Becker award given at the County Fair’s Ag Program

Contributed photo
Linda and Lonnie Perrine received the Red River Valley Outstanding Farm Leaders Award at the Becker County Fair on Saturday, July 26. They are pictured by the 4-H building where Linda (often with Lonnie’s help) has coordinated 4-H fair activities for 49 years.

Lonnie and Linda Perrine are one of 16 couples from the 14 counties along the Red River Valley to receive the Red River Valley Outstanding Farm Leaders Award. The award is based on their impact on the farming industry, their service to their community, and how they have lived and worked to enhance the quality of life in northwest Minnesota. 

This is an annual award given by the Red River Valley Development Association since 1939. The Perrine’s farm with their son Luke and his wife Crystal southeast of Frazee. They raise corn, oats, alfalfa hay, soybeans and edible beans under irrigation and dry land. Their 11 year-old granddaughter, Allie, is the fifth generation now helping on the farm and raising her own cattle.

Linda also works for the University of Minnesota Becker County Extension Office as Office Manager and Master Gardener Coordinator for the past 48 years. She also enjoys gardening and raising vegetables for fresh eating, canning, and freezing. They like growing large vegetables. The largest pumpkin they ever grew was 268 pounds.

Lonnie also worked for Minnesota Crop Improvement Association (MCIA) as a field inspector and inspected seed cleaning facilities for 22 years. He inspected thousands of acres of soybeans and small grains from Kittson County to Traverse County and throughout central Minnesota. He recently received the “Honorary Premier Seed Growers Award” from MCIA for his years of service and contribution he has made to the field inspection team.

The Perrine’s are members of the Christian Fellowship church. They have held leadership positions in their church, the Becker County 4-H program, the Master Gardeners, and the Ag in the Classroom program.