Monday, April 16, the Rushford-Peterson School Board followed through with steps to return two of the three parcels of the former Rushford-Peterson Middle School to the City of Peterson. Outlined in the consolidation agreement drafted by the Rushford School Board and the Peterson School Board in 1991, should the R-P School District vacate the premises in Peterson, Parcel One … [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.
Rushford Village closing in on Benson Lane Project
The Tuesday, April 17 meeting of the Rushford Village council was focused almost exclusively on public works issues. The most prominent issue was continuing discussion on the Benson Lane Project. Engineer Derek Olinger, of Bolton & Menk, was on hand at the meeting to review recent survey results and to detail the next steps in the project. It was noted at the March meeting … [Read more...]
Rushford Council eyes League of Minnesota Cities support
The Monday, April 9 Rushford Council meeting was relatively short, wrapping up just two resolutions in general business and one ordinance amendment. First up was a public hearing to consider an amendment to the ordinance establishing salaries for elected officials. The council reviewed several municipalities at the March 25 meeting, before proceeding with adding the hearing to … [Read more...]
Peterson reviewing possible rental units
A potential developer is eyeing a lot along the City of Peterson’s main thoroughfare and if it all pans out, the city could see four rental cabins available for visitors. The option plays into the city’s hopes for more traffic from those enjoying the Root River Trail System or other area destinations. Michael Corcoran was present at the Wednesday, April 11 city council … [Read more...]
Ag community voices concern ahead of R-P decision
Rushford-Peterson School District administration made a recommendation at the March 19 meeting that the school board approve the hire of a business instructor for the open position, leaving one full-time instructor in the ag/industrial tech department for the 2018-2019 school year. The concerns come on the heels of the district’s February decision to not renew the contract of … [Read more...]
Rushford Village looks at options for project
The Tuesday, March 20 Rushford Village Council meeting was largely comprised of discussion of an old issue: what to do with a water crossing on Benson Lane. The low usage road serves just two residences, but the crossing, which is not a bridge, but a “Missouri Crossing,” is in need of either repair or replacement, both of which come with their own set of challenges. … [Read more...]
Drones; the flying future of agriculture
Fillmore County farmers are a lot of things; hard-working, dedicated, intelligent. They’re also at the forefront of innovative technologies that are changing the industry. One technology, the use of aerial drones in crop production, is increasing at an impressive pace. A May 2016 press release by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) predicted the value of drone powered solutions in … [Read more...]
Rushford voices concerns over school district decision
The Monday, March 12 Rushford Council meeting was slated to have a smaller than average agenda, but a last minute addition took up the bulk of the meeting and brought forth a number of concerns from the council regarding a recent Rushford-Peterson School Board decision. February 26, R-P School Board approved a proposal facilitating discussions for future development of the … [Read more...]
Peterson addresses old concerns and issues
At the Wednesday, March 14 Peterson Council meeting, a lengthy list of citizen concerns were brought forth by Councilors Lisa Price and Gail Boyum. These included several items of old business including planning for repair of Park and River Streets issues with water flow along Park Street, electrical metering, including certifying of past due utility, and downtown parking. The … [Read more...]
Fillmore County proactively battles cyberbullying and sexting
The Fillmore County Sheriff’s Department and Fillmore County Attorney’s Office are in the midst of an initiative geared towards bringing awareness to the effects of bullying and social media usage and its gaining momentum. “The main goals of our campaign on appropriate social media usage is to keep our younger citizens, and all citizens, safer, to prevent them from becoming … [Read more...]
Fountain modifies liquor ordinance amid citizen concerns
When the Bent Wrench Bar & Grill in downtown Fountain closed in 2017, local business owners Mike Drury and Michelle Redalen, of Drury’s Furniture, opted to purchase the space in hopes of filling it with a thriving business again. “We bought it with the intention of seeing a business in there; to keep it from sitting dead,” said Drury. “We’ve been hoping and praying someone … [Read more...]
Rushford Village approves Public Works plans
The Tuesday, March 6 Rushford Village Council meeting was mainly comprised of Public Works matters, having a brief agenda and 15-minute meeting. Not in attendance were Mayor Gordon Johnson and Councilor Mike Ebner. Acting Mayor Dennis Overland ran the meeting. According to Public Works Supervisor Travis Scheck, the city’s water tower should be scheduled for routine cleaning … [Read more...]
Rushford approves HBC request
It’s been a notably bumpy few years for Southeastern Minnesota Historic Bluff Country (HBC), but the tourism entity isn’t giving up yet. New Director Brian Krenz followed up on his January appearance before the council by attending the Monday, February 26 meeting. “I was given an assignment and hopefully, it meets your approval,” said Krenz. At the January meeting, several on … [Read more...]
R-P approves proposal to facilitate sale of building
At the Monday, February 26 Rushford-Peterson School Board meeting, Superintendent Chuck Ehler brought forth a proposal designed to facilitate the sale of the former elementary and high school buildings. Located in Rushford, the buildings were vacated by the district in August of last year as the district transitioned into a new early childhood through grade 12 facility. To … [Read more...]
Doubletree Leatherworks creating usable works of art
John and Heather Hill know a thing or two about hard work and the beauty of handcrafted art. The pair are owners of Doubletree Leatherworks and specialize in one-of-a-kind, custom leather creations. The company was started as Doubletree Carriage Company in 2008 as a horse drawn carriage service. While successful, when John and Heather welcomed baby Henry, they knew the … [Read more...]