Minnesota
Minnesota veterans trade uniforms for overalls, finding solace in farming
MONTROSE, Minn. — In the rolling fields of Montrose, Minnesota, two local heroes are sowing the seeds of a new life.
“More than a passion in the sense that every day has given me more. Without Tom and this farm, I wouldn’t have my two children,” Char’reise Norris said.
Tom and Char’reise Norris are two veterans who traded in their uniforms for overalls, finding solace and purpose in the field of agriculture.
“The effects of being outside or even just seeing lots of green stuff is very positive for our minds, our bodies and then working with the animals on the farm,” Tom Norris said. “Something that needs you every day to keep going is a big positive motivating factor for many people with PTSD.”
Veteran’s Farming Initiative is a nonprofit that helps veterans and their families heal and learn through specialized farming programs. Starting in 2020, they have had almost 30 veterans come through their farm.
“I suffered through a lot of PTSD,” Tom Norris said.
After nearly three decades of combined service, both experienced feelings of loneliness, isolation and frustration after retiring. They wanted to help veterans going through the same thing.
“If our communities grow stronger then we’re all able to contribute to helping more people,” Tom Norris said.
When not on the farm, you can find them at west metro farmers markets, selling their products and growing their community. They’re planting the roots of camaraderie and resilience alongside their produce.
“We have some of the best customers you could ask for. A lot of them become like friends,” Tom Norris said.
Their commitment to their new cause is evident in the sacrifices they make.
“All the proceeds go right back to support the daily farm functions and programming we don’t pay ourselves at this time,” Char’reise Norris said.
While the path from battlefields to farm fields is not without its challenges, they say the rewards are profound nurturing a new sense of purpose and community among cultivating crops.
“This is what drives us and keeps us grounded and centered because without it, I personally don’t know if I’d still be here,” Char’raise Norris said.
To learn more about the Veteran’s Farming Initiative, click here.
The 26-year-old defenseman finished with three shots in 26:55 of ice time in his first game since being traded to Minnesota by the Vancouver Canucks on Friday for defenseman Zeev Buium, forwards Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren, and a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
“It’s been a whirlwind for sure,” Hughes said. “I’m just looking forward to kind of getting my feet on the ground and get with the team here and get in a day-to-day lifestyle here. But definitely the last 48 hours have been a lot, but I was excited to go play the game.”
Kirill Kaprizov had two goals and an assist, Hartman had a goal and two assists, and Matt Boldy had a goal and an assist for the Wild (19-9-5), who extended their winning streak to four games and home point streak to 12 games (10-0-2). Filip Gustavsson made 29 saves.
“The crowd was electric I think just from the … I would say warmups to the introduction and then throughout the game,” Minnesota coach John Hynes said. “So, it was great to see the building like that and the guys perform the way that they did. So, it was a great combo.”
Alex Steeves and Andrew Peeke scored, and Swayman made 25 saves for the Bruins (19-14-0), who had won four straight.
“They’re a very good hockey team,” Boston coach Marco Sturm said. “They’re built pretty big, they play the right way, they play pretty hard, and they go to the net really hard, too. So, that’s something I mentioned, even between periods. That’s something we have to learn. And even if teams like that, we have to learn from that, and that shows we’re not there yet, and that’s a good thing, I think.
“Do we like the end results? No, but we had our chances in the first, even in the second period, and those are the chances that you have to use, otherwise it’s going to get hard against a team like that.”
Jared Spurgeon put Minnesota ahead 1-0 at 10:11 of the first period with a wrist shot through traffic as Swayman was screened by Marcus Johansson on a power play.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Temperatures dropped into the negative Saturday, with the coldest temperatures in the morning.
How cold it got in Minnesota Saturday
By the numbers:
Here is how cold the temperatures got in Minnesota:
- Hinckley: -20 degrees
- Bemidji: -20 degrees
- Ely: -18 degrees
- Brainerd: -18 degrees
- Detroit Lakes: -18 degrees
- Hibbing: -17 degrees
- International Falls: -17 degrees
- Duluth: -16 degrees
- Alexandria: -12 degrees
- St. Cloud: -12 degrees
- Cambridge: -11 degrees
- Grand Marais: -10 degrees
- Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport: -6 degrees
- Red Wing: -6 degrees
- Morris: -6 degrees
- Hutchinson: -5 degrees
- Rochester: -5 degrees
- Mankato: -3 degrees
- Windom: 0 degrees
- Marshall: 0 degrees
Here are the lowest wind chills across Minnesota from Saturday:
- Bemidji: -37 degrees
- Ely: -35 degrees
- Duluth: -34 degrees
- Brainerd: -32 degrees
- Detroit Lakes: -32 degrees
- Hibbing: -31 degrees
- Alexandria: -29 degrees
- Hinckley: -27 degrees
- Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport: -24 degrees
- St. Cloud: -24 degrees
- Willmar: -22 degrees
- Cambridge-21 degrees
- Grand Marais: -21 degrees
- Hutchinson: -21 deegres
- Morris: -20 degrees
- Faribault: -18 degrees
- Mankato: -18 degrees
- Marshall: -17 degrees
- Red Wing: -16 degrees
- Owatonna: -16 degrees
- Windom-12 degrees
Cold continues Sunday
What’s next:
The Twin Cities are under a cold weather advisory that is expected to last through Sunday morning, so residents should prepare for frigid conditions if they have plans to be outdoors.
Sunday will be slightly less frigid with temperatures climbing above zero. However, it will still feel like 10 below zero in the afternoon.
Milder and warmer temperatures are expected to return for the work week.
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