Minnesota in Photos

An exploration of our state in images.

October 25, 2011

Photos: Harvest season in Minnesota


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Every fall the harvest brings the Kaehler family together outside of St. Charles, Minn. Ralph Kaehler is a fifth-generation farmer who raises beef cattle with his wife Mena, and Ralph's brother Ed works the land. The harvest is a ritual that has occurred since the family farm was established in 1880, and Ralph says his sons plan to return to the farm one day to continue the tradition.

Computer work

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St. Charles, MN, USA — Ralph Kaehler works on the computer during the early morning hours at his farm outside of St. Charles, Minn. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. Kaehler is a fifth-generation farmer, and has two sons that plan to return to the area and continue the family business. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read more about the Khaeler's farm on News Cut.) link to this photo

Off to work

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St. Charles, MN, USA — Ralph and Mena Kaehler chat before Ralph heads to work Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. In addition to raising beef cattle on the family farm, which was established in 1880, outside of St. Charles, Minn., Ralph works a full-time job with a liquid feed company. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read more about the Khaeler's farm on News Cut.) link to this photo

Feeding the cows

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St. Charles, MN, USA — Mena Kaehler takes care of morning chores, including feeding 50 head of cattle, on the family farm outside of St. Charles, Minn. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read more about the Khaeler's farm on News Cut.) link to this photo

Cat and cow

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St. Charles, MN, USA — One of Kaehler's farm cats greets a cow outside St. Charles, Minn. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read more about the Khaeler's farm on News Cut.) link to this photo

Family harvest

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St. Charles, MN, USA — Mena Kaehler delivers rolls to her brother-in-law Ed Kaehler outside of St. Charles, Minn. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. Ed farms about 1000 acres in Winona and Olmsted counties. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read more about the Khaeler's farm on News Cut.) link to this photo

In the combine

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St. Charles, MN, USA — Ed Kaehler receives a phone call while harvesting corn outside of St. Charles, Minn. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read more about the Khaeler's farm on News Cut.) link to this photo

Corn harvest

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St. Charles, MN, USA — Ed Kaehler waits in his combine while harvesting corn outside of St. Charles, Minn. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read more about the Khaeler's farm on News Cut.) link to this photo

Taking a break

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St. Charles, MN, USA — Ed Kaehler takes a break from combining to attend to a equipment repair job outside of St. Charles, Minn. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read more about the Khaeler's farm on News Cut.) link to this photo

Fixing equipment

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Eyota, MN, USA — With his cousin Bob Larkin looking on, Ed Kaehler works to repair a broken piece of machinery near his farm in Eyota, Minn. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. Larkin travels from California each season to assist Kaehler in the field. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read more about the Khaeler's farm on News Cut.) link to this photo

Clearing an auger

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Eyota, MN, USA — Ed Kaehler clears an auger after it broke down near his farm in Eyota, Minn. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read more about the Khaeler's farm on News Cut.) link to this photo

Mail stop

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Utica, MN, USA — After a morning of work, Ralph Kaehler drops mail at the post office in Utica, Minn. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read more about the Khaeler's farm on News Cut.) link to this photo

Hauling grain

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St. Charles, MN, USA — Bob Larkin assists Ed Kaehler as he hauls grain from the field outside of St. Charles, Minn. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read more about the Khaeler's farm on News Cut.) link to this photo

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