Del Strommen Trend Setter Award Goes To David Nelson

It was a bittersweet presentation during lunch at the New Trends in Ag seminar last week. David Nelson was honored posthumously with the Del Strommen Trend Setter Award.

While Nelson had passed on in August, his family was there to accept the honor for him. Nelson's wife, Lynnette, was very emotional accepting the award for him. As the award was given, David was described as someone who could listen to friends and neighbors and helped out someone in need whenever he could.

"He made me a better person and he made the world a better place," Lynnette said.

David passed away Aug. 7 at the age of 66. His family has been part of the Opheim community for many years. He got his associates degree in agriculture before enlisting in the Army and serving in the Vietnam war as a radio mechanic. He didn't come home right away, but eventually found his way back to eastern Montana and began farming and ranching with his father and brother.

He met Lynnette at a local dance and they married in 1983. They continued at the Nelson Farm for the next 30 years. Several who knew David said that he was always learning on the farm and was well listened to when he began to talk about a new crop or farming practice because he had usually analyzed it before sharing his ideas.

"He was a good listener and very kind," Lynnette said.

She added that he wasn't one to do something in a moment, that he usually thought before he acted. He shared his thoughts on markets and farming practices and mentored his own children and nephews, as well as others in the community. Farming was his passion in life and he was proud to pass on the family farm.

Lynnette said that he had won the same award in the '90s because of his mentoring and his work in the agriculture industry in the Richland/Opheim area.

The couple had three children: Loren, Luke and Leah. Loren and Luke, with his wife Ashley, were there to accept the award with their mother.