Jacob Rieke stands in front of a dairy on their farm that dates back to the 1860s.
Serving in the Peace Corps in El Salvador in 2008-10 was a truly life-changing experience for Kylie and Jacob Rieke of rural Fairfax.
“It was in El Salvador that we realized we enjoyed living in rural communities,” Jacob said. “After our two-year commitment, we decided to move home to join the farm.”
Kylie, who grew up near Bernadotte, and James, who grew up south of Fairfax, met at Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop High School.
After Kylie earned an art degree from Augsburg University in Minneapolis and Jacob earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Hamline University in St. Louis. Paul, they decided to join the Peace Corps.
“It was something we always talked about doing (in college) and wanted to do it. We knew it was going to be a great life experience,” Jacob said. “It’s a difficult experience, but you get out of it, and you’re ready for it. life. There’s not much you fear after spending two years abroad like that. “
Kylie Rieke works on her potter in her studio.
El Salvador is a relatively poor, developing country with volcanoes, beaches, coffee farms, excellent surfing and stunning scenery. The dollar is the legal tender, and English is often spoken.
Transportation can be difficult.
“It really expands your protection and gives you a boost of confidence,” Jacob added.
“It also gives you a sense of satisfaction to be at home,” Kylie said.
“We lived on $ 300 a month down there, but there was a lot of money,” Jakob said. “It was hard, but it was one of the happiest times of my life. We were very far out in the countryside, near the border with Honduras, far from big cities. “
Kylie and Jacob Rieke live in rural Fairfax with their children, Avery and Maya.
Rieke said there is gang violence in El Salvador, but it is mostly between gangs themselves and in larger cities.
“We worked on rural health and sanitation there,” Jacob said. “Some of our main goals were to impress people with washing their hands, keeping food and bathrooms clean. Kylie did a lot of arts with people there.”
The Rieke established a school computer room, clinics and improved ovens for people, so they didn’t have to breathe so much smoke while cooking.
Kylie taught art classes and painted a number of murals in El Salvador.
Back home on a family farm that was established about 150 years ago, the Rieke are still engaged in the production of corn, beans and pigs. They are also busy with other things.
Jacob is the chairman of RS Fiber Cooperative Board. He began volunteering for the project in 2010, helping cities advertise the project.
In 2018, he was accepted into the Minnesota Agriculture Rural Leadership program. With MARL, he has attended numerous seminars around Minnesota in addition to seminars in Washington, D.C., and a two-week seminar series in Cambodia and Taiwan.
Jacob is running for the Renville County Board District 2 seat this fall.
Kylie works as a production potter and is a founding member of the GFW T-Bird Community Arts Board. She has participated in community art shows and volunteers for art projects as much as she can, winning regional and state art scholarships.
“Handmade, functional pottery is especially unique because you constantly interact with it,” Kylie added. “There’s something really satisfying and remarkable about using handmade dishes. I love to bring vibrant colors to places that were once gloomy and boring. Large murals can completely change how you feel within a space. They can add meaning and needed beauty to our lives. “
Her pottery is available at The Grand Center for Art and Culture and the New Ulm Community Market and Cooperative.
Kylie plays Mary in T-Bird Community Arts’ summer musical “The Sound of Music.” Their daughter, Avery, 12, plays Brigitta in the music. She also plays the violin and Maya, 10, plays the cello. They participate in the New Ulm Suzuki School of Music.
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