North Dakota
Construction starts at Larsgaard Wool Mill
NORTHWOOD, N.D. — By the fall of 2023, Judy Larsgaard plans to have a mill on her farm near Northwood up and running that will process wool and fleece from sheep and fleece from alpacas.
Larsgaard Wool Mill LLC will process fleece and wool that customers bring to the mill. Many people don’t know what to do with the wool and fleece once they’ve shorn their animals, and the mill will give them somewhere to turn it into a product.
Ann Bailey / Agweek
“Most people get that raw fleece and they say ‘Holy Moley, what am I supposed to do with this?’” Larsgaard said. “I’ll be able to tell them ‘You don’t have to throw them away. You don’t have to throw them out for the birds to use. You can have them made into things; you can have them made into felt or roving or yarn or any number of things.’”
Once the fleece and wool has been turned into a product, people can sell it at events such as fairs or online, Larsgaard said.
Construction on the mill was scheduled to begin Aug. 1, 2023, and Larsgaard hopes to have the equipment installed in the finished building by October 2023.
Larsgaard, a 1976 graduate of Northwood High School, returned to North Dakota in June 2022 after living in New Hampshire for 38 years where she worked in the real estate business.
“There’s no place more wonderful than home, especially if home is North Dakota,” Larsgaard said, while standing near the foundation of her mill. “I’m just thrilled to be able to be back.”
The foundation now is surrounded by sunflowers, but in the future will be in the midst of grass. Inside the 40-by-60-foot mill besides the equipment Larsgaard plans to eventually have a studio and two-bedroom space for people who want to learn how to make wool or teach others how to do it.
“This is going to be a teaching-type property,” Larsgaard said. Besides teaching wool milling, in a few years she plans to host other artisans, such as a wood carver who specializes in making and painting carousel horses.
For now, though, she’s focusing on wool mill production.
Ann Bailey / Agweek
Larsgaard learned to spin wool when she was in New Hampshire.
“Once I got started, I was hooked, loved it,” Larsgaard said.
Her interest in the craft grew and she began attending the New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival where she met artisans and mill owners, including Sallie Whitlow, owner of Sallie’s Fen Fibers LLC in Barrington, New Hampshire, which processes alpaca wool.
Whitlow’s mini-mill used Belfast Mini Mill equipment made in Prince Edward Island in Canada. Belfast Mini Mills manufactures cottage industry equipment, which Whitlow taught Larsgaard how to operate.
“Every Friday, I used to go to her mill and she used to teach me how to run it,” Larsgaard said.
After she learned the craft, Larsgaard wanted to return to North Dakota to build the mill.
“I researched how many mills there were, I researched the need for it,” Larsgaard said. “I put my nickels together and came home and started building.”
The estimated cost of the mill, including construction and equipment, is about $407,000. Larsgaard received a $50,000 grant from the North Dakota Agriculture Department Agriculture Diversification and Development fund.
Larsgaard will process the wool and fleece at no charge during October, November and December while she is doing a trial run of the equipment.
Ann is a journalism veteran with nearly 40 years of reporting and editing experiences on a variety of topics including agriculture and business. Story ideas or questions can be sent to Ann by email at: abailey@agweek.com or phone at: 218-779-8093.
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North Dakota
Tuesday is Military Appreciation Day at the ND State Fair
![Tuesday is Military Appreciation Day at the ND State Fair Tuesday is Military Appreciation Day at the ND State Fair](https://gray-kfyr-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QFU2HH3GNZGCXK2CMPEVRBUYUU.jpg?auth=dd9039b9af6a1d90d1531d1aa43979abdda8d90040eb51419ce56612ee89c9fe&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) – This is a reminder for servicemembers and their families that the North Dakota State Fair is continuing its long-standing tradition of honoring those who serve with a special Military Appreciation Day on Tuesday.
Military members and their families can enjoy lunch from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the north festival tent.
The event is sponsored by the N.D. Beef Commission, N.D. Stockmen’s Association, and N.D. CattleWomen.
They can also enjoy free carnival rides from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., half-off unlimited ride wristbands, and $2 off go-cart rides.
Copyright 2024 KFYR. All rights reserved.
North Dakota
Applications now available for 2024 North Dakota swan license
![Applications now available for 2024 North Dakota swan license Applications now available for 2024 North Dakota swan license](https://cdn.forumcomm.com/dims4/default/19e2211/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1050x657+0+0/resize/1704x1066!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fforum-communications-production-web.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F77%2F1c%2F078eeaa14b03ad995f83ab964fe8%2Ffws-tundra-swan.jpg)
BISMARCK – Hunters can now apply for a 2024 North Dakota swan license
on the Game and Fish Department’s website
at gf.nd.gov, the department said Monday, July 22.
North Dakota residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. The resident swan license is $10, while the nonresident fee is $30. The application deadline is Aug. 21.
North Dakota’s statewide tundra swan hunting season opens Sept. 28, and 2,200 licenses are available. Successful applicants will receive a tag to take one swan during the season. Since swans are classified as waterfowl, nonresidents may hunt them only during the period their nonresident waterfowl license is valid.
All swan hunters, regardless of age, are required to have a general game and habitat license when applying. In addition, nonresidents must have a waterfowl license, and residents 16 and older need a small game or combination license.
North Dakota
Zebra Mussels In North Dakota Lakes: Will It Really Be That Bad?
![Zebra Mussels In North Dakota Lakes: Will It Really Be That Bad? Zebra Mussels In North Dakota Lakes: Will It Really Be That Bad?](https://townsquare.media/site/505/files/2024/07/attachment-zebramussels.jpg?w=1200&q=75&format=natural)
Zebra mussels are going to ruin all of our lakes right?
Okay, I know I’m going to take some heat on this, but here goes. We’ve been hearing about zebra mussels for a long time now. How they will destroy ecosystems, ruin beaches, clog up water intakes, compete with native species, etc.
You’ve seen the commercials and billboards from North Dakota Game and Fish, “Clean, Drain and Inspect.” Zebra mussels are a problem, but is it really all doom and gloom? More on that in a moment.
Zebra mussels are now in several North Dakota lakes and rivers, and you can bet more will be added in the future.
They include the Red River, Lake LaMoure, Lake Ashtabula, Lake Elsie, the James River, and the Sheyenne River all in eastern North Dakota.
So far western North Dakota has been spared, but you can bet zebra mussels are coming. Here’s a map and more on ANS-infested waters in North Dakota.
Humans are considered the primary transporter of zebra mussels, but there are other spreaders. According to Researchgate, waterfowl can transfer zebra mussels at the larvae stage.
What are we going to do about millions of migrating waterfowl each year? Not to mention other shorebirds, reptiles, and even mammals.
I’m very familiar with zebra mussels. I have a cabin on Enemy Swim Lake in northeast South Dakota. We’ve had zebra mussels present in the lake now going on for 3 years.
(A very small zebra mussel that was found on our beach this past weekend.)
Enemy Swim is located about 5 miles south of Pickerel Lake in South Dakota. Pickerel Lake has had zebra mussels for a few years longer than my lake.
Despite joint efforts from Fish and Game, cabin owner volunteers, and interns from Fish and Game with inspection points at the boat ramp, zebra mussels still found their way into my lake. I know we all did our part to prevent it, but I sometimes think that eventually, nature will take its course.
Will zebra mussels really ruin a lake?
There’s a lot of big claims and theories out there. No doubt it will affect your beach life. You will have to wear water shoes because zebra muscles can be sharp and could cut your feet. I know I swim with my water shoes normally anyway, as I don’t like creepy crawlies touching my feet in the water.
Will zebra mussels cause your lake property values to crash?
To be honest, no sign of that anywhere. Much of Minnesota’s lakes are infested with zebra mussels. People are still spending millions of dollars for cabins on Minnetonka, Pelican, or Detroit Lakes area lakes.
Even Pickerel Lake, next to my lake has people snatching up some very expensive million-dollar cabins. You can’t even find a cabin for sale on my lake. According to swnewsmedia, there’s no link between a drop in property values and zebra muscles.
Zebra mussels will actually clear up the water they infest.
This might improve the fishing, depending on the lake. Species like Smallmouth Bass, Perch, Walleyes, and even panfish are known to gorge on zebra mussels. You might catch bigger fish because of this.
With cleaner water means you will have more sunlight and more vegetation in the lake. Again, this is thought to improve the size of the fish. Fish will have more places to hide and grow bigger. It may cause anglers to adapt to new strategies to catch fish. In some cases, it could make fishing more difficult.
As far as whether zebra mussels will destroy the ecosystem of lakes?
I’m going to come right out and say it. I think this is highly exaggerated. I’m not a biologist and don’t claim to be one.
Zebra mussels have been in the Great Lakes since the 1980’s. The Walleyes and Smallmouth Bass have never been bigger. People are still catching fish and lakes are still alive.
Zebra mussels have been in Minnesota lakes now for decades and the cabin owners I know say nothing has changed except a little extra cleaning on the docks when they pull them out each year.
Lakes like Lake of the Woods, Mille Lacs, and all of the lakes around Detroit Lakes are still alive and well.
Let’s face it: Even the highly prized Walleye is an invasive species to lakes in our area.
In conclusion:
When zebra mussels reach your favorite lake it will certainly change the ecosystem. Your “lake life” will likely have to adapt to some necessary changes.
However, will zebra mussels turn your lake into a barren wastewater? I don’t think so. Adapt or die. That’s life in a nutshell.
Do I want zebra mussels in our lakes? No, of course not. However, I’m being realistic. Sometimes you have to look for the good with the bad.
North Dakota’s Top 11 Lakes According To Our Fans
Plant Some Of These In Your Garden to Keep Mosquitoes Away
Gallery Credit: Michelle Heart
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