As Minnesota prepares to shift from Phase I of the state’s COVID-19 response plan, businesses are working to find ways to achieve requirements while getting local economies humming again. Per Governor Tim Walz’s Stay Safe Plan, Phase II begins June 1 with the guided reopening of restaurants and bars, personal care services/salons, retail, outdoor spaces, youth sports and … [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 gets good news on funds front
The City of Rushford’s financial position is looking healthy overall. Auditor Jason Boyton, of Smith Schafer & Associates, dialed in to the virtual meeting May 11 to present the detailed findings. While a bit of a challenge, but all pertinent information between city hall and auditors was done remotely this year. The city’s tax levy was $936,000 in 2019, up $23,000 from … [Read more...]
Rushford Village ponders immediate future of community center
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...]
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...]