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...]
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.
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...]
Peterson waits for further review
For a small town, sometimes no news is good news. The brief Wednesday, February 14 Peterson Council meeting saw no items of official action. However, the city is waiting on a number of big items which should make March and April meetings interesting. Mayor Tim Hallum led the agenda review with Councilors Loren Rue and Lisa Price in attendance, as was City Clerk Christopher … [Read more...]
Rushford amends zoning map for development
At the February 12 meeting, the Rushford City Council unanimously approved a recommendation from the Rushford Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals that will make way for a residential Planned Unit Development. Referred to as “Himlie Manor,” the six-duplex development will be constructed in the southeast end of the Himlie Business Park should it meet all final … [Read more...]
Trailside Holsteins spotlights dairy farming at Super Bowl Experience
Billed as the National Football League’s “theme park,” the Super Bowl Experience is an impressive array of activities and sights highlighting the sport. Held Saturday, January 27 through Saturday, February 3 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, the eight-day event was expected to draw more than 150,000 people. Fifteen football-related challenges gave attendees their chance to … [Read more...]
Fountain looks to policy changes ahead of utility increases
Following up on discussion from an informational community meeting held January 10, the Fountain City Council considered two utility related changes at its Wednesday, February 7 meeting. The city is planning utility rate increases and changes to usage minimums for sewer and water. City Clerk Ronda Flattum suggested consideration for the handling of past due notices and … [Read more...]
Eickhoff Fertilizer looks to technology efficiency
Headquartered just three miles south of Fountain, Eickhoff Fertilizer Incorporated (EFI) has a long tradition of leadership in the business of agriculture. Started in the 1950s by Donald Eickhoff, the family-operated venture was initially part of the International Flying Farmers organization. “He flew to Mexico City to a farming conference and heard that applying nitrogen to … [Read more...]
Houston’s Rosendahl Repair ready for its 10th year
When father-son duo Terry and Chad Rosendahl first began their repair business, there was no way of knowing if it would thrive in the small town of Houston. Nearly a decade later and the pair are getting ready to celebrate a big milestone and a steadily growing business. “Business has grown every year,” says a grateful Chad Rosendahl. “2017 was our best year yet. I was … [Read more...]
Becker Tree Farm grows by leaps and bounds
Just six miles south of Peterson, off a winding stretch of Highway 16 and County 25 south, sits the 60-acre Becker Tree Farm. Started by family patriarch Henry Becker in 1999, the farm has become a surging industry for the family. “In the early years, it was just planting different varieties of Christmas trees,” says Henry’s son, Tony Becker, who is the farm’s marketing … [Read more...]
Chatfield salon owner turns dreams into plans
Sarah Iverson has always had a creative side. Described by others as ambitious, goal-driven, bold, and spontaneous, she’s not one to shrink away from challenge. In her salon sits a sign bearing the quote, “She turned her can’ts into cans and her dreams into plans.” The simple statement is a testament to what Iverson has done since starting her business, Corner Cuts Salon, in … [Read more...]