|  Ray Winter has been selected Blue Earth County SWCD's 2006 Outstanding Cooperator by the board of supervisors.
Ray has been farming for roughly 30 years of which 25 of them has been using the ridge till method on the 665 acres that he farms. Ray estimates that by using the ridge till method, he is seeing corn residue at upwords of 80% and roughly 60% on soybeans. Ray works with Bernie Paulson of McPherson Crop Management on the soil testing to make sure that his fertilizer applications are correct. He has recently started using a strip bar for fertilizer and anhydrous application making sure the application gets put on directly to the ridge without further disturbance to the soil.
Ray does all his scouting on his farm so he can manage pest infestations including weeds, insects and disease to reduce adverse effects on plant growth, crop production and environmental resources.
Ray has worked to improve the wildlife habitat and water quality in riparian areas. He has established or maintained habitat transition zones with native grass plantings and tree and shrub plantings. He has installed waterways and terraces to reduce erosion on the land.
Along with the reclaiming of the gravel pit, Ray is managing nearby wetlands for wildlife habitat and water quality. In doing so, he has outleted his field tile into a nearby wetland for buffering prior to entering the reclaimed gravel pit that has been stocked with a variety of fish.
Ray has seen the importance of diversification on the farm. In 2000, he and his wife Lisa, who also works full time off of the farm, along with their two children, Tom and Angie, began raising grapes as a third crop. They currently have ten acres of grapes with an aditional two acres planned for planting. Ray currently supplies grapes to three different wineries with plans in the near future to open his own winery.
Ray is involved in the community with his church, the youth group of his church, Parents Teacher League of the St. Clair school and an active member in the Minnesota Grape Growers Association.
Ray has been progressive in the stewardship of the land. This is evident in the hard work and dedication that has been shown on the reclamation of the gravel pit. Ray knows that the hard work will pay off because the amount of wildlife that will use the area will be abundant. He has been extremely cooperative in working with the SWCD and is always open to suggestions. He exemplifies the definition of Outstanding Cooperator and makes time for not only the SWCD, but for anyone that needs the time even though he has an extremely busy schedule. Ray is highly respected in the community and as a businessman, he holds a high standard for the work he does. He practices conservation farming and believes in the good that comes from it. |
