The Johnsons were organic before organics were cool. Their organic crops were among the first sold by National Farmers through its NForganics program.
“I can’t imagine marketing my grain alone. Working with National Farmers gives me peace of mind,” Aaron Johnson of Madison, South Dakota, said.
The Johnsons have been growing diverse organic crops for longer than Aaron has been alive.
“There have been many changes in the agriculture industry since we first decided to go organic in the mid-1970s, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the reliability of National Farmers,” he said.
Aaron feels privileged to inherit his parents’ membership, which dates back to 1961. “Every truckload of grain that leaves the farm represents a huge investment of time, labor and capital. You hear horror stories of farmers selling their crop but not being paid. I don’t ever worry about that,” he said.
Aaron and his four cousins — Charlie, Allan, Kevin and Jordan — work together to achieve greater success, much like National Farmers works to support family farmers.“ I believe in collective bargaining; a rising tide raises all ships,” he said.

Dan Casler grew up knowing that the success of Casler Dairy in Little Falls, New York, was in part due to the work of National Farmers.
The dairy industry has undergone many changes, and consolidation has become common. National Farmers has weathered these changes. “I can remember sausage feeds and competitive snowmobile races to raise money for NFO events,” Casler said.
“I remember when the first woman, Anita Maxwell, was elected to the state board in the early 1970s.” Women are now common throughout the agriculture industry and serve in every capacity. Farms are passed down through generations, and so is the tradition of working with National Farmers.
“My parents joined in 1964, and at the convention in Tennessee, I had the privilege of signing up my son, Jeremiah,” he said.

National Farmers helped usher in a new era of organic milk production in Cascade, Iowa, on the Lynch farm.
“Mom and Dad were NFO members beginning in the late 1970s. My wife, Kim, and I bought the cows in 2004. The higher prices and the partnership between National Farmers and Organic Valley prompted us to go organic,” Lynch said.
Holsteins still graze the farm, but the number of cows milked has grown from 70 to 100. The 1980s tie-stall barn evolved into a free-stall barn, and the parlor is now a 14-cow swing parlor.
“The agricultural landscape is much different now. I think the biggest hurdles we are facing involve helping the next generation interested in pursuing agriculture become established and finding those leaders capable of leading ag organizations with the dedication and expertise of men like Paul Olson,” Lynch said.

The Hayes dairy partnership with National Farmers in Columbus, Wisconsin, began with Merlin and Mabel in 1962. The partnership has continued with Jim and Dawn and expanded with their son, Andrew, and his family.
“It’s tougher to compete in the industry now than in the past, but National Farmers has always provided small family farmers a path forward,” Hayes said.
Firm believers that collective bargaining and working together are the way to go, the Hayes family is eagerly anticipating whether Andrew’s son, Waylen, who is 1½, decides to walk in their boots and continue the family dairy farming legacy — complete with being part of the National Farmers family.

“The stories my dad would bring back from conventions would always make us laugh,” said grain producer Wesley Shoemyer of Clarence, Missouri. Legendary college sports debates were a mainstay of National Farmers gatherings.
“We need the National Farmers Organization now more than ever,” Shoemyer said. He firmly believes that National Farmers has always worked for farm families and that the information the organization shares can be trusted.
“We shouldn’t fear the big guys. We have marketable products that others need. When we work together, everyone benefits. Selling to the local co-op may not give farmers the highest or steadiest price, but that is where National Farmers can help,” he said.
Shoemyer is proud to hold his granddad’s membership card, which dates back to 1959. He is equally pleased that his son, Andrew, is farming beside him.

Wayne Prichard grew up in south-central Michigan milking cows. Milk, grain and cull cows have been marketed with the help of National Farmers since his father first joined in 1969.
“National Farmers administration and field staff have always been well organized and done a good job for us,” Prichard said.
As a national director for 20 years, Prichard has seen many things come and go, but the focus of National Farmers has stayed true.
“National Farmers has always concentrated on what is important to farmers,” he said.
“I would like more attendance at the state meetings and national conventions, and I’d like to see younger folks come on board,” Prichard emphasized.
He has also benefited from conventions being livestreamed. “When I had a heart attack, the livestream allowed me to be part of the convention when I wasn’t able to attend in person,” he said.

Cuba City is home to the youngest person elected to the National Farmers board: Keith Wilson. Wilson has lived through some of the most difficult times in history for farm families.
The family dairy weathered hardships and upheavals as Americans protested injustices, faced farm crises and endured years of low milk prices forcing many dairies out of business. “Joining National Farmers was one of the best things I have done,” Wilson said.
At 26, despite Wilson’s objections, Jim Rundy nominated him to serve on the board. As they say, the rest is history.
To survive low commodity prices, the Wilson farm and other nearby farms transitioned to organic production. The dairy followed suit, and in 2000, the Wilsons began producing organic milk. Now it’s home to seven families farming 3,000 acres and on the way to milking 1,000 cows.
“Through the tough, lean years and the good years, it has been the hard work, commitment and dedication of family and NFO members that have kept family farms in business with opportunities to grow and thrive,” Wilson said.