faith aith memories
Schoolmeesters
repurposes materials from old church
BY EMILY BRETH STAFF WRITER
FOREST CITY — As one door closes another opens, which was exactly the case for Chuck Schoolmeesters and the Church of St. Gertrude.
As the stained glass windows and other treasures from the Church of St. Gertrude were divided among parishioners and people with connections to the church, Schoolmeesters was among the lucky recipients. He eventually built a chapel that featured two of the windows and the signature green door.
“When I started, I had no idea where I was going,” Schoolmeesters said.
The chapel, built on a corner of Schoolmeesters’ land, was
created in memory of St. Gertrude and his grand-nephew, who drowned, and his brother, Joseph, who was killed in Vietnam in 1971.
Schoolmeesters started work on the chapel in May 2024 and finished six months later, in November. His goal was to recreate the look and feel of the old church as much as possible. St. Gertrude was built in 1857, closed down in 2016 and torn down in late 2023.
“Between the ceiling and sheetrock, I had a big gap,” Schoolmeesters said. “For some reason, in St. Gertrude, they had a piece of oak right before the ceiling started, so, I put that up there, and it kind of had the same feeling as in St. Gertrude.”
He recreated the feel of the church by incorporating well-
Gertrude.
known aspects of the church, including the color of the door. He also wanted to make sure the new chapel had the same coziness as the church.
“St. Gertrude was just a small, comfortable church people could go sit in,” Schoolmeesters said.
Schoolmeesters page 2
PHOTOS BY EMILY BRETH
(Above) Chuck Schoolmeesters stands outside the chapel Dec. 28, 2024, near Forest City. Schoolmeesters started work on the chapel in May 2024 and finished later that year in November.
A stained glass window brightens the chapel Dec. 28, 2024, near Forest City. The stained glass window is from the original Church of St.
Country Acres | Saturday, January 18, 2025
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Schoolmeesters from front
Come summer, Schoolmeesters plans on adding a flower garden in front of the chapel, where he positioned a small statue of Mary. His aim is to have a place for others to come and enjoy the outdoors.
“It will be a work of love, too, like (the chapel) was,” Schoolmeesters said.
“At times, when I was doing this, I thought, ‘Man, this is a lot of work,’ but now that it’s done, I can say it was fun and I really enjoyed it.”
Many of the building supplies and objects within the chapel came from St. Gertrude church or someone close to Schoolmeesters. From the church, Schoolmeesters acquired siding, stained glass windows, oak wainscoting, two pews that he shortened and lumber.
The floor was made from maple wood that Schoolmeesters cut with his brother, Andy, who lives close by in their childhood home. The ceiling came from a milk house in an old barn that was remodeled in 1971. The brothers also got help building the chapel from their sister, Margaret.
Now that the chapel is complete, it is always open for visitors to sit in and pray, relax or clear their heads.
“If someone wants to sit here longer, I’ll even turn the heat up,” Schoolmeesters said.
“I think it worked out pretty well,” Schoolmeesters said. “I’ve had a few people come and look at it, but hopefully more will come to enjoy it because that is what it is built for.”
While he was building the chapel, Schoolmeesters said there were times he knew his parents, Leander and Anna, were watching him, smiling.
“I think my mom would be really happy with this, and it was my dad’s home parish,” Schoolmeesters said.
During the project and in his work as a carpenter, Schoolmeesters’
faith was always strong, as he looked up to St. Joseph for help. When he came across something he did not know how to do or what direction to do it, he offered a prayer to the saint.
“I would pray to St. Joesph, ‘How am I going to do this?’ and stuff would pop into my head,’” Schoolmeesters said. “So, when I Schoolmeesters page 3
(Below, right) A shortened church pew sits in the light of the afternoon sun through a stained glass window Dec. 28, 2024, at Chuck Schoolmeesters’ house near Forest City. During the project and in his work as a carpenter, Schoolmeesters’ faith was always strong, as he looked up to St. Joseph for help.
(Below, left) A statue of Mary stands outside the chapel Dec. 28, 2024, near Forest City. This summer, Schoolmeesters plans to plant a flower garden in front of the chapel.
R T
Publications bli ti “The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.”
The chapel is now being visited by parishioners, who said they are glad he created a place in remembrance of the church and is similar to the church, Schoolmeesters said.
PHOTOS BY EMILY BRETH
Goodwin from page 5
“The sleepers are nice if people are staying all weekend,” Ethan said.
The smaller skid houses have room for four anglers. The larger sleeper houses have more amenities, including beds and TVs.
The guests have various options when renting a fish house. They can choose the lake, the kind of fish house, the duration of their stay and whether they want to be guided or not. Some guests leave it all up to Ethan and Caleb, and some pick exactly where they want to be set up.
“Some people just want to catch fish,” Caleb said. “They don’t care if they’re tiny sunnies that they can’t even keep.”
The brothers spend numerous hours fishing the local lakes, finding schools of fish where they can position their houses.
“We’ve pre-fished all the spots we put houses on, that
way, we know there are fish,” Ethan said.
Because they have lived in the area their whole lives, the Goodwins are familiar with the lakes and where to find fish, but ice fishing technology has been a game changer for the Goodwins. Underwater cameras and fish finders make it much easier for them to locate fish. On warmer days, the brothers jump from spot to spot to find the largest fish populations.
The Goodwins grew up near Osakis, with their two other brothers, Luke and Noah. Their dad, Corey, often brought all four boys along when he went fishing or hunting.
Goodwin page 9
Town: Paynesville | Grade: 10 Parents: Mike and Heidi Abraham Paynesville FFA Chapter
What is your involvement in FFA? I am the chapter secretary. I am also the chair of the plot committee.
What has FFA taught you so far? FFA has taught me how to be able to speak in front of people I don’t know. It has also taught me how to get outside of my comfort zone by meeting new people and going on trips by myself.
How do you intend to stay involved in agriculture after your FFA career? I plan on staying in the community and joining the alumni group.
What are you involved in outside of FFA? I am involved in our high school choir.
What is something people need to know about agriculture? Agriculture is not just about farming and raising animals. For example, if you go
that is even a part of agriculture.
Goodwin from page 6
When they were kids, they ice fished out of skid houses. As time went on, they slowly upgraded to larger and more user-friendly fish houses. As they retired the skid houses, their grandpa kept them on his property, which has come in handy for the boys.
“Our grandpa had the (skid) houses still, so we figured we could rent them out to people,” Ethan said. “Plus, we didn’t have to go out and buy new houses when we started.”
Goodies Guide Service is not the only company owned and operated by the brothers. When they are not ice fishing, they work for Goodwin Handyman Services, a business Ethan opened nearly four years ago.
The construction company does various projects from remodeling homes to building sheds.
“We do all sorts of different projects, and we’re getting more experience every day,” Caleb said.
Ethan and Caleb are the only employees at Goodwin Handyman Services, but their youngest brother, Noah, helps when they need an extra set of hands.
“The winter tends to be slower for construction work, so the guide service keeps us busy,” Ethan said.
The brothers were not just looking for something to occupy their time in the winter, but to satisfy their need to be outdoors too. The guide service was the best of both worlds, and they get paid to do something they are passionate about.
While the business allows the brothers to be busy and have fun, it also provides a service that is lacking in the area.
“There are a few other guides in the area, but not many,” Ethan said. “And there are a lot of lakes around (us).”
Alexandria, Miltona and Osakis are commonly-known fishing spots for tourists during the summer months, Ethan said, but not nearly as many people visit during the winter months. The brothers hope their guide service will also encourage visitors to the area during the winter months.
“People who live locally are more than welcome to rent the houses, too, but it’s nice to get people from out of
town,” Ethan said. Their business success has given the brothers the motivation to continue expanding. Their goal is to add more fish houses to their fleet and offer more services to their customers.
“Last year doesn’t even really count; this year is the first real year that we can see if we’ll actually do well at this,” Caleb said. “So far, we’re really proud of our success.”
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Corey (front, left) and Aimee; (back, from left) Luke, Noah, Ethan and Caleb Goodwin and Tim Hull gather February 2024 in Montana. The Goodwin family often ice fishes together.
Ethan Goodwin shows off his catch Dec. 20, 2024 near Osakis. Goodwin also owns Goodwin Handyman Services, a construction company.
PAYNESVILLE FARMERS UNION
from page 11
scent she is going for.
“I’m trying to use more herbs and less essential oils,” Otto said. Otto melts the tallow down one more time to add the herbs or oils, and she lets it rest for 24 hours so it can absorb the scent. The additions to the tallow can be anything from coffee beans to lavender. By not using essential oils, Otto can get the scent as well as any other benefits that come from those herbs.
The final step in the
process is to whip the tallow until it is fluffy, which is like making whipped cream. Otto uses her stand mixer to whip the tallow and adds olive oil during this step to make her product smoother.
“Some people use different oils or powders,” Otto said. “I just use regular olive oil, and it works great.”
The tallow is then put into jars, labeled and sold as lotion.
The lotion can be
used on
diaper rash and eczema, Otto says.
Otto page 13
PHOTO SUBMITTED Tallow is cooled Jan. 5 at the Otto home near Starbuck. The tallow is rendered several times before it
PHOTO SUBMITTED
A booth for In the Woods Remedies is set up Jan. 11 at Rolling Forks Vineyard in Glenwood. A variety of products were offered at the winter market.
Otto
from page 12
“I use the unscented one on my baby to help with both dry skin and diaper rash,” Otto said. “It works really well.”
Otto sells tallow lotion at farmers markets and vendor shows. She offers lavender, mint and non-scented options.
The chemical makeup of tallow is very similar to human skin, Otto said, which is why it works to heal and hydrate the skin without being greasy. The skin absorbs the tallow easier than commercially produced lotions because they are so similar.
“Tallow has a variety of vitamins and minerals,” Otto said. “It’s antimicrobial, antifungal and contains anti-inflammatory properties.”
Otto began In the Woods Remedies in May 2024, and sells both at markets and directly to customers.
Otto can be found in Morris and
Holmes City at the farmers markets as well as several different vendor markets around the area. Otto said customers sometimes reach out to her directly for products so they do not have to wait until the next event she attends.
Along with the tallow lotion, she sells a plethora of herbal products that help with all sorts of issues including earaches, hormonal imbalances, allergies and stress relief, Otto says. The products are offered as sprays, roller balls, lotions and drinks.
“It’s amazing the different ways these products help people,” Otto said.
Otto has found that using natural products helps her and her family, and she has developed a passion for providing these products to her customers.
products are regularly sold at farmers markets and vendor shows.
Buying or Selling Rural Property?
48,000Acres Soldinthe Last3Years
In the past 3 years, Weiss Realty closed over 700 transactions which is equivalent to over $300,000,000 in sales volume totaling just over 48,000 acres sold. Properties sold included farms, hobby farms, rural homes with acreage, cabins, campsites, country estates, tillable ground and hunting land. It is a great time to consider selling.
Anoka County - 1.3 Acres w/Home - $429,000 - Sold
Cass County - 158.87 Acres - $397,175 - Sold
Chisago County - 20 Acres - $170,000 - Active
Chisago County - 60 Acres - $540,000 - Sold
Clearwater County - 94.81 Acres w/Home - $349,000 - Reduced
Crow Wing County - 32.17 Acres w/Home - $399,900 - Sold
Freeborn County - 164 Acres - $299,000 - Sold
Kanabec County - 20 Acres w/Home - $275,000 - Sold
Kanabec County - 82 Acres - $249,900 - Sold
Meeker County - 17 Acres - $110,000 - Sold
Meeker County - 120 Acres - $101,250 - Sold
Mille Lacs County - 10 Acre Buildsite - $99,500 - Sold
Mille Lacs County - 20.07 Acres - $159,900 - Sold
Mille Lacs County - 80 Acres - $130,000 - Sold
Mille Lacs County - 259.7 Acres - $529,000 - Sold
Morrison County - 56.14 Acres - $215,000 - Pending
Morrison County - 120 Acres - $432,000 - Sold
Morrison County - 129 Acres - $399,900 - Sold
Morrison County - 133 Acres - $518,700 - Sold
Nobles County - 200 Acres - $1,220,000 - Sold
Otter Tail County - 80 Acres w/Home - $299,900 - Sold
Pine County - 30 Acres - $185,000 - Active
Pine County - 31 Acres - $425,000 - Sold
Pine County - 71 Acres w/Cabin - $189,000 - Reduced
Rice County - 41 Acres w/Home - $1,250,000 - Sold
Rice County - 201 Acres - $1,500,000 - Pending
Scott County - 20 Acres w/Home - $1,200,000 - Sold
Sherburne County - 5.58 Acres Build Site - $174,900 - Sold
Stevens County - 95 Acres - $807,500 - Sold
Todd County - 68.28 Acres w/Home - $749,900 - Sold
Todd County - 77 Acres - $320,000 - Sold
Todd County - 116 Acres - $439,000 - Sold
Wadena County - 45.18 Acres w/Hunting Shack - $211,000 - Sold
Wright County - 68 Acres - $710,000 - Sold
Wright County - 106.48 Acres - $1,250,000 - Sold
If you are thinking about selling, call today for a FREE Market Analysis
SAUK CENTRE
A variety of products, quality and commitment to customers are key to the success of a local craft business based out of Sauk Centre.
Abby and Kevin Klein are proud owners of Klein’s Krafts, a small business that offers a variety of hand-crafted items. This couple’s artistic dream was initially established in 2017 as Klein’s
Crocheting.
“I kind of pushed her into it,” Kevin said. “I always told her she did great work. (And I told her), ‘I think you could turn it into a little business.’ She said, ‘OK,’ and then she found a messy bun hat pattern and got to work.”
Abby’s hats began to grow in popularity, and, in what seemed like an overnight boost, she was suddenly receiving dozens of orders. This continued for a few months and then calmed down as she cranked out crafts for the new business.
Kevin took the lead on promoting and advertising the products, initially utilizing Facebook for all the product marketing.
Abby continued to crochet the messy bun hats by hand before expanding into other products.
“The last three years, we started going into a little of everything,” Kevin said. “I always like to tell everybody that we’re a onestop shop since you can get anything or everything you need. We can make it or customize it for them.”
The business was renamed Klein’s Krafts in 2023. Since then, the couple has expanded their business sales to craft shows in the area and even set up their own website to sell their products. While they did not think much about their handmade work, Klein page 16
CreatingHAPPINESS
Virkuses own, operate wedding venue, event center
BY RAE LANZRATH STAFF WRITER
OSAKIS — A wedding can be the happiest and most memorable day of someone’s life. For most, weddings are a one-time event.
For Derek and Jody Virkus, weddings happen on a regular basis.
For the last seven years, the couple has owned and operated Crooked Willow, a wedding and event center near Osakis. The venue hosts
50 weddings a year and a variety of other events.
Crooked Willow has a large event center, a barn, a bridal suite, a site for outdoor ceremonies and an area for grooms.
“Couples don’t have to leave (the grounds) all day if they don’t want to,” Jody said. “There’s room to get ready and take pictures.”
Couples who get married at Crooked Willow have full access to the entire venue and do not have to worry about sharing space with others, Derek said.
FOR EVERYONE
Weddings are not the only events taking place at Crooked Willow. The space is also used for vendor shows, private events, fundraisers and a wedding expo.
Derek and Jody find it important to support other local businesses. One way they have done this is by hosting vendor shows so businesses can showcase their companies.
“We have everything from corporate Christmas parties to church fundraisers to vendor markets,” Derek said.
The Virkuses also support other local businesses by adding them to their preferred
vendor list given to all couples getting married at Crooked Willow. Over the years, they have worked with a variety of wedding attire stores, transportation services, caterers and photographers, and they have developed a list to help couples choose who will be hired for their big day.
“We don’t put just anyone on that list; we put people we know do a good job,” Jody said.
The couple has learned Virkus page 20
CAJan18-1B-MT
PHOTO BY RAE LANZRATH
Derek and Jody Virkus stand Jan. 7 at Crooked Willow near Osakis. The facility was once an antique store, and then the couple renovated it as a wedding and event venue.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEE PHOTOGRAPHY INC.
The barn glistens during winter 2023 at Crooked Willow near Osakis. The venue holds weddings, holiday parties, fundraisers and wedding shows.
JEFFERSON Hearing Aid Center
Virkus from page 19
that a successful wedding is a team effort, Derek said. If one of the vendors does not pull their weight, the whole day can go awry. This is the reason Derek and Jody encourage couples to use vendors they know and trust.
Before buying Crooked Willow, Derek was an engineer and Jody was an account executive for an insurance company, so transitioning to the wedding industry was a large undertaking.
“We had to learn everything, from what to put in your contract to marketing,” Jody said.
Derek and Jody attended wedding
shows, read books and got advice from others in the industry on how to be successful. They still attend shows all over the country to broaden their horizons and keep up on the latest trends, Derek said.
Derek and Jody opened Crooked Willow in 2018 and have done endless hours of remodeling since.
“We had really good bones to work with,” Derek said. “But it was definitely a lot of work.”
Before it was a wedding venue, Crooked Willow was an antique store. Virkus page 21
PHOTO COURTESY OF STEPHANIE FOTO
The reception hall is set up summer 2024 at Crooked Willow near Osakis. The venue can accommodate 350 guests.
Virkus from page 20
In 2017, it was put up for sale, and Derek happened to drive by. At the time, the Virkuses lived in Hastings, but Derek’s family had a cabin near Osakis.
“I had been doing some work with the township planning board on getting a wedding venue up and running,” Derek said. “So, it was on my mind as I drove by and saw it for sale.”
On January 31, 2018, the couple officially purchased Crooked Willow, and after a
few months of construction, they held their first wedding July 21, 2018. On top of remodeling the space and learning how to run a business, the couple also had to meet a slew of regulatory requirements.
“The amount of state and county regulations we
have to work through is a huge challenge,” Derek said.
Jody said the most challenging part of running a small business is finding balance between work and personal life. The couple do all the scheduling, maintenance and day-to-day operations. They have a few part-time employees to help with cleaning and yard work, but otherwise, Derek and Jody run the business by themselves.
“It’s a constant cycle of cleaning up after an event, doing maintenance on the grounds and then setting up for the next event,” Jody said.
Despite the long hours and hard work, Derek and Jody agree that it is all worth it after a successful event. They enjoy watching couples progress through life or have children after getting married at Crooked Willow, Derek said.
“It’s so exciting to be a part of someone’s special day,” Jody said.
The outdoor ceremony location is ready for guests summer 2024 at Crooked
hosts over 50 weddings a year, as well as other events.
PHOTO COURTESY OF STEPHANIE FOTO
Willow near Osakis. Crooked Willow
Aaron Ardoff
Spicer | Kandiyohi County
When did you begin ice fishing? Who taught you? I actually started ice fishing with my dad when I was pretty young; I was probably 6 or 7 years old. Dad usually speared for northerns, and he would let us boys angle for panfish. Ever since then, I kind of have had the bug. Mom or Dad would end up dropping us off at the fish house and come back at dark to pick us up.
What is the most memorable catch you have had? I was fortunate enough to catch a pretty remarkable fish in September 2022. I was shore fishing with my youngest brother and one of my really good friends. We were casting spinner baits for largemouth bass or pike. I caught something very unexpected. I landed a hybrid sunfish, and I knew right away I had something unusual. It was 12 inches long and weighed 1 pound and 12 ounces. It ended up being the Minnesota state record.
the
Acres cres
Do you have a favorite lake or spot? As far as spots go, I actually do have a few lakes that I like to fish more than others because I get to know them better. A lot of lakes I do fish are typically a little harder to access, and thus, there isn’t as much fishing pressure and crowds.
What do you enjoy most about ice fishing? The most enjoyable part of ice fishing for me is the thrill of the hunt. I like to go to a new lake and basically “hunt down” the fish. A lot of times, I will not go back to the same lake even if I had success on it the day before.
What is the most challenging aspect of ice fishing? I feel like the most challenging part of ice fishing for me is trying to find productive spots and keep them to myself. With all the advanced electronics and GPS devices, it is very difficult to keep secret spots secret.
What equipment do you use while ice fishing? I use a 10-inch electric auger; a LiveScope forward-facing sonar; a portable one-man, flip-over fish house; ultralight fishing rods and No. 3 to No. 4 fishing lines; a small propane Big Buddy heater; and the Navionics GPS app on my cell phone. I also have a 2-man for when my wife wants to come with me.
Al Drexler
Carlos | Douglas County
When did you begin ice fishing? Who taught you? I’ve been fishing since I was a little kid. My dad taught me how to ice fish.
What is the most memorable catch you have had? I don’t think I’ve ever had any really great catches, but I was with my wife when she caught a really nice crappie on Big Stone Lake. We got it mounted because it was so nice.
Do you have a favorite lake or spot? It used to be Lake Le Homme Dieu, but I think now it is Lake Osakis.
What do you enjoy most about ice fishing? Getting away from everything and just relaxing. It is peaceful.
What is the most challenging aspect of ice fishing? Finding the fish; you never know where they will be, and, sometimes, they are there one day and the next, they are gone.
What equipment do you use while ice fishing? I use my Vexilar underwater camera, and I just recently got an Ice Castle fish house that I’m using now.
SOCIAL MEDIA!
Cody
DeWenter
Osakis | Todd County
When did you begin ice fishing? Who taught you? I started ice fishing when I was young, going with my dad and his family. I never really got into it until about 10 years ago. I have mostly taught myself how to fish, along with the help of YouTube and tons of information online.
What is the most memorable catch you have had? My most memorable catch was not even on the ice; it was late October out of my boat. We were just headed back to the access, trolling at dark, and my rod started running. After a few minutes of fighting it to the boat, the light hit the water, and it was a 22-inch walleye, my personal best. Considering I rarely fish for walleye in the summer, it is pretty exciting when you are not expecting it.
Do you have a favorite lake or spot? I like fishing on Smith Lake; it is not super busy usually, and there are plenty of big fish in different areas. There are a lot of lake structures that can help separate fish along different weed lines, from shallow to deep.
What do you enjoy most about ice fishing? I love the search for fish while ice fishing. All summer long, you can cast 50 feet plus if you want to, spanning around your boat and covering tons of area in a few casts. With ice fishing, you are picking a spot where you hope fish are, drilling a hole and fishing only vertically. You might drill multiple holes with no fish below them, and then, all of a sudden, there is a pile of fish in the next two holes you fish out of. It is a feeling of accomplishment at the end of a search.
What is the most challenging aspect of ice fishing? The cold is the biggest challenge when ice fishing. It eats away at your body temp, and the use of your hands becomes minimal. Your propane does not work right for your heater, auger batteries freeze up, rods and reels freeze up, things freeze to the ice and your holes even freeze if you are outside.
What equipment do you use while ice fishing? I use way too many things. I have two hub-style tents, a single-man sled with downhill skis on it for easy pulling, an electric ion auger, a few different rod and reel setups in a case, rattle reels, tip-ups, a couple of buddy heaters, foam floor tiles for setting up inside the hubs, and way too much tackle, if that is possible. I also have a small permanent fish house on skids with a woodstove in it. These are all just things I have gathered throughout the years.
Reaching a larg audience
Golombiecki markets unique product on internet
BY RAE LANZRATH STAFF WRITER
MORRIS — Online shopping has become a normal avenue to purchase anything from clothes to household appliances. Abbie Golombiecki uses it to sell her farm-fresh eggs directly to consumers.
Golombiecki has adopted a new-age approach to selling an old-age product. Customers can order eggs on a website and get them delivered to their doorsteps.
“I’m able to reach so many more people than I would if I didn’t sell online,” Golombiecki said.
Golombiecki lives on a farm with her husband, Tony, and their two children, Peter and Emma. Tony and his side of the family raise beef cattle and farm around 2,200 acres of
Abbie Golombiecki feeds chickens Dec. 27, 2024, at her home near
studied farm management and poultry management to learn how to better care for her flock.
land. The couple and their kids manage a flock of 76 laying chickens, with 30 more on the way.
“Right now, we’re getting around three dozen (eggs) a day because they tend to slow down in the winter,” Golombiecki said. Customers have a choice of washed or unwashed eggs.
Golombiecki page 26
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PHOTO SUBMITTED (Above) Peter (front, left) and Emma; (back, left) Abbie and Tony Golombiecki gather Dec. 29, 2024, near Morris. The Golombieckis raise beef cattle and chickens.
PHOTO BY RAE LANZRATH
(Top left) Chickens gather Dec. 27, 2024, at the Golombiecki farm near Morris. The chickens are free range but are brought inside during the colder months and at night.
PHOTO BY RAE LANZRATH
Morris. Golombiecki
And because there are pros and cons to each, Golombiecki offers both options.
“Some people want them all the way clean, some want them just wiped off and some want them exactly how they come out of the coop,” Golombiecki said.
When eggs are washed, the outer layer of the egg is removed. When that layer comes off, the pores of the shell are opened up and exposed. This means the egg is more susceptible to bacteria. Eggs that have been washed must be stored in a refrigerator because of the higher chances of bacteria. Eggs that have not been washed can be stored at room temperature for up to two weeks, according to Minnesota regulations.
When Golombiecki sells eggs that have not been washed, she wipes them free of any feathers, dirt or other debris from the coop. Some of her customers prefer she does not wipe them off, so they receive them as is.
“I give everyone instructions for how to clean them if they’re receiving unwashed (eggs),” Golombiecki said. “You want to use warm water because cold water makes the yolk shrink up a little bit. And you don’t want to use soap, because that soapy taste will get through the shell.”
When egg yolks shrivel due to the cold water, it creates an air pocket between the shell and yolk. As the air pocket is created, air is sucked through the shell, increasing the risk of bacteria being brought in with it.
“I educate my customers a lot on washed versus unwashed,” Golombiecki said.
Once a customer has purchased eggs, Golombiecki schedules a delivery or meet-up
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Unwashed eggs sit in a carton Jan. 6 at the Golombiecki farm near Morris. Golombiecki sells both washed and unwashed eggs as some customers prefer one over the other.
to drop them off. The website was created using Square, an online software that specializes in small businesses.
Golombiecki also lends a helping hand to her fellow poultry growers in times of need.
“My neighbor’s chickens aren’t laying right now because it’s winter, so I just brought 10 dozen (eggs) to them yesterday so they can still sell to their customers,” Golombiecki said.
Golombiecki said her neighbors help her in various capacities, so she has no hesitation when it comes to helping them. Building community and supporting one another is something she feels is vital for her success.
Since Golombiecki lives in a small community, she feels that using the internet is the best of both worlds. She can sell locally and support
her neighbors, and she’s able to reach customers that are not local.
“I just like to bring the community together and not stay in our own little bubbles,” Golombiecki said. “That community is just a lot larger now because I’m reaching so many other people.”
Golombiecki grew up in Sleepy Eye and did not live on a farm. After she met Tony, she moved to the Morris area and became emerged in the farming lifestyle. Golombiecki studied ranch management at Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, South Dakota, to learn how to run a farm.
“I didn’t have that experience growing up, so I had to learn a different way,” Golombiecki said.
Upon her arrival at the farm, Golombiecki quickly realized she would have to do more than study ranch management to become comfortable on the farm. She would also have to overcome her fear of chickens.
“There were 10 (chickens) here when I moved here,” Golombiecki said. “They really freaked me out, so the way I overcame that was by ordering 60 chicks and just jumping right in.”
After purchasing the chicks, Golombiecki
studied poultry management at Ridgewater College in Willmar and earned a certificate. She has continued to grow her flock and learn how to care for and manage birds.
Golombiecki has used her formal education, social media and help from community to create a successful business. The family also raises beef cattle, so there is potential to expand the website for beef sales.
“We’re not sure what we’re going to do; there are a lot of options,” Golombiecki said. “We’re just excited to keep getting people good, fresh products.”
PHOTOS BY RAE LANZRATH
(Above) Abbie Golombiecki gathers eggs Dec. 27, 2024, at her home near Morris. Golombiecki grew up near Elk River.
(Left) A chicken stands Dec. 27, 2024, at the Golombiecki farm near Morris. The farm is home to nearly 100 chickens.
Abbie Golombiecki pets a chicken Dec. 27, 2024, at her home near Morris. Golombiecki sells farm-fresh eggs online and delivers them as well.
and
cattle Oct. 23,
Growing a a
family, far m farm
Kippleys raise next generation
BY RAE LANZRATH | STAFF WRITER
PIERZ — Every parent raises their children differently; Raymond and Kelsi Kippley choose to raise their children surrounded by animals. The Kippley Ranch near Pierz is home to beef, poultry, swine and six young children.
The Kippley children — Mikelyn, Lucille, Josephine, Wynona, Raymond Jr. and Donald — are the sixth generation of the family to live on a farm.
“They don’t grow up like city kids,” Kelsi said. “They’re getting such a differ-
ent experience.”
Currently, the family has 19 pregnant cows and heifers, one bull, 19 calves from last year, four sows, one boar, around 12 feeder pigs and nearly 100 chickens. They raise replacement heifers and steers, direct marketing most of their stock for butchering.
Raymond grew up on his parent’s dairy farm, which operated until 2001.
Kippley page 30
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
The Kippleys — Mikelyn (front, from left), Josephine, Wynona and Lucille; (back, from left) Raymond holding Raymond Jr. and Kelsi holding Donald — gather Nov. 20, 2024, at the Kippley Ranch near Pierz. The Kippleys raise beef, poultry and swine.
Raymond Jr. (left)
Donald Kippley sit with
2024, at the Kippley Ranch near Pierz. Raymond Jr. and Donald are twins, the youngest of the six Kippley children and the only boys.
of their sons, Raymond thinks broiler chickens are in the family’s future.
The beef and pigs raised on the farm are mostly direct-marketed to local customers, whereas the eggs are sold to a local school.
“The girls’ school is able to purchase eggs from us,” Kelsi said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to sell eggs and for them to get locally raised food for their meals.”
The Holy Trinity Catholic School in Pierz received a Farm to School grant in 2023. The grant allows the school to purchase locally grown produce, eggs and meat products to feed students. The school purchases around
14 dozen eggs from the Kippleys each month.
“The chickens aren’t laying as much right now, but we learned after the winter solstice they usually start laying more,” Raymond said.
The chickens are in a large coop made from re-purposed garage doors that Raymond built on his own. The garage doors are glass, so the coop is full of natural light.
“He built the coolest chicken coop I’ve ever seen,” Kelsi said. “When you’re building things on your own, you have to be creative.”
As if six children and over 150 animals were not enough, the couple also farms their own land to grow feed for the animals. The
family farms around 300 acres of corn and soybeans.
“With six kids, it’s hard to find time, but we have a lot of family around who can help watch them while we do the field work,” Kelsi said. “My sister-in-law doesn’t like the tractors, so she watches the
kids while I work in the tractor.”
The goal on the farm is for the children to grow up knowing the importance of hard work, knowing where their food comes from and that, sometimes, things take time.
“It was slow in those first few years,” Ray-
mond said. “When you don’t have much to start with, growth is slow, but we stuck to it, and we didn’t take out any loans, and we figured it out.”
Even though the kids are young, they enjoy spending time with the animals, helping with chores and riding in the tractor.
Kelsi and Raymond feel as though they have accomplished their goals of raising their kids to understand the farming lifestyle.
“The things on their Christmas lists are not what other kids have on theirs,” Kelsi said. “They just have a different outlook on life.”
PHOTO BY RAE LANZRATH
at the Kippley Ranch near Pierz. The farm has 19 pregnant cows and heifers.
