With so many activities happening in the summer, a gradual move back to “normal,” and people going out again to do the things that they have been unable to do for almost two years, worship may once again take a back seat.
Summer is upon us, and with the full swing into a summer season, I’d like to share a few words about summer worship.
When I was in junior high school, I couldn’t wait until summer! It seemed that every single weekend brought new adventures and other things to do. Unfortunately, they were things that directly interfered with a very important joy that I had grown up with – going to church on Sunday morning.
It was summer, and for whatever the reasons, church started to feel less important than being with my friends or going to the lake. I know it hurt my parents, but of course I was the one who knew everything! Sadly, there is no age limit to this change of attitude. It took a new pastor who came to our church to again show me how important church was – even for a ninth-grader.  My next three years in high school were nothing short of magical because everything revolved around worship!
In his meaning to the Third Commandment, Martin Luther wrote, “We are to fear and love God so that we do not neglect God’s word or the preaching of it. But regard it as holy, and gladly hear and learn it. This is most certainly true!”
We forget sometimes that one of the most important things that we can do not only for ourselves, but also for our children, is to take them to God’s house often. God reminded us when He gave us the Ten Commandments the importance of hearing and not neglecting His word. You have no idea of the many benefits we receive when we worship together. These can be life changing – but only if we are present.
In his book, “Life Together,” (A Discussion of Christian Fellowship) martyred German Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer talked about that special feeling that can only happen when Christians come together.
“The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer.  The believer feels no shame, as though he were still living too much in the flesh, when he yearns for the presence of other Christians,” he wrote.  (“Life Together” pg. 19)
I know there are many other things to do – especially this summer, but I also know that God wants to see you in church!

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
Roger Sparks, Pastor
Sundays 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 6:30 p.m. Evening worship service. We are streaming Sunday services live on Roger Sparks’ Facebook page 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
1033 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
Ann Zastrow, Pastor
Dave Christenson, Interim Pastor
Thursday, July 15: 8:30 a.m. Missions in Action. Saturday, July 17: 5:30 p.m. Worship service with Holy Communion. Sunday, July 18: 9 a.m. Worship service with Holy Communion. 10 a.m. Fellowship coffee and treats. Monday, July 19: Grace notes deadline. Youth Valley Fair trip. Tuesday, July 20: 9 a.m. Staff meeting. Wednesday, July 21: 7 a.m. Men’s Bible study. 7:30 a.m. Mom’s Bible study at Wildflowers. 8:15 a.m. Caring visitor’s meeting. Thursday, July 22: 8:30 a.m. Missions in Action. Online, TV and Radio Worship options are available. Online: Sundays 9 a.m. on the church website www.graceluverne.org, click Worship tab or go directly to our Facebook page at Grace Lutheran ELCA, Luverne. TV: Vast Channel 3 will air our worship service Mondays at 4:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. Radio: KQAD-AM Radio will air our worship service on Sundays at 8:15 a.m.
 
Bethany Lutheran Church
720 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4571 or 605-215-9834
pastorapalmquist67@yahoo.com
Andrew Palmquist, Pastor
Sundays, 10:15 a.m. Worship service; worship online as well (at els.org). Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Zoom Bible study. See our Facebook page, Bethany Lutheran Church (Luverne) for other classes and events.
 
American Reformed Church
304 N. Fairview Dr., Luverne
Ph. 283-8600; email: office@arcluverne.org
Mike Altena, Pastor
Friday, July 16: 6:30 a.m. Community Men’s Bible study. Sunday, July 18: 9:30 a.m. Worship service. Tuesday, July 20: 7 p.m. Consistory meeting. 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 (formerly First Assembly of God)
1075 110th Ave., 2 miles west of Luverne on County Rd. 4
Ph. 612-800-1255; email info@rockrivercommunity.church
Bob Junak, Pastor; Annette Junak, Assistant Pastor
Sundays, 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. Worship service. Children’s church for ages 3-6th grade and nursery for ages 0-3 provided during our services. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Worship service. All services are in-person and all are welcome.
 
United Methodist Church
109 N. Freeman Ave., Luverne
Ph. 283-4529; email: luverneumc@iw.net
Friday, July 16: 10:30 a.m. Leave for Inspiration Hills Retreat. Saturday, July 17: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, July 18: 9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday school. 10:30 a.m. Worship service and live streamed on Facebook and radio. 11 a.m. Streamed worship from Inspiration Hills Retreat Center. 4:30 p.m. Genesis to Revelation Bible study. Monday, July 19: 7 p.m. Lay Leadership meeting. 8 p.m. AA meeting. Tuesday, July 20: 6 p.m. Trustees meeting. 6:30 p.m. Church council meeting. Wednesday, July 21: 6:30 p.m. Rocky Railway FUEL Fun Nigh. 8 p.m. AA meeting.
 
First Presbyterian Church
302 Central Lane, Luverne
Ph. 283-4787; email: Firstpc@iw.net— www.fpcluverne.com
Jason Cunningham, Pastor
Sunday, July 18: 9:30 a.m. 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. Wednesday, July 21: No deacons. 6 p.m. Church picnic.
 
St. John Lutheran Church
803 N. Cedar St., Luverne
Ph. 283-2316; email: stjohn@iw.net
www.stjohnlutheranluverne.org
Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, Pastor
Saturday, July 17: 5:30 p.m. Worship. Sunday, July 18: 9 a.m. Worship service. 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
Billy Skaggs, Pastor
 
New Life Celebration Church
101 W. Maple, Luverne
Ph. 449-6522; 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
 
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
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Sunday, July 18: 10 a.m. Joint worship at First Lutheran. Masks are no longer required if fully vaccinated. Worship will be streamed live on Facebook Video worship via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHdQwVxFcU4
 
Palisade Lutheran Church
211 121st St., Garretson, S.D.
Ph. (507) 597-6257 — firstpalisade@alliancecom.net
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Sunday, July 18: 10 a.m. 10 a.m. Joint worship at First Lutheran. Masks are no longer required if fully vaccinated. Worship will be streamed live on Facebook. Video worship via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHdQwVxFcU4
 
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
Nita Parker, Pastor
Sunday, July 18: 9 a.m. Worship at Tuff Home. 9:30 a.m. Youth time. 10 a.m. Worship service at Bethlehem with Holy Communion. VBS program during worship. Worship will be streamed live to Facebook at Bethlehem of Hills. You can find more info on our website blchills.org. Tuesday, July 20: 2 p.m. Tuff Home Bible study. 3:15 p.m. Tuff Village Bible study. Wednesday, July 21: 9 a.m. Quilting.
 
Hills United Reformed Church
410 S. Central Ave., Hills
Office Ph. 962-3254
hillsurc@alliancecom.net
Alan Camarigg, Pastor

Filing dates set for election to Dist. 671 School Board 
NOTICE OF FILING DATES FOR ELECTION TO THE SCHOOL BOARD
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 671
HILLS-BEAVER CREEK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
STATE OF MINNESOTA
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the period for filing affidavits of candidacy for the office of school board member of Independent School District No. 671 shall begin on July 27, 2021, and shall close at 5:00 o'clock p.m. on August 10, 2021.
The general election shall be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2021. At that election, one (1) member will be elected to the School Board for a term of one (1) year.
Affidavits of Candidacy are available from the school district clerk, 301 N. Summit Ave, Hills, MN. The filing fee for this office is $2. A candidate for this office must be an eligible voter, must be 21 years of age or more on assuming office, must have been a resident of the school district from which the candidate seeks election for thirty (30) days before the general election, and must have no other affidavit on file for any other office at the same primary or next ensuing general election.
The affidavits of candidacy must be filed in the office of the school district clerk and the filing fee paid prior to 5:00 o'clock p.m. on August 10, 2021.
Dated: June 28, 2021
BY ORDER OF THE SCHOOL BOARD
/s/ Renae Knobloch
School District Acting Clerk
(07-08)

H-BC School Board 
meets June 14
Hills-Beaver Creek Dist. 671
Minutes
June 14, 2021
The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board met for its semi-monthly 
meeting at 7:02 p.m. in the H-BC Secondary School Board room.
Board members present were Bosch, Fransman, Gehrke, Harnack, Knobloch, Rauk, and Rozeboom. Superintendent Holthaus, Principal Kellenberger 
and Business Manager Rozeboom were also in attendance.
Oath of Office: Appointed Board Member Fransman.
Public input for in-person learning plan for the 2021-2022 school year.
Motion by Bosch, second by Rozeboom, and carried to approve the agenda. Proposed Addition to the agenda: 8.16, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8
Visitor to the meeting was Mavis Fodness of the Star Herald.
PATRIOT PRIDE:
-HBC All-Conference Golfers - Tess Van Maanen, Thomas Dysthe, and
Hannah Fick
-Track All-Conference - Tyson Bork, Cole Baker, Dewell Rauk, Casey Kueter,
Liam Raymon, Taryn Rauk, Brandon Taubert, Ty Bundesen, Cooper Gehrke,
Ashlee Kelderman, Emma Deelstra, Brynn Rauk, Abby Knobloch
-Golf Sections and end of season
-Track Sections--Great job! Girls 4 by 100 and Boys 4 by 100 teams advance
to state. Girls--Abby Harris, Layla Deelstra, Taryn Rauk, Ashlee Kelderman;
Boys--Cole Baker, Tyson Bork, Dewell Rauk, Gavin Wysong
-H-BC Choir Performance Foreigner Concert, Friday, June 25
-Great end to the school year!
-Graduation!
BOARD COMMITTEE MEETING REPORTS:
-Personnel/Finance 6/9; Building Grounds Committee 6/14
Motion by Bosch, second by Knobloch, and carried to approve Consent Agenda:
-Minutes—05/24/2021
-Bills and Imprest
-Property/Casualty/Cyber/Vacant Building Liability Insurance agreements
beginning July 1, 2021 and covering through June 30, 2022.
-Agreement with Meulebroeck, Taubert & Co., PLLP to audit district financials
for fiscal year 2021
-Revoke Policy 808 COVID 19 Face Covering Policy effective immediately
-Teri Richard’s resignation as teacher effective the end of the 2020-2021
school year.
-Hiring Steve Wiertzema as Secondary Business/Accounting 
Teacher and Athletic Director for the 2021-2022 school year.
-Hiring Tyler Johnson as K-12 Art Teacher for the 2021-2022 school year.
-Hiring Kerri Baker as Secondary Math Teacher for the 2021-2022 school year.
-Hiring Erika Bierman as K-12 Vocal Music Teacher for the 2021-2022 school
year.
-Hiring Max Wolgen as Secondary Science Teacher for the 2021-2022 school
year.
-Assigning Amy Comp as District Band Teacher for the 2021-2022 school year.
-Assigning Dan Ellingson as Knowledge Bowl Coach.
-Assigning Steph Bass and Caitlin Slaba as Co-Secondary Student Council
Advisors
-Assigning Secondary Advisory Co-Leaders Samantha McGaffee and Alison
Ceynowa-Breuer
-Assigning Kale Wiertzema as Head Boys Basketball Coach for the 2021-2022
School Year
INDIVIDUAL ACTION ITEMS:
Motion by Harnack, second by Rozeboom, and carried to 
approve Donation Resolution- $85.00 for FFA Student Account.
Motion by Rauk, second by Fransman, and carried to approve payment of remaining amount towards MN State High School League invoice from 2020-2021.
Motion by Harnack, second by Knobloch, and carried to approve
changing Regular Board of Education Meeting from Monday, July 26,
2021 to Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at 7 p.m.
Motion by Knobloch, second by Bosch, and carried to approve offering Afterschool enrichment childcare program for the 2021-2022 school year. Hiring a Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator.
Motion by Harnack, second by Rozeboom, and carried to approve Safe Return to in-person learning plan for the 2021-2022 school year-ESSER III.
Motion by Harnack, second by Fransman, and carried to approve Quote for replacement of Elementary Retaining Wall by BlueStone Landscape Company-$32,800
Motion by Rozeboom, second by Knobloch, and carried to approve Quote for New Concrete GAGA Cement Platform at the Elementary School and cement platform for the relocation of the elementary school transformer for $27,823 with Verhey Concrete of Hills.
Motion by Bosch, second by Harnack, and carried to approve Electrical quote for relocation of elementary school transformer for $26,194 with RB Electric of Lester Iowa.
DISTRICT NON-ACTION ITEMS:
•Hearing for District Miscellaneous Pay 2021-2022 Schedule
•Hearing for District Fee 2021-2022 Schedule
•Preliminary 2022 Budget
•Secondary Principal Report
•Superintendent/Elementary Principal Report
•Legislative Update
AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Regular Board Meeting, June 28
Regular Board Meeting, July 12
Meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
Tamara Rauk, Clerk
(07-08)

Robinson descent
of property
STATE OF MINNESOTA DISTRICT COURT
COUNTY OF ROCK                 FIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
Court File No.: 67-PR-21-126
 
In Re: Estate of           NOTICE OF AND ORDER FOR       HEARING ON PETITION FOR
William F. Robinson       DECREE OF DESCENT AND
a.k.a. W. F. Robinson and             NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Billee G. Robinson, 
Decedents
 
A Petition for Decree of Descent has been filed with this Court. The Petition represents that the Decedents died more than three years ago, leaving property in Minnesota, and requests the probate of the Decedent's last will, if any, and the descent of such property be determined and assigned by this Court to the persons entitled to the property.
It is hereby Ordered, and Notice is given, that on August 2, 2021, at 8:30 a.m., a hearing will be held in this Court at Luverne, Minnesota, via Zoom, on a Petition for Decree of Descent in the Estates of William F. Robinson a.k.a. W. F. Robinson 
and Billee G. Robinson as consolidated pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 525.311 (7).
Any objections to the petition must be raised at the hearing or filed with the Court prior to the hearing. If the petition is proper and no objections are filed or raised, the Petition may be granted.
Notice shall be given to all interested persons and persons who have filed a demand for notice. Notice shall be given by publishing this Notice and Order for Hearing as provided by law and by mailing a copy of this 
Notice and Order for Hearing at least 14 days prior to the hearing date.
               
Dated: June 29, 2021 /s/ Terry S. Vajgrt
District Court Judge
DAVENPORT EVANS HURWITZ & SMITH, LLP /s/ Natalie Reisch
Mark R. Krogstad Court Administrator
Minnesota Atty. No. 0391223 /s/ Jennifer Thode
206 West 14th Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57401
Telephone: 605-336-2880
Facsimile: 605-335-3639
e-mail: mkrogstad@dehs.com
                                      (07-08, 07-15)

The July 4 celebration in Luverne at The Lake had all the makings of hot summer fun at the beach, with fireworks, picnics, beer garden, a land and water triathlon, a hula hoop contest, stories from the graves, live music, and foam dancing, to name a few.

Almost daily in June, the sounds of balls hitting bats and cheering crowds were heard more than usual in Hills, as two ball diamonds are now in use near Jacobson Park.
Thanks to the efforts of city officials and volunteers, the south ball field was recently improved and brought back into play.
“The field was a regular baseball field,” said Ross Metzger. “What we did was make it into a multi-purpose field.”
For years, the south grass surface wasn’t conducive to community baseball or softball games.
“The field sat there for a lot of years, and I know there were people who wanted to use it,” Metzger said.
Sand and lime replaced the grass infield, a portable home run fence and a portable backstop were purchased, and both fields now have new working score boards.
Weeds were pulled, grass mowed and local secondary students painted the concessions stand and dugouts a Patriots blue. Fences were repaired and extended to protect spectators from foul balls.
Derek Sammons, who coaches the 12u team, planned the field’s design.
“He spearheaded the whole design of the field,” Metzger said.
Both fields were used in June for the 130 youth participating in the 2021 summer rec program.
The fields were also open for the adults who play in the five-community fast pitch softball league.
Several days a week in June, children and adults gathered at one or both of the ballfields, and spectators watched children as young as 3 learn the fundamentals of baseball while older players on the south end competed in a heated game with a neighboring town.
Youth teams who traveled to Hills in June for the 12-and-under and 14-and-under baseball games shared positive feedback with summer recreation director Halden Van Wyhe.
“People have noticed the improvements,” Van Wyhe said.
Comments ranged to how nice the town looks, and with the ballfields located in the center of town, shows how much the community cares about where they live, he said.
Last year all the summer rec baseball and softball programs were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This summer participation is at normal numbers, and the new multi-purpose field allows the 12-and-younger teams to play in Hills due to availability of the portable home run fence and backstop.
Community members scrambled this spring to get the field ready.
About $15,000 in materials were purchased through a grant from the Luverne Area Community Foundation, business donations and from the city of Hills.
Metzger, a councilman and father to three (two of the players and his oldest is an umpire) brought the issue to board meetings and helped coordinate the completed work by just purchasing the materials.
“Thankfully it was all volunteer work for the labor,” he said.
This summer the exteriors of both the visitor and home team dugouts will be refurbished along the concessions stand.
The batting cage will also be overhauled.
“By the end of summer, it will look totally different,” Metzger said.

Brad Van De Berg’s cattle feedlot near Hills is among the best and most innovative in southwest Minnesota.
That’s why he was asked to host one of the eight stops on this summer’s 40th Annual Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association Summer Beef Tour July 13.
The event travels to different parts of the state each year, and this year the Rock-Nobles Cattlemen’s Association is showcasing beef production in southwest Minnesota.
It’s an honor to be a tour host, but it requires a fair amount of preparation in addition to spending an entire day with the expected 1,200 people on 15 tour buses.
So why do it? Van De Berg offered two reasons:
•He wants to share information about beef production the same way others shared with him in his earlier years, and
•He wants to share the message of human animal care and sustainable farming with those who may not understand agriculture.
Van De Berg’s operation features a 900-head capacity slatted barn, a unique 95-head capacity shipping and receiving barn and bed pack barn with sick pens.
He added concrete to existing cattle yards to create feed storage for his operation that buys cattle at 850 to 950 pounds and has them on feed about 180 days before they go to market.
He said his feedlots are large enough to make a living and to offer opportunities for the next generation.
“I want the operation to be big enough so my kids can come back,” he said.
 
Learning and teaching
Getting to this point, he said, required a great deal of learning — much of it from others in the industry.
“As a beef farmer you’re always looking for a way to do things a little bit better,” Van De Berg said. “And every farm has one or two things that you like and figure you can do on your own operation to make it more efficient or better.”
He grew up on a dairy farm north of Beaver Creek and worked at the nearby Bakken feedlot after graduating from college.
“I started working for them shortly after college, and they’re the ones who taught me how to feed cattle,” Van De Berg said about Richard, Peter and Jay Bakken.
“I do it totally different from the way they do it because my yard is different, but I kept a lot of things I learned from them. That’s where my enjoyment of feeding cattle came in.”
Once he started his own cattle operation near Hills, he made it a point to keep learning, attending workshops and beef tours that other cattle producers were willing to host.
“I guess I’m trying to repay that,” he said
 
Sustainability and efficiencies
Van De Berg said he also hopes to talk on the tour about efficiencies that have made his and other local farms environmentally sound and sustainable.
“In general there’s a lot of misinformation about agriculture and animal agriculture in general, and if we get people that are not in the ag industry on the tour, I would really like to talk to them about what we do,” he said.
“As farmers in general, we get viewed as not sustainable, and that is the farthest thing from the truth.”.
A key illustration at Van De Berg’s operation is the combination of precision manure application with strip-till planting.
“I produce enough manure, and I use all that manure on all my acres,” Van De Berg said. “And we get it to where it’s just the right amount — I only have so much and I want to spread it across everything.”
He strip-tills grain farming with his dad, Vern Van De Berg, and the manure is placed precisely underneath the seedbed for maximum benefit.
“Basically, I hardly buy any commercial fertilizer,” he said. “I can produce enough corn to feed my cattle, and I produce enough manure to feed all my corn. And we do it with very little fuel or tillage, because it’s strip till, and there’s very little erosion.”
While he’s pleased with the results, Van De Berg said he can’t take credit.
“It’s something I learned from some other guys in Rock County,” he said. “There’s a network of us, and we learn from each other.”
 
Animal care
Van De Berg said he’s also eager to show how well cared for his cattle are.
“You hear about animal abuse and big corporate farms … I’ve got cattle in every pen where I pet their ears in the morning,” he said.
“They’re such a part of my life that you’re with them all the time and walking pens, and when it’s bad weather — too hot or too cold — I’m spending the majority of my time with the cattle, making sure they’re comfortable.”
While he and his wife, Melissa, have invested heavily in their cattle operation, they’re raising their three young children in a modest home on the acreage.
“My wife will joke that we built a mansion for our cattle, and we don’t live in a mansion ourselves,” he said. “I would like to get the point across, how much we care for our animals.”
 
Fifteen tour buses,
eight ‘innovative’ stops
Other stops on the July 13 Summer Beef Tour include:
•Binford Feedlots (Grant and Eric Binford), northeast of Luverne, features bedded barns, slatted barns and modern feed commodity facilities.
•G&A Farms (Glen and Matt Boeve), Steen, features outdoor lots and a unique wastewater handling system with dewatering and pivot irrigation.
•Dave Mente, Adrian, features the tour’s only cow/calf operation. It will highlight rotational grazing and local seed stock display to illustrate genetics of breeding bulls.
•R&R Thier (Ryan Thier), Rushmore, features outdoor yards and bedded and slatted barns.
•Summit Lake Livestock (Russ and Brian Penning), Wilmont, features a unique hog-finishing barn converted into cattle slat facilities.
•Brake Feedyards, Wilmont, is a multi-generational Brake family feedlot operation
•3B Farms, Adrian, is a multi-generational Bullerman family slatted barn feedlot operation.
Fifteen tour buses will depart at 7 a.m. from headquarters at the ice arena in Worthington to the farms, where they will spend about an hour talking to the producers and viewing the facilities.
The event is for anyone who wants to board a bus and view the local operations, according to Jay Bakken, Beaver Creek, president of the Rock Nobles Cattlemen’s Association.
“It’s open to anyone, from fellow farmers to the local priest and hairdresser,” Bakken said. “You don’t have to be a farmer or involved in the beef industry to attend.”
On the way to each stop, video footage from each farm is broadcast on the tour buses.
“We have a lot of producers doing innovative things here,” Bakken said, “and we’re going to see top-notch feedlot production enterprises in this part of the state.”
All buses will stop at the Magnolia New Vision facility for a noon meal, and then return to the ice arena in Worthington at 5:15 p.m. for an evening steak supper.
Summer Beef Tour registration information is at www.mnsca.org or by contacting Bakken at jsbakken918@gmail.com.