Rotary Rounds February 15, 2017
In the beginning Rotarians were met by a Johnson, Dave or Dan at the front desk and Mike C who provided a smile , handshake and welcome. Jennifer was back and presented meat sauce and spaghetti, garlic toast, fruit and vegetables and a cup cake plus valentine table decorations. Paul B blessed those assembled in a voice and manner that I would guess assured the Lord’s attention. Wally C led us in “Roll Rotary”, “Edelweiss” and “Smile”. The students were studying and the athletes practicing so none were with us and there were no other guests or visitors.
In the beginning Rotarians were met by a Johnson, Dave or Dan at the front desk and Mike C who provided a smile , handshake and welcome. Jennifer was back and presented meat sauce and spaghetti, garlic toast, fruit and vegetables and a cup cake plus valentine table decorations. Paul B blessed those assembled in a voice and manner that I would guess assured the Lord’s attention. Wally C led us in “Roll Rotary”, “Edelweiss” and “Smile”. The students were studying and the athletes practicing so none were with us and there were no other guests or visitors.
Announcements: Pres Katie reminded us we should be registering for the Spring District Conference to be held April 27-29 and the club has funds to subsidize the fees. She also reported our group will be joining with other local service clubs in what has become known as the Library Project. We can expect details to emerge as time passes but for now we know it will be a visual learning laboratory, with an estimated cost of $200,000.00. Participants are expected to provide a portion of the funding and volunteer workers.
Brags and Fines: Mike W let us know he had spent some time in San Diego and endure rain every day. Hal L thanked Tim H for buying his lunch. Scot D congratulated the Otter girl’s hockey team for shutting out Willmar and earning the opportunity to play Alex for a spot in the State Tournament. Steve A was in New York and paid too much to see Phantom of the Opera. Mary P congratulated Pres. Katie for being selected to participate in Blandin leadership training. Lori L promoted the M-State recognition event for Ann Williams and Dave Retslauf and last Pres Katie thanked Steve L for filling in for her last week and confessed that she was attending a high school alpine ski meet and watching her son and daughter compete.
Program: Steve L, a harvest time employee of Minn-Dak Farmers Coop, introduced John Dammer an Agriculturist with the organization. John mentioned that he was from the New Ulm area and educated at the University of Minnesota Crookston and Saint Paul campuses. He has been with Minn-Dak for 22 years and as an agriculturist works closely with farmers; providing advice and policy and operational updates. Minn-Dak was founded in 1972 and began processing beets in 1974, it is currently owned by over 500 shareholder/ owners. Each owner is permitted to grow approximately 1.4 acres of beets for each share they own. Their payment is primarily a function of the tons of beets delivered, the sugar content and sugar prices. The Cooperative has nearly 350 full time employees, slightly over 350 part time and harvest workers and keeps over 60 truckers busy hauling beets from receiving stations to the plant. Sugar and by-products are marked through several organizations.
John showed a video which took us through the growing and processing of sugar beets. He remarked about how research and GMO beets have reduced inputs of labor and chemicals and coupled with good farming practices have increased the quality and quantity of the product. To extract sugar the beets are washed, sliced and cooked to draw off the sugar. The resulting juice is treated with milk of lime and carbon dioxide to remove non sugar particles, then filtered and cooked again. Sugar crystals form and the mixture is spun in a centrifuge separating the crystals, they are cleaned up, dried, sized and bagged. Most of the sugar goes directly to large food producers and some is bagged and marketed in under the American Crystal brand.
Domestic sugar producers have seen their fortunes decline in recent years, a result of increased domestic production, trade agreements which allow more imports, competition from other sweeteners plus per capita consumption is down by one third since 1970. Sugar does not receive a subside as do many other agricultural commodities. The price has historically been supported by trade policys limiting imports and the industry limiting production.
The industry is a large contributor to the regional economy, over $5 billion annually in Minnesota and North Dakota and about 80% of that in the Red River Valley. It is good to learn that the industry is making adjustments and plan to be a solid part of the economy for decades to come.
Thanks Steve for bringing us a timely, interesting and informative program.
Something Written Nearly 100 Years Ago Worthy of Another Review: Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silience….As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit….If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time….Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is, many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass…. Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of sprit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness….Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should....Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul….With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world….Be cheerful. Strive to be happy…. desiderata-Max Ehrmann 1920
John M- Weekly Scribe