Minnesota Corn remembers Gayle Bergstrom
For 30 years, Adams farmer Gayle Bergstrom served on the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) Board of Directors and the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council (MCR&PC). He advocated for policies to expand ethanol access, promoted investments in the Minnesota corn check-off, and served on National Corn Growers Association committees.
Like his many other community involvements, his Minnesota Corn service was motivated in part by his love of being around people, said his oldest son, Bruce Bergstrom. “He really just enjoyed being part of the community and visiting with people,” Bergstrom said. “That was his gift.”
Gayle Bergstrom, who retired from Minnesota Corn leadership in 2008, died last week. He was 88.
Bergstrom began farming after graduating from Rose Creek High School in 1952. He had planned on being a sports announcer, Bruce Bergstrom said, but came back to farming when his dad had gallbladder surgery.
“He kind of took over the farm and never left,” he said.
In 1984, with his four kids out of school, Bergstrom joined the MCGA board for the first time, serving as president in 1987. That year, he helped lead MCGA’s advocacy on a bill to require all unleaded gasoline in Minnesota to contain 10% ethanol.
The bill was eventually stripped of the 10% ethanol provision, but the modified version helped kickstart Minnesota’s ethanol industry. Lawmakers later passed a statewide 10% ethanol standard.
Bruce Bergstrom said his dad enjoyed talking with lawmakers and government officials about ethanol and was excited about shaping the nascent industry.
In 1990, Bergstrom stepped down from the MCGA board for the first time. He later rejoined the board in 1994. Also that year, he began serving as a member of the National Corn Growers Association’s executive committee.
In 1999, Bergstrom joined the MCR&PC, on which he served until 2008 and of which he was chair in 2004-05. Bergstrom also was involved with the U.S. Grains Council, which works to promote U.S. corn, ethanol, and ethanol coproducts abroad.
MCR&PC Chair Doug Albin, who served with Bergstrom in the 2000s, said Bergstrom enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow board and council members. “I always thought of him as being a thoughtful, quiet man,” Albin said. “When he spoke up, it was time to pay attention and listen.”
Former board and council member Richard Peterson said Bergstrom was good at promoting MCGA. In 2014, Bergstrom was elected to the inaugural class elected to the MCGA Recruiter Hall of Fame.
Longtime former Minnesota farm broadcaster Tom Rothman called Bergstrom a “classic gentleman.”
“He was just a likeable guy. I just always liked chatting with him. He loved to talk with you about issues for the corn growers.”
In addition to his involvement with Minnesota Corn, Bergstrom was active in his community in Adams. He joined the Rose Creek School Board in 1962 and helped organize the Southland School District in 1972-73. Additionally, he was a member of Little Cedar Lutheran Church, served on the church council, and sang in the church choir for over 50 years.
Bergstrom is survived by his wife of 69 years, Lavonne, their four children, 17 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Saturday.
To read Bergstrom’s obituary, click here.
Quotes from past Minnesota Corn grower-leaders on Gayle Bergstrom:
Jerry Demmer: “He was very instrumental in promoting … not only corn but ethanol and promoting the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council and what it meant for the corn producer of Minnesota.”
Warren Formo: “What I always appreciated about Gayle, he was quick to say hello and get to know folks. He was also very active back at the county level. If there was any event going on where the corn growers needed to be represented, Gayle was always willing to be there. He was somewhat softspoken but always effective in representing the corn growers.”
