NeFU Will Attend NFU Convention in New Orleans, LA March 7-9, 2026

LINCOLN, NE – Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) State President John Hansen, NeFU board members Lynn Belitz of Fullerton and Andrew Tonnies of North Bend, seven NeFU members, Midwest Agency General Manager Jeff Downing, and new NeFU Executive Director in training Matt Gregory will attend the 124th National Farmers Union (NFU) Convention this year for a total of 12 in Nebraska’s delegation.

NeFU will join other Farmers Union State organizations in attending the 124th Anniversary NFU Convention in New Orleans March 7-9, 2026 at Hilton New Orleans Riverside. Family farmers and ranchers from across the country will join together in “The Big Easy” for three days of meaningful fellowship, thoughtful policy conversations, and inspiring speakers.

In addition to Hansen, Belitz and Tonnies, Bill Armbrust of Elkhorn, Keith Dittrich of Tilden, and Marcia Regier of Beatrice will serve as delegates. Tammy Dittrich of Tilden, Gayland Regier of Beatrice, and Ted and Ramona Thieman of Petersburg will attend as members.

NeFU President Hansen says “It is always good to get together with fellow family farmers from around the country who share our passion for preserving and growing our traditional system of independent family farm and ranch owned food, fiber, and fuel production.  This year’s convention will focus on the need for Congress to take immediate actions to help farmers get through the growing ag crisis.”

This year’s convention will feature outstanding speakers and workshop presenters on the issues facing family farmers, including Jason DeShaw, a national award-winning mental health advocate and singer/songwriter. In addition to record high ag input costs and sagging commodity prices, speakers will discuss the need for a major overhaul of farm and trade policies that have failed farmers and ranchers, and the need for an all-hands on deck national approach to expanded utilization of domestically produced biofuels will be discussed.  

Hansen pointed to the 2025 year projected $47 billion balance of ag trade deficit and the thousands of farmers whose farm operating loans will not be renewed this spring as examples of failed current trade and farm policies.  “It is time we re-think outdated approaches that no longer serve family farm and ranch agriculture. Agriculture is the economic backbone of our economy. So goes agriculture so goes America.”

The National Farmers Union 125th Anniversary Convention will be held March 7-9, 2027 at the Hyatt Regency in San Antonio, Texas.

Nebraska Farmers Union is a general farm organization with 3,964 farm and ranch family members dedicated to protecting and enhancing the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers and ranchers, and their rural communities.  Since 1913, Nebraska Farmers Union has helped organize over 445 cooperatives.