Dear Neighbor,
The autumn leaves are brightly signaling the arrival of fall. During September and early October, our forests put on a spectacle show; this week that kaleidoscope of color was on full display.
Monday, we marked the opening of the first segment of the Cuyuna Lakes Regional State Trail. Deerwood Mayor Mike Aulie and Crosby Mayor Bob Novak joined by DNR, MnDOT and community members cut ribbons at both ends of the trail on Monday afternoon marking the occasion.
The Cuyuna Lakes Regional State Trail, when complete, will stretch from Aitkin all the way to the Paul Bunyan Regional State Trail in Brainerd. The section between Deerwood and Crosby-Ironton is the first segment to be completed.
Tuesday, I attended a meeting with Garrison City Mayor Larson and DNR and MnDOT officials to discuss how best to ensure the right-away on the lakeside of Highway 169 can be maintained in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
The city of Garrison takes great pride in ensuring the shoreline area along Highway 169 makes a good first impression on area visitors. The city and state officials are beginning the process of developing an agreement that will allow putting our best foot forward with respect to showing off the water front at Garrison along this busy highway.
This week I also attended both the Crow Wing County Farm Bureau and the Aitkin-Carlton County Farm Bureau Annual membership meetings. These local farm bureau chapters are marking their 101st year in operation and remain a critical part of our community.
District and state Farm Bureau officials updated us on the many challenges we face in agriculture today. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to sit back and listen to the excellent group of speakers that covered the full range of issues impacting agriculture.
Of particular note was participation by our local Future Farmers of America (FFA) youth in the Aitkin-Carlton County meeting. Aitkin Chapter FFA member Alaina Chute treated us to an excellent analysis and informative history lesson outlining the tremendous changes that have occurred within the agriculture industry.
The good news is that today despite less than 2 percent of the population being activity involved in producing food, we have a bright talented group of young men and women that understand and are willing to carry on the important roll farmers and ranchers play in feeding our country and the rest of the world.
Sincerely,
Dale