Joseph Martin Jeffer, 80, Luverne, died Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, at the Sanford Luverne Medical Center in Luverne.
A memorial service was Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne. A private family burial of cremains will be at a later date.
Joseph Jeffer was born on Aug. 22, 1942, to Dick and Hattie (Lyftogt) Jeffer in Ashton, Iowa. Joe lived in Ashton, Matlock, Iowa, and Leota and graduated from Edgerton High School in 1960.
Joe married Wilma Smidstra on Aug. 29, 1963, at the American Reformed Church in Luverne. They lived in Luverne. Wilma passed away in 2018. Joe and Wilma had a son, Richard, and a daughter, Rachelle.
Joe had many jobs during his career, and all of them related to driving truck.
When Joe wasn’t working, he kept very busy with his love for the outdoors. He enjoyed trapping, bow hunting, muzzle loader hunting, slug hunting and fishing. He enjoyed competing in indoor and outdoor archery, pistol and trap shooting. Joe also spent lots of time snowmobiling with the whole family. He raced cars at the Rock Rapids speedway for many years. He was his own mechanic, whether it was his race car, boat, vehicle or semi. Joe also enjoyed going out for coffee at McDonald’s with his friends.
On one of his many trips, Joe met Danelle Hamilton, and on April 25, 2020, they were united in marriage.
Joe is survived by his wife, Danelle Jeffer of Luverne; son Richard (Pam) Jeffer of Midlothian, Virginia; daughter Rachelle (Mark) VanderWaal of Edgerton; four grandchildren, Joey Jeffer, Kristin (Cory) Mcintosh, Brady VanderWaal and Tanner VanderWaal; sister Hellen (Dave) Nordgren of Crosslake; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Wilma; two sisters, Joan Van Hof and C.H. Kolleen; and a nephew, Dale Vant Hof.
Arrangements were provided by Dingmann Funeral Home of Luverne, dingmannandsons.com.
(1208 F)

Luverne Cardinal wrestlers showed up in a big way for their first tournament Saturday, Dec. 3, in Flandreau, South Dakota.
According to coach Jordan Kopp, each and every wrestler contributed to the team and fed off each other’s energy in the match.
“These kids left it all out on the mat,” he said.
“I remember after the third round, one of the coaches came up and said we had a 30-point lead, and it started to become reality that we were legit contenders.”
The Cardinals took the team championships in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions Saturday, beating out 12 other South Dakota teams.
Madison, South Dakota, was the second-place team, coming in 20 points behind the Cardinals.
In the boys’ division Luverne placed 11 wrestlers on the podium.
First-place honors went to Leif Ingebretsen in the 126-pound weight class and DJ Rock in the 160-pound class.
Second-place winners were Bernie Rock at 113 pounds, Matthew Gangestad at 120, Jaden Reisch at 152 and Sam Rock at 170.
Third-place winners were Josh Stroh at 132 pounds and Masyn Akkerman at 285.
Fourth-place winners were Brody Kopp at 106 pounds, Rayden Boyenga at 132, and Hudson Hough at 138.
In the girls’ division Luverne placed four champions. Zakayda Bradley was first at 106 pounds, Julia Hoogland at 126, CeCe Rock at 143 and Andi Luitjens at 154.
“It was an awesome feeling knowing how hard these kids have worked,” Kopp said.
“It showed in their wrestling and even better that they were able to take home first place.”
The Cardinals were scheduled to travel to the Redwood Valley Invitational Tuesday, Dec. 6, and the Jackson County Central Invitational Saturday, Dec. 10.

The Luverne girls’ basketball team defeated Edgerton Thursday, Dec. 1, and Southwest Christian Monday, Dec. 5, to start the season 2-0.
The Cardinals are scheduled to host Pipestone Friday, Dec. 9 and then travel to Jackson County Central Tuesday, Dec. 13.
 
Luverne 60, Edgerton 24
The Cardinal girls’ basketball team won on the road against Edgerton Monday, Dec. 5.
“Overall, it wasn’t our best game, but we will use it as a learning experience,” said coach TJ Newgard.
The first half was riddled with missed shots and turnovers by both teams.
“We did not do a good job of finishing around the rim, especially when there was any sort of contact,” Newgard said.
At the end of the first half Luverne led the Dutchmen 36-11.
The second half was played much like the first, with both teams struggling to score and getting into foul trouble.
Kira John and Elizabeth Wagner played well, with Wagner posting 14 points, 12 rebounds and 7 steals and John contributing 21 points and 6 rebounds.
“Right now we are turning the ball over far too much and need to value each possession,” Newgard said after the game.
“We are still looking for more depth in games like this. We need girls to come in and contribute positive minutes on a consistent basis.”
 
Luverne 65, Southwest Christian 39
The Luverne girls’ basketball team opened their 2022-23 season at home defeating Southwest Christian 65-39 Thursday, Dec. 1
The Cardinals were able to move the ball around on offense and keep defensive pressure on the Eagles in the first half.
Luverne went on to lead Southwest Christian 30-26 at the break and pulled away in the second half, defeating the Eagles 65-39.
Elizabeth Wagner led the team scoring with 21 points. Christina Wagner assisted with 12 points, and Sarah Stegenga posted 8 points.
Eight other Cardinal girls contributed in scoring throughout the game.

The Luverne High School boys’ basketball team opened the 2022-23 season at home losing to Southwest Minnesota Christian 75-46 Thursday, Dec. 1.
The Cardinals started out slow and were not able to catch up in the contest where the LHS shots failed to fall and the Eagles were able to win the battles in the paint.
The Eagles led by 10 points in the first half with solid play inside, and they were able to outrebound Luverne both halves with 53 compared with Luverne’s 24.
For Luverne, Gavin DeBeer led with 17 points. Carter Sehr had 12 points, Gannon Ahrendt had 11 points and two blocked shots, and Riley Sneller scored six.
DeBeer led the Cardinals with six rebounds. Ja’Shon Winter had four, and Cowell, Sehr and Elijah Woodley contributed three rebounds each.
The Cardinals led in steals with 12 (Southwest had eight), and posted a free-throw percentage of 33 percent compared with the Eagles’ 25 percent.
But that wasn’t enough to offset Southwest Christian’s offensive pressure, and the Cardinals fell 75-46.
The Cardinals were scheduled to play the next two games on the road, meeting the Dutchmen in Edgerton Monday, Dec. 5, and the Arrows in Pipestone Friday, Dec. 9.

I had the Black Pack Pheasant Attack group, (four seasoned black Labradors ranging in age from 2-11 years), out one afternoon this week, and man, was it an adventure!
I invited a friend who was in Nobles County for the week, and we made plans to try a pincher move on what is now very educated pheasants.
He went in from one end and I approached from the other.  You can only do this move with two experienced hunters that you have some experience with, because if it works out as planned, you end up trapping the birds between the two of you. Only after the birds have taken wing and moved off to the side in one direction or another can either hunter actually fire the gun safely.
Well, before we got close to one another, he had already harvested his two Minnesota roosters. I, on the other hand, had just missed a lay-up. A lay-up is an easy shot when the bird originates within 20 yards of me and is flushed by one of my dogs. I don’t miss this kind of shot very often, but when I do, it screws with my head.
We met in the middle, and he decided to take his dog and wander back to the truck. I continued to work my way around in some great habitat, flushing one hen right after another.
There is one spot on this parcel that is normally good for a bird, and it allows the hunter to work toward a big bend in a modest creek. The birds run ahead until they have no place left to run and have to take wing.
As we neared the creek, one of my dogs went on point. Most Labradors are not pointing dogs, but my big linebacker dog Sarge will point on occasion. As the other three were quartering back and forth, I saw Sarge had entered a little plum thicket and was standing like a statue. I figured this could be my chance to redeem myself after the earlier easy shot miss.
As I eased my way closer, he pounced, and what happened next was not what I expected. I figured a great big, full-color rooster was about to erupt, but what I got was a dog with a big mouth full of fur.
Sarge was just as proud as punch as he held on to a completely alive, hissing and growling opossum. He brought it back to me and sat there at heel like some sort of proud papa. I grabbed it by the tail and told him to drop, and Sarge told me to go jump into a lake. I imagine he was telling himself that it is so rare that I get a creature like this I will just hold on to it for as long as I please.
It took some coaxing, but a little training collar incentive and he finally dropped it. Once I had it clear, I was going to dispatch it. Sarge had removed most of the life in it by now, and as I contemplated my next move, one of the other three dogs had just flushed a great big rooster about 20 yards ahead of me. With a gun in one hand and opossum in the other, there was no way I was going to get a gun on that bird, and he made his easy escape. I pitched the now waning mammal into the grass, and as I did so, yet another rooster flushed at the very end of gun range.
I made a great shot and piled up that bird, and 30 seconds later I had one dog with a rooster and a second dog, not Sarge, with the same opossum. If it was fun for Sarge, it just had to be as much fun for Ghost.
Now I’ve hunted all of my dogs the same for north of 15 years. They all know their job and stay close. It is the most satisfying endeavor to be able to do so with a high level of control, and in most cases with some pretty great hunting outcomes.
If you would have seen me on this day, you would have bet your IRA on the fact that I had taken up pheasant hunting about three days earlier. Sitting on the tailgate of the truck with the one beer I brought and one beautiful bird and reliving my last 45 minutes are part of what makes an outdoor lifestyle so great.
I cannot imagine a life without a lot of dogs in it. This evening made crystal clear one of my famous sayings: One of the few things that can impress the daylights out of you and then disappoint the daylights out of you two minutes later is a dog.
I took this afternoon hunt as a success. Not because I shot so well – I did not – not because of the greatest dog work I have ever experienced – it was not – but just for the humor of it all and the look on Sarge’s face and how proud he was with his big, furry prize.
Dog training is never done and this night was living proof of that.
Scott Rall, Worthington, is a habitat conservationist, avid hunting and fishing enthusiast and is president of Nobles County Pheasants Forever. He can be reached at scottarall@gmail.com. or on Twitter @habitat champion.

Imagine putting a cute guinea pig (a favorite pet in our house!) down in an advanced math class and trying to teach the “piggie” a complex formula that was written on the whiteboard. It would be pretty difficult, if not impossible, for the pet to understand the formula. It simply would be beyond its comprehension.
Like that furry rodent, there are quite a few things in life that we have difficulty understanding. For example, where does color come from? How much air is in the earth’s atmosphere? How much water is contained in the oceans? What is on the other side of a black hole? Or how large is the universe?
There is something else that we cannot fully understand, and yet it is also very wonderful – God’s love and peace.
You see, sadly, by nature we are enemies of God. We are born and conceived in sin. We desire and carry out actions which God tells us not to do. And we often ignore that which God wants us to do.  These sinful actions, desires, attitudes, and words all warrant God’s anger and demand punishment.
Here is the part we cannot understand – despite people’s enmity and sin toward God, he continued to love us anyway. God carried out an act of love that was so awesome, so amazing, it is beyond our understanding.
The Almighty God allowed his one and only Son to become one of us, yet without sin. This is the great mystery of the incarnation. This is what we celebrate at Christmas! Jesus, the Christ-child is Immanuel, “God with us” in human flesh. He came to be our substitute, our brother, our Savior. He cried for us, experienced hunger, hurt, and tears for us, he even bled for us.
Only this God-man Jesus could establish peace between God and humans, and the cost would be enormous – his life. It transcends our understanding, yet as a grown man, on Good Friday, Christ, though perfectly innocent, suffered and died on the cross to save sinners – you and me!
Then just as he promised, Jesus arose from the dead three days later, proving that you and I have indeed been reconciled to God. We have true peace. In Christ you are no longer God’s enemy, but his dearly loved child!
What is more, God the Holy Spirit provides you with faith to trust in what your Savior has accomplished! He does this through his Word and blessed sacraments. Our peace is strong and certain, not because it is based on human reasoning or intelligence, but because it is established and provided by our loving heavenly Father.
You and I cannot fully comprehend this wonderful peace from God, yet we believe and know that it is true, for our Lord Jesus has assured us that we have a place reserved for us in the glories of heaven! Join us in God’s House this Advent and Christmas as we await the coming of our Savior-King!
“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

St. Catherine Catholic Church
203 E. Brown St., Luverne
St. Catherine Ph. 283-8502; www.stscl.org
Monsignor Gerald Kosse, Pastor
Sundays 8:30 a.m. Mass. Public Mass will be celebrated at FULL capacity in the church. Masses: 9 a.m. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Friday at the nursing homes – check the bulletin. All Sunday masses will be live streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pg/stccluverne/videos/. Visit www.stscl.org for more information.
 
Luverne Christian Reformed Church
605 N. Estey St., Luverne
Office Ph. 283-8482; Prayer Line Ph. 449-5982
www.luvernecrc.com — office@luvernecrc.com
Sundays 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 6:30 p.m. Evening worship service. We are streaming Sunday services live on YouTube at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Send him a friend request if you’re not connected. You may also visit our website for delayed broadcasts. Also our services are on local cable TV at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays. In all circumstances, may we joyfully declare: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8.
 
First Baptist Church
103 N. Jackson St., P.O. Box 975, Luverne
Ph. 283-4091; email: fbcluv@iw.net — www.fbcluverne.org
Walt Moser, Pastor
Sundays, 10:30 a.m. In-person worship service. Service is also on Facebook Live at 10:30 a.m.
 
Grace Lutheran Church
500 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4431; www.graceluverne.org — graceluverne@iw.net
Dave Christenson, Interim Pastor
Thursday, Dec. 8: 8:30 p.m. Missions in Action. Saturday, Dec. 10: 2 p.m. David Nelson Ordination Service. Sunday, Dec. 11: 9 a.m. Worship service with Sunday School Christmas program. 10 a.m. Coffee Fellowship. 10 a.m. Sunday School and Drums. 6-7:30 p.m. 9th-12th grade Christmas Party. 6:30 p.m. Transitional Task Force meeting. Tuesday, Dec. 13: 9 a.m. Staff meeting. 6:45 p.m. Ministry meetings. 8 p.m. PPC meeting. Wednesday, Dec. 14: 7 a.m. Men’s Bible Study. 6:15 p.m. 9th Grade confirmation class. 7 p.m. Advent Service. 7:45 p.m. Voices of Grace rehearsal. Online, TV and Radio Worship options are available. Online worship: Sundays 9 a.m. at www.graceluverne.org, click Worship tab; or Facebook page at Grace Lutheran ELCA, Luverne. TV: Vast Channel 3 Mondays at 4:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. Radio: KQAD-AM Radio Sundays at 8:15 a.m.
 
Bethany Lutheran Church
720 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4571 or 605-215-9834
Andrew Palmquist, Pastor
Sundays, 9 a.m. Sunday School and Bible class. 10:15 a.m. Worship service; worship online as well (at els.org). Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Zoom Bible study. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Advent Vespers. See our Facebook page, Bethany Lutheran Church (Luverne) for other classes and events.
 
American Reformed Church
304 N. Fairview Dr., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-8600; email: office@arcluverne.org
Thursday, Dec. 8: School Youth Retreat. Friday. Dec. 9: 6:30 a.m. Community Men’s Bible Study. Sunday, Dec. 11: 9:30 a.m. Worship Service with Holy Communion. 10:50 a.m. Sunday School. 10:50 a.m.-1:20 p.m. Christmas program practice. 6 p.m. Sunday School Christmas program. Tuesday, Dec. 13: 12 p.m. Staff meeting. 7 p.m. Consistory meeting. Wednesday, Dec. 14: 5:30 p.m. Midweek Meal. 6:30 p.m. Pioneer Clubs and Youth Groups. Services are also broadcast on Vast Channel 3 on Mondays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 4 p.m. DVD’s available upon request. To stay up to date on announcements, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @arcluverne.
 
Rock River Community Church
1075 110th Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-9070; email: info@rockrivercommunity.church
Bob Junak, Pastor
Come as you are—Sundays @ 10 a.m.: Main Service. Kids church age 3-6th grade—Nursery. Wednesdays @ 6:30 p.m. Midweek Service—Kids age 3-6th grade.
 
United Methodist Church
109 N. Freeman Ave., Luverne
Ph. 283-4529
Thursday, Dec. 8: 7 p.m. AA meeting. Saturday, Dec. 10: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, Dec. 11: 9 a.m. Adult Sunday school. 9:15 a.m. Coffee. 10:30 a.m. Worship Service with Holy Communion. Prayer Warriors after service. 4:30 p.m. Genesis/Revelation Bible Study. Tuesday, Dec. 13: 1:30 p.m. Sewn in Faith. 7 p.m. Scouts. Wednesday, Dec. 14: 9 a.m. Open Prayer Chapel. 6:15 p.m. FUEL. 6:30 p.m. confirmation. 8 p.m. AA meeting. Thursday, Dec. 15: 7 p.m. AA meeting. Live streamed on Facebook and radio.
 
First Presbyterian Church
302 Central Lane, Luverne
Ph. 283-4787; email: Firstpc@iw.net
Sunday, Dec. 11: 9 a.m. Adult Sunday school. 10:15 a.m. Worship service. Youth Sunday school during worship service. In-person Worship service and live on Facebook. Our Facebook page can be found under First Presbyterian Church of Luverne. We are also on the local Luverne cable station at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and 10 a.m. on Thursdays.
 
St. John Lutheran Church
803 N. Cedar St., Luverne
Ph. 283-2316; email: stjohn@iw.net
www.stjohnlutheranluverne.org
Saturday, Dec. 10: 5:30 p.m. Saturday Worship. Sunday, Dec. 11: 9 p.m. Worship Service. 10:15 a.m. Adult Bible Study. 10:15 a.m. Sunday School. Monday, Dec. 12: 1 p.m. Quilters meet. 7:30 p.m. Men’s Club. Tuesday, Dec. 13: 7 p.m. Women’s Missionary. Wednesday, Dec. 14: 9 a.m. Bible Study. 6 p.m. Advent Vespers. 6:30 p.m. Catechesis Class. Kids for Christ. 7 p.m. Senior choir. 7:30 p.m. Youth Group. Services will be available on the Vast Channel 3 Sunday and online at the city website, cityofluverne.org.
 
Living Rock Church
500 E. Main St., Luverne
Ph. 449-0057; www.livingrockswmn.org
Josh Hayden, Pastor
 
New Life Celebration Church
101 W. Maple, Luverne
Ph. (605) 368-1924; email: newlifecelebration@gmail.com
Food mission every third Thursday.
 
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
305 E. 2nd St., P.O. Box 36, Hardwick
Ph. (507) 669-2855; zionoffice@alliancecom.net
Jesse Baker, Pastor
Sunday, Dec. 11: 9 a.m. Worship service. 10:15 a.m. Sunday School. 10:30 a.m. Bible study. Worship service on Luverne cable at 3:30 p.m. every Thursday and Friday.
 
Ben Clare United Methodist Church
26762 Ben Clare Ave., Valley Springs, S.D.
igtwlb@WOW.net
Bill Bates, Pastor
 
First Lutheran Church
300 Maple St., Valley Springs, S.D.
Ph. (605) 757-6662 – firstpalisade@alliancecom.net
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Sunday, Dec. 11: 10:30 a.m. Sunday School kids Christmas program at First Lutheran Church.. All are welcome. We Are ONLINE! Facebook: @FirstLutheranValley Springs; YouTube: FirstPalisadeLutheranParish.
 
Palisade Lutheran Church
211 121st St., Garretson, S.D.
Ph. (507) 597-6257 — palisadechurch@alliancecom.net
www.palisadelutheran.org
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Thursday, Dec. 8: 1:30 p.m. WELCA meeting. 7 p.m. Palisade council meeting. Sunday, Dec. 11: 9 a.m. Sunday School kids Christmas program at Palisade Lutheran Church. Wednesday, Dec. 14: 7 p.m. Holden Evening Prayer Service for Advent Season at Palisade. (Dec. 14 and 21). We Are ONLINE! Facebook: @PalisadeLC; YouTube: FirstPalisadeLutheranParish.
 
First Presbyterian Church
201 S. 3rd St., P.O Box 73, Beaver Creek
Ph. 507-935-5025
email: lori.firstpres@gmail.com
Sundays, 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. Second Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. Session meeting.
 
Magnolia United Methodist Church
501 E. Luverne St., Magnolia
Ph. 605-215-3429
email: magnoliamnumc@gmail.com
Nancy Manning, Pastor
Sunday, 9 a.m., in-person with livestream available on the church’s Facebook site.
 
Steen Reformed Church
112 W. Church Ave., Steen
Ph. 855-2336
Jeremy Wiersema, Pastor
Sunday, 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Worship service in-person with livestream available on Facebook and YouTube. Radio worship on KQAD Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
 
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
112 N. Main St., Hills
Ph. 962-3270 / bethlehemofhills@gmail.com
Nita Parker, Pastor
Sunday, Dec. 11: 9 a.m. Worship at Tuff Chapel. 9 a.m. Sunday school. 10 a.m. Worship Service. Worship will be streamed live to Facebook at Bethlehem of Hills. You can find more info on our website blchills.org.
 
Hills United Reformed Church
410 S. Central Ave., Hills
Office Ph. 962-3254
hillsurc@alliancecom.net
Alan Camarigg, Pastor

The Winterfest puppet show and the in-person visit by Santa Claus returned, after a two-year hiatus, to the Rock County Library Friday morning in the library basement. Children’s librarian Bronwyn Wenzel explained that the puppet show called “What?! Santa Retires?!” needed to be recorded “because the puppets went on vacation.”

With the arrival of winter come warnings to avoid using too much of a good thing to maintain snowy roadways, sidewalks and parking lots.
Salt – often used to de-ice our paved surfaces – is commonly over-applied, sending too much chloride into our waterways and wreaking havoc for fish and other wildlife. Minnesotans can do their part this winter with a “less is better” strategy for salting surfaces and by using other tools to get the job done.
We scatter an estimated 445,000 tons of chloride-containing salt across Minnesota each year. Not only does salt damage our infrastructure, but it harms the environment. Chloride in salt ends up in our surface water, lakes, rivers and streams. It is toxic to our freshwater fish and other aquatic life. In fact, some waterways have so much chloride, they have been added to the state’s impaired waters list.
It only takes one teaspoon of salt to permanently pollute five gallons of water. That’s right, once the chloride is in our water, it’s there for good. Chloride from de-icing is one of the largest contributors to a growing salty water problem in Minnesota.
Minnesotans can take action this winter with these smart salting tips:
•Shovel and scrape. The more snow and ice you remove, the less salt is needed to be effective. (Go to youtube.com and watch “Improved Winter Maintenance: Good Choices for Clean Water” about tools, techniques and products that you can use to keep your driveways and sidewalks safe while protecting our waters.
•15 degrees Fahrenheit and below is too cold for salt. Most salts stop working at this temperature. Use sand instead for traction, but remember that sand does not melt ice.
•Use the right amount. That crunch from sidewalk salt under your feet does not signify safety. People often think more salt equals more snow and ice melt. Around 12 ounces – roughly a coffee mug full –effectively treats a 20-foor driveway or 19 sidewalk squares (about 1,000 square feet). Aim to apply salt consistently (e.g. with a spreader), and use only in critical areas.
•Sweep up visible salt on dry surfaces. It is no longer doing any work and will be washed away into local waters. You can keep it to use later.
•Take inventory. If you have common icy spots each winter, keep track of them and fix what you can this spring to avoid creating icy conditions next winter.
•Don’t expect perfect conditions. Slow down and drive carefully. Always give plow drivers plenty of space to do their work. Consider purchasing winter tires.
•Wear proper footwear. Wear shoes or boots with good traction and pay attention to where you are walking, avoiding icy spots, if possible. Take it slow and give yourself extra time to get where you’re going.
•Hire certified Smart Salters. Businesses that need someone to shovel or plow should hire a trained and certified Smart-Salting contractor. Individuals can advocate for reducing salt use in their community, at schools, churches, local businesses and government agencies.
The MPCA offers training for winter maintenance professionals, property managers, and others on how to provide safe surfaces in winter and minimize harmful environmental impacts. Check the website pca.state.mn.us to learn more about Smart Salting training and related topics.