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

The September 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, Ronald Backes, Oliver Wieber, Math Schmitz and Dale Lange
The August minutes were read, Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Robyn Brinkman gave a treasurer’s report for August, there was $722,157.11 in checking, Money Market and one operating CD. Tarring fund CD’s balance was 1,483,049.28 for a total of $2,205,206.39. Discussion was held regarding a CD that is coming due in October, this will be addressed at the October meeting.
Ronald Backes was at the meeting to discuss the spraying of weeds in the road ditches, he requested that next year he would like to be informed as to when this will be done and and he would like that the ditch in front of his house not be sprayed. The board took this under advisement and will make a note for next year.
Dale Lange was present to request that his property parcel number 10.06208.0008 which is 39.35 acres be rezoned to a R5 with each building site being about 10 acres. Discussion was held. Ben Mergen made a motion to approve the rezoning of parcel 10.06208.0008 to a R5, Jason Willenbring seconded, all in favor, motion carried
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7428 Dan Stommes Supervisor Wages $461.75
7429 Jason Willenbring Supervisor Wages $554.10
7430 Dan Stommes Reimb Mileage $78.61
7431 VOID
7432 Dewey Klaphake Plan/Zoning Wages $226.26
7433 Dewey Klaphake Reimb build permits $80.00
7434 Hemmesch Excavating Class 2/road grader $2946.55
7435 Math Schmitz Cutting Road Ditches $4151.00
7436 Knife River Tarring 260th $119875.00
7437 Ben Mergen Supervisor Wages $369.40
7438 VOID
7439 Linda Theisen Clerk Wages $900.41
7440 Robyn Brinkman Treasurer Wages $600.27
7441 City of St Martin Fire Protection $8148.00
7442 Linda Theisen Reimb ink/stamps/comp time $231.67
ACH Stearns Electric Monthly Bill $65.31
ACH Arvig Monthly Bill/install upgrade $177.07
Total $ 138,865.40
Year-to-date Total $ 254,501.31
At 9:00pm Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried

The August 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, Tom Winkels and Dewey Klaphake.
The July minutes were read, Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes after a correction to change sand to Class 2 for Clear Lake Public Access in the memo of what was paid to Gary Hemmesch, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Robyn Brinkman gave a treasurers report for both June and July. July 31, 2025, there was $739,005.43 in and checking, Money Market and one operating CD. Tarring fund CD’s balance was 1,483,049.28 for a total of $2,222,054.71. Discussion was held regarding moving some money from the Money Market into a CD, nothing was done with this as the township is waiting for a bill from Knife River for Farming Townships share of tarring 260th.
Tom Winkels has talked to Roxanne at Stearns County regarding letting the residents of Farming Township know that we will be going back to in person voting for the 2026 general election. Sometime after April 1,2026 postcards will need to be sent out to all township residents noting the change in voting locations.
Xcel Energy had a sent a request wondering if they needed any special permits before they began working on the existing power line. Discussion was held. After reviewing the information they had sent, no permits are required.
A request for a one-day liquor license for Farming Community Center’s Octoberfest which will be held on Saturday September 27, 2025, was presented. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve this one-day Liquor License for the Farming Community Centers Octoberfest on September 27,2025. Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Dan Stommes gave a report from the Albany Fire Department’s meeting. They have their annual golf fundraiser coming up. The fire department ordered a new truck, which will take about 2 years to build. They were able to obtain some financing thru Stearns Electric at 1% interest to help pay for this truck.
Wind Stream permit, Wind Stream had sent a map of where they would be working. Discussion was held; Linda will contact Wind Stream for more information regarding what they are proposing to do within the township.
Township supervisors should continue to monitor their area for noxious weeds and report back if there are areas of concern.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7422 Chain of Lakes Fire Quarterly fire protection $1721.08
7423 Nutrien Chemical to spray road ditches $1236.89
7424 Paynesville Farmers Union Spray the chemical into ditches $1400.00
7425 Hemmesch Excavating Class 2/Road grader/fix culvert $10680.35
7426 Central MN Dust Control Dust Control $3819.00
7427 M-R Signs Road signs/911 sign $356.99
ACH Stearns Electric Monthly Bill $65.31
ACH Arvig Monthly Bill 78.95
Total $ 19,358.57
Year-to-date Total $ 115,635.91
At 9:10 pm Ben Mergen made a motion to adjorn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried

The July 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 of Robyn Brinkman who was absent. Also present were Dewey Klaphake, Gary Hemmesch, Math Schmitz and Mike Kalla
The June minutes were read, Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes after a correction was to add the word culverts to the memo of what was paid to Gary Hemmesch, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Robyn Brinkman was absent, so there was not a treasurer’s report.
Mike Kalla was present to request a building permit, which he discussed with Dewey Klaphake and completed the necessary paperwork. He also brought up an issue with culverts along 223rd and his property. Discussion was held and the board will review and address.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7416 Hemmesch Excavating Class 2 for Clear Lake Public Access $725.00
7417 Hemmesch Excavating Class 2/Culverts/Class 5/grader $4730.50
7418 Math Schmitz Cutting Road ditches $2228.00
7419 Community Technology Laptop for Clerk $1601.00
7420 MATIT Insurance $1498.00
7421 United State Treasury 2nd quarter payroll tax $921.06
ACH Stearns Electric Monthly Bill $65.31
ACH Arvig Monthly Bill 78.95
Total $ 11,847.82
Year-to-date Total $ 96,277.34
At 8:40 pm Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried

The June 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: Carden Mueller from the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office Tom Winkels, Dewey Klaphake, and Gary Hemmesch.
The May minutes were read, Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Robyn Brinkman gave a treasurer’s report with $580,377.89 in checking, money market and one operating CD and $1,483,049.28 in tarring fund CDs for a total of $2,063,427.17.
Mike Williams, Stearns County Administrator had sent an email to the Township clerk stating that after he went back to the office and had looked at the number of residents that received broadband internet service thru the boarder to boarder project and the amount of money that the township had already paid, the township would not have to pay any more money to the County for the Boarder to Boarder broad band project.
Carden Mueller from the Stearns County Sheriff’s office gave a review of the number of calls that had taken place in the township in the last 4 months and asked if there were any concerns from the township board. The board only had a few questions for Officer Mueller which were addressed by Officer Mueller.
Linda is having issues with her computer. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion for Linda to spend up to $2000.00 to get a new computer and have the current information transferred to a new computer. Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Xcel Energy had sent an email wondering if they need any special permits to add another line to the exiting towers. Discussion was held, and it was determined that no permits are needed, as they will not be doing any digging.
Discussion was held regarding the ordering of some road signs. Linda will order a 911 address sign that was requested, and Dan will order other signs that are missing.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7401 Dewey Klaphake Zoning Admin Wages $244.73
7402 Dewey Klaphake Reimb mileage/fees $186.13
7403 Linda Theisen Clerk Wages $1362.16
7404 Dan Stommes Supervisor Wages $1209.78
7405 Dan Stommes Reimb mileage $98.00
7406 Ben Mergen Reimb mileage $81.20
7407 Ben Mergen Supervisor wages $831.15
7408 Jason Willenbring Supervisor wages $1108.20
7409 Robyn Brinkman Treasure wages $803.44
7410 Robyn Brinkman Reimb mileage $123.20
7411 Stearns County Assessing fees $6508.45
7412 Linda Theisen Reimb mileage/computer $104.40
7413 Sunnybrook Ent Replace check 7396/lost $612.50
7414 Sunnybrook Ent April guarantee $1000.00
7415 Hemmesch Excavating Gravel/blading/culverts $12876.00
ACH Stearns Electric Monthly Bill $65.31
ACH Arvig Monthly Bill 78.95
Total $ 26,681.10
Year-to-date Total $ 84,429.52
At 9:05 pm Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried

The May 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 Tom Winkels, Dewey Klaphake, Duane Janssen, Math Schmitz, Nick Korn, and Mike Williams, Stearns County Administrator
The April minutes were read, Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Robyn Brinkman gave a treasurer’s report with $586,494.39 in checking, money market and one operating CD and $1,483,049.28 in tarring fund CDs for a total of $2,069,543.67.
Mike Williams, Stearns County Administrator was present to discuss and review the number of township residents that were served with the Border-to-Border broad band project. The township had committed and paid $40,000 to this project with the ARPA funds that were received from COVID money. There were about 100 residents that got served thru this program. After discussion, Mike will go back to his office to review and determine if the township needs to pay any more money to the county for this project.
Nick Korn was present to request a rezoning application. Nick would like to rezone parcel 10.06499.0000 which is titled in the Nicholas J Korn Rev Trust and is zoned a A-40 and he would like to rezone this to a R-5. Discussion was held. Ben Mergen made a motion to approve this request to rezone parcel 10.06499.0000 from a A-40 to R-5. Jason Willenbring seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Duane Janssen was present with a liquor license application for Stephanie Jacobs of SLJ LLC for the sale of On/Off sale intoxicating liquor at Trappers Pub and Grub in the town of Farming. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve the liquor license application for Stephanie Jacobs of SLJ LLC to sell on/off sale of intoxicating liquor at Trappers Pub and Grub in Farming, Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Dust Control; Crow River Construction presented a bid of $1.93/gallon of 38% calcium chloride solution, Central Minnesota Dust Control presented a bid of .73/foot for dust control. Discussion was held. Ben Mergen made a motion to approve the bid from Central Minnesota Dust Control for dust control of .73/foot, Jason Willenbring seconded it, all in favor, motion carried. A map was done up which will be given to Gary Hemmesch and Central Minnesota Dust Control to coordinate schedules to get this done.
Cutting Road Ditches: Math Schmitz presented a bid to cut road ditches in 2025 of $100/hour plus fuel (using between 1-2 gallons/hour) using a 70HP tractor with an 8-foot disc mower. There were no other bids. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve the bid for Math Schmitz to cut road ditches of $100/hour plus fuel (using between 1-2 gallons/hour) using a 70HP tractor with an 8-foot disc mower. Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Returning to in person voting in 2026, Dan Stommes and Linda Theisen both signed resolution 5-6-25 to revoke mail balloting. Linda will forward this information to the County.
Ben Mergen will be placing flags on the cemetery for our fallen veterans.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7394 Star Post Legal Notice $47.00
7395 Stearns County Auditor Truth in Taxation $241.00
7396 Sunnybrook Plowing roads $612.50
7397 MN Assoc Township Short Course Robyn/Dan $150.00
7398 Dewey Klaphake Go Daddy website $1424.40
7399 Hemmesch Excavating Blading $2827.20
7400 Chain of Lakes Fire Protection $1721.08
ACH Stearns Electric Monthly Bill $65.31
ACH Arvig Monthly Bill 78.95
Total $ 7,167.44
Year-to-date Total $ 57,748.42
At 9:25 pm Jason Willenbring made a motion to adjorn the meeting, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried

The April 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 Trevor Lange, Gary Hemmesch, Tom Winkels, Dewey Klaphake, Frank Gerads and Chad Stevens
The March minutes were read, Ben Mergen made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
The ReOrganization minutes were reviewed, Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the re organization minutes after a correction that say right of way permits for township residents would be a $500 deposit and utility companies would have a $500 deposit along with a bond or cash of $5000 for the first mile and $1000 for each additional mile and crossing inspection fee of $100 per crossing. Ben Mergen, seconded it, all in favor, motion carried
There was no treasurers report as this being Robyn Brinkman’s first meeting.
Trevor Lange of Lange Trenching presented a bid for Class 2, spread and bladed one time of $26.50/Ton, Gary Hemmesch of Hemmesch Excavating presented a bid for Class 2 at $25.00/Ton. Discussion was held, Ben Mergen made a motion to accept the bid from Hemmesch Excavating for Class 2 at $25/Ton, Jason Willenbring seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Trevor Lange of Lange Trenching presented a bid for Class 5, bladed one time of $19.5/Cubic Yard, Gary Hemmesch of Hemmesch Excavating presented a bid for Class 5 of $14.00/Cubic Yard, Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the bid from Hemmesch Excavating of Class 5 at $14.00/Cubic Yard, Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Trevor Lange of Lange Trenching presented a bid to blade township roads at $60.00/mile. Gary Hemmesch of Hemmesch Excavating presented a bid to blade township roads at $57.00/mile. Discussion was held. Ben Mergen made a motion to accept the bid from Hemmesch Excavating to blade the township roads at $57.00/mile. Jason Willenbring Seconded it, All in favor, motion carried.
Chad Stevens from Stevens Transport and Frank Gerads of Millwood Transport were both present to request permission to drive on township roads to haul milk during road restriction season. Discussion was held. Ben Mergen made a motion to approve the request for Stevens Transport and Millwood Transport to haul milk on township roads during road restriction season. Jason Willenbring seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Dan Stommes gave a review to the Township Short Course, he attended in St. Cloud
Returning to in person voting in 2026 was brought up and discussed. The county had sent a template of what needs to be signed and returned to the county if this should happen. Ben Mergen made a motion to return to in person voting for mid-term elections starting in 2026. Jason Willenbring seconded it, all in favor, motion carried. Linda will get the resolution typed up to be signed in the near future and returned to the County.
Dewey Klaphake stated that Nick Korn is looking into sub dividing 27 acres along Royal River Road and asked if the board had any concerns or areas to watch. There were a few concerns that the board had. Dewey will follow up with them and report back to the County and Nick.

The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7384 VOID
7385 VOID
7386 LangeTrenching Cleaning Culvert $660.00
7387 United States Treasury 1st Quarter payroll tax $501.84
7388 Amy Eiynck Election Judge $60.00
7389 Victor Kotten Election Judge/Moderator $135.00
7390 Anne Smith-Bleichner Election Judge $50.00
7391 M-R Signs Road signs $146.92
7392 Sunnybrook Enterprises March guarantee $1000.00
7393 Stearns County Auditor Election supplies $113.98
ACH Stearns Electric Monthly Bill $65.08
ACH Arvig Monthly Bill 78.95
Total $ 2811.77
Year-to-date Total $ 57,748.19
At 9: pm Ben Mergen made a motion to recess the meeting until April 16 to continue with the road tour, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
At 10:10 am on April 16,2025 Dan Stommes called the April 1,2025 back to order to begin the road tour, the results of the road tour are at the township meeting room.
At 1:25pm Jason Willenbring made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried