The AgBMP Loan Program provides needed funding for local implementation of clean water practices at an extremely low cost, is unique in its structure, and is not duplicated by any other source of funding. The AgBMP loan program provides 3% loans through local lenders to farmers, rural landowners, and agriculture supply businesses. Funds are used for proven practices that prevent non-point source water pollution or solve existing water quality problems.
To enhance arts and cultural heritage programming at the East Otter Tail County Fair by hosting a fiddle contest, a barbershop quartet, and by purchasing a sound system to help performers engage a larger audience.
To purchase signs, created and painted by a local artist, to identify West Otter Tail County Fair exhibit buildings that display creative fine arts or feature live music.
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that has been decimating ash trees throughout the Great Lake states and is currently advancing into Minnesota where it threatens the nearly 1 billion ash trees that occur throughout the state - the second most in any state. Loss of these trees would devastate ecosystems throughout Minnesota and have major economic impacts for the forest products industry as well as through the costs associated with treatment, removal, and replacement of lost trees.
Brown marmorated stink bug is a terrestrial invasive species in Minnesota that was first discovered in 2010 and has been expanding its range since. It is a generalist plant pest that attacks more than 300 species of plants in natural, agricultural, and horticultural settings and is known for its unpleasant odor, large numbers, and propensity for home invasion. Proactive management approaches are available and in development that can be used to slow and potentially control brown marmorated stink bug populations.
To document and display past and current county history through photographs at the Carver County Fair. Selected photographs will represent a cross-section of topics, people, and places in Carver County.
The goals of the program are to evaluate the effectiveness of agricultural conservation practices, identify underlying processes that affect water quality, and develop technologies to target critical areas of the landscape. Funded projects provide current and accurate scientific data on the environmental impacts of agricultural practices and help to develop or revise agricultural practices that reduce environmental impacts while maintaining farm profitability.
Entertainment for the 2023 fair will (for the 42nd year) include The Johnny Holm Band. This is a Minnesota band and Johnny Holm actually lives in Carver County. This is one of the most well attended events we have during the Carver County Fair.
The funds will be used to educate the public on Minnesota history told by Doug Ohman. The balloon artist demonstrates an art that children enjoy and are intrigued by. Lawrence Hacker will demonstrate his blacksmithing skills in our Historic Blacksmith Building keeping the skill alive for this generation.
A - St. Paul Czech Dancers - they have been at our fair before. They are always a favorite within the Czech ethnic area of this county as well as surrounding counties., B - Larry Novotny "The One-Man Band" - Larry has been entertaining crowds for years. He is multi-talented and plays several instruments. With a love and a skill to play old time music and polka music, he is a crowd pleaser., C - Doug Traxler and the Hired Hands - a very well-known local musician specializing in older folk ballads. He is definitely a hit with the demographics at our fair.
We will be applying these funds toward two German heritage musical bands (Chuck Thiel and the Jolly Ramblers and The Wendinger Brothers) and also a 50's & 60's Rock n' Roll show band (Butch Automatic & The Four Speeds featuring The Bingo's).
We want to invite back to our fair:
- Doug Ohman who is a History Teller, he brings different content for the different sessions he does at the fair.
- Kevin Lindh is a balloon twisting artist. In the past he's had a continuous line of children to get their unique balloon figures. He does animals, characters, shapes, etc.
- Jeremy DeWall (and band) is a local Minnesota singer. He will bring his hometown music to our stage during the fair.
A --- Big Ideas Trailer ---- seeing the possibilities and learning about various trades through electronic interaction and one-on-one conversations with instructors.
B --- Doug Traxler and the Hired Hands ---- a very well known local musician specializing in folk ballads and easy listening tunes.
C --- Larry Novotny "The One Man Band" --- long time entertainer for the local area. He is multi-talented and plays many instruments, from old-time music to polka.
To provide quality arts and cultural programming to the East Otter Tail County Fair. The fair held a fiddle contest with three major divisions open to different ages and welcomed Heart O’Lakes Harmony Barbershop Choir and Quartet to the stage. The purpose of the arts and cultural events is to create a multicultural and generational awareness of different talents in Minnesota.
To offer new arts and cultural heritage programming at the East Otter Tail County Fair. Programming will include a performance by Sherwin Linton, depression era toy making demonstrations, and a lumberjack show.
New invasive plant species continue to emerge in Minnesota and will pose ongoing threats to Minnesota’s economy, ecology, and environment if able to spread across the state. It is cheapest, easiest, and least harmful to find and control small populations of invasive plants before they become widespread.
This program funded grants to local units of government and other entities to supplement, not supplant existing budgets. Two categories of grants made available: 1) focus on response to invasive forest pest incidents, 2) focus on planning and preparedness for the arrival of invasive forest pests. The program will also update the state's invasive and exotic tree pest plans.
To enhance and extend the life of the 15 structures which currently make up the Jackson County Historical Fair Village by replacing damaged windows, leaking roof, and rotting siding. Structural improvements on buildings will allow fair visitors additional access to new displays and artifacts that were not displayed previously, due to fear of damage by wind, rain, and rodents.
To create and promote a fun, historical walking tour of the fairgrounds. Visitors will be given a map of the grounds, with sign locations noted. Maps and signs will be written in English and Spanish. In addition to finding the signs and reading about history, visitors can call a phone number listed on the map, enter a location number, and learn more about that particular location.
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that has been decimating ash trees throughout the Great Lakes states. It was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009 and is now found in four counties (Hennepin, Houston, Ramsey, and Winona). EAB poses a particularly serious threat to Minnesota because it is home to nearly 1 billion ash trees that occur throughout the state - the second most of any state.
Funding supports an Irrigation Specialist to develop guidance and provide education on irrigation and nitrogenbest management practices (BMPs). In this position, Dr. Vasu Sharma provides direct support to irrigators onissues of irrigation scheduling and soil water monitoring. She is collaborating on the development of new irrigationscheduling tools that help irrigators manage water and nitrogen resources more precisely. These tools help reducenitrogen leaching losses in irrigated cropping systems.
To create a venue in which to offer arts and culture programming at the fair. The Entertainment Committee of the Jackson County Fair Board will schedule a diverse set of artisans and musicians to provide demonstrations and educational programming for all ages of fair visitors. The free stage will give emergent local musical groups and individuals a stage upon which to showcase their growing talent.
The Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) is a voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural landowners to take the lead on implementing conservation practices that protect water quality. Those who implement and maintain approved conservation practices will be certified and in turn obtain regulatory certainty for a period of ten years. This program will help address concerns about changing regulatory requirements from multiple state and federal agencies.
The Minnesota Water Research Digital Library (MnWRL) is a user-friendly, searchable inventory of water research relevant to Minnesota. It includes both peer-reviewed articles as well as white papers and reports. The Library provides 'one-stop' access to all types of water research.
Native to the western United States and Canada, mountain pine beetle is considered the most devastating forest insect in North America. Trees usually die as a result of infestation and an unprecedented outbreak in the west is currently decimating pine forests there. While mountain pine beetle is not presently believed to reside in Minnesota, there are risks posed by an expanding species range resulting from warming climate and the potential for accidental introduction via lumber imports from infested areas.
To enhance arts access in East Otter Tail County by updating the park stage. Additionally, to feature chainsaw carving demonstrations throughout the fair week.
The purpose of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's monitoring activities is to determine the presence and concentration of pesticides in Minnesota's groundwater and surface water. Monitoring information is used to characterize and assess the extent of pesticide impacts to Minnesota's water resources.
Nitrate-nitrogen (nitrate) is one of the contaminants of greatest concern for groundwater in Minnesota. This funding is being used for activities that help identify the severity and magnitude of nitrate contamination and implement practices at the local level to reduce nitrate in groundwater. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is working with many local partners and passing funding through to local government units (counties, cities, soil and water conservation districts) to address this concern.
The MDA's technical assistance helps ensure that current and accurate scientific information is made available and used to address water quality concerns in agricultural areas of Minnesota. This funding has been used to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation practices, share information from research and demonstration sites and enhance outreach and education to the agricultural community and local government partners.
To host a children's show about life on the farm through songs and stories, and offer a presentation about, and create a display area of, antique horse drawn machinery used by farmers from the Le Sueur County area.
To educate fairgoers about the early history of the area. The Le Sueur County Fair will create an exhibit on the Native American and early settlers life in the area. The exhibit will include a large tipi, fire pit, artifacts, tools, hides, and more. Funds will also be used to host demonstrations on native and log cabin construction techniques, and drawing and painting activities for children.
