Fillmore County Solar Project, LLC is one step closer to constructing a 45 MW Solar Farm in section 14 of Beaver Township. Commissioners unanimously approved the conditional use permit with nine conditions at their January 26 meeting. The road to this point has been long and there are still more steps for the project before construction can begin. That is why one condition … [Read more...]
Soil health case studies share farmer experiences
GOODHUE, MN., JANUARY 11, 2021 – Farmers and landowners can learn about the soil health journeys of 10 Minnesota farmers in a new report, “Soil Health Case Studies Vol 3.” Jared Luhman, Soil Health Lead for the Sustainable Farming Association, visited 10 farms across southeast Minnesota and interviewed the farmers. He then used those conversations to develop case studies … [Read more...]
Organization and goal setting for the SWCD
The Fillmore SWCD (Soil and Water Conservation District) met via a hybrid of in-person and Zoom on January 21, 2021. Board members, including new members Eunice Biel and Dwayne Ostrem, were sworn in and officers were elected: Travis Willford, chair; Tim Gossman, vice chair; Kathy Tesmer, secretary; and Dwayne Ostrem, treasurer. Members then were appointed to committees as … [Read more...]
Mark Holmen joins Lanesboro school board
The Lanesboro School Board opened their January 21 meeting by seating re-elected board members Christine Troendle and Sarah Peterson and new board member, Mark Holmen. The board meetings will continue to be held on the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the elementary library. Merchants Bank of Lanesboro was approved as the district depository and Fillmore County … [Read more...]
Sno Pac – organic before organic was cool
Fourth generation owner, Pete Gengler has been saying this now familiar motto for over 15 years about his family’s organic business, Sno Pac, located in Caledonia, Minn. Believing that organic farming with no pesticides or chemical fertilizers was better for the health of the consumers and was better stewardship of the land, Pete’s great-grandfather, J.P. (John Peter) Gengler … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson approves incentive, moves to make policy
For the last eight years, the Rushford-Peterson School Board has approved early retirement for teachers who met the criteria. To date, the incentive has been reviewed and approved annually or bi-annually rather than made into a district policy, despite ongoing discussion for the latter. At the January 25 board meeting, the board approved the incentive for two years, as well as … [Read more...]
Houston County State Business Relief Grant to launch on February 5
On January 26, 2021, Chairperson Robert Burns called the Houston County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting to order at 9:33 a.m. Commissioners present included Dewey Severson, Eric Johnson, Robert Burns, Teresa Walter, and Greg Myhre. The commissioners approved the meeting agenda as amended. Brian Pogodzinski, county engineer, requested that number four under action … [Read more...]
Rushford pushing through obstacles
$67.3 million. That’s the amount that the Minnesota Department of Revenue sent to 3,891 Minnesota businesses through it’s initial round of COVID-19 Business Relief Payments. Part of bi-partisan legislation, the program provides direct financial relief to qualified restaurants, gyms, bars, and bowling centers who saw impact to revenue due to the pandemic. This was just one item … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central School Board welcomes new member
The January 26 Fillmore Central School Board meeting opened with the oath of office for returning board members Jim Love, Deb Ristau, and new board member Aaron Janssen. The board officers for 2021 were set with Craig Britton as the chairperson, Jennifer Pickett as the vice-chairperson, Deb Ristau as the clerk, Shelly Topness as the vice-clerk, and Sue Sikkink as the … [Read more...]
Supt. Abraham announces retirement
At the very end of the January 21, 2021, Houston School Board meeting, Superintendent Krin Abraham informed the board that she will be retiring in June. Abraham declared, “I love this place; I love this district, but I need to be done. I want you to be able to start looking now.” Board member Arlin Peterson, who has had a relationship with Abraham both as a fellow teacher … [Read more...]