Ray W. Nelson (1893-1983) started the Nelson Mink Farm operation in Verona, Wisconsin in 1936. He was later joined in the business by his son, Fred Nelson (1942- ), who still operates the farm. From the start, the business was a complete mink operation combining the raising of mink for sale as pelts with sales of breeding stock.
The Nelsons were actively involved in the various mink farming (both marketing and breeding) associations. From their origin as organizations providing means for mink farmers to join together to strengthen and unify their industry, the associations grew into powerful marketing forces with worldwide organizations.
The Nelson Farm was especially active in the Mutation Mink Breeders Association and the United Mink Producers Association (UMPA). UMPA, which was founded in 1934 in Wisconsin was incorporated as a cooperative in 1938. Originally involved only in the marketing of pelts, it added a purchasing service in 1946. Ray Nelson served as a director of the association from 1941 to 1958 and as its president from 1954-1955.
In 1944, several of the mink farming associations joined together to form the National Board of Fur Farm Organizations. This organization, while not directly involved in marketing itself, functioned as a congress of local, regional, and national groups that formulated national policy, worked to improve the industry, and encouraged research in their field.
After Ray Nelson died in November, 1983, Fred and his wife Geri continued to operate the farm. A fire on December 11, 1986, with damages estimated at $250,000 crippled farm operations, destroying the two-story building used to process pelts and grind feed. While most of the mink were saved, some pelts and feed were destroyed and some of the breeding stock was mixed. At this writing (1987), the farm has continued operations and begun rebuilding.
