In our small county towns, the opening of a new business is a boon for the whole community. Imagine the result for a town opening several in just one year. Canton, the community of roughly 350, has proved itself more than welcoming to economic development with more than seven new businesses opening in one year. On the west side of town, smack dab along the busy Highway 52 … [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 Museum – Preserving the past for future generations
Too often, we lament the loss of historic sites once ruin has set in. How sad it was that there was no one to save it because of cost, time, or other barriers. Small country communities, limited in more means than others, witness their share of historical losses. Sometimes though, it just takes motivated people and the right set of circumstances. Peterson resident John … [Read more...]
Rushford Village reviews solar land lease
The January 21 Rushford Village Council meeting was the first with new Mayor Dennis Overland at the helm. Longtime mayor Gordon Johnson resigned the position December 17. While the meeting served as the annual organizational meeting for the city, it also included more details on a proposed municipal land lease for a solar array. The land lease is being proposed by solar … [Read more...]
Rushford approves partnership with Edward Lowe Foundation
The Economic Development Authority (EDA) recommended the Rushford City Council approve a contract with System for Integrated Growth - Edward Lowe Foundation at the January 13 meeting. The recommendation came following EDA discussion on the matter earlier in the month. The contract will allow the EDA to sponsor businesses to work with the foundation to provide best practices and … [Read more...]
Peterson continues to hear vehicle compliance woes
The City of Peterson enacted an ordinance regulating public vehicle nuisances in January 2019 after months of extensive discussion and formally approving the ordinance in November 2018. Despite notification to citizens, the city continues to hear from residents regarding the fines. Per ordinance, inoperable vehicles unless properly licensed or registered. In regards to nuisance … [Read more...]
Fountain settles in with new contracts
The City of Fountain is rolling into a new year with both new wastewater management and engineering firms. Last May, the council approved the change from PeopleService to MMS Environmental, as wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) management, but due to previous contract stipulations, didn’t formally enter into an agreement with them until August. In October, the city opted two … [Read more...]
Rushford approves final levy; sees mayor off after ten years
At the brief Monday, December 23 meeting, the Rushford City Council voted unanimously to approve the $973,000 property tax levy for 2020. The amount represents a 3.95% increase over 2019. No comments were lodged at the Truth In Taxation meeting held December 9. “The overall tax rate went down and we’re staying within our goal,” noted Mayor-elect Terri Benson. The largest … [Read more...]
Lanesboro receives clean audit; preps for project work
The Lanesboro School Board receivaed favorable news from auditor Jason Boyton, Smith, Shafer & Associates, at the Thursday, December 19 meeting. The district has continued several positive financial strides forward, despite its small size and an in-progress building project. Only one area of concern was noted in the audit. The district has also seen a positive increase … [Read more...]
R-P approves early retirement incentive
The Rushford-Peterson School District has considered making their early retirement incentive program a policy item. However, following discussion at the Monday, December 16 school board meeting, it was determined to be more effective practice to keep the program a limited offering. Designed as a cost-savings measure for the district, the program currently allows teachers … [Read more...]
No tobacco under 21; Rushford approves Tobacco Ordinance
Leading the pack of communities looking to update long-standing tobacco ordinances amid the wave of electronic nicotine delivery services (ENDS) and increases in youth tobacco usage, Rushford Council passed modifications to its ordinance unanimously at a special meeting December 16. The council has been discussing the matter with Fillmore County Public Health for over a year … [Read more...]