Month: January 2023

The Crookston Fire Department (CFD) responded to the following calls on 1/9/2023 –

At 1:30 p.m., the CFD responded to the 1200 block of US Hwy 75 S for a report of a water flow alarm activation. Upon arrival, the CFD talked to staff who informed them it was a false alarm. It was found that the alarm was activated due to construction. There was no danger present. The CFD turned control over to staff and cleared the scene.

The post ARREST/FIRE REPORT-JANUARY 10, 2023 appeared first on KROX.

The University of Minnesota Extension has hired Zachary Paige,
an experienced grower from Vergas, Minnesota, as a program coordinator for sustainable agriculture in northwestern Minnesota.

Paige will begin his work in January with Extension’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnership (RSDP). In addition to sustainability and food systems, he will provide statewide support for initiatives focusing on rural grocery stores.

“As a grower myself, I understand the challenges small-scale farmers go through,” Paige said. “I am excited to bring my years of farming, community development, and food systems experience to this new RSDP role by connecting Minnesota farmers, grocers, and others with University resources to foster thriving, resilient local economies.”

Paige also has several years of leadership experience with RSDP as a northwest regional board and working group member. His work on the board helped connect local communities with University of Minnesota expertise and supported several regional innovative sustainability projects.

Paige holds a master’s degree in plant breeding from Iowa State University and has been farming for a decade in Minnesota. Paige was the farm manager for the White Earth Land Recovery Project, where he grew diverse vegetables for the farm-to-school program and important rare indigenous seed varieties for the White Earth community, including Bear Island Flint and Ojibwe Spirit Island Corn.

Paige is the proprietor of North Circle Seeds, a certified organic vegetable and herb seed company and farm. He has taught seed-saving workshops, including hands-on trainings on his farm and with community organizations such as Hmong American Farming Association, Indigenous Seed Keepers Alliance, White Earth Tribal members, garden clubs, and more. In his spare time, he plays the klezmer clarinet and enjoys hiking, archery, and taking trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The post REGIONAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS WELCOMES NEW PROGRAM COORDINATOR TO THE NORTHWEST REGION appeared first on KROX.

STORY BY DON WICK OF THE RED RIVER FARM NETWORK

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack addressed Farm Bureau delegates this morning, using the opportunity to announce several initiatives. That includes Phase II of the Emergency Relief Program. Vilsack said additional flexibility will be granted.
“For those who received a decrease of income in 2020 and 2021, we’re giving them an option of choosing either 2018 or 2019 to benchmark the extent of loss,” Secretary Tom Vilsack explained. “We’ll be publishing a tool making it easier for individuals to determine the extent of relief under this Phase II program of the Emergency Relief Program. We’re also, as a companion, announcing a new pandemic assistance revenue program for producers who experienced a 15% or greater decrease in gross revenue in 2020 compared to 2018 or 2019.”

More than $12 million is also being invested to expand independent meat and poultry processing capacity. In addition to the 22 projects that were funded recently, Vilsack announced three more projects, including one from northwest Minnesota. “We’re going to provide resources to Benson and Turner Foods Inc., a hog and beef processing facility in Minnesota associated with the White Earth Indian Reservation, to provide new opportunities as well,” Tom Vilsack explained. “Each of these projects, as well as the other 22 projects and more projects to come over the course of the next several months. Will provide additional competition for farm bureau members, additional values and added opportunity for producers, and more jobs in rural communities.”

Vilsack also announced the first round of funding for the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program. Twenty-one projects were announced, including Northstar Lime of Crookston. This project, which is subject to public comment, will create biochar from biomass.

The post U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ANNOUNCES START OF PHASE II OF ITS EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM appeared first on KROX.

Last Wednesday, January 4, the Crookston High School’s Community Projects Class invited Alexandria Technical and Community College representative Sherri Randt to talk to students about the options that they have.

Randt visits multiple schools year-round to let high school students know the types of offerings and jobs these students are getting right out of college. 

She talked about the school’s Carpentry program, Mechatronics, Engine labs, and CNC Machine Tool labs. If parents are wondering what they have to offer, you can see them on the school’s website here, https://www.alextech.edu/.

If parents have other questions about the programs, they are also welcome to contact Industrial Education Teacher Travis Oliver at Travisoliver@isd593.org. 

Pictures of her presentation can be seen below-

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The post CHS COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS CLASS RECIEVES PRESENTATION FROM ALEXANDRIA TECHNICAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE appeared first on KROX.

Today is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. A day that was created to thank the more than 900,000 law enforcement officers across the country who risk their lives to protect their communities. These brave men and women put on a badge each day, knowing they may face dangerous situations while carrying out their duties. 

Please join Polk County Sheriff Jim Tadman in thanking all law enforcement officers, especially our deputies at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, who protect and serve our communities, making Polk County a safe place for our loved ones.

If you see an officer, you can show your support with a simple thank you. It will make their day.

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