Unofficial Minutes of the Budget Meeting 2.4.2026
Dan Stommes called the Budget meeting to order at 8:45pm. The board reviewed the budget information and expenses from the previous year and set the budget to propose at the annual meeting at $340,000. With $100,000 of the budget being put into the tarring fund for future use and the balance of the funds to be used for operating funds. Jason Willenbring made a motion to set the proposed budget at $340,000 for the 2027year. Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried. At 9:35 Jason Willenbring made a motion to adjourn the Budget Meeting, Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor motion carried.

Unofficial Minutes of the Board of Audit Meeting 2.4.2026
Dan Stommes called the Board of Audit Meting to order at 8:40pm, The clerk and Treasurer not met before the February 4,2026 meeting to reconcile their records. They will meet in the upcoming week. The supervisors reviewed the reports that were presented by the treasurer. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the report as presented. Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried. At 8:45 Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn the Board of Audit, Jason Willenbring seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.

Unofficial Minutes 02-04-2026
The February Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present . Also present were John Blenker, Dale Lange, Dan Rea, Leo Gerads, Dewey Klaphake, Rich Rothstein and Officer Carden Mueller from the Stearns County Sheriffs Office.
The January minutes were read, Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Dan Stomemes seconded it. All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Robyn Brinkman gave a treasures report with $712,222.12 in checking, Money Market and one operating CD. $1,511,279.31 in tarring fund CD’s for a total of $2,223,501.43. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to renew the CD that is coming due on February 10,2026 for the best rate possible, Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Dan Rea was present to request liquor licenses for the Farming Baseball Club, the licenses would be valid for the period of April 10 2026 to October 09 2026. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve a on site Wine License for the baseball park and 3.2 Percent malt liquor license for the softball park. Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Dale Lange was present to obtain a signature on the final plat of parcel 10.06208.0008. When presented Dan Stommes and Linda Theisen both signed.
Rich Rothstein was present to discuss what can be done with the culvert on Manannah Road. Discussion was held. It will be looked at as part of the road tour in April.
Officer Mueller gave a report of activity in Farming Township, there were 12 calls in January and 9 calls in February. They were routine calls, nothing out of the ordinary.
Absentee ballot board, Discussion was held Ben Mergen made a motion to appoint Linda Theisen and Tom Winkels to the absentee ballot board. Jason Willenbring seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Annual election and meeting, discussion was held if the election and annual meeting need to be cancelled in case of inclement weather. Jason Willenbring made a motion to move the annual meeting on the third Tuesday of March should the second Tuesday be cancelled due to inclement weather. If the third Tuesday does not work, then the annual election and meeting be moved to the fourth Tuesday. Ben Mergen seconded it. All in favor motion carried.
At 8:40 pm Jason Willenbring made a motion to recess the regular meeting to do the Board of Audit and Budget meetings, Ben Mergen seconded it. All in favor, motion carried

Break.   See Board of Audit and Budget Meeting Minutes posted seperately.

At 9:35 Dan Stommes called the regular meeting back to order
Millwood Transport, Stevens Transport and Krain Transport had presented a request to travel on Farming Township roads while road restrictions were in place. Discussion was held. Ben Mergen made a motion to allow Millwood Transport, Stevens Transport and Krain Transport to transport agriculture goods on Farming township roads with a maximum speed of 30 mph, while road restrictions are in place. Jason Willenbring seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Getting a printer for the Treasurer. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to allow Robyn Brinkman purchase a printer for the township with a budget of under one thousand dollars ($1000), Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid
7463 Sunnybrook Enterprises Monthly guarantee/snow removal $3625.00
7464 Total Agri-Business Services Prepare W2’ and 1099’s /postage $170.70
7465 Chain of Lakes Fire Protection $1903.63
ACH Stearns Electric Monthly electric bill $65.31
ACH Arvig Monthly Bill internet $77.70
Total $ 5,842.34
Year-to-date Total $ 16,918.25
At 9:50 pm Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded it. All in favor, motion carried.
Note: The meeting date was changed to Wednesday night instead of Tuesday night because of precinct caucuses.

Unofficial Minutes 1-06-2026
The January Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were: Dewey Klaphake, Tom Winkels and Holly Roush.
The December minutes were read, Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, after correcting the check numbers on the list of claims that were paid. Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Robyn Brinkman presented the treasures report, there was $715,189.38 in checking, Money Market and one operating CD. Tarring fund CD’s balance was 1,511,279.31 for a total of $2,226,468.69. The tarring fund CD that was due in December, Robyn renewed it for a six month CD because of a better rate, than doing a 12 month CD. Discussion was held regarding the balance in the checking account. Jason Willenbring made a motion to move $100,000.00 from the checking account and add it to the CD, Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Jason Willenbring gave a report from the Chain of Lakes Fire meeting. The fire department has ordered a new truck, and they had 171 calls in last year.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7459 Mayers Repair Farming Sportsman project $133.35
7460 Sunnybrook Enterprises Snow Removal/guarantee $10200.00
7461 United States Treasury 4th Quarter Payroll tax $543.15
7462 Star Publications Legal Notice $56.40
ACH Stearns Electric Monthy Electric $65.31
ACH Arvig Monthly Internet $77.70
Total $ 11,075.91
Year-to-date Total $ 11,075.91
At 8:50pm Jason Willenbring made a motion to adjorn the meeting, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried

Board of Canvass Meeting 3.10.26
The Board of Canvass for the 2026 Farming Township Election was held on March 10, 2026 at 8:15 pm.
Present were Dan Stommes, Jason Willenbring, Ben Mergen and Linda Theisen. Also present were election judges Victor Kotten, Tom Winkels, and Marlene Statz
The Results were:
Office of Supervisor:
Dan Stommes 31 votes
Tom Winkels 2
Jason Willenbring made a motion to declare Dan Stommes the winner of the Supervisor position, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Office of Clerk:
Holly Roush 30 votes
Brian Wellner 2 votes
Linda Theisen 1 vote
Jason Willenbring made a motion to declare Holly Roush the winner of the Clerk position, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Minutes taken by Linda Theisen

The December Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Gary Hemmesch, Dewey Klaphake, Tom Winkels Dale Lange, John Blenker and Marlene Statz.
The November minutes were read, Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Robyn Brinkman presented the treasures report, there was $582,995.66 in checking, Money Market and one operating CD. Tarring fund CD’s balance was 1,483,049.28 for a total of $2,066,044.94. One of the tarring fund CD’s is coming due on December 13,2025. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to renew this CD into another 12-month CD. Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Dale Lange was present to review his preliminary plot to rezone parcel number 10.06208.0008 that was done up. Discussion was held. Ben Mergen made a motion to approve and sign the final plot outside the regular meeting, provided that there were not changes to the preliminary plot. Jason Willenbring seconded, all in favor, motion carried.
Marlene Statz was present to request a one-day Gambling License for the Farming Lions annual Fish Fry to be held March 20,2026. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve the one-day Gambling License for the Farming Lions to be held March 20,2026, Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Dan Stommes was unable to attend the meeting regarding wind energy that was held in Greenwald. Tom Winkels attended this meeting and gave a brief overview of what was covered at this wind energy meeting.
Tom Winkels brought up that because the Township passed a resolution to go back to in person voting, then the Township needs to designate an annual polling place before December 31,2025. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve Resolution 12-5-25 which would state all voting in 2026 would be held at the Farming Community Center located at 23801 County Road 42, Richmond, MN 56368. Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7448 Linda Theisen Clerk Wages $992.76
7449 Linda Theisen Reimb computer time $75.00
7450 Robyn Brinkman Treasurer Wages $877.32
7451 Dan Stommes Supervisor wages $277.05
7452 Dewey Klaphake Planning & Zoning wages $207.79
7453 Dewey Klaphake Reimb permits/mileage $244.10
7454 Ben Mergen Supervisor wages $277.05
7455 MN Assoc Townships Dues $658.40
7456 MATIT Work Comp Ins $420.00
7457 Jason Willenbring Supervisor wages $646.45
7458 Hemmesch Excavating Road Grader $1197.00
ACH Stearns Electric Monthy Electric $65.31
ACH Arvig Monthly internet $77.70

Total $ 6,015.93
Year-to-date Total $ 279,770.25
At 8:50pm Jason Willenbring made a motion to adjorn the meeting, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried

The November Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Gary Hemmesch, Dewey Klaphake, Tom Winkels and Deputy Carden Mueller for the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office.
The October minutes were read, Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Robyn Brinkman presented the treasures report, there was $593,476.89 in checking, Money Market and one operating CD. Tarring fund CD’s balance was 1,483,049.28 for a total of $2,076,526.17. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to move $125,000.00 out of the Money Market and put it into a 6- or 9-month CD, depending on which one would have the best interest rate. Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried. The CD that was due in October was renewed into another CD that will mature in April of 2026.
Deputy Mueller gave a report of the calls that were made in Farming Township in the past four months. There were 18 calls in June, 22 calls in July 8 calls in August and 12 calls in September. None of these calls were out of the ordinary types of calls that happen in Farming Township.
Dan Stommes will be attending an informational meeting in Greenwald regarding wind farms and report back to the township, this is something that might need to be brought up at the annual meeting to get feedback how the residents of the township feel about wind farms.
There was one bid for snow removal for the 2025-2026 season, which was from Sunny Brook Enterprises. The bid was for snow removal and sanding truck of $175 per hour, salt sand of $100 per yard (subject to price change depending on possible shortage) and a $1000/month guarantee for the months of January, February, March and April 2026. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve the bid from Sunny Brook Enterprises of $175 per hour for snow removal and sanding truck, salt sand of $100per yard (subject to change depending on possible shortage) and a monthly guarantee of $1000 per month for January, February, March and Apri of 2026. Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.

The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7445 Farming Community Center Rent for 2026 $4400.00
7446 Hemmesch Excavating Road Grader $2741.70
7447 Chain of Lakes Fire Fire Protections $1721.08
ACH Stearns Electric Monthy Electric $65.31
ACH Arvig Monthly internet $50.09

Total $ 8,978.18
Year-to-date Total $ 273,754.32
At 8:45pm Ben Mergen made a motion to adjorn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried

The October Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present with the exception Robyn Brinkman, who was absent. Also present were Gary Hemmesch and Dewey Klaphake
The September minutes were read, Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Robyn Brinkman provided a treasurer’s report for September, there was $591,829.78 in checking, Money Market and one operating CD. Tarring fund CD’s balance was 1,483,049.28 for a total of $2,074,879.06. Discussion was held regarding the CD that is due October 9,2025. Jason Willenbring made a motion to renew that CD for a 6-month term, Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Windstream will be putting in fiber optics for one of their customers and need to install the fiber thru Farming Township. The information was reviewed, and it was determined that they do not need any permits. Linda will email them a copy of the application and payment information, should they need to do this again.
Jason Willenbring gave a report of the fire demonstration that was presented by the Chain of Lakes fire department. They have a very realistic set up made up of shipping containers that allow them to move walls, add stairs and practice what a house fire could look like. Most of the cost was covered by donations.
Township mileage report was reviewed and signed and will be sent back to the county.
Noxious weed report was completed and will also be sent back to the county.
New business, Snow removal bids will be reviewed at the November meeting.

The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7443 Hemmesch Excavating Class 2, road grader,repair 223rd $9693.90
7444 United States Treasury 3rd quarter payroll tax $515.62
ACH Stearns Electric Monthy Electric $65.31
ACH Arvig Monthly internet 0
Please note, the board approved a payment to Arvig, but after a call to Arvig, it was determined that there as an error in their billing, so there was not a balance due for October and that there would be a small credit carried forward to the October billing.
Total $ 10,274.83
Year-to-date Total $ 264,776.14
At 9:05pm Ben Mergen made a motion to adjorn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried