December 10, 2009. Lincoln, NE. At its recent State Convention, Nebraska Farmers Union presented Wayne Frost of Lincoln and Don Eret of Dorchester with their organization’s highest honor, the President’s Award, for service to family farm agriculture.

Wayne Frost received the President’s Award for his tireless volunteer efforts the past several years. Frost recently retired from his ranching and cattle feeding operation west of Wolbach and moved to Lincoln to be closer to his family. “Wayne has volunteered his time to staff the NEFU and Wind Working Group booths at the State Fair, Husker Harvest Days, and a variety of other local shows and events. He takes a genuine interest in the people who stop by the booth, and patiently answers their questions and gets them the information they need. Wayne is a great ambassador for our grassroots organization,” said John Hansen, NEFU State President. “He is up to speed on wind issues, livestock issues, and knows what is going on in Lincoln, and back home in the country. Anytime we need someone to help fill in for our state office at meetings, help with large mailings, or whatever is needed, Wayne is quick to say “yes” when asked if he could help out,” Hansen said.

Don Eret received the President’s Award for his longstanding service to family farm agriculture as a State Senator, champion of the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory, and his latest petition drive efforts to gather signatures that were presented to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack asking for stimulus monies to help re-establish the manufacture of smaller, more appropriately sized and priced combines for average sized farmers. “Don Eret volunteered at the NEFU State Fair booth and at Husker Harvest Days to help gather signatures, and to patiently explain the issue to farmers. Don is a retired rocket propulsion engineer who also farms. His ability to analyze problems and organize information is simply amazing. Don continues to work hard to help serve family farm agriculture, rural communities, and Farmers Union. He looks for things that need to be done, and rolls up his sleeves to do the work necessary to accomplish the project. Don Eret is the kind of member you can count on for honest input and solid advice. He richly deserves this award for what he has done and continues to do for family farm agriculture,” Hansen said.

Hansen said, “Our grassroots general farm organization is as strong as our members are willing to help make it. We are blessed to have dedicated and talented members like Wayne Frost and Don Eret who continue to volunteer their time and talents with our organization. Both of these members do the right things for the right reasons. Their leadership style is to lead by example. These men show the power of grassroots ideas and the value of our grassroots powered organization to serve agriculture,” Hansen concluded.