Ramsey Resident - 2001 - January/February

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CHECK THIS OUT IF YOU LIVE ON A FEW ACRES Now that you own that perfect 20 -acre spot in the countryside, what's next? There are questions about controlling weeds, planting a prairie, maintaining a pasture for four horses and how that hidden, underground septic system works. In addition, there are many possibilities for improving the looks of your property and choosing the right practices to protect the environment. A University of Minnesota Extension Service newsletter," Living on a Few Acres," is designed with just the small landowner is mind. The quarterly newsletter addresses a wide array of topics for the hobbyist, small farmer and rural resident. "In the seven — country Twins Cities area there are about 25,000 property owners with five to 40 acres of land," says Bob Olson, U ofM Extension educator. Olson says there are probably at least another 20,000 throughout the state. The newsletter originated in the fringes of the Twin Cities, but it's now available to landowners everywhere. There are several ways you can read it. To receive the 16 page quarterly newsletter via mail, the cost is $12 for four issues. If you'd like to subscribe to the electronics version of the newsletter, you can do so at no cost by contacting the editor at washington @extension.umn.edu. Anyone with Internet access may view the newsletter, including several past issues, at www. Extension.umn.edu /county /Washington. The electronic versions are read -only files that may be viewed, and are not formatted for printing. Address questions or comments about the newsletter to Bob Olson at (651) 430 -6808, or email Olson160 @unm.edu. RAMSEY MAN NAMED CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR (RE- PRINTED FROM NOVEMBER 10, 2000, EDITION OF THE ANOKA UNION) Bruce Bacon of Ramsey has been selected as Anoka Country 2000 Outstanding Conservationist. With the honor, Bacon has also been nominated for Minnesota's Outstanding Conservationist Award. His efforts to develop farming methods that are ecologically sound and economically viable for urban fringe farms are embodiment of land stewardship, according to the award nomination. Through Bacon's efforts, farming methods have been identified that will allow the preservation of the family farm within a rapidly urbanizing environment, the nomination states. Bacon's approach provides a comprehensive set of landscape design principals for integrating energetics, biology and organic cycling into a meaningful local economic framwork, according to the nomination. Bacon's farm was bought by his great grandparents, Mary Keillor and Benjamen Crandall before World War I. The farm comprises 95 acres of tillable land, prairie, wetlands and woods. Bacon is a member of the Princeton Chapter of the Sustainable Farming Association, has served on the shade Tree Advisory Committee since 1983 and is a member of the advisory Committee for the Minnesota Agroforestry Coalition. One little smile can fill the room with sunshine. - Anonymous CITY SEES CHANGES TO ITS COUNCIL 3 The election of November brought a new councilmember to the Ramsey City Council. Patti Kurak, as councilmember -elect will take her seat on the Council at the first Monday in January, 2001. She replaces Councilmember Margaret Connolly, who was seated on the Council as the result of a special election held in 1999 to replace Natalie Haas Steffen, who left the Council to accept a position on the Metropolitan Council at the request of the newly elected Governor Jesse Ventura. Jerry Zimmerman was re- elected to the City Council for another 4 year term. Patti Kurak CITY FEES Please remember that there are administrative fees that the City is permitted to charge. Many of the fees are related to construction activities, the sale of intoxicating beverages, business licenses, zoning applications, facility use and burning permits. Other administrative fees that the City charges include dog licenses, mailed agendas, City maps, notary services and photocopies of City documents. Please call City Hall at 427 -1410 if you have any questions.