Sever Peterson ('62) is deeply rooted in Eden Prairie and has grown community, advanced agriculture and pursued public service. During his time at Eden Prairie High School, Peterson was class president, homecoming king and a proud member of the Lettermen’s Club in both football and wrestling.

After graduation, Sever attended Macalester College and the University of Minnesota, where he was introduced to international students through the MAST (Minnesota Agriculture Student Training) Program. This connection led the Peterson family to begin hosting international students on their farm in 1965 — something that has continued ever since, creating lifelong friendships and cultural exchange.

Following his graduation from the University of Minnesota, Peterson joined Project Concern, an international medical relief organization. His volunteer work took him to Vietnam, and later to clinics in Mexico, Hong Kong and Appalachia. These experiences had a profound impact on Peterson’s worldview.

During the farm crisis of the 1980s, Peterson stepped up once again, serving as a volunteer mediator for the Minnesota Mediation Program. That experience inspired him to get involved in the state legislative process, where he advocated for rural and agricultural issues.

A dedicated community member, Peterson played a key role on the Save the Gym Task Force in 1999, which preserved the Historic Gym in the former Eden Prairie Schools Consolidated School Building. Today, he continues to live and work on the Peterson family farm, where the 5th generation is now helping run the annual Fall Festival and Corn Maze, an event that brings together tens of thousands of visitors each year.

Read more about Peterson’s legacy of growing communities locally and globally in his feature in Inspire magazine.