What the NDFB State Annual Meeting Is
The North Dakota Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting is where the organization's members set its policy for the year ahead. Delegates from across the state meet in a House of Delegates session to debate and vote on resolutions, elect leaders, and decide which issues NDFB will push at the state and national level. The 2026 meeting is set for November 20 and 21 in Bismarck, with the events listing showing Friday, November 20 as the date.
How Policy Gets to the Annual Meeting
NDFB policy begins with members and moves up in four steps. The annual meeting is the state step, where the work done in counties and districts is voted on.
- County level: Members raise an issue at a county resolutions meeting, and the county acts on it at its annual meeting. In 2026 county resolutions meetings ran in winter and spring, and county annual meetings in spring and summer.
- District level: Counties submitted resolutions to the Bismarck office by September 30, 2026, and district resolutions meetings were held September 30 to October 4.
- State level: At the annual meeting, an Open Resolutions Committee and the House of Delegates vote on resolutions. Policy committees then hold a focus meeting.
- Follow through: Adopted policy is carried forward, and it can ultimately become state law. The 2027 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention is January 8 to 12, 2027 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and new resolutions are identified for implementation from January to June 2027.
What Happens at the Meeting
NDFB has not posted a full 2026 program on its events listing. The most recent meeting before this one, held November 21 and 22, 2025 at the Holiday Inn in Fargo, shows the usual shape of the weekend:
- Friday at 2:00 p.m., the opening general session, followed by the House of Delegates session.
- Friday evening, the Promotion and Education live auction, which benefits the scholarship program.
- Saturday, district elections, then presidential and vice presidential elections in the afternoon.
- A closing guest speaker; in 2025 it was Illinois grain farmer and RFD-TV and PBS personality Rob Sharkey, "The SharkFarmer."
Confirm the 2026 program with NDFB before you travel.
Who Takes Part
Members shape policy through their county Farm Bureau, and delegates carry that work to the House of Delegates. The NDFB policy page does not explain how many delegates each county sends or how they are chosen, so ask your county Farm Bureau or the state office. A county or member who wants a position on an issue starts at the county resolutions meeting, which the NDFB policy page supports with a county timeline, a sample agenda, a resolutions checklist, a sample resolution and fillable resolution forms.
Where
Bismarck Hotel and Conference Center, 800 S. 3rd St., Bismarck, ND. The NDFB state office is at 4900 Ottawa Street, Bismarck, ND 58503.
Questions
Where do I register?
The registration details are on the NDFB event page at ndfb.org/events. The events listing does not state a fee.
Can I still bring an issue to this year's meeting?
The county submission deadline for 2026 resolutions was September 30, so new issues now start at next year's county meetings.
Who do I call?
The Bismarck office: 701-224-0330 or 1-800-932-8869. The Fargo office is 701-298-2200 or 1-800-367-9668.
Official Links
North Dakota Farm Bureau: The Essentials
North Dakota Farm Bureau is an independent, voluntary, member-driven organization for agriculture. Members join through family memberships in county Farm Bureaus, which are grouped into nine districts. NDFB was organized in Valley City in 1942, with charter members from 21 county Farm Bureaus.
How it works
Policy starts at the county level. Members draft resolutions, vote at county annual meetings, and approved resolutions move through district meetings to delegates at the NDFB Annual Meeting. Adopted policy guides advocacy at the legislature and in Congress. Dues are split among the county, NDFB and the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Get involved
Find your county Farm Bureau on ndfb.org, attend the annual meeting and bring a resolution. Youth programs include Living Ag Classroom, Young Farmer and Rancher, and scholarships through the NDFB Foundation.
Local impact
The NDFB Foundation funds roughly $35,000 to $40,000 in scholarships each year, and the 2026 annual meeting was held in Bismarck on November 20-21.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Pride of Dakota Bismarck Holiday Showcase
The Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcase gathers North Dakota food and gift producers in Bismarck. Next showcase posted for December 4-5, 2026.
315 S 5th Street, Bismarck, ND | Organizer: North Dakota Department of Agriculture Official event details - North Dakota Farm Bureau Farm and Ranch Conference
The NDFB Farm and Ranch Conference returns to Bismarck. Next conference posted for January 29, 2027.
605 East Broadway Avenue, Bismarck, ND | Organizer: North Dakota Farm Bureau Official event details - North Dakota Farm Bureau Living Ag in the Classroom Bismarck
A Living Ag in the Classroom session in Bismarck for teachers. Next session posted for February 16, 2027; the city comes from the event title.
Bismarck, ND | Organizer: North Dakota Farm Bureau Official event details - Bismarck PRCA Rodeo
A February PRCA rodeo in Bismarck. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-02-06 to 2026-02-07.
Bismarck, ND Official event details - Fred Berger Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding
Memorial bull riding event in Bismarck on June 16-17, 2026 named for Fred Berger.
Bismarck, ND Official event details
All North Dakota events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.