Introducing you to local stories
Country Acres encompasses rural living in the central and southeast Minnesota areas. We find stories that peak a variety of interests and piece them together with the heart and soul of each subject in mind
Welcome to Country Acres
Where farm meets family, meets country living
Thank you for visiting the official site of Country Acres. Our pages can be found in printed copies dispersed to readers in the countryside of Central and Southeast Minnesota. We are also happy to be able to offer our unique content to you online for access whenever and wherever.
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"I’ll walk with you to the end"
Salzer carves canes for fellow veterans
AVON — A wide variety of canes line the walls of Joe Salzer’s workshop north of Avon.
Every piece of carved wood is as unique as the tree from which it was cut. Every cane has a window for a coin, and, for veterans, every stick is free.
“I mainly just give (canes) away,” Salzer said. “Every time I see a veteran with a Vietnam vet hat on, I go up to him, talk to him, shake his hand and say, ‘From one veteran to another, I’ll walk with you to the end … until you can’t walk anymore.’”
Salzer’s interest in woodworking goes back to his grandfather, Joseph Salzer, for whom Joe was named. He was a carpenter in Germany in the 1800s, and when he immigrated to the United States, he brought a cane he made. Salzer still has that cane today.
AVON — A wide variety of canes line the walls of Joe Salzer’s workshop north of Avon.
Every piece of carved wood is as unique as the tree from which it was cut. Every cane has a window for a coin, and, for veterans, every stick is free.
“I mainly just give (canes) away,” Salzer said. “Every time I see a veteran with a Vietnam vet hat on, I go up to him, talk to him, shake his hand and say, ‘From one veteran to another, I’ll walk with you to the end … until you can’t walk anymore.’”
Salzer’s interest in woodworking goes back to his grandfather, Joseph Salzer, for whom Joe was named. He was a carpenter in Germany in the 1800s, and when he immigrated to the United States, he brought a cane he made. Salzer still has that cane today.
A nose for deer
Axley family uses dog to track wounded whitetails
ELGIN — From birth, Arrow, a wiry-haired rauhhaar teckel dog, has been trained to be obsessed with one thing: deer. Her experience has been immersive, whether gnawing on deer legs, chasing her owners as they dragged a piece of deer liver behind them or coming along to recover deer when she was a few months old.
Arrow’s owners are Josh and Nicole Axley who live near Elgin. Using Arrow, they operate UncleTracker Whitetail Recovery, a free whitetail tracking service in southeast Minnesota.
“From Day 1, we would let her have her puppy toys and that, but if we were going to play with her and get really excited and make something seem like it’s awesome, it was a deer part,” Josh Axley said.
ELGIN — From birth, Arrow, a wiry-haired rauhhaar teckel dog, has been trained to be obsessed with one thing: deer. Her experience has been immersive, whether gnawing on deer legs, chasing her owners as they dragged a piece of deer liver behind them or coming along to recover deer when she was a few months old.
Arrow’s owners are Josh and Nicole Axley who live near Elgin. Using Arrow, they operate UncleTracker Whitetail Recovery, a free whitetail tracking service in southeast Minnesota.
“From Day 1, we would let her have her puppy toys and that, but if we were going to play with her and get really excited and make something seem like it’s awesome, it was a deer part,” Josh Axley said.
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Sit, Relax and Read
Country Acres - North
We cover 10 counties in central Minnesota and showcase agriculture, life and hobbies that take place in the countryside. We dive into history, heart felt experiences, moments of laughter and chances at learning. Open up the pages and discover what unique adventures have been happening near you.
Country Acres - South
We cover seven counties in southeast Minnesota and like Country Acres – North, we showcase agriculture, life and hobbies that take place in the countryside. We have seen first-hand the breathtaking views and stories that Minnesota has to offer and can’t wait to share them with you. Open up the pages and discover what unique adventures have been happening near you.
Recipe Book
Recipes from you, for you. Our recipe book, or country cooking, are a collection of recipes from our wonderful readers spanning from many counties.
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