Ag. idea of the month award Justin Kelzer, Randall was awarded an agricultural based “Idea of the Month” certificate for developing a type of vertical lift work table. He is a former Central Lakes College student at the Staples and Brainerd campuses. Above, left to right: Mark Unruh, Manager OK Tire Stores, Lincoln; Troy Martinson, OK Tire & Bait store owner; Justin Kelzer, April winner and Jeff Paur, Firestone Brand District Sales Manager. Central Lakes College alumni Justin Kelzer was selected as the recipient of the $2,500 certificate for having the Idea of the Month in ”Successful Farming” magazine’s monthly feature.

Firestone Farm Tire representatives awarded Kelzer with a $2,500 certificate at OK Tire & Bait located in Randall.

The national All Around the Farm program showcases farmer ideas and inventive solutions. Ideas are submitted by farmers, and the winners are selected by the ”Successful Farming®” editorial team. Through a partnership with Firestone Ag Tires and Successful Farming magazine, one entrant each is awarded for submitting the “Idea of the Month” and receives a $2,500 certificate from Firestone.

The winning innovative idea is a work table that raises and lowers

with a hydraulic cylinder.

According to the judges, “Justin put a lot of thought

into options and abilities before he started to build.”

“I wanted a vertical lift, and I wanted to be able to lock it in place,” he said.

Kelzer studied welding and metal fabrication at Central Lakes College Brainerd Campus and manual machining at CLC Staples Campus.

“The instructor there was good enough to let me use the school’s shot and wire-feed welder for the table,” Kelzer points out.

On his wish list, “My own shop.” Justin’s parents, John and Marcie Kelzer, own Nature Haven Farm near Randall.

Founded in 1902, Successful Farming magazine was the first magazine published by Meredith Corporation and has a circulation of 420,000 and 798,000 readers. Successful Farming is one of the most successful and recognizable brands in the industry.

Bridgestone America’s Tire Operations, Agricultural Division (BAAG) for Firestone brand agricultural tires is the industry leader in the manufacturing, marketing and sale of agricultural tires. The Firestone brand agricultural tires are manufactured in Des Moines, Iowa. The facility is located in the heart of America’s farm belt and supplies half of the North American original equipment market and about 40 percent of the replacement market with agricultural tires.