Rhea Landholm, brand marketing and communications manager, rheal@cfra.org, 402.687.2100 ext 1025
Lyons, Nebraska - The Center for Rural Affairs has chosen Mary Harding, of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, to receive the 2017 George Norris Policymaker Award. She will be recognized at an award ceremony on March 9 in Red Cloud, Nebraska.
The George Norris Policymaker Award is given to a policymaker who employs bipartisanship, compromise, and consensus to improve policy outcomes for family farms and rural communities.
Since 2003, Harding has been a member of the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) Board of Directors. Until recently, Harding served as the only woman on the NPPD Board of Directors.
“Mary has been an invaluable resource for environmental and renewable energy advocates in the state, providing useful insight and facilitating opportunities for engagement,” said Johnathan Hladik, policy program director. “She urges staff and management at NPPD to carefully consider the long-term impact of proposed actions and notes alternatives that create economic opportunity in rural communities across Nebraska.”
She has held the position of executive director of the Nebraska League of Conservation Voters, as well as executive director of the Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund.
“She remains one of the most vocal directors in support of greater investment in renewable energy resources,” Hladik said.
Harding is a seventh generation Nebraskan. She and her husband, Richard Erickson, operate a residential rental property business in Lincoln.
