by April Scheinoha
Editor

Things continue to hum in the Pennington County Extension office. At its meeting Tuesday, April 22, the Pennington County Board learned about recent and upcoming activities there.

Abbey Linstad recently began working as the Extension educator for 4-H youth development in Pennington County. “It’s been a great first month getting to know everybody,” Linstad said.

Linstad is originally from Michigan, N.D. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Prior to working for Extension, Linstad worked in housing at the University of Minnesota Crookston. Linstad succeeds Ashley Nerhus, who now works at the regional Extension office.

Linstad joins Cindi Kilen, office manager, and Grant Nelson, the county’s ag services/solid waste coordinator. During the summer, they will be joined by summer assistant Amy Halvorson and college intern Caitlynn Ellison.

Even though the fair is more than two months away, Cloverbuds and 4-Hers remain busy. As in years past, Pennington County 4-H is hosting Cloverbud sessions at Challenger Elementary School, St. Bernard’s Catholic School and Goodridge Elementary School.

The junior and senior 4-H Poultry Project Bowl teams recently returned from their state competitions. Both placed first at their regional competitions in Bemidji and moved on to state. They competed at the state competitions April 12 in Sauk Rapids. Kilen said each team competed against seven other regional winners. The junior team placed fourth while the senior team placed first. Since this was the second consecutive year the senior team won the state competition, the team is ineligible to compete at nationals. Chad Torstveit coaches both teams. Kilen reported the teams practiced every week for months.

Training was set to begin April 23 for the 12 kids enrolled in the Pennington County 4-H Dog Project. After a hiatus, the project restarted last year. As part of the project, certified instructors will teach obedience, showmanship and rally. If they so choose, the kids will then have the opportunity to compete at the fair.

Extension also offers programs for people who are older than 4-H age. One such program is Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners volunteer to work on gardens. On Feb. 22, Pennington County Master Gardeners hosted a workshop attended by about 100 people. Each year, they host an evening garden tour. This year’s tour is set for Thursday, June 26.

Agricultural services are also among the services provided at the Extension office. Nelson reported many people are obtaining their private pesticide applicator certifications this year. Currently, they are able to take the exam online or obtain a paper mail-in exam from the Extension office. Next year, according to Nelson, first-time applicants will need to take a proctored, closed-book test at the Extension. Renewals will remain the same with renewing parties only needing to attend a workshop. Forty people attended the last workshop, Nelson said.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, commonly known as drones, are being used now to apply pesticides on field crops. Some of those tests may be completed at the Extension office. However, applicators have to check with the Federal Aviation Administration for the Parts 107 and 137 certification.

Besides pesticide applicator certification, Nelson also coordinates the county’s solid waste services. Pennington County and other local counties are working on a 10-year solid waste and recycling plan. The counties decided to band their efforts together since their solid waste is hauled to Mar-Kit Landfill in Hallock. Nelson noted it was cheaper to complete the required plan together. The Northwest Regional Development Commission is assisting the counties with the plan.

The biggest thing, according to Nelson, is that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency wants the counties to increase their rates of recycling. Currently, Pennington County has a recycling rate of 25%. Nelson thought that recycling rate was the highest of the counties working with NWRDC on the plan. He said MPCA wants Pennington County to raise its recycling rate to 35%. Nelson thought that number was doable.

Trash isn’t glamorous and some people’s yards may be far from glamorous. Nelson has been fielding many urban calls regarding the appearance of residents’ lawns. Issues usually result from management. For instance, he noted that people may be planting trees closer than 15 to 20 feet from each other. There may also be watering-related issues or residents may be cutting their grass too short. Three- to three-and-a-half inches are a healthy length for grass, Nelson said.

County Board accepted the resignation of David Olson, sheriff’s deputy, effective Thursday, May 1. Olson has been employed with the sheriff’s office for 14 years. Sheriff Seth Vettleson said Olson, in addition to serving the residents of Pennington County, served on a state public safety communications board In his resignation letter, Olson wrote that he was leaving the sheriff’s office to spend more time with his family and more time working on his family farm. Commissioners sent him a letter of thanks for his years of service.

Commissioners again provided guidance regarding assessments leveled against Darwin Boutain for Buffer Law violations.

Assistant County Engineer Alex Bladow sought their guidance since Boutain remains upset that he is being fined. According to Bladow, Boutain told him that Boutain plans to mow the area whenever he gets a chance this spring or summer.

Boutain is required to erect a buffer of 16-1/2 feet from Ditch 58 in Hickory Township. He obtained an extension until July 1, 2024, from the county for the parcel.

Commissioner Bruce Lawrence noted that Boutain contends he seeded the buffer one time.
Commissioner Dave Sorenson replied that the area is filled with weeds and nothing has been established.

Boutain is currently being assessed $500 per month. Bladow said the assessments currently total about $2,000. The assessments are currently accruing at a rate of $500 per month. For the first six months, the fines were $200 per month.

Bladow said Boutain told him that Boutain doesn’t plan on paying anytime soon because he has planted the buffer.

Despite Boutain’s statements to Bladow, commissioners decided the fines should continue. Lawrence said the county is obligated to fine Boutain until it has been proven that the buffer has been seeded and completed properly. He left open the possibility of waiving some of the fines if that were to occur.

Commissioners approved a three-year maintenance agreement with SVL for boilers, rooftop units, outdoor units and water heaters at the Justice Center. Effective May 1, the contract will cost $6,980 annually.

The next County Board meeting is scheduled Tuesday, May 13 at 10 a.m. at the Justice Center.