Farm News
Area farmer directs $2,500 donation to the Stockbridge Area Educational Foundation
by Jennifer Hammerberg Local farmer Ben Topping recently directed a $2,500 America’s Farmers Grow Communities donation to the Stockbridge Area Educational Foundation. The donation is sponsored by the Bayer Fund. Ben Topping is a fourth-generation farmer who farms alongside his father and brother. The Topping families operate Hickory Ridge Farms, located between Stockbridge and Gregory. […]
Celebrating tractors at the Waterloo Farm Museum
by Arlene Kaiser Once again, the sound of hit-and-miss engines, tractors and trucks were heard during the annual Antique Tractor, Truck and Farm Equipment Show Aug. 8 and 9 at the Waterloo Farm Museum. Organizers weren’t sure they would be able to have an event at the museum this year, due to the restrictions on […]
Anticipating the small window of spring on the farm
By Helen Chandler I didn’t realize how quiet the winter had been until the birds returned with their racket! Ducks are landing in the pond in the field next door. So much quacking! The sandhill cranes and their throaty chortle, the geese and their honking, the red winged black birds and their trill, all are […]
Making plans and starting seeds: The season of hope
by Helen Chandler, Farmer at Lake Divide Farm This time of year doesn’t exactly scream spring. When I step outside into single-digit temperatures, I can feel the cold in my nostrils. The pale purples and blues of the evening sky say ice. Despite all this, the call of spring on the farm rings loud. All […]
Garden Club decorates the hall…and square…with bows of jolly
by Patrice Johnson Monday, Nov. 11. More than 20 intrepid members of the Stockbridge Area Garden Club braved challenging roads and slippery sidewalks to decorate the Stockbridge Township Square and Hall for the holidays. The first snowfall of the season erased bootprints left behind members tromping to the gazebo, which now housed a newly erected […]
Stockbridge Area Tractor Show takes us back to our roots
by Judy Williams Stockbridge, once known as the vegetable basket of the country, went back to its roots, so to speak when on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27 and 28, the community celebrated its agricultural roots with a tractor show. The show, an annual event since 2010, was organized by co-chairs Lynn and […]
Pedal Pull: Family highlight of tractor show
Photos by Sarah Heinz Rain did not dampen the family fun event of the kids pedal tractor pull, Saturday, Sept. 28. In all, 44 kids, ranging in age from 3 to 12, participated in the popular and fun event, always a highlight of the two-day tractor show. Weights pulled according to age groups were as […]
Stockbridge Area Tractor Show
Photos by Judy Williams The third annual Stockbridge Area Tractor Show is taking place at the American Legion Mackinder Glenn Post 510 Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27 , and 28.
Farm to Table Event to Benefit 5 Healthy Towns Foundation’s Farmers Markets
by Matt Pegouskie Dexter is all in. Gordon Hall is ready. And local farmers are busy planting, growing, and harvesting. Why? Because the 4th annual 5 Healthy Towns Farm to Table Fabulous Feast is less than two months away! Held this year on Sunday, Sept. 22, at Dexter’s historic Gordon Hall, the event benefits each […]
Local farmer directs America’s Farmers Grow Communities donation to Stockbridge Area Educational Foundation
by Judy Williams and Patrice Johnson Each year, the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program offers farmers nationwide an opportunity to apply for a $2,500 grant that is then donated to a local nonprofit organization of the applicant’s choice. Stockbridge farmer Ben Topping applied, and in May learned his application was selected. He directed his $2,500 award to the […]