MN: FAMILY DAIRY FOCUSES ON GOOD NEIGHBOR RELATIONS

News Date September 29, 2009

The winners of this month’s Minnesota Department of Agriculture Good Farm Neighbor Award work hard to keep their farm healthy and their neighbors happy.  Brothers Pat and Larry Linn along with their wives, Nancy and Shelly, are the owners of Linn Dairy near Richmond.  Pat Linn says maintaining good neighbor relations are an important part of running their business.

“Several of our neighbors are non-farmers and so far we’ve had no complaints from them,” says Linn.  “We want to work to keep it that way.”

Linn says they monitor the wind when pumping manure to make sure odors don’t hinder any activities their neighbors have planned.  Last June, the Linns also gave farm tours to about 200 people at a “Breakfast on the Farm” event and they regularly invite school groups to visit and learn about dairy farming.

The Linns have a long-time commitment to conservation.  Since the early 1970’s, they have practiced conservation methods such as contour stripping and terracing to help reduce erosion.  With a lake located on one end of their property, the Linns are keenly aware of water quality issues and have worked diligently to maintain high water quality standards.  By installing a large buffer between the lake and the fields, they have been able to further reduce runoff from entering the lake.

The monthly Good Farm Neighbor Award honors farmers who show the utmost concern for their neighbors, their animals and the environment.  Winners are selected by a committee representing the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association and the MDA.

Nomination forms can be emailed to margaret.hart@state.mn.us or mailed to Good Farm Neighbor Award, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, 625 North Robert Street, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55155.  A link with a downloadable nomination form is also on the MDA website at http://www.mda.state.mn.us.  (Contact: Margaret Hart, Margaret.hart@state.mn.us)