The Red River Valley Development Association (RRVDA) has recently named Jerry and Nancy Matter of Rochert as its “Outstanding Farm Leaders” for Becker County.
The Matters were one of 16 couples from 14 counties across northwest Minnesota who earned the honor. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the Annual Red River Valley Development Honor Banquet will not be held this year, but the couple will be honored with a mantel clock.
Couples were selected based on their impact on the farming industry, their service to their communities, and how they lived and worked to enhance the quality of life in northwest Minnesota.
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Jerry’s farming career started at the age of five, when he began driving an H International tractor during haying season on his parents’ farm in Callaway. Jerry and Nancy were married in 1975, and farming turned into a wonderful life for the Matter family. It proved to be a great opportunity to raise their four children, Jay, Kari, Ben and Alex.
The family appreciates hard work, discipline, and a great community of people. At the time of their retirement in 2019, they were farming 4,000 acres of wheat and beans.
The Matters are active in their community: Jerry is currently a director of the local Farm Bureau and a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Lions Club, while Nancy is a member of Christian Mothers. Both are members of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Detroit Lakes, where Nancy teaches baptism classes, is a lector and a sacristan, and where both Jerry and Nancy serve as communion ministers. They also both are volunteer educators for Ag in the Classroom in Frazee and Detroit Lakes.
The RRVDA is funded through annual allocations from the county boards of commissioners in northwest Minnesota. Bruce Hein, Audubon, currently represents Becker County on the RRVDA Board of Directors.
