BISMARCK – Mark Watne of Velva was reelected to an 11th one-year term as North Dakota Farmers Union president by more than 500 members and voting delegates attending the organization’s 97th annual state convention Dec. 15-16 in Bismarck.

“We’re going to have to be more creative and innovative than ever to take what past presidents and leaders have done to prepare this organization for future success. The only way we accomplish what we want to accomplish is by being active and the voice of family farm agriculture,” Watne told the members.

In policy debate, Farmers Union delegates adopted two special orders of business. The first order urged Congress to prioritize completion of a new farm bill. The second special order opposed elimination of property taxes in North Dakota. Delegates supported efforts to reduce property taxes and encouraged the state Legislature and political subdivisions to work toward a more balanced tax structure comprised of income, property and sales tax revenues.

In other elections, Tyler Stafslien of Makoti was reelected to the District 3 seat, which encompasses the counties of Burke, Divide, Mountrail, Renville and Williams counties. Wes Niederman of Elgin was reelected as District 5 director. The counties of Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux comprise District 5.

Members also elected 42 delegates to represent North Dakota at the National Farmers Union Convention, slated for March 10-12 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Among them are Amanda Olson of Anamoose, Philip Neubauer of Bottineau, Terry Borstad of Devils Lake, DeAnne Finken of Douglas, Jared Johnson and Scot Ness of Kenmare, Darren Dobrinski of Makoti, Missy Axt and Melissa Pfennig of McClusky, Trent Sherven of Ryder, Jarett Keith and Steve Keith of Sherwood and Nathan Watne of Velva.

Among 13 youths receiving the Torchbearer Award were Karesse Heinz of Rolette, Austyn Cvancara of Wildrose and Karter Hartsoch and Maddix Falk, both of Ray.