News

Plans progressing for filling former Kinder Morgan tanks by rail

By Dan Gunderson
Minnesota Public Radio
Hundreds of farmers in the Upper Midwest are collecting data about their fields with drones this year, hoping the information will make their farm operations more productive.
They’re embracing drones, even as Federal Aviation Administration rules regulating their use remain unclear.
“This is going to revolutionize the way farmers do business and the information age is here and it’s here to stay so I really hope guys adapt it and adapt it quickly,” said Kris Poulson, a distributor for Farm Intelligence, a Mankato company that analyzes the data collected by drones.
Poulson is so enthused about the prospects of using unmanned aerial systems to improve agricultural yields that he’s using them on his own farm about 30 miles west of Fargo N.D.
Ross Erickson is using the new piece of farm equipment, which has a three-foot wingspan and two cameras mounted in its belly, to photograph Erickson’s fields.

With only hours left for candidates to file for office Tuesday, Benson Township farmer Grant Herfindahl entered the race for the District 2 Swift County Board of Commissioner’s seat.
His filing sets up a race with former County Assessor Ed Pederson. The district includes the north half of Benson as well as Benson Township.
Last month, current District 2 Commissioner Gary Klemm announced he would not seek re-election. He was elected to his first term in 2010. Though county board terms are for four years, he had to seek re-election to the seat in 2012 because his district boundaries changed due to redistricting based on the 2010 Census.
Commissioner Joe Fox, District 4 – Hegbert Township, has filed for re-election to the board and is unopposed at this time.

Photo:  Grant Herfindahl explains to school children in Glenwood, how the public "People's Garden" works.  Photo courtesy Pope County Tribune.

The 28th annual Pioneerland Band Festival is set for 6:30 p.m., Saturday, June 14 with 11 bands lined up to take part in this year’s celebration.
Bands set to take part in this year’s Band Festival are the Benson Band of Braves (exhibition only), KMS Marching Saints, Hutchinson Tigers, Litchfield Dragons, St. Cloud All City, Mankato 77 Lancers, Henry-Sibley High School, St. Anthony Village Patriots, Champlin Park Marching Rebels, New York Mills Marching Eagles, and Bemidji High School.
Judging will be provided by Tri-State Judging and the Grand Marshal of this year’s Pioneerland Band Festival is Barry Jungwirth.

Photo:  The BHS band always kicks off the parade and is not allowed as part of the competition judging.

Monday noon the City of Benson Planning Commission met and agreed it would recommend that the city not change its animal ordinance to allow for backyard chickens.
At its meeting just over five hours later on early Monday evening, the city council unanimously accepted that recommendation. As a result, Benson’s city code prohibiting chickens in the city remains in effect.
It was pointed out that on the outskirts of the city, where they may be larger lots, and where land still may be in an agricultural zone, that a person could apply for a variance to the ordinance. Getting that variance still requires a public process for the individual who would seek it.

Photo: Most of the nearly 30 people who showed up for a meeting on whether or not to allow chickens in city limits were decidedly against it.

Thunderstorms brought nearly 2 inches of rain to the Benson area Monday afternoon and brought a halt to spring planting. However, with nearly a week of warm, dry weather, farmers made considerable progress – catching up for time lost due to a cold, wet first two weeks in May.
It seems as if a switch was flipped May 17 with a reluctant spring giving way to summer-like temperatures. High temperatures that were averaging 59 degrees have averaged 76 degrees over the past 10 days.
According to the National Weather Service, highs are going to be in the mid 80s the rest of this week with lows in the low 60s. The average high for May 28 is 75 degrees and the average low 52 degrees.

Photo:  Heavy rains Monday throughout western Minnesota brought planting to a halt, but signficant progress had been made.  This farm in western Swift County was a busy spot last weekend.

The 124th commencement for Benson High School is set for 2 p.m., Sunday, June 1 in the senior high gymnasium.  The 2014 senior class speakers are Amber Marohl, daughter of James and Angie Marohl, and Joseph Eix, son of Steve and Lori Eix.
The last day of school for students at Benson Schools is Friday, June 6.  This is a half day for students.  Report cards for students in grades 7-12 will be printed upon request only, and may be picked up in the senior high office or will be mailed after Tuesday, June 10.
Contact Dawn Heike in the senior high office or email her at dheike@benson.k12.mn.us with your requests or any questions.

Photo:  BHS Class of 2014.  The senior special will be inserted in the newspaper next week.

The Benson community officially finished first in the State Farm Insurance “Neighborhood Assist” contest, and is one of the 40 $25,000 winners during the State Farm “Neighborhood Assist” contest.
“I received word today from State Farm that we were officially in the top 40, so we get $25,000,” said Roger Ebnet, a teacher at Northside School who initiated the application entry for Benson.  “At the close of voting, we were ranked No. 1.  That’s great news for our ball field.”
Benson was first selected as one of the top 200 finalists.  Of that number, the top 40 vote getters during two weeks of Facebook voting each received $25,000.Voting ran for three weeks through Friday, May 16 at midnight.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that sign-up begins today for 2012 crop losses under the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) program.  The program, established by the 2008 Farm Bill, provides for one final period of eligibility for producers suffering crop losses caused by natural disasters occurring through Sept. 30, 2011, for crops intended for 2012 harvest.
 “Most producers who suffered losses before Sept. 30, 2011, have already been compensated if they applied for SURE benefits for the 2011 crop year,” said FSA Administrator Juan M. Garcia.  “This sign-up period is only for those producers who suffered crop losses for 2012 crops before Sept. 30, 2011.”
To be eligible for SURE, a farm or ranch must have:

Proponents, and opponents, of the City of Benson allowing residents to have up to four chickens in their backyards will have the chance to air their opinions at a public meeting Wednesday, May 28, at 7 p.m. The meeting is set to take place in the council chambers in city hall.
The city’s planning commission will listen to what those at the meeting have to say and then make a recommendation to the Benson City Council. Currently, the city’s animal ordinance prohibits people from keeping chickens.
A group calling itself  “Citizens for Chickens” came to the council’s May 5 meeting to request the city gather information from Benson residents to gauge the level of support for backyard chickens.
The group has proposed the city amend its law to allow a homeowner to raise up to four hens on their property. They say no roosters should be allowed. They recommend a fee of $20 for a three-year permit to have the chickens.