MFU Members, Locals Receive National Awards

Several Montana Farmers Union members and Locals received awards for their efforts on behalf of family farmers and ranchers during National Farmers Union’s 122nd Anniversary Convention held last week in Arizona.

The Liberty/Toole County, Flathead, and Teton County locals received leadership awards for their work engaging members on behalf of MFU and NFU, while Melissa Wacker, a Farmers Union Insurance agent in Hardin, received a membership award for her efforts to recruit MFU members.

Charlotte Kelly from Chester received the Bruce Miller Award, which is presented to a member who demonstrates the mission and vision of National farmers Union daily. These individuals display a true passion for family farming and rural America, while promoting the work of Farmers Union. They attract additional members, invite guests to get involved with the organization and build public awareness of Farmers Union. 

“I was pretty shocked,” Kelly said about her initial reaction.

“I didn’t think I was making that big of an impression with that many people, but it’s pretty honoring,” she added.

Her family’s involvement in Montana Farmers Union stretches back to the organization’s early days and Kelly’s grandmother traveling by horseback to tell neighbors when to meet. Kelly has been an integral part of MFU Women’s Conferences’ success, as well as organized a long-running Day Camp focused on agriculture and cooperatives in Liberty County.

Currently, her family leases their land to other producers, but Kelly said it’s important to remain engaged and aware of what farmers and ranchers need to be successful, and it’s important to teach kids about agriculture. Even reaching one kid to get them interested in agriculture is worth the work of organizing the Day Camp.

“I love doing it,” Kelly said.

And she loves Montana Farmers Union and its mission to support family farms and ranches, saying, “We’re working for the better for everybody.”