Wisconsin Farmers Union: Nelson’s WFU spirit recognized with Meritorious Service Award

Contact:
Danielle Endvick
WFU Communications Director
dendvick@wisconsinfarmersunion.com
cell: 715.471.0398 | office: 715.723.5561

Award winners announced at annual state convention banquet in Eau Claire

EAU CLAIRE – Long-time Wisconsin WFU President Darin Von Ruden, right, presented the Meritorious Service Award to Janet Nelson of Prairie Farm. Nelson, pictured with her husband, Julian, has been active in Farmers Union since the 1960s and is a district director.
Farmers Union member Janet Nelson of Prairie Farm was recognized with the Meritorious Service Award at the 84th annual WFU State Convention Jan. 23-25 in Eau Claire. The award is presented to individuals or groups who – through sustained participation, notable support and outstanding service – have enabled the organization to fulfill its mission to enhance the quality of life for family farmers, rural communities and all people through educational opportunities, cooperative endeavors and civic engagement.

Nelson has been a WFU member since the early 1960s and presently serves on the WFU Board of Directors, representing District 1, which includes Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Lincoln, Oneida, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Vilas and Washburn Counties.

During her many years of service, Nelson has been an enthusiastic participant in National Farmers Union activities and has served on the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board of Directors.
Even while battling health problems in the past year, Nelson maintained her leadership role in WFU. She and her husband, Julian, own a dairy farm near Prairie Farm. Throughout the years both have been 4-H leaders at the local, county and state level and served on countless church and community councils. Janet has been the coordinator of the Barron County Dairy Breakfast for more than 40 years. The couple raised four daughters on the farm and enjoy 10 grandchildren and two great-grandsons.

“Janet lives and breathes the Farmers Union spirit,” said WFU President Darin Von Ruden. “We are proud to recognize her for her many years of service to Wisconsin Farmers Union.”

Other award winners
Also presented at the convention was the Builders Award, which recognizes an individual’s outstanding commitment to building the Farmers Union organization through county involvement, leadership development and member recruitment. Recipients included Bill Krueger of Dunn County, Jim Croes of St. Croix County and Larry and Rachel Strangstalien of Vernon County.

Six Farmers Union chapters received recognition for excelling in membership growth in 2014. They included Amnicon-Douglas, Chippewa, Dodge-Fond du Lac, Eau Claire, South Central and Wood-Portage-Waupaca. WFU has been experiencing an exciting growth spurt, with membership up 20 percent in 2014 over 2013.

Kriss Marion, president of the newest Farmers Union chapter, South Central – covering Green, Lafayette and Rock counties – received the Membership Award for her devotion to growing the fledgling chapter. Since its inception last spring, the chapter has grown to 60-plus members, a third of which Marion personally recruited.

“Kriss does a great job of explaining what Wisconsin Farmers Union is and of sharing with farmers and consumers why it’s so important to be under our ‘big tent,’ ” said WFU Membership Coordinator Deb Jakubek.

Marion and those chapters excelling in membership will be recognized at the National Farmers Union Convention March 14-17 in Wichita, Kansas. Also attending will be Wayne Danielson of Cadott, who was selected to represent WFU as a delegate.

Three board seats were up for election at this year’s convention. Re-elected to serve were Dennis Rosen, District 2; Patty Edelberg, District 6; and Tina Hinchley, District 7.

Wisconsin Farmers Union is a member-driven organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for family farmers, rural communities and all citizens through educational opportunities, cooperative endeavors and civic engagement. Learn more at www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com