Donavon Stromberg from Mora received Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation’s Honorary Life recognition for his decades of leadership, advocacy, and service to Minnesota agriculture at the organization’s annual meeting on November 21 in Minnetonka.

 

He was recognized alongside Greg and Mary Bartz of Sleepy Eye and Roger and Linda Sauerbrey of Mayer. 

 

Stromberg grew up on his family’s 400-acre dairy farm near Mora, where he spent nearly 40 years managing and operating the farm, following in his father’s footsteps. He and his family were the first in the county to adopt a parlor milking system.

 

A lifelong Farm Bureau member, Stromberg was elected to the Kanabec County Farm Bureau Board at age 26 and has served as county president, vice president, and chair of numerous committees including policy development, budget, and audit. He also represented District 5 on the Minnesota Farm Bureau State Board of Directors for 12 years, helping guide leadership transitions and establishing the Minnesota Farm Bureau Political Action Committee (PAC).


At the local level, Stromberg has assisted with the Farm Bureau Ice Cream Stand at the county fair and the biannual Breakfast on the Farm, which raise funds to support FFA, 4-H, and local food shelves. He has also mentored youth, encouraging them to participate in legislative visits and develop advocacy skills.