One of sustainable agriculture's shining stars was dimmed on Oct. 8 when
June Mary Redig died in an automobile accident near Kenyon, Minn. Killed
along with June, 30, was her son, Andrew, 7, and her friend, Michael
Ziehr, 36.
June had been a program organizer in the Land Stewardship Project's
Faribault, Minn., office since 1992. She was also a coordinator for the
Cannon River office of the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota.
The product of a Winona, Minn., dairy farm, June had started with LSP as an
intern in its Southeast Minnesota office. She received a degree in
communications from Winona State University and farmed her family's
land for six years before joining LSP.
June was a key player in creating bridges between LSP and members of the
SFA, as well as between rural and urban residents. She held endless
meetings in her home where farmers could share their joys and
frustrations. These sessions would often run late into the night, but
June was still overflowing with enough energy to care for her three
sons, Jerry, Andy and Jesse.
Most recently, June had been instrumental in organizing a group called
Women in Sustainable Agriculture. WISA attracted national attention and
is seen as a model for other similar organizations.
June was an advocate of Holistic Resource Management and was involved in
expanding HRM training in the region. She truly understood that HRM is
more than just another tool for tilling the land and integrated its
principals into every aspect of her life.
June brought a breathtaking passion to everything she did, from
organizing field days to banging away on her beloved computer to sharing
a moment with a friend. She has left an incredible legacy to rural
America and we here in Minnesota feel privileged to have known her --
even if it was for such a cruelly short time. We will miss you June.
The glow of your light will stay with us always.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. on Friday, October 14 at the Wilson Catholic
Church in Winona. Visitation will be Thursday from 6pm to 9pm at the
Martin-Myre Funeral Home in Winona. Condolences can be sent to the Redig
family at: Rt 1, Box 198, Winona MN 55987. For information about
memorials, contact Anne Klawiter, 7110 Farmer Trail, Northfield MN 55057
(507) 645-9036.