ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 3, 2009

NEWS STATEMENT

The following is Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson’s statement to the news media Tuesday, March 3, 2009, regarding his candidacy for the presidency of the National Farmers Union.

Good morning, and thank you for being here.

I am announcing today that I am a candidate for the presidency of the National Farmers Union. If elected, I will resign as North Dakota agriculture commissioner.

The incumbent – Tom Buis – announced his resignation last Wednesday, and I have been urged to seek the position. The election will be held a week from today during the national convention in Washington, DC.

It was not a decision made lightly. I would be perfectly happy to remain in this office, working with a dedicated and outstanding staff – the best employees in the country – for the benefit of North Dakota’s 30,000 family farmers and ranchers.  The people of North Dakota have elected me four times as their agriculture commissioner, and it has been my honor and privilege to serve them. Family farming and agriculture have always been my passion. As agriculture commissioner I have had the opportunity to meet and work with producers from every part of our state – let everyone know they are the trusted providers of the finest quality food, fiber and fuel, and that they are dedicated to feeding, and fueling our nation and the world. I have also had the opportunity to work for North Dakota producers on the national level, as president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. The position I am seeking affords me an opportunity to continue serving American agriculture on a national basis.

This is a critical time for American agriculture. Our country’s current and severe economic problems affect all sectors of the economy, including and perhaps especially farming and ranching. Yet, I believe that we will not only weather the crisis; we will emerge stronger than ever.

With family farmers at its core, the National Farmers Union is this country’s most effective progressive farm organization. It has taken the lead role in the development of policy contained in the new Farm Bill; it is a leader in the development and production of farm-based renewable energy and in conservation through carbon sequestration. During the development of the recent Farm Bill, I worked closely with National Farmers Union on the permanent disaster program, interstate shipment of state-inspected meat products, country-of-origin labeling for food and the establishment of a strong safety net for American farmers.

I grew up in a Farmers Union family and have been a member of Farmers Union all my life. I am determined that Farmers Union will remain the leading voice for agriculture in the United States.