Dick’s goal was to protect and enhance existing natural resources to ensure a livelihood for future generations. Dick utilized parasitic wasps versus insecticides for fly control in his feedlots; and city sewage sludge and manure from his feedlots as fertilizer to prevent groundwater contaminations. He also recognized the importance of water efficiency ensuring all center pivots in his operations were modified to operate under low pressure.
Thank you, President Williamson. Good evening, distinguished guests and friends. It is my honor and privilege to present this tribute at the Nebraska Hall of Agriculture Achievement banquet. The tradition to honor individuals began in 1917. As we all know, those in the field of agriculture perform many different roles within the communities in which we live. The man I am paying tribute to tonight has used his role to strengthen both his community and the state through leadership and dedication to agriculture and natural resources conservation.
Richard "Dick" Mercer was born and raised in Kearney, Nebraska. He served two years in the Army before he and his wife, Eileen, began farming in 1949. Although neither of them had any experience with cattle or farming, the Mercer's original 80-acre farm has expanded to 3,000 acres of cropland and includes a 3,000-head feedlot, a testament to their dedication, hard work and sound judgment. From the beginning, the goal set by the Mercers for "Double M Farms" was to protect and enhance the already existing natural resources in order to ensure a livelihood for future generations.
Dick's overall management program was designed for both economic efficiency and environmental stewardship. His operation includes a number of innovative practices that have proven to be successful. To understand the extent of these practices, I'd like to explain just a few of them for you:
For over 25 years, parasitic wasps have been used instead of insecticides for fly control in the feedlot. This is important to maintain cattle comfort, high efficiency and also because of the close proximity to the city and because of the numerous tours given of the farm and feeding operation each year.
In 1982, manure managements became an ever more valuable process to both the feeding and farming enterprises when Dick began working with the city of Kearney to compost sewage sludge from the city treatment plant and manure from his feedlot to apply to farm ground. This eliminates the chance of groundwater contamination and has increased organic matter in the soil by three-fold.
Water efficiency is always a priority. All center pivots in the operation are modified to operate under low pressure to ensure maximum efficiency. Except on one farm, all surface irrigation practices have been converted from ditch to gated pipe irrigation, surge valves are used to make better use of water, and gates and gaskets are constantly upgraded.
Other practices used on the farm are: continuous flow tanks to eliminate use of electricity to heat tanks, minimum tillage practices, annual soil and water testing, feedlot pens are scraped regularly to minimize dust pollution and over 10,000 trees have been planted for windbreaks.
Double M Farms hosts several demonstrations each year; including surface irrigation methods and techniques, composting procedures and an occasional soil training course in cooperation with the University of Nebraska-Kearney. They have also hosted tours of this operation for groups not only from across the country, but from England, France, Australia, Argentina, Japan, Nigeria and other countries from around the world.
Dick's role as a leader is seen both locally and statewide. Service to his local community has included the Kearney Chamber of Commerce, County Weed Board, the Planning Commission, the local school board, 4-H, First Lutheran Church of Kearney, the Hospital Foundation, and the Kearney Area Community Foundation where he is a Charter member; just to name a few.
He has strengthened the agricultural community by his role as a statewide leader by serving as committee chair and president of the Nebraska Livestock Feeder's Association, he was appointed to and involved in the Fair Agland Valuation Committee that was responsible for the passage of a Constitutional Amendment, he has served on the Environmental Control Council and the Nebraska Climate Assessment Response Committee.
Dick has been especially active in the National Cattlemen's Association serving on the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. He also served as chairman of the National Consumer Relations Committee and chairman of the Feeder Council. Other Cattlemen committees he participated in include: the Natural Resources Committee, Water Sub-Committee, Beef Quality Assurance Task Force, Private Lands and Environment Committee and the Endangered Species and Wildlife Sub-Committee. He also served eight years on the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion Research Board.
Dick has played a major role in moving Platte River environmental issues from discussion to research and action. I have been fortunate to work with Dick since 1967, when the Soil and Water Conservation Districts were in place and he was a Director on the Buffalo-Ravenna SWCD. Those districts have since been merged into the 23 natural resources districts that exist today. Dick has served on the Central Platte Natural Resources district since its creation in 1972. Of the thirty years with the NRD, he has served as chairman and vice-chairman of the board, and chairman of the Executive, Water Resources and Legislative committees. Dick's involvement and experience in water issues and natural resources is greatly appreciated. He is known to be a person that expects solutions.
His expertise has also been extended to other organizations where he served the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission as the Middle Platte Basin director. In 1983, Dick was selected to serve on Governor Kerrey's Independent Water Congress. Currently Dick serves as a board member on the Nebraska Environmental Trust, as a board member on the Groundwater Foundation and currently represents Central Platte NRD on the Governor's Advisory Council on the Platte River Cooperative Agreement.
Acknowledgement of his commitment to conservation began in 1967, when Double M Farms was among the first in Buffalo County to receive the Water Conservation District Farm of the Year from the Buffalo-Ravenna Soil & Water Conservation District.
Other awards that have recognized the practices used on the Double M Farms are: the Ak-Sar-Ben Agricultural Achievement Award and the Nebraska Honor Farm Family Award from the Lincoln Journal-Star. The farm was a regional winner and national finalist for the National Cattlemen Beef Association Environmental Stewardship Award in 1996. In 1997, Dick received the Public Service to Agriculture Award from the Nebraska Agribusiness Club, and in 1998, he received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Nebraska Land Improvement Contractors Association. Last year, Dick received the Director of the Year Award from the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts for his "sincere interest and dedication to natural resources conservation."
Dick's service to agriculture was first recognized in 1960, when he was named one of Nebraska's Outstanding Young Farmers. Incidentally, Steve, the oldest son, was named Outstanding Young Farmer in 1982, approximately 22 years after his father received the award. Dick was inducted into the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben's Court of Honor in 1988 for his "distinguished service to agriculture." He was named Nebraska Cattleman of the Year in 1994 and received the Silver Eagle Award in 1997 from the Nebraska Farm Bureau in recognition of his "outstanding leadership and distinguished service to agriculture."
Dick is being honored here tonight because he has performed his role as both a leader and a conservationist well. He has not only reached but has exceeded his goal to protect and enhance natural resources for future generations. Both of his sons, Steve and Scott, are integral parts of the Double M Farms, as are his two grandsons, Chad and Karl. Dick has, with the help of his wife, Eileen, and their family, ensured a livelihood for those who are following behind him.
Dick, it was a great honor for me to be able to present this tribute to you this evening, you've been a role model, a wise council and a great friend. Congratulations on your award tonight. We all thank you for your leadership and dedication to agriculture and the natural resources within our state.
