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FUNDING FOR OFF 90 IS PROVIDED IN PART BY
THE MINNESOTA ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND
AND THE CITIZENS OF MINNESOTA.
CRUISING YOUR WAY ON THIS EPISODE OF OFF 90.
COME WITH US AS WE EXPLORE ALBERT LEA,
IT'S HISTORY, PRESENT AND FUTURE.
MEET AN ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN WHO ILLUSTRATES BUILDINGS OF THE PAST.
RIDE ALONG WITH A YOUNG FAMILY AS THEY LEAVE THEIR HOUSE IN THE CITY
AND GO TO THE COUNTRY TO EXPLORE A FARM.
IT'S ALL JUST AHEAD. OFF 90.
♪ THEME MUSIC PLAYING ♪
HI. I'M BARBARA KEITH.
THANKS FOR JOINING ME ON THIS EPISODE OF OFF 90.
NO TWO CITIES ARE ALIKE.
WE TOOK A TRIP TO ALBERT LEA TO SEE WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE.
WE LEARNED ABOUT THE STORY OF ALBERT LEA.
HOW IT CAME TO BE WHERE IT IS NOW, AND WHAT IT'S FUTURE HOLDS.
WE TALKED TO A HISTORIAN, THE MAYOR,
AND TO A FEW OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN ALBERT LEA
TO GET THEIR PERSPECTIVE.
COME WITH US AS WE EXPLORE ALBERT LEA.
♪ MUSIC ♪
COME TO ALBERT LEA. YOU'LL SEE THE BEAUTY.
AND IT'S THE QUALITY OF LIFE, THE PEOPLE, THAT MAKE ALBERT LEA BEAUTIFUL
AND A FUN PLACE TO VISIT, AND STAY.
ALBERT LEA IS A SMALL TO MEDIUM COMMUNITY IN MINNESOTA,
IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
WE ARE RIGHT NOW A COMMUNITY THAT'S GOING THROUGH A CHANGE.
WE'RE LOOKING AT CHANGING OURSELVES FROM A STRONG INDUSTRIAL COMMUNITY
OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS TO REALLY A DESTINATION CITY.
IN 1835 A UNIT OF THE US DRAGOONS CAME THROUGH OUR AREA
AND A MEMBER OF THAT UNIT WAS LT. ALBERT MILLER LEA,
WHO WAS A TOPOGRAPHER.
HE WAS A SURVEYOR FOR THIS GROUP AND HE, HAD A GREAT VISION
AND WAS ABLE TO LAY OUT THE OUTLINES OF, WHAT HE NAMED FOX LAKE,
WHICH LATER BECAME KNOWN AS ALBERT LEA LAKE IN HIS HONOR.
AND LATER THE TOWN WAS NAMED AFTER THE LAKE.
AGRICULTURE IN OUR AREA IS VERY BIG WHETHER IT'S CORN, SOY BEANS, RAISING CATTLE.
WE CERTAINLY HAVE SOME VERY LARGE, FARMERS THAT ARE STILL, MAKING A LIVING, DOING THEIR WORK AS FARMERS.
AND OF COURSE, PROVIDING, CORN AND, AND SOY BEANS FOR MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF OPERATIONS.
AS FAR AS OTHER THINGS IN OUR AREA WE, ONCE WERE A VERY BIG MEAT PACKING CITY.
AND WE NO LONGER ARE THAT, BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF SMALLER INDUSTRIES
SO THE FARMSTEAD FIRE OF 2001 WAS DEVASTATING FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
AT THE TIME YOU THINK ABOUT HOW MANY PEOPLE IT EMPLOYED 'CAUSE IT WAS OUR LARGEST EMPLOYER AT THAT TIME.
BUT WHAT IS REALLY HEART WARMING IS TO KNOW THAT OUR COMMUNITY SURVIVED.
WE HAD THESE OTHER SMALL COMPANIES THAT HELPED TO EXPAND AND RETRAIN PEOPLE TO WORK IN THEM.
AND WE SURVIVED.
NOT EVERY TOWN CAN SURVIVE AFTER THEIR LARGEST EMPLOYER GOES DOWN LIKE THAT.
AND THEN WHEN THEY DECIDED NOT TO REBUILD,
I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE REALLY, REALLY NERVOUS
"IS ALBERT LEA GOING TO SURVIVE WITH THE LOSS OF THEIR LARGEST EMPLOYER?"
AND WE BOUNCED BACK. AND, AND OUR EMPLOYMENT IS GOOD.
AND THE PEOPLE GOT TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES AND STAY WITH THEIR FAMILIES,
AND I THINK THAT SAYS A LOT FOR A COMMUNITY WHEN WE PULLED TOGETHER AND MADE THAT HAPPEN.
I THINK THE BIGGEST THING THAT CITY OF ALBERT LEA IS WORKING ON RIGHT NOW
IS IMPROVING ON WHAT IT REALLY HAS.
WE'RE TAKING THE NATURAL RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE, WHETHER IT BE OUR LAKES
OR OUR DOWNTOWN AREA AND TRYING TO REALLY PUT THE EFFORT INTO THEM
TO MAKE THEM ATTRACTIONS FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND USE FROM OUTSIDE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND FROM WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
I THINK THAT CITY OF ALBERT LEA HAS REALLY SEEN THE LAKES AS A REAL GEM IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
I THINK ALBERT LEA HAS ALSO SEEN THE DOWNTOWN AS A REAL UNREALIZED GEM IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
RIGHT NOW THERE'S A REAL FOCUS IN ALBERT LEA TO TAKE THOSE TWO WHAT WE FEEL ARE GEMS
AND MARRY 'EM. AND WITH OUR NEW PROJECT THAT WE'RE DOING IN THE DOWNTOWN,
REALLY TAKING THE ROAD AND REDOING ALL THE WORK IN THAT AREA
AND TAKING OUR LAKES, TRYING TO OPEN 'EM UP TO EACH OTHER,
AND REALLY LET THEM CAPITALIZE ON EACH OTHER FOR BUSINESS AND COMMERCE.
SO THERE ARE A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT OCCUR BECAUSE OF THE LAKES AND THE BEAUTY.
THE FIRST THING WHEN I HAVE A TOURIST COME IN, THEY SAY YOU HAVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TOWN.
NOW WE CAN SHOW THEM WHAT WE HAVE BY GOING AROUND OUR LAKES.
AND SO I THINK WE HAVE A COUPLE GEMS AND THOSE ARE OUR LAKES.
THE BEAUTY ABOUT IT IS EVERYONE CAN ENJOY.
NOT JUST THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON THE LAKE.
THIS GIVES EVERYONE A CHANCE TO GO AROUND,
TO WALK THE LAKE.
AND TO HAVE ACTIVITIES ON THE LAKE
WE HAVE A LOT OF EVENTS AND FESTIVALS. ONE OF OUR SUMMER EVENTS IS THE WINE DOWN WEDNESDAYS.
WE HAVE BOTH BEEN INVOLVED IN ALBERT LEA EVER SINCE WE GOT MARRIED.
DIFFERENT PEOPLE CALL IT A SMALL TOWN.
BUT DON CAME FROM BURKHART IN WISCONSIN
AND I CAME FROM GARDEN CITY IN MINNESOTA,
WHICH WERE REALLY SMALL TOWNS.
SO IT NEVER HAD SEEMED LIKE A SMALL TOWN.
IT'S BEEN LIKE A GOOD AVERAGE SIZE TOWN
WHAT THEY'VE GOT DONE COSTS A LOT
I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE GOOD FOR ALBERT LEA,
BUT IN THE PROCESS, IT'S JUST KIND OF HARD TO GET AROUND
AND, WE CAN HANDLE THAT.
I THINK WE'RE REALLY MAKING A LOT OF, ADVANCES AS FAR AS, JUST THE COMMUNITY FEEL TO IT
I THINK FOR THE SHORT TIME PERIOD THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE CONSTRUCTION
I THINK IT'S WORTH IT.
WELL, HEALTH INITIATIVES, PEOPLE STAYING HEALTHY AND FIT.
I MEAN I WORK AT A HEALTH CLUB.
SO, JUST, KEEPING THAT IN MIND WITH, WELLNESS AND JUST STAYING FIT
AND BEING HEALTHY IS A HUGE FACTOR IN OUR PERSONAL LIFE
AND JUST, IN MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE TOO.
A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE MORE EXCITED.
WE'VE GOT SOME MORE WALKING CLUBS AND THEY'RE BUILDING SOME NEW TRAILS
AND DIFFERENT THINGS I THINK HAVE GOT PEOPLE MORE EXCITED AND AWARE OF BEING ACTIVE.
INDOORS AND OUTDOORS. SO IT'S GREAT TO SEE THAT IN THE COMMUNITY OF ALBERT LEA.
PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER AND KNOWING THAT THERE'S A NEED TO WATCH OBESITY
AND DIABETES AND HEALTH PROBLEMS. JUST TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
WE'RE LOOKING AT TRYING TO MAKE ALBERT LEA A PLACE PEOPLE CAN WALK TO ENJOY.
NOT JUST DRIVE THROUGH.
THE VITALITY PROJECT REALLY IS AN IMPORTANT PROJECT TO THE VITALITY OF OUR COMMUNITY.
IT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO GET OUT, NOT ONLY AND SOCIALIZE WITH PEOPLE,
BUT ALSO LOOK AT WAYS THAT WE CAN LIVE HEALTHIER.
ONE OF THOSE WAYS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE ALBERT LEA PRODUCTIVE IN IS WALKING.
AND SO WE'VE ACTUALLY ADOPTED THIS WALK AROUND OUR LAKE AS THE VITALITY WALK.
AND PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE USING IT EVERY DAY.
WELL I PERSONALLY THINK THIS IS THE GREATEST PLACE IN THE WORLD TO BE
I THINK ALBERT LEA, MINNESOTA PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITES FOR FAMILIES TO SUCCEED
AND ALSO BUSINESSES TO SUCCEED
AND REALLY INDIVIDUALS TO SUCCEED
I THINK THAT IS THE BIGGEST CREATION WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE HERE
IS OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO SUCCEED IN ANY PART OF LIFE
WHETHER IT BE YOUR WORK LIFE, YOUR PERSONAL LIFE, OR YOUR SOCIAL LIFE
I STILL LIKE ALBERT LEA AND I'D RATHER LIVE IN ALBERT LEA THAN ANY OTHER TOWN AROUND.
BECAUSE I KNOW IT SO WELL, AND THE PEOPLE ARE SO GREAT.
♪ MUSIC ♪
KEN ALLSEN HAS ALWAYS ENJOYED DESIGNING AND DRAWING BUILDINGS
HE ALSO HAS AN INTEREST IN LOCAL HISTORY.
KEN FOUND A WAY TO BRING HIS TWO INTERESTS TOGETHER
BY MAKING DRAWINGS OF BUILDINGS FROM THE PAST.
OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO KEN ARE THE HOUSES
BUILT BY THE MORE AFFLUENT CITIZENS FROM ROCHESTER'S EARLY DAYS.
KEN HAS ALSO CHANNELED HIS INTEREST INTO PUBLISHING HIS DRAWINGS IN BOOKS.
SHOWCASING SOME OF THE ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY AROUND ROCHESTER.
♪ MUSIC ♪
MY WIFE AND I, JUST GOT BACK FROM A VACATION UP ON THE U.P.
AND WE HAPPENED TO VISIT A LIGHTHOUSE UP THERE CALLED BIG BAY.
AND, I WAS KINDA TAKEN WITH THE LOOK OF IT
AND I FOUND A POSTCARD OF IT AND BROUGHT IT HOME.
AND WHAT I'M WORKIN' ON NOW IS A PEN AND INK OF THAT LIGHTHOUSE.
FOR A TYPICAL DRAWING IT'S, IT'S GOTTA BE 20 HOURS.
I'VE NEVER KEPT TRACK OF THE TIME.
IT'S KINDA LIKE FISHING, THE TIME YOU SPEND DOING IT
DOESN'T COUNT AGAINST YOUR LIFE SPAN, RIGHT?
WHEN I WAS A KID I, I LOVED TO DRAW BUT I WAS LOUSY AT IT.
I NEVER HAD GOOD EYE HAND COORDINATION,
PROBABLY STILL DON'T.
WHEN I WAS 12 SOMEBODY GAVE ME A SET OF DRAFTING TOOLS.
AND I DISCOVERED THAT I COULD GUIDE MY CLUMSY FINGERS WITH THOSE.
AND THAT REALLY WAS WHAT LED ME TO TAKIN' THAT UP AS A TRADE.
I'VE ALWAYS DRAWN. I LIKE TO, MAKE RENDERINGS IN THE OLD WAY,
THE WAY I WAS TAUGHT WITH INK AND INK WASH OF, OF BUILDINGS.
WENT AWAY TO COLLEGE AND, ENDED UP MAJORING IN MATHEMATICS AND DISCOVERED
I COULD MAKE A LOT MORE MONEY DESIGNING SOFTWARE
THAN I COULD DESIGNING HOUSES.
SO I WORKED FOR IBM 30 YEARS.
BUT I REMAINED A DRAFTSMAN DURING THAT TIME.
DESIGNED A NUMBER OF HOUSES HERE IN ROCHESTER AND OLMSTEAD COUNTY.
ABOUT TWO DOZEN, I THINK.
COLLEGE STREET, IT'S FOURTH STREET SW NOW,
WAS WHERE THE EARLY MOVERS AND SHAKERS OF ROCHESTER TENDED TO BUILD THEIR HOMES.
SO I DID A BOOK ON THAT CALLED OLD COLLEGE STREET, THE HISTORIC HEART OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA .
I USED TO DO WALKING TOURS OF PILL HILL. IT'S ORIGINAL NAME WAS COLLEGE HILL.
WE WOULD TAKE SIX TOURS OUT IN ONE WEEK.
ANYWHERE FROM 50 TO 80 PEOPLE WOULD SHOW UP FOR EACH ONE.
AND THE THING THAT I LOVED THE MOST ABOUT IT
WAS LEARNING ANECDOTAL HISTORY FROM THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ON THE TOUR
WE'RE AT THE CORNER OF THE MAYO CLINIC FOUNDATION HOUSE PROPERTY.
AND ALONG THIS WALL, FACING TOWARD DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER IN 1856
WAS A WHITE GREEK REVIVAL HOUSE BUILT BY GEORGE HEAD,
WHO'S ACKNOWLEDGED AS THE FOUNDER OF THE CITY OF ROCHESTER.
BEING A SHREWD DEVELOPER HE PUT HIS OWN HOUSE IN A VERY PROMINENT SITE.
THEN ANYBODY THAT CAME INTO TOWN, EITHER BY RIVER OR BY TRAIL,
LOOKED UP AND SAW THAT MONSTER HOUSE SITTING UP THERE AND THAT SAID, THIS IS ROCHESTER,
AND THIS IS THE PLACE TO LIVE.
THE HOUSE REMAINED A RUIN UNTIL 1914 WHEN DR. AND MRS. WILLIAM J. MAYO BOUGHT THE PROPERTY HERE.
AND, SO ALL TRACES OF THAT HOUSE AND THE SUBSEQUENT CONSTRUCTION WERE LOST.
THOSE TWO GUYS PERSONIFIED THE HISTORY OF ROCHESTER EACH IN A DIFFERENT ERA.
AND THE BOOK THAT I DID ON COLLEGE STREET WAS BUILT AROUND THAT WHOLE PREMISE
THAT THESE TWO MEN INFLUENCED THE HISTORY.
I DID 33 DRAWINGS, ORIGINAL PEN AND INKS, FOR THE BOOK
TO SHOW THESE BUILDINGS THAT AREN'T THERE ANYMORE.
I HAVE THREE OTHER BOOKS, THE ONE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THIS LATEST ONE,
WAS A BOOK ON THE ELLERBE FIRM,
AND THE HISTORY OF ALL THEIR HOUSES IN ROCHESTER.
I DID A BOOK ON OLD FRONTENAC, A LITTLE VILLAGE OVER ON THE RIVER
WHICH IS JUST A VERITABLE TIME CAPSULE.
IT'S A LITTLE NEW ENGLAND VILLAGE FROM THE 1850'S. JUST DROPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF MINNESOTA.
AND THEN THE FIRST BOOK WAS ON HAROLD CRAWFORD, WHO HAPPENED TO BE A FRIEND AND MENTOR TO ME.
HE WAS A MASTER OF THE TUDOR DESIGN.
AND THAT'S WHY HE HAS 60 HOUSES UP IN THAT HILL.
HENRY PLUMER, FASCINATING CHARACTER,
HE WAS ACTUALLY MARRIED TO A NIECE OF WILL AND CHARLIE MAYO, DAISY BURKMAN.
THE PLUMER BUILDING DOWNTOWN, THE MAYO PLUMER BUILDING IS NAMED AFTER HIM.
HE BOUGHT 85 ACRES OF LAND ON THE NEXT HILL OVER WHICH IS CALLED QUARRY HILL.
AND HIS HOUSE WAS AT THE SUMMIT OF QUARRY HILL.
NOW WE'RE IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE AND YOU CAN SEE THE STRUCTURE AS DESIGNED BY THE ELLERBE FIRM.
IT'S A VERY CLASSIC TUDOR HOUSE.
THE STONE IN THIS HOUSE WAS QUARRIED HERE ON SITE.
ARCHITECTURALLY ROCHESTER'S FAR MORE INTERESTING THAN PEOPLE GIVE IT CREDIT FOR.
THE TOWN ITSELF IS VERY RICH IN ARCHITECTURE.
I'VE NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE FINDIN' SOMETHIN' TO BE INTERESTED IN.
♪ MUSIC ♪
BREAKFAST ON THE FARM IS A FUN FAMILY EVENT
WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME TO LEARN ABOUT FARMING
AND GET ANSWERS FROM THE PEOPLE WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THE INDUSTRY.
VISITORS CAN START OFF THE DAY WITH A HEARTY BREAKFAST AND THEN ENJOY A FARM TOUR,
WAGON RIDES, AS WELL AS MANY OTHER EDUCATIONAL DISPLAYS.
WE TAGGED ALONG WITH A FAMILY FROM AUSTIN
AS THEY EXPLORED WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LIVE ON A FARM.
READY TO GO?
OK, GUYS.
COME ON, LET'S LOAD UP.
YEP, JUST LIKE THAT
THAT'S PERFECT.
WHERE WE GOIN' TODAY?
FARM.
GOIN' TO BREAKFAST OF THE FARM.
WHAT DO WE GROW IN OUR BACKYARD?
WE HAVE A GARDEN WHERE WE GROW SOME THINGS.
SO THEY'RE EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO GO TO A FARM AND SEE IT ON A BIGGER SCALE.
WHAT COMES FROM COWS?
WHAT COMES FROM COWS?
MILK.
YOU'RE RIGHT. WE LIKE MILK DON'T WE?
LOT OF THE FOLKS THAT ARE COMING IN FROM THE URBAN AREAS
ARE THREE OR FOUR GENERATIONS DISCONNECTED FROM THE FARM
AND THIS ACTUALLY SHOWS THEM WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.
HOW DO THEY FILL THE STUFF WAY UP THERE?
HOW THEY FILL IT? WELL SEE, YOU SEE THAT RIGHT UP THERE AT THE TOP.
WE FELT THAT THIS IS A REALLY GOOD WAY TO GET NON-FARM PEOPLE OUT TO THE FARM
AND SHOW THEM WHAT HAPPENS OUT HERE.
THE VALUE OF FARM FAMILIES.
CAN WE PET HIM?
MOMMA, CAN WE PET HIM?
THERE A BABY.
THERE A BABY.
CAN I TOUCH IT?
IT CREATES A EXPERIENCE THAT THEY CAN LEARN ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS ON THE FARM.
IT'S A FUN EXPERIENCE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF, ANIMALS TO LOOK AT.
SMALL ANIMALS FOR KIDS TOO, A PETTING ZOO.
AND A CHANCE TO INTERACT WITH CERTAIN KINDS OF ANIMALS.
HE'S NOT SURE.
HE'S THINKING.
OK, HE SEES DAD.
WHEN WILL WE?
AND IT'S ALSO A CHANCE FOR THE KIDS AND YOURSELVES TO TALK TO FARMERS.
SEE WHAT FARMERS DO. HOW WE CARE FOR THINGS.
WE TRY TO SHOWCASE DIFFERENT KIND OF FARM EVERY YEAR AND ALL ASPECTS OF IT.
SEE SOME OF OUR NEW MACHINERY. IT'S ALMOST GOING TO A FAIR.
AND IT'S JUST A NICE FAMILY OUTING FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING FROM AN URBAN SETTING.
TO EVEN FARM SETTINGS. IT'S JUST FUN FOR EVERYBODY.
IT'S NICE TO SHARE FARM LIFE WITH YOUR COMMUNITY.
WE'RE JIM AND CONNIE SATHRE
AND WE ARE HOSTING MOWER COUNTY'S BREAKFAST ON THE FARM.
AND WE LIVE ON A FARM NEAR ADAMS, MINNESOTA.
WELL, I RAISE, CORN, SOY BEANS, 1500 ACRES
AND WE CUSTOM FEED 4,000 HOGS WHICH WOULD BE 12,000 A YEAR
THEN I GOT MY MOWER MEAT GOATS THAT WE RAISE EVERY YEAR TO SELL FOR 4H KIDS.
AND, CATS AND DOGS AND WHATEVER ELSE STRAYS IN.
WE TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN KEEPING OUR PLACE CLEAN AND NEAT.
AND IT, IT TAKES A LITTLE EXTRA EFFORT BUT WE DON'T MIND IT.
WE ENJOY DOING IT.
WELL, THE KIDS CERTAINLY ARE ENJOYING ALL OF THE DIFFERENT FARM ANIMALS
THAT WE HAVE HERE TODAY I'VE NOTICED.
IT'S BEEN FUN TO WALK AROUND AND WATCH THEM PET THE ANIMALS.
IT'S FUN TO LISTEN TO THE KIDS. SOME LIKE THE BABY DONKEYS.
SOME LIKE THE RABBITS. SOME LIKE THE CHICKEN.
SOME DON'T LIKE ANY OF THEM.
LET'S GO AND LOOK AT THE HORSES.
WE WILL.
HANG ON.
IT'S FUN TO SEE THE KIDS THAT COME FROM THE CITY
THAT HAVEN'T HAD THIS EXPOSURE YET TO SEE THE ANIMALS.
TO SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE ON THE FARM, TO SEE WHERE MILK COMES FROM.
I WENT 70 MILES TO GET SOME OF THE ANIMALS AND 50 MILES
AND ARRANGED OTHER PEOPLE TO BRING 'EM IN.
AND THEN MY KIDS, HIRED KIDS, THEY GOT FRIENDS AND THEY HAD TO GO GET SOME ANIMALS.
I EVEN HAD ONE KID THAT WORKS FOR ME AND HE'S DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE HE EMAILED A ZOO.
HE WANTED AN ELEPHANT. AND THE ZOO DID EMAIL BACK AND SAID
SORRY BUT WE DON'T LET OUR BIG ANIMALS GO OUT.
WELL, WE START BACK THERE. WE HAVE SCOTTISH HIGHLAND LONG-HAIRED, LONG-HORNED CATTLE.
THEN WE GO TO THE MINIATURE BEEF CATTLE THAT ARE 36 TO 41 INCHES HIGH.
WE GOT SOME HOLSTEIN CALVES, YEARLINGS, BACK THERE.
THEN WE GO TO THE MINIATURE PONIES.
WE GOT ONE THERE, A MOM, THAT'S GOING TO HAVE A BABY ANY DAY NOW.
WE'RE REALLY HOPING SHE'D HAVE A BABY TODAY.
AND THEN YOU WALK UP BY THE HOUSE AND YOU'LL GET, WELL, WHAT HAVE WE GOT THERE?
WE GOT DUCKS AND WE GOT A MINIATURE DONKEY
THAT STANDS TWO FEET TALL PROBABLY.
AND SHE'S GOT A BABY THAT'S LIGHTER THAN A BAG OF GROCERIES.
AND WE GOT MINIATURE GOATS OVER THERE THAT THEY WERE ACTUALLY DEMONSTRATING MILKING.
AND WE GOT, RABBITS. WE HAVE KITTENS OVER THERE TOO.
EVERY KID LIKES SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
WE GO THROUGH A LOT OF MILK AT OUR HOUSE.
IT'S YOUR FAVORITE THING, ISN'T IT JUDE?
JUDE COULD PROBABLY DRINK, GALLON OF MILK IN TWO DAYS ON HIS OWN.
SO THEY LOVE MILK. SO THAT WAS KINDA FUN FOR US TO SEE THAT A COW MAKES.
I ONLY LOVE CHOCOLATE.
YOU LOVE CHOCOLATE MILK, YES.
SO THEY, THEY WERE EXCITED TO SEE THAT A COW MAKES SIX GALLONS A DAY.
SO WE MIGHT, MIGHT NEED TO INVEST IN ONE.
I THINK THAT THEY LIKE SEEING ALL THE DIFFERENT ANIMALS
AND IT WAS FUN TO LEARN THE DIFFERENT FACTS ABOUT THEM.
SO WE REALLY GOT TO FIND OUT LOTS OF THINGS AND SEE A LOT OF THE ANIMALS.
IT WAS THEIR FAVORITE PART PROBABLY.
HOW MANY STOMACHS DO COWS HAVE?
WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT THAT.
THREE AND ONE.
FOUR.
GOOD JOB.
THE FARMERS DO CARE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS OUT HERE.
WE CARE FOR THE LAND, THE LIVESTOCK.
THIS IS IMPORTANT TO US THAT THESE THINGS DO WELL,
CAUSE IT'S PART OF OUR LIVELIHOOD AND IT'S PART OF OUR LEGACY TOO.
AS PASSING ON TO FUTURE GENERATIONS.
AGRICULTURE IS GOING TO GET MORE IMPORTANT BECAUSE OTHER COUNTRIES, THEY HAVE TO EAT,
AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW THE CROPS LIKE WE DO.
AND THEY NEED THE FOOD AND WE NEED THE FOOD AND IT'S ALL ABOUT FOOD.
WE'VE ENJOYED HAVING THE PEOPLE HERE AND ALL THE COMMENTS ARE REALLY APPRECIATED.
DOWN THE ROAD A COUPLE YEARS WE WOULDN'T BE OPPOSED OF MAYBE DOING IT AGAIN.
SHOULD WE SAY GOODBYE TO THE PIGS AND THE COWS?
AND WHAT ELSE?
THE LLAMAS?
YA.
COW BYE, COW BYE, COW BYE.
BYE COW, BYE COW.
SO WE HAD A GOOD TIME, DIDN'T WE?
DID WE HAVE FUN?
THAT'S ALL FOR THIS EPISODE.
THANKS FOR WATCHING.
SEE YA NEXT TIME. OFF 90.
♪ THEME MUSIC PLAYING ♪
FUNDING FOR OFF 90 IS PROVIDED IN PART BY
THE MINNESOTA ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND
AND THE CITIZENS OF MINNESOTA.