PLANNING FOR PLANTING:

Guest opinionA farmer’s work is never done. Even in winter, farmers are planning for the next planting season. For many operations, planning ahead includes signing up for federal crop insurance.The deadline to sign up for most types of coverage is March 15, 2025.

Saturday night lights

Some words were never, ever spoken at our house. We never said, “I’m bored.” Our parents never said, “It’s too cold for you to go outside.” The folks stressed the value of exercise in the good old fresh air.

Little Pasture on the Prairie

Last week, my daughter came home from school, laid her head down on the kitchen counter, and started to cry. “I’m SO BOOOOOORED!” she sobbed.This was after nearly two weeks with no outdoor recess due to below-freezing wind chills. February has been extra february-ish this year.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear editor, In the last couple of weeks I have shared a bit of information on social media and was asked to share it with the Topic. Northwest Area Schools Director Quinn Lenk has written a few previous articles.There are many important issues right now that are taking a lot of attention.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

We are four former South Dakota State Librarians. We strongly urge the South Dakota State Legislature to vote NO on the proposed changes (HB 1041) to the South Dakota State Library and the corresponding state statutes. The current staff of 21.

Stray Thoughts: It’s not about a box of chocolates

When I was young, there was this one old farmer.Looking back, he was probably in his sixties, with nothing outwardly special about him, still, to me, something about him was unforgettable.I did not grow up with a man in my home at all, so I never got a chance to see what a “real man” was.

Through the eyes of a child

White starbursts, ferns and flowers sparkled gloriously on the kitchen window. Jack Frost had worked his magic. I pressed my hand into the crystalline masterpiece. The melted circle gave me a window to the outside world.

Teen Mental Health

The most recent survey of teen mental health by the Centers for Disease Control in 2023 revealed that 20.3% of adolescents in the United States have been diagnosed with a mental health condition. This reflects a 35% increase since 2016.

Stray Thoughts: Full Disclosure

As my kids begin their own adult lives, I wonder what to tell them. I have told them many stories of my youth, but certainly not all… growing up in today’s world, they aren’t ready for everything yet.

Little Pasture on the Prairie

I just finished listening online to a sermon my Episcopalian friend Whitney Kimball Coe gave on Sunday.