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On Wednesday, a ribbon cutting was held in Lansing for a new, 100-foot diameter grain bin that will bolster Northern Country Coop’s grain capacity.

However, construction was already underway on the $3.5-$4 million bin, which is the first phase of multiple phases that will further enhance the site.

We would like to commend Northern County’s commitment to further strengthening the ag community in our area.

“I would just like to thank you for your commitment to ag in Mower County,” Rep. Jeanne Poppe said Wednesday following the ribbon cutting. Sen. Dan Sparks echoed that statement, further emphasizing the positive work being done in Lansing during a time when nothing is certain.

The work done by officials across the board are helping to ensure that ag continues being a central part of our rural community as it has for so many years.

However, Northern Country’s good work has expanded outside the world of ag to work in the areas of conservation with its Sustainable Answer Acreage, dedicated to trying to solve the problems of nitrate leakage into the soil.

A great effort has been made over the years within our county as well as the State of Minnesota to improve soil health. To know that a major player in the ag community is taking an interest in not only helping to fix a problem important to all, but also making sure that farmers will also see a profit through such practices is a win-win for all living in our area.

A part of this is the involvement of Riverland that will allow students to come and take samples and do their own work in the process of their classes, thus improving the chances of a healthier farm economy in the future.

Northern Country is laying the groundwork for the continuing trend of strengthening agriculture not just in the near future, but for years to come. It is creating partnerships along the way that will hopefully give us a brighter future.