A contract for services between the Minnesota Land Trust and Fillmore County Soil & Water Conservation District was unanimously approved at the February 18 board meeting. The contract was for $5,000. “It’s in our favor to implement educational outreach programs for the land trust. It’s something we’ve done in the past,” noted District Administrator Laura Christiansen. … [Read more...]
Kirsten Zoellner
Reporter
kirsten@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Kirsten has been a reporter for Fillmore County Journal since 2008. No awards to date, but her mother finds her articles riveting. She enjoys shining a light on the great people and events in the county and has aspirations to someday write a novel about them. A native of Rushford, she is a member of Root River Community Church, co-founder of Odyssey Homeschool Association, and was the founder for the Rushford-Peterson Valley Farmers' Market.
When not writing, Kirsten happily spends her time raising a family alongside Joel, her husband of 18 years. She homeschools their six children (Evin, Lauren, Logan, Ada, Kathleen, and Emelia) and does her best to ensure domestic bliss. Kirsten is an advocate for conservation and homesteading and operates Liten Dal Farm, where the family raises dairy goats, pastured poultry and hogs, alpacas, a few steers, and horses. Hobbies other than juggling include the outdoors, reading, vegetable gardening, cheesemaking, fermenting various things in Ball jars, and making everything from scratch despite the fact that it probably costs more.
Kirsten and her family proudly reside in rural Fountain on her great-great-grandfather's farm.
You can follow more about Kirsten on the family's Facebook page, Liten Dal Farm, or their blog: ourprairienest.wordpress.com.
R-P returns to in-person instruction
After nearly a year of following distance and hybrid learning methods, due to the pandemic, Rushford-Petersonn will happily welcome all students, pre-kindergarten through grade 12, back in person beginning March 16. “One of the aspects of the pandemic, probably the most important dialogue, was to recently discuss when we want to return students,” began Superintendent Jon … [Read more...]
Rushford Village buys additional equipment
A quick Rushford Village Council meeting February 16 saw just three items of discussion, in addition to Planning & Zoning. During the Roads, Water, and Sewer portion of the agenda, it was suggested by Equipment Committee member Mike Ebner that the city consider another purchase for Public Works/Maintenance. Last month, the council approved the purchase of a new, large … [Read more...]
Peterson considers community garden; seeking sign ideas
The February 10 Peterson Council meeting covered an array of topics and it seemed like many wishfully leaned towards warmer weather. First up, during citizen comments, Joseph Kochen and Nancy Olson asked the council whether or not there was any interest in the possibility of a community garden on city property. The two who are newer to town, according to Clerk Chris Grindland, … [Read more...]
Rushford Council approves funding support of new community news program
At the February 8 Rushford council meeting, details were discussed of a new community news program put together by Kristin Burdey and her teenage daughter, Annika Bakkum-Ekern, and sponsored by the city of Rushford. The program goal is to keep the community informed, while promoting events in the area. It highlights information and news pertaining to city government, local … [Read more...]
Historical Society seeking to be visitor’s center for Fountain
The February 3 Fountain Council meeting included approval of an ordinance enacting a code of ordinances for the city. The Minnesota Livability Code is based upon the Minnesota Basic Code, a model of ordinances in areas typically encountered by small cities including zoning and utilities. The Livability Code is targeted towards even smaller cities, with populations below 500. … [Read more...]
Village digs into Public Works needs
The February 2 Rushford Village Council meeting was largely discussion over Public Works topics, including welcoming new employees, equipment purchases, and projects being tackled. New part-time Public Works/Maintenance Supervisor Trenton Chiglo and part-time department worker Preston Lacy were on hand at the meeting. The two men have just over a week of work under their … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson approves incentive, moves to make policy
For the last eight years, the Rushford-Peterson School Board has approved early retirement for teachers who met the criteria. To date, the incentive has been reviewed and approved annually or bi-annually rather than made into a district policy, despite ongoing discussion for the latter. At the January 25 board meeting, the board approved the incentive for two years, as well as … [Read more...]
Rushford pushing through obstacles
$67.3 million. That’s the amount that the Minnesota Department of Revenue sent to 3,891 Minnesota businesses through it’s initial round of COVID-19 Business Relief Payments. Part of bi-partisan legislation, the program provides direct financial relief to qualified restaurants, gyms, bars, and bowling centers who saw impact to revenue due to the pandemic. This was just one item … [Read more...]
Rushford Village extends clerk’s hours; approves Public Works employees
Last year proved to be a difficult year for municipalities, dealing with ongoing duties as well as a number of additional tasks and paperwork brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. While Rushford Village Clerk Mary Miner admitted to the extra workload at the January 19 council meeting, she also noted it needed to be done and that she was willing to. For Miner, whose position is … [Read more...]
Peterson council brings new councilors on board
The January 13 Peterson City Council meeting began with the taking of oaths from returning Mayor Tim Hallum and new Councilors Tracy Seelbinder and Chris Stenzel. In addition to the council, Clerk Chris Grindland, and Public Works Director Rick Lee, six citizens also attended the meeting. Resident Pete Erickson addressed the council regarding the recent sale of the side lot … [Read more...]
Rushford approves police department purchases
The first meeting of the year, January 11, brought both annual housekeeping and several updates. Up first, the council received a review from Rushford Police Department Chief Adam Eide regarding the proposed purchase of a new vehicle and equipment. The purchases were planned and budgeted for five years prior. Plans include trading the current 2015 Chevy Tahoe for a 2021 … [Read more...]
Fountain brings in new council
New Councilor Colleen Foehrenbacher, returning Councilors David Gudmundson and Terry Hanson, and Mayor Jim Schott were all sworn in at the January 6 meeting. Annual designations will remain the same with First State Bank as official depository, Frederick Suhler as attorney, and Fillmore County Journal as official newspaper. Mayor Jim Schott will move off his position with the … [Read more...]
Rushford receives update on flood insurance properties
The City of Rushford has received an update on an ongoing flood insurance study for certain properties located on Nannestad Lane and Green Street. Several properties were identified following the new Department of Natural Resources (DNR) flood mapping last year. Initially, it appeared several would be required to secure federal flood insurance for their properties, but that … [Read more...]
Village remains without Public Works candidate as storms on the horizon
While it’s been a fair fall and the snow has been minimal, this is Minnesota and the snow will come. The City of Rushford Village is still scrambling to find someone to fill immediate needs in their Public Works Department before the streets need plowing. Previous Public Works Supervisor Travis Scheck is still working on a contracted basis with the city to maintain all water … [Read more...]