JOSSUND FAMILY RECOGNIZED AS A 2021 ‘U OF M FARM FAMILY’
The Jossund family has been named Clay County’s “2021 Farm Family of the Year” by the University of Minnesota.
Mark is the fourth generation of his family to farm in northwest Minnesota. His great grandfather, Ole Gilbertson, purchased the farm from the railroad in the 1880s. Ole started with 160 acres of crops and livestock. In the 1980s, the farm transitioned to crop production. The current operation also includes a portion of Brendy’s family’s farm. That farm was established in the 1880s by her great grandfather, Christen O. (Johnson) Dosland.
Mark and Brendy currently farm 3,000 acres of corn, wheat, and soybeans in rotation. They farm with their sons, Bryce and Carson. The farm spans across northern Clay and southern Norman counties.
Mark and Brendy own and operate their family farm. Brendy also works as a nurse at the Fargo Veterans Administration. Their daughter, Erica, is a social worker for a hospice agency in the Twin Cities. Bryce is a graduate of North Dakota State College of Science and works as a diesel mechanic at Norman County Implement. He farms part-time. Bryce and his wife, Tanisha, live in Ada. Carson is a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Crookston in agronomy and he farms full time.
Mark and Brendy are members of Bethesda Lutheran Church in Moorhead. Mark is a member of the Perley Community Co-op, a director for the Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council, and a past board member of the Northern Crops Institute. The family members are proud supporters of the UMN-Crookston Agronomy Club.
The families will be officially recognized in a ceremony Thursday, Aug. 5 at the annual Farmfest near Redwood Falls. Profiles of the 2021 honorees and information on the recognition event can be found on the University’s farm family website, https://z.umn.edu/farm-families-year.
Honored families are chosen, one per county, by local University of Minnesota Extension committees based on their demonstrated commitment to their communities and to enhancing and supporting agriculture.
“These farm families are a major driver of Minnesota’s economy and the vitality of Minnesota’s rural communities,” said Bev Durgan, dean of University of Minnesota Extension. “The University of Minnesota is proud to recognize these farm families for their contributions to agriculture and their communities.”
Along with Farmfest, University units sponsoring the recognition event include University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Farmfest runs Aug. 3-5 at the Gilfillan Estate, near Redwood Falls, Minn. Event hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8.00 in advance or $10.00 at the gate and those 17 and under are admitted free. More information on Farmfest is available at https://www.ideaggroup.com/farmfest.
MOORHEAD LIBRARY TO HOST PLANT SWAP JULY 24
MOORHEAD – Community members are invited to enhance their collections of houseplants with a little help from the Moorhead Public Library on Saturday, July 24. The library will host a plant swap from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., allowing anyone who is interested to bring in a fledgling or fully-grown houseplant and swap it for a different plant at the library.
The Moorhead Public Library is located at 118 5th Ave. S., and will also display a selection of the library’s collection of resources devoted to plant propagation. This program is offered free-of-charge.
HCSCC, FARGO VA SEEKING LOCAL VETERAN STORIES
MOORHEAD – The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County and Fargo Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System are partnering on a creative art exhibition and public art events featuring local veterans’ journeys through trauma recovery. The two organizations are currently seeking veterans who may be interested in participating in either of two upcoming opportunities.
The first opportunity is a writing workshop series led by veteran facilitator Wendell Affield. The first two workshops will be held on Zoom on Saturday, July 24, and Saturday, July 31, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The final two workshops will be held at the Hjemkomst Center on Saturday, August 7, and Saturday, August 14, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Veterans interested in participating should contact local drama therapist Amy Tichy by phone at (218) 299-766-8795 or by email at amy.tichy@gmail.com.
The second opportunity is an ongoing songwriting workshop series pairing local veterans with songwriters and musicians in an effort to transform difficult military experiences or trauma into words and music. Veterans interested in this music workshop should contact local veteran musician Dan Hudson by phone at (701) 306-6870 or by email at dthuddy73@gmail.com.
All facilities are wheelchair accessible and ASL interpreters and audio description can be arranged for participants with two weeks’ notice. To request accommodations, please contact HCSCC executive director Maureen Kelly Jonason by phone at (218) 299-5511 or by email at maureen.jonason@hcsmuseum.org.
The projects from these workshops will be exhibited this fall at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, Minnesota, as part of “Warriors in the North: Healing Through Art” or performed during a public showcase at the Hjemkomst Center on Wednesday, November 10.
EVENTIDE TO DISCONTINUE SERVICES AT EVENTIDE FAIRMONT
MOORHEAD – Eventide Senior Living Communities has determined it will discontinue assisted living and senior services at its Eventide Fairmont location in Moorhead. A recent pipe leak that led to major water damage expedited the decision that has been part of the organization’s long-term plan.
“We have known for some time that the Eventide Fairmont building would eventually not allow us to meet the needs of our residents,” Jon Riewer, president and CEO, explained. “With the recent water damage event, we had to take a hard look at the future of the Fairmont and how it aligns with our mission to best serve older adults.”
The organization cites several reasons as to why it is choosing to discontinue services at Eventide Fairmont at this time. The building layout, particularly the East addition, is unable to be reconfigured to meet the needs of residents. The building lacks common spaces and amenities, and also does not have a commercial kitchen and the majority of the apartments do not have kitchens, all of which do not lend to the quality of care the organization wants to provide its residents. Another major reason is the inability to remodel to meet the new building code and regulations that will be required by the state of Minnesota as of August 1.
“The investment required to make these changes is well beyond what makes sense financially or programmatically,” said Riewer. “The needs and wants of today’s older adults continue to evolve and it is our responsibility to respond.”
Eventide is hoping to have resident transitions completed within 90 days, but will not complete transfer of ownership until all residents have been relocated. Eventide’s top priority at this time is the current residents of Eventide Fairmont and helping them transition to a new home. All memory care residents will have the opportunity to transfer to the new memory care addition at The Linden in Moorhead. Eventide will be able to relocate several apartment residents to apartments at The Linden and will work with other senior living communities in Moorhead to find available apartments. Management will be meeting with each resident to develop a relocation plan. All staff at Eventide Fairmont will be able to transfer to the Eventide on Eighth campus in Moorhead or one of the other Eventide locations in the FMWF community.
For many years, the Fairmont allowed the organization to care for seniors with limited financial resources. Eventide plans to continue working with Clay County to offer elderly waiver in a portion of the Linden apartments at the Eventide on Eighth campus in Moorhead. Eventide also manages The Living Center on their Moorhead campus which offers HUD housing to older adults.
Eventide is working to sell the historic Fairmont building to a local developer who has experience in preserving historic buildings and will ensure the legacy of the Fairmont continues.
“We are grateful for our time at Eventide Fairmont and that it allowed us to serve many residents over the years and we are confident that the new owner will take a special interest in the next chapter of the Fairmont Creamery building,” said Riewer. “Selling the Fairmont allows our organization to focus on additional growth and investment on our Eighth Street campus in Moorhead, which will best serve our community’s older adults of today and tomorrow.”
FREE LINKFM SERVICE FOR THE FARGO STREET FAIR!
MOORHEAD – Let LinkFM be your fast, fun, and FREE ride to the Downtown Fargo Street Fair, held July 15-17, 2021. Park at the Moorhead Center Mall and catch the LinkFM event bus at the shelter in the east parking lot. While you’re there, visit booths hosted by local radio stations and register for prizes! Then hop on one of the air-conditioned buses taking you straight to the heart of the Street Fair.
LinkFM will provide service every day during the Street Fair:
July 15 and 16 – 9:30 am-9:30 pm
July 17 – 9:30 am-5:30 pm
LinkFM will have three buses on this route each day, with a bus arriving at each stop approximately every 7 minutes. Just look for the pink LinkFM signs to find each of the 13 bus stops on the route.
All MATBUS fixed routes will also be half-fare on July 15 & 16, and FARE FREE on Saturday, July 17. Remember to bring a face mask for your trip; they are required on all MATBUS vehicles.
PLANNING MOORHEADS FUTURE TOGETHER
MOORHEAD – Onward Moorhead, the City’s Comprehensive Plan process, needs our very best ideas during Design Week. Bring your family on interactive walking tours, tell us your thoughts while doing a bean bag toss, or experience amenities along the river.
• July 19 – Onward Moorhead Design Festival, 5-7pm at the Hjemkomst Center: Learn about the comprehensive plan process, tell us what you think about the draft vision for the city, and give your best ideas on enhancing focused areas of the city. Get treats, play games, and celebrate what Moorhead has to offer.
• July 20 – Onward Moorhead Tours & Workshops: Immerse yourself in planning opportunities for improvement, growth, or transformation at these locations:
– Viking Ship Park walking tour, 9-10 am, 202 1 Ave N
– Downtown walking tour, 10:30-11:30 am, Moorhead Center Mall (Center Ave entrance)
– Comstock Area walking tour, Noon-1 pm, 600 8 St S
– MCCARA Industrial Park walking tour, Noon-1 pm (corner of 41 St S and 30 Ave S)
– EasTen Area workshop, 4:30-6:00 pm, location American Legion (303 30th St N)
– Holiday/I-94 Area workshop, 7:00-8:30 pm, location TBD
Visit the Onward Moorhead page at http://www.cityofmoorhead.com/…/onward-moorhead… for more information and to confirm workshop and walking tour locations.
MOORHEAD IS TALKING AGAIN
MOORHEAD TALKS, the talk/informational show produced by Moorhead Community Access Media & TV (MCAM) returns after the COVID hiatus with an extended chat with Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson.
MOORHEAD TALKS was last seen with an interview of former Mayor Jonathan Judd before the pandemic occurred so with the returning of normalcy, it was time to re-engage Moorhead leadership for an update on all things Moorhead and who better than the new Mayor, Shelly Carlson! Moorhead Talks will debut Wednesday, July 14th at 4pm and will play after the repeated broadcast of the Moorhead City Council Meeting at 7pm Wednesday. Moorhead Talks will also be shown throughout the schedule on MCAM’s Government channel (58 on Sparklight in the entire Metro and 12 on Midco in Moorhead) and also all over the world.
MCAM is now streaming both its Government Channel and Moorhead Access Channel 24/7/365 days a year so the entire world can watch anytime from any smart device. MCAM (Moorhead Community Access Media) is on Sparklight channels 58 & 69 (shown in entire Metro) and Midco’s Channel 12 and 99 (Moorhead) as Moorhead’s government and Access Channel.
On Smart TV’S, via web access device, tablet, and phone… you will be able to see the MOORHEAD ACCESS and Government Channels ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD just by going to moorheadaccess.org and click on the DROP DOWN BUTTON to select Government Channel or Public Access Channel.
NORSK HØSTFEST RETURNS IN 2022
Norsk Høstfest is moving ahead with plans for the 2022 festival under the leadership of a new board of directors and president.
Tim Mihalick has been named the new president, taking over for David Reiten who retired this spring. Mihalick says the new board is receiving guidance from a Minneapolis-based festival consultant to devise the best path forward. “The board is working closely with the consultant to make sure that when Høstfest returns next year, it will be on solid footing to continue the legacy of the festival while positioning itself for future growth.”
Mihalick says the decision to cancel the 2021 festival was unavoidable given several factors. First, the US/Canadian border remains largely closed, shutting off a large portion of Høstfest’s traditional audience. Second, other international travel — especially from Scandinavia — is likewise limited, leaving in doubt the ability to welcome Nordic visitors. In addition, planning for a large festival such as Høstfest requires a long lead time and the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic has made it impossible to make required arrangements in time to finalize this year’s event.
Mihalick stresses that he and the new board are fully engaged and have confidence Norsk Høstfest will be held in September of 2022, re-starting a tradition that has been a big part of North Dakota for over 40 years. Exact dates of the 2022 festival will be announced in the coming months.