Severts converts farm into studio, gallery

FAIRFAX —  After spending more than 30 years in the Twin Cities, Brian Severts has returned to his roots and purchased a farm in rural Renville County. The farm, now named Yellow Feather Farm & Studio, was originally established in 1888.

“I grew up on a farm in northwestern Minnesota, and wanted to get back to that lifestyle,” Severts said.

While Severts works full time as a real estate agent, his free time is occupied by many hobbies, one of which is creating artwork. From painting to photography, Severts shares his artistic abilities through many avenues.

“I find so much inspiration being out here, compared to being in the Metro,” Severts said.

O’Neill’s military discipline serves in beef, crop operation

MARION — Dennis O’Neill has always wanted to be a farmer. His family has farmed in southern Minnesota for over 145 years and owned land for over 125 years. As he prepares for the operation to move from the fourth to the fifth generation, he is grateful for everything that has brought his farm through hard times, including the support of his wife, Bridget, their children and grandchildren, and of his own time in the U.S. Marine Corps, working with early iterations of computers.

“In the military, you were assigned stuff to do (and) were expected to get it done, carry through and follow through,” Dennis said. “When I started farming, I had to do it; I had to stick to it, get it done no matter all the issues. … Some years, it’s been very tough to pay for this land and keep going forward. I truly think a lot of people would’ve given up before, but we stuck to it. My wife has been the greatest partner in the world.”