MARL Class VII and Alumni Make It Happen

Donna Boonstra and Glenn Groth welcome guests and share
their MARL Class VII experience at the MARL Leadership
Banquet-Rochester.

Kudos to MARL Class VII and the MARL Alumni for coming together to make the MARL Leadership Seminar and Banquet-Rochester a great experience. Often class participants mention that interacting with MARL Alumni really enhances the MARL experience for them. The MARL Alumni came through nicely at the Rochester Seminar. Alumni Steve and Linda Fruechte donated bison rib-eye steaks produced on their farm for the banquet meal. MARL Board Chair Jim Checkel paid for Class VII's and guest's meals at the Hubbell House.

Alumni Ron Pagel and Colleen Moe were emcees at the banquet where ninety six people attended including the Mayor of Rochester and the President of Riverland Community College. Alumni Ralph and Mena Kaehler helped arrange tours/speakers for the class and served as bus tour guides. Alumnus Shelly DePestel gave a tour of her family's dairy operation.

MARL Class VII also pitched in to make good things happen. Janet Kubat-Willette helped set up a tour of the Rochester Post Bulletin/Agri News printing presses and production department. Donna Boonstra and Glenn Groth welcomed banquet guests and shared class experiences with them. Dianne Bettin and Chelsea Russell worked with their classmates, Alumni Rick Smith and others to have a fundraising auction. This fun, after banquet tradition started by Class VI raised $2,500 for MARL. Class VII will use $1,500 of the proceeds to purchase treasures in Ecuador for their post-graduation auction on March 28 in Chaska. Class VII generously donated $1,000 of the total to the Curt Watson - MARL Endowment. Class VII's contribution added to the proceeds generated by the work of Jim O'Connor, Rick Smith, Jim Checkel and board member Ruth Meirick during the banquet to bring the endowment total to nearly $21,000.

For sure the MARL Alumni in the Windom area are gearing up to be involved in the MARL Leadership Banquet-Windom scheduled for January 23, 2014. You are invited, so mark your calendar now.

Click here to: Contribute to End of Year MARL Appeal. December 31, 2013 is the deadline for 2013 tax deductions.


Class VII Participant Joan Lee (far right) enjoyed learning about
her international study destination, Ecuador, from Mayo Clinic
Dr. Andres Acosta-Cardenasand his wife Soledad.

Generosity Abounds at MARL

Renville County Farm Bureau delivered on their challenge to match the next $5,000 donated to the Curt Watson - MARL Endowment. This generous gift now brings the endowment balance to almost $20,000. Endowments help ensure that MARL will be able to accomplish it's mission long into the future. Only the interest on the endowment can be spent for MARL's annual operating expenses. Curt Watson's son Eric and daughter in-law Danielle have proposed a goal of $100,000 for this endowment. Thank you everyone for your generosity.

 Click here to be take to the secure MARL online contribution site. 

Remember to leave a note in the comment section as to whether your donation is for the endowment or for the MARL end of year funding appeal. The deadline for a 2013 tax deduction is 12/31/13. 

Renville County Farm Bureau President Joe Sullivan, Danielle Watson
and Eric Watson present the challenge matching $5,000 check to MARL
Board Chair Jim Checkel, Executive Direcotor Dan Hoffman
and Program Leader Mike Liepold.


 

 

Mike Liepold Receives Award-You Are Invited To Rochester

 

MARL Program Leader Mike Liepold (left) receiving the 2013 MFBF Outstanding
Extension Educator Award from MFBF President Kevin Paap . (Photo courtesy of the MFBF.)

Congratulations to MARL Program Leader Mike Liepold for receiving the 2013 Outstanding Extension Educator Award at the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Annual Meeting. The photo above shows Mike  receiving the award from MN Farm Bureau Federation President Kevin Paap in Minneapolis on November 22. Mike has been the MARL Program Leader for the past 13 years.

MARL Alumnus, MARL Board Member and SE MN Area Program Director for the
Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Ruth Meirick is picture above writing a message
to the family of Curt Watson while being the first donor to answer the Renville County
Farm Bureau Federation's dollar match challenge at the MFBF 2013 Annual Meeting,
 

You Are Invited To The MARL Leadership Banquet-Rochester On December 11

The next MARL Leadership Banquet-Rochester is quickly approaching and will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at the Ramada Hotel and Convention Center in Rochester, MN. The social begins at 6:00 PM with the banquet meal following at 7:00 PM. MARL Alumni Ron Pagel and Colleen Moe will emcee the program following the banquet meal. MARL Alumnus and former Winona County Commissioner Mena Kaehler will introduce the key note speaker Winona County Planning and Environmental Services Director Jason Gilman. Mr. Gilman plans to share his experiences relating to leadership, issues and policy development regarding silica sand mining.

MARL Alumnus Steve Fruechte and his wife Linda have informed MARL Board Chair Jim Checkel they will be donating the buffalo rib-eye steaks for the banquet meal.

It is time for a meal count. Your RSVP is requested by noon on Tuesday, December 3. Please click on this link to RSVP and pay for your meal:
https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1158/interior.aspx?sid=1158&gid=1&pgid=537&cid=1207

Challenge For You

MARL Alum and Renville County Farm Bureau Federation President Joe Sullivan called me with a challenge. The challenge Joe offered will help give tribute to Curt Watson, his family and help fund the Curt Watson - MARL Endowment.

According to Joe, the Renville County Farm Bureau Federation will match dollar for dollar your contribution to the Curt Watson - MARL Endowment up to the first $5,000.00. Just stop by the booth at the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting this Friday or Saturday to contribute and leverage your investment in ag and rural leadership development. A large message board will be on display for you to write a message to the Watson family.

Curt Watson

If you would rather contribute electronically or can not stop by the booth, please go to www.MARLprogram.org and click on Curt Watson - MARL Endowment.

You Are Invited

MARL Class VII will be in Moorhead to kick off the second year of their MARL leadership journey and you are invited for the evening of Wednesday, November 13.

The MARL Leadership Banquet-Moorhead will be a great opportunity to connect with Class VII, enjoy a delicious meal, see old friends and meet new friends. You will also learn about entrepreneurship, business, family and leadership from Peterson Farms Seed Company President Carl Peterson.

Click here: https://www.petersonfarmsseed.com/company/our-history/ to learn more about our speaker and his company. MARL's sister organization in North Dakota, Rural Leadership North Dakota (RLND) has also been invited.

The social and banquet details are listed below. Please send an RSVP email to Dan.Hoffman@SMSU.edu  if you would like to attend. You may pay at the door if you RSVP by noon on Monday, November 11.  Plan to attend this opportunity to learn, grow and be supportive of MARL Class VII.

What: MARL Leadership Banquet-Moorhead

When: 6:00 PM Social
            7:00 PM Dinner
            Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Where: Marriott Courtyard
            1080 28th Avenue South
            Moorhead, MN 56560
            (218) 284-5024

Meal Cost: $25.00 at the door with email RSVP by noon on Monday, November 11
                                                     


Carl Peterson, President CCA-Peterson Farms Seed

Carl Peterson is proud to say, "I have lived in the same house my entire life and I've never had a job." Which means, Carl grew up and still lives on the home place his grandfather purchased in 1918. And that, as an entrepreneur and small business owner, he has never had to go through an employment interview. Carl thrives on identifying and solving problems. His professional credentials include a BS in Ag Production from Iowa State; MS in Ag Econ from Purdue; MBA from Indiana University; and is CCA accredited. Carl reads voraciously and most weekends he can be found playing piano and singing on his church worship team. And as a master of trivia, he always seems to have a quirky come-back. For more information please click here: https://www.petersonfarmsseed.com/company/our-history/

Thank You and Important Dates

Thank you to the MARL Alumni who have answered the MARL Pre-Harvest Funding Appeal that was mailed in September. This is an important time for MARL to receive funding. The the needs are great as MARL Class VII prepares for the November MARL Seminar in Moorhead, the December MARL Seminar in Rochester and Class VII looks forward to their international study tour in Ecuador. It is at this time that bills come in to support these activities. There is still time for you to respond to the funding appeal. Thank you to those who have already stepped forward to help Class VII move successfully towards graduation.

A special thank you goes out to MARL Class VII Participant Chelsea Russell who helped secure a $2,000 contribution from the Midwest Forage Association for MARL. Many organizations continue to fund MARL on an annual basis. Thank you for your generosity and willingness to help us develop ag and rural leaders in Minnesota.

Important Dates for your calendar:

November 4         MARL Board of Directors Meeting
November 12-14  MARL Seminar-Moorhead "Community Big and Small"
November 13       MARL Leadership Banquet-Moorhead, Speaker Carl Peterson,
                             Owner Peterson Farms Seed-Entrepreneurship and Life Lessons
December 11-13  MARL Seminar-Rochester "Rural Minnesota's Future"
December 11       MARL Leadership Banquet-Rochester, Speaker Jason  Gilman,
                             Winona County Planning and Environmental Services Director-The
                             Impact of Frac Sand Mining
January 1- March 14, 2014   MARL Class VII applications accepted
March 28, 2014    MARL Class VII Graduation


Please mark your calendar and plan to attend the leadership banquets whenever you can. It is an important part of the MARL experience for the current class and you will enjoy being involved also.

2014 MARL Alumni Tour-Alaska Announced

The June 16-26, 2014 MARL Alumni Tour-Alaska has been announced and the tour brochure and sign up form have been sent to MARL Alumni. The tour is packed full of learning opportunities and ways for MARL Alumni to reconnect and grow. Thank you to tour committee members Jim Checkel, Deb Chute and Doug Hoffbauer for their time, guidance and dedication to assemble a top notch MARL Alumni Tour.

We expect the tour to fill quite quickly after the very positive alumni experience in New Zealand.

Curt Watson-MARL Endowment Announced at The MARL Farmfest Social

The 2013 MARL Farmfest Social on August 7 was enjoyed by one hundred and forty participants. The group was graciously hosted by MARL Alum Bruce Tiffany and his wife Ann. Music was provided by MARL Class VII Participant Mark Maiers and his band The "Basics".

An added feature this year was the announcement of the Curt Watson - MARL Endowment. Curt's family was in attendance to accept our thanks for selecting MARL as the  recipient of the endowment funds donated in his memory. To learn more about this endowment please go to www.MARLprogram.org and click on "Curt Watson - MARL Endowment". While there you can also donate electronically to help MARL grow this endowment.

During Farmfest MARL Staff, MARL Alumni, MARL Board Members and MARL Class VII Participants worked at the MARL Booth and other Farmfest locations. Pictured below L to R are: MARL Class VII Participants Donna Boonstra, Anna Claussen,Nelva Lilenthal, MARL Program Director Mike Liepold, Founding MARL Board Member Duane Alberts, MN Representative Jeanne Poppe, MARL Board Chair Jim Checkel and MARL Executive Director Dan Hoffman.

Saying ‘good-bye’ and ‘thank you’ to Wood

 

The MARL Board of Directors asked MARL Executive Director Dan Hoffman to express their gratitude to SMSU President Dr. Ron Wood for his contributions to the Minnesota Ag and Rural Leadership Program. Hoffman presented a thank message and gifts to Dr. Wood at a retirement recognition reception at the Southwest Minnesota State University. Thank you and congratulations Dr. Wood.

April 26, 2013-Marshall Independent

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Photo by Deb Gau

Community members, students and Southwest Minnesota State University staff gathered Thursday to wish interim university president Dr. Ron Wood farewell. Wood will be retiring at the end of June, when Connie Gores takes up the position of president. Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) Executive Director Dan Hoffman, right, was one of the speakers who thanked Wood for his service to the university.

© Copyright 2013 Marshall Independent. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten

MARL Alumni at AgChat Event

MARL Alumni were well represented yet again. This time at the AgChat Foundation's Upper Midwest Regional Conference on Saturday, February 23, 2013 in Rochester, MN. Kristin Harner, Doug Hoffbauer, Rochelle Krusemark, Kristie Swenson, Dan Hoffman and Sarah Betzold participated in the training event to learn how social media is and can be used to adovacte for agriculture. MARL Alumnus Kristie Swenson was one of the presenters. Her presentation dealt with how to develop your message into a story and deliver it the target audience to help achieve the desired outcome.

Sarah Betzold won an electronic tablet from Verizon for the Tweet she submitted describing how she would use the prize to be an advocate for agriculture.




Sarah Betzold and her new electronic tablet.










My take away from the seminar is borrowed from my days of coaching hockey. "Sometimes your best defense is a strong offense." In other words tell your positive, fact filled story of agriculture and food production before you need to use your defense

Kristie Swenson delivering her presentation"Message to Story".






It was great to see and be part of the MARL Alumni continuing to engage, grow and learn at the Ag Chat Conference.

MARL Alumni in Nashville

It was impressive and inspiring to watch and be with several MARL Alumni at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Meeting in Nashville this week. The theme for the annual meeting was "Many Voices, One Vision" and many voices included over 6,000 people in attendance. MARL Alumni participating included: Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFB) President Kevin Paap, Greg Bartz, John Chute, Debbie Chute, MN Farm Public Relations/Foundation Director Kristin Harner, Dan Hoffman, David Marquardt and past MARL Board member Duane Alberts.

MARL Alumnus Kevin Paap was re-elected to the AFBF Board of Directors, Kristin Harner was instrumental in scheduling several radio interviews for several of us and arranged a tour of RFD TV studios for me. David and Julie Marquardt represented Minnesota as the Minnesota Farm Bureau Achievement Award Winners while Kristy Miron represented MN as the MFB Discussion Meet Winner. Roger Dvergsten attended as the MN Outstanding Secondary Ag Educator and Ann Marie Ward-Thiel was in attendance as the MN Outstanding Extension Educator. I want to thank the Minnesota Farm Bureau for selecting and honoring me as "Ag Communicator of The Year" and the experience in Nashville.

 

US Secretary of Ag Tom Vilsack takes the stage as AFBF President Bob Stallman welcomes him.

 

 

 

US Sec of Ag Tom Vilsack spoke at the AFBF Annual Meeting.

 

 

NASA Captain Mark Kelly piloted the last space shuttle mission aboard the Endeavour. Captain Kelly delivered an inspiring message about his space travel experiences and the journey back to health that his wife former Senator Gabby Giffords has traveled after being shot in the head in Arizona.

 

The Minnesota Farm Bureau delegation returned in time for me to represent MARL at the MN Pork Congress in Minneapolis. Thank you to MARL Program Leader Mike Liepold for staffing the booth during the first day of the MN Pork Congress.

Invitation to MARL Leadership Banquet-St Paul

You are invited to attend the

MARL Leadership Banquet – St Paul

Thursday, January 24, 2013

6 PM Social ● 7 PM Banquet

Best Western Kelly Inn
161 Saint Anthony Avenue ● St. Paul, Minnesota

Keynote Presentation: “Clean Water, Common Ground”

                                           Bruce Tiffany                   Lark Weller                        Peggy Knapp

Bruce Tiffany - Bruce Tiffany is active in areas concerning water quality, renewable energy, and agriculture. The Tiffany family farms produce corn, soybeans, sweet corn, cattle, sheep and some custom work. Many of the soybean acres are used to produce seed. He is a proud member of MARL Class V. Bruce is married to Ann and they have three grown sons (two are married) and one grandchild. He is active in their church, United Way, Dollars for Scholars, Redwood Area Chamber of Commerce and Redwood Wrestling Boosters. Bruce also serves on the Board of Directors for Bio-business Alliance of Minnesota and Life Science Alley.

Lark Weller - Lark Weller is the Water Quality Coordinator at the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (a unit of the National Park Service), where she works with park partners to minimize the negative impacts of human activities on the park's water resources. She is the co-author of the recently-released State of the River Report, and enjoys the challenge of communicating complex water resource issues to people in non-technical ways. She organizes and hosts a monthly meeting series, the Mississippi River Forum, for water resources practitioners and decision-makers.

Peggy Knapp - Peggy Knapp, Ed.D., is the Director of Programs at the Freshwater Society, where she oversees civic engagement initiatives to protect, preserve and restore fresh water in Minnesota.  Prior to her work with Freshwater, Peggy was an assistant professor at Hamline University’s School of Education and the Center for Global Environmental Education, where her teaching and scholarship focused on effective strategies for science and environmental education. In her earlier work as reporter, producer and writer with CNN’s award-winning Earth Matters, and field reporter on PBS’ nationally acclaimed science education program, Newton’s Apple, Peggy traveled the world to bring science and environmental stories to national and international audiences.

Cost for the Banquet - $30 per person

 

Please register by January 18, 2013.

To register and pay for the banquet, please visit the MARL Web site at
www.MARLprogram.org or click here: REGISTER NOW.

For more information, call Dan Hoffman at 507-421-7167

MARL Class VII at SMSU in Marshall

MARL Class VII met at Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) in Marshall on Dec 12-14, 2012 for their second class session. They were joined by the current South Dakota Ag and Rural Leadership class for training by Michael Brandwein and the MARL Leadership Banquet-Marshall. The class toured Schwans Food Company Research and Development, AURI Labs and reviewed their Emotional Intelligence Reports with Catie Rasmussen and Mike Liepold. The class spent considerable time learning about communications and crisis management. MARL Alumni Barb Frank and Becky Bruns were the banquet key note speakers with a presentation titled "The Chicken Came First: A Real Minnesota Farmer's Story". The class is preparing to meet with their elected officials in St Paul at their next MARL seminar.

 

SMSU President Dr. Ron Wood welcomed MARL Class VII to SMSU and Marshall.

AURI Meat Scientist Narissa Nath showed Class VII around the AURI facilities and told how her work and AURI adds value to Minnesota Agriculture.  

 

MARL Class VII member Michelle Rossman and several of her classmates stuffed sausage for the team building dinner.

 

 

MARL Class VII participants Nelva Lilienthal, Rod Jorgerson, Donna Boonstra and Scott Kodet showed pride in their freshly made apple dessert. This was their contribution to the meal the class made as part of a team building project in the SMSU Culinology kitchens.