Meet our newest sales agronomist
AGRONOMY
Meet Colleen Carlson, U of M Extension Educator
If you ever have questions about crops or livestock, Colleen Carlson is a good person to ask. She’ s the University of Minnesota Extension Educator for Carver and Scott counties, which means she knows a lot about agriculture-related resources, events, and educational opportunities.
“ If I don’ t know the answer, I try to find someone who does – or a useful resource,” she said.
On a typical day, Colleen might be planning an upcoming program, visiting a local farm, answering phone calls, or writing news releases.
“ The best aspect of my job is that I meet new people every day engaged in agriculture, business, farming, livestock, the land, and soil,” she noted.“ It’ s great to help people, learn about their interests, and help improve their enterprises.”
In the communities Colleen serves, new best management practices are being adopted to conserve groundwater and soil, with the introduction of cover crops, buffer strips, and improved fertilizer recommendations.
“ Carver County is filled with opportunity in
A‘ dairy’ good time in Carver County
A calf from Carver County’ s Facebook page.
The Carver County ADA( American Dairy Association) finds plenty of reasons to celebrate throughout the year. Like the time their Facebook page displayed a springy cow photo Jan. 11 in honor of National Milk Day, or when they showed a gooey cheese pizza Feb. 9 for National Pizza Day. emerging agriculture enterprises; the wine industry, vegetable farming, high tunnels, and orchards are growing to contribute to the diversification of the ag economy while connecting community and local food resources,” she noted.
One emerging area of development is ag tourism. Colleen commented that Carver County can provide a memorable experience for visitors, with its rich ag landscape, parks, trails, lakes, cultural events, and other offerings.
Throughout the year, Colleen looks forward to events where the community gathers, such as the Carver County Fair, the Carver County Dairy Expo, farmer-to-farmer tours, and other education workshops.
“ It’ s like having several great-big family reunions throughout the year where people can visit, laugh, and have fun while learning something new and sharing a common interest,” she said.
To learn more about upcoming programs in the area, go to the University of Minnesota Carver County Extension Office website, follow UMN Extension Carver and Scott counties on Facebook, or sign up for the Carver / Scott ag news by sending Colleen an email at traxl042 @ umn. edu.
“ Dairy promotion is our goal,” said Steve Hoen, who recently completed his term as chair of the Carver County ADA.
One of the major ways the organization promotes dairy is through the Carver County Dairy Princess program. The 2018-19 princesses will be crowned Saturday, April 7 during the annual dairy banquet at the Mayer Community Center. Throughout their reign, princesses attend several parades and make appearances to help raise awareness of the dairy industry and dairy products.
“ The fair is another big time of year – running the dairy booth,” Steve said. Known as the“ five best days of summer,” the Carver County Fair attracts thousands of people to Waconia every August.
In addition to Steve, other members of the Carver County ADA( as of Feb. 13) included Mark Hesse, Todd Manteuffel, Rick Haler, Jodene Stuewe, Jackie Hesse, Cole Thaemert, and Dan Stuewe. Steve said the best part of his six years of service has been getting to know the other board members and their families.
Steve grew up in Bongards( near Cologne and Norwood Young America), and took over the family property full-time in 2004. He and his wife, Michelle, have three children – Jacob, 10; Libby, 8; and Zander, 4.
To reach the Carver County ADA, email carver. ada @ gmail. com, or send the board a message via Facebook.
Steve Hoen and his family.
Meet our newest sales agronomist
Amanda Steffel joined Mid-County Coop as a sales agronomist Jan. 29, and she’ s having a great time so far.“ My job is very diverse,” she said.“ The best part is meeting farmers and their families, and learning about their operations.”
Amanda grew up in Olivia, and graduated from BOLD High School( Bird Island, Olivia, Lake Lillian District) in 2008. She then earned a two-year degree in crop production sales and technology from North Dakota State College of Science( NDSCS) in Wahpeton, ND.
For Amanda, pursuing an agriculture-related career was a natural fit. Her mom works with farmers as a geographic information systems( GIS) specialist in Renville, and her dad owns a butcher shop. Amanda also has many friends who farm.
“ I’ ve been around agriculture my whole life,” she said.
Amanda gained experience in her field through three internships – one at Centrol Crop Consulting in Marshall( Amanda was based in Willmar), one at KTM Farm in North Dakota, and one at CHS Prairie Lakes in Park Rapids.
Before coming to Mid-County, Amanda was employed as a fulltime sales agronomist in North Dakota. Now, she’ s looking forward to building relationships with Mid- County’ s customers and seeing how she can help them.
Amanda is glad to be living closer to family again, and enjoys spending free time with her two siblings and other friends and family members. She can also be found hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, and horseback riding. Although Amanda doesn’ t have a horse of her own, it’ s on her list to buy“ one day.” Another thing she’ d like to buy is a house, and she’ s currently searching for the right one.
To reach Amanda, contact Mid- County Agronomy at( 952) 466-
3730.
www. midcountycoop. com Page 5