Ostrander
Ostrander, MN · Business
Owatonna People's Press
OHS students get first-hand ag experience on district-owned farm land
Past OHS students visiting the field. The Owatonna School District is making use of its assets in an effort to offer educational opportunities for the farmers of tomorrow. Some may be unaware that the district owns roughly 30 acres of farmland by Turtle Creek but fret not as it is not sitting idle. For the past four years, Owatonna High School teacher and Future Farmers of America adviser Liz Tinaglia said her class has maintained a small half-acre garden with the goal being to educate students in grades 9-12 and give them practical experience in the techniques and methodology employed in outdoor farming. A student getting his hands dirty. “We have a little garden that’s used for my greenhouse and introduction to plants classes,” Tinaglia said. “We gather soil samples, do soil testing, and when it comes time to plant, the students do the planning, planting, tilling and weeding. So, while we're doing all that gardening kind of work, we have the opportunity to talk about growing crops outside. In the past we've done a little garden sale and what isn’t sold was given away.” Their garden is pesticide- and herbicide-free and in past years students have planted pumpkins, ornamental
feedstuffs.com
Hormel names Holly LaVallie VP of marketing excellence
Hormel Foods Corp. announced Holly LaVallie is rejoining the company as vice president of marketing excellence. In her new role, LaVallie will lead the development and execution of enterprise marketing capabilities designed to support brand growth across the company's Retail, Foodservice and International businesses. Her responsibilities include brand strategy and experience, design and content, media and agency management, marketing technology, marketing training and marketing effectiveness.
KTTC
Former Cheap Charlie’s building being demolished in downtown Rochester
mprnews.org
Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce voices support for controversial Pine Island data center
Amid growing opposition to Google’s proposed Pine Island data center near Rochester, a major local business organization is voicing its full support for the project. The Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, the second largest chamber in the state, announced it is formally backing the controversial massive data center proposal, known as Project Skyway.
kbbonline.com
Cambria Opens New Quartz Processing Center in Minnesota
Cambria is deepening its commitment to U.S. manufacturing with the opening of the 61,000-sq.-ft. Cambria Quartz Processing Center in Randolph, Minn. The facility began operations July 6, 2026, and a grand opening is planned for Oct. 13. Cambria invested $80 million in this specialized quartz-processing campus, which includes a customized...
familydestinationsguide.com
The Most Underrated Retirement Town In Minnesota Is Incredibly Affordable
There’s a town sitting quietly along the Mississippi River in southeastern Minnesota that has somehow managed to stay off most people’s retirement radar, and honestly, that’s a gift to everyone who finds it. Winona, Minnesota is the kind of place that makes you wonder why you spent...
winonapost.com
Winona buys Prairie Island building for $10,000
The Winona City Council recently approved the purchase of a Saint Mary’s University (SMU) building on Prairie Island. While the city is considering all options of what to do with it, Mayor Scott Sherman said he’d like to see programs held there, potentially by the local Izaak Walton League chapter.
steelecountytimes.com
Owatonna names new finance director
After almost a year without an in-house finance director, Owatonna has finally found a replacement. Alicia Fischer began as the city’s finance director on Sept. 28. She replaces Emily Burns, who left last November in what was later learned to be a cloud of disagreement with City Administrator Jenna Tuma. Burns is one of six directors who have left the city since Tuma became the city’s top leader in August 2025.
KIMT
Google's Pine Island project gets Rochester Chamber backing
ROCHESTER, Minn. — The Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce has announced its support for Google's planned development in Pine Island. Project Skyway is a proposed 482-acre development led by Ryan Companies, with Google as the anchor tenant occupying roughly 88 acres. The initial phase is expected to generate more than 700 skilled trades jobs, and once operational, Google's project is expected to create approximately 100 permanent jobs.
tcbmag.com
2026 Outstanding Directors: Jody Feragen
Growing up on a North Dakota farm, Jody Feragen vowed to engage in a career where she would never have to worry about rain and the price of grain. She pursued accounting and financial leadership, eventually joining Hormel Foods as treasurer. During a 10-year run in Austin, Feragen didn’t escape those worries about rain and grain after all.
winonapost.com
Lewiston-Altura FFA team advance to nationals
A talented team of agricultural students from the Lewiston-Altura FFA Chapter is heading to the national stage after a historic victory. The team won first place in the Minnesota State FFA Conduct of Chapter Meetings competition, earning the exclusive opportunity to represent the state of Minnesota at the upcoming 99th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis. The team is scheduled to compete against top state champions from across the country beginning October 20, 2026.