale (German)Corner Cabinets w/sink

Electronic dartboard BooksMany Cookbooks GamesPicture frames Table clothsToys (some old) LinensBedding (Hudson Bay

blankets)Western saddle/bridle, etcArtwork (some local)Lots of fabric/sewing itemsWicker baskets RoasterRosette Iron Cake decoratorBlue Fiestaware (full set)HD Kitchen Aid Mixer with

many attachmentsPressure cooker

Drop leaf tableTin pie cabinet Child’s desk(2) Oak pedestal tables (1)

92” +/- & (1) 60” +/-Misc. wood kitchen chairsSpinning wheel

China cabinet (Berkley & Gay)Barrister 3 door bookshelfMarble top end tableLarge roll top desk

Dresser DeskBeds (1 full, 1 queen

Mission, 1 king)Everett upright piano

(2) upright air compressors, (1) 5hp 60 gal, (1) 7hp 60 gal (like new)

6”/9” belt-disc sanderBattery charger SandblasterFMC wheel balancerValve grinding machineParts washer Torch cartCraftsman 2 piece tool boxHD cherry picker Floor jackMisc. hand & electric power

tools Air toolsWrenches & sockets30”x30”x6” Tru Stone Tru

Table (solid granite)MUCH, MUCH MORE....

Various scrap including aluminum, steel, titanium, elec. motors, etc.

1982 Yamaha YZ490 dirt bike1984 Yamaha XJ1100 Maxim

Vetter Fairing, stored inside, 18,841 miles

(not running) 1979 Harley Davidson

Custom Sportster

Starcraft Venture pop-up camper, sleeps 6, stove, refrig, (very clean)

Car dolly4’x8’ HD steel trailer w/sides

1969 Ford Grand Torino Cobra Jet Fastback (not running)

Ford engines, transmissions, carbs, heads, intakes - TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION - SEE WEBSITE FOR PICTURES

Guns (2) 8mm German MausersNorinco 7.62 SKSFederal Ordnance M14

(USGI Parts) S/N 7490Winchester Mod 50 Semi

Auto 12gaWinchester Mod 12 12gaRemington 870 Express

12gaReloadersMec Mod 700 reloader RCBS Progressive reloader,

45 ACP, 45 colt, 44 mag, 30 M1, 9mm dies

RCBS single press/powder measure

Reloaded Ammunition 44 mag. (650+ rounds), 45 Colt (800+ rounds)30/30, 243, & 22-250 rounds 9mm Luger (500+ rounds)12 gauge (6,7 1/2, 8, 4 shot)

(600+ rounds)

Gun PowderH380, blue & green dot, etc.

Bullets45 230/250 gram (500+);

9mm 124 gr (900) FMJ; (2) 8 lb coffee cans 30 cal FMJ

Used Brass45 Colt, 9mm, 22-250, 30-06,

223 - several pails full

PrimersOver 10,000 - lg & sm pistol,

MilitaryLarge shell casing; foot

lockers; 1915 WWI German “Pickelhaube” helmet; holster & belt

MiscellaneousParkerizing/blueing tanks w/

burners308 & 223 Go/No Go gages;

Federal Paper “Sample Shells” cut away set

4 BR, 1 1/2 BA, two story historic Benson home on

and original woodwork

double and single detached garages. See website for Real Estate information.

AGRALITE NEWS JUNE 2014PAGE 10

BENSON • 800-508-9530320-843-2610

380 Atlantic Ave., PO Box 129, Benson, MN 56215ericpete@amundsonpeterson.com

ELBOW LAKE • 800-524-6814218-685-4438

110 2nd St. NE, PO Box 973, Elbow Lake, MN 56531ryana@amundsonpeterson.com

MADISON • 800-201-1941320-598-7575

516 1st St. E., PO Box 123, Madison, MN 56256damundson@amundsonpeterson.com

MORRIS • 888-248-2011320-589-2011

23604 Hwy 9, PO Box 534, Morris, MN 56267coreyp@amundsonpeterson.com

www.amundsonpeterson.com

Hats offto OurDairy

Producers

JUNE IS DAIRY MONTHHats off to our Dairy Producers

E&M Electric, LLP

320-842-5291

Heating, AC, wiring or repair,

give E&M Electric a call!

We salute local dairy producers!

E & M Electric!

Real Estate For Sale:We sell ALL types

of property: Residential, farm, cropland,

hunting & recreational.

Time to sell?– Live auctions – Sealed bid auctions

– Conventional listings 320-815-0460

*Now member of West Central Association of Realtors & MLS.

Saluting Our Local Dairy Producers!

PAGE 11AGRALITE NEWSJUNE 2014

THINKING OF HAVING AN AUCTION?

CALL US TODAY!

320-365-4120Watch our website for more

live and online auctionswww.henslinauctions.com

TTHHHIINNNKKKIINNNGG OOFF HHAAAVVVIIINNNGGTHHIINNKKKIIINNNNGGGG OOOOFFFF HHHHAAAAVVVIIINNGG

ONLINE TOY AUCTION

Online Only Toy Auction

(60+) 1/16th JD, IH, AC & Ford Farm Toys, Approx. 20 Matchbox Cars

in the Package---------------------------------------

ATWATER, MN

Real Estate, Complete Restaurantand Bakery Equip. and Much More

THOMPSON BAKERY AND

---------------------------------------- (GREEN LAKE) SPICER, MN

Multi-Parcel Real Estate Auction

6 ParcelsOpen House/

Viewing Dates:Sat., July 5

Sun., July 13

INDIAN BEACH HARBOR, LLC

------------------------------------------ TOWER CITY, PA

Huge Sale of Grain, Potato, Packing Shed,

Trucks, Irrigation & Farm Equip.

TALLMAN FAMILY FARMS, LLC

------------------------------------------ BUFFALO LAKE, MN

Large Equipment Auction

Tractors, Combines, Farm Equip., Trucks, Trailers, Construction Equip.,

Recreational Items, Fish Houses, New Skid Steer Attachments & Much More!

AREA FARMERS, DEALERS & CONTRACTORS

------------------------------------------

MONTEVIDEO, MN

Large Semi Retirement Farm Equipment Auction

CIH STX 600 Quad Trac (loaded);

JD 8320 MFD (loaded);

65D Caterpillar Tractor;

JD DB88 Planter 48R22"; JD 9860 RWA Combine;

JD 612C 12R22" Stalk Master

Corn Head; 1400 DEMCO Track

Grain Cart; Misc. Farm Equip.

MIKE AND AMY JORGENSON

------------------------------------------ HECTOR, MN

Multi-Parcel Renville Co.

Farm Land160 Acres, More or Less

Auction to be held at:Oakdale Golf Course Clubhouse on Lake Allie, 55106 Co. Rd. 38

EVELYN ARNDT ESTATE------------------------------------------

HECTOR, MN Farm Equipment, Antiques,

Furniture, Glassware, Crockware, Farm Related Items

EVELYN ARNDT ESTATE------------------------------------------

WILLMAR, MN

Multi-Parcel Kandiyohi Co. Farm Land

180 Acres, More or LessDOUG THOMPSON, OWNER

------------------------------------------ (GREEN LAKE) SPICER, MN

High Quality Furniture, Household and Recreational

Items and FurnishingsPERRY & ERIN FORSTROM

------------------------------------------ ANDOVER, MN

Large Equipment &

Antique AuctionTractors, Farm Equip.,

Older Collectible Vehicles, Farm Primitives, Antiques

and CollectiblesWINSLOW HOLASEK,

ESTATECORINNE HOLASEK,

OWNER------------------------------------------

HECTOR, MN

Clean JD Farm Equipment Retirement

AuctionTractors, JD

Combine & Heads, Trucks, Tillage,

Livestock & Farm Equip.

& MoreMARCEL

MATHISON

----------------------------------------- LAKE LILLIAN, MN

Multi Parcel Kandiyohi Co.

Farm land & Farm Site

Land Has Been Surveyed!Auction held at: Food Garage,

Lake LillianGERALDINE JACKSON

ESTATE----------------------------------------- CANBY/MADISON, MN

Lac Qui Parle Co. Farm Land160 Acres, More or Less

MARY FERGUSON BRUTY ESTATE

----------------------------------------- SLEEPY EYE, MN

Clean JD Farm EquipmentTractors, JD Combine & Heads, Trucks, Tillage

Equipment, Shop Tools and Much More

DEAN & CARLA MOLL

----------------------------------------- SLEEPY EYE, MN

Real Estate

AuctionBeautiful

3 BR, 4 Bath, Executive

Open House/Viewing Dates:

DEAN & CARLA MOLL

-----------------------------------------

PRINSBURG, MN

Live Fun AuctionCENTRAL MINNESOTA

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS ANNUAL FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL

----------------------------------------- OLIVIA, MN

Real Estate, Nice Home located on Large Corner Lot w/2 Stall

Attached Garage.

Also selling Furniture, Trojan Seed Co. Items,

Electric Golf Cart & Much MoreOpen House/Viewing Dates:

ARLIS SHOCKLEY, OWNER

------------------------------------------ WILLMAR, MN

Large Late Model Farm Equipment.This equip-ment is like

new, majority bought brand new with very

low hours!

(320) 365-4120LA DON HENSLIN ALLEN HENSLIN

BRAD DALLMANNLEFTY NORLINGFRANK ROERING

MITCHELL SIEMERSMARK MOLENAARCODY JOHNSON

Style Home

DOUG THOMPSON

AGRALITE NEWS JUNE 2014PAGE 12

GRAVEL PRODUCTS/EXCAVATION

or call: Burton Amundson 320-843-4068

• CRUSHED ROAD GRAVEL• PIT RUN FILL• ROCK OF VARIOUS SIZES

Delivered to your site!

Call ROBERT ANDERSONfor all your

excavation needsIncluding: Site Prep.,Ditching & Demolition

• Toll Free: 888-955-9885• Evenings 320-843-3989

• GENERALEXCAVATING

• Cell 320-808-9885

Amberg RenewablesRENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS320-324-2566 • Cell 320-760-0448 www.AmbergRewnewableEnergy.com 53972 HWY. 28, Alberta, MN 56207

Bergey Wind Power• 10kw Wind Turbine w/ E-Z Up

Folding Tower

Dakota Turbine• 30kw Wind Turbine w/ E-Z Up

Folding Tower

Solar Skies• Solar Hot Water & Heating Systems

E-Z Sunport • Solar Support Structure

RReal• Solar Furnace Warm Air Heating

System

All Sun Tracker

• Solar Electric PV Tracker

Wood Master

• Outdoor Wood Stoves’

E-Z Up Folding Tower

• 120’ Folding Tower

• Can be custom built for alternative uses

SALES - INSTALLATION - SERVICE

R00

1983

205

SAVING YOUR WALLETfrom your old cooling system.

Bryant Bonus is going on now.*

Save up to $775!

Kerkhoven Ph. 264-3121

Give us a call for all

your...

*Save now throughJuly 15, 2014.

*

Even though harvest season is months away, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) is encouraging farmers to plan ahead for their propane needs.

Last winter, farmers and homeowners were hit hard by a propane shortage caused by a winter with 64 days of below zero temperatures, record propane exports and the closing of the Cochin pipeline.

For more than 30 years the Kinder Morgan Cochin pipeline provided propane to the bulk storage tank facility along U.S. Highway 12. But now the company is no longer carrying propane through the pipeline. The last load was supplied in April. Facilities in southern Minnesota and North Dakota that were also supplied by the pipeline have been left scrambling to fi nd an alternative way to get propane, or are closing down.

Rather than carrying propane south from Canada, the pipeline is now transporting approximately 95,000 barrels per day of a light condensate north that will be mixed with thick tar sands oil. The diluted mixture will be able to be shipped through other pipelines.

Benson’s facility is one of the fortunate ones along the Cochin pipeline in that it is adjacent to a rail line. In September, Alliance Energy of Murdock signed an agreement with Kinder Morgan for the purchase of its tank storage site and said it planned to invest $4 million into the facility to allow it to be resupplied by rail. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) tracks run just to the north of the property.

With its facility near Benson no longer needed for storage, Kinder Morgan sold it.

At its June 2 meeting, the Swift County board of commissioners approved a conditional use permit to allow the construction of a spur line for propane rail cars and for a propane off-loading facility.

MCGA staff have been meeting with industry representatives and state agencies who are working on strategies to try and prevent a similar propane shortage this coming fall and winter.

“It’s absolutely essential that farmers plan ahead for their propane needs,” MCGA President Ryan Buck said. “There’s a good chance that the days of having propane delivered as you need it during harvest – something farmers had been used to before last year – are over for the foreseeable future.”

Corn farmers use propane to operate grain dryers that dry the harvested kernels. If the corn crop comes in wet, it must be dried for storage to prevent rot. If a farmer doesn’t have access to propane to run the dryer, harvesting is slowed or stops altogether.

“Farmers need to be ready for another shortage and plan accordingly, especially if we’re hit with another wet fall and colder-than-normal winter,” Buck said. “As best you can, address your anticipated propane needs for the fall harvest right now. I know that’s diffi cult since we have no idea how wet this year’s crop will be, but we need to be thinking about it.”

Farmers needed more propane than usual for drying last year because the corn crop was wetter than normal, something that happens about once every fi ve years. But reasons for the shortage extended well beyond a wet corn crop.

The Cochin pipeline had supplied 36 percent of Minnesota’s propane.

Randy Dooley, of Dooley’s Petroleum and Alliance Energy, told the county board at the June 2 meeting that the goal is to operate the facility at 40 to 50 million gallons annually. However, the Kinder Morgan terminal

did, on average, 120 million gallons annually, he added. The void in propane supply will have to be fi lled by facilities going up in other areas as well as some private facility offl oads, he said.

Because the pipeline no longer carries propane, rail demand for propane delivery has spiked dramatically. Some estimates have the number of rail cars necessary to meet Minnesota’s propane needs rising from 200 to 4,200 per year after the re-routing of the Cochin pipeline. Bad winter weather signifi cantly slows down rail service.

Additionally, more propane is being exported to other countries than ever before. According to the Energy Information Administration, propane exports rose to 410,000 barrels per day in November, the highest ever, and remained high throughout the winter months.

“We’ve had wet corn years in the past, but we’ve never seen a propane shortage like what we experienced last winter,” Buck said.

MCGA also submitted a letter asking the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to temporarily vary its rules and allow several proposed large propane storage units to be built to help increase storage capacity and better meet demand from farmers, homeowners and businesses heading into the winter. Currently, the permit approval process for building a storage tank can take up to a year.

MCGA has almost 7,000 members and represents the interests of Minnesota’s 25,000 corn farmers. Stay up to date on propane and other important corn farming issues at www.mncorn.org, www.MinnesotaCornerstone.com or by following @MNCorn on Twitter.

Farmers told to plan for possible propane shortages

PAGE 13AGRALITE NEWSJUNE 2014

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by Reed Anfi nson, Publisher, EditorThe storm hit the Clark farm between

1:30 and 2 early the morning of June 21, 2013.

“The fi rst thing we noticed was the wind started coming up,” Kyle Clark said. A pouring rain lashed at the house. As Kyle and Jackie Clark watched out their kitchen window they saw their white plastic calf hutches start tumbling across the yard.

With the lights fl ickering on and off in the yard, and lightning fl ashing across the sky, Ali Clark ran out to start catching calves that were freed when the hutches blew off them. “I picked up as many calves as I could and carried them into the milk house,” she said. “These are couple week old calves. It was hard to catch them, because they were scared, obviously, and were running around,” she said.

Then one of the calf hutches came fl ying at her. She ducked to avoid being hit and ran back to the house with seven calves still loose in the yard. By this time, the power was out to the farm site. The rain was still pouring down and was now mixed with hail.

“The wind really hit hard then,” Kyle Clark said. “You could hear it pounding on the wall on the west side of the house. With the power off, we fi gured it made no sense to go to the barn because there was nothing we could really do, so we thought we would just recoup come early morning.”

With June 21 the summer solstice, and the longest day of the year, the sunrise would come at 5:34. However, civil twilight, the time when the sky begins to lighten before the sun creeps over the horizon, would start at 4:57 – just three hours away.

At about 4:45 a.m., Kim Clark, whose farm place is to the east of his brother’s, drove into the yard at Kyle’s. A friend of his who works at CNH in Benson had driven by the Clark farm on Swift County 33 and told him, “I don’t know if you know yet, but I think one of your silos fell on your barn.”

“As I came down the driveway, I looked off toward the barn and I knew they were right because I could only see one silo,” Kim Clark said. The whole family then hurried to see just how much damage the storm had done during the night as the sky began to lighten.

There were 84 dairy cows in the barn when the concrete silo crashed through the roof. “As the silo came down, it

Kim Clark, along with Ali, Ben and Kyle Clark stand in the new barn where they are now milking 100-head of dairy cows; soon they hope to raise that number to 120. It was just under a year ago that powerful straight-line winds caused an 80-foot concrete silo to fall on the old barn.

When one of their 80-foot concrete silos fell on the Clark dairy parlor June 21, it killed 10 cows outright with two more having to be put down later in the day.

Clark dairy enters a new era after storm

killed 10 cows instantly,” Kyle Clark said. “Two more had to be put down that morning because of broken legs.” Later several more cows would have to be sold because their utters had been badly bruised.

The winds buffeting the Clark farm were so strong and steady that they slid the 80-foot concrete silo off its base until it toppled over. At the Benson airport winds were measured at 85 mph before the gauge stopped recording. But it wasn’t just a brief gust, the hurricane force winds kept on for nearly half an hour.

With a massive job of clean up ahead of them, as well as the need to get their milking operation back on line to milk the remaining 72 cows, the Clarks turned to their neighbors for help. “We called some neighbors…and they started showing up,” Kim Clark said. Many hadn’t even been called; they saw a neighbor in need and just came to help. “They showed up, and they showed up, and I bet by that afternoon we probably had 45 to 50 people here.” Some brought food and water for all the volunteers that were showing up.

Cows that survived the storm were Dairy, cont. page 15

AGRALITE NEWS JUNE 2014PAGE 14

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The Sustainable Farming Association is hosting its annual Festival of Farms events July 12 at locations around Min-nesota. Festival of Farms is an opportuni-ty to learn about sustainable agriculture, network within the community, and have fun, all with the goal of building a unifi ed sense of SFA’s presence in communities across Minnesota and tighten connections within the local food community.

The SFA Crow River Chapter will host two sets of farm tours at three different farms in the Hutchinson area – tours are set for 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. July 12 at these farms:

The Farm of Minnesota, Dan and Don-na Moe, 24618 State Hwy 15, Hutchin-son. The Farm of Minnesota offers CSA shares, fresh produce at farmers markets, service to local restaurants and co-ops – and you can get their fruits and vegetables right there at the farm.

New Story Farm, Daniel Zetah &

Stephanie Usery, 19778 235th St, Hutchinson. Farmer/operators Daniel Zetah and Stephanie Usery are actively working toward forming a “cooperative farming village,” a place where others with similar values and visions can work cooperatively on diverse endeavors.

Living Song Farm, Jerry Ford & Mariénne Kreitlow, 7616 25th St. SW, Howard Lake. Living Song Farm oper-ates on land that has been in the Kreitlow family since 1898. Of the family’s 288 acres, Jerry and Mariénne have 70 acres in transition to certifi ed organic, where they are managing 40 acres of rotation-al grazing for cattle and pastured laying hens, and growing garlic, onions and po-tatoes for market.

The event is free and open to the pub-lic; no registration is required. For more information about this and all other 2014 SFA Festival of Farms events, visit http://www.sfa-mn.org/festival-of-farms/.

SFA Crow River Chapter Hosting Festival of Farms Thomas Claussen

from Montevideo, MN, is one of eleven students who recently completed the fi rst Farm Credit Fel-lows Program at North Dakota State Universi-ty in Fargo, ND. This special undergraduate

program in agricultural fi nance was creat-ed by the NDSU College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources and AgCountry Farm Credit Services in

Fargo. The Fellows Program is open to Col-

lege of Agribusiness and Applied Eco-nomics and College of Business under-graduates in their sophomore, junior and senior years at NDSU. Students apply to the program during Fall Semester at NDSU. They complete a segment of ed-ucational training through AgCountry FCS followed by an advanced agricultur-al lending course taught at NDSU. Those who are accepted receive a $1,000 Fel-lowship Scholarship from AgCountry.

Claussen earns Farm Credit Fellows designation

PAGE 15AGRALITE NEWSJUNE 2014

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A pilot program to encourage water conservation practices on Minnesota farms reached a milestone this week.

A Red River Valley farming operation became the fi rst to be certifi ed under the Agricultural Water Quality Certifi cation Program, which rewards farmers who go the extra mile to reduce pollution.

State Department of Agriculture offi cials visited the Nordick family farm about an hour south of Moorhead to determine if it is using accepted phosphorus and nitrogen management and conservation practices. The Nordicks also had to prove that they are properly using and disposing of pesticides, planting grassland buffers along public waterways – and that the farm’s septic system meets state standards.

Whiskey Creek runs through the Nordick farm, carrying water to the Red River. That’s why it’s one of four pilot sites for the water quality certifi cation program. The other locations are Whitewater River in southeast Minnesota, Elm Creek in the southwest and Middle Sauk River in the central part of the state.

The Nordicks, who largely farm corn and soybeans, have restored several spots along the creek where fast-moving water dug deep gullies. They hauled in tons of rock and created grass-covered berms to reduce erosion.

But they still need to make improvements to culverts that move about

296,000 gallons a minute at full capacity. All that water not only erodes the creek, which is more like a ditch, but also spills out onto farm fi elds carrying soil and nutrients back to the stream.

“We’ve got great black dirt out there and we just hate to see that end up in our streams,” James Nordick said. “So by doing this we’re detouring the problem of overland fl ooding and reducing the erosion out in the fi eld.”

For Nordick, conservation isn’t simply a matter of doing the right thing for the environment. He said managing water and fertilizer makes economic sense.

Once certifi ed, farmers are exempt from new water quality regulations for 10 years, and they move to the top of the list for funding from existing conservation programs.

The pilot program is funded by state and federal dollars. To ensure they follow through on the agreement, certifi ed farmers will be audited once during the 10-year program.

Environmental groups have some concerns about the program, but Kris Sigford, water quality director for Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy said it’s a good way to reward conservation-minded farmers.

“I think that to be certifi ed would mean that an operation is doing a pretty darn good job for water quality,” Sigford said.

Sigford, who serves on an advisory group for the agricultural water quality program, said it will help reduce sediment

and phosphorus runoff from farm land. But she said it doesn’t to enough to fi x nitrate pollution and she doubts enough farmers will sign up.

“I don’t think we’re going to get anything like the widespread participation we would need to meet our major statewide goals that have already been established of a 20 percent nitrate reduction by 2020,” Sigford said. “We’re going the opposite direction.”

Sigford also wants to see more robust oversight of the program. She said since data about participating farms will be private, program managers will also have the role of ensuring that farmers follow the rules.

State agriculture offi cials say they will adjust requirements during the pilot program.

Convincing local farmers to participate will be critical, said Don Bajumpaa, a district manager for the Wilkin County Soil and Water Conservation District. Bajumpaa will play a key role in that effort because he knows the local farmers and their land.

“I can specifi cally say, ‘you know that northwest quarter of section 11 you got there in township XYZ, I noticed that you’ve got a little problem there,’” Bajumpaa said. “And when they know we know, there’s the credibility.”

On the recent tour of the Nordick farm, Bajumpaa told Assistant Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Matt Wohlman that he thinks he can sign up 25

percent of local farmers. But Bajumpaa he doubts that can happen in a three-year pilot project.

Wohlman said the Agriculture Department is committed to the effort.

“We had to pilot this to kind of get the acceptance and start working out the kinks,” Wohlman said. “But we’re looking at this as a long term effort. You don’t change water quality overnight.”

Minnesota farmers rewarded for protecting waterways

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to another barn 75 feet away as the Clarks worked to get their hay shed ready to serve as temporary housing for the cows.

There were enough people at the farm that they were able to take all the cows that were in the damaged part of the barn and move them without ever putting up a gate, Kim Clark said. “We just parked the cars (and pickups with trailers) next to one another the whole length of the barn all the way out to the hay shed and then just walked the cows around the barn,” he said.

“The outpouring of support is really quite humbling,” Kyle Clark said. By around noon, with the hay shed now a holding pen for the cows and a generator hooked up to provide power, Ben and Ali started milking. The pipeline that carries the milk to the bulk tank also had to be shortened up to serve a 34-stall milking operation.

“So Kim and dad kept up with the cleanup and Ben and I milked whatever there was to milk,” Ali said. “There wasn’t much.”

A backhoe arrived by the afternoon, pulling the debris out of the crushed barn. It also was used to drag out the dead cows.

As they cleaned up through the day, new storms formed to the west with the sky turning a deep purple in the west shortly before 6 p.m. That storm totaled out the remaining part of the damaged barn to the east of where the silo had landed.

Clark Dairy...from page 13

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The frequent rainfalls this spring have brought a halt to the completion of the planting in much of western Minnesota. Farm machinery sits idle with fi elds far too wet to work or plant.

June, which averages 4.33 inches of rain, has already seen 5.89 inches with storms forecast for this week likely to bring more. Since April 1, the area has seen 16.4 inches of precipitation. That is 6.51 inches more than the three-month average of 9.89 inches – and there are still 12 days left in the month.

Corn planting is likely done for the year though the National Agricultural Statistics Service reports 97 percent of the crop planted. Some farmers may try to switch to soybeans on ground that has been too wet to plant with corn, but low lying areas are likely to take a couple weeks to dry out if the weather cooperates.

Soybean planting was 93 percent complete, 2 points behind the fi ve-year average of 95 percent by June 16.

With the frequent rainfalls, 60 percent of the state’s topsoil has adequate moisture while 40 percent has a surplus. Sixty-seven percent of the state’s subsoil has adequate moisture while 31 percent has a surplus. Just 2 percent of the state’s subsoil is short of moisture.

Corn emergence was 94 percent, 1 point behind normal. Corn condition ratings came in at 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 62 percent good, and 17 percent excellent.

Eighty-two percent of the soybean crop has emerged. Soybean condition rated 0 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 65 percent good, and 9 percent excellent.

Spring wheat planting was nearly complete, with emergence at 93 percent, 5 points behind the average. Spring wheat condition ratings came in at 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 59 percent good, and 9 percent excellent. Potato planting now stands at 96 percent complete.

Barley planting progress was 96 complete with 88 percent now emerged. Ninety-eight percent of the oat crop has been planted, with 93 percent emerged.

Planting progress for dry edible beans was 93 percent complete, 20 points more than the previous week, but equal to normal. Eighty-one percent of the sunfl ower crop has been planted, 14 points behind average.

The fi rst cutting of alfalfa hay was 41 percent complete, 7 percentage points more than the previous year. All hay conditions were rated 1 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 65 percent good, and 13 percent excellent. Pasture conditions were rated 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 60 percent good, and 18 percent excellent.

RAINS AGAIN THREATEN STATEGov. Mark Dayton called out 100

national guard soldiers to Koochiching County to help in storm affected areas as a spring storm swept across southern Minnesota mid-week.

Dayton said the storm has caused widespread power outages and dangerous travel conditions. He says the storm is taxing the resources of local and county governments, with conditions expected to worsen.

Gov. Dayton declared a State of Emergency in 35 Minnesota counties. The Executive Order makes a wide range of state resources available and engages state agencies in response efforts.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) is fully activating the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC). The SEOC has been partially activated this week in response to fl ood and storm-related conditions across northern and southern Minnesota.

“We’re ramping up our efforts to help communities across the state that are dealing with storm damage and high water due to the recent heavy rains,” said Kris Eide, HSEM Director. “The state’s emergency operations center is in contact with emergency managers in the affected areas and we are coordinating the state’s response as directed by the governor’s State of Emergency.”

A full activation of the SEOC occurs when there are signifi cant impacts from

With the frequent rainfalls, 60 percent of the state’s topsoil now has adequate moisture while 40 percent has a surplus. This fi eld near Benson was captured even before the storms of Wednesday and Thursday this week.

an event over several or large areas of the state. Storms that have caused fl ooding and other damage began on June 11 and are continuing; the National Weather Service is predicting additional rain for regions that are saturated or are experiencing rising river and lake levels.

State agencies are now in the SEOC to closely monitor conditions around the state and respond to resource requests from local emergency managers.

Counties in the State of Emergency include; Beltrami, Blue Earth, Brown, Dodge, Faribault, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hubbard, Jackson, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lyon, Koochiching, McLeod, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Saint Louis, Scott, Sibley, Steele, Todd, and Waseca.

Recent rains threatencrops; Governor calls out National Guard

AGRALITE NEWS PAGE 17JUNE 2014

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WED., JUNE 25 - 10 a.m. Benedict Farms Inc., Sabin, MN. Farm retirement includ-ing sugarbeet, row crop and harvest equipment. Steffes Group, Inc.

FRI., JUNE 27 - 10 a.m. Machinery, trail-ers, tools, household, lawn and garden. Morris, MN. Mike Fitzgerald. Zielsdorf Auction and Real Estate.

FRI., JUNE 27 - 7 p.m. Historic Benson house. 4 BR, 1-1/2 bath, 2 story, 2 car detached and single garages. Double lot. 705 12th St. S., Benson, MN. Pe-terson Estate. Hughes Real Estate and Auction Service.

FRI., JUNE 27 - Huge Royalton, MN Official DHIA Holstein Auction. 192 head. 3000 gal. bulk tank, 11 ATO’s and dairy equipment. Henslin Auctions, Inc./In Association with Mid-American Auction Co.

SAT., JUNE 28 - 10 a.m. Antiques, house-hold, automotive, tools, shop equip., motorcycles, sporting goods, military, ammunition/reloading (large amount), pop-up camper, misc. Peterson Estate, Benson, MN. Hughes Real Estate and Auction Service.

MON., JUNE 30 - 10 a.m. Real estate, complete restaurant and bakery equip-ment, Farmall 560 gas tractor w/loader and much more. Thompson Bakery and Coffee House, Inc. Atwater, MN. Henslin Auctions, Inc.

JULY 2 thru JULY 9 - IQBID July Auction. Upper Midwest Locations. Owners selling ag, construction, trucks, RV’s, vehicles and more. Steffes Group, Inc.

TUES., JULY 8 - 10 a.m. Ken and Myrt Bahn farm machinery auction. Wood Lake, MN. Deutz Auctioneers.

SAT., JULY 12 - 9:30 a.m. Large estate auction of Burdell Johnson Estate, Montevideo, MN. Antiques, collectibles, memorabilia, military memorabilia, sports memorabilia, primitive items, etc. Brown and Baker Auction Co.

FRI., JULY 18 - 6 p.m. (Green Lake), Spicer, MN. Multi-parcel real estate auction (6 parcels). Indian Beach Har-bor, LLC, owner. Henslin Auctions, Inc.

SAT., JULY 26 - 9:30 a.m. Real Estate, meat market equipment, household, sporting goods, antiques, collectibles, misc. The Butcher Block, Brad Viss Estate. Ziemer Auctioneers.

WED., JULY 30 - 9 a.m. AgIron West Far-go Event, Red River Valley Fairgrounds, West Fargo. Tractors and loaders, com-bines, heads, tillage equipment, semi

tractors, skid steer loader and much more. Steffes Group Inc.

THURS., JULY 31 - 9 a.m. Large farm and potato equipment auction. JD MFWD tractors, JD 9500 combine, Farm Equip-ment, 60+ trucks and trailers, reefer and dry van/storage, trailers, construction equip., potato harvesters, potato pro-cess equip., conveyors, baggers, lots of misc. parts and supplies. Tallman Family Farms, LLC, Tower City, PA. Henslin Auctions, Inc.

MON., AUG. 4 - 4 p.m. Real Estate, car, household, lawn and garden. Benson, MN. Andrew and Phyllis Stone. Ziels-dorf Auction and Real Estate Service.

FRI., AUG. 8 - 10:30 a.m. Large farm es-tate auction. Graceville, MN. Mrs. Brad (Kris) Vold, owner. Henslin Auctions, Inc./In Association with Mid-American Auction Co.

THURS., AUG. 14 - 10 a.m. AgIron Li-tchfi eld Event, Steffes Group facility, Litchfi eld, MN. Multi-ring event selling tractors and loaders, combines, heads, tillage equipment, semi tractors, skid steer loader and much more. Steffes Group, Inc.

FRI., AUG. 15 - 10 a.m. Roger Storlien farm retirement auction. 10 tractors, tillage, Brent wagons, much more. Madison, MN. Zielsdorf Auction and Real Estate Service.

WED., AUGUST 20 - 10 a.m. West Cen-tral MN Farmer/Dealer Consignment #52, Zielsdorf Auction Facility, Benson, MN. Zielsdorf Auction and Real Estate Service.

THURS., AUGUST 21 - 9 a.m. Large equipment auction. Tractors, combines, farm equipment, trucks, trailers, con-struction equipment, recreational items, fi sh houses, new skidsteer attachments and much more. Multi-auction rings. Buffalo Lake, MN. Area Farmers, Deal-ers and Contractors. Henslin Auctions, Inc.

SAT., AUG. 23 - 9:30 a.m. Consignment Auction. Farm machinery, shop and equipment, tools, misc. Ziemer Auc-tioneers.

THURS., AUG. 28 - 10:30 a.m. Large semi-retirement farm auction. Monte-video, MN. Mike and Amy Jorgenson, owners. Henslin Auctions, Inc.

TUES., SEPT. 9 - 10 a.m. Multi-parcel Renville County farm land. 160 acres, more or less. Evelyn Arndt Estate, Owner. Henslin Auctions, Inc.

TUES., SEPT. 9 - 1 p.m. Farm equipment, antiques, furniture, glassware, crock-ware, farm related items. Evelyn Arndt Estate, Owner. Henslin Auctions, Inc.

THURS., SEPT. 11 - 10 a.m. Multi-parcel Kandiyohi Co. farm land. 180 acres, more or less. Willmar, MN. Doug Thompson, owner. Henslin Auctions, Inc.

SAT., SEPT. 13 - 10 a.m. Furniture, household and recreational items and furnishings. Perry and Erin Forstrom, Spicer, MN. Henslin Auctions, Inc.

SAT., SEPT. 20 - 9 a.m. Large equipment and antique auction. Tractors, farm equipment, older collectible vehicles, farm primitives, antiques and collect-ibles. Winslow Holasek Estate. Corinne Holasek, owner. Andover, MN. Henslin Auctions, Inc.

TUES., SEPT. 30 - 10 a.m. Clean JD farm equipment retirement auction. Marcel Mathison, Hector, MN. Henslin Auctions, Inc.

WED., NOV. 5 - 10 a.m. Multi-parcel Kandiyohi County Farm Land and Farm Site auction. Lake Lillian, MN. Geral-dine Jackson Estate Owner. Henslin Auctions, Inc.

FRI., NOV. 7 - 5 p.m. Emerald Eve. Swift County Benson Hospital benefi t. Locat-ed at Benson Bowler. Zielsdorf Auction and Real Estate.

FRI., NOV. 7 - 10:30 a.m. Multi-parcel Lac Qui Parle Co. Farm land. 160 acres, more or less. Canby/Madison, MN. Mary Ferguson Bruty Estate. Henslin Auctions, Inc.

WED., NOV. 12 - 10 a.m. Clean JD Farm Equipment retirement auction. Dean and Carla Moll, Sleepy Eye, MN. Henslin Auctions, Inc.

THURS., NOV. 13 - 4 p.m. Real Estate auction. Dean and Carla Moll, Sleepy Eye, MN. Henslin Auctions, Inc.

WED., DEC. 10 - 10 a.m. West Central MN Farmer/Dealer Consignment #53, Zielsdorf Auction Facility, Benson, MN. Zielsdorf Auction and Real Estate Service.

2015TUES., MAY 12 - 4 p.m. Real Estate, furni-

ture, Trojan Seed Co. items, electric golf cart, etc. Arlis Shockley, owner. Olivia, MN. Henslin Auctions, Inc.

THURS., NOV. 19 - 9 a.m. Large late mod-el farm equipment auction.Willmar, MN. Doug Thompson. Henslin Auctions, Inc.

BE PART OF THIS AUCTION CALENDAR BY CALLING 1-800-750-0166. ADVERTISE IN ADVANCE OF YOUR EVENT AND YOU’LL BE INCLUDED IN THE PEACH, CANARY, MONITOR-NEWS, EXTRA, AGRALITE AND ON-LINE!

FSA county committee nomination period open

The nomination period for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees started June 15.

“County committees are a vital link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “Through the county committees, farmers and ranchers have a voice; their opinions and ideas get to be heard on federal farm programs.”

To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area where the person is nominated.

Farmers and ranchers may nominate themselves or others. Organizations representing minorities and women also may nominate candidates. To become a candidate, an eligible individual must sign the nomination form, FSA-669A. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. Nomination forms for the 2014 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 1, 2014. Elections will take place this fall.

While FSA county committees do not approve or deny farm ownership or operating loans, they make decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs and other agricultural issues. Members serve three-year terms.

Nationwide, there are about 7,800 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees. Committees consist of three to 11 members that are elected by eligible producers.

FSA will mail ballots to eligible voters beginning Nov. 3.. Ballots are due back to the local county offi ce either via mail or in person by Dec. 1, 2014. Newly elected committee members and alternates take offi ce on Jan. 1.

(Allow at least 2 working days for crews to mark all underground utility lines.)

IT’S FREE!

Call before you dig!

1-800-252-1166

www.agralite.coop* * * * *

www.swiftcountymonitor.com

Classifi ed Advertising

FOR SALE

Classifi ed ads are limited to 20 words per ad. Two ad limit per member; no gun or real estate ads.

Free Classifi ed Ad form for all Agralite Electric Cooperative MembersAds must be received in our offi ce by the 5th of the month to ensure being printed in the next issue of the Agralite News. No guns, no business or real estate ads please. Ads will be printed one time. Please print clearly or type your ad of 20 words or less on this form. We reserve the right to edit ad copy.

For Sale Wanted Give Away Community Event

Phone Number Account Number

Name

Clip and mail to Agralite Electric Cooperative, PO Box 228, Benson, MN 56215 or fax to 320-843-3738, or email your ad to lcluever@agralite.com.

Limit 2 ads per member.

AGRALITE NEWS PAGE 19JUNE 2014

Rebate forms available at www.agralite.coop

Freezer (with recycling of existing unit) $75.00

Refrigerator (with recycling of existing unit) $75.00

Dehumidifi er (per unit) $25.00

Energy Wise rebates availableYou must be enrolled in the Energy Wise

program associated with these rebates.Ductless Air Source Heat Pump $300.00 per

homeGround Source Heat Pump $400.00 per

tonECM motor on furnace $100.00/motorStorage Heat $25.00/kW105 Gal. Marathon water heater purchased from Agralite installed as new electric load

$300.00*Ask about heat pump and central air system rebates. Rebate forms are also available from the contractor installing your system.

Rebates are also available for other applications such as lighting and agricultural applications.

GIVE AWAY

2004 Impala. 183,000 miles. 320-808-6907.

---------------------------------------------------Hardwood fi rewood, split, 16-18”

lengths, 4X4X8 cord. Delivered w/in 45 miles $170. $150 if you pick up. Will sell lesser amounts. 320-760-4066.

---------------------------------------------------80s Fiberglass tri hull boat, 1987 Mer-

cury 60hp, trailer, power tilt/trim, radio, ski bar, mn kota elec bow mt, bilge pump. $1900 b/o. 320-760-4066.

---------------------------------------------------Maclaren stroller for large person.

75lbs+. Paid $500 asking $100. 320-760-4066.

---------------------------------------------------Dog boarding $12/night. Indoor/out-

door. Benson, MN. 320-760-4066.---------------------------------------------------IH 2 point fast hitch sickle mower with

7’ bar, belt driven with balanced wobble box, extra parts, nice shape. $1200 obo. 320-815-3476.

---------------------------------------------------Bolens Husky 510 lawnmower with 32”

deck, needs engine work. $75 obo. 320-815-3476.

---------------------------------------------------John Deere 2520, cab & heater, front

loader & 2 stage snow blower. 320-585-2430.

---------------------------------------------------Corner TV hutch, light oak, glass doors

on bottom, 24 in X 34 in TV opening. $50. 320-392-5480.---------------------------------------------------5 inch air tube. 240 ft. 3 45 degree cor-

ners. 3 dead heads. 2 years old. 320-766-8476.

---------------------------------------------------

John Deere round baler #410, always inside. Asking $2,600. 320-273-2267

---------------------------------------------------Pacifi c Equipment Diesel Generator PG

7500. Never been used. 9 HP engine. Electric start w/remote. Max output: 6800 watts. 320-567-2349.

---------------------------------------------------

House cleaning jobs. 320-841-2337.---------------------------------------------------Someone to build a fi re place. 612-

670-4387.---------------------------------------------------Cleaning person. 612-670-4387.---------------------------------------------------Dump Box for 11-12 ft. truck. 612-670-

4387.---------------------------------------------------Handy man - retired farmer, will fi x ma-

chinery, cut grass, etc. 612-670-4387

Free standing fi re place for house or cabin. 612-670-4387.

---------------------------------------------------

Grain bins, near Benson. 320-808-6907.

---------------------------------------------------

WANTED

FOR RENT

posed, commencing a period during which the EPA will collect comments. We must weigh in effectively at this stage to have hope of impacting the fi nal rules. There is no lack of ‘big things’ to fi ll our time. This qualifi es as one.

• How will the proposed rules impact the cost of delivering electricity to our members?

• What avenues are available to achieve the targets?

• How will the proposals impact the reliability of the power system?

• The rules are complex and require coordination among numerous parties.

During MREA’s recent visit to the Legislative Conference in Washington DC, we highlighted this issue for our Congressional delegation and specif-ically noted the need for a comment period of at least 120 days. Several members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation have signed onto a letter to the EPA emphasizing this point. For-tunately, this request has been heard. The EPA has already indicated they will allow for 120 days to review and com-ment on this proposal.

Every cooperative member can take action today to weigh in on this im-portant issue. Simply go to www.ac-tion.coop. In about one minute, you

can generate a note to the EPA letting them know how important a balanced approach on this issue is to our future.

The Administration has increased its focus on climate change. “The pro-posed curbs will form the cornerstone of Obama’s climate action plan,” ac-cording to a May

23, 2014 Reuters article. The article indicates the public outreach over the past year “mark an unprecedented cam-paign by the White House and the EPA to win broad public and state backing for the rules.” Meteorologists around the country have been added to the ranks of the foot soldiers in the debate, and the entire Administration, including the President, has put substantial focus on this announcement.

We also recognize this priority. Uni-ty of message is crucial. The G&Ts and MREA will be working together to re-view the proposed rules and determine how to react to them. We will be shar-ing initial reactions and searching for a common path forward. MREA will be working with you and our coopera-tive family across the state and within the Co-op Nation to coalesce around a common message and get our voice heard.

- By Darrick Moe, CEOMinnesota Rural Electric Association

EPA: Emissions controls are on, but extend costs to consumersCont. from p. 4

North Dakota is an important source for coal energy in America. The state has six major coal-fi red power plants.

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Agralite Electric Cooperative

AGRALITE NEWS JUNE 2014PAGE 20

Orvin Gronseth, District 5 director

Warren RauDistrict 7 director

Following the annual meeting the Board of Directors held their reorganization meeting. Eldon Knutson was re-elected as Board President, Warren Rau re-elected as Vice-President, and Orvin Gronseth was elected as Secretary Treasure of the board.

Eldon Knutson, Board President

1. False. Electricity travels at the speed of light. You cannot move faster than electricity.

2. An aluminum ladder, a copper wire, and a metal bench conduct electricity. Whatthese objects have in common is that they are made of metal.

3. Insulators are important for safety around electricity because they are materials thatdo not allow electricity to pass through them easily. Insulators keep electricity fromleaving power lines and appliance power cords so it cannot shock you.

4. Plugging too many things into an outlet can overload it and cause a shock andfire hazard.

5. Answers will vary.

6. Illustrations will vary but should show a path that provides a complete, uninterruptedloop from the battery to the bulb and back to the battery.

The Travels of Electricity

kidskidse-ANSWER KEY

Elections...from page 1

Stevens County Pork Producers grilled pork again this year for the meal. They did a great job again - many thanks to Doug and the crew! The Agralite employees served the meal with the help of the Benson School Food Service Staff.

Agralite members (left) gathered their ballots to be counted for the election at the annual meeting. Andrea Thompson (center) gets ready to hand in her ballot as she ponders her bid for the District 6 seat. Above members get seated for the meeting. A nice crowd of near 300 people attended the Annual Meeting June 2.

E-Smart Kids, Answers, from p. 6