The executive editor of Successful Farming paints a picture of thoughtless land use practices in the Loess Hills of western Iowa that should make all those who farm on marginal lands take notice. Read More »
Land
FiredUp: Give us a good reason to move back to the Dakotas. No, really.
Moving to a rural place has positives and negatives, according to a recent Minnesota Public Radio story. Read More »
POSTCARD
The 2010 spring snow goose migration at Sand Lake was upon us, but something was missing. By Bill Schultze, Wildlife Biologist, Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge The arrival of a white jeep driven by the “snow goose lady” from Duluth had become as much a part of the spring migration as the snow geese themselves. But in my many ventures ... Read More »
From The Editor
Belonging In this inaugural issue of Dakotafire, our editor shares her story of homecoming. When I was growing up on this farm in Savo Township, rural Frederick, South Dakota, I was quite certain I was going off to college and not coming back. I knew, at least, that I didn’t want to come back here to farm life. Farming seemed ... Read More »
Survey of Day County townships finds most are making do
by George Thompson They’re not flush, but they’re not broke either. A random survey of Day County townships found these grass roots units of government are making do with the money they’ve got – even though that’s not a lot. “We are just trying to keep our roads maintained,” said Egeland township chairman Ray Arneson. “We still have a lot ... Read More »
Little hope for better roads anytime soon
A trio of nearly intractable factors—super-wet conditions, higher costs for materials and heavier equipment using area roads—is creating a dire picture overall for road conditions throughout the Dakotafire region. Read More »
March heat wave sets records all over U.S.
It’s not just you—this weather is really odd. Unprecedented odd. According to a Rueters story, since March 12, the heat wave has already set at least 7,000 records. An earlier story on the website Climate Central said that 2,200 records had been broken, but the number rose over the subsequent week. Quoting writer Andrew Freedman: It’s quite possible that this ... Read More »
Pop quiz: Would Keystone XL make Midwest gas prices go up or down?
The answer to that question is not as intuitive as you might think. (Also check out a regional map of gas prices.) Read More »
FiredUp: Best promotion of Dakotas this year may come from Kennebec farmer
A Kennebec farmer has created images and videos via time-lapse photography that show how dramatic and beautiful Dakota skies can be. Read More »
FiredUp: Keystone blockage shows the power of united rural voices
Whatever you think of the Keystone XL pipeline, you may want to take note of who stopped it. It was not, as reported in The New Yorker, Professor Bill McKibben and other East Coast activists. Instead, the power behind the brakes originated on ranches in Nebraska. NPR reported the story, and Daily Yonder gave their take on it: (NPR reporters ... Read More »