LIVING IN FARIBAULT, a city of some 24,000 surrounded by farm fields, I sometimes see ag machinery pass through town. I live along an arterial route. Tractors pulling implements or solo tractors and combines occasionally roar by my house, especially during spring planting and fall harvest.
But the sighting of a tractor with attached manure spreader spotted several blocks from my house at the local Faribault Community Co-op Oil Association on a recent afternoon proved a first. I’d never seen a manure spreader, marketed as a box spreader, within city limits. But there the New Holland brand spreader sat, linked to a Case International tractor. Right there aside the co-op fuel pumps along Division Street in the heart of downtown.
My mind asked, “Why? Why wouldn’t you unhook a manure spreader before driving a tractor into town to fuel up?” I’ll never know.
Whatever, the scene drew my eyes and reminded me of the importance of agriculture in this region. Although farming has changed from mostly small family farms with livestock to much larger acreages minus the animals, the importance of agriculture to the local economy remains. All I need do is drive into the country to observe farmers busy in the fields, planting corn and soybeans.
Back in the 1860s and 1870s, wheat was the primary crop in this area. Flour mills populated the region. None remain here today.
But what remains are memories and history, including the Alexander Faribault house, which sits next to the co-op, on the other side of a hedge row. The house, built in 1853 and thought to be the oldest woodframe house in southern Minnesota, served as a fur trading post for the town founder. He also farmed, on land that is today within the city limits, and sheltered Indigenous Peoples on his farm.
Community Co-op has been in Faribault since 1925, closing in on 100 years in business. That’s remarkable really. Good customer service and loyalty withstand the tests of time. And no one seems to mind a tractor with attached honey wagon pulling up to the pumps on a Sunday afternoon in April.
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
❤
Farmers are on the move from the Gulf Coast to Minnesota! We passed – or were stuck behind – numerous large tractors as we made our way north from Louisiana on small country roads. In some places, the corn and sugar cane are already in and sprouting!
It is frustrating when you get stuck behind a large piece of farm machinery, unable to pass. Tis that time of year.
My mind just went hhhmmmm – interesting! I cannot say I seen that either growing up around farms. STINKY things to begin and let’s take it for a spin – ha! I get behind the garbage trucks and haulers on my way to work in the mornings and if the heat is on need to get around it or give it a wide berth – smells and then some – YUCKO! I love when you share those mind bending/thinking pictures in your posts. Happy Day – Enjoy
Randy actually spotted the manure spreader as we were returning from Falls Creek County Park. Fortunately I had my camera with me. I, too, delight in finds like this. Following a garbage truck, yuck is right.
Interesting story! Perhaps through your writing, you will learn the name of the owner of the ‘honey wagon!’
Maybe. It was your dear, wonderful brother who spotted the honey wagon and reminded me that your dad used that term for manure spreaders.
I haven’t heard that term in years!
🙂
what an interesting choice -)
One of those things that make you go hmmmmm! Why did they haul it through town? Interesting!
Yeah, I don’t know.