The Rushford Village Hall is closed until January 1, 2021, at which point use of the facility will be reviewed. That was the decision made at the May 5 Village Council meeting following Governor Walz’s extension of COVID-19 preventions. The decision wasn’t made lightly, but to err on the side of caution, as noted by several on the council. Rentals of the space for May were … [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.
Fountain ushers in new city clerk
The Wednesday, May 6 Fountain Council meeting was anything but normal with the council gathering in the spacious community center after original plans to have the council meet via telephone were changed. With the world at a relative standstill though, discussion during the six-minute meeting was limited. “If he [Governor Walz] doesn’t lift the stay at home we will be doing … [Read more...]
Rushford approves relief through flood loan pause
As the COVID-19 struggle continues, the City of Rushford is looking at opportunities to assist local businesses. At the April 27 council meeting, temporary modifications to the city’s Economic Development Authority Flood Recovery Loan Repayment Policy were discussed. Several businesses are receiving some category of flood loan assistance with roughly 20 loans remaining. A … [Read more...]
Rushford Village projects, road tour on hold
With restrictions in place due to Governor Walz’s Shelter in Place order and several businesses deemed non-essential and closed temporarily, the City of Rushford Village is seeing a number of plans on hold until likely early June or later. At the Tuesday, April 21 council meeting the board was apprised that the One Energy Renewables solar array project is on hold until this … [Read more...]
R-P distance learning getting high marks
The Monday, April 20 Rushford-Peterson School Board, like most board meetings now, was held virtually via Zoom. All board directors were in attendance, as well as Superintendent Jon Thompson and Administrative Assistant Laura Hahn. The meeting kicked off with a brief discussion regarding procedures for the new online format. It was noted that all meetings will be recorded and … [Read more...]
Kappers’ Big Red Barn expands home milk deliveries
The Kappers family has always churned out creative ideas for their dairy. “Bob always had a plan. He’s an outside of the box thinker,” said Jeanette Kappers proudly in a 2017 Journal feature. Nestled into the community of Chatfield, the micro-dairy operates with the complete on-site production, processing, and packaging of their milk, as well as value-added products. In … [Read more...]
Peterson closes off several city sites until June 1
In lieu of Governor Tim Walz’s Shelter in Place extension to May 4, the City of Peterson made arrangements for annual city events, as well as the use of city sites at the April 8 meeting. While City Hall remains open, the April 8 council meeting was notably different. City Clerk Chris Grindland and Mayor Tim Hallum were present at city hall, while Councilor Loren Rue joined … [Read more...]
R-P preps for COVID-19 changes
This time of year, school boards are normally headlong into spring events and moving towards policies and plans for the next school year. With Governor Tim Walz’s order to close all schools beginning this past Wednesday, the major focus now is response to ongoing changes and preparedness. Per the governor, schools are to remain closed until March 27. Until then, all education … [Read more...]
Rushford Village fills vacant council seat
It’s been a year of shifting council seats for the City of Rushford Village. Last summer, Councilor Rich Smith resigned due to a move out of the Village. In September, Roger Knutson was appointed to take his spot. Then, in November, Councilor Chad Rasmussen resigned. At the time, Mayor Gordon Johnson suggested the city bypass a public request for interested persons and look at … [Read more...]
Rushford hashes out design for highway project
While the actual construction is still two years out, the City of Rushford is working diligently to determine the scope of the Highway 30 project. The clock is ticking on the Minnesota Department of Transportation-led (MnDOT) project and design elements to determine geometric layout must be decided now. Engineer Derek Olinger, of Bolton & Menk, presented numerous options … [Read more...]
Fountain wastewater plant runs into pH problems
Discouraging news for the City of Fountain, as low pH numbers continue to show up during wastewater treatment plant testing. Having worked for several years to establish and implement a plan to bring its plant back into compliance with the state, the news is discouraging. Public Works, working with Mike Morris, of MMS Environmental, has been able to maintain compliance, but its … [Read more...]
Rushford reviews report, airport hangar sale
A number of positive details were shared with the Rushford City Council via an annual water report at the February 24 meeting. City Clerk Kathy Zacher noted the city continues to tighten up unaccounted water usage, meeting the Department of Natural Resources goal of 10% or less. In 2018 and 2019, the city had 9.1% and 9.5% of all water unaccounted. Water that is not metered … [Read more...]
Rushford Village reaches solar array agreement
After several months of debate, the City of Rushford Village has reached an agreement with OneEnergy Renewables, in partnership with MiEnergy, for a $3.3 million, one-megawatt solar array. Permitting was approved January 27, but the council halted a decision on a request for a 26-year land lease from the Village. Of particular concern to the council were the length of the land … [Read more...]
Morem Electric celebrates major milestone
“Honest day’s work for an honest day’s dollar.” Harmony businessman Arnold Morem was known to say this. The principle remains a fundamental part of the business Morem began back in 1945. When the Rural Electrification Act came through in 1936, it paved the way for electricity to reach the rural areas of the country. Arnold found himself installing electrical service to farms … [Read more...]
Oral health plays a big role in overall health
When you think of staying healthy, chances are proper nutrition, regular exercise, and annual checkups with our physician spring to mind. But what of your dental health? It’s more important than you think and the medical establishment is now pushing the importance of oral systemic health more than ever. “Oral systemic health is the connection between oral health and overall … [Read more...]