Cows milking themselves?
That might be a little bit of a stretch, but not far off at the Balzer Dairy Farm east of Medford.

June has arrived and in Minnesota, that means county fairs, all leading up to the Great Minnesota Get-Together at the State Fair.
And that, of course, includes our own Dodge County Free Fair. This year’s fair is scheduled from Wednesday, July 16, through Sunday, July 20. Even though there is just over a month until the fair opens there is plenty of activity going on at the fairgrounds in preparation.

For years Ben Pherson spent many hours at golf courses as a sports reporter.
Now Pherson will be spending even more time on courses taking over as general manager of Dodge Country Club on May 22. He replaces Zach Otto who will be taking over as general manager at Stewartville Golf Club.

From the outfield grass at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium in Minneapolis, the sting of losing a state championship game was still fresh, but the sentiment was clear for Byron softball players and coaches.
This was only the beginning.

Elaine Ruth Gransee, 87, of Kasson, MN passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center.

After 18 years of sharing stories with southern Minnesota readers, this is my last op-ed as President and CEO of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF). As I prepare to retire, I do so with immense gratitude and pride.