A Wonderful Willie Walleye Welcome... BI&E Baudette!

The third stop on our tour of Northern Minnesota took us, just about, as far north as you can go. The city of Baudette, MN is located near the Canadian border and is, after I 'Map-Quest'-ed it, 8.5 hours away from my house in Southwest Minnesota. It's far.
Baudette's agricultural program is a part of the new 'Sparsely Populated Areas" initiative. Ms. Fickes, the instructor has put forth an amazing commitment because she drives over 3.5 hours from her home in Crookston, to teach in Baudette and then another hour to Twin Valley, MN.

Because of the limitations of geography, the students get to see Ms. Fickes in class by watching TV. Once a week, she will come to visit and teach in person.

The Animal Science class Labecca and I visited in the morning had 10 students with interests ranging from forensic science and truck driving to horses and constructional engineering. One student had just returned from the Minnesota 4-H Horse show at the State Fair grounds. Everyone learned about supporting each other in the 'Human-Table', just like we do with each other in FFA through our relationships with sponsors, partners, alumni, advisors and friends.

Desiree... is interested in small animals. She would like to possibly work with small animal health as a veterinarian or veterinary technician.

Just as we entered and left Baudette, there are 3 distinct things I remember:

1. Willie the Walleye ... Baudette is known as the Walleye capital of the WORLD! If only I had my fishing pole, or at least a fork...
2. The road sign that alluded to the fact that Baudette is on the border of Canada! If only I had my passport, or at least a convincing Canadian accent...
   
3. Tuning the radio, and instead of listening to the English or Spanish station- we listened to the French station! If only I had a translator, or at least some French in my blood...

365.44 miles and STILL counting...