For Immediate Release

Contact: Scott Schultz, 715-533-5906 (cell), sschultz@wisconsinfarmersunion.com

Date: July 22, 2010

Wisconsin Farmers Union mourns death of Rod Nilsestuen,

secretary of the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

and true agriculture leader and pioneer of cooperative development

WFU President Darin Von Ruden:

 “We lost a great leader with Rod Nilsestuen’s passing. He worked tirelessly to assure that Wisconsin agriculture is among the nation’s strongest and that proper attention is given to its role in the state economy. Rod dedicated himself to finding creative ways to improve farmers' lots and truly understood the important role cooperatives play in our society and to the wellbeing of family farmers.”

WFU Executive Director Scott Schultz:

“Even during the most stressful moments, Rod brought smiles to peoples’ faces and knew when to tell a good joke. He was a true man of the soil, with his roots running deep in Wisconsin’s landscape, particularly around his old Trempealeau County home. His efforts in conserving farm land will long serve as a testament to his life and his life’s work.”

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Nilsestuen led the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection since 2003.He spent the previous 24 years as president and CEO of the Federation of Cooperatives and helped found the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Corn Promotion Board and Soybean Marketing Board. He also was a founding chairman of the National Rural Cooperative Development Task Force.