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State Representative John Ward
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4333
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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REPS. WARD AND DOTY ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY TO RALLY BEHIND LOCAL BARN
ST. PAUL, MN - A family-owned Brainerd farm was recently selected as a top ten finalist in the Campbell’s Soup “Help Grow Your Soup" contest. The Farm on St. Mathias, operated by Bob and Arlene Jones, is the only Minnesota farm in the nationwide competition. If selected, Campbell's Soup and the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) will rehabilitate the 60 year old St. Mathias barn, painting it red and white.
“The Farm on St. Mathias is another example of the hard-working lifestyle practiced by so many farming families in the Greater Brainerd area - a farming tradition that has fed and sustained our community for more than a century,” said Rep. John Ward (DFL - Brainerd). “The people of Brainerd are proud of our strong farming tradition, and we’re proud of Bob and Arlene.”
The Farm on St. Mathias grows vegetables, apples, and pumpkins. As a Community Supported Agriculture business, Bob and Arlene participate in local farmers markets and supply local restaurants. To promote the production of locally grown food, the Joneses dedicate four 50’ x 50’ plots to local nonprofit organizations. The Jones farm is featured on the Campbell’s Soup website at www.helpgrowyoursoup.com. Several videos describing the farm include local FFA chapters from Brainerd, Staples, and Pierz.
Rep. Ward and Rep. Al Doty (DFL - Royalton) are encouraging area residents to visit the website and rally behind the Farm on St. Mathias.
“Rural communities always come together to support one another; we lift each other up,” said Rep. Doty. “As a former FFA member myself, I know this competition is something we can all be excited about. By rallying behind Bob and Arlene we can show the nation how proud we are of our local farmers, and our way of life. That’s why I’m calling on every Minnesotan to vote once, every day, for Bob and Arlene.”
The top five vote getters in the Campbell’s Soup competition will have their barns rehabilitated. Additionally, if the Farm on St. Mathias wins, local FFA chapters will receive additional resources and benefits. Also, with each vote, Campbell's will donate $1.00 to the National FFA. Each individual computer is allowed vote once a day, every day, through December. Currently, the Farm on St. Mathias is in 6th place.
News Items
- 2013 Legislative Session Preview - (Posted: Jan 11 2013 8:39AM)
- Assistant Majority Leader Rep. John Ward Sworn-In as Legislative Session Starts - (Posted: Jan 8 2013 2:39PM)
- Rep. John Ward Elected Assistant Majority Leader and Selected to Serve as Vice Chair of Capital Investment Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-19 00:00:00)
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