Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) has selected Steve Nelson of Axtell as the 2024 recipient of its highest honor, the Silver Eagle Award. The award will be presented to Nelson on Dec. 10 at the 2024 Nebraska Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and Convention in Kearney.
“Nelson has devoted his entire life to agriculture, showcasing unwavering commitment and service to the agricultural community in Nebraska. He has served as a passionate advocate and a representative striving to enhance the well-being of all farm and ranch families across the state,” said Mark McHargue, NEFB president.
Nelson started his farming career in the early 1970s while still a high school student. Today, he and his wife, Elma, cultivate corn, hybrid seed corn, and soybeans on their family farm near Axtell, which has been passed down through six generations.
Nelson began his Farm Bureau career after graduating from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, serving in many roles on the Kearney/Franklin County Farm Bureau Board. Steve was elected to the state Board of Directors in 1997, representing the South Central District. He was elected to the position of first vice president in 2002 before being elected as Nebraska Farm Bureau president in 2011.
Nelson was elected to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Board of Directors in 2014. He has served on the AFBF Trade Advisory and Governance committees and served as chairman of the Feed Grains Committee, the Water Quality Task Force, the Information and Technology Committee, and the Making American Agriculture Productive and Profitable Committee. He has accompanied governors and AFBF on trade missions to China, Costa Rica, Cuba, England, France, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Taiwan.
“During his service to Nebraska Farm Bureau, Steve moved the organization forward by prioritizing the expansion of agricultural trade and the exploration of new markets for agricultural commodities. Additionally, he emphasized a key focus on halting high-profile initiatives that could negatively impact the state. Steve also played a pivotal role in positioning Farm Bureau to be a leading voice in elevating awareness of Nebraska’s outrageously high property taxes to headline status and pushing for legislative action to address the problem,” said McHargue
In addition to advocacy work, Nelson helped advance and modernize the Nebraska Farm Bureau organization. Among those efforts was the establishment of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation to initiate programming to bridge a growing disconnect between agriculture and urban Nebraska. Nelson also supported expanded resources to help Nebraska Farm Bureau’s 86 County Farm Bureaus that make up the organization’s membership, including investment in programs geared toward leadership development and youth programs to grow agriculture’s base of leaders and influencers.
When Nelson retired as Nebraska Farm Bureau’s president in 2020, the organization honored him by sponsoring the Steve Nelson Yeutter Institute International Trade Internship Award, which provides students at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln the opportunity to work in the heart of the trade policy community in Washington, D.C., at the Washington International Trade Association (WITA).
“Students who participate in the Washington, D.C., program work under the mentorship of WITA’s executive director and managing director and gain valuable exposure to and experience with trade policy issues. Following completion of the internship, the intern uses skills gained to plan a Yeutter Institute educational event for students and the public on an agricultural trade policy issue important to Nebraska,” said McHargue.
Nelson is a member of numerous state and national agricultural organizations. He is a lifelong member of Bethany Lutheran Church near Axtell. Steve and Elma became members of the Hastings-area chapter of Compassionate Friends after their daughter, Sarah, passed away unexpectedly following a 2006 surgery. Steve and Elma have two other children; Scott (Amy) and Stacy (Bobby), and five grandchildren; Sam, Luke, Britta, Bo and Natalie.
“Nebraska Farm Bureau is stronger because of Steve’s vision for agriculture’s future,” McHargue said. “We congratulate Steve. He is extremely worthy of Nebraska Farm Bureau’s highest honor, the Silver Eagle Award.”
The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service, and advocacy efforts. More than 55,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit www.nefb.org.