Connecting community through local agriculture initiatives
Aitkin County was known for turkey farms — the Aitkin High School’s mascot is the Gobbler — until turkey production shifted to other counties. Kevin and Carol Hoge keep the poultry tradition alive with chickens they raise for family and friends at Flat Rock Farm.
“You have to get out,” said Kevin Hoge, Minnesota’s 2024 Cattleman of the Year. “When you go to meetings, you get new ideas. Sometimes it’s something really simple.”
The Hoges attend Extension’s Cow-Calf Days, lead in their local and state cattle associations and mentor 4-H youth. Grandson Nathan will soon be a 4-H Cloverbud. They have also supported farm-to-school efforts to help schools understand how to buy local meat and eggs.
Mercedes Moffett, Extension agriculture educator, enjoys building relationships in Aitkin and Carlton counties while sharing University of Minnesota research. “It’s important to stay connected in agriculture — the Hoges are very involved here,” she said.
Highlights
- Extension conducted an economic contribution analysis in partnership with Aitkin County, surveying ATV riders. Among other findings, ATV trail-riding visitors (those from outside Aitkin County) accounted for 4% of all retail, food service, and accommodation sales in the county.
- The Aitkin County 4-H Counciloffers $1,000 scholarships to 4-H members graduating from high school who will be attending a post-secondary institution in the year following graduation.
- All youth in grades K-2 are invited to the Northeast 4-H Cloverbud Club, where they will learn to make Lego cable cars, pollinator pizzas, “I Spy” bottles, watercolor paintings and cards for veterans.
- U of M Farm Family of the Year: Wayne and Gabrea Anderson (2024)
- Featured volunteer: Aitkin County resident Penny Stiles, a Minnesota Master Naturalist and an Aquatic Invasive Species Detector, worked with the Aitkin Soil and Water Conservation District to get a Starry Trek local training site started.
- SuperShelf: Community Food Shelf at First Lutheran
Aitkin County office
Extension has 14 regional offices supporting all 87 counties in Minnesota.
Aitkin County partners with Extension to deliver practical education and research you can use at home, at work and in your community. More about Extension in our county.
About the Minnesota 87 project
Spend time in any Minnesota county, and you will almost certainly encounter University of Minnesota Extension. Our faculty and staff, volunteers, participants, alumni and partners are woven into the fabric of rural, urban and suburban Minnesota life. This project showcases Extension in action through photos, stories and a sampling of the many ways Extension has touched the lives of people in every county.