The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) presented five individuals the organization’s Honorary Life Award at its 106th Annual Meeting in November in Minnetonka. 

 

 Bernie Aronson (Lincoln County), Jerry and Lori Beckel (Le Sueur County), and Al and Diane Christopherson (Kandiyohi County) were honored on Friday, Nov. 22 as part of the evening banquet. The Honorary Life award recognizes long-time Farm Bureau members for dedicated service to their county, their community, and Minnesota agriculture.

 

Bernard “Bernie” Aronson

Bernard Aronson, also known as Bernie, grew up on the farm homesteaded by his grandfather near Ivanhoe. His family’s farm has always been very dear to him, and he 

currently lives in what was his childhood home. During the years when he was actively farming, he raised cow-calf pairs, corn, soybeans, and hay.

 

Bernie became a Farm Bureau member in 1986 and served on the Lincoln County Board as president from 1991 until 2023. During his time as a board member, he would go out every spring and visit different farms in the county, signing everyone up that he could for Farm Bureau. Because the vitality of the local Farm Bureau board is especially important to Bernie, he made sure to train younger members a few years before his retirement. Bernie says the thing he enjoys most about Farm Bureau is all the people he meets every year, engaging with others while promoting the organization. Bernie continues to promote Farm Bureau at the Lincoln County Fair every year

 

Outside of Farm Bureau, Bernie has served on multiple committees and boards in his county and community, including treasurer of Ash Lake Township, Bethany Lutheran Church Council and Sunday School Superintendent, FSA committee, and is currently a member of the Lin­coln County Historical Society.

 

“It is a privilege and honor to receive Honorary Life Membership in the Minnesota Farm Bureau,” said Aronson. “The best thing about Farm Bureau has been the people I have met locally, at Farmfest, and the MFBF Annual Meeting. These events have allowed me to meet and make new friends that I would have never met otherwise.”

 

 

Jerry and Lori Beckel

Jerry and Lori Beckel operate a small family farm near Madison Lake where they raise beef cattle, corn, soybeans and hay. 

 

Jerry and Lori are lifelong members of Le Sueur County Farm Bureau. Jerry has served multiple terms on the county board including a term as vice president. Both Jerry and Lori served on various county committees including public policy, membership and Breakfast on the Farm. Both have attended Farm Bureau conferences such as the annual meeting, LEAP, Council of County Presidents, District 2 meetings and more In recent years, Jerry has dedicated a large portion of his time to the Breakfast on the Farm planning committee. In past years, Ag Safety Awareness was another passion of Jerry’s, and he was heavily involved in partnering with safety camps in Le Sueur County. Jerry is also a frequent Day on the Hill participant. Lori has focused her efforts towards Ag in the Classroom. 

 

In their community, Jerry is an active member of the Cleveland FFA Alumni Chapter. He is a member of the Minnesota State Presidential Circle and regularly attends the state FFA convention. Through all these volunteer efforts, Lori is there to support him and the FFA youth. Together they have supported local 4-H clubs through learning opportunities such as fitting, judging and animal care clinics, award sponsorships and mentoring. They especially enjoy providing feedback to the dairy judging teams on oral reasons. Lori participated quarterly in the Le Sueur County Extension Group, led by a local Extension Educator. Lori is an Auxiliary member of Cleveland Post #207 and Le Center Post #108 and also served on the Minnesota Beef Council until 2023.

 

“We're blessed and honored to be receiving this prestigious award from the Minnesota Farm Bureau while doing something we have loved for more than 50 years,” the couple remarked. “This is more than a milestone; it is a true testament to the power of collaboration, passion and perseverance. During our time with this great organization, we have had the pleasure to meet and collaborate with numerous individuals across the state and nation. MFBF symbolizes what we can achieve with determination as a community. Each of us has the power to enable change that is effective while enriching our community, state and country. We look forward to our continued involvement with Minnesota Farm Bureau.”

 

 

Al and Diane Christopherson

Al and Diane Christopherson operate a farm near Pennock, where they currently raise cattle, corn, and soybeans. Their family has been farming the land since 1869. Al is a prominent figure in the Minnesota Farm Bureau, with over 30 years of leadership experience. He served as president from 1988 to 2005 and was a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors, including a position on the AFBF Executive Committee. Prior to that, he was vice president and district director on the state Board of Directors and was very active at the county level.

 

In addition to his work with the Farm Bureau, Al has contributed significantly to agriculture through various statewide committees and organizations. His involvement includes the Agricultural Utilization and Research Institute, River Resource Alliance, Minnesota Governor’s Biodiesel Task Force, and the Advisory Board for the Center for International Food and Agricultural Policy. He also served on the Agricultural Trade Policy Advisory Committee for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

 

In recognition of his legacy, the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation annually offers the Al Christopherson Scholarship, which supports students pursuing degrees in agriculture, 

conservation, or forestry.

 

“We know Farm Bureau as an organization with an outstanding and dedicated group of members and staff,” noted the couple. “Collaborating with leaders at the county, state and national levels has been a most rewarding and memorable experience. A sincere thank you to our Farm Bureau family for presenting us with an Honorary Life Membership.”