Bruce has spent a lifetime promoting agricultural causes. First, as field man for Kroger’s grocery; second, as a Super Valu store owner; third as a promoter for the American Dairy Association- Minnesota; and throughout his retirement, doing promotion work for First District Association and Form A Feed as ‘Head Cheeseball,’ on Cheeseball Corners, a radio show on KLFD.  

During his time as grocery store owner, he started the Peanut Butter and Milk Festival in 1972.  The festival helped to promote milk and peanut butter, since they went so well together, as well as highlighting food production, youth in agriculture, and rural America.  Today, the festival continues with an exchange program twice a year between Litchfield, Minnesota and Hartford, Alabama, with over 100 students from Litchfield, and over 100 students from Hartford, acting as delegates.

Bruce passed away in September 2017. Blessed be his memory.

Nancy was the first female MN FFA member to receive her State FFA Degree.  She, along with three other females, were awarded their degrees in 1973.  It wasn't until 1969 that females gained full FFA membership privileges by vote of the national convention delegates.  

Nancy Barka Dahlman took advantage of the membership privilege by joining the Litchfield FFA.  She was actively involved in the program and held several offices, as well as her involvement in Career Development events. More recently she has been active with the FFA alumni at the local, state, and national levels.

Nancy passed away in April 2023. Blessed be her memory.

Fred was the first Minnesota State FFA Officer from Litchfield.  He served as state Secretary from 1973-74.  At the time of his election, Fred was graduating from high school and planning to attend Bethel College. His advisor was Mr. Ken Stark.

Fred grew up on a farm near Litchfield. He now resides in Watertown MN where he serves his community as a City Councilman.

Jerome was 16 years old when he signed the original charter for the Litchfield FFA Program.  Jerome has spent his lifetime farming and living in the Manannah area. Throughout his life, he has continued to be a supporter of the FFA Program.  

Jerome served on several community boards including Harvey Township, ACSC, and Cenex. He is a devout Catholic serving on various church councils and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also involved in the Harvey 4-H club.

He and his wife Margaret built a life and family rooted in faith, service, and farming. Jerome is pleased to have his son, Michael, and grandson, Joe, continue the family-farming tradition.

Jerome passed away in October 2021. Blessed be his memory.

Joe was the Litchfield FFA Advisor from 1950 to 1968.  During his time, the Litchfield FFA program grew and prospered. Joe worked to increase FFA membership and involvement in Career Development Events.  Mr. Duncomb also worked hard to increase the involvement of FFA members at the Meeker County Fair. He encouraged not just Litchfield FFA members, but other chapters to become involved as well.  

Mr. Duncomb was a strong community supporter as well, and involved the FFA members in a variety of activities at the community level.

Jerome passed away in February 1968. Blessed be his memory.

Brent & Loree are recognized for their longtime support of the FFA and the Peanut Butter & Milk Festival program. Both have been advocates for agricultural education and the importance it holds in our community.

Brent was an active FFA member, served as a Region V President, and was the first FFA member to serve as a delegate to Hartford, Alabama.

Loree has been a longtime member and officer of the PBM Committee and the Meeker County Fairboard. 

They are also the parents of a state officer hailing from Litchfield FFA.

Tim is the news director at KLFD and has worked tirelessly to promote many years of various events in which Litchfield FFA members were involved. Through radio promotions for FFA week, fundraiser advertisements, and newsmaker programs, we have been able to rely on Tim to help promote our activities and accomplishments. 

Tim has also been a crutial member of the Peanut Butter & Milk Festival committee helping to organize and promote the exchange program. He also served on the Meeker County fairboard where his efforts helped provide our FFA members an opportunity to be part of a well run county fair. 

Vaughn and Joan are recognized for their exceptional service to the Litchfield FFA chapter and community of Litchfield. Vaughn has spent his life in the dairy industry and serving on many local boards, including being part of recharting the Litchfield FFA Alumni Chapter in the 2000s. Joan spent 30 years serving on the Meeker County Fair Board and being a chaperone on many FFA events. 

Together they have served on the Meeker County American Dairy Association board for over 20 years and continuted advocating in support of Litchfield FFA and Meeker County agriculture. Their children have gone on to respresent Litchfield FFA and the dairy industry as Princess Kay of the Milkyway finalist and a winner, as well as holding a State FFA office.

Josh and Erica have been long-time supporters of youth in agriculture. Josh was a Litchfield FFA member himself and all three of their children were/are members as well. Josh & Erica have both been drivers and/or chaperones for numerous local, regional, state and even national events- usually “donating” their time to do so. They both are members of the newly re-chartered Litchfield FFA Alumni & Supporters with Erica serving as this year’s Treasurer. They have also both served as delegates to Hartford AL and been a host family for a handful of students as part of the PBM Exchange program.

They are both avid supporters of the Meeker County Fair- Josh is a Fairboard member who donates countless hours to grounds management and maintenance; Erica also donates countless hours to managing the grandstand foodstand. They have also served as open class/FFA and 4-H Rabbit Project superintendents- and though they have stepped down from those roles- they continue to assist with county fair rabbit shows and offer assistance in any way they can. They also volunteer their time in the 4-H foodstand and the Moo Booth.

They are active members of the community- selflessly giving of their time to DCL Swimming Boosters, Litchfield Baseball Association, St. Philip’s Church/Church of Our Lady, Forest City Livewires & Meeker County 4-H, Meeker County Fair, Litchfield FFA Alumni & Supporters, and even their service-focused employment. I’m sure we have missed some groups or items to which Josh and Erica have given their time and talents- this is just the tip of the iceberg.

All three of their children are either currently working or considering agricultural related careers and have all been active members of agricultural education based youth and young adult organizations. This speaks to the impact they have both shared being stand-up supporters and advocates for agricultural education and community involvement.

Josh & Erica are beyond deserving of this recognition and are a shining example of what the Litchfield FFA Hall of Fame award represents.

Bernie & Aggie shared a life of faith on their dairy farm in Manannah and later at their home in Litchfield. They raised their family on the farm which in turn led to two more generations of farmers and agriculturalists sharing a love of the dairy industry and agricultural life. 

Between the two of them, they have been involved with 4-H, FFA, PBM, the Minnesota State and National Holstein and Red & White Associations, Meeker County Holstein Board, Meeker County Fairboard, and Meeker County ADA. You could always find them on the bleachers at cattle shows, at a sports event, or at a dairy princess banquet. They also shared the love of their faith through the Church of Our Lady in Manannah as members of Catholic United Financial, the Pastoral Council, Council of Catholic Women, and volunteering for other various ministries. This couple has stood as a pillar of faith in their church serving as Baptismal godparents and Confirmation sponsors, helping guide young people in their faith. 

They have both been avid supporters of the FFA and have offered many years of leadership, financial support, and advocacy for agricultural education. 

Bernie passed away in November 2021. Blessed be his memory.

Bob & Betty shared their love of local history and agriculture right in the tiny town of Forest City. Both born and raised in the Litchfield area and having farmed their whole lives, they are no strangers to the difficulties and beauties of agricultural life and have held fast to the importance of building relationships within the community. 

Between the two of them, they can be found on membership lists for PBM, Kingston Lions, Forest City Threshers, Ostmark Lutheran Church, and- most prominently- the Forest City Stockade. Other areas of service included Meeker County Park Board, Compassionate Friends, Litchfield School Board, numerous church activities, and even the Minnesota Air National Guard. Their faith and family stand most important to them and they have always cherished time supporting their children and grandchildren in their activities and shaping them though faith and farming. A warm, welcoming hug was always waiting inside the stockade walls or wherever you may have run into them. 

This couple embodies what it means to give back to the community with kindness and humility and have been honored in many other ways throughout the area for their dedication and service over the years.

Bob passed away in February 2026. Blessed be his memory.

Terri has dedicated the last 20+ years to the Peanut Butter & Milk Festival and has been a steady supporter of Litchfield FFA for just as long. She is one of the first to speak highly of the FFA and truly understands the importance of FFA and agricultural education and the lasting impact the opportunities hold for students. Though not an FFA member herself, she is no stranger to agricultural life. From growing up on a farm to farming with her husband and raising their family in rural Litchfield, agriculture remains a central theme in her life story. Her professional career yielded top honors as St. Cloud area Legal Secretary of the year in 1980, but that didn’t stop her from continuing to learn and network with other business professionals as a Meeker in Motion participant.  

Volunteer community involvement has been a prominent part of her life including serving as a long-standing PBM board officer, member of the Litchfield Parade of Bands board, United Way Litchfield Area Women Empower, and the Phi Theta Kappa Society. She also served her church as a secretary, treasurer, Sunday School superintendent, Vacation Bible School director and as a member of the Lutheran Women’s Ministry League. Other places she can be found include cheering on the football team, at a band or choir concert, or theater production- being a supportive grandparent is a top priority for this service oriented individual. After recently retiring from a long, successful career in an industry dedicated to serving others, she has chosen to continue giving back as one of the newest members of the Litchfield FFA Alumni & Supporters chapter. 

Her dedication to sharing the importance of agricultural education for the future leaders and agriculturists of our community goes above and beyond, especially for someone who didn’t get the chance to partake in the program herself. Her enthusiasm for agriculture does not go unnoticed and embodies what it means to be a true supporter of the FFA and an overall, well-rounded, service-driven community member.