Red River Valley Development Association honors Ron and Linda Engelstad

Ron and Linda Engelstad, Grygla, represented Marshall County at the Red River Valley Development Association Honor Banquet that was held on April 2nd at the University of Minnesota Crookston. Those honored at the banquet were selected for the good example they have set through volunteering, community service, farming or agricultural operations, and their commitment to conserving natural resources.

The Red River Valley Development Association includes directors from 14 counties in northwest Minnesota. Curt Haugen, Argyle, is the Marshall County Director.

As mentioned, Ron and Linda Engelstad were chosen to represent Marshall County. The Engelstad family includes Derel and Gregg Wichlund and two grandchildren; and Reed and Nikki Engelstad and two grandchildren.

The Engelstads are members of United Lutheran Church in Gatzke, where Linda has served as treasurer and Sunday school teacher, United Lutheran Church Women, where she has held offices of treasurer, secretary and vice president.  She was a 4-H Club Leader when her children were young. Linda also served on the Northland Farm Management Advisory Board in Thief River Falls in the late 80s and early 90s.

On the Engelstad farm, Linda was the farm record-keeper for 46 years. When their hired help went back to school in 1983, Linda volunteered to become the hired help where she worked alongside Ron for many years operating all of the farm machinery. She still enjoys running the combine.

Linda’s hobbies include quilting for family and the church. Gardening comes as a close second to quilting in Linda’s spare time, unless she is watching their grandchildren play high school sports.

Ron is a charter member of the Grygla Lion’s Club, in addition to serving on the Grygla School Board, township board and Garden Valley Telephone Board.

Ron bought his first piece of land in 1963 and started farming full-time in 1970. He raised wheat, barley, canola and soybeans. He started a cow/calf operation and later changed to backgrounding feeder steers until he quit in 1988. In 2010, Ron rented the farm to their son, Reed. Ron now spends his time helping Reed with farming.

Ron and Linda enjoy watching their grandchildren play high school sports. Ron also enjoys restoring farm tractors.

Ron attended the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston from 1954 – 1958.

Congratulations to Ron and Linda Engelstad!