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   LAKE SHORE—University of Minnesota Extension Service recognized Bill and Kristi Haehnel and family as Cass County Farm Family of the Year during the Tuesday, Aug. 19, Cass County Board meeting. 

   Extension committee member Greg Booth recognized the Haehnels and shared some background information. Bill and Kristi Haehnel were married in 2000 and began building their farm with determination and grit. Bill worked full-time as an electrician until 2018, gradually growing their beef herd year after year. Kristi worked as a dog groomer until stepping back in 2008 after the birth of their first daughter, Mabel. Since then, she has focused her time on raising their three children, Mabel, Mavis and Eldin, as well as helping to manage the daily demands of the farm.

   Today, the family runs a 250-head operation of black and black baldy Angus cows. They also raise guard donkeys, plant 150 acres of corn and produce hay on over 350 acres. It was shared that the entire family is hands-on. From calving to working cows, the kids are fully involved, even helping with herd health protocols each spring and fall. Each child has their own horse and takes pride in helping move cattle between pastures. They also raise chickens, goats and sheep, and are active members of their local 4-H club and FFA chapter.

   Bill remains active and committed to his community. He has served many years as the treasurer for the Minnesota Cattlemen’s Association, as well as holding rolls on the local township and hospital boards and serving as a Farm Service Agency committee member. They are also members of the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association and the Cass County Farm Bureau Association. Their farm reflects a strong family foundation built on service, hard work and a passion for livestock, a legacy they are proudly passing on to the next generation.

The Haehnel family were recognized as Cass County Farm Family of the Year. L to R: Mavis, Mabel, Eldin, Kristi and Bill. Photo submitted.

   The Farm Family of the Year Program works to recognize families who have demonstrated a commitment to enhancing and supporting agriculture in their communities.

   County Planner Scott Wold came before the board with a recommendation from the Planning Commission to deny the application for Zoning Reclassification from Richard Beach for a parcel in Becker Township. During the June 17 regular commissioner’s meeting the request was remanded to the planning commission due to new information presented from Beach. The planning commission conducted a site visit and voted 7-0 in favor of recommending denial to the Cass County Board of Commissioners. The reclassification request was to change the classification of the property from Agricultural/Forestry to Rural Residential - 20.

   Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk began the discussion by stating in looking at the plat map it did not look to be uncommon to have smaller parcels in this area. Gaalswyk did state he is the first to defend keeping agricultural land as such. An issue brought up by the Beach’s was that all 40 acres of this parcel is not classified as Agricultural/Forestry, only around 29 acres is classified as such with the other approximate 11 acres classified as Shoreland Residential. Therefore, they didn’t understand why they couldn’t split it into two 20 acre rural residential parcels.  It was also explained the reasoning for the split request was so two grandchildren could build a home on the property.

   After some more discussion regarding protecting personal property rights, influence of the twenty-seven opposition comments received from eighteen individuals over the course of approximately three months and if the reclassification is approved doesn’t restrict the owners to actually doing what they initially stated. Gaalswyk made a motion to approve the zoning reclassification of Beach’s parcel with Commissioner Rusty Lilyquist seconding the motion. On a roll call vote the motion passed 3 - 1, with Commissioner Scott Bruns against the motion and Board Chair Rick Haaland absent from the meeting.

   In other business, the county board:

   • Heard a report from Carl Newbanks, Grants and Development Manager with Initiative Foundation regarding the impact they have had on Cass County since 1986 and shared they have invested $2.3 Million in local donations and $10.6 Million in grants, loans and scholarships.

   • Rejected all bids received for the contract involving County State Aid Highway 36 due to bids being 20% or more than the Engineer’s estimate.

   • Requested an update on the issues and solutions regarding the paving of County Road 52.

   The next meetings are as follows: Commissioner’s board meeting 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2 at the board room in the courthouse annex in Walker, Jail Steering committee meeting 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2 at the board room in the courthouse annex in Walker; Northern Counties Land Use Coordinating board meeting, 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 4 at U of M Extension Building, 1336 Fairgrounds Rd., Grand Rapids; AMC Fall Policy Conference, Sept. 10-12 at Arrowwood Conference Center, Alexandria and commissioner’s board meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16 at Pine River Township, 3493 14th St. SW, Backus.

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