June 25, 2025, Balaton, MN – Pre-seminar Tour
Iterro Life Sciences: “tru-shrimp”
Many of our class enjoyed the inside story of growing shrimp in the heart of the Midwest. I really enjoyed touring Tru-Shrimp because it gave me a glimpse into another value-added food and byproduct processing system. I was amazed at the advancement in technology that they were using and how they sought out leaders in the technology, pharmaceutical and pet food industries to partner with to bring their vision to life. – Katie Saterbak
Hosting Campus – Minnesota West, Pipestone Campus
Greetings from Dean of Management & Career Tech Programs – Craig Peters
Hosted by the Faculty of MN West, Philip Berg and Ryan Knuth – Instructors of Lamb & Wool Management Education, MARL Class #13 was oriented to the college and a featured college program. Ahead of a visit to a local farm, we reconnected with our MARL class members on the Pipestone Campus of MN West, our host location for the seminar. Philip and Ryan shared an overview of the Pipestone Lamb & Wool Program, enrolled producers, explained the curriculum and the value students find by learning and sharing about the industry. Lessons shared with each other on farm tours and in consultation meetings with their instructors at the student farm locations have resulted in a strong one-of-a-kind Minnesota State Program.
Pipestone National Monument
Less than a mile from the Minnesota West Campus is a sacred place that has attracted Indigenous people for over 3,000 years. They come to the red stone at this site to make pipes used in prayer and ceremony. A tradition that continues to this day and makes the site sacred to many people.
“When you pray with this pipe, you pray for and with everything.” -Black Elk
National Parks Service
Visiting Pipestone National Monument: “What It Meant to Me”
I recently had the chance to visit Pipestone National Monument for the first time as part of MARL Class 13. As a Native American and a member of the Lower Sioux Indian Community in Morton, Minnesota, this was a really special experience for me.
Even though I have lived in Minnesota my whole life, I had never been to Pipestone National Monument before. It was amazing to finally see the land where pipestone comes from, right there in the ground. I learned that Native Americans have used this stone for hundreds of years, and many still use it today to make pipes for spiritual ceremonies. Seeing history and culture come to life right in front of me was really neat.
One thing that stood out to me was how the park rangers work with many different tribes from across the country, including my own. They shared how they help protect this special place while also respecting the traditions and needs of all the tribes who come to gather pipestone. I did not realize how many moving pieces there are behind the scenes to keep this place going for future generations.
But what meant the most to me was how my classmates in MARL showed so much interest and respect during the visit. They asked thoughtful questions, listened closely, and really wanted to learn, not just from me but also from the park rangers. It made me feel proud to share this experience with them and to see them care so much about the history and culture of this land.
I just want to say a special “Thank You” to my classmates for making this visit so memorable. It was not just about seeing the monument. It was about learning together, respecting each other’s backgrounds, and having fun along the way. – Joseph “Joey” Goodthunder
Sturdy Post Ranch – Verdi, MN
MARL Class 13 had the pleasure of visiting the Sturdy Post Ranch owned by Justin and Carissa. During this visit, we learned about their farming operation, their family and the joy they get every day working their farm. Justin, Carissa and their children raise Katahdin sheep. Katahdin sheep do not need to be sheared; they lose their hair through a normal shedding process. We were able to hear how their operation is run, learn about changes they have made along the way and get a tour of the facilities. Hearing how their 5 children are involved in the farm and share their parents’ love for raising animals was a wonderful experience. Their oldest 3 even have sheep of their own to raise and care for already. The small family-run farming operations are becoming less prevalent, so seeing a farm like this was a rewarding experience. – Jennifer Athmann
The Fruechtes are enrolled in the Pipestone Lamb & Wool Management Program at MN West Community & Technical College.
Following the Pasture Walk and discussions while touring the Sturdy Post Ranch, class members were served a locally sourced lamb chop dinner sponsored by the MN Lamb & Wool Producers Association. Special appreciation to the MLWP members for their sponsorship and coordination of the meal. We were treated to locally sourced greens from the Pipestone region to accompany our dinner.
Special Thanks for their sponsorship of the Lamb Chop dinner!
A special ice cream treat was served from Lingen Dairy, a 4th-generation dairy farm near Balaton. The farm-fresh soft-serve ice cream was a delicious dessert for all! In celebration of June Dairy Month was arranged and provided by Northwestern Farm Management
Grateful for the June Dairy Month – ice cream! Yummy and appreciated.
EQi = Emotional Intelligence
During Seminar 6 in Pipestone, MARL class 13 members had the opportunity to participate in an emotional intelligence (EQi) assessment. After reviewing our individual scores from 15 emotional intelligence themes that underscore areas we each exhibit high-functioning emotional intelligence and other areas that are over- or under-developed, we participated in a training to understand how the various realms of our personal and professional lives are interconnected and how growth in one can catalyze growth and create impact in another.
Awareness of our strengths and deficiencies in emotional intelligence is a starting point to recognize pitfalls and blind spots so that we can practice responding rather than reacting, especially under stress. Self-reflection and understanding of our emotional baseline(s) created a starting point for us to develop intentional practices toward transformation. Actionable steps to incorporate the strategies and habits we discussed will enable us as leaders to improve our communication, reset and regulate, make more balanced and thoughtful decisions, navigate interpersonal dynamics, adapt to change with a resilient mindset, and ultimately create healthier relationships with ourselves and others. – Alexandra Ostlund
“With emotional intelligence being the topic and theme of the seminar, enlightening is probably the most fitting word I can find. Throughout MARL, I’ve gained more self-awareness and self-understanding; this seminar was no different. Much like the feeling wheel that we covered on day two, sometimes having the right words to assign to our experiences is eye-opening. It’s amazing how some of the topics just click and are relevant to current life experiences. What was so enlightening to me during this seminar was the EQi test. I believe the test helped me understand the traits and qualities that I need to work to improve on as a person and leader, and where I need to find balance in my leadership style.
One common thread throughout MARL that I’ve found through our seminars and our peer coaching groups is that being able to share these learnings and experiences with classmates makes it more impactful because they are able to help frame it with their views as well! – Cameron Henning
I am so thankful for the opportunities and experiences that MARL has provided!”
Thursday afternoon – at Pipestone “helping farmers”
Thursday Evening – International destination announcement & Pork Chop Dinner at Hiawatha Lodge.
Good morning, Vietnam! Or good evening?? I can just hear the words of the late, great Robin Williams piping through the loudspeaker, and what an exciting surprise for all of us in the #MARLProgram class 13! Thursday evening at the Pipestone Pageant Park-Hiawatha Lodge was certainly a treat with a delicious pork chop supper provided by Pipestone Systems and a visit from a group of MARL alumni. How did we get so lucky!!??
My classmates and I were anxiously awaiting the big reveal that night to find out where our class would travel internationally next March, near the end of the program. After countless failed attempts to get either Toby or Brad to spill the beans early, it was finally time and Vietnam it is! After supper and the “reveal,” many of us stayed to play yard games and walk the park grounds. I feel like I did some of the best bonding yet with my classmates, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity I have to be part of this amazing experience. – Terra Wierson
MARL class 13 gathered at Hiawatha Park for seminar 6 Thursday evening activities, and absolutely started with a bang. Several Marl alumni, including Neil and Nancy Miller, Bruce Tiffany, Danielle Evers, and Carolyn Olson, were on hand for the much-anticipated announcement of our international trip. With about a third of the class having figured out the clues, it was announced that we would be visiting Vietnam. Vietnam is a major exporter of many Agricultural products including rice and coffee and i for one are very excited to see the many traditional and modern techniques they use, it will no doubt be a trip of a lifetime. The pork dinner we had that evening was provided by pipestone system and was very delicious and enjoyed by all, it made a great night of gathering. – Butch Brey
Carson Ouellette and Molly Malone visit during the final day of the seminar in Pipestone, focusing on energy.
It was a pleasure to meet Molly Malone from Invenergy, who spoke with the group about clean energy development and her work reaching out to landowners as they secure rights to build solar and wind infrastructure. “Minnesota, along with our utility partners, has seen a steady increase in the number of value-added industrial projects that require clean energy generation,” said Chet Bodin, Business Development Manager for Minnesota’s leading economic development agency, DEED. As a fellow resident of Greater Minnesota, Molly was able to connect with the group about the benefits and challenges of siting wind and solar projects in rural communities. NIMBY-ism often persists, but ultimately, projects like those Invenergy targets can make rural infrastructure and the regional power grid more resilient. Knowing the full picture can help rural counties, cities, and townships make informed decisions. Bodin adds, “Data centers are a major user of course, but Sustainable Aviation Fuel and e-fuel projects also top the list. These potential investments would create tons of jobs and have cascading economic impacts, all while moving Minnesota toward meeting its Climate Action Goals.” – Chet Bodin
Sylvia & Terry Wolters – grill master extraordinaire/dinner hosts. Sponsored by Pipestone Systems
“I have worked with several MARL graduates throughout my industry service tenure and truly appreciate the efforts of that program in helping expose and develop well-rounded leadership.” Quote from our grill master.
Post-Seminar Option – Pipestone
HORD Farms West:
The opportunity to extend the MARL seminar in Pipestone to learn about Hord Farms was a valuable experience. There is a lot of hog production in southwestern MN, but not being involved, I am not that familiar with it. I enjoyed learning about the business structure of Hord Farms, including their ownership of facilities and their partnership with farmers who own hog facilities. With all the concerns about disease in the industry, I was somewhat surprised they let us go inside a hog barn. It was fun to view what the building looks like on the inside and how it works. Now I have that much more familiarity every time I drive by a hog barn in the countryside. – Dustin Johnson, corn & soybean farmer
I found it interesting that hogs consume a wet feed diet while turkeys are fed a dry feed. Also, similarly, they have a separate pen for smaller or Injured ones. We also do that in the beginning, but we call it a hospital or sick pen.
I was somewhat surprised, but maybe I shouldn’t have been, given how they would constantly nibble on our Tour Host, Dr. Scott VanderPoel’s legs. We are constantly dealing with the same situation in our turkey production facilities, as they get closer to market. We try to have a “half glass full” attitude, knowing that they are happy and healthy when they do that, albeit painful sometimes, and they just want to show you who is boss. Or so they think. Lol – Shane Wilhelm, turkey producer
A great seminar in Pipestone County. “Investing in People” with MARL class members – a rich experience.
