University of Minnesota Extensions’ Farm Family Recognition Program honors farm families from throughout Minnesota for their contributions to the agriculture industry and their local communities. The program exists through the continued support of and coordination by the University of Minnesota Extension, the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.
The Litchfield Rail encourages letters to the editor from readers who wish to share their opinion. However, we ask that letter writers abide by a few ground rules:
It’s fair to say that these have been confusing and even traumatic times for U.S. public servants. They’ve been attacked as lazy and as ripoff artists — by a White House official. They’ve received a steady stream of “buyout” offers whose legality was initially questioned by the courts. They’ve watched as entire federal agencies — most notably the people responsible for providing life-saving foreign aid and the people charged with protecting American financial consumers — have been shut down or ordered to stop working. And, of course, the richest private citizen in the world has been busy installing his private-citizen colleagues in key command- and-control positions in the U.S. government.
On March 18 we celebrate National Ag Day, a time to recognize the incredible individuals who make agriculture possible and reflect on its impact. Agriculture is a team effort that extends far beyond the farm. It’s an entire community of dedicated people, from farmers and ranchers to agribusiness professionals, educators, scientists, truck drivers, retailers and many others that work together to provide for our nation.
Project would create special education space at Ripley Elementary
Personnel, program reductions part of finding $514,399 in reductions
Litchfield team wins Region 7 title, qualfies for state meet
Lloye C. Peterson, 87, of rural Atwater passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, February 25, at her residence.
Rodney R. Sommerfeld, 77, of Litchfield died on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Bethany Assisted Living in Litchfield. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Visitation was held from 4 - 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Johnson Hagglund Funeral and Cremation in Litchfield and will continue one hour prior to the service. Interment will be held at Ripley Cemetery, Litchfield, at a later date. Military Honors will be provided by the Litchfield Military Honor Guard. The service will be livestreamed at www.johnsonhagglund.com. Rodney Raymond Sommerfeld, the son of Ben and Erna (Piepenberg) Sommerfeld was born on February 8, 1948, in Litchfield. He graduated from Grove City High School in 1966 and served in the Army during the Vietnam War. Rodney was united in marriage to Sandra Holmberg in 1981. They were married for 18 years and remained friends until Sandra passed away in January 2024. He grew up on the family farm in Manannah and continued farming until he began working at Custom Products and later Palm Attachments and Bobcat in Litchfield. Rodney was baptized, confirmed and was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Rodney was always willing to lend a helping hand to his neighbors, enjoyed driving motorcycles, tinkering in the garage and spending time with his family. One of his favorite childhood memories was spending time at his grandma and grandpa Piepenburg’s farm. Rodney was known by the kids at church for handing out fruit snacks and other treats and the grandkids never left his apartment without a handful of candy. Rodney will be remembered by many for his slow blue truck covered in stickers. He is survived by his children Sara Shoutz of Litchfield, Jennifer (John) Condon of Eagle Bend, and Wesley (Teri) Sommerfeld of Big Lake; grandchildren Zoe Shoutz, Cryus Shoutz, Lucas Condon, Emma Condon, Aiden Matthews, Harlo Lind and Nienna Palmer; mother-in-law Darlene Holmberg; brothers-inlaw and sister-in-law Brian (Joan) Holmberg of Nisswa, Kent (Janet) Holmberg of McGregor, MN, Chad (Mary) Holmberg of Grove City, Curt Holmberg of Eden Valley, and Jocelyn Holmberg of Buffalo; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Ben and Erna Sommerfeld; former wife Sandra Lindquist; son-in-law Todd Shoutz and brother-in-law Loren Holmberg, and other loved ones that he looked forward to being reunited with in heaven. Please sign our online guestbook at www. johnsonhagglund.com.