AG AWARDS — The Waseca County Farm Family of the Year and Outstanding Young Farmer were honored at the annual Farm and City Luncheon on Thursday, March 22 in Waseca. Pictured front (l-r): Trevor, Travis and Amy Beckstrand. Middle: Jamie and Marijo Beckstrand. Back: Jason Norton and Paul Beckstrand. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
The spring agricultural season in Waseca County officially kicked off with the Farm and City Luncheon at the Waseca American Legion Thursday, March 22. The annual affair, sponsored by the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce, brings together agri-business leaders and recognizes individual accomplishments.
Following the Invocation by Father Marty Schaefer, guests were treated to a heaping platter of beef, pork, baked potato and corn, served up by blue-jacketed FFA members. As was custom, third grade students from Hartley Elementary provided hand-drawn placemats for the head tables.
Attendees were welcomed by Tracy Jevning, chair of the WACC who introduced Master of Ceremonies Hugh Chester-Jones. The keynote speaker was Ron Eustice, Executive Director of the MN Beef Council.
“My roots are very deep in this community,” said Eustice, who was born in Waseca. He was selected for the 4-H International Youth Exchange program where he spent six months in Uruguay in 1967-68.
“Back then, there wasn’t much agricultural technology being used,” said Eustice. “Now, Uruguay exports beef to over 100 countries.”Eustice has traveled the world and spoke of what he has witnessed.
“Starvation and hunger are very real,” said Eustice. “I’ve seen it firsthand. 16,000 people die every day from hunger-related causes. There has been a huge spike in food prices which have caused riots in several countries.”
Eustice spoke of Norman Borlaug, the Minnesotan who did extensive research in the field of agriculture, especially with varieties of wheat.
“He [Borlaug] saved a billion lives,” said Eustice. “Because of his work, India and Pakistan were able to double their production of wheat, helping them to be self-sufficient food producers.”
The hot topic of irradiated food was next on the agenda. Eustice mentioned opponents of irradiated food sometimes tend to use misleading information. He cautioned listeners to check the source of information.
“We all have a right to our opinion,” said Eustice, “but not to our own set of facts.”
Eustice was asked a question about the “pink slime” which has been in the recent news.
“It’s perfectly safe,” said Eustice. “The Minnesota Beef Council’s web site is a good source for news on it.”
Soil and Water Conservation District Board Supervisor Jurgen Peters presented Brian Jewison with this year’s conservation award. The award is given to a Waseca County landowner or organization who best exemplifies qualities of environmental stewardship, responsible land management and natural resource conservation. Jewison had worked extensively on his farm on the east side of Lake Elysian creating buffer zones and planting trees near the lake.
Jim Jirik from the Natural Resources Conservation Service recognized Jason Norton as this year’s Outstanding Young Farmer for Waseca County.
Next, Terry Hansen of the Waseca County Extension Committee announced that the Beckstrand family (Paul, Marijo, Jamie, Amy, Trevor and Travis) were selected for the Farm Family of the Year. They operate a beef operation near Waldorf and the whole family is heavily involved in 4-H.