80 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN February 2025 SPECIAL TO THIS ISSUE Curt Friesen Honored with NC Industry Service Award Hamilton County Farmer Honored for Dedication to Beef Ca le Industry During the Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) Annual Awards Banquet, the Nebraska Cattlemen Nominations Committee announced Sen. Curt Friesen as the winner of the 2024 Industry Service Award. The NC Industry Service Award recognizes the contribution of individuals who work outside the cattle industry and go above and beyond to support agriculture. A fifth-generation farmer, Curt Friesen has more than 40 years of experience operating and managing his farm near Henderson. He and his wife, Nancy, raise corn and soybeans on irrigated land in Hamilton County. The operation now includes Friesen’s daughter, Kori, and son-in-law, Jason. From 2014 to 2022, Friesen represented District 34 in the Nebraska Legislature, where he served on the Revenue Committee and was chair of the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, among other assignments. “Curt Friesen is a champion for Nebraska cattle producers,” says NC Executive Vice President Laura Field. “During his eight years in the legislature, Sen. Friesen was a tireless champion fighting for property tax reform and relief and all matters impacting rural Nebraska. He has and will continue to be a friend to Nebraska Cattlemen, and he is most deserving of the Industry Service Award.” In addition to his work as a senator, Friesen has played an active role in the agriculture industry at the local, state and national levels. At the local level, he has served on the Hamilton County Groundwater Conservation District, Blue River Association of Groundwater Conservation Districts, is a former board chairman of the Upper Big Blue Natural Resource District and a former president of the Hamilton County Corn Growers Association. On the state level, Friesen is an alumnus of the Nebraska LEAD program, served as vice chair of the Nebraska Corn Board and has been a part of the League of Nebraska Municipalities, Sen. Stuhr’s Advisory Committee and the Governor’s Water Policy Task Force. Beyond Nebraska, Friesen has represented agriculture on the national level by serving as vice chair of the National Corn Growers Association’s Public Policy Action Team. “I was surprised, honored and humbled to be recognized for this award,” Friesen says. “In my eight years of service in the Legislature I fought hard for rural Nebraska, and the Nebraska Cattlemen were always there to stand with me! I never thought I was doing enough to help agriculture, our largest economic driver, and rural areas of the state receive the attention for economic development that we need.” It is Nebraska Cattlemen’s honor to award Curt Friesen with the 2024 Industry Service Award in recognition of his support of agriculture in Nebraska and beyond. Thank you for your service to our industry. ~NC~ NC Past President Steve Hanson, left, presents the 2024 NC Industry Service Award crystal to recipient Curt Friesen, right.
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