Craig and Ardis Forland - Craig and Ardis Forland were born and raised in rural Fillmore County, and have been involved with agriculture their entire lives. The Forlands farmed in Fillmore county for 20 years, and Craig managed the Ostrander Farmers Co-op and is currently an agricultural loan officer, and Ardis is a medical secretary at the Mayo Clinic. The Forlands have two children, Matt and Laura.
"We are excited about bringing the community-based Root River Energy wind development to southeastern Minnesota, and we strongly believe that wind turbine-based renewable energy is necessary for the future," says Craig Forland, "We encourage our community to utilize this opportunity and to work together to participate in this wind project, which will provide long-term benefits to the landowners and the community."
Joel and Barbara Nelson - Joe and Barb Nelson live on a 279 acre farm where they raise Registered Simmental and Angus cattle. They have two children, Matthew and Kayla. Joe and Barb both grew up in Fillmore County; Joe was raised on a hog and cattle farm and Barb grew up on a dairy farm. They own the Lanesboro Sales Commission in Lanesboro, MN and the Decorah Sales Commission, Decorah, IA. Barb is a Registered Nurse and is employed by Gundersen Lutheran Spring Grove Clinic.
Ronald and Lanna Gehling - Ron and Lanna Gehling both grew up in Mower County. They own and operate Gehling Implement and Auction Company in Preston, Minnesota. They also farm and raise black angus cattle. They have four grown children and six grandchildren.
Kenneth and Therese Graner - Ken and Therese Graner have lived in rural Minnesota their entire lives and have spent the last 15 years in Lanesboro, Minnesota. Both were raised on dairy farms that are still family owned and operated. Ken has been in banking for twenty five years and Therese works in retail. The Graners have two children, Lynn and Michael.
“Developing renewable energy is significant and being a part of a community-based project is in line with our objectives,” say Ken and Therese.
Rick and Gina Jahn - Rick Jahn was born in Spring Valley and his wife Gina has lived there since their marriage in 1999. The couple owns 300 acres of land in Minnesota and joined Root River Energy as a founders because they feel that wind is a great renewable energy source. In their spare time, Rick and Gina enjoy boating and spending time with their three children.
“We feel that local landowners will have more support for a project that is beneficial to community members along with an outside company. We are very excited about this project's ability to allow community investment in a large scale wind farm,” say Rick and Gina.
