View From The Cab

By David Tollefson, Columnist

An article in the November 2022 issue of Farm Journal had an interesting column with the above title, by Andrew McCrea. He has experiences as a farmer and rancher, radio broadcaster and speaker. He shares stories occasionally on “US Farm Report.” Here’s the story:

Take a trip to Faribault, Minn., and you’ll find a museum that isn’t labeled as such. The displays are actually inside a bank that not only serves the community but also preserves and celebrates the area’s rich history. 

The State Bank of Faribault was established in 1919. As bank president, John Carlander wanted the building to be more than just a financial institution.

“Because of the community support, we thought it would be important to share some of the history of Faribault,” he says.

MORE THAN A BANK

The interior of this bank coaxes many people to simply come and check out the building. In some ways it resembles a museum first and a bank second.

One of Carlander’s prized items on display is a Faribault gas engine, which was built in the days before tractors existed. He went to Wisconsin to purchase one of the rare engines made in Faribault, but he was unsuccessful in his pursuit. Three months later a unique opportunity arose.

“Some individuals came to me, and they had discovered a refurbished Faribault gas engine in Kenyon, Minn., Carlander explains. “I was invited to go over and take a look at it.”

He was able to purchase the antique with the idea it would be on display inside the bank. The small but mighty engine on wheels was used as a stationary power source for farm implements. It was built just a few blocks from the bank and was known as “The Mighty Faribault.”

Visitors can see it and read some of the story behind this particular engine and the company that manufactured it.

Other unique items you’ll find also relate to a popular business from decades past. One example is a Fleck’s beer bottling line which the bank created.

“Fleck’s was a brewing company that made beer in the caves along the Straight River,” Carlander says.

Next to the teller counter you’ll find a conveyor of Fleck’s beer bottles moving down the line inside a display case.

THE CABELA’S OF THE NORTH

The bank also has an extensive collection of taxidermy. “We’ve got black bear, grizzly bears, mountain goats, whitetail, mule deer, elk and buffalo—we call it the Cabela’s of the North,” Carlander says.

The display of animals is impressive, and many of the bears tower above visitors as you walk through one of the bank’s lobbies.

The bank’s slogan is, “Our interest is you.”

The century-old institution strives to be more than a community bank. It also serves as a place that preserves and shares the community’s history. Carlander, his family and the bank’s staff intended this place to be a spot to stop and look around.

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I recently received my copy of the spring/summer issue of Minnesota Irrigator, the publication of IAM, the Irrigator’s Association of Minnesota.

Pope County is well-represented in IAM. Its President is Jake Wildman, a young Glenwood area irrigator and a sharp leader of the state-wide group.

Also, Glenwood’s own Jerry Wright, retired irrigation engineer at West Central Research and Outreach Center, is the IAM Membership Secretary. He has compiled a list of 82 counties of the 87 counties in Minnesota that do irrigation. A great majority of the 797,493 acres irrigated in Minnesota are agricultural crops, 753,305 acres.  The second largest category, wild rice, is 29,568. The remainder is nursery crops, orchard/vineyard, and sod.

#1: Otter Tail-104,015 acres

#2: Stearns-67,058

#3: Dakota-64,857

#4: Pope-57,626

Counties surrounding Pope that have significant acres are Swift, 44,440 acres, Stevens with 21,488, Douglas with 9,331 and Grant with 9,216.

Having been and irrigator since the early ‘70s, Pope County was one of the leaders. Jack Morris was a great promoter at that time and for many years after. I remember going to irrigator meetings in Brooten, in the middle of “Bonanza Valley.” And, of course, John Bohmer was another great leader and banker promoting the practice.

We are fortunate in this area to have West Central Irrigation just west of Starbuck for sales and service of the complicated and increasingly technical tools to promote efficient and effective use of the water resources of the area.

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Please contact David Tollefson with thoughts or comments on this or future columns at: adtollef@hcinet.net