Where it all began

Farmers Union was originally organized by a group of men, led by Newt Gresham, in Point, Texas, in 1905. The purpose was for farmers to band together to improve their bargaining power in selling their products. Over the years the organization has grown to become one of the largest organizations representing the family farmer in the nation.

Anyone familiar with the Stone family knows of our involvement with Farmers Union. My grandfather, William A. Stone, was very active in the Farmers Union movement while he farmed in the first half of the 1900's. My father, George W. Stone, served as President of Oklahoma Farmers Union from 1956 until 1980 and as President of National Farmers Union from 1980 to 1984. He still serves on the Executive Board of Oklahoma Farmers Union. (The picture to the left is of my parents at the National Farmers Union convention in Orlando, FL, in March 2007.)

I grew up involved in Farmers Union activities and owned an Oklahoma Farmers Union Insurance agency from 1974 to 1986. So, on our way home from Louisiana yesterday we had to make a stop in Point to see the monument, that was dedicated in 2005, marking the 100th year of Farmers Union.