Bill Text: MN SR26 | 2021-2022 | 92nd Legislature | Draft
Bill Title: A Senate resolution honoring the Charlie and Carol Johnson Family of Washington County for being named 2020 Farm Family of the Year
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-02-11 - Referred to Rules and Administration [SR26 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2021-SR26-Draft.html
1.1A Senate resolution
1.2honoring the Charlie and Carol Johnson Family of Washington County for being named
1.3a 2020 Farm Family of the Year.
1.4WHEREAS, family farms form the foundation of Minnesota agriculture, drive Minnesota's
1.5economy, and maintain the vitality of Minnesota's rural communities; and the University of
1.6Minnesota is proud to annually recognize families from throughout the state who exemplify the
1.7contributions of family farms to the prosperity of our state; and
1.8WHEREAS, Charlie and Carol Johnson purchased their farm in Washington County in 1972
1.9and named it Whistling Well Farm after the sound the well makes when wind travels through
1.10fissures in the rocky shores of the nearby St. Croix River; and
1.11WHEREAS, the original farm consisted of cattle and row crops but transitioned to growing
1.12produce and apple trees in the late 1970's with the help of their sons, Chad and Neal; and
1.13WHEREAS, Whistling Well Farm first sold produce at the end of the family's driveway,
1.14and have expanded to include a store located on the farm and selling at several farmers markets;
1.15and
1.16WHEREAS, Whistling Well Farm is run by Charlie and Chad and has grown to include 20
1.17part-time employees who grow, harvest, and market the farm's produce which includes mainly
1.18apples, pumpkins, gourds, and hay; and
1.19WHEREAS, Whistling Well Farm has over 16,000 apple trees on multiple farm sites where
1.20they grow many popular varieties, including those developed by the University of Minnesota such
1.21as First Kiss, Sweet Tango, and Honeycrisp; and
1.22WHEREAS, Whistling Well Farm brings in several thousand guests each fall who come to
1.23pick their own apples; apples also are sold through local farmers markets and co-ops along with
1.24several related locally grown or made items the Johnsons produce; and
2.1WHEREAS, Whistling Well Farm strives to promote conservation, recently earning the
2.2Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification and the Washington County Conservation
2.3District Outstanding Conservationist Award in 2013; and
2.4NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
2.5congratulates the Charlie and Carol Johnson Family of Washington County for being named a 2020
2.6Farm Family of the Year and extends best wishes to them for the future.
2.7BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
2.8enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
2.9Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the Johnson Family.
1.2honoring the Charlie and Carol Johnson Family of Washington County for being named
1.3a 2020 Farm Family of the Year.
1.4WHEREAS, family farms form the foundation of Minnesota agriculture, drive Minnesota's
1.5economy, and maintain the vitality of Minnesota's rural communities; and the University of
1.6Minnesota is proud to annually recognize families from throughout the state who exemplify the
1.7contributions of family farms to the prosperity of our state; and
1.8WHEREAS, Charlie and Carol Johnson purchased their farm in Washington County in 1972
1.9and named it Whistling Well Farm after the sound the well makes when wind travels through
1.10fissures in the rocky shores of the nearby St. Croix River; and
1.11WHEREAS, the original farm consisted of cattle and row crops but transitioned to growing
1.12produce and apple trees in the late 1970's with the help of their sons, Chad and Neal; and
1.13WHEREAS, Whistling Well Farm first sold produce at the end of the family's driveway,
1.14and have expanded to include a store located on the farm and selling at several farmers markets;
1.15and
1.16WHEREAS, Whistling Well Farm is run by Charlie and Chad and has grown to include 20
1.17part-time employees who grow, harvest, and market the farm's produce which includes mainly
1.18apples, pumpkins, gourds, and hay; and
1.19WHEREAS, Whistling Well Farm has over 16,000 apple trees on multiple farm sites where
1.20they grow many popular varieties, including those developed by the University of Minnesota such
1.21as First Kiss, Sweet Tango, and Honeycrisp; and
1.22WHEREAS, Whistling Well Farm brings in several thousand guests each fall who come to
1.23pick their own apples; apples also are sold through local farmers markets and co-ops along with
1.24several related locally grown or made items the Johnsons produce; and
2.1WHEREAS, Whistling Well Farm strives to promote conservation, recently earning the
2.2Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification and the Washington County Conservation
2.3District Outstanding Conservationist Award in 2013; and
2.4NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
2.5congratulates the Charlie and Carol Johnson Family of Washington County for being named a 2020
2.6Farm Family of the Year and extends best wishes to them for the future.
2.7BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
2.8enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
2.9Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the Johnson Family.
| Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate | Paul E. GazelkaChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration |
| Karla BighamState Senator, District 54 |
