Chris Hahn

The Fillmore County EDA will host its 2022 Agriculture Summit, Thursday, February 24, at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center.

Area farm families, businesses, and the general public are invited to attend this free event at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center located at 28097 Goodview Dr., Lanesboro, MN 55949 on February 24^th 2022, from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM.  A light breakfast will be provided, and sessions will run approximately 25 minutes.  This year’s schedule includes presentations on Regenerative Ag Practices, Agricultural Entrepreneurship, Emotional Wellness for Agriculture Families, Succession Planning for Agriculture Business, Investment in Specialty Crops, and Financial Risk Management.

“Agriculture is one of the two greatest economic drivers in Fillmore County, and it influences almost every aspect of our daily lives,” says Fillmore County EDA Board Member, Karen Reisner.   “Farmers support many businesses in the county, state, and country, and agriculture industry today includes a diverse group of small and large farming operations.”

Agriculture remains the primary economic driver in Fillmore County according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture.  The census, conducted every 5 years, counted over 1400 farms in Fillmore County, contributing around $291 million in agricultural products sold. Approximately 32% of all farms represent operations less than 50 acres in size.  With more than 375,500 acres dedicated to agriculture in Fillmore County, innovation and process improvements remain a critical part of the continued success of the agriculture industry.

Fillmore County EDA Director Chris Hahn states that “our EDA feels it is important to connect local agriculture businesses and professionals with our farm families in Fillmore County and the neighboring communities” adding that the goal is “really to provide resources for our farm family businesses and offer real-world examples of successful and evolving business practices.”

The 2022 Fillmore County Agriculture Summit is presented by the Fillmore County Economic Development Authority, F&M Community Bank, MiEnergy Cooperative, Dairyland Power Cooperative, and MiBroadband, in association with Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA).

This is a free event, but registration is requested to estimate the number of attendees. To register, please go to https://2022fillmorecountyagriculturesummit.eventbrite.com

For more information about the 2022 Fillmore County Agriculture Summit, please contact Chris Hahn, Fillmore County EDA Director at 612-327-9729, or via email at chris.hahn@cedausa.com.

 

The Spring Valley 100 Gravel Bike Race will be returning to Spring Valley on Saturday, May 21, 2022.   The Spring Valley 100 Gravel Race is a free to the public, self-supported gravel race through southeastern Minnesota’s beautiful rolling hills and Bluff Country USA!  The race starts in Historic Downtown Spring Valley at 8:00 AM and finishes back at Willow Park, just a block from the starting line.

“This year marks the 13th consecutive year a Century gravel race has originated from Spring Valley; we’re still grassroots and still free,” says Paul Vogel, Spring Valley 100 race steward, adding that this race is often touted as the Granddaddy of all gravel races for its ultimate tests of mind, body, and soul as you navigate the scenic and challenging course. “We look forward to meeting racers before the race and hearing tales of their epic journeys at the finish line!”

All participants in the Spring Valley 100 must register for the event and submit an Event Release/Waiver of Liability. On-site registration will be available at the Spring Valley Community Center on Friday, May 20^th, from 4:00-6:00 PM and the morning of the race from 6:30-7:30 AM.  Participants are urged to register for the event online at the below link.

All participants must also agree to abide by the most up-to-date Center for Disease Control (CDC) ‘s recommendations for preventing the spread of COVID-19, including social distancing, and will need to attest to having read the CDC’s guidance provided on the registration page.

Rules:

• The Spring Valley 100 is a self-supported race. You are responsible for you.
• Be a good citizen. Share the road. Police your own debris.
• All riders must wear a helmet; gloves are highly encouraged.
• We strongly discourage any chase vehicles from driving on the course during the event.
• No support vehicles following riders; absolutely no hand-up support is allowed; this is for all riders’ safety and enjoyment.
• The race takes place on open roads; all Minnesota road laws apply to all cyclists on the course.

“Last year’s race was held on June 5^th, and despite the incredibly hot weather, we had very positive feedback from the riders,” says Chris Hahn, EDA Director for Spring Valley.   “This year, organizers opted for a May race, hoping for a little cooler weather and to avoid Memorial Day weekend.  We are also actively working with our local businesses to offer more post-race recovery/fun & activities downtown for the participants.”

For more information or questions about the Spring Valley 100 Gravel Race, the route, or equipment, please contact Paul Vogel at Pvogel3634@aol.com or call 440-829-2652.

Participants are encouraged to REGISTER HERE

“We’ll provide the Start and Finish lines; the adventure in between is all you!”

Name: Hannah Lange

Parents: Jennifer and Troy Lange

School Activities: I manage girls varsity basketball, sing in the choir, and I am currently serving as President of the Spring Valley-Wykoff FFA chapter.

Activities/Work Outside of School: My job is the social media manager for Chisholm Motorsports. I am not involved in any other structured activities.

Your Favorite Class and Why? My favorite class is Introduction to U.S. Politics taught by Professor Tom Woodhouse at Riverland Community College. This is my favorite class simply because politics as well as government are extremely interesting to me. It is also vital to know how our government works so that you can remain an informed citizen.

Why is a Solid Education Important?  Everyone has the right to a solid education. It can give you the opportunity to expand your horizons and take you places that you never thought you would be able to go. It is important that people are educated, especially my generation, because one day, we will be the ones in a leadership position or law-making position.

Immediate Plans After High School Graduation: My plans after graduation are to enjoy the summer as much as possible before I attend college at North Iowa Area Community College to study graphic communications.

Long-Term Plans/Goals: My plans are to graduate from college and obtain a job in a graphic communications/marketing department. My goal is to travel to at least five countries.

 

Note: The Spring Valley Kiwanis Club annually recognizes the top academic performers at Kingsland High School. Kiwanis will recognize Hannah and her parents during the Dec. 8 meeting at the Spring Valley Community Center.

 

Rustic Valley Bed & Breakfast is now open, and it offers its guests the chance to experience all four seasons in beautiful Southeastern Minnesota. This new B&B provides a rural respite without needing to travel more than 20 minutes from the Rochester, MN metropolitan area. Nestled in the valley on five acres along Deer Creek just outside of Spring Valley, Rustic Valley is the perfect place for a quiet retreat, a long weekend in the country with family, or small gatherings with friends.

Located at the bottom of Hardscrabble Hill at 26671 141st Ave. just outside of Spring Valley, Rustic Valley Bed & Breakfast is the home of your hosts, Yvette (Vettie) and Jeff Halvorson. A visit will likely start with the official greeter, Bella, a border collie who greets you by patiently sitting down as you arrive in hopes of getting a little pat or scratch as a tip. The current property has been in the family for over 50 years.   When the opportunity for Vettie and Jeff to purchase it arose in 2014, they didn’t hesitate.  Although the original stone home and barn homestead were replaced with a more modern home, a fire destroyed that in 2019, forcing the Halvorson’s to rebuild their current home on the property.

“I have always loved being able to take care of people with a personal style of service,” says Vettie, excited to explain how Rustic Valley B&B became a reality. “I worked in the hospitality industry for many years, and I have a passion for serving others, so it was important for me to find a way to continue to take care of people.”  She adds that “one day I woke up and realized that THIS is the perfect place to serve others, and offer a quiet getaway in this beautiful area that we call home.”

The current guest suite, located on the lower level, is a modern yet rustic, relaxed living space accessible to people of all abilities, with zero-step entry, a walk-in shower, and wide doorways. The guest suite features Asian walnut woodwork and tile flooring and provides a full-size refrigerator, microwave, and sleeping space for up to five guests. The suite also offers plenty of entertainment options, including a billiards table, dartboard, limited spirits, wine bar, TV, and free internet access. The walk-out patio provides guests the chance to sit outside with their favorite beverage and enjoy nature or sneak out and explore the valley before everyone else wakes up in the morning.

Once everyone is up, breakfast is offered from 7:00 – 10:00 AM. Several breakfast items are featured on the website and include sweet rolls, omelets, hashbrowns, and other Midwest favorites. Vettie also notes that they are happy to take requests and accommodate anything from food allergies, celiac diets, keto diets, to diabetic diets.

Rustic Valley B&B’s five acres is ideal for hosting larger outdoor gatherings such as reunions, weddings, and graduation parties. They also offer a variety of family games including, bean bags, yard darts, badminton, and fishing. When asked about hosting larger events, Vettie, whose maiden name is Ramaker, laughs.  “I am number 16 in a family with 17 children. With a family that large, there was always something going on. When the entire family gets together it’s an event, and this is an ideal space for those kinds of gatherings.”

Jeff is perfectly content in his behind-the-scenes, yet crucial support role, making fixtures, performing maintenance, and continuously improving the property. He shares that they have plans to add more amenities. “We are thinking about adding a VIP Site across the driveway down by Deer Creek, with electrical hook-ups for just one RV…things like that we can offer to make it a better experience for people.”

For more information about Rustic Valley B&B, or to reserve your stay, make sure to check them out at Rustic Valley B&B (rusticvalleybb.com), or call the Rustic Valley B&B at 507-319-0920, and Vettie will be more than happy to assist you!

 

 

Another brewery is springing up in Southeast Minnesota. Wisconsin-based Hop & Barrel Brewing is opening a new location in Spring Valley on Saturday.

Click for the full article by John Molseed in the November 19th Edition of the Rochester Post Bulletin 

 

Name: Isaac Hauser

Parents: Steve and Amy Hauser

School Activities: Key Club 12th grade representative, National Honor Society, Basketball, Cross-Country, Treasurer of Student Council.

Activities/Work Outside of School: I work for Gillette Pepsi Co. in Rochester as a part-time merchandiser. No other organized recurring activities, just hobbies.

Your Favorite Class and Why? Math. My current math class is CIS calculus. I always liked math in the sense that there was always an answer and I was relatively good at it. Most days I trudge out of this calculus class frustrated, but it is my most challenging class that allows me to learn from failure, which I do not get in other classes.

Why is a Solid Education Important? “Solid education” is a phrase I have never heard, but I feel like it should be used more often. A solid education, in the sense of thorough education with attention to detail, allows generations to be well equipped with the information they need to make their own opinions and tendencies. With the assistance of solid educators, the previously stated opinions and tendencies will create communities strengthened by diversity and understanding.

Immediate Plans After High School Graduation: I plan to take my senior year summer to continue my work with Pepsi and spend as much time with my significant other as possible before heading to college in the Fall.

Long-term Plans/Goals: I plan to obtain a minimum of a bachelor’s in business administration with unknown focuses. I then plan on using such a degree to find a competitive job where I can perhaps

Note: The Spring Valley Kiwanis Club annually recognizes the top academic performers at Kingsland High School. Kiwanis will recognize Isaac and his parents during the Nov. 17 meeting at the Spring Valley Community Center.