Matt Perdue Elected President of NDFU

Matt Perdue has been elected to lead North Dakota Farmers Union as its next president. Delegates to the 99th annual convention in Bismarck today selected him as just the tenth individual to take the reins of the state's largest general farm organization and the youngest at 35 years of age.

Also seeking the presidency was Shelly Ziesch, a fourth-generation producer from Pettibone. Former NDFU President Mark Watne did not seek reelection to the post, having served 12 years.

Perdue farms with his family near Ray, N.D., where they raise spring wheat, durum, canola, lentils and soybeans. He previously worked at NDFU and National Farmers Union, where he advocated for family farmers and ranchers in the state capitol and the halls of Congress. At NDFU, he oversaw co-op and adult education initiatives and had broad management responsibilities. He, his wife Abby, and their two girls Ellie and Eva, split their time between Jamestown and the farm.