Former MFU Vice President Dennis Sjodin receives Meritorious Service Award from NFU
March 1, 2020
National Farmers Union (NFU) today presented its highest honor, the Meritorious Service Award, to two individuals at the organization’s 118th Anniversary Convention in Savannah, Ga.
One of these was Dennis Sjodin, a 40-year veteran of working with Minnesota Farmers Union. He received the Meritorious Service Award to Farmers Union and to American Agriculture. He joins past recipients which include former Members of Congress and a past U.S. President who have made noteworthy contributions to family agriculture, humanity and Farmers Union.
Sjodin began working for Minnesota Farmers Union in 1966. During his 40-plus years with the organization, he served in many different roles, including field representative, director of program development, head of the Green View Program, director of the Joint MFU-NFO Livestock Marketing Program, and assistant to the MFU President under Cy Carpenter.
Sjodin served as MFU’s vice president for 13 years, from 1996-2009. He also briefly held the position of acting MFU president in 1984, after Carpenter became National Farmers Union President and before incoming MFU president Willis Eken was finished with his duties as Majority Leader in the Minnesota State House of Representatives. He’s known to many at MFU for the hat he wore while working at the Minnesota State Fair.
Along with the award presentation, MFU compiled a collection of video reflections on Sjodin’s contribution from past and present leaders, including MFU President Gary Wertish, former MFU Presidents Dave Frederickson and Doug Peterson, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen, General Counsel Dave Velde and former MFU Office Manager Vivian Smith. They remembered his jovial attitude, dedication and
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Minnesota Farmers Union—Standing for Agriculture, Working for Farmers (www.mfu.org)