April 2025

Registration for the SW MN Workforce Summit is now open

Several southwest Minnesota economic and workforce development organizations have partnered to host the SW MN Regional Workforce Summit on April 29 at the Heritage Event Center in rural Taunton. This all-day event is targeted at employers, HR staff, schools, community leaders and economic development professionals and features a great lineup of speakers and panelists providing attendees with tools and resources aimed at attracting and retaining employees.

Agricultural producers have until April 15 to enroll in USDA’s Key Commodity Safety Net Programs

Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2025 crop year have until April 15, 2025, to revise elections and sign contracts. Both safety net programs, delivered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provide vital income support to eligible farmers who experience substantial declines in crop prices or revenues for the 2025 crop year. In Minnesota, producers have completed 89,471 contracts to date, representing 84% of the more than 106,000 expected contracts. “Agriculture Risk Coverage or Price Loss Coverage programs provide excellent risk protection, for market declines, at no cost to the producer,” said Daniel Mahoney, Deputy State Executive Director for FSA in Minnesota. “If you haven’t made your program election or signed a contract, please contact your local FSA county office as soon as possible to set an appointment so you don’t miss the April 15 deadline.” 

Strategic Farming: Let’s talk crops! session talks spring forecast and corn crop best practices

On March 26, Dennis Todey, USDA Midwest Climate Hub Director and Jeff Coulter, UMN Extension corn agronomist, joined UMN Extension Crops Educator Angie Peltier for a discussion about current and forecasted weather conditions and considerations for a successful 2025 corn crop. This was the final weekly episode of the 2025 Strategic Farming: Let’s talk crops! series of webinars.

From the Editor’s Desk

The gardening saga continues as I wait patiently for the seeds planted indoors to start. For a few days, the only things that had sprouted were the mustard greens, and watching all the rest of the trays remain solidly dirt, I started to feel a little discouraged. Perhaps I had not done enough research. Alas, a few more sprouted, and then I went away for the weekend.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, April 5th: Prom Night through the Wednesday, April 16th: Chippewa County Historical Society presents 2024 annual meeting 6 p.m. Montevideo Community Center dinner, program… Login to continue reading Login…

Bear hunt lottery applications available

Prospective bear hunters have until Friday, May 2, to apply for a bear hunting license from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Applications for the 2025 season can be submitted online, at any license agent or by telephone at 888-665-4236.

Garrison Keillor & Friends: A night at the opera…

I went to the Met recently to see Beethoven’s “Fidelio” and hang out with 3,800 very well-dressed patrons to see a passionate story about political tyranny but mainly to see the soprano Lise Davidsen who is worth the price of admission and more, especially when surrounded by the Met chorus, mostly men, imprisoned for political crimes but nonetheless in gorgeous voice. As for Lise, architects have designed enormous opera houses and finally they’ve designed a singer whose voice fills it so you feel it even in the cheaper seats.

Faith Column: Time for community

Can you set aside some time for our community? Today, is a day the Lord has made rejoice and be glad in it. Back in July of 2024, there was a beginning for something that on occasion has been done before. We started to walk block by block, praying for the mercy of God to fall upon this community. We have gone through wind, rain, ice, snow, cloudy, and sunny days. Walking from the east side south of Black Oak to where we are now this week at 8th and Lincoln.