NDFU Convention 2022

Register for convention

North Dakota Farmers Union members are invited to attend the state convention set for Dec. 9-10 at the Bismarck Event Center.

Early-bird registration Register online to expedite the process. Pre-registration is encouraged to help determine food and staffing needs. Early-bird registration closes on Dec. 1.

EARLY DEC. 2

Convention $50 $70 Youth activities $30 $50 Daycare $20 —

SIGN UP ONLINE TODAY!

• Visit membership.ndfu.org and enter email or membership number found on your member card or the address label from the Union Farmer.

• Enter password. Click “Forgot Your Password?” if unknown and a password will be sent to your email. If you have not registered an email address with NDFU, call 1-800-366-8331 to have your member number and password issued to you.

• Once inside the member portal, click “Enroll” in the right corner of the state convention box that is listed below your name, and then follow the on-screen instructions.

Find your membership number on the back of the Union Farmer or on your membership card.

Hours for the daycare are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday, the hours are 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. The last day to register for daycare is Dec. 1. Contact Jessica Haak at 701-952-0110 for more information.

There are no exchanges or refunds. Call 1-800-366-8331 or email ndfu@ndfu.org with any questions!

DELEGATE EXPECTATIONS

Each year, delegates from counties across the state of North Dakota convene at the annual state convention to adopt the organization’s policy program. The policy lays out the ideas, concepts and programs North Dakota Farmers Union believes in or stands against.

A policy change can be voted on at the county level and be brought for consideration before the state delegates at the convention. The Policy and Action Committee, made up of leaders from across the state, also bring policy changes forward for consideration.

Delegates to the national convention represent NDFU and must support the policies outlined in NDFU’s Policy and Action book as adopted by members at the state convention. Delegates must make it a priority to learn the differences between the NDFU and NFU policies that are expected to arise. Before the national convention, NDFU staff will provide background on anticipated policy changes to the NFU policy.

NDFU’s Policy and Action is followed when the organization lobbies on behalf of farmers, ranchers and rural communities at the state and national level.

NDFU is also affiliated with National Farmers Union, based in Washington, D.C. Each year, NDFU sends a number of delegates, based upon total membership numbers, to the NFU convention. These delegates, who are elected at the NDFU state convention, help shape the national policy program for the organization. Policies which are passed at the state level can be brought for consideration at the national convention. Delegates can also propose changes and additions to the national policy program from the floor during the NFU convention.

There are also many benefits of being involved as a delegate. All travel and convention costs are covered. Other benefits include leadership development, social interaction, creating change through policy, meeting lawmakers, public speaking and making a difference in your state and community.

Delegates are expected to attend all meetings of the national convention.

are also expected to fully participate – including speaking on the floor – during policy debate.

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NDFU to honor 19 Torchbearers

National Farmers Union President Rob Larew is the keynote speaker at this year’s Torchbearer Award ceremony. The Torchbearer Award is given to those who have worked hard to complete objectives and be visible in the youth program. It’s the program’s highest honor.

Rob Larew is president of National Farmers Union, a grassroots organization that represents nearly 200,000 family farmers, ranchers and rural members across the United States.

Larew was elected National Farmers Union’s 15th president during the organization’s 118th anniversary convention in 2020. He previously served as NFU’s Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Communications, advocating for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities in Congress and the executive branch.

Prior to leading NFU, Larew served over 22 years in Congress and at USDA working on agriculture policy and communication. He was the staff director of the House Committee on Agriculture where he oversaw the committee’s efforts during the 2008 and 2014 Farm Bills. He previously served as the Director of Congressional and Public Affairs at the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) at USDA and worked as an agricultural aide to Rep. Collin Peterson and the late Sen. Paul Wellstone.

Larew was raised on a dairy farm in Greenville, W. Va. He graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Dairy Science and completed graduate work in Agronomy at Pennsylvania State University.

This year’s Torchbearers are Haidyn Becker, Joesi Klein

and Karina Olson of Barnes County; Molly Jennings, Luke Mary and Connor Wald of Burleigh County; Paige Henningsen, Dickey County; Paige Hulm and Kaylee Weninger of Emmons County; Emilie Raab and Tate Rafteseth of Grant County; Mary Rude of Nelson County; Kayleigh Kraft and Breanna Vosberg of Oliver; Clayton Brown of Rolette County; Olivia Throener of Sargent County; and Shelby Knox, Natalie Oster and Taylor Rath of Williams County.

Each year, NDFU’s Torchbearer Award ceremony on Saturday night caps the state convention.

National Farmers Union President Rob Larew is the keynote speaker at this year’s Torchbearer Award ceremony.

THE AGENDA

96th Annual State Convention • Dec. 9-10, 2022 • Bismarck Event Center

FRIDAY, DEC. 9

7:30 a.m. Registration opens

8 a.m. Mix & Mingle Breakfast

Dale Bednarek, FU Industries

9:30 a.m. Convention convenes Insurance annual meeting Financial reports – Mark Anderson

11 a.m. President’s Report – Mark Watne

11:40 a.m. District caucuses and lunch

1:05 p.m. Nominations for candidates for NFU delegates, NDFU president, VP and district directors; Bylaws Committee preliminary report; Policy debate.

3 p.m. Breakout sessions (see next page)

5 p.m. Social with appetizers/Malt competition Live auction; Banquet; Deuces Wild! Dueling Pianos

SATURDAY, DEC. 10

7 a.m. Voting begins/registration opens

8 a.m. Convention reconvenes

8:10 a.m. NDSU Crop Economist Frayne Olson

9:15 a.m. NDFU financial report

9:30 a.m. Member Q&A with Mark Watne and Mark Anderson

YOUTH CONVENTION for grades 1-6

Friday

8 a.m. Registration

8:30 a.m. Activities

10 a.m. Theo Art School

12:30 p.m. Bowling/Lunch

3:30 pm Leave Midway Lanes

3:45 pm Movie and Popcorn

Saturday

8 a.m. Registration

10 a.m. SkyZone

Noon Pizza Ranch

1 p.m. Heritage Center

3:30 p.m. Movie/Ice Cream

11 a.m. TECHNOLOGY: Changing what is possible with Greg Tehven of Grand Farm

12:30 p.m. SYAC presentations/speeches

12:45 p.m. Lunch

1:40 p.m. NDFU Bylaws consideration Policy and Action continues

4:30 p.m. Final report of Credentials Committee Elections Committee report

Introduction of new board members

5:30 p.m. Torchbearer ceremony. Speaker: Rob Larew, NFU President; Banquet

7:45 p.m. Drawing for Simplicity mower and other prizes; Live music, “Too Old To Stand”

SATURDAY, DEC. 14

NDFU hosting five breakouts

North Dakota Farmers Union’s 96th annual state convention features five different breakouts in a total of two sessions. NDFU members can choose to attend one of three breakouts for each session. NDFU’s restaurant breakout will be held in both sessions.

What’s a Wetland? A Water Issues Update

Kale Van Bruggen, Rinke Noonan; Matt Retka, Stantec

Fish and Wildlife Service easements, another “waters of the United States (WOTUS)” rewrite, and new water management options are all hot topics in North Dakota. In this session, one of the region’s top water law experts will provide an update on federal water issues. Attendees will also learn more about North Dakota Agricultural Mitigation Inc., a farmer-led wetland mitigation banking program.

Fairness for Farmers

Rob Larew, National Farmers Union

Decades of consolidation in the food and agriculture sectors have devastated farms, ranches and rural communities. During this session, National Farmers Union President Rob Larew will discuss a nationwide campaign to fight back against corporate monopolies.

Fuels of the Future

Anne Steckel, National Farmers Union

Renewable fuels have a critical role to play in providing an affordable low-carbon fuel supply. In this session, National Farmers Union’s renewable fuels expert provides an update on public policy initiatives to support farmer-grown fuels. Representatives from Glacial Lakes Energy will also discuss their success in creating local markets for E30.

Farm Bill 2023: NDFU Perspectives

NDFU Farm Bill Working Group

The next Farm Bill is right around the corner, and NDFU is making your voice heard! Hear from seven Farmers Union leaders about priorities to strengthen the farm safety net, improve disaster programs and promote farmer-friendly climate initiatives.

Shake & Shape

Dan Simons, Farmers Restaurant Group; Joe Goetze and Bob Vanlancker, Founding Farmers.

Make cocktails and farmer’s pizza at home! Both a Founding Farmers chef and distillery manager will have a video demonstration on food and drink from Founding Farmers.

DUELING PIANOS TO PLAY FRIDAY NIGHT

Ted Manderfeld and David Eichholz of Deuces Wild! Dueling Pianos will entertain the convention Friday night. The duo has traveled more than a million miles without missing a show, having performed mostly in the Upper Midwest.

Too Old To Stand

David has been performing the dueling piano concept for over 18 years and prides himself on being able to hold the attention of his audience from the moment he takes the stage till the last note of the encore. You won’t find a more polished entertainer with such a wide variety of skills.

Too Old To Stand has performed all across North Dakota. The band is known for their blend of country and classic rock that appeals across generations of fans.

Ted got his start in Deuces Wild by walking out of his day job and demand ing an audition. Although he hadn’t previously played in a dueling piano style show, his amazing showmanship and obvious ability to perform as a world class entertainer blew away the competition! Since then he has played thousands of dueling piano shows with performances all over the country!

Don’t miss NDFU’s malt-making contest Friday night! Teams of NDFU members are making malts. Members will taste-test each malt and vote on a winner!

Live auction features trip for two to Branson!

Live and silent auctions will be featured on Friday night. Included in the items is a seven-day fall trip to Branson, Mo., with two optional dates in late 2023. The trip is a $2,800 value. Branson is considered one of America’s top tourist destinations. Learn more at explorebranson.com.

Included in the auction are two Henry Golden Boy lever-action rifles, both engraved with NDFU’s logo. And don’t forget about our many silent auction items. Proceeds go directly to the NDFU Foundation.

POLICY AND ACTION COMMITTEE

Chair: Dawn Martin, Beulah

District

District

District

District

District

District

District

Jakob Iverson, Langdon; Donald Rude, Tolna.

Shawn Kaylor, Velva; Philip Neubauer, Bottineau.

Jared Johnson, Sherwood; Adam Lee, Plaza.

Jon Pierce, Gladstone; Lenci Sickler, Gladstone.

Missy Axt, McClusky; David Kuntz, Elgin.

Lori Carlson, Jamestown; Erin Hagemeister, Fessenden.

Bernie Planteen, Cogswell; Isaiah Throener, Cogswell.

NOTE: If any member would like to meet with the committee, contact Matt Perdue at 701-952-0120.

The New Jersey Nights play at the King’s Castle Theatre in Branson, Mo.