Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) held their 109th annual state convention at the Marriott Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln. The convention theme was: "Building Rural Communities Since 1913." NeFU delegates re-elected two NeFU Board of Directors, three delegates, and three alternates to attend the 2023 National Farmers Union convention, and three members of the NeFU Foundation Board of Directors. The members and guests heard reports on the 2022 organizational activities for the farm organization, its Foundation, and its Political Action Committee.
Delegates re-elected Mary Alice Corman of Edgar in District 3 and Art Tanderup of Neligh in District 7 to serve on the NeFU Board of Directors for a three-year term. In addition, the NeFU Board appointed Ron Todd-Meyer of Lincoln in its pre-convention meeting to fill the NeFU District 5 Board vacancy due to a resignation.
Three delegates from the membership were elected delegates to the 121st National Farmers Union convention to be held March 5-7 in San Francisco, Calif. Keith Dittrich of Tilden, Marci Regier of Beatrice and Don Schuller of Wymore were elected to represent NeFU as delegates. Gus Von Roenn of Omaha, Julie Hindmarsh of Fremont, and Darrel Buschkoetter of Lawrence were elected first, second and third alternates.
Three NeFU Foundation Board members were selected. Doug Dittman of Raymond was elected by the membership, Al Davis of Hyannis was elected from the NeFU Board of Directors, and Justin Orem of Raymond was elected from the NeFU District Presidents.
The President's Award is NeFU's highest award, and is presented to individuals who provide outstanding service and leadership to family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities at the state or national levels.
This year there were two President's Award winners. Retired DTN Senior Meteorologist Bryce Anderson was honored "For 31 years of outstanding leadership and dependable service to family farm agriculture and rural America." Anderson provided the keynote banquet address "Making Sense of Extremes." Also honored was retiring State Senator John McCollister "for 8 years of outstanding leadership and service to family farm agriculture and rural America while protecting and serving our non-partisan Nebraska Legislature." McCollister was not able to attend because of a COVID infection. His award will be presented later.
"These two highly intelligent and independent individuals have both in their own way left our state the better for their courage and service to their state communities. Both are truly community builders," said NeFU President John Hansen. "They both did the right things the right way, and led by example."
NeFU Policy Chair Vern Jantzen led NeFU delegates through both NeFU Policy Day and at convention as they adopted the 2022-23 NeFU policy and six Special Orders of Business highlighting this year's priorities. The NeFU State policy is posted on the NeFU website at https://www.nebraskafarmersunion.org/.
Categories: Nebraska, Government & Policy