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Newspaper Clipping - Newspaper Clipping Scan - Diffley Family History and Articles -Tales tell city's past TALES: from p. 1A morning and seeing the water frozen in the kettle. "Anyway, when this neighbor lady lit up the stove, the baby started crying, and the mother woke up, ran in, and snatched it out of the stove. They made up a song about the baby: `I Was Born in the Kitchen When My Mother Was Away' went the words." The Diffley family still owns part of the farm William started about 130 years ago. Martin Dif- fley, James' nephew, runs the farm and has renamed it "The Gardens of Eagan," which pro- duces various sorts of vegetables, James said. Willard Rahn, 73, recalls what his grandfather, John Rahn, told him about early Eagan. In 1870, his grandfather and two of his brothers left Ger- many for America. "They were mighty enthused," Rahn said, "because land here was cheap, and they could work for themselves, instead of having to give it all up to the German lord. They were serfs who Lived on land owned by the aristocracy." Rahn saia tnere were tew families in Eagan in 1870. Most of them were of Irish or French descent who had come earlier. "All of them were farmers who wanted to live near enough to the city for easier trade," he said. "The land was heavily wooded, even the women had to help clear it. Grandpa said they raised mostly potatoes and onions. Wheat and a little bit of corn was also raised to feed the cattle, but families then didn't own too many cows — just enough to feed the family. They made their own butter, of course, and took the cream over to St. Paul creameries. "Nobody had threshing machines back then, either. They had to use scythes with a sort of rake on it to cut the grain down. Then they bundled it up and took it to the barn to separate it." Rahn shook his head and whistled, as he spoke. "Oh, boy, that was a heck of a job, to pick apart all that grain." In 1870 there was no formal religious structure in Eagan, Rahn said. Farmers took their families to the Old Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Inver Grove Heights. The first church in Eagan was Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church, built in 1881. "Everybody'd go all wrapped up in heavy furs in the winter- time even though they had two big furnaces in the basement," Rahn said. "They had a long sh- ed for the horses, and the men would unharness the horses from the sleighs and bundle them in blankets inside that sh- ed." One of the first concerns of the settlers was the need for schoolhouses in Eagan, Rahn said. The township was divided into districts of four or five square miles each, and a schoolhouse was built in every district, where teachers taught from 10 to 30 children in first through eighth grade. "Those schoolhouses were one -room, slant -roofed, and made out of wood," Rahn said. "I remember those little wooden desks with the inkwells, and the metal box to hold the books. All the schoolhouses were white, except for the Wescott School, which was brick, and had a bell that is now in the Municipal Building. "Those teachers had a hard life, too. Imagine having to teach all those grades at the same time, and having to board at a farmer's house all the time. Those teachers never stayed very long, you know. It was really a lonesome job." Terry Tyler is an intern at this newspaper. o of ho esy es The Diffley's, from left are ThomasPSr., Thomas Jr.,nJamesy and William. 5A -!-w club plans food fair The Valley Viewers 4-H club is having a food fair March 7 at Rahn School. Members will make different foods from all four food groups. After the meeting parents and other members may sample the foods and listen to presenta- tions. All are welcome. Call 890-4883 for more information. History book will be published soon by Tim O'Donnell The Eagan history book should soon be published and ci- ty officials say they hope it will be ready for sale by the Fourth of July. A history subcommittee of the recently formed City Celebration Committee will work out the details of marketing the book, said City Administrator Tom Hedges. Ci- ty Celebration Committee members tentatively plan to celebrate the city's 125th birth- day as part of the annual Fourth of July festival, he said. According to acknowledgements which will appear in the book, work first began on the book in 1978. The effort was guided by Mayor Bea Blomquist, Councilmembers Ted Wachter, Tom Egan. Jim Smith and Jerry Thomas, and former Mayor Leo Murphy and former Councilmember Mark Parranto. The City Council that year established the Eagan History Committee to research the city's history and gather infor- mation and illustrations for the book. The book will be dedicated to the committee's first chairman, the late former Mayor Herbert Polzin. Other committee members were Alyce Bolke, Arnold Carlson, Frank Dembroski. James Diffley, Elisabeth Ken- nealy, Arthur Rahn, Leotta Schwanz and Rodger Slater. Dembroski became the com- mittee's second chairman, and is acknowledged for his "perseverence in researching hundreds of sources. seeking photographs and organizing materials," which "gave the book its shape and scope." Under Hedge' direction, city administrative assistants Ken Damlo and Lisa Fleming prepared the manuscript. News deadline is noon Wednesdays. Send releases to Cur- rent, Countryside or Chronicle, 1209 E. Cliff Road, Burnsville, MN 55337. Photo courtesy of Mirella LeTendre Simones Treffle Auge's house was built about 1860. Book chronicles Eagan's history HISTORY: from p. 1A Farman built southeast of the present-day intersection of Yankee Doodle Road and Lex- ington Avenue. About two years later a new school was built, not too far from what is now Nor- thview Elementary School. The stagecoach was a popular mode of travel when Eagan became a township and about that year the Minnesota Company emerged as the state's leading stage line, covering more than 1,300 miles of stage routes with about 300 more miles of pony -carried mail routes. In good weather and on good roads, the stages traveled about 10 miles per hour. Eagan was mostly a farming community, supported by businesses such as blacksmithing. The smiths helped sharpen plows and scythes and also helped settlers passing through town by fixing wagons and harnesses and trimming and shoeing horses' hooves. Robert Myers opened a blacksmith shop in 1860 near where Blackhawk Road now runs north of Silver Bell Road. Alexander Huard opened Huard's Halfway House — a grocery store and saloon — in 1865, near where highways 55 and 149 now meet. The Halfway House was the first relay sta- tion out of St. Paul for stagecoaches headed for Dubu- que, Iowa. The establishment's name was changed to the Dixie Inn when George and May Hinze took it over in 1930. A little jaunt south was the Wescott Inn that James Wescott opened on his property in the 1850s, a little north of where West Publishing Co. is to- day. In 1866 the inn became a flag station for the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad line and a depot later was built there. No history of Eagan would be complete without mention of the Lone Oak Tree, which stood for more than 200 years where highways 55 and 149 merge. Town records state: "Posted three notices in three of the most public places in the town of Eagan on the 28th day of April A.D. 1861 as follows one on Bartholomew Dalys land on a tree on the Bank of the lake on Section 28 in Said town one op- posite the town Clerks office on a Bur oak Tree (the Lone Oak Tree) and one at Mr. Wescotts on his Barn Door...." Minnesota Historical Society photo Robert O'Neill, a member of Eagan's first Town Board. The introduction to the for- thcoming Eagan history book notes that the Lone Oak Tree was the center of communica- tion from Eagan's earliest days. "It was also a symbol for the community — making its citizens feel that they were a part of something unique and special," the book states. "A city history tries to ac- complish the same goals: to communicate facts and stories, fostering a sense of civic pride — and showing citizens that they have a role in a unique and special community.... "Of course, this book does not exhaust the history of Eagan. It would be impossible to record everything that makes the city what it is. The coordinators have raked up a scattering of `leaves from the tree,' and hope that you will enjoy them as much as they have." G.A. Stoven's Eagan garden has been decimated by drought and animals. He suggests gardeners use plenty of water and a chicken -wire screen to protect their vegetables. (Photo by Gary Gunderson) Gardens lost to heat, animals By Gary Gunderson Martin Diffley had a lot of customers at his fresh vegetable business in Eagan Last weekend. Unfortunately, he didn't have produce to sell. Like other vegetable growers in the area, Diffley has been hard hit by this year's drought. His first two vegetable crops this season were wiped out except for a lower -than -usual yield of sweet corn, which quickly sold out. This is the second straight year of drought, Diffley said. "We would have been wiped out last year if it hadn't been for that 11-inch rainfall. We went back to average in one shot." Aside from the drought, which has killed or stunted vegetables, growers must also contend with wildlife that have eaten up to half the crop that has grown. Wildlife are eating vegetables and flowers, Diffley said, because their natural food has been dried to a crisp by the drought and development has destroyed feeding grounds. "The animals have changed their eating habits," said Betty Adelmann, co-owner of Adelmann's Farmers Market in Eagan. "They're eating flowers and plants they haven't before." G.A. Stoven's vegetable garden in Eagan has been raid- ed many times by woodchucks, racoons and other rodents. He Martin Diffley fights back by trapping the animals in live traps and releas- ing them in wooded areas out- side city limits. "It's tough enough to work on a garden and then have some animal eat it up," he said, look- ing at his decimated 20 by 20 foot garden. "Sometimes you really wonder if it's worth it. This is the worst animal problem I've ever seen, bar none." Stoven is a master gardener, a title given to those who complete special horticultural classes from the University of Min- nesota. Stoven, 72, has lived in Eagan with his wife,Dorothy, for 14 years. His gardening ex- perience goes back more than 60 years. To keep animals out of gardens, Stoven recommends enclosing vegetable patches with chicken wire. The mesh should be about the size of 50-cent pieces or smaller, he said. Gardeners could also plant vegetables that are not eaten by animals, such as onions and squash. Some crops have managed to survive, growers report. Corn, onions and tomatoes are plen- tiful but stunted. But broccoli, green beans and green peppers appear to be nearly total losses. Crops maturing later in the season could be salvaged if it rains significantly before Aug. 1, Diffley said. But Adelmann isn't optimistic. "It's ridiculous to grow things in the desert," she said. "It's been a bummer of a year. We'll just have to write off 1988 and hope for better in 1989." Compost puts grower ahead of field By Gary Gunderson Martin Diffley is the fourth generation of his family to farm the same 120 acres in eastern Eagan. And like the first Diffley who immigrated from Ireland in 1857, he is growing vegetables organically. Organic farming has many advantages over using commer- cial fertilizers, Diffley said. The compost he uses for fertilizer, made from turkey waste and supplied by a Northfield farmer, does not pollute ground water, cause suspected health risks like commercial fertilizer and does not carry over, or stay in the soil, for more than one year, he said. Other advantages of compost, especially during a drought year, is it retains moisture and does not burn plants, he added. Commercial fertilizer can burn plants during dry periods because it contains salt com- pounds, he said. About 3 tons of the compost is spread on each of the 40 acres used for vegetable production, he said. Commercial fertilizers have never been used on the Dif- fley farm. Many people prefer crops raised organically because they fear the effects of modern fer- tilizers, Diffley said. But just when people are more willing to buy organically grown vegetables, drought has lowered yields substantially. "There's a kind of a panic in the public this year because we may not have enough of a crop," Diffley said. "People are much more aware of the weather this year." There is no significant rain in the short-term weather forecast, but there are storm clouds in the future of the Diffley farm. The farm site is zoned residential, and may be engulfed by housing subdivisions soon. "It's hard not knowing from one year to the next if you're still going to be in business," he said. If the farm is lost to develop- ment, Diffley said he would like to continue growing vegetables organically at another location. But he would have to let the new land sit idle for at least three years so man-made fertilizers would wash away. a twin cities south -of -the -river lifestyle journal Summer 2012 ways me OUR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY HAS PROGRAMS AND EVENTS GEARED TOWARD KIDS ALL SUMMER LONG THAT WILL ENCOURAGE SPIRITUAL GROWTH IN A POSITIVE AND UPLIFTING ENVIRONMENT. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE, 952.997.2222. HIGHLIGHTED CHILDREN'S EVENTS: FAMILY FUN NIGHT: JULY 17, 6:30 - 8:30 P.M. I ROCK ACADEMY: AUGUST 20-24, 10:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. WHAT YOU'LL FIND AT RIVER VALLEY CHURCH IS A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN MAKE LIFE -CHANGING RELATIONSHIPS AND FIND YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE. WE'RE A RELAXED CHURCH AND WE'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT LIVING OUR LIVES FOR GOD. WITH PROGRAMS FOR EVERY AGE, RIVER VALLEY IS A PLACE YOUR WHOLE FAMILY CAN CALL HOME! APPLE VALLEY CAMPUS ■ Facebook.com/rivervalleychurch 14898 Energy Way, Apple Valley, MN 55124 Twitter.com/river_valley_mn 1 rivervalleychurch.org RIVER VALLEY —\ CHURCH— — w FcOs ECM Specialty Publications 15322 Galaxie Ave Apple Valley, MN 55124 952-846-2040 Managing Editor Ginny Lee Contributing Writers Kim Anders Atina Diffley Mike Lindahl Ginny Lee Graphic Design Jeff Remme Advertising Sales Kristine Richter Jesse Schmidt Maiy Jo Sirek Editor's Assistant Lisa Miller Focus magazine is a quarterly publication of ECM Specialty Publications. For more information regarding subscription or advertising rates, contact Ginny Lee at 952-846-2040 or ginny.leei ecm-inc.com. Visit us at FocusTwinCities.com an Find us on: facebookm facebook.com/focus.twincities CONTENTS GOLF 6 Use Soft Hands to Hit it Hard by Kim Anders, Estrella del Mar Golf & Beach Resort Ever wonder why a hard swing hit rarely goes very far and is usually offline, whereas your easy going just get it out there somewhere" swing frequently hits the ball 20 yards further and right down the middle? PGA pro and director of golf at Estrella del Mar Goif & Beach Resort gives advice to golfers for hitting the ball with "soft hands". 7 8 15 16 17 Avoid Paralysis by Analysis by Mike Lindahl, Lost Spur Golf Course Local PGA pro advises golfers not to get overwhelmed with all of the technicalities of their golf swings that often lead to poor execution. Read the pro's simple tip for becoming a more successful and consistent golfer. BOOK Turn Here Sweet Corn by Atina Diffley Guest author and local resident, Atina Diffley shares her memories of getting in at the "ground level" of organic farming. As one of the first certified organic produce farms in the Midwest, the Diffley's Gardens of Eagan helped to usher in a new kind of green revolution, supplying their roadside stand and a growing number of local food co-ops. Her story is a master class in organic farming, a lesson in entrepreneurship, a love story, and a legal thriller. TRAVEL Boundary Waters Canoe Area, a Place to Make Memories by Ginny Lee Memories of a first time trip to the BWCA include paddling through pristine waters with pine and birch overhead. a mist over a mirror -still lake at daybreak, a breathtaking view of northern lights streaking across the night sky, and MOSQUITOS! What You Need to Know Before You Go Get the basics for a trip to the Boundary Waters Wilderness Area. Other Summer Getaways Close to Home Looking fora different kind of get -away this summer? We've got unique ideas that won't break the bank and are close to home. Check out Cascade Bay Waterpark in Eagan (practically in your backyard), Madden's Resort on Gull Lake in Brainerd (2 hours: 50 minutes), Amana Colonies in southeast Iowa (4 hours: 30 minutes), and Madeline Island in Bayfield, Wisconsin (5 hours: 20 minutes). Cover Photo ©2006 Greg Thompson www.FocusTwinCities.com 3 All God's Children Offering quality Christian childcare in a safe, loving & educational environment. NOW ENROLLING FOR: "Infant & Toddler Care Preschool Program (Spanish, Sign -language & more!) School Age Program All God's Children Located inside STC Church 161st & Cedar Ave, 952-292-1650 Putt MI Dentistri Providint Excellent Dental Care For Your Entire Family Mackenzie King Platt, D.D.S. 11183 205th Street West • Lakeville 952.469.4588 www.l.>lattdentistry.com Experience...Knowledge... Performance... Results! Glenn Solberg, Realtor 612.-723-7000 Direct www.glennsolberg.com Area Resident proudly serving WAIIIX Results the South Metro for 30+ years! Apple Valley Office A+ Driving School is dedicated to helping our students become responsible drivers. Our students not only learn the rules of the road, but they become courteous and safe drivers through our professional classroom teaching and first rate behind -the -wheel instruction. We have served the Lakeville Community since 1991, and pride ourselves on quality driver's training. We offer classroom and behind the wheel for teenagers as well as adults. A Plus Driving School 20908 Holyoke Avenue • Lakeville, MN 55044 952.469.4656 Licensed / Bonded / Insured A+ Driving School is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety! Summer Classes Fill Up Fast Bring in this ad for a complete driver's ed package. t_} Driving 20908 Holyoke Avenue School Lakeville, MN 55044 4 Focus Magazine THE MONKEY BARS SOLUTION: Professional installation Unlimited configurations Heavy duty construction Affordable at 1/3 the cost of cabinets and they hold 3 times as much Durable epoxy flooring available Shelving holds 1,000 Ibs for every 4 ft Lifetime warranty on all Monkey Bars Garage Storage Systems LIMITED TIME OFFER: FREE am WORK BENCH WITH THE PURCHASE OF 24 FT OF 24" SHELVING/RACK SYSTEM "We love the Monkey Bar system. I spent most of the weekend looking at the open space now available on our garage floor." -Michael and Carolyn Thompson "This is the most efficient garage storage system 1 have ever seen." -Dr. Dennis Dahl CALL NOW! 612.616.8616 // EFFICIENT // VERSATILE // DURABLE // AFFORDABLE PHONE 612.616.8616 // EMAIL MIKER MONKEYBARSTORAGE.COM monkey Bars GARAGE STORAGE SYSTEMS W W W.MONKEYBARSTORAGE.COM Use Soft Hands to Hit it Hard BY KIM ANDERS Have you ever wondered why a hard swing hit rarely goes very far and is usually offline, whereas a smooth "just get it out there somewhere" swing frequently hits the ball 20 yards further and right down the middle? It's probably because you have"soft hands" on the smooth swings which allow you to release the club properly. A good way to get the feel of "soft hands' is to swing the club back and forth from waist high on the back swing to waist high on the follow through. Make sure the toe of the club is pointing roughly up at the sky when it reaches waist high on both back and forward swing. As you swing back and forth you want to hold on just tight enough to avoid losing the club, being smooth with the changes of direction. If it feels Ibose, sloppy, and out of control, you're prokmbly doing it right. Notice how your hands roll over at impact. They will literally snap over just from the club accelerating under its own weight through the ball, not because you are making them turn over. This all happens automatically by relaxing the hands and arms on the downswing, rather than creating tension by trying to physically hit the ball. (I use this exercise all the time when I'm playing to remind my hands of what I want them to do.) Now make some full swings at one-half to three-quarter speed. Make sure you still feel the hands release through the hitting area. Once you have this down you can start hitting balls. Keep in mind no matter how good your "soft hands" are at address, when you get to the top of your backswing and start down there's a good chance you'll be choking the life out of the club. Try relaxing your grip pressure as you start the downswing to regain your "soft hands" Trust the club to find its way to the ball — the worst thing you can do is try to guide the club to the ball. Golf is about controlling the golf ball. The way you control the golf ball is by giving up control of the golf club, which is done by using soft hands. Most people try to control 6 Focus Magazine the golf club which results in losing control of the ball. You can only control one of them, and the club is not the one you want to focus on. You spend a lot of money on your golf equipment. It is packed with technology and knows how to hit a golf ball perfectly every time. It will take wonderful care of you if you just trust it and let it do what it is built to do. Don't mess with perfection!! You have enough to do just being smooth and maintaining your soft hands. Once you get the feel for this you'll find both your good and bad shots will go longer and straighter. If you have trouble getting the feel of this, your local PGA Professional will be able to soften your hands so you hit it longer and straighter than ever. Kim Anders is Director of Golf at Estrella del Mar Golf & Beach Resort in Mazatlan, Mexico. You can reach Kim via email at kanders@estrelladelmar.com or visit www. estrelladelmar.com. Avoid Paralysis by Analysis Golf can be a very complex game andthanksto a..,M all of its technicalities we tend to make it more complicated than it needs to be. When this "Paralysis by Analysis" occurs it causes a player to become overwhelmed with thoughts and leads to poor execution. My advice to you is the old dage, "keep it simple, stupid." Before getting caught up in all of the complex swing theories it is important to have a solid starting point and it starts with fundamentals. The single most important - and frequently overlooked full swing fundamental in golf is the setup position. Having the proper alignment, stance and posture can go a long way towards becoming a more successful golfer, Your swing evolves from your setup and if you focus on these important pre -swing fundamentals you are more likely to improve. If you "set-up" for success you are more likely to be successful! Mike Lindahl is the, Head Golf Professional at Lost Spur Golf Course. Mike can be reached by email t Is@wpgolf com. Va((ewoo Day Break Special - Before Noon ( Mon -Fri) $27 —18 holes walking $39 —18 holes with cart Senior Special (55+) - Before Noon (Mon. -Fri) $20 —18 holes walking $30 —18 holes with cart $20 — 9 holes with cart ***� Apple Valley's 3'/ St Public Golf Courts • Tuesday morning Women's and Thursday morning Men's Sr. Leagues available • Driving Range • Full Liquor License • PGA Professional instructed lesson programs www.FocusTwinCities.com 7 ATINA DIFFIEY 8 Focus Magazine Turn Here Sweet Corn is a master class in organic farming, a lesson in entrepreneurship, a love story and a legal thriller. As guest editorial, local resident and author, Atina Diffley, shares her story of working the land, coaxing good food from the soil, and reminding us we live in relationships with the earth, plants and animals, families and communities. BY ATINA DIFFLEY Life Is Inherently Resilient As a child growing up in a family that grew or wild crafted many of our fruits and vegetables, I experienced nature's inherent resiliency through the annual cycle of life and death —the recycling and renewing of nature. Our spring ritual was following Dad, our feet bare, stepping into his big prints as he steered the rototiller. Birds hopped around us pulling worms, fresh earth spilled the first smells of life. 1 thought this was how the world worked. Everyone grew food to eat. My favorite thing in the entire world was rain. When I sensed it coming I would go out and lie faceup on the open ground beside the lilacs, close my eyes, and hum. Then it was like God just reached down and touched my skin. I knew about nature and life without having to ask. book As I became an adult— I could see this basic truth in nature and in others; yet somehow I didn't notice my own resiliency. Bad things do happen in life and I've always recovered, always come back even stronger. My roots are deep in fertile soil. It took writing my memoir,Turn Here Sweet Corn, for me to see it. www.FocusTwinCities,com 9 Martin and Atina Diffley in the kale field: The kale was our ally and expert witness during the MinnCan crude oil pipeline lawsuit dubbed 'Kale Versus Koch. Soil Versus Oil."' Photograph ©2006 Greg Thompson. The Gardens of Eagan I started farming with my husband Martin as partners in his business, the Gardens of Eagan. The multi -generation Diffley family land still had intact eco-systems; wild hills with vegetables nestled in the fertile valleys. Much of the land was in grass, native herbaceous plants, mixed hardwood trees, and brush. Berry brambles, hawthorns, plums, flowers, and chokecherries filled any niche. Wild flowers provided pollen and nectar for beneficial insects and native pollinators. Our fertility needs were met by incorporating soil -building plants. Pests and crop disease were largely managed by rotation and the diversity of the ecosystem. Soon we had a 5th generation, our two children, growing up in the heart of our business —working and playing in the fields, at our roadside stand. They knew what we valued and how we earned our money. The land was their school and sanctuary; it was there they experienced creation in the making. We were not only a farm family. We were a family farming. A master class in organic farming, a lesson in entrepreneurship, a love story, and a legal thriller... In telling her story of working the land, Atina Diffley reminds us that we live in relationships —with the earth, plants and animals, families and communities. A memoir of making these essential relationships work in the face of challenges from weather to corporate politics, this is a firsthand history of getting in at the"ground level"of organic farming. When the hail starts to fall, Atina Diffley doesn't compare it to golf balls. She's a farmer. It's"as big as a B-size potato."As her bombarded land turns white, she and her husband Martin huddle under a blanket and reminisce: the one - hundred -mile -per -hour winds; the eleven -inch rainfall ("that broccoli turned out gorgeous"); the hail disaster of 1977. The romance of farming washed away a long time ago, but the love? Never. In telling her story of working the land, coaxing good food from the fertile soil, Atina Diffley reminds us of an ultimate truth:we live in relationships —with the earth, plants and animals, families and communities. A memoir of making these essential relationships work in the face of challenges as natural as weather and as unnatural as corporate politics, her book is a firsthand history of getting in at the "ground level" of organic farming. One of the first certified organic produce farms in the Midwest, the Diffleys' Gardens of Eagan helped to usher in a new kind of green revolution in the heart of America's farmland, supplying their roadside stand and a growing number of local food co- ops.This is a story of a world transformed —and reclaimed —one square acre at a time. Do Not Spray sign, in field of spring vetch at the Gardens of Eagan, spring 2006. Photograph ©2006 Greg Thompson And yet, after surviving punishing storms and the devastating loss of fifth -generation Diffley family land to suburban development, the Diffleys faced the ultimate challenge:the threat of eminent domain for a crude oil pipeline proposed by one of the largest privately owned companies in the world, notorious polluters Koch Industries. As Atina Diffley tells her David -versus -Goliath tale, she gives readers everything from expert instruction in organic farming to an entrepreneur's manual on how to grow a business to a legal thriller about battling corporate arrogance to a love story about a single mother falling for a good, big- hearted man. On a Super M, Martin Diffley chops sorghum-sudangrass, adding organic matter to the soil. 10 Focus .Magazine The Diffley homestead on the northeast corner of Diffley and Dodd Roads, in Eagan, Minnesota, was settled in 1855 by Martin's great- grandparents from Ireland. Photograph circa early 1900s. For over three decades, this sign pulled in customers, and Martin and I used "Turn here" as an opening line for conversations about changing how our food is grown. Photograph ©1989 Helen De Michiel, from her video essay Turn Here Sweet Corn. Martin and I watch developers' bulldozers and encroaching suburbia alongside sweet corn growing on the Plains of Abraham. Photograph copyright 1990 T. L. Gettings for Rodale Institute. Development There was just one problem. The city of Eagan had not left any land zoned for agriculture and the day came when the school district asked for twenty acres. Sewer and water crossed the farm to serve the school —bringing assessments —forcing the sale of the rest of the land for housing. All life —the trees and grass, flowers and fortis, the fruit and bushes —was torn out; then burned or buried. Even the living topsoil was scrapped into a pile and sold. The remaining subsoil was flattened and reshaped-1980s style development. We continued to farm on adjacent land that had not yet been bulldozed, but rain could not soak in —there was no life to hold water —and it ran -off into our fields. Our crops were covered with silt and gravel.Pests and disease, previously a non -issue, became a loosing battle. There was no habitat or food for beneficial insects, for birds, frogs, and spiders —consumers of multiple pest species —our allies disappeared. It was through this loss that I understood how utterly dependent humans are on a healthy relationship with nature. I committed to protect land and nature through my farming decisions. New Start Fortunately, we found a way to purchase our own land and begin anew, using organic practices of renewability to transition the land and prepare it for vegetable production. We've experienced success as organic farmers with high yields of quality produce, and stability in the market. Through it all the lesson of the bulldozers has been a constant guide in our decision - making. It is relationships that carry us through life's challenges, healthy relationships with the earth, plants and animals, family and community, with each other —because like nature: none of us live in a void. Eminent Domain Threat Relationship was the ultimate lesson in 2006 when our second farm was threatened by eminent domain for a crude oil pipeline owned by Koch Industries. Martin and I intervened as parties to the legal proceeding and brought in expert witnesses, demonstrating that organic farming systems work by fostering healthy relationships with soil life and the species vim,/w }Ochs l-'.N1nC ties.cc)m 11 CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF PRODUCING TALENTED DANCERS SUMMERDANCE: INTEGRATED DANCE WORKSHOP (ballet, variations, lyrical, contemporary, jazz) KINDERMOVES (3 and 4 year olds) ballet, beginning ballet / tap. Award winning dancelines for all grades. Check our our complete SUMMER and FALL schedule online at danceworksmn.com 17470 Glacier Way, Lakeville 952-432-7123 danceworksmn.com Now accepting fall registration. New students receive 1 month free tuition and waived registration fee when this ad accompanies your paid registration form by June 30th. DanceWorks will price match all local dance studio tuition rates. This ad must be presented to apply discount M HEARTr`i'iF CITY DENTAL Dedicated to helping you achieve life-long dental health and a radiant smile! Proudly serving the community since 1970! • Complete preventative, restorative, cosmetic and sedation dentistry • Private treatment rooms • Digital x-rays • No pressure or lectures • Insurance accepted • Financing available Office open Mondy-Friday Call for our new patient offers! visit us online at www.heartofthecitydental.com lk % Follow us on Facebook Don't let a little river stand between your child and a great education • Christian Worldview • Advanced Programming (AP) Philosophy K-12 • Football, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Volleyball, Track and Field, Cheerleading, Drama, and Fine Arts • MAP testing administered Kindergarten through 9th grade • Interdenominational, with over 50 churches represented • Fully accredited through ACSI Betha Acade K-12 Christian Education www.bethanyacademy.org Located in Bloomington since 1975, 40% of our students travel from south of the river every day to be educated in a joyful community, where they are encouraged to reach beyond their own expectations. NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2012-2013 SCHOOL YEAR 4300 West 98th Street, Bloomington, MN 55437 • 952-831-8686 (ext. 111) Kelli Kasperek, Admissions Director 12 Focus Magazine The corn sales table and blackboard were the social and business center of the Diffley's Gardens of Eagan roadside stand. Photograph ©1995 by Dennis Nolan; all rights reserved. on the land. The customers we had fed for decades wrote letters to the judge —over 4,200 letters —insisting: Gardens of Eagan must be protected; we rely on this farm for our food. And we succeeded.The pipeline was moved to the road right -a -way, and the state of Minnesota now has an Organic Mitigation Plan to protect the soil and certification of organic farms. Relationship Each of us has a relationship with nature through the land that feeds us. I encourage you to love and protect its resiliency by supporting renewable organic systems. Grow your own, or buy direct from organic farms or grocers who purchase organic. Speak to your legislators about agricultural policy. Support resiliency: yours and the earths. They are inseparable. Atina Diffley is an organic consultant, public speaker, and author of the memoir Turn Here Sweet Corn: Organic Farming Works published by the University of Minnesota Press. Until 2008, she and her husband Martin ran the Gardens of Eagan, one of the first certified organic produce farms in the Midwest. Their consulting business is named Organic Farming Works LLC. In the early 1990s the Diffley family land was developed, and Atina and Martin started over in Eureka Township. In 2006 a crude oil pipeline owned by Koch Industries threatened. The Diffleys intervened in the route process and with the help of committed customers, a great attorney, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, succeeded in creating an Organic Mitigation Plan. Atina can be reached at www.atinadiffley.com. "Atina Diffley's Turn Here Sweet Corn is deeply moving not only from a personal standpoint but also from the political." — Marion Nestle, author of What to Eat Atina Diffley, author of Turn Here Sweet Corn: Organic Farming Works www.FocusTwinCities.com 13 CHAMILIA YOUR LIFE. YOUR STYLE: Available at 15050 Cedar Ave. South Apple Valley, MN 55124 Southwest Corner of Cedar and Cty Rd. 42 952-432-9595 Shop Online at JayFJeweler.com Register now for summer & fall classes' Registrations accepted online, mail or fax. Open House Dates: July 10, 17, 24 and August 7, 14, 21, 28. 5:00-7:00 p.m. For more information visit us online or call! www. bettyjosdancecenter. com Betty Jo's Dance Center 14803 Energy Way Apple Valley, MN 55124 P: 952.953.4999 F: 651.423.6785 E: bettgjosdancecenter@frontiernet.ne 14 Focus Magazine Boundary Waters Canoe Area A place to make memories BY GINNY LEE In the summer of 1987, just before I married my husband, we took a trip to the Boundary Waters, a first time experience for each of us. Although my husband had hunted, camped, and fished in rugged areas many times, I was a rookie. But, l was young and in love and ready for the adventure. A s we were packing gear the day before flour scheduled departure, Mark noticed me packing my hairdryer and pillow and gently explained that there were no electrical outlets in the Boundary Waters. OK, I could deal with that, but at least I certainly had to take my pillow, which in my mind was a certifiable medical necessity. I won that battle and stuffed my pillow into the last remaining inch of my Duluth Pack. We had talked with friends about a route plan and which portages to take. With their help, we designed an itinerary for our 4-day excursion. We drove to Ely and found our entry point into the Boundary Waters. As we parked and started to unload our gear, we noticed another group at the landing who were just making ready to push off shore. I joked about how funny they looked in their mosquito netting, long pants and long sleeve shirts. As we got closer to the water, we immediately discovered why they looked as if they were going on a safari through the jungle. As the mosquitoes started buzzing our heads, we both reached for the insect repellant. That would become our lifeline to sanity during the following four days. We later learned the Boundary Waters area near Ely had a record -hatch of mosquitoes that week and we got to meet many of the little critters up close and personal over the next few days. As we eased out onto the water, the pesky mosquitoes seemed to drift away. We were both immediately awed by the breathtaking beauty all around us. We soon found our way to the first scheduled portage. As we unloaded the gear, I began to question some of the choices I had made when packing clothing and other items which at the time seemed absolutely necessary. The idea of flipping a 50-pound canoe over our heads and hauling it a mile or more on our shoulders suddenly did not seem like a fun trip. But about halfway into the portage, just when the sound of our own breath echoing inside the canoe became an annoyance, the realization of what surrounded us, began to take hold. Despite achy shoulders from already paddling quite a distance, the pain faded as the canoe glided across the water and the call of a loon welcomed us to a new lake. We experienced the stillness of paddling the pristine waters with pine and birch trees towering above us. In the morning, www.FocusTwinCities.com 15 we watched the rising sun burn mist off of a mirror -still lake at daybreak. At night, we were treated to a breathtaking view of the northern lights streaking across the sky. If you plan a trip to the BWCA this summer, mosquito repellent, bug netting, and breathable rain gear should be at the top of your list for clothing and equipment. Make a mental note to maintain a positive attitude and practice patience during your stay in the BWCA (especially with the big guy doing most of the paddling). In my opinion, a trip to the Boundary Waters before the wedding is a much more worthwhile training ground for couples than any pre -marriage counseling. It teaches you how to work together, problem - solve, and see something of beauty through another person's eyes. Our four days in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area were physically challenging but the peace, solitude and beauty surrounding us for that short time allowed us to appreciate this pristine yet rugged wilderness. And, to make sure you're just as much in love coming out of the Boundary Waters as when you went in, make sure you've packed plenty of insect repellant! Jazz • Ballet • Tap • Lyrical Broadvypy • Hip Hop • Zumba_; tuvo kt Tiny,Tots• Birthday ea dies C • Non -Competitive Classes Ages 2-Adult • Classes September -June • Summer Sessions Available Accept Mid -Season Registrat "We provide a fun, energetic, non-competitive atmosphere. Our students learn confidence and a healthy lifestyle through the art of dance." 31/areas Dance Studio Downtown Savage 4801 West 124th Street 952-808-2936 www.shanasdance.com PL ATT CONTRACTING SERVICES SPECIALIING IN ENERGY EFFICIENT HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS. REPLACEMENTS, NEW CONSTRUCTION AND IN -FLOOR HEATING. WILL DESIGN ANY SYSTEM TO MEET YOUR BUDGET. •WANE 11 Ho,dTh StopA7}n P: 6 1 2-8 1 7-8486 F: 952-400-4976 AL PLATT AL(d)PLATTCONTRACTING. COM What you need to know before you g • Area Wilde is renowned as a destination for both canoei and fishing on its many lakes and is the m visited wilderness in the United States. The ,. good news for residents in the south-of-t river area, it's a short 260 mile drive to acces -; this gem vacation site, BWCAW includes more than 1 m llio of land, 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 12 h trails and more than 2,000 campsites. But it what is not included - motors, buildin+ groups larger than nine people - tha the Boundary Waters special The BWCAW averages about 250,000 visitors annually. Campers in the Boundary Waters are required to stay at designated sites with fire grates and open-air wilderness latrines. Permits are required and can be ordered in advan; through www.recreation.gov. The perm are allocated based on the entry point in the wilderness and can also be picked up on walk-up basis at one of the BWCA permit issuing stations. I you - planning well advance or attempting to pia a trip to an entry point in high demand, then you may want to enter the permit lottery by submitting an application between November 1 and January 15. Here are a few other nuggets of information you may need: • All watercraft ne + + . _ ben in the BWCA "s • Dogs are allow•'• kept on leash when portaging. • Glass bottles and cans are not allowed in the BWCA except for non-food items such as insect ,' repellent, medicines, and fu • Fires are only allowed in the st'" at designated campsites. • Fires should be put out with water b' .« leaving your camp or retiring for the • A latrine is available for each campsite. 16 Focus Magazine Madeline Island. Bayfield, WI Other summer getaways close to home if you are considering a family vacation this summer, but don't want the expense of airfare, there are close to home getaways for every budget. Whether you're looking for a state-of-the-art water park for your kids or a romantic spot to do some serious star gazing, we've got the perfect summer break ideas. Cascade Bay Waterpark, Eagan, MN Driving time: practically in your backyard You don't even have to pack your tooth brush for this trip. As temperatures rise this summer, enjoy the cool pools, lazy river and water slides at Cascade Bay Waterpark located in Eagan. This waterpark offers endless entertainment for all ages, including Shipwreck Cove and Sandpiper Beach, an interactive play area for children six years old and under. For the older and Madden's Resort on Gull Lake, Brainerd. MN more adventurous crowd, try the hurricane slides and roaring rapids. Land lovers can take advantage of the zero depth pool or the nine -hole mini golf course. For a refreshing and fun -filled time for the whole family, visit Cascade Bay Water Park. Brainerd, Minnesota Madden's Resort on Gull Laki Driving time: 2 hours 50 minutes Whether you're going to Maddens to enjoy the beautiful waters of Gull Lake or to play some of the finest golf in Minnesota, this resort offers a classic resort experience. It's a golfer's paradise, complete with 63 of the most finely manicured holes in Minnesota. With three stunning 18-hole courses along with a 9-hole executive course, golfers of all skill levels are sure to have an exhilarating and memorable experience. Madden's Resort offers much more than golf, however. From waters sports of every kind to tennis, biking, trapshooting or lawn -bowling, Maddens has activities for everyone. www.FocusTwinCities.com 17 Amana Colonies, Amana, IA Driving time: 4 hours 30 minutes The Amana Colonies are a major tourist attraction and have been listed as a National Historic Landmark since 1965. Until the mid-1930s, the Colonies lived a communal life, maintaining an almost completely self- sufficient local economy. Today, you'll find shops with Old -World handcrafted items, antiques, furniture, quilts, and boutiques. Eating is a culinary delight at The Ox Yoke Inn or The Ronneburg Restaurant, featuring traditional German meals as Madeline Island, Bayfield. WI well as American fare. With walking trails, museums, wineries, and golf to choose from, the only decision left to make will be where to stay. Choose from a bed and breakfast, RV park, hotel, or condominiums. For a unique family vacation, a trip to Iowa may be what you're looking for. Driving time: 5 hours 20 minutes Though Madeline Island is small in size, its charm and abundant natural beauty make it the perfect sport for the vacationer who wants to get away from it all. The area offers some of the best fishing and sailing to be found. To reach Madeline Island, you board one of the four steel -hulled car/passenger ferries. Not only is the ferry ride necessary to reach the island, it is a great scenic cruise on Lake Superior. The Madeline Island Museum provides a glimpse into the storied history of the island. Whether you camp under the stars, book a modern vacation home with glittering lake views, or plan a family reunion in a cozy cabin setting, Madeline Island is a tranquil and idyllic destination for a summer getaway. Sensational Summer HEARTBEAT STUDIOS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 3-Adult / Beg. -Professional Non -competition studio / Nurturing environment / Top professional instructors CLASSES: July 9 - Aug.16 •Jr. & Sr. Company Auditions •Jr.& Sr.Academy Auditions •Jazz • Modern • Hip Hop • Break Dance • Acting • Choir • Tap • Ballet / Pointe • Stretch & Flex • Leaps & Turns •Specialized class for Age 10+ with ASD Voted Best Dance Studio 2 years in a row! 7 us This summer: • Youth dancers, actors, choir will present an "In the Park" musical theater production. •Jr. & Sr dance, acting, choir companies prepare for our 15th Anniversary Gala and original musical theater production with renowned artists from Japan, Spain and NYC! BBB 1 RATING CAMPS: • Social Dance June 18-28 • Break Dance June 25-28 • Acting August 12-14 7661 West 145th Street, Apple Valley, MN 55124 1952.432-7833 IP www.heartbeat-studios.com 18 Focus Magazine Stonebridge communities Hearthstone 15734 Foliage Avenue Apple Valley, MN 55124 www.hearthstoneapts.com 952-891-4300 1 BR, 2BR, 2, 3, & 4BR THs from $999 The Pointe at River Crossing 1735 Graham Avenue St. Paul, MN 55116 www.rivercrossingapts.com/thepointe 651-699-8600 **Corporate Rentals Available** Smoke Free/Pet Free Homes starting from $1015 Waterford Commons 2930 146th Street West Rosemount, MN 55068 www.waterfordcommons.com 651-322-1117 1 BR, 2BR, & 3BR's from $1025 Graham Place 1745 Graham Avenue St. Paul, MN 55116 www.grahamplace.net 651-699-8600 Affordable 55+ Rentals starting at $918.00 Boulder Ridge 12685 Germane Avenue Apple Valley, MN 55124 www.boulderridgeay.com 952-891-3111 1 BR, 2BR, & 3BR's from $950 Lakeville Woods 18351 Kenyon Avenue Lakeville, MN 55044 www.lakevillewoods.com 952-892-5500 Studio, 1 BR. 2BR, and 3BR's from $900 **Corporate Rentals Available** River Crossing 1735 Graham Avenue St. Paul, MN 55116 www. rivercrossi ngapts.com 651-699-8600 **Corporate Rentals Available** 1 BR, 2BR, 3BR & 2-3BR THs from $1150 Nick DeVries, Agent State Farm Insurance Auto Life Home Health STATE FARM INSURANCE www.nickdevries.com 1016 Diffley Road, Suite 300 I Eagan, MN WILLIAM DIFFLEY William Diffley was born in Roscommon County, Ireland in 1823. He married Katherine Corcoran in Rhode Island in 1851. They migrated to Minnesota, had seven children, four of whom survived - Margaret, James, Thomas and Katherine. William was elected the first town treasurer in 1860 and served in that office until 1874. He was a town supervisor from 1872 - 1877. William's son Thomas, and his wife, Ann, had seven children. Many of William's children and grandchildren made their home on parts of the original Diffley homestead. Barber Thomas Diffley of 1 Eagan township, who announced the sale of his Highway 55 shop to Gregory Rounds effective Oc- tober 19, has prepared some re- collections for Tribune readers, which follow: "I started barbering in 1927 and learned my trade from Frank Gibson in Rosemount. I worked in the Twin Cities, and later ran a shop in south Minneapolis for seven years before World War II. I barbered at home during the war and knew I didn't have to go back to the cities to make a living. I started at the McKee location in 1955 and have been there since, ex- cept for some time in 1968 when I built a house. "I wanted to be a carpenter because when a carpenter makes a mistake, that's what he ex- pected. But I became a barber to get in our of the cold. The people were very forgiving about my mistakes in barbering. I cut everyone I shaved and then told them, "There's a strict law against letting blood on a fool, and now I'm in for it." They were so concerned with the in- sult they forget the injury. "People have been very kind to me and it always warmed my heart to hear them refer to me as "my barber" instead of "the barber." "Each barber I worked with could do something better than I could, but each one said I could handle a small child better than anyone they had worked pith. ".E7IREMENT BEGINS - - Thomas Diffley Reflects On 44 Years Of Barbering THOMAS DIFFLEY I'm rough but I never forget that a child is a child. I hope that my haircuts have created ro- mances and prevented marital rifts, and after all my talk, that people who came to my shop for a haircut wenthome instruct- ed. "Barbering is off 60 percent, and if 50 percent of the barbers hadn't quit, the rest wouldn't be making a living. If the economy doubled it wouldn't help the bar- ber, but if unemployment doubled, they'd get a neat haircut to se- cure a job. When the employer become the boss again he'll in- sist on it. "A Mrs. Weinblatt whose hair I used to bob, told me her daugh- November 4,1971 ter was getting married. "He isn't much," she said. "Of course, this is only her first marriage." "This is just the first time I've retired and when friends ask if I'll ever barber again I think of an old friend I met who was tipsy. I said, "Good land, are you still drinking?" and he said, "There's no use learning a trade and then not working at it." I believe we're seldom through with anything we once start. "Years ago a character around Rosemount named "Fiddler Tom" was in the barbershop one night in poor shape. When his turn came he staggered into my chair and he said, "Do you shave drunks here?" "Sure," I said. "Never forget," he said, "That one of us is just as dear to the Creator as the next." And I've tried to remember. "As you grow old, you cometo conclusions and the best way to judge a person is the way they accept humiliation. A man or a tree is measured best when it's cut down. "After 44 years, I still don't know why a man who is going to get his hair cut will loosen his collar if it's buttoned, or button it if it's loose. "I thank everyone who has helped me make a living for my family." TEr DIFFLFY'S OF EAGAN William Diffley and Katherine Corcoran were both born in Ireland. William was born in Roscommon County, in 1F23. Katherine was born in 1R22. They were married in February 1F51 at Providence, Rhode Island. Their daughter Margaret was born in 1R52, son James 1853 and Patrick in 1F55, he lived to be nine years old. They came, to Minnesota in 1F55, where William pre-empted a claim in section 24 and 25 in 1855. This homestead has been in the Diffley family continuously for the last one hundred and twenty five years. William and Katherine had twin boys in 1F56, but both died in infancy. Thomas Diffley, James T. Diffley's father was born in 1857. James Diffley, Janes T. Diffley's uncle was the last in the, family to arrive. He married Julia Quigley. William D. was elected the first Eagan town treasurer in 1860, along with Patrick Eagan as chairman. The meeting was held on the Michael Comer farm bordering the Diffley property to the north and east of the eighty acre homstead. William died in 1900 and Katherine in 1909. Both are buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Their son Thomas married Ann O'Halloran, whe was a school teacher in the Rosemount school district in the lat. 1800's. Their daughter -- Mary began nursing at St. Joseph Hospital in 1922. She joined the army at the start of World War 11, spent four years overseas during the war and was with General Patton's army from the very beginning in Africa. When she returned to the states she continued as an army nurse and retired au a Lieutenant Colonel. William was a farmer, worked for athe state highway depart- ment for about tea years. Began as a sheet metal worker in 1944 and continued is that trade for about 25 years until his retire- ment. He built a home on part of the old homestead aad resides there with his one daughter Patricia. was from St. Paul, is now deceased. James T married Tlizabeth Nicholson from Burnsville. They have four daughters. Rosemary (Diffley( Stearns lives on the homestead, she's the fourth generation to live here. Other daugh- ters are Kathleen. Jeannie aad Margaret. In 1954 Jim built a new home on the old homestead and still lives there. He worked as a heavy trailer mechanic and became a real estate broker in 1965. His wife Betty has been with him in the sale of homes and other property ever since. Thomas married Corinne Belair from Minneapolis and had five children. John, Thomas, Martin, Theresa and:Ellen. After highschool Tom became a barber, but also worked at different trades. He built six or eight homes on the old home- stead, including a four plex in which he used on section for a barber shop for several years. His last shop was ii the McKee Addition . He died suddenly in 1972 and is survived by his wife Corinne. Williams wife Ann Wiecher THE' BLIZZARD OF 1PS16 OAP day in the winter of 1F56. William Fiffley had business to attend too in the city. Whoa he had finish- ed with his business affairs and was about to return home, A violent blizzard swept thru the, whole area, which made it impossible for him to immediately return home. During this violent blizzard a couple in a sleigh pulled by oxen were making their way to the nearest town. While the couple were huddle in their sleigh under buffalo robes, the oxen were making their way thru the storm. High winds, cold temperatures and heavy snow made it impossible to see the trail, but the oxen trugged on. When the oxen came to the Diffley cabin by the side of the trail,they stepped as if to tell the passengers to get out. Realizing that the oxen were no longer in motion, the stran- ger looked around a saw a small light flickering in a window. Getting out of the sleigh and knocking at the door, He asked Mrs. Diffley if he and his wife could stay in the cabin for the night. She was happly to oblige. The stranger then went outside to care for his oxen for the night and going back into the cabin they were given a hot meal. Talking for some time afterwards, Mrs. Diffley complained of not feeling to well and within a few hours she delivered twin boys. One died immediately and the other died the next day. Ref: James Diffley Francis J. Dembroski In 1n64. Patrick Diffley now nine years old., was playing is a pond ea the neighbors property and with the neighbors son. Beneath the water in the pond was an open well that was filled and covered over with water. The yell had been previously used for the farms water supply. While the boys wrre playing in the pond the neighbors wife heard a commontion from that area and realized that something was wrong. She immediately summoned William Diffley to the pond. Getting there h• sawlhe'son thresh— ing in the water and about is drowned. Pulling him from the pond to shore where his his almost hysterical mother was waiting. William did not realize that his son. too, had bee* struggling to get to shore. Going back to the pond he discovdred that his son Patrick had drowned and was still in the well. Ref: Janes Diffley Francis j. Dembroski Thomas Diffley born in 1fK57, and Sons, Thomas, James and William. Agnes joined the Sisters of the Visitation in St -Paul in 1930. She is now known as Sister Mary Angola Diffley, at their school and convent in Mendota Heights. Margaret worked as a secretary for several years. She married Aubrey Conrad from Minneapolis, they operated a grocery store. Later selling it and then formed the real estate firm of Conrad & Conrad. She was associated with it until her death. Julia, the last of the family to core and the first to go was born in 1916 and died in 1924. Thomas Diffley Sr. and Ann (O'Halloran) Diffley are both buried in St. Joseph Cemetary in Rosemount. By James Diffley • • • PAGE 5A IN EAGAN - Wildwood Lane becomes Diffley Rd. By NANCY ADAMS Staff Writer EAGAN -- Wildwood Lane, also known as County Road 30, now has a new name -- Diffley Road. The name was changed by the Eagan City Council after they heard comments by area resi- dents. Sannee Klein, 4070 Dodd Rd., representing the residents, told the council that residents think Wildwood is "cute, or sweet, but it doesn't represent the size or the nature of the road." A petition signed by 102 residents living along Co. Rd. 30 asked the council to consider changing the name to Diffley, honoring the Diffley family, 1854 t. set rs at Co. Rd. 30 and Dodd' Rd: Ted Wachter, councilmember, recalled that in the past "the - name Wildwood has appeared to_ be a laughing point." Thomas - Egan, another member of the council, agreed, saying, "I can't bring myself to call it Wildwood. It's apparent that when the city got around to naming Co. Rd. 30, they ran out of steam." Wachter made the motion to make the name change and it was passed unanimously, with the stipulation that the city will not face significant costs in changing' signs on Cedar in conjunction with the road. CJmco vs -TA 43 U N6. �— Ig— V • • • Diffley family may have road named after them by Betty McMahon County Road 30, also known as Wildwood Lane, may soon be called Diffley Road. If the City Council's recommendation to make the name change stands, Diffley Road will be a monument to a family whose Eagan roots are older than the city itself. The story of the Diffley family in the United States begins in 1848, when 25-year-old William Diffley, his three brothers and a sister, left behind a potato famine in County Roscommon, Ireland, and boarded a ship bound for a better life in the United States. The search eventually led William to Eagan in 1855. James Diffley, William's grandson and present owner of some of the land occupied by William 126 years ago, told how his ancestor came to settle in Eagan. After arriving in New York, Diffley said, William went to Boston where he worked in a shoe factory. Rosemary Sterns, James' daughter, said, "The story goes that he was also a coachman for a family where Catherine Corcoran was a maid. The family wasn't Roman Catholic, so William took Catherine to church." Not long afterward, William and Catherine married. Catherine's cousin had homesteaded some land many miles west in the Min- nesota territory frontier and William and Catherine decided it would suit them better than Boston, so they travelled there in 1855. They made a deal with the Corcoran's for 40 acres of land near what is now County Road 30 and Dodd Road and built a log cabin, about the size of today's single garage. The next year Michael and Rose Corcoran deed- ed that 40 acres to the Diffley's. On April 2, 1857, then President James Buchanan signed a preemption certificate deeding 80 acres of homesteaded land to William and Catherine Diffley. This framed cer- tificate, written in the ornamental, flowing script of a century ago, the ink now fading, hangs on Rosemary Stern's family room wall. William grew potatoes and wheat on that land according to James Diffley and eventually expanded his holdings to about 220 acres by 1900. William was an active citizen in early Eagan history. When the fledgling city founders met in Michael Comer's house across the road from Diffley's on April 3, 1860 to make plans to organize, they elected William Diffley treasurer of the group. A year later, in 1861, Eagan detached from the town of Mendota and established its own township. DIFFLEY: to p. 10A -7-6I • "° c v ate, a .,6 as C ti O ms .9 a' a) o E '« .1... V o-0U as a)- c 7ic,O..,as o1.4 -°U 3� `a .fl � toO V E C0 bA.tMO 6 ° coEc°- vs co p n. Z. a >,...'u N Z ° wx G O le. Z as O .� cO vbUocS.) y Vl N y Z 73 0 y- -. 3 0 — CI. ti ., The of Dodd Road second iImany times the corner eled and now r owned by Barbara and Bob Nelsen, stands near and County Road 30. Diffleyfamily still lives on original land DIFFLEY: from p.1 Klein told the council that she and her William's son, Thomas, farmed on neighbors believed that "Wildwood the original Diffley homestead, turning Lane" as a name was too cute and sweet it into a dairy farm about 1920. And and didn't properly reflect the size of James, Thomas' son, continued the theroad. Council members agreed and family tradition by operating the dairy farm until 1950. voted to change the name to Diffley The house that William built was torn Road with doesn't cost onetoo stipulation —that it down many years ago anda new house to cost thousands of times going built on the site. That house, many "If it's°� Coun- times remodeled, stands near the corner dollars, that's another story, of Dodd Road and County Road 30. cilmember Ted Wachter said. James was born there in 1905 and lived there with his own family for 23 years. Bob and Barbara Nelsen have lived in the house for the last 23 years. About 100 acres of the original land is still owned by Diffleys. As James said of his daughter, "Rosemary [Sterns] is probably the only one in _Eagan who lives on property that has never been owned by anyone but the original fami- ly" Because of this unique tradition, several residents believed that County �.1�\ - Road 30, now known as Wildwood Lane, 4/°,4ds7_7„11 should more appropriately be called 4-lg• Portraits of William and Catherine, first Diffley settlers, hang on great- granddaughter Rosemary Sterns' family room wall. Betty and Jim Diffley O. y 01. U m n K e c n f+ 2 O r O O in r. Ey .• p m 5 turn at7?-E,;�*e" 0;5taa 0 ttCD .�.0 M am °.,�x • a o m w 0 N a �(p•U•�., 0 tr' at: m CD m 2OD o �y o' Uq 0-' E✓cn d�18 co0 co 00n m'.. oc' wm 6'' CD7' r. m C 0 � (D �C F. '"-I:.� w m• (D DO 0' C �, ort ff. �0'0 5'`° I • ooc°gDw E. 5t 0 w m S .. n r. t' O f• D C . 3 0 y- ,v, P E CD CD CD g sa3i}oN Ie6a1 co act aso im n.0i7 ao• "�"y0.,4 5 o a m o CD 0.� • 0, •a:� w m Kc��M,.y••Uvp• C• sv 1 1 i 5 P-'C' m mopq m 0 am P'm m 0-E 0 m ;•,m' o �o o m m D 5 D., 5. . , 0 C10ce � � .*CD;e 0 C7m 5..m Cp� o O' co 0 m N m Qq. �* co a)co 0, w..� o O g aq to q' 0• �c 4. m m �* ors g? o0 0 a 'm E? www.mnSt A different style of farmin Eureka Township man operates 100-acre organic farm By Tim Bartlett Sun Newspapers Martin Diffley has been farming for about 30 years, much like his neighbors in Eureka Township. The difference is Diffley, 51, has been a certified organic farmer since 1975. While the majority of farms in Eureka Township, Farmington and Lakeville produce the same crops each year, Diffley operates his farm in cycles, growing dif- ferent fruits and vegetables in different years. Diffley produces about 15 different crops, including sweet corn, potatoes, tomatoes, squash, peppers, cucumbers, watermelon and cantaloupe. He said the quality and quantity of his crops are equal or exceed those crops grown through conventional means. Rather than sell his produce to large grocery retailers, Diffley distributes most of his crops to co-op stores, the nearest being Valley Natural Foods in Burnsville. Diffley markets his products, as op- posed to selling them. The difference is he seeks out clients and discusses what products they want before he starts planting. Selling of products is regulated in the government -controlled conventional fanning market, he said. Conventional farming is something Diffley's family has never participated in since moving to an Eagan farm in the 1850s. By farming organically, Diffley can produce a variety of crops and main- tain a farm with healthy soil. "There's no diversity in American con- ventional agriculture. There's no biologi- cal diversity," Diffley said. "Either you grow soybeans or you can grow corn." Farmers were more diverse in the early part of the 20th century, Diffley said. Information was passed down from generations and the use of chemicals wasn't as frequent. "Anybody who was on a farm before 1973 had an awareness of biological di- versity. They had chickens, pigs, cows and they grew crops for those animals," Dif- fley said. "The rotated their crops. They had hay and they incorporated animal manure. They didn't have the pest lems and they didn't have the wee( lems." Diffley and his wife, Atina, hav, in Eureka Township since 1993. have a son Maize, 15, and a dat: Eliza, 18. They work the 100-acre six days a week for eight months usually enlisting the help of an int apprentice. One difference between Diffley ganic farming methods and a co tional farmer is that Diffley grov own nitrogen for the soil. Most co tional farmers purchase it and it's leum-based. However, Diffley plants nitroge ing plants, or legumes. The sun grov plants, which gives nitrogen to th. The process provides the soil with ents. "You're actually employing the Diffley said. With nutrient -heavy soil now in Diffley begins a five-year rotati crops. The first to be planted are the requiring high nutrients, including toes and sweet corn. The next year le might be planted. "The philosophy in an organic fa a long-term focus on soil fertility," D said. "We've got a real respect fo health." In conventional farming, farmer phasize a short-term focus on yiel, acre. It's about how much you can duce in a year and hope the govern subsidizes your pay, Diffley said. Organic products are the fastest ing segment in the food industry, D said. Large corporations are buyin ganic farms. Gardening has become a pop hobby for people. The kitchen in the fley home is stocked full of organic 1 as well. For some crops, he uses a drip it tion system•to supply water.. f : The system was used in Israel, Di said, because there's no surplus of s( in the desert. Rather than water plants with overhead sprinklers, he 3 a hose under the ground by the root: It's less stressful for the plants they don't dry as quickly, he said. Growing the hairy vetch, which is FARMING: To Page Aitvrrn