Workhorse Award presented to Jon Tester

Montana Farmers Union proudly awarded former U.S. Senator Jon Tester with the Montana Family Farmer Workhorse Award during the grassroots organization’s 110th Annual State Convention.

Tester, who farms near Big Sandy, served in the U.S. Senate from 2007-2024. For much of that time, he was the only working farmer in the Senate.

“Here’s the bottom line: Farmers Union has always been an organization that looked out for family farmers,” Tester said while accepting the award, noting that he is a third-generation member because MFU has held true to its purpose.

“By participating in Farmers Union as a young member, Jon learned the importance of stepping up and serving your community,” MFU President Walter Schweitzer said. “He is an example of what MFU strives to nurture – members who advocate for the family farm and the communities they support. Jon has always been a work horse for the family farm and rural communities, be it at his Local Farmers Union, Conservation District, school board, state legislature, or the U.S. Senate. He spent countless hours advocating and supporting families all over Montana, the USA, and the world.”

During Tester’s time in the Senate, he doggedly advocated for family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, championing bills that strengthened veterans affairs programs, infrastructure and public services for rural communities, and was a relentless advocate for family farmers and ranchers.