Arctic air pushes through Point as NFU celebrates origin site

Country World Archives 2001-2008

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

The historic gravesite of National Farmer Union's founder Newt Gresham was one of the tour sites visited March 2 by conventioneers who came to Point from convention headquarters in Irving.

-- Staff photo by Montgomery

March 7, 2002 -- Cold north winds met approximately 900 National Farmers Union delegates when they stepped off of 20 buses in Point on Saturday, March 2. Even though the weather was bitter cold, delegates, attending the 100th NFU anniversary convention in Irving, were excited about coming to Point, the hometown of NFU's founder, Newt Gresham.

"We are glad to be here. There are quality people down here in Point. They have done a fabulous job and so have the people of Texas to welcome all of the Unites States to Point, Texas. I feel bad because of the weather for the elderly people and for the people of Point," stated Authur Douglas, NFU Utah state president.

Attending Point's celebration was former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Bob Bergland. Bergland, secretary during the '70s, told the delegates that current Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, like him, doesn't have the power to do the things they need to do. Power is defused today more than ever before, he said.

"I am interested and pleased with the bill in Congress today stating that conservation approach in agriculture is a must," Bergland said. "Water and wetlands are important and there are values in wildlife habitat. I'm suggesting that there is land that would be better to use in conservation, than continuing to grow crops in which there is no need."

After Bergland speech, the delegates were taken on a tour of Rains County with stops at Smyrna Cemetery, the location of the first organized meeting of NFU, and the Lone Star cemetery, the resting place of Gresham.

When the tour was complete, delegates were taken back to the railroad depot in Point where they enjoyed the warmth of the tour buses and watched as ice flew off of the big top tent where Mark Chestnutt was gearing up for his show.

Other activities were deferred due to the cold weather, but the antique tractors and cars, antique dress show, and a few vendors did help boost the moral of locals.

NFU delegates elect new president

March 7, 2002 -- Delegates to the National Farmers Union 100th anniversary convention March 1 thru 4 elected Dave Frederickson as the organizations's 12th president.

A fourth-generation family farmer from Murdock, Minn., Frederickson is leaving his post of 11 years as Minnesota Farmers Union president to represent fellow farmers from across the nation as leader of the national organization. Frederickson, who celebrated his 58th birthday during the convention, is a former educator and state senator.

Frederickson said the first priority of his two-year term is getting a good farm bill passed out of conference committee that addresses depressed commodity prices and increasing concentration in agricultural markets.

"Farmers Union has worked hard throughout the House and Senate farm bill process, and we have much more work ahead of us," he said. "Let's go back to Washington and work for a farm bill so that when you go back into your fields you will know what kind of support you have behind you," he told more than 1,000 farmers and ranchers in attendance.

He was opposed in the race by Terry Detrick, an Ames, Okla., farmer currently serving as his state's Farmers Union vice president. Following the vote announcement, Detrick removed a "peace dove" pin from his own lapel and presented it to the newly-elected national president in a gesture of support.

NFU's president of 14 years, Leland Swenson said he can confidently "pass the torch" knowing the organization is "strong and positioned to provide aggressive and constructive leadership in the years to come."

Frederickson concluded his acceptance speech with one request of the farmers and ranchers he now represents,"Hold my feet to the fire."

The NFU convention wrapped up March 4 in Irving. More highlights from the centennial-celebration convention will be in next week's edition.