The new year began for the Brownsdale Study Club at the home of Fern Paschke on Jan. 15, as president, Sharon Willis called the meeting to order with everyone reading the Collect.  The minutes from the December 2019 meeting were read and approved. In addition, the treasurer brought everyone up-to-date on the current balance.  There were no corrections or additions.

Ten members answered the roll call by sharing one childhood memory. As dues were collected updates were given regarding the medical situation of current and past members of the Study Club who are recovering from health issues and are hospitalized or recuperating in care centers. Greeting cards were circulated around the room for everyone to sign. Those will be mailed in the next day or so.

Addressing old business, Mary Kidwiler Moritz shared that a check had been mailed to the Rushford State Bank for the Cords Family. A copy of a letter that was included with the envelope, explaining why the organization was sending the check, was circulated around the room for each member to read.

In new business, there is still an opening for a new member to join the Brownsdale Study Club, and Leone Peterson has a name in mind, but that individual had a prior commitment and was unable to attend.  No other new business was brought forth at this time. With that announcement Sharon called for the meeting to be adjourned. Jane Hartson made the motion and it was seconded by Leone.

Therese Manggaard, though not assigned, graciously presented the main topic for the month by sharing her family’s commitment to organic farming. On their 150 acre farm, Therese and her family grow all of their produce organically. This means produce is grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial agents. There are 700 certified organic farms in Minnesota. Therese shared that organic farming involves intensive record keeping, a field plan, buffer strips that must measure 25-30 feet between organic fields and conventional fields. Organic farmers are required to maintain a crop input inventory, and verification for the contents of manure and bedding used for fertilizing.

Natural resources must be protected and crops rotated. Weed control and management of plant disease has to be performed without the use of chemicals, and the integrity of the organic process must be maintained from season to another. Receipts are kept and logged that show where seeds are purchased and that they are organically harvested for reproduction. Any machinery used for conventional farming and gardening must be cleaned in accordance with the rules of organic plant reproduction and a log maintained as proof before that machinery can be used for organic farming. Wells and irrigation sources must be tested on a regular basis with the results posted in a log.

Once produce is harvested and ready for sale, labeling must be in accordance with organic farming practices.  The cost of required, certified oversight for organic farming is the responsibility of the farmer.

For her outside reading and before Fern treated everyone to a delicious apple cake, Mary Gallaher presented six points that Chrissy Metz, actress and star of the hit drama “This is Us,” believes everyone should practice.  Metz, an Emmy-nominated actress wants everyone to know:  1. You have a purpose 2. Listen to your small, still voice inside 3. Allow your loved ones to lift you up 4. Learn to let go 5. Love your body now and 6. Let pain guide you.