USDA announces sign-up for cost-share assistance for on-farm grain storage due to severe storms

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that producers in counties affected by eligible disaster events in Kentucky, Minnesota, South Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, and Tennessee can apply for cost-share assistance through the Emergency Grain Storage Facility Assistance Program (EGSFP). The new program provides cost-share assistance for the construction of new grain storage capacity and drying and handling needs, in order to support the orderly marketing of commodities. An initial allocation of $20 million in cost-share assistance is available to agricultural producers in affected counties impacted by the damage to or destruction of large commercial grain elevators as a result of natural disasters from Dec. 1, 2021, to Aug. 1, 2022. The application period opens later this month and closes Dec. 29, 2023.

MnDOT conducting aerial photography work in Southwest Minnesota

Minnesota Department of Transportation The Minnesota Department of Transportation will conduct aerial mapping of several locations in southwest Minnesota this spring. The mapping will create a record of existing infrastructure and landscape along, and adjacent to, MnDOT right of way for transportation planning and highway design. This work will be conducted after the snow has melted and before trees leaf out.

Stay safe while gardening and landscaping

– Xcel Energy is advising customers who are eager to start their spring planting or landscaping to always call 8-1-1 to have underground utility lines marked free of charge before starting any digging projects. April is National Safe Digging Month, which serves as a reminder that digging without locating utility lines causes injuries, loss of life, and property damage every year.

Beanbag tournament scheduled in honor of former Clarkfield resident

com The family of Ariel Sakry is planning a memorial beanbag tournament not only to remember and honor Ariel, but to help raise awareness about domestic violence. Ariel, who grew up in Clarkfield, and attended Yellow Medicine East High School, was just 25 years old when she was shot and killed by her husband Isaac Malone in April, 2022.

From the Editor’s Desk

In the last two weeks, a number of discussions in public meetings had to do with the potential transfer of land from the State of Minnesota to the Upper Sioux Community. Specifically the land at Upper Sioux State Park. While this is an opinion column, I am not here to express my own opinion on the topic. However, what I am here to express is the handling of how some of the discussion on the topic went - specifically in two different ways.

Notes from the Granite Area Arts Council

Spring has sprung, and things are blooming – we’re closer than ever to knowing who’s coming to Granite Falls for a six-month artist residency this year. Our community Advisory Board has narrowed it down to four semi-finalists.