Price, Schmitt recognized as NDSA honorary members

Posted 09/26/2026

For immediate release: Sept. 26, 2026

For more information, contact:

Tim Erbele, NDSA president: (701) 269-3045 • [email protected]

Julie Schaff Ellingson, NDSA executive vice president: (701) 223-2522 • [email protected]

Elizabeth Hasenwinkel, NDSA communications director: (701) 833-1162 • [email protected]

Price, Schmitt recognized as North Dakota Stockmen's Association honorary members

The North Dakota Stockmen's Association (NDSA) recognized two long-time cattle producers and industry leaders with its Honorary Membership Award during the organization's 97th Annual Convention & Trade Show in Bismarck, N.D., Sept. 26.

Randy Schmitt of Rugby, N.D., and Clark Price of Hensler, N.D., joined the NDSA's honorary member ranks, a recognition of their service to the organization, beef industry and their communities. Both have built their livelihoods around agriculture while devoting time beyond their own operations to serving fellow cattle producers.

Clark Price

Price is a 24-year NDSA member and lifelong cattle producer whose involvement in the beef industry has extended from his family's operation to state and national leadership roles.

Price grew up near Price, N.D., surrounded by cattle and family members involved in agriculture. Today, he, his wife Milissa and their son, Brennan, farm and ranch together near Hensler. Their diversified operation includes corn, soybeans and wheat, along with a cow-calf herd, stocker cattle and a feedyard where they background calves.

In 2011, Price and business partner Paul Bichler started River Ag, an agricultural retail business that has grown to include River Ag in Washburn, N.D., and Midstate Ag in McClusky, N.D.

Price's NDSA involvement began through the organization's Feeder Council. He said he quickly recognized the importance of cattle producers having an organization representing their interests and providing opportunities for members to help shape its direction. "If you've got a passion for something, get involved, speak your passion, tell them what your thoughts are and, I guarantee you, they always listen," Price said. "It's always been a grassroots organization where everybody has a voice."

Price was appointed by the governor as the feeder representative on the North Dakota Beef Commission and later served as its chairman. His involvement led to national leadership opportunities with the Federation of State Beef Councils, where he served as chairman and vice chairman and helped shape decisions to strengthen beef demand. "We can't forget that our consumers are our customers," Price said. "We have to remember that we're servicing them with our [beef] products."

Price has also served on his local rural fire board, Oliver County Tax Equalization Board and North Dakota Corn Growers Association board, among others.

Randy Schmitt

Schmitt is a 23-year NDSA member whose service to the organization includes nine years as a director and four additional years as vice president and president.

Schmitt grew up on his family's farm, where his parents operated a small dairy and he and his 11 siblings learned the importance of hard work and responsibility. He later had the opportunity to take over his parents' home place.

Today, Schmitt and his wife Stacey operate a cow-calf operation near Rugby with their family. They raise Simmental- and Red-Angus-cross cows, while their son, Lane, has Angus-cross cows. They background their calves, sell replacement females and raise much of their own feed.

Schmitt joined the NDSA after his friend, Jason Zahn of Towner, N.D., encouraged him to become a member. His involvement eventually led to service on the NDSA Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

For Schmitt, the relationships developed through the organization have been among the most meaningful parts of his service. "I think the impact this has on you is just the sheer family atmosphere of the whole association," Schmitt said. "I think it's just the core values of the members. It's had that family feel to it from day one, and, truly, if you tried to build it, you couldn't. It's just there."

Schmitt said he approached his NDSA responsibilities much like the work waiting for him at home on the ranch. "I made myself available whenever I was needed," he said. "It's the same way as we approach our daily work on our ranch. If it's something that needs to get done, you just put your boots on, you go and get it done."

His service has extended beyond the NDSA. Schmitt has chaired St. Cecilia's Catholic Church Council and served with the Drake Rural Fire Protection District, as a township road overseer and a McHenry County Park Board director.

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