Minnesota Agricultural Interpretive Center Annual Review 2013-14 jlg
Minnesota Agricultural Interpretive
Center-Farmamerica
Summary of Accomplishments
2013-14
36th Annual Meeting of the Membership April 21, 2014
Prepared and presented by James L. Gibson, Executive Director
Staffing
Volunteers
Executive Director
 .25 paid FTE
 Education
Special
Intern 120 hrs
projects
 Contract
Marketing
Legacy Grant
Consultant 7-8
Consultant
hrs. per week.
(s)
 Broadhead
Marketing Plan/
Business
AgStar
Plan
Supported
Contractor
Site Manager
 Overall site management
 Total allocated time 1.0
FTE.
 Supplementation with part
time associates and STS
 Maintenance Technician
 Visitor Center Custodial
 Grounds maintenance
(seasonal)
Office Manager
 1.0 FTE
 Summer Assistant,
 Volunteers-coordination
 Office operations.
Work Area
Projects and Accomplishments
Projects and Accomplishments
Continued
Buildings and
Grounds
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7367 360th Ave., Waseca, MN 56093
Visitor Center maintenancereplacement of cracked
insulating glass above front
entry door and replacement
of kitchen door.
Research Library Data Basecontinued cataloguing (V.
McCarthy)
Clean up of Walnut Grove
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Prairie Interpretive Center sweet
clover removal (SCC Students)
Cleanup of cattails in pond and
creation of common plant
materials pages for mounting
(Waseca High School AgriScience
Classes).
Purchase of six passenger Club
Cab golf cart (Sutter).
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Minnesota Agricultural Interpretive Center Annual Review 2013-14 jlg
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Development
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Education
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Finance
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7367 360th Ave., Waseca, MN 56093
(continues)
Planting the entry keystone to
the Gosen Orchard
Weather seal the log barn and
smoke house-completed Vic
and Sam.
Oversight to dialogue
regarding acceptance of new
electronic message board at
front entrance (T. Johnston)
Walk-Thru and scheduling
repair of the Hovel (John
Parmeter-Deer River).
Plugged transmission tiles
where inhibiting water flow
from the north end of the line
at the church. This was dug
up and replaced, regarded
and seeded.
Grants: Interpretive Planningfor Food Preservation (Final
Report Submitted and
Approved).
Legacy Grant for Collections
work continuing.
Work toward the restoration
of the Country Elevator and
Mill including presence at the
Minnesota Grain and Feed
Association Annual MeetingSt. Cloud.
Alliance Pipeline
Environmental Education
Center (Prairie and Wetlands)Project Completion
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Jennifer Wilson completes
Bohmbach Education
Internship.
Education leadership assumed
by Marshall Herfindahl (midyear)
Looking for ways to increase
return savings, unexpended
funds by consulting with
independent financial advisors
in the area.
Farm-related budget
development became an
opportunity with the death of
Roy Lukken and release of the
Lifetime Estate created to
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Strategic Planning Project for
Business Plan-development
substantially completed with
contracted services of Learning
Innovations, Inc of Northfield.
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Marvin and Ardis Sutter fund
created with their donation at the
end of 2013. Focus on handicap
access, maintenance, stained
glass in church and membership.
Budget for 2014 completed.
Agreements made with previous
renters and with new projects.
Working with the new Modern
Farm Demonstration and
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Painting of Church, Blacksmith
Shop exteriors plus partial
completion of outside storage
shed.
Installation of bulk fuel tank.
Purchase and installation of new
work area equipment for Office
Manager.
Purchase and installation of a new
Hitachi White board (Orientation
room.) (Grant from Minnesota
Education in Agriculture
Leadership Council.)
Wired and installed speakers and
amplifier for the Orientation room
and new smart board.
EF Johnson/Waseca Area
Foundation/Rosenau Fund (for
school tours- CP)
Recognition of major sponsors of
the Naming Rights identified as
key to funding opportunities.
Grant of $600,000 to
Farmamerica for energy
production using wind, solar and
battery system. Contract
preparation under way. Project
will be a year long. Letter came
March 12, 2014.
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Minnesota Agricultural Interpretive Center Annual Review 2013-14 jlg
Legislative Relations
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Marketing and
Communications
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provide for transfer to
management of Farmamerica.
June 25, 2013.
Legislative Funding Proposal
for deferred maintenance was
submitted during the current
legislative session (2014) for
2015 funding. $200,000
requested. Sen. Rosen and
Rep. Cornish authored the
bills in their respective
houses.
Another bill to provide
amnesty or exemption for
Sales tax on admissions was
prepared and sponsored by
Sen. Rosen and Rep.
Petersburg.
2013-14 we have a service
agreement with Greg Husak, a
marketing and
communications professional
to help with event promotion,
brochure development, web
site and social media and the
special tabloid celebrating the
achievement at Farmamerica
since in the idea stage in the
mid-seventies.
Education Committee that was
named in the winter.
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Membership
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Members only event planned
for 2014.
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Operations
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In 2013 and 14 we have
implemented revised rental
rates for Visitor Center
Employment of a person to
clean and refresh the Visitor
Center prior to and following
events continues. (Cathy
DeBates)
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Led by Greg Bartz, Chair of the
Legislative Committee, put
together a Farmamerica Day at
the Capitol (March 11.) Fourteen
legislative offices were visited.
Seven board members
participated.
There were also presentations
made to House and Senate
Committees by Tom Hagerty on
our behalf.
Dupont Pioneer has agreed to
help finance the rental of
billboards along HWY 14 (each
direction) as a part of their
commitment to us for their use of
land for public modern agriculture
Demonstration plots.
Waseca County News (Huckle
Media) has taken on the job of a
special Farmamerica Edition by
selling ads and putting together
the editorial (the story) of
Farmamerica. Planned
distribution of 45,000 copies in
local area (Waseca, St. Peter,
Faribault, Owatonna, Northfield).
Member development including
corporate and organizational
being targeted for 2014.
Maintenance of burglar and fire
alarm systems continue to be of
concern. Major investment made
in upgrading the sensors in the
big rooms after false alarms set
off by old sensor system.
Sam Campagna hired on a parttime temporary trial basis last
year continues on a regular
basis.
Added summer help (2013) on a
trial basis to do livestock chores:
Paige and Emily Hildebrandt and
Katie Wollenberg.
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Program and Events
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Community
Relations
2012 events calendar
completed and 2013
approved
Farm Camp Minnesota
(modern agriculture daycamp) will be in its 3rd year.
August 2014.
Professional development in
precision/GPS guided was
conducted in June. Second
conference with similar
content is tentatively
scheduled in late July. 2014.
Fall Fair expanded
programming but hot
weather caused less than
hoped for attendance. New
dates for 2014 will make the
event more accessible.
Waseca Area High School
Band sold Waffle Tickets
again in 2013 and plan again
for 2014…a big time fund
raising success.
Two wagon trains are
scheduled for 2014: June
(Camp Winnebago fund
raiser will be staged at
Farmamerica). During the
Fall Fair in September, the
multi-county Sheriff’s Posse
will trail through the grounds
with a staging area in
Waseca.
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Volunteer
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Volunteer Appreciation and
Volunteer Training
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Country Elevator
(Special)
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Funding proposals were
developed by the
Development Committee and
submitted to major funding
sources.
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 Agribusiness Committee
 The Waseca County ADA (Dairy
organization) has asked
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Waseca Chamber of
Commerce
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Springtime on the Farm
cancelled due to snow in 2013.
Linda Brekke has taken on
responsibility for SPOTF May 3,
2014.
School Tours scheduled and
filled for 2013 and being
developed for 2014. Volunteer
training days scheduled.
Self-Guided and Guided Tours
augmented by On-Cell cell phone
audio option (cell phone-local
calls. Very popular).
Sarah Benson hired to build the
business for summer tours and
evening/Sunday afternoon
extended hours. We will be
finding someone for the Sunday
afternoons this year.
Farmamerica Tractor Ride (4th
Annual: Saturday, June 22.) John
Rokke and Ken Lenz providing
leadership.
Corn Maze and Haunted Mill
attracted 1400 plus guests and
netted our largest single event
income for the year. Thanks to
the Melchers and 200 of their
closest friends.
All Hallows Eve planned again
because of the terrific turnout.
Christmas on the Farm (not
conducted in 2013 but) planned
for 2014.
April 10, 2012. Volunteer
training planned for April 23 and
25
Farmamerica Exhibited again at
the MGFA in St. Cloud promoting
the fund drive.
Three groups of millwrights have
visited the elevator and mill. The
working part of the mill has been
cleaned up and the store has
been stripped as well. Awaiting
decision on Phase II. Funding for
this phase is estimated at
$35,000.
Waseca Co. Distinguished
Agricultural Leadership Award
was presented to Farmamerica
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Minnesota Agricultural Interpretive Center Annual Review 2013-14 jlg
Waseca County
Community Growth
Initiative
Farmamerica to be the host
site for the 2014 Taste of the
Farm event to be held June 10.
Details to follow. This is also
one of the big projects for the
Waseca Chamber’s
Agribusiness Committee.
 Kwik Trip continues its periodic
training for food service and
general management
leadership.
 Bio-based business web portal
under construction was
completed in April 2013 and
has been operational as a
menu item in the
DiscoverWaseca.com web
site.
 Farmamerica was the site of
the Waseca County Farmer
Forum put together by the
Planning and Zoning office. In
2014 this was the third
annual.
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Neighbor Mike Mulcahey.
Justin Below (of the Lynn and
Justin Below Farms-who rent the
east farm at Farmamerica) was
selected as Waseca County
Outstanding Young Farmer.
BEST of Waseca (Business and
Entrepreneurial Support Team)
of Waseca County. Farmamerica
is a partner organization with a
seat on the Board has continued
to develop its agenda through a
major strategic planning effort
facilitated Pam Bishop, Southern
Minnesota Initiative FoundationOwatonna. Bio-Based
business/Agriculture are one of
the three top priorities for the
organization for 2014.
Of which we are very proud:
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Adoption and use of the new Logo is continuing with the prospect of it being a feature on a
new lighted sign and electronic message board replacing the lighted sign at the front entrance.
Purchased and paid for by Terry Johnston, Farmamerica volunteer. A $40,000 plus project. Our
cost is electrical service and mounting brackets.
Mission and Vision statements (revised) have been adopted by the board along with a new set
of values statements, survey summaries, marketing plan (Ag Star Funded) and Business Plan.
Legacy Grant for Interpretation Planning for Food Preservation (2012-13) report completed
allowing us to apply for additional Legacy grant funds for important projects in the future.
Legacy Grant to Catalog our collections of Farm equipment, tools and artifacts. (Phase I 201314)
AgriHall Committee…1926 Twin City Tractor restoration completed by Doug Hager and
delivered for the Fall Fair. 1936 Oliver 70 tractor restoration completed by the Farmamerica
Team. Painted by Thad and Kim Kuball.
AgriHall Building structural integrity was improved by affixing metal flanges to the post and the
concrete floor. 24 posts reinforced.
Combines: John Deere 45 combine engine overhaul completed. Work on combine in progress in
the shop. A mid-40s era Massey Harris self-propelled combine was recovered and gifted to
Farmamerica. This combine will be restored because of its historic significance in the county
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and because it was a part of a war effort and one of 500 produced to harvest grain efficiently
during a time when there was not enough labor at home to do it the old ways.
An Ingersoll baler was recovered from a local storage (John Rokke) and moved to AgriHall.
Patented in 1858 this machine was designed to compact everything from hides and furs to straw
and newspaper and to shape the materials into bales for ease of storage and shipment for
further processing.
A Fairbanks Morse one cylinder engine was gifted to Farmamerica by Marvin and Ardis Sutter.
The engine was used regularly on the Sutter Farm even during the time that Marvin (now in his
90s) was growing up on the home farm. A project that will require some careful attention has
been taken on by Doug Hager (AgriHall Committee Co-Chair).
Cleanup of Walnut grove at 30s farm continues. 75% of the self-seeded shrubbery has been
pulled and destroyed. Fertilization and pruning plus removal of the remaining weed shrubs is
next. Help with all fruit and nut trees will be welcomed.
Farm Camp Minnesota-a single day-day camp in 2012 was expanded to two days and 280
youngsters 3rd-6th grader were present in 2013 for a hands-on study of modern agriculture: beef,
dairy, swine, turkeys, corn and soybean production. Everyone got a ride in the cab of a John
Deere tractor provided by AgPower (Owatonna), their photos taken and available on Flickr me
(Internet), and had a ‘Fun-Bag’ to take home. Thanks all to neighbor Kathy Guse and a
committee of devoted volunteers representing Minnesota Farm Bureau, AgStar, All-American
Cooperative, and each of the commodity-based farm organizations (Corn and Soybeans, Dairy,
Beef, Swine). 4-H and FFA youth leaders and students were involved as well.
Funding of the School Tours Program and Farm Bureau Farm and Home Safety Day sponsored
again by Waseca Area Foundation and EF Johnson Foundation.
Gosen Family Memorial Orchard planted, signed and dedicated. 29 trees in four plantings along
the time-lane road were augmented by a visitor entrance and sign with ‘standard’ Dutchess,
Northern Greening, and Yellow Transparent just north of the Visitor Center.
Outstanding cooperation of the Waseca High School band and band boosters in Waffle
Breakfasts at the Fall Fair event.
Gardening project led by volunteer Joe McCarthy and involving other neighborhood volunteers
and youngsters.
Gifts in Kind (not listed above)
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A collection of 21 grain and feed sacks from the mid 20th century.
An old-timer portable black and white TV (Burns) to go with the display of other home
entertainment instruments (violin, concertina, pump organ) in the Gift Shop.
Loan of 1850s era household goods (for the log house) continues.
Support by the David and Sue Wolff family in the now completed restoration of the 1936 Oliver
70 tractor.
Labor supplied by Waseca-LeSueur Sentence-To-Service
1964 Schafer Tractor (on loan from Frank Matejcek of Faribault) remains as an attraction in
AgriHall. A Texas family brought their son and daughter to see the Schafer. They since have
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purchased parts to restore their own purchased in North Dakota Montana. Cody is competing in
a high school FFA ag mechanics tractor restoration competition. The tractor he restored last
year was in the top group receiving regional recognition.
South Central College agribusiness student community service day at Farmamerica involving
cleanup of the Feed Mill, AgriHall and Shop, the prairie, equipment, etc. 150 students can get a
lot of work done in a hurry.
Waseca High School community service day…. A half day devoted to doing something for your
community. Coordinated by Jeff Huelsnitz.
Upgrades (Progress still hoped for. Can you help?)
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Concrete and grading at the 30s house.---still on the list
Concrete threshold for the north overhead door on AgriHall. Other concrete projects in the
wings are re-do of the front walk way to the Visitor center and bases for new signs for the Gosen
Orchard and Prairie Center.
Cleanup and painting at the Lukken bin site and sheds.— More work to be done.
Collections enumeration project still underway (library)
Improvements to allow for use of electronic downloads for agricultural literacy work in the
Visitor Center. New computers in Admin Office to allow for re-development of a work station in
the Program office for the Site Manager, Special Projects, Interns.
Improvements in broadband Internet needed as we try to make this a more meetings and
educator friendly facility. The satellite service (HughesNet) improvements are being pursued.
Self-Guided Tour information kiosks at each of approx. 20 sites on the grounds. ---Still to be
completed-help needed.
Crack sealer and repair of the parking lot and time lane asphalt trail. ---deferred from previous
years.
Outdoor sound systems for events. ---deferred
Cover or flooring for the north end of the Machine Shed (where collapsed building was not
rebuilt)---deferred
Office equipment for the Office Manager and occasional labor that might include opening the
area for volunteer-staffing of a welcome booth and sales control at the Gift Shop. –
20 flowering crab apple trees to replace those in the front of the visitor center that have died
and removed. –We started on the Boulevard but have yet to replace about 35 others.
Restore the plumbed and heated restroom at the camping site west of AgriHall. ---deferred
Painting, ventilating and lighting and adding handicap accessibility to the restrooms in the Shop.
Restoration of the building housing the controls for the bins and grain legs.
Landscaping, trim painting, restoration to the loafing shed, storage sheds at the Lukken
Farmstead. Consider painting the rusty roofed bins.
Designing and constructing a stained glass window (with backlighting) for the Church tower.
An additional golf cart for handicap access to the grounds and sites.
Grounds signage (miscellaneous) including updates on the antique farm equipment collection.
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Larger American Flagpole for the front entrance. Wind resistant and taller.
New honey bee garden (fenced and managed).
Repair of 30s house, repaint in and out, new gutters, seal basement wall, walk way
improvement.
A permanently mounted and wired LCD projector for use for meetings in the Exhibition Hall.
Possible extension of that technology to large viewing screens in the Multi-Purpose Room, Great
Hall (and off site?).
New rear facing ‘horn type’ speakers for the Exhibition Hall. To improve sound quality and
reliability.
Business of Farmamerica
Vision Statement:
Farmamerica connects people with agriculture and rural life of the past, present and future.
Mission Statement:
To create opportunities for all to learn the continuing story of Minnesota agriculture and its role in
providing food, fiber and energy to the people of Minnesota and the world.
Values Statements:
1. Farmamerica values the heritage, present and future of Minnesota Agriculture
2. Farmamerica values the systems that contribute to profitability and potential for economic independence that
undergirds success in the agricultural industry.
These systems include basic and applied science and technology, transportation, marketing, finance, energy and mechanization,
communications, processing and manufacturing, quality assurance, health and nutrition of plants, animals and people, environmental
responsibility, research and development and education. More than 300 different careers are directly associated with agriculture,
food and natural resources systems.
3. Farmamerica values those individuals who devote their lives to farming and the broad field of agriculture.
4. Farmamerica values agricultural literacy by all people throughout the state and the use of innovative and interactive
education systems that support excellence in agricultural awareness and knowledge.
5. Farmamerica values citizenship, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship.
6. Farmamerica values sustainability and intends to model successful sustainability in production agriculture and the
food system.
Base document from June 17th, 2013 Committee of the Whole (Board of Directors) With Subcommittee Recommendations. First reading by the
Board 7.15.13. Edited and prepared for consideration at the August Board Meeting. Adopted by the Board of Directors Aug. 19, 2013.
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