Fertile, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fertile
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Commercial Businesses on Mill Street
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| Nickname(s):
"The Flower City"
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Location of Fertile, Minnesota
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| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Polk |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.08 sq mi (5.38 km2) |
| • Land | 2.08 sq mi (5.38 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,135 ft (346 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 804 |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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788 |
| • Density | 387.28/sq mi (149.53/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
56540
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| Area code(s) | 218 |
| FIPS code | 27-20978 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394761 |
Fertile is a city located in Polk County, Minnesota, in the United States. It is part of the larger Grand Forks area, which includes parts of North Dakota and Minnesota. In 2020, about 804 people lived in Fertile.
One of the biggest events in Fertile is the annual Polk County Fair. This fair has been happening since 1900. It's a popular summer attraction where people can see competitions for crops, animals, and handmade items.
Contents
History of Fertile
The city of Fertile got its name from Fertile, Iowa. Some of the first people who settled here came from that town. A post office has been open in Fertile since 1881.
Geography and Climate of Fertile
Fertile covers an area of about 2.13 square miles (5.38 square kilometers), and all of it is land. The land to the east, south, and southwest of the city is hilly. However, the areas to the north and west are very flat. These flat areas are excellent for farming.
Unique Sand Hills and Ancient Lake Agassiz
Fertile is home to the Fertile Sand Hills. These are special sand dunes that were formed a long time ago. They were left behind by an ancient lake called Lake Agassiz. This huge lake mostly existed in what is now Canada. The Fertile Sand Hills are the only sand dune field like this in Minnesota.
Some parts of these Sand Hills are protected. They are part of the Agassiz Dunes Scientific and Natural Area. They are also found in the Fertile Sand Hills Wilderness Sanctuary and West Mill Recreation Area. These areas help protect rare plants and insects that live there.
Transportation and Weather in Fertile
Two main roads, Minnesota State Highways 32 and 102, pass through Fertile. The Agassiz Recreational Trail also goes through the city. This trail is 53 miles long and is used for many activities. It was built on an old railroad track.
Fertile has a typical humid continental climate. This means it has long, cold winters and warm, humid summers. The city usually gets about 24 inches (610 mm) of rain each year. It also gets around 45 inches (1,143 mm) of snow. The coldest temperature ever recorded was -46°F (-43°C). The hottest was 105°F (41°C). Because Fertile is close to the center of North America, it experiences many different types of weather.
Economy and Local Activities
The soil right around Fertile is sandy, which means it dries out easily. This makes it not the best for farming in that specific spot. However, the areas east and west of town are great for growing many crops. Farmers there grow corn, soybeans, wheat, sunflowers, oats, barley, and sugar beets. They also grow berries, hay, potatoes, and other vegetables.
Farming and Livestock
In the past, raising livestock was a big part of Fertile's agriculture. Today, most of the livestock farming is for beef cattle. There are also a few dairy farms.
Hunting and Fishing Opportunities
Hunting and fishing are also very important to Fertile's economy. The area is excellent for hunting deer, waterfowl, small game, and pheasants. There are also many lakes nearby for different types of fishing.
Polk County Fair: A Community Tradition
Fertile has hosted the yearly Polk County Fair for over 110 years. This event is known for being family-friendly. It offers free admission, many food stands, and fun rides. There is also a free stage and grandstand for entertainment. The fairgrounds are located east of Highway 32, making it easy for many visitors to attend each year.
Education in Fertile
Fertile-Beltrami Public School is located in Fertile. It is found at the corner of Mill Street and Jefferson Avenue. This school serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Students from Fertile and the nearby community of Beltrami attend this school. Beltrami is about 12 miles west of Fertile. The school's sports teams are called the Fertile Falcons. They have teams for softball, baseball, basketball, volleyball, football, and golf.
Advance Com: Student-Run Web Services
Advance Com is a special program at the school. It is a student-based web hosting service. Students in their third year of computer studies manage this program. They create and design web pages for the community. They also manage websites for the school and other businesses that pay them to keep their sites updated. Sometimes, the students also take on video editing projects.
Knowledge Bowl: Academic Competition
Knowledge Bowl is a competition where students answer questions. It is popular in Minnesota schools. The first part of the competition is a written test taken by five team members. This test helps decide their ranking. After the written test, there are usually four oral rounds. In these rounds, four team members answer questions out loud. In 2011, the Fertile-Beltrami Knowledge Bowl team made it to the state competition for the first time.
Images for kids
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Businesses in Fertile
See also
In Spanish: Fertile (Minnesota) para niños
