The more than 3,000-member organization tapped Schmitt for its highest post during the closing business session, according to NDSA information.

Schmitt and his family operate a commercial cow-calf operation using Simmental and Red Angus genetics. Their calves are backgrounded and sold off the farm or sold as replacement females. The Schmitts raise their own feed, including alfalfa, cover crops and grain and silage corn. Schmitt and has wife, Stacey, have four children and one granddaughter.

Schmitt has served on the NDSA Resolutions Committee, Ag Policy Committee, Building Committee and Budget Committee and was a District 6 director and the vice president before assuming the NDSA’s presidential post.

In his acceptance remarks, Schmitt credited former NDSA Presidents Jack Reich and Jason Zahn for encouraging him to get involved in the organization.

Another area resident, Ian Hall, of Berthold, was elected to his first four-year term in District 6. District 6 is comprised of Bottineau, Burke, Divide, McHenry, McLean, Mountrail, Renville, Ward and Williams Counties. A nine-year NDSA member, Hall raises registered Angus and Simmental seedstock and farms. He also clips cattle and markets real estate. He and his wife, Morgan, have two daughters.

Other members of the NDSA Board of Directors and Executive Committee from the area include: NDSA Immediate Past President Jason Leiseth, of Arnegard; District 1 Directors Erika Kenner, of Leeds; District 4 Directors Riley Schriefer, of Golden Valley, and Casey Voigt, of Beulah; District 5 Directors Joe Schettler, of Killdeer, and Calli Thorne, of Watford City; and District 6 Directors Kevin Hansen, of Ryder, Chase Jacobson, of Columbus, and Gary Martens, of Ross.