SAN DIEGO - National Farmers Union last week presented three Meritorious Service Awards, including one to a Minnesota Farmer.
Merle Anderson, of Minnesota, received the award - National Farmers Union's highest honor - along with Cheryl Cook of Pennsylvania and Kent Peppler of Colorado. The award is giving for outstanding leadership and service to family agriculture and to Farmers Union.
“As advocates for family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, it is important to our mission as an organization that we recognize those who work to aid progress in rural America,” said National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson. “Merle, Cheryl and Kent dedicated their careers and lives to bettering life for family farmers, ranchers, and their communities. I am honored to recognize their contributions today with our organization’s highest honor, the Meritorious Service Award.”
Anderson, Cook and Peppler join past recipients of the Meritorious Service Award, including former Members of Congress and a former United States President, who have made particularly noteworthy contributions to family agriculture, humanity, and Farmers Union at the state and national levels.
Anderson is Chairman Emeritus of the board of directors for the American Coalition for Ethanol, a company he founded in 1987. Anderson grew up on his family’s farm in Polk County, Minnesota, where he helped his father grow potatoes before taking over the operation himself. From 1970-71, he was the chairman of the Red River Valley Growers Association, followed by a stint as president of the National Potato Council in 1973. Anderson also served 45 years on the Red River Valley Cooperative Power board, and 25 years with Minnkota Power Cooperative.
