100 Years of Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation
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ROW • G ING RE N U E T B L R U A C I S R K G A A G N I V RS R A E E S Y 0 1 7 0 2 0 1 1 9 1 7- ROW • G ING RE N U E T B L R U A C I S R K G A A G N I V RS R A E E S Y 0 1 7 0 2 0 1 1 9 1 7- ROW • G ING RE N U E T B L R U A C I S R K G A A G N I V RS R A E E S Y 1 7 0 0 10 -2 1917-20171 9 1 7 100 Years of Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation Cover image: Hamilton County image of farmer in field courtesy of Bekah Nortrup © 2017 Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation 5225 S. 16th Street P.O. Box 80299 Lincoln, NE 68501 www.nefb.org ISBN 978-0-692-79000-7 The Nebraska Farm Bureau Centennial Book has been a rewarding project. One that has been well researched, examined, and analyzed. This has been a long process involving a great deal of careful consideration. If there are any oversights, please accept our sincere apologies. We hope you enjoy the book! 2 Table of Contents 4 Dedication 5 President Steve Nelson, Nebraska Farm Bureau 6 Harlan/Furnas County Couple Gives 100 years to Farm Bureau on its Centennial 8 Nebraska Farm Bureau Presidents 9 2017 Nebraska Farm Bureau Board of Directors 10 1917–1926 The First Decade Farmers and Ranchers Organize 14 1927–1936 The Second Decade Growing in Size and Influence 18 1937–1946 The Third Decade Into World War II 22 1947–1956 The Fourth Decade A Voice to Be Heard 26 1957–1966 The Fifth Decade A Need for Tax Changes and Growth 30 1967–1976 The Sixth Decade Operating From Strength 36 1977–1986 The Seventh Decade An Aggressive and Youthful Approach 42 1987–1996 The Eighth Decade Dynamic and Ready for the Future 50 1997–2006 The Ninth Decade Defining Moment of Growth 58 2007–2017 The Tenth Decade Going Above and Beyond 66 100 Years of County Farm Bureaus in Nebraska A Strong Heritage of Serving Members 3 Dedication Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation dedicates this history to its County Farm Bureaus and the members and leaders who built this organization during its first 100 years. Acknowledgments Kevin C. Meyer wrote the history of Nebraska Farm Widholm and Leanne Paetz spent countless hours working Bureau’s first seven decades, which was originally published to update pages, laying out and highlighting the best of the as Seventy Years Young, An Anecdotal History of Nebraska best of our Nebraska Farm Bureau history, which starts Farm Bureau in December 1987. Cheryl Stubbendieck wrote with strengthening our County Farm Bureaus. the chapter, “Into the Eighth Decade,” using research by the Finally, thanks go to the County Farm Bureau history late Charlotte “Chuck” Murphy. chairmen, history committees and office assistants who Thanks to Barb Batie, a long time Dawson County researched and wrote their county histories and located Farm Bureau member and leader and former NFBF Chief the photos and artwork that accompany them. The county Administrator/Secretary Treasurer Doug Gibson for their pages are the heart of this volume and this history could not time researching, writing and proofing this book. Paula have been completed without their fine work. Tina Henderson, Vice President of Communications Strategy 5225 S. 16th Street, P.O. Box 80299, Lincoln, NE 68501 Phone (402) 421-4400 • Fax (402) 421-4432 4 Kristin Ohri Photography The Nelson family from left: son-in-law Bobby and daughter Stacy O’Brian, Elma and Steve Nelson and daughter-in-law Amy, son Scott and 3-year-old grandson Sam. t is with sincere gratitude that I have the honor and privilege to serve as your president at the time we celebrate the 100th year of the INebraska Farm Bureau Federation. We each have individual stories to tell. Stories about multiple generation families farming and ranching together. And stories about neighbors joining together in county Farm Bureaus, successfully working to make life better for farmers, ranchers and everyone in our state, nation and world. These stories are a testament to the hard work, honesty, integrity, values and traditions of Nebraska Farm Bureau. On behalf of my family and the entire Farm Bureau family, thank you for “A Strong Heritage of Serving Members.” Steve Nelson President of Nebraska Farm Bureau 2011-present A Strong Heritage of Serving Members 5 Harlan/Furnas County Couple Gives 100 Years to Farm Bureau on its Centennial eing members of the Nebraska Farm Bureau has meant a great deal to the Winz family Bof Holdrege, and they’ve given back several fold to the organization over the years. For Ray and Nadine Winz, 82 and 79, respectively, their membership adds up to more than 100 years, an appropriate number considering this year is the 100th Anniversary of the Nebraska Farm Bureau. But that participation extends beyond Ray and Nadine. This is a multi-generational farm family that sacrifices its time and energy to be part of Farm Bureau as well as many other organizations. In fact, they’ve contributed in developing Farm Bureau at the local level. Winz Wagon Wheel Ranch, a 3,600-acre Ray and Nadine Winz married in 1954, and combined, have more corn-soybean farm and purebred Charolais cattle than 100 years of service to the Nebraska Farm Bureau. Immediately after high school, Ray purchased a hay baler and operated a custom operation is Southeast of Holdrege and consists baling business that helped them get started in farming. of three generations: Ray and Nadine; their son, Doug; son Steve and his, wife, Renee; and their Pals programs, so it’s no wonder their involvement three sons, Michael, Greg, and Garrett. All are carried on with Doug and Steve. Farm Bureau members. In 1981, Ray was one of four area farmers who “Were proud of our family operation,” Ray incorporated the Harlan County Farm Bureau. said. “It’s what we worked for, for more than 60 Three years later, Nadine was appointed county years, and we plan to keep it going. We do most information chairperson, a position she still holds. of our repairs, such as erecting our own grain bins Doug has been a member of Farm Bureau for and repairing irrigation engines, in order to keep nearly 40 years, joining while a student at the money at home to build up the farm. And we’re University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He helped expand glad our three grandsons came back to the farm.” the organization in 2005 by adding Furnas County, Ray and Nadine married in 1954 and joined creating the Harlan-Furnas County Farm Bureau. Farm Bureau in 1964 because, “it fit our approach He is currently president of the Harlan-Furnas to farm policy and to social issues. It’s a group that is County Farm Bureau and a member of the State always moving in the right direction conservatively Legislative Policy Committee. and never out on a wild limb. What they tell you, you Steve has been a member of the Farm Bureau can believe,” said Ray. “We’ve made life-long friends since he was 17 years old, and his sons are from across the state,” added Nadine. members, too. Ray has served six years on the state board of Nadine has been on the Nebraska Farm directors and Nadine followed Ray for six more Bureau’s State Women’s Committee, including years when he went off the board. Each has long serving as chairwoman, and has been involved in been active in the Ag in the Classroom and Ag Pen ag youth leadership seminars and training. “I’ve 6 learned leadership and responsibility skills by being involved in Farm Bureau and I always wanted to pass those on to younger members.” They are near unanimous when it comes to the key issues Farm Bureau addresses on their behalf—taxes, water, and government regulations. “As producers, we are unable to be in Lincoln or Washington ourselves all the time. Our government relations staff members are great representatives for us,” Doug said. “Too many farmers go to the coffee shop and Doug Winz has been a Farm Bureau member for 40 years complain about all government policies, but most and is currently president of the Harlan-Furnas County never join an organization,” he added. organization. “Communication between producers and the are voted on by delegates from across the state at public requires constant emphasis, and Farm Bureau the annual convention in late fall. programs, including Ag in the Classroom and Ag Lively debates are common at the annual Pen Pals, help young students learn what agriculture delegate session, and Ray has not been shy about provides to American consumers,” Ray said. offering his input from the floor. Farm Bureau’s Leadership Academy, held each The Winz family also has a long history in 4-H year, is yet another program that develops leaders, leadership locally. Ray said his two sons and three not just for Farm Bureau but for all of agriculture. grandsons all were involved in FFA. “We are outnumbered in Washington, D.C., For years, Nadine was the bookkeeper for Winz even in Lincoln,” Ray said. “I was able to be on Wagon Wheel Ranch. Now Renee handles that the road a lot because I had a dedicated family at important responsibility. home running everything.