Six students were the recipients of Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation scholarships, which were announced during the awards program as part of the 105th Minnesota Farm Bureau Annual Meeting on Nov. 17 in Bloomington.

The Al Christopherson Scholarship is awarded annually to deserving junior, senior or graduate students enrolled at an accredited college or vocational technical school and pursuing a degree in an agriculture, conservation or forestry-related field.

Recipients of the 2023 Al Christopherson Scholarship include Theresa Gustafson of Beltrami County, Lily Krona of Beltrami County, Megan Ratka of Stearns County and Kestlyn Willert of Washington/Ramsey County.

Gustafson is currently a senior at North Dakota State College of Science, double majoring in agribusiness and ranch management. She is a member of both the agriculture club and culinary arts club, as well as a student worker in the culinary department. She is the daughter of Eric and Rosemary Gustafson.

Krona is a junior at the University of Minnesota – Crookston majoring in agricultural education. She is the founder of the university’s Farm Bureau Collegiate Club, and serves as president. She is also vice president of both the Animal Science Association and Collegiate FFA, while also acting a secretary for the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and promotion committee for Ag Arama. She is the daughter of Jeff and Amy Krona.

Ratka is a junior at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities majoring in animal science. On campus she held multiple roles with Lambda Delta Phi most recently serving on the executive committee as a representative at-large and is also active with the Gopher Dairy Club. Since the summer of 2019 she has volunteered with the Stearns County Farm Bureau during the county fair. Ratka is the daughter of Kevin and Kathy Ratka.

Willert is a senior at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities double majoring in agricultural communication & marketing and animal science with a minor in political science. She is active with several groups on campus including the General Livestock Judging Team, Beta of Clovia, Block and Bridle Club, Minnesota Royal Collegiate Livestock Show, Agricultural Education Communication and Marketing Club, and National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. Willert was the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation intern during the summer of 2022, and is currently a member of The Herd. She is the daughter of Klint and April Willert.

The Paul Stark Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to deserving freshman or sophomore students enrolled at an accredited college or vocational technical school and pursuing a degree in an agriculture, conservation or forestry-related field.

Recipients of the 2023 Paul Stark Memorial Scholarship include Natalie Neumann of Wright County and Katie Radman of Dakota County.  

Neumann is a sophomore at South Dakota State University majoring in agriculture business & entrepreneurial studies. She is an active 4-H volunteer, and was also an intern with the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation in 2022. She is the daughter of Bill and Renae Neumann. 



Radman is a freshman at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities majoring in animal science production. She has participated in in 4-H and FFA, winning the Farm Bureau Discussion Meet this past spring. She is the daughter of Charlie and Leah Radman.