Bennetts strives to bridge gap in equine industry

WATKINS — Codie Bennetts has been in the horse industry long enough to experience the significant diversity in riding styles. Now, Bennetts dedicates her days to bridging the gap between two of them: Western and English disciplines.

“There are a lot of stereotypes within the industry,” Bennetts said. “I’m trying to help people realize it doesn’t have to be that way.”

Throughout the last few years, Bennetts dove headfirst into creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. With her goal in mind, Bennetts opened her boarding and training facility nestled right along the Meeker and Stearns county line.

Bennetts and her other half, Aaron Derichs, have spent years designing their facility to meet not just their needs, but the needs of their clients, and most importantly, the horses. Along with expanding their infrastructure, they have expanded their herd as well.

Johnson cultivates giant pumpkins

HOUSTON — Pumpkins worthy of a fairy godmother’s wand do not grow by magic in Nickki Johnson’s patch. Instead, her giant fruits grow by abundance of effort, time and year-round planning.

“At minimum, (this summer), I was probably in the patch an hour in the evening and half an hour in the morning,” Johnson said. “I joke that I started my day in the pumpkin patch, and I ended the day in the pumpkin patch.”

Johnson grows her orange beauties on the farm she and her husband, Marc, live on in rural Houston. The pumpkin is mainly Johnson’s project, but their daughter, Ella, enjoys helping, especially as the pumpkins set on the vines.