HANLEY FALLS — Yellow Medicine County farmer Tim Velde received the Bruce Miller Award at the 122nd anniversary convention of the National Farmers Union (NFU) held last month in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The award, named for a former Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) staff member, recognizes people who “display a passion for family farming and rural America, while promoting the work of Farmers Union.”

Velde won the award for his longtime work as a county leader, for supporting rural electric cooperatives and for being an advocate for legislation.

Velde is the president of the Yellow Medicine County Farmers Union, a post he’s held for several years. He’s also represented Minnesota as a delegate at the NFU convention. He serves on the board of Minnesota Valley Cooperative Light and Power, the Minnesota Rural Electric Association and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Last year, Velde championed a piece of legislation that extended the definition of who qualified for a farm driver’s license. The legislation was signed into law. He’s also testified on Right to Repair legislation, establishing a grain indemnity fund and expanding the use of biofuels. He serves on the Farm Service Agency state committee, working to ensure that federal Farm Bill programs support family farmers. He represents the Minnesota Farmers Union on the boards of the Minnesota Agricultural Water Resource Center and Center for Rural Policy and Development. Velde is also a lay minister.

“Tim’s actions exemplify the three core principles of Farmers Union: Legislation, cooperation and education,” said MFU President Gary Wertish. “Tim is a longtime leader in our organization who others look to for sage advice. He has hosted legislators on his farm and opened his books to them to share how their actions impact farmers. He was a featured speaker on a cooperative month webinar. Tim is a great role model for others, and I thank him for his many hours of service to MFU and his community.”

“I want to thank MFU for nominating me for this award,” Velde said. “By speaking up for and advocating for farmers and rural Minnesota, I hope I can make a positive difference in the lives of people. With the challenges facing us today and into the future, anything we can do together to move the needle in our favor is what MFU and our co-ops have always done and will continue to do. Working together we can all make a difference.”