As they work to assist farmers in taking their land to the next level, Jason and Mary Schwarz, owners of JMS Agronomics took a big leap forward with their business in the fall of 2018. The company, which specializes in assisting farms in reaching their greatest potential and productivity, offers precision agronomy services, some chemical services, and sells a full line of … [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.
Peterson tries to get handle on water issues
With the rapid onset of the winter thaw, the City of Peterson is getting a keen view of its existing storm water issues, particularly on River Street. The area has been identified for some time, along with Prospect Street, as the next likely target of street and utility improvements. At the Wednesday, March 13 council meeting, Mayor Tim Hallum brought the council up to speed on … [Read more...]
What to do with all that snow? Fountain tackles issue
Like many area cities, Fountain has recently found their streets dwarfed by mountains of snow. This has led to a surge in workload for Public Works and complaints by residents of unclear sidewalks. At the March 6 meeting, the council debated where to go with the snow and how best to remedy the situation. Councilor Dave Gudmundson noted he’d been receiving calls. “Do we go … [Read more...]
Rushford approves new library director, preps for project assessments
The Rushford City Council has voted to approve a recommendation from the Rushford Public Library board to hire Beth Nelson to fill the shoes of current Library Director Susan Hart, who gave notice of her retirement late last year. She has served in the position for 20 years. Nelson is a local resident currently who had worked as a library aide for Rushford-Peterson School … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson Middle facility woes; board approves new bid on old building
The R-P School Board voted 6:1 to approve the sale of the former R-P Middle School facility, located in Peterson, at the February 25 meeting. The board appeared somewhat reluctant to approve the winning bid and did put contingencies on the purchase agreement. The Maplewood Group, represented by Roger Anderson, was the winning bidder. Last August, the board approved sale of the … [Read more...]
Peterson partners with WHKS & Co. for engineering
At the Wednesday, February 13 Peterson meeting, the Peterson Council voted to approve a standing contract with WHKS & Co., a full-service engineering firm in Rochester. Present to address the council were Tim Hruska and Scott Huneke. “We spent a lot of time, as a company, talking about what our passion is; what makes us all get up and come to work everyday,” said Hruska. … [Read more...]
Rushford gets preview of Public Works plans
At the Monday, February 11 Rushford Council meeting, Public Works Director Roger Knutson presented a lengthy list of projects the department intends to tackle over the next year. “As you can see, we have plenty, and this doesn’t include things that come up,” said Knutson. “Some projects will require quite a bit of manpower, some less. I always try to think, ‘What is the best … [Read more...]
No chickens; Fountain makes final call
After nearly a year of back and forth discussion, the City of Fountain has maintained its stance that the keeping of chickens within city limits will be prohibited. The decision was noted at the brief Wednesday, February 6 council meeting. The issue was first raised in May of 2018 when resident Emily Root and her family requested to keep 10 laying hens on their large city lot. … [Read more...]
Rushford Village fights mother nature in water backup
The Tuesday, February 5 Rushford Village Council meeting was brief, but the council in attendance hit at a number of minor items as well as several issues brought on by the recent weather. Mayor Gordon Johnson and Councilor Chad Rasmussen were absent. Acting Mayor Dennis Overland conducted the meeting. The recent thaw of snow in city culverts in south Rushford saw a … [Read more...]
Rushford considers tobacco ordinance changes
In an age of ever-changing products and concerns, the City of Rushford is considering revamping its 1997 tobacco ordinance to include Electronic Nicotine Systems (ENS), or e-devices. The changes would clarify definitions and regulations pertaining to use and sale. A public hearing on the issue was held at the Monday, January 28 meeting, with Rushford-Peterson Middle/High School … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson talks trimester successes and challenges
At the Monday, January 28 R-P School Board meeting, Middle School/High School Principal Jake Timm conducted a presentation regarding the current school schedule and feedback regarding how well its worked for the district. According to Timm, the majority of schools within the state utilize a 7-8 period day schedule. Overwhelmingly, however, the majority of teachers in the state … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson narrows superintendent field; goes for grants
At a special meeting of the R-P School Board, held Tuesday, January 22, the list of candidates for new superintendent were narrowed to five, plus two alternates. A significant number of applications were received for the position that’s been held by Chuck Ehler since July 2007. The board has reviewed the applications and background information of the candidates and board … [Read more...]
Rushford Village holds annual meeting
As with most annual municipal meetings, the first meeting of the year for Rushford Village was largely annual housekeeping, determining meeting schedule, designations, committees, contracts, zoning, and financials. Rushford Village Council approved all with no change. Meetings will continue to be held the first and third Tuesday of each month, at 7 p.m., at the Village Hall. … [Read more...]
Rushford gets engineering updates; looks to development, old school potential
The bulk of the Monday, January 14 council meeting was items within notices or reports and updates, but there was a number of agenda items, as well, including a number of annual designations, committees, and renewals. The item garnering the most attention was consideration of action on a engineering studies discussed at previous meetings. First up was an update on a Minnesota … [Read more...]
Peterson preps ordinance for utility shut offs
At the Wednesday, January 9 Peterson Council meeting, a number of annual designations and items were discussed. Designations for 2019 will remain the same as last year. Loren Rue was appointed as acting mayor, Councilors Dave Colbenson and Lisa Price will serve as the Finance Committee, and Councilor Gail Boyum will serve as treasurer. Regular meeting times will remain the … [Read more...]