The 4-H Club Driftless Dreamers is unique in that it was created for homeschool families. While other clubs form based on interests, activities or location to a certain school district, this club was established to tie 4-H into the existing homeschool peer groups. Driftless Dreamers held its first meeting in June 2023. The families of the homeschool groups already cooperated … [Read more...]
Wholestone Farms Providing Pork Raised by Your Neighbors
Wholestone Farms was founded in 2018 when CEO Luke Minion met with farmers who shared a vision to produce pork and be competitive with the commercial large pork producers. Wholestone is privately owned by 235 farm families across the Midwest. In Fillmore County, there are four farm families/owners: Smith Farms owned by Greg, Deb and Randy Smith of Rushford, Johnson’s Rolling … [Read more...]
How To Put Together a Manure Management Plan
By Melissa Wilson, Extension specialist; Nancy Bohl Bormann, Researcher; and Chryseis Modderman, Extension educator It’s that time of year when the crops are coming off the field and folks are starting to think about next year’s crop. If you have livestock on your farm, you are also thinking about manure application, which may happen this fall and/or next spring. How … [Read more...]
Prevent Home Electrical Fires
A person’s home should be a safe haven. Too often, however, there may be dangers lurking in a home that can compromise the safety of residents. Electrical fires are no joke. The Hartford insurance company says electrical failure or malfunctions account for almost 34,000 home fires per year. The National Fire Protection Association says they can contribute to 440 deaths and … [Read more...]
Fall Home and Garden: A Moving Experience
Moving a traditional farmhouse with a long history in Fillmore County was quite the experience for two local families. Brent and Brenda Afseth raised their two children, Cole and Marissa, in the farmhouse. When they decided to build a new home, they posted their old house on Marketplace, noting that it would need to be moved. Built in 1904, the two-story home had 1,602 … [Read more...]
Peonies Flourish for Melissa McGowan
Breathtakingly beautiful flowers have been appreciated for over 28 years at the Rochester Farmers Market because of the diligent work of peony agriculturist Melissa (King) McGowan of rural Spring Valley, Minn. Melissa’s passion for these massive and fragrant blossoms goes beyond her personal joy of being surrounded by their beauty. Excitement is evident each spring as people … [Read more...]
Fall Lawn Care
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension PRESTON and CALEDONIA, MN – As the summer winds down, it is time to start thinking about our fall lawn care. Your actions this fall will directly impact the health of your lawn next spring. Late August and September is the best time of the year to plant grass seed if needed. The grass seed will germinate readily, … [Read more...]
Heroes Among Us in Fillmore County
As the Hareldson family settled in for the night on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, it seemed like any other night until it was time for bed. Caleb “Herb” and Samantha “Sam” Hareldson began putting their children Daxyn, 8, Charlie, 7, Cabe, 3, and Demi, just two weeks old at the time, to bed around 9 p.m. “We ate supper, I let the dogs out and then I laid Demi down and Herb … [Read more...]
Future of Fillmore County Journal
While there have been many local family-owned newspapers that have either been sold to a corporation or simply closed, the Fillmore County Journal has been fortunate to remain healthy and sustainable. But, this is only possible because we have an amazing team working at the newspaper and a tremendously supportive community. We have readers who help guide the ship for what … [Read more...]
Expansion and New Ventures Based on Talent
After Amanda and I purchased the Fillmore County Journal in 2009, I started to recognize underserved opportunities in the market. Based on the talent we’ve attracted, I have always considered our company to be media, marketing and technology focused. SMG Web Design Many businesses were seeking web design services outside of the area, so we launched SMG Web Design in … [Read more...]