News Around Town

by Matt Wendel of Grand Farm

In May 2022, Grand Farm announced that after nearly a year of searching for the right community to call home, Casselton was selected for its permanent location. With the area’s long history in agriculture and abundant community and industry partners, we decided the Casselton area was a perfect fit for our Innovation Facility, and we couldn’t be more excited to join the community.

Grand Farm enables technology to feed the world by facilitating collaboration on innovations solving some of the world’s largest challenges in agriculture technology. Our approach combines an Ecosystem of relevant stakeholders, AgTech project facilitation through our Program Management Office, and research and development at our future Innovation Facility.

Grand Farm started around a community challenge and has transformed into a global leader in AgTech innovation. A local entrepreneur challenged the Fargo-Moorhead community to define our region’s major - a specialty that attracts innovation and new businesses to the area. What followed was an idea to lean into our community’s heritage of agricultural innovation and create a place where stakeholders across the globe could come together to solve the biggest challenges facing agriculture.

Since our launch in 2019, we’ve facilitated and hosted hundreds of AgTech projects in the field - all on donated acreage south of Fargo, North Dakota. With continual expansion of projects and research, we determined that constructing an Innovation Facility on our own acreage would best allow us to continue our impact in agriculture technology innovation.

While Grand Farm’s current test site has exceeded expectations, we continue to add projects and seek to provide additional capabilities. When we look across the Casselton area, we see a network of established organizations from agriculture to transportation to finance, so we’re really joining as another piece of a deep-rooted ecosystem.

Grand Farm’s Innovation Facility will be intentionally designed to be a continually adapting, demonstration and innovation space that will stay at the forefront of agriculture technology innovation. It will provide expanded acreage for the facilitation of additional AgTech projects, rapid prototyping capabilities, and increased research capacity.

Earlier this year, the North Dakota Department of Commerce announced it had selected Grand Farm as a recipient of the department’s Autonomous Agriculture Technology Matching Grant. The $10 million grant was created with funding from the 67th Legislative Assembly to encourage and support the advancement of autonomous farming technology by awarding a 1:1 match of funding for the deployment of an innovation facility, project management for complex North Dakota-based and global autonomous agricultural concepts, and workforce initiatives to upskill the autonomous agriculture workforce with qualified professionals to ensure advanced farming techniques. 

by Becky Kingsley, who is a volunteer at the Casselton Heritage Center

What do a South Dakota couple in town for specialized treatment for their dog have in common with a museum researcher working on a project about rural Cass County women who have served in the armed forces?

They were all recent visitors to the Casselton Heritage Center.

The Heritage Center, known by many in town as The Stone Church, is a Gothic Revival-style church which is on the National Registry of Historic Buildings. It was built in 1886 for the St. Stephen’s Episcopal congregation. In the 1950s, the Casselton Mennonite congregation purchased the building, and they worshipped there for many years.

After the Mennonite congregation disbanded, the Casselton Heritage Center was established in 2004 through the initiative of Twila Schrock and others. The Heritage Center’s mission is to preserve this beautiful structure and collect historical assets from the surrounding areas.

The Heritage Center building is unique. Made of field stone from the local area, it contains many of its original stained-glass windows, as well as many original furnishings such as the pews and organ.

But that’s not all there is for visitors to see. There is a large school collection that includes class pictures and yearbooks. One room is devoted to information and items from the five governors from Casselton. Many other photographs and documents from the beginning of Casselton to present day are a part of the Heritage Center collection.

So many times we hear people ask "what’s there to do in Casselton?" We would answer that by saying “Come visit the Heritage Center.” Contact Julie, 701-238-4782, Bernie 701-238-0536 or Ron 701-261-0460 to arrange a tour. The facility is also available for area residents to rent for programs, weddings, funerals, open houses, tours, educational and entertainment activities. Follow us on Facebook for updates.

Every so often on our Casselton Business Association page on Facebook, we ask our followers to share a favorite item that you can get in Casselton that others probably don’t know about. We always get some fun tips from savvy residents.

Here are nine of their recent current recommendations:

• Louisiana Grills from Maple River Grain – Need a new grill? No problem! No matter if you’re stopping in to talk farming, or just grill shopping, you can find a Louisiana Grill out at Maple River Grain.
• Sheets and towels at Dollar General – The Dollar General is a treasure trove of items. We are often surprised by what you can find there. Maybe you are too? The item that our Facebook friends told us about was the sheets and towels you can always pick up there.
• Cinnamon roll dough at the Casselton Cold Storage –Who doesn’t love a fresh cinnamon roll? Everyone, right! Stop in at the Casselton Cold Storage to pick up a dozen frozen cinnamon rolls so you can bake a delicious breakfast treat whenever you need one.

• Charcuterie boards from Creative Grain Woodworks – A charcuterie board is a nice gift for a wedding, a bridal shower, Mother’s Day or nearly any holiday. But keep in mind that a charcuterie board from Creative Grain Woodworks also is the perfect gift for yourself.
• Electric toothbrush at Hagen Dental – It’s not just dental work that you can get at Hagen Dental, They also carry electric toothbrushes that you can take home (along with their best advice for using it).
• Golf club regripping at Hack's Regripping – You can get your golf clubs regripped right here in Casselton by Hack’s Regripping, own by Mark Hackmann. He’s been in this business for more than 11 years and even can provide special order grips.  

• Corn Nuggets at the Red Baron Lounge and Pizza Pub – We weren’t sure what a “corn nugget” was when it came in from a local recommendation. We placed an order, snapped a picture and gave them a taste. It’s sweet corn on the inside with a crispy deep-fried batter on the outside. Try them yourself anytime at Red Baron Lounge and Pizza Pub.
• Light bulbs at Casselton Drug and Floral – We all know we can medicine, gifts, flowers, jewelry and so much more at Casselton Drug and Floral, but they also carry many household basics, like light bulbs.
• Quickcrete cement mix from Casselton Hardware Hank – If you get into a bind while working on a home project (inside or out), stop into Casselton Hardware Hank to pick up what you need. One Facebook reader shared how glad she was to get a bag of Quickcrete cement mix there when she was in a pinch.

If you’ve got a special product or service that you like from Casselton, feel free to drop us a comment and make your local recommendation. 

Written by three Health Science II students at Central Cass School: Catie Sinner, Alexandria Lade, and Cassie Bartholomay. 

Is your high school student looking into health science career opportunities? The health career field is ever expanding with new technology and a demand for workers. At Central Cass School in Casselton, Health Science 1 and Health Science 2 introduces students into the wonders of medicine.

Expanding students’ knowledge and fascination starts here in our classes. Through Central Cass Health Science groups, students learn to take vital signs and practice basic CNA skills. They also study basic anatomy and medical abbreviations nurses use on the daily. The class prepares students on how to conduct themselves professionally in a working environment.

Skills are not only learned in the classroom. Health Science students have a hands-on experience through taking community member’s blood pressures, riding along in the Casselton ambulance, and interviewing health care professionals. They are able to explore fields of health they did not know existed. This broadens their career options and allows them to find a job they are sure to love!

Here is what one of the students, Alexandria Lade, has to say about the class, “Throughout high school I’ve become interested in the health career field. This class has given me the experience to finally say I want health to be my lifelong career. My favorite part of the class has been going on a job shadow to a dialysis center. Getting to meeting the doctors, technicians, and patients inspired me.”

If you would like more info about our health science class, or would like to be a speaker, contact Missy Jacobson at melissa.jacobson1@k12.nd.us 

Home are selling fast in Casselton, just ask someone that's been shopping for one in town. And as homes sell, we welcome new residents to Casselton. These newcomers are checking out area businesses, making new friends and sending their kids to school at Central Cass. 

To find out more about what makes Casselton attractive, we asked three new families to share "why Casselton?".

Seth and Sacha Hauschulz

In June 2021, Seth and Sacha Hauschulz and their two children moved from West Fargo. Seth is VP of Sales for Ironwood and Sacha works as Financial Services Operations Supervisor at Gate City Bank.  Their daughter Aubree is in 5th grade this year and their son Brady is a first grader.

"We were looking for a smaller town that still had a lot to offer.," says Sacha. "Casselton has a great school system in both academic and athletics, and overall Casselton has provided many opportunities to be involved. Having grown up in small towns, we have enjoyed providing that same scenes of community and way of life for our children.”

Sacha shared that they have met community members at their church and at activities their kids are in, such as Just for Kix Dance, Cub Scouts, Masters Basketball Academy, T-Ball, Flag Football and BioGirls.

Aaron and Adrienne Olson

Aaron and Adrienne Olson moved to Casselton from Reiles Acres, where they had built a home and lived with their three children for 13 years.  Aaron is a Technical Product Owner at Border States Electric and Adrienne is the Vice President of Communication for Kilbourne Group. Their kids are AJ in 8th grade, Anali in 6th grade and Alivia in 4th grade.

Here's what Adrienne shared with us about "why Casselton?"

“When Aaron and I recognized that we were barely waving hello to each other in our driveway as we shuttled kids in different directions, we knew we had to make a change in our lifestyle. We simply couldn’t spend so much time in the car anymore. We were also staring down the business end of possibly becoming a five-car family in order to keep everyone going in their chosen direction.

We set out to find a true community, where our kids could independently get to and from school. What we found in Casselton was the ability to live the bulk of our lives without a car. Casselton gives our kids access to countless activities, a wonderful library, the beloved city pool, and the ability to bike to grab a carton of milk. I can’t believe we are so fortunate to live in a place where we have, within walking distance, great cafes, places to grab a beer and run into friends, and even a little bit of shopping just for fun.

In Casselton, we’ve found groceries, a dentist, a clinic, a pharmacy, a hair salon, a gym, the hardware store… Practically everything we need, all a short walk from our home. From my front step, I can hear the cheers of the football fans on Friday nights and the peaceful songs of the church bells on Sunday morning.

The reservoir has become a favorite place to spend time for our family where we bike, walk, sled, picnic, and just enjoy the beauty of it. Recreational opportunities here feel endless. The kids are even trying their skills at the Casselton Golf Course.

To top it off, we found a very welcoming community. We are surrounded by fantastic neighbors and our kids’ days are overflowing with friends, fun, and independence. We simply love living in Casselton. “

Alex and Danielle Beilke

Alex and Danielle Beilke recently moved to Casselton from Fargo, where they lived for 10 years. Alex works on the family farm with his dad, Brad and uncle, Jeff. Danielle is a licensed Realtor at Beyond Realty and manages their rental properties in the FM area.

“My husband Alex and I had Casselton on our radar for multiple reasons," says Danielle. "Alex grew up just west of Casselton, farming with his dad and uncle on their family farm. He graduated from Casselton – Go Squirrels! and we knew we wanted to live closer to the farm. When choosing where to call home, we wanted a small-town atmosphere with close proximity to the city. The idea of life being a little quieter and moving a little slower was appealing to us."

"We are now expecting our first child, a girl, due in October (making her appearance during harvest, pray for this new mama)," adds Danielle. "Alex and I knew we wanted to live in a town where we felt safe allowing our children to play with neighboring kids and not fear for their safety. We instantly felt that sense of security when we were welcomed to the area by neighbors, and we can’t wait for our daughter to be old enough to play with the other kids in our area."

If you would like to be featured in our next "Why Casselton" post, email us your story at welcome@gocasselton.com. We would love to hear from you!

If you’re looking for a church community in Casselton, you’ll find a variety of denominations to fit with whatever is important to you and your family.

You can visit the websites of these churches to learn more about the schedules for services, as well as all the other events and activities they're doing in the Casselton community.

 

CrossRoads Community Evangelical Free Church –This church is a body of Christ-followers who desire to see God work in a mighty way in Casselton and rural Cass County, ND.  Services are on Sunday morning, but community activities are happening at the church often.

Mission: We exist to meet people at the crossroads of life and point them to Jesus.

Harvest Plains Church – This church strives to provide a welcoming atmosphere with challenging yet engaging messages. They work to teach the Bible in a way that is clear, compelling, and help you marvel at God's love for sinners through Jesus Christ. You can listen to their podcast also. 

Mission: Helping others learn about God, love Him and others, and live for His Glory.

 

Martin’s Lutheran Church – Worship services at Martin’s rotate between three different settings: Traditional, Contemporary, and Praise & Worship. All three include great music offered by live musicians, responsive reading, and Holy Communion .Martin's Lutheran Church is a congregation of the ELCA.

Mission: Named, claimed, and sustained by God, Martin's Lutheran is a worshiping community which gathers together to hear the Word, learn about God's love, and to provide support for one another. Together we respond to Christ's command to share the Good News and to serve our neighbors -- across the street and across the world.

St. Leo’s Catholic Church – St Leo’s Catholic Church celebrates Mass on Saturday evening and twice on Sunday.

Mission: The Catholic Church's primary mission is to spread the kingdom of God. In the broader sense, the kingdom of God means the reign of righteousness, justice, and peace. However, widespread social, political, and economic inequity tramples the rights of the weak.

 

United Methodist Church – This Methodist church is a community of faith coming together to worship God, love our neighbors & to make disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world!

Mission: The mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The further mission of First United Methodist Church is to create and build inclusive Christian community through INVITING, FORMING and SENDING faithful, active disciples of Jesus Christ.

 

Westminster Presbyterian Church – This family of faith and fellowship strives to reach out to our community by participating in several ministries. Through these actions, they can show God's love and direction in many ways.

Mission:

• ·        Be a Christ-centered community
• ·        Be welcoming and open to all
• ·        Promote fellowship
• ·        Rejoice in our faith         
• ·        Demonstrate care and love
• ·        Enhance spiritual growth for all ages
• ·        Provide meaningful worship
• ·        Spread the Word of the Gospel

If you’re hungry in Casselton, we have you covered with a range of restaurant offerings to satisfy any appetite. And check out the suggestions on what to order, courtesy of your friends in Casselton. 

• Casselton Vet’s Club – Now open for lunch, offering a full menu including burgers, shrimp and more from 11 AM to 1 PM
• Club 94 – Check out the daily lunch special at this bar and grill that has been family owned for more than 50 years. The daily special changes well, daily, but here are some recent examples: hot hamburger meal with mashed potatoes and gravy, chipotle chicken wrap with curly fries, spaghetti with garlic toast, and pepperjack burger with broccoli cheese soup.
• Country Kitchen – At Country Kitchen, the food is always fresh, the smiles stretch a country mile and breakfast can be any time of the day! Light and fluffy pancakes, skillets and omelettes packed with fresh ingredients, thick and juicy burgers, savory sandwiches, hearty dinners, and homemade desserts are just a few examples.
  
  "When I was pregnant I LOVED the Reuben’s at Country Kitchen! So good!," says Rachel Faleide of Casselton. 

• Percy’s Place – Open for breakfast and lunch, Percy’s Place offers sandwiches, salads and soups, plus a variety of delectable baked goods made fresh daily. You also can check out the freezers to take home a dozen cookies or maybe a frozen meal. 
  
  Casselton locals suggest you try the Wild Bird Sandwich or the Barbeque Bacon Burger.

• Pizza Ranch --  This casual Casselton location makes pizza lovers’ dreams come true with savory flavors, the Country’s Best Chicken®, and Cactus Bread®—all made your way and perfect for dining in, taking out, or having delivered to your door.
• Red Baron Lounge and Pizza Pub – Choose from a range of specialty pizzas, appetizers and “Barons’ on the Bun” sandwiches. Try the Seafood Pizza for a delicious option.

• Subway -- Subway serves freshly made-to-order sandwiches, wraps, salads and bowls to visitors to its restaurant in Casselton.
• Vibe Nutrition – On the menu is healthy, take-with-you items that will keep you moving throughout the day. From tea to aloe, to protein-packed snacks, Vibe Nutrition is a hangout for healthy shakes and more
• Z’s Grub and Pub – Stop into the dining room for a range of appetizers, salads, wraps, burgers and entrees.  Fans are raving about the Chicken and Waffles, Taco Salad and the Tachos.

We would love to share news about your Casselton business. Drop us an email at welcome@gocasselton.com with your news and we'll work with you to get it published here!