Business & Work

Paul Schmidt in the shed on his farm where 64,000 garlic are drying. Schmidt Farm markets seed stock to a variety of garden and seed companies.

An Ancient Crop Makes its Home in Fillmore County

John Torgrimson visits Schmidt Farm’s garlic operation in Carimona Township, Fillmore County.

Tony Rahe stands next to a wall of lettuce in one of his hydroponic growing containers at Rahe of Sunshine Farms in Wykoff.

Hydroponic Farm is High Tech Operation With Small Footprint

David Phillips tours a hydroponic farming operation in Wykoff, Minnesota. Owner Tony Rahe gives access to the two trailers currently housing multiple acres of lettuce, kohlrabi, and radishes that are sold to local schools, at farmers markets, and online.

Zach Lind, General Manager of Norsland Lefse, mans the company booth at a recent FEAST event in Rochester.

Norsland Makes Lefse “Like Grandma Used To Make”

Just in time for the holidays, Tom Brudvig guides us through the process of lefse-making – from russet potatoes to final product – at the Norsland Lefse factory in Rushford.

Cattle move through a pasture in a rotational grazing operation. (Photo by Ann Wessel, BWSR)

Rotational Grazing: Pipeline to Water Quality and Soil Health

Ann Wessel reports on a Fillmore County farmer who is converting CRP ground into productive pasture.

Karen and Kevin Carr in their Chosen Valley Canoe Accessories shop in Chatfield.(Photo by Laurie Byrne)

The Journey of Two to Creating Ability

Maintaining balance between building a business and creating ability: Laurie Byrne introduces us to Karen and Kevin Carr and their Chosen Valley Canoe Accessories shop in Chatfield.

Small older main street with brightly colored tent set up as people gather, walk around, and visit with neighbors.

New Design for Downtown Spring Valley May Preview Future

David Phillips reports on efforts by the Spring Valley Business Alliance to revive the downtown area.

A haybale is transformed into a gnome with pinecone bear and orange hat.

Worth the Beautiful Drive — Big Springs Farm Pumpkins and Corn Maze

Alison Leathers finds her way through the maze of agritourism at Big Springs Farm Pumpkins and Corn Maze near Lanesboro, Minn.

FEAST! 23 local vendors

Local Food Vendors Showcased at November FEAST! Festival

Check out local food vendors exhibiting at the 2024 FEAST! Festival.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Buyers look over the livestock up for bid at the Lanesboro Sales Barn. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)</span>

To Market, to Market | A Trip to the Lanesboro Sales Commission Auction

Tom Brudvig takes in a hearty breakfast and the weekly Friday auction at the Lanesboro Sales Barn.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Production fields of Cardinal Flower and Meadow Blazing Star located outside of Spring Grove, Minnesota. (Photo by Shooting Star Native Seeds)</span>

Bold Vision, Deep Roots: Two Southeast Minnesota Nurseries Source Seed for Restoring Native Landscapes

Nancy North visits two bluff country nurseries both working to help restore native prairieland.

Root River Current's founding board members celebrate the eMagazine's first year of publication – pictured left to right: Steve Harris, Renee Bergstrom, John Gaddo, Loni Kemp, Dick Nethercut, Melissa Wray, Pat Torgrimson, Nancy North, and John Torgrimson. (Photo by Susie Harris)

Happy Birthday, Root River Current!

Root River Current’s first year of publishing—on behalf of its board of directors, co-publishers John Torgrimson and John Gaddo look back at what it took to get here and plans for the future of this online magazine. They talk with Steve Harris.

The author, Don Bell, is pictured by Amish Experience in Lanesboro—his grandfather’s leather shop was located on the ground floor in the 1950s. The building at one time housed the Odd Fellows Lodge.

Essay | When Summertime Was Paradise

Don Bell recalls his summers in Lanesboro as a boy.

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