FARGO, ND – Val Wagner of Monango, N.D., was elected president of North Dakota Farm Bureau during the organization’s Annual Meeting at the Holiday Inn in Fargo this weekend, with John Jacobson, of Hatton, N.D., chosen as vice president. The elections represent a change in leadership for the state’s largest general farm organization.

The NDFB Board of Directors is composed of the president, elected at large; individuals elected from each of the nine NDFB districts; the Promotion and Education Committee chair; and the Young Farmer and Rancher Committee chair.

President Wagner brings extensive experience and long-standing involvement in Farm Bureau. She and her husband, Mark, have four boys and operate a Red Angus/Simmental commercial livestock ranch. They also raise corn, soybeans, alfalfa and cover crops. She was elected NDFB vice president in 2023 and has served on the state board since 2020 as the District 3 Director. Wagner is also a past member of both the state and national Farm Bureau Promotion and Education committees and the Young Farmer and Rancher committees, and has previously served on her local school board.

Vice President Jacobson was elected District 2 Director in 2024 and represents members in Barnes, Cass, Griggs, Steele and Traill counties. He also serves on the Traill County Farm Bureau Board and is active on his local school board, township board and the Hatton Fire Department. Jacobson and his wife, Stacey, have three children. They operate a cow/calf operation and backgrounding feedlot, where they also raise small grains, edible beans, soybeans, corn and alfalfa.

District leadership elections were also held. Elected district directors include:
• District 1: Craig Vaughn of Cavalier, N.D. (re-elected, three-year term)
• District 5: Tim Schoenhard of Steele, N.D. (re-elected, three-year term)
• District 6: Brian Nordmark of Souris, N.D. (re-elected, three-year term)

A special election was held to fill the District 3 Board of Directors seat vacated by Val Wagner. Haley Moen of Oakes was elected to represent District 3.

Kayla Hart of Fessenden was elected chairwoman of the Young Farmer and Rancher Committee and will serve a two-year term.