Latest news with #CenturyFarms
Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Author's new book a spotlight on gold rush
Author Kirsty Powell in her old-shale shawl, on her way to her Lawrence book launch last week. PHOTO: NICK BROOK A new novel mining Clutha's heart of gold was launched in Lawrence on Saturday. The Strength of Old Shale by Kirsty Powell, sweeps from the stony slopes of Gabriel's Gully to link the lives of two young women like fine crochet — though a century and-a-half apart. As rural, tough Ariel shelters from the greatest trial of her life by burying herself in her work — graveyard archaeology with the University of Otago — Shetland Island horse-whisperer Isobel escapes her old-world ghosts to take up a contract with 1860's gold-rush lifeline Cobb & Co. Real-life characters inhabit many of Powell's people as these two worlds collide with the unearthing of a mother and child's remains, wrapped in Shetland lace, in a forgotten Lawrence burial ground. "It's fun to bring history to life through fiction," Mrs Powell said. "There's so much to New Zealand's story. "If you can put it into fiction which moves along to keep a person interested ... you're learning history by osmosis. "That's what I like." Familiar faces from modern locations also walk lively through Powell's brisk plots, a major factor in choosing Otago's historic gold town for her launch as well as setting. "The first seed for The Strength of Old Shale came from long evenings yarning with my old buddy Wally Dalziel on motorcycle trips to Turkey, Peru and China," she said. Kirsty Powell was one of the guests invited by Walter Dalziel to his Century Farms celebration in Lawrence over the same weekend. His Shetland ancestors jumped ship more than 150 years ago to begin a new life in New Zealand and appear in the pioneer part of the story. Renowned Otago archaeologist Peter Petchey roves through the background like a vintage four-wheel-drive. Now living in rural South Auckland, Powell began her writing career under the guidance of Witi Ihimaera, Anne Kennedy, Robert Sullivan and Eleanor Catton. Fresh off the press this month, The Strength of Old Shale is the stand-alone, southern sequel to her North Island based debut novel The Strength of Eggshells which won the 2020 New Zealand Booklovers Award for Best Adult Fiction. Digging down to the adventure and determination of the pioneer spirit, Ariel needs the strength to face her real-world fate.
Otago Daily Times
15-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Fewer at Century Farms awards
A key national farming event, Century Farms, will welcome lower-than-usual numbers south to its awards this year, although organisers expect the drop to be temporary. The awards honour families who have farmed the same land for 100 years or more. It recognises the early pioneers who cultivated and transformed the country's untamed land into the agricultural industry that exists today, and the families who are still farming those lands. Century Farms celebrates its 19th year in Lawrence on Saturday, and chairman Eddie Fitzgerald said organisers and volunteers were ready to welcome more than 250 guests from across the country to the small rural township. Many of their descendants continued to produce crops and livestock on the land with the same passion, hard work and perseverance shown in those early days, Mr Fitzgerald said. Although the number of families was down to 22 this year, that still entailed a significant effort from local volunteers to mark the occasion. "Because the event takes a lot of organisation, applications are already open for next year. We already have a good start on applicants for 2026, suggesting it could be a big one again. "In 2021 we welcomed 80 families across two weekends, which was a significant challenge, so in some ways 22 is a good number, allowing us to focus on providing a fantastic experience and a warm Lawrence welcome for our visitors." Family histories are celebrated during an awards dinner at the town's Simpson Park, then accompanying records archived at the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington. Three sesquicentennial families would receive awards this weekend, Mr Fitzgerald said. "Increasingly, with the value of land nowadays, succession within the same family can be harder and harder to achieve. "We're seeing a lot of farms leaving families in the present climate, which makes the achievements of our century farmers, marking either 100 years or 150 years like the three sesquicentennial families this year, all the more remarkable." Long-standing farming families often contributed significantly to their region in more ways than simply economically, he said. "For many, the efforts of their ancestors have been underappreciated or completely unacknowledged. Through wars, depressions, pandemics, droughts and floods, financial crisis and government policies these families have survived and built an amazing legacy. They have stories worth telling, not just from a farming perspective but a cultural and social perspective as well. "It's a real honour to acknowledge their hard work and perseverance."
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
County Mayor's speech highlights achievements, goals for future
Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto gave his annual State of the County Address on Wednesday. Interlaced with comedy, the presentation showed some of the accomplishments the county saw not only in the past year, but in years leading up to 2025. Some insights into the future of the county were also given by Mayor Hutto. Between some segments, clips of comedian Nate Bargatze's stand-up routine about Wilson County were included. Held at the Wilson Bank & Trust Operations Center on North Castle Heights Avenue, topics discussed, which Hutto believed are important to the residents of Wilson County, included growth, achievements, quality of life, education and transit projects. Hutto took a few moments to recognize elected officials and educators during the address. '[I'm] proud to say we work with a great group of elected officials,' Hutto said. 'Every time they make a decision, they make it with your family on their mind.' Statistics on Wilson County were highlighted, especially rankings compared to other counties in the state. Hutto said the county is #1 in education, public safety and agriculture, adding that Wilson County has the highest number of Century Farms in Tennessee. For economic development, the county ranks second. 'Wilson County has been known as the place to be,' he added. 'We want to be the best in the state of Tennessee when you compare it to all 95 counties.' Video clips were included in the slideshow from various city officials across the county, and also a message from Governor Bill Lee. 'I want to take a moment to recognize your work to ensure Tennessee remains the best state in the nation,' Lee said. 'Wilson County plays an important role in the Middle Tennessee region, and we're grateful for the many ways that this community drives our economy, spurs job creation, strengthens Tennessee families and so much more.' Within the past 12 years, 12 new schools were constructed and seven buildings were renovated. Hutto said education has been a large contributor to the county's success. The Wilson County School Board said the county has above average graduation rates compared to the rest of Tennessee. The information was shared in a video clip featuring Wilson County Schools Public Information Officer Bart Barker. 'We are growing. In fact, new schools are being built as we speak,' Barker said. 'Because people want to be here, they want to raise their families here and they want to send their children to an incredible public school system.' Regarding public safety, the county has doubled the size of the jail, and Hutto said a new 911 center was installed to make emergency responses more efficient. He said plans are underway to overhaul the LaGuardo WEMA station to bring new equipment for the western half of the county. Funds would come from $6 million left over from the 2020 tornado recovery funds. Wilson County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Scott Moore spoke about school safety in another video clip embedded into the presentation. 'We're one of the first counties in the state of Tennessee to put a certified school resource officer in every school,' Moore said. A recent active shooter training was held at Friendship Christian School by first responder agencies across the county. 'I want to reassure every citizen of Wilson County that we will do everything we can to train our SROs so they are confident in their abilities to handle these situations,' Moore said. 'They will remain proactive rather than reactive.' Road improvement projects were also brought up, including the county's plans to revamp many of the roadways based on a 10-to-20-year projection. Hutto said TDOT is working with the county on these investments. The presentation said economic growth and new jobs coming to the county are a high priority for future plans. New restaurants and businesses are opening up in Lebanon and Mt. Juliet. In-n-Out Burger and Tim Hortons are opening two locations in the county, new sit-down restaurant Aubrey's plans to open in Lebanon. A Sam's Club, Walmart and Target are building in Lebanon. Hutto said the county plans to recruit more corporate, white-collar jobs to the area. According to data presented in the address, 49,000 people leave Wilson County on average every day to commute to work. Nearly 31,000 commute into the county to work. 'The 49,000 is probably something we want to continue to work at to try to find better jobs for our people here,' Hutto said. 'The goal is to continue to recruit good, high-paying jobs.' Information provided by Zip Data Maps claims Wilson County is the 27th fastest growing county in the nation with Lebanon as the 12th fastest growing city in the nation. Other projects like the rail yard turntable project currently underway in Watertown were briefly brought up, and Mayor Hutto ended the address by challenging people to do something for someone everyday without expectation of any payment in return.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Caledonia farm to be regcognized as Centruy Farm at Minnesota State Fair
CALEDONIA, Min. WLAX/WEUX – Each year, the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Farm Bureau recognize the state's Century and Sesquicentennial Farms. Century Farm families receive a commemorative sign as well as a certificate signed by Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Farm Bureau presidents and Governor Tim Walz. Since the program began in 1976, more than 11,000 Minnesota farms have been recognized as Century Farms. The State Fair announced that they will be honoring 77 Century Farms. This year's honorees represent farms in 38 of Minnesota's 87 counties, including 4 farms in 3 counties right here, in Fox 25/48-land; Luhmann Farms in Olmstead County, Koliha Farms and Duxbury/Jones Farms in Filmore County, and, most closely, Gavin Farms LLC in Caledonia that was founded in 1868. Be at least 100 years old according to authentic land records Be in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years Be at least 50 acres in size and currently be involved in agricultural production. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tanger Outlets Nashville has revitalized Antioch and still continues to grow
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tanger Outlets Nashville has been open to the public since October 2023 and has helped transform the Antioch area, once a restaurant and retail desert, into a thriving, developing community. Mackenzie Reagan, the regional director for field marketing over the mall, explained how Tanger Outlets Nashville came to be. The operation dealt with delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic before the 290,000-square-foot facility opened its doors. OCTOBER 2023: Tanger Outlets Nashville officially opens for business: What you need to know 'It was definitely an uphill climb, but we celebrated our grand opening on October 23rd [2023],' Reagan said. The mall is part of the Century Farms development and is one of the largest projects in Antioch's history. Tanger Outlets Nashville has brought hundreds of jobs to the area. '[I was] born and raised in Nashville, and everyone knows you either grow up or out and we're at the point we are growing out,' Reagan added. 'We are really excited to be a part of this development. Century Farms has been a great project. We're really lucky to be a part of it and we're excited to continue on the momentum with that and welcome our partners as they come across the street.' News 2 On Tour | Explore the communties that shape Middle Tennessee In addition to the dozens of retailers already at the mall, Reagan said Tanger Outlets Nashville would welcome PopStroke and Chick-fil-A. The growth has been welcome after the closure of the Hickory Hollow Mall had lingering effects on area businesses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
