BISMARCK – More than 500 North Dakota Farmers Union members participated in the organization’s 98th annual state convention Dec. 13-14 in Bismarck, where Mark Watne of Velva was elected to a 12th term as president.

Speakers included National Farmers Union President Rob Larew, U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, U.S. Representative-elect Julie Fedorchak, NDSU crop economist Dr. Frayne Olson, futurist Peter Leyden, North Dakota State University economist Dr. William Wilson and Miss North Dakota 2024 Sophia Richards.

In other elections, Bob Kuylen of South Heart was reelected as vice president. Bob Finken of Douglas was reelected District 2 director for Bottineau, McHenry, Pierce, Rolette and Ward counties. Shane Sickler of Gladstone was reelected to the District 4 seat, which encompasses the counties of Adams, Billings/Golden Valley, Bowman/Slope, Dunn, Hettinger, McKenzie and Stark. Shelly Ziesch of Pettibone was reelected to the District 6 seat. District 6 comprises a nine-county area: Dickey, Eddy, Foster, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Stutsman and Wells.

Members also elected 42 delegates to represent North Dakota at the 123rd National Farmers Union Convention, slated for March 9-11 in Oklahoma City.

Areal delegates are April Marquart of Anamoose, Philip Neubauer and Tyler Neubauer of Bottineau, Statler Olson of Mohall, Isaac Sherven, Trent Sherven and Tyler Stafslien of Ryder, Jarett Keith, Jerri Keith and Steven Keith of Sherwood and Patty Jensen of Tioga.

Ten youths received the Torchbearer Award, the highest honor in the Farmers Union youth program. Among them were Porter Granger of Fessenden, Ty Jerrel of Sheyenne and Sydney Ternes of Washburn.