Nine years is a major milestone for any Farm Bureau president. However, Steve Nelson knew he wanted to serve in the role for nine years from the get-go. In August, Nelson announced he would be retiring after serving as president of Nebraska Farm Bureau for nine years at the end of the year.

"My plan was really always to serve nine years as president," Nelson says. "My predecessor, Keith Olsen, served nine years, and I've always felt like that was a very good example. From that perspective, this is the right time. I always planned to spend more time at the farm."

Nelson farms with his wife, Elma, near Axtell, Neb., where he raises corn, seed corn and soybeans on the farm, which is 100% irrigated. It's the same farm that's been in Nelson's family for six generations — including his son Scott. Nelson began farming in the early 1970s when he was still in high school.

"I truly love farming, and from a very young age, that's really all that I wanted to do," he says. "I've been very fortunate to continue to do that, and to have a son who also loves farming and who has been willing and able to take over and run the show.

"My son is the sixth generation of Nelsons farming in Kearney County in Nebraska. My mother continues to live on the homestead farm. I have grandchildren who are young, but I'm hoping that if they have an interest in farming that we will be able to continue the operation for a long time in the future as well."

Nelson first became involved in Farm Bureau after graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and he began moving up the ranks of his county Farm Bureau chapter. Throughout the years, Nelson has served in numerous roles at the county level, from membership chairman to president.

At the state level, he's served as the representative for the south-central district on the Nebraska Farm Bureau board of directors, and first vice president before being elected president in 2011 with Olsen's retirement.

At the national level, he's served on the American Farm Bureau water quality task force, the Making American Agriculture Productive and Profitable Committee, the Information and Technology Committee, and Feed Grains Committee.

Farm Bureau's changing role

In the past nine years, a lot has changed in agriculture. As such, Farm Bureau's role has changed as well, Nelson says. This includes engaging more with consumers.

"You hear often that one of the biggest changes we've had relates to the fact that most people are further and further from a direct connection to the farm," he says. "With that in mind, one of the things we've had to do as Nebraska Farm Bureau is tell our story far more than we used to.

"We know that's critically important even for our policy because the same consumers are our elected leaders today. So, we have to work to help them understand why we're asking for what we're asking for, why certain things are important to farmers and ranchers."

Recently, agriculture in Nebraska and across the U.S. has seen a decline in net farm income since 2014. Meanwhile, Nebraska producers dealt with historic flooding in 2019, followed by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

"When you have weather conditions like we had last year with the bomb cyclone, and the subsequent flooding that created record damage in the state of Nebraska, that's a time when we have to stand up and help farmers and ranchers," Nelson says.

"We were very fortunate last year to raise a considerable amount of money through our Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, and distribute it to farmers, ranchers and people living in small communities who had significant and immediate needs. That's one of the times I really felt the most useful as president of Nebraska Farm Bureau."

"This year with COVID, it's a circumstance we've really never seen before, where we've had huge disruptions in society and how our markets work," Nelson adds. "We're in some pretty difficult times, and I think that's why we've worked so hard at the federal level to make sure farmers and ranchers have access to all the programs available that can help in these circumstances. Certainly that's not our first choice, but under these circumstances that are well beyond the control of producers, the importance of good federal programs can't be overstated."

Another of Nelson's accomplishments includes expanding trade opportunities by promoting Nebraska ag products to other countries through trade missions.

"We export around a third of everything we grow and raise in Nebraska," he says. "Our relationships with buyers and consumers all around world are extremely important. One of the things I've been very proud to be involved in are trade missions. Those personal relationships are important wherever you are in the world. If someone isn't representing what Nebraska farmers and ranchers produce, someone from somewhere else in the world will fill those markets."

Optimistic about the future

And while agriculture is facing its share of struggles right now, Nelson notes the agricultural economy has always been cyclical — and there will be opportunities for success moving forward.

"I'm convinced that we will see better times," he says. "Some of the opportunities that exist today because of technology are really critical to the success of farmers and ranchers in the future —whether it's using precision agriculture to be more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable, or opportunities to direct-market products with the help of social media and technology we've never had before. At the same time, I think there's still opportunity for commodity production. I really think there are opportunities for young people in agriculture that we haven't seen before."

While Nelson is retiring from his role as president and plans to devote more of his time to farming and spending time with his grandchildren, he will still be involved in Farm Bureau.

"I will continue to be an advocate for trade all around the world and promote Nebraska products," he says. "I also plan to mentor young people and encourage them to take part in leadership positions and be involved in Farm Bureau. We're a grassroots organization, and county Farm Bureau chapters are the heart and soul of our organization. This is a great organization, and I encourage people, particularly young people, to get involved in Farm Bureau at the state and county level."