Year: 2023

The Heins' grazing operation, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Hoosier-Ridge-Ranch/100077387513820/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hoosier Ridge Ranch</a>, is grounded in economics. The family’s strategy involves building their own herd, custom grazing, and evolving cropland with cover crops and seasonal grazing. (Photo by Eric Heins)

Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk, Too

Jim Ruen reports on efforts by one family to build a forage based farm enterprise near Altura. They host pasture walks with their children, building a legacy for the future.

Alex Romano signs in for the May 22 meeting on Winona County contaminated water, with her daughter Ruth, 7 months. (Photo by John Weiss)

Water — A Resource in Crisis

John Weiss reports on a water quality meeting in Winona County sponsored by the Winona County Clean Water Coalition and the League of Women Voters.

Art in the Park draws thousands of visitors from around the area to Lanesboro each June to celebrate art. (Submitted photo)

Art in the Park Festival Celebrates the Arts

Lanesboro’s Art in the Park festival is an annual celebration of art.

Artist and poet Diane Knight lives in Whalan, Minnesota. She is author of <em><a href="https://dmardelle.weebly.com/poetry.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Putting Down Words</a>, </em><i>a book of poems and doodles.</i>

Poetry | Ode to a Bluff Country Artist

Local poet and artist Diane Knight is honored with a tribute poem by poet Su Hwang

Nancie McCormish is pictured with her horse Zekemoouse at her farm near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. (Photo submitted)

Cornucopia: The Birth of the Lanesboro Arts Gallery

Steve Harris visits with Nancie McCormish, one of the founders of Cornucopia Art Center, a forerunner to the Lanesboro Arts Gallery.

Some of the trout and other fish electroshocked this spring as part of the DNR’s annual trout stream analysis (Photo by John Weiss)

DNR Shocks Trout to Check Health of Area Streams

Nature writer John Weiss observes annual health check of area trout streams

Three 120-foot-wide contour strips planted with cover crops follow the contours of hills and ridges, reducing runoff, nutrient loss, and erosion on the Phil Schwantz farm near Altura. (Photo submitted by Phil Schwantz)

Finding a Better Way, One Generation to the Next

Jim Ruen reports on an area farmer who continues a decades-long search for new ways to improve soil health and, through that, soil, water and farm profits.