|
|
| Newsletters | ||
Meet Our Specialist
A South Dakota State University landscape architecture and environmental management major, Shannon Fischer, began working in the warehouse at Millborn Seeds her freshman year of college. Did Winter Leave its Mark on Your Lawn?
Green lawns are one of the first signs that spring is here. After an extreme winter like this one (which may not yet be over), many homeowners may be disappointed to discover that their snow blower removed areas of the lawn and sidewalk ice melt killed their lawn.
|
Maximize Wildlife Habitat With CREP A farm boy from Conde, S.D., working outside Omaha, Neb., he says this was a new experience. It gave him a glimpse into the challenges hunters who don't own land go through each season. "I understood what it's like not to have a place to hunt," says Worlie, who purchased his family's farm 10 years ago and recently enrolled 433 acres of expired CRP marginal cropland in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) which allows for public hunting access. "At first I was a little hesitant, but then I remembered what it was like when you don't have a place to hunt. It also works well for both parties, because you don't have 20 people stopping to ask permission; this allows them permission and takes the liability off of me as a land owner." The James River CREP is a new program developed by the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks and the Farm Service Agency to stem the tide of habitat loss in South Dakota by increasing Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) payments to landowners in the James River Valley watershed. The program increases rental payments by about 40% an acre and cost shares nearly 100% of all inputs needed to convert cropland to grassland or re-enroll CRP acres. "Over the last several years, we've lost over 400,000 acres of grassland and wildlife habitat to cropland in South Dakota," says Rocco Murano, private lands habitat biologist for the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks. The land Worlie enrolled in the program was marginal cropland due to annual flooding. "CREP was the right choice for the land," Worlie says. "It's extremely poor land that sits under water half the year." "CREP is a great program for landowners who want to receive guaranteed income from marginal acres and increase wildlife populations," says Amanda Richardson, a Farm Bill Biologist for Pheasants Forever who helped Worlie enroll his acres in CREP. "With the recent flooding activities in the James River Valley, CREP is a great program that provides the landowner with a stable source of income with minimal to no input costs," says Richardson, who works closely with the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Game, Fish & Parks to help landowners convert land to CREP by planting it back to grassland. Richardson says that programs like CREP, which encourage grassland re-establishment, are good for everyone in the state, as grasslands and wetlands help keep our drinking water safe. "Grasslands and wetlands are capable of filtering out harmful residue runoff - preventing it from entering the drinking water system," Richardson says. Many times, land unfit for agriculture production is prime for wildlife, says Jason Tronbak, Conservation Specialist for Millborn Seeds, Brookings, S.D. "By converting cropland to wildlife habitat, landowners are providing wildlife a place to live and raise a family. Grasslands provide essential winter cover and nesting cover. Wildlife especially like wetland cover - land that is covered with cattails and is unsuitable for farming most years," says Tronbak, who helps landowners achieve a successful stand establishment by selecting premium grass seed mixes that will work best with their land's growing conditions. To encourage more landowners to consider CREP or other conservation efforts, Millborn Seeds offers a Stand Establishment Guarantee. CREP also allows for walk-in hunting. Richardson reminds landowners who enroll their land in CREP that they do not have to worry about liability issues. "There are state statutes that provide them immunity from liability issues on their land," Richardson says. To learn more about CREP, contact your local NRCS or Game, Fish & Parks office or contact Jason Tronbak if you have any questions, 888-498-7333 or jasont@millbornseeds.com. *CREP is a great program for farmers and ranchers as well. In the April newsletter we will focus on agricultural producers who utilize the CREP program.  Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) allows landowners to receive rental payments for marginal cropland. |
Customer Service is No.1 at Robson Hardware In the age of big box stores, when was the last time you walked into a store and were immediately greeted by a salesperson who escorted you directly to the product you needed? If you happen to frequent Robson Hardware on West 12th Street, Sioux Falls - this type of customer service is not out of the ordinary. Open since 1945, this hardware store, with its vintage neon sign, is a landmark for many rental property owners and do-it-yourselfers. Stocked with everything from nuts and bolts, plumbing and electrical, to garden supplies, lawn mowers and Millborn Seeds grass seed, Robson Hardware focuses on providing customer service with a trained and knowledgeable staff and quality products to its customers says Dallas Vanden Bosch, who was an employee of Robson Hardware for 19 years before purchasing the business in 1993. "People come to us and say, "you're the only real hardware store out there anymore,'" says Dallas, who, schedules a staff of seven or more employees at all times to ensure the hands-on customer service his customers have come to expect. "You can still come in here and buy two nails or screws, and then you can also purchase just about everything you need for most home repairs." A rental property owner/manager himself, Dallas caters to other rental property owners who are frequently making repairs or updates. Along with plumbing, heating and electrical supplies, Robson also carries painting supplies, repairs window frames and screens, and specializes in small engine repairs. "I'm a hands-on guy. I'm mechanical. I repaired lawn mowers after work each evening before I bought the business," says Dallas, whose sons, Seth and Matt, work with him. "I grew up with the idea that if I give it a try, I can probably fix it." Understanding that providing quality products is as important as customer service, Dallas only carries products that he would use. When it comes to grass seed, Millborn Seeds is the only brand he carries. "I trust Millborn Seeds' quality because of their standards. Clint has told me that he's rejected shipments of seed before because they didn't meet his standards," says Dallas, who appreciates Millborn's level of customer service as well. "They custom blend the mix that we want and know will sell," he says, adding that if he ever has an unhappy grass seed customer, Clint takes care of that too. "We had an unhappy customer, so I called Clint and he went to the customer's home on a Saturday took care of the problem."  Dallas Vanden Bosch & his son, Seth |
 |
CORPORATE OFFICE, RETAIL & DISTRIBUTION |
 |
NSC OFFICE, RETAIL & DISTRIBUTION |
