The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) hosted its 105th Annual Meeting on Nov. 16-18, 2023 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington.
The MFBF Annual Meeting brings together the organization’s grassroots membership to surface and discuss issues facing agriculture, along with general organization updates, educational opportunities and networking.
President Dan Glessing of Wright County was re-elected to a two-year term. Also re-elected to the board for three-year terms were Peter Bakken of Rock County (District 3), Nathan Collins of Swift County (District 4), and Shayne Isane of Roseau County (District 7). Also elected to complete one year of a three-year term vacated by former District 1 Director Keith Allen was Jeff Pagel of Olmsted County. Newly elected members to the board serving one-year terms were Steve Schoenfeld of Waseca County as the Promotion & Education Chair and Jessie Bester of Dakota County as the Young Farmers & Ranchers Chair. Read more.
A list of all of the award winners over the two days, along with linked press releases, can be found below. There is also a link with photos of all the award winners and other event photos.
Several Young Farmers & Ranchers competitions were held, including the Excellence in Agriculture contest, Achievement Award, and Discussion Meet. The winners of each competition will represent Minnesota at the American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah in January.
- Winning the Excellence in Agriculture competition was Amanda Cook of Center City (Chisago County). The award recognizes individuals on their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability, and involvement and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.
- Winning the Achievement Award were Megan and Daniel Roberts of Madelia (Blue Earth County). The award recognizes individuals on a combination of their farming operation growth and financial progress of operation, Farm Bureau leadership, as well as leadership outside of Farm Bureau.
- Winning the Discussion Meet was Joe Ramstad of Rockford. The contest is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant. Individuals are evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a pre-determined topic, with the top contestant offering cooperation and communication while analyzing agricultural problems and developing solutions.
Six students were the recipients of scholarships through the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation. View recipients.
- Recipients of the Al Christopherson Scholarship include Theresa Gustafson of Beltrami County, Lily Krona of Beltrami County, Megan Ratka of Stearns County and Kestlyn Willert of Ramsey County.
- Recipients of the Paul Stark Memorial Scholarship include Natalie Neumann of Wright County and Katie Radman of Dakota County.
Former state Representative Rod Hamilton, and former Randolph FFA Advisor Ed Terry received the Distinguished Service to Agriculture award, and three couples were recognized as Honorary Life Members:
- Cheryl and John Gilbertson, Betrami County
- Jane and Howard Swenson, Nicollet County
- Carolyn and David Van Loh, Cottonwood County
Stacy Fritz of Chatfield FFA was named the FFA Advisor of the Year. Read more.
Kevin Dahlman, former farm business management instructor at Central Lakes Colleges, was recognized as the Post-Secondary Agriculture Educator of the Year. Read More.
Dr. Eric Mousel, University of Minnesota Extension educator at the University of Minnesota North Central Research and Outreach Center in Grand Rapids was named the Extension Educator of the Year. Read More.
Thirty six counties received the Premier County Farm Bureau Award, recognizing counties who achieved goals in each of the four organizational strategic initiatives set by the Federation. Additionally, 51 counties were recognized for their outreach efforts and goals achieved in at least one of the four strategic initiative areas. See full list.
MFBF members who signed at least five new members were recognized with Producers Club honors. Additionally, Farm Bureau Financial Services agents received awards for their membership efforts. Read more.
