Edward L. Nierman, Concordia, MO

Ed Nierman, Concordia, MO is a successful dairy farm operator and a widely recognized leader in the dairy industry.

He was born April 15, 1941 at Concordia, MO. His parents are Alvin and Frieda Nierman, retired dairy farmers. Ed and his wife, the former Shirley Schmohe were married in 1963. They have two children: Jenny a college sophomore, and Curt a high school senior. Ed graduated from St. Paul’s Lutheran High School, Concordia in 1959. He graduated from the University of Missouri, College of Agriculture, in 1963 with a major in dairy production. From 1963-65 he served as a First Lt. in the U.S. Army, Oahu, Hawaii.

In 1965, following military service he returned to Concordia and assumed management of the home farm – 538 acres, with 120 acres rented, and a 125-cow milking herd. The herd now averages 18,500 lbs. of milk and 625 lbs. of fat. The principal crops are corn, alfalfa and beans. In spite of a busy schedule as a farm operator, Ed has become one of the outstanding younger dairy leaders in the Midwest.

His present activities include: First Vice-President since 1986 and Board member, Mid America Dairymen since 1974; Director, National Milk Producers Federation, Washington, D.C.; Director and member Executive Committee United Dairy Industry Association; President, American Dairy Association, Chicago, Illinois; Director, Midland United Dairy Industry Assn. since 1987 and Secretary Treasurer of the Kansas City Division since 1988; Treasurer, Missouri Dairy Association; and also a Director of the Kansas City Dairy Council.

He is a member of the Farm Advisory Committee for Senator Kit Bond and also for Congressman Ike Skelton. He is a director, Farm Credit Services of Northwest Missouri and Chairman of the Lafayette County Farm Bureau Dairy Committee. He has held many positions with the above organization in earlier years but in addition, Chairman, Agricultural and Dairy Educational Political Trust, Springfield, MO 1980-90; President Greater Dairy Council of Kansas City; President; Lafayette Country Farm Bureau and Missouri Farm Bureau Resolution Committee 1987; Secretary-Treasurer Federal Milk Marketing Order #64, Overland Park, Kansas, and Vice President Western Foods Processing, Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Ed is very active in community affairs. He is past Chairman of the Board of Education St. Paul’s Lutheran Elementary School; Board of Directors, Missouri District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod; member of the Senior Choir at his church since 1966. In addition to his church activities, Ed is Treasurer and member of the Executive Committee, Concordia Civic Club and he has served as vice-president of the Concordia Jaycees.

He has received many honors for his unselfish efforts in behalf of agriculture and his country. Included are: 1974 Concordia Jaycees Outstanding Farmer Award; Merit of Service Citation, Kansas City Dairy Council 1983; Lafayette County Farm Bureau Service Award 1986 and University of Missouri Citation of Merit 1988. Ed is a lifetime member, Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors; American Legion and Farm House Fraternity.

Ed is to be commended for his devotion to his family, his community and the dairy organizations locally, state and nationwide he so ably serves.