NFU Blog

Jim Jones, known to his colleagues as Jim “Co-op” Jones, was recently inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame. A Michigan Farmers Union member and MFU Foundation board member, Jim has been involved with cooperative development for most of his life and currently serves as the Assets Manager for the North American Students of Cooperation (NASCO).

Jones was among five inductees this year who will each be recognized May 6, 2009 at the annual Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

“The profiles of these individuals reflect lifetimes of achievement as leaders, educators, advisors, innovators and advocates for cooperative development, but particularly in their given sectors,” said Steven Thomas, Executive Director of the Cooperative Development Foundation, which administers the Hall of Fame. “The contributions of these five individuals provide solutions on how to succeed in any economic era, any region of the country, and any economic sector, which is especially instructive in a down economy.” (more…)

By Katie Pass, Minnesota Farmers Union

Former Minnesota, and National, Farmers Union President Cy Carpenter has been honored by Experience Works for his service creating employment and community service opportunities for older workers. Not only did Cy receive an award for his service, but the award is actually named the Cy Carpenter Award. This award will be presented annually to a person whose long-standing leadership and advocacy has contributed to improving the lives of low-income, older Americans by fostering individual economic self-sufficiency and promoting community service activities.

In 1965 Cy joined the Wisconsin and Arkansas Farmers Union Presidents to start Green Thumb, Inc. The organization was renamed Experience Works in 2002. (more…)

A lifelong Farmers Union member and active participant, Brandon Hokana is now the president of the Fargo-Moorhead Collegiate Farmers Union. The North Dakota State University junior is an Animal Science and Crop and Weed Science double major.

Brandon grew up on a family farm which now consists of 350 head of beef cattle, mostly Black Angus cows bred to Simmental bulls. In addition, they farm about 500 acres. Brandon started his own operation last spring by purchasing 42 head of commercial Black Angus cows.

Farmers Union has always been a part of Brandon’s life, having participated in the entire Farmers Union Youth Program and received his Torchbearer’s Awards in 2005. Brandon’s parents have long been involved with Farmers Union as well: his father, Gary, has served as Dickey County Farmers Union president for the past ten years, and his mom, Loreli, is the assistant Dickey County youth director.

“I can proudly say the Farmers Union spirit is in my heart and soul,” Brandon says. (more…)

A relative newcomer to Farmers Union, Brooke White of Jackson County, Ohio, is already the president of the Ohio State University Collegiate Farmers Union. The Agricultural and Extension Education major and Crop Science minor grew up in southern Ohio where her family has raised laying hens and hogs off and on for the past fourteen years.

Brooke has always been interested in everything that encompasses agriculture and growing up with livestock helped expose her to the industry. Last summer she had the opportunity to learn more about crops through an Early Field Experience internship at the Pike County Extension. (more…)

Minnesota Farmers Union Member Jan McNallan, a long-time 4-H leader and supporter, was recently named the National Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer in the 2008 4-H Salute to Excellence Awards Program. This award is given to one 4-H volunteer leader in the United States, and Jan is the first ever recipient from Minnesota. She will be recognized in Washington, D.C., this week and receive a plaque and cash award to donate to a local 4-H program of her choice.

Jan has been involved in 4-H in one way or another for most of her life, having been a 4-H’er herself from the age of 8 until 18. When she was young, she worked on her family’s farm milking cows and attended trade school after graduating from high school. It was in trade school that she met her husband, Bill. After being married about five years, they bought a 3 ½ acre lot about half way between Pine Island and Rochester where they raised two sheep and a horse. They had only been there about three weeks when some local 4-H kids stopped by asking Jan and Bill to buy some candy. Of course they did, and after chatting for a while, Bill and their oldest son attended the next 4-H meeting. The rest is history. (more…)