Mindset

Ag Day on May 9th, 2012 at Gilfillan Estate

May 1, 2012 by Summer

5^th grade Ag Day is set for May 9th, 2012 at Gilfillan Estate

The purpose of the day is to expose 5^th graders to a hands on experience of the diversity of agriculture and farming in today’s economy. Even in our rural communities the majority of these students do not have access to farms and no longer have the opportunity to learn how Food, Fiber, Feed and Fuel are grown, cared for and delivered to our retail stores.

Students from area school districts are invited to attend. This year we are happy to provide this opportunity to Redwood Valley, Cedar Mountain, Wabasso, BOLD school districts as well as an adopted 5^th grade class room in the Twin Cities. All five of these schools will experience and tour a poultry farm, dairy parlor, cattle feed lot, corn/soybean field as well as presentations from a sheep, alpaca, and pig farmers. And as they learn about the history of Agriculture at the Gilfillan Estate.

The Redwood Area Chamber & Tourism Ag Committee has been offering this program to Redwood Area Schools for 20+ years. Last year we were able to reach out to 224 students in the local districts.

Corn Capital Innovations believes in the continuation of education and exposing our community to agriculture. This event is a great step in promotion of production agriculture, and we are happy to support the Ag Committee to continue to offer such programs.

Ag Committee Members include: Joel Mathiowetz, Scott Kodet (HomeTown Bank), Kirby Josephson (Minnwest Bank), Jim Dumdei (Corn Capital Innovations), Pat Hansen (Thrivent Financial), Matt Johnson (Bremer Bank), Caleb Hinkkanen (Titan Machinery), Andy Simon (Titan Machinery), Mike Roach (Pioneer), Kevin Kvistero (USDA), Thor Kaardal (Kaardal Insurance), David Krenz (United FCS), Cori Lecy (United FCS), Jeremy Daberkow (FFA Advisor), Paul Brezina (Monsanto Pre-Foundation), Matt Samyn (Monsanto), Mike Uhlenkamp (Uhlenkamp & Associates).

Categories: General, Mindset | Tags: Ag Education, Mindset, Planting

Patience is the Companion of Wisdom

May 16, 2011 by Steve

“Patience is the companion of Wisdom” – Saint Augustine

How many years have you been farming? 20? 30? 40 years? Over those years how many times have you not been able to get the crop planted? Once? Twice? The answer for most farmers is never. While some years it may have not always been as early as you wanted and your crop plan might have been altered but eventually the crop does get planted. So historically you do have the knowledge and wisdom to know that you will have time to get a crop planted. Since you have the knowledge and wisdom then you must continue to have patience. But as a farm boy myself I know how frustrating it is to be patient, especially as the days roll on. It’s hard to be producer with no crop in the ground, after all this is our livelihood, it is what we were born to do. But Patience is a Virtue in today’s farming world, especially with the 1000+ variables you have to manage throughout the growing season.

As we are at the middle of May the pressure that many of you are feeling to get your corn crop in the ground continues to grow. But remember that you are on your own schedule, not your neighbors. Do not let the “coffee shop” talk play a factor in your crop production plan. The later we get in the year the more important your decisions are. That means that your mistakes are magnified, not reduced. Planting conditions must trump all decisions before you head into that field. Not the date on the calendar or what neighbor Joe is doing.

Higher Input Costs? Maybe We Just Need to Change Our Attitudes!

May 2, 2011 by Steve

Worried about high input costs? Most farmers are. But why worry about them when you actually have very limited control over them anyways. Instead why not focus on something you can control that will have a major impact on your income as a farmer this next year! Why not raise your corn yield averages high enough to compensate for increases in costs, regardless of how much they go up? In fact, why not double your ROI (Returns On Investment) over the next 3-5 years? How many inputs could you pay for with those kinds of yields and these record market prices? But right now you are probably laughing at the thought of being able to get returns that high on your farm. Well you shouldn’t be. Every bag of seed corn you plant has the capability of producing 500-600 bushels per acre. Why shouldn’t you be raising half of that potential every year?

Mindset

Ag Day on May 9th, 2012 at Gilfillan Estate

Patience is the Companion of Wisdom

“Patience is the companion of Wisdom” – Saint Augustine

Higher Input Costs? Maybe We Just Need to Change Our Attitudes!

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