What North Dakota Farm Bureau Is
North Dakota Farm Bureau (NDFB) is described on its information guide as an independent, statewide, voluntary organization that advocates for agriculture, the state's largest economic sector. Members join through family memberships in county Farm Bureaus. The guide cites more than 27,000 members and 50 organized county Farm Bureaus grouped into nine districts, while NDFB's history page cites more than 28,000 members and 49 county Farm Bureaus, so ask your county or NDFB for the current count.
A Short History
According to the history page, NDFB was officially organized in 1942. The groundwork began in 1941, when three farmers met with a representative of the American Farm Bureau, and an organizational meeting was held at the Gardner Hotel in Fargo on November 14, 1941. Farm Bureau officially organized in Valley City on November 19-20, 1942, with charter members from 21 county Farm Bureaus forming the first voting body.
How Your County Fits In
Counties are the foundation. Membership fees are split three ways: one portion stays in the county for local initiatives, one goes to NDFB for statewide advocacy and education, and one goes to the American Farm Bureau Federation. County Farm Bureaus generate the ideas behind NDFB positions, vote on resolutions, and contribute directors and volunteers. The NDFB board has an at-large president, a director from each of the nine districts, and the chairs of the Promotion and Education and Young Farmer and Rancher committees.
How Policy Moves From Your County to the Capitol
The policy development page and the county policy process describe the steps:
- Any member can raise an issue. County members identify a problem on the farm or in the community and draft a resolution.
- Counties hold resolution meetings in winter and spring and finalize resolutions at the county annual meeting.
- For 2026 the deadline to send county resolutions to the NDFB Bismarck office was September 30, followed by district resolutions meetings from September 30 to October 4.
- Resolutions are considered by the Resolutions Committee and the House of Delegates at the NDFB Annual Meeting, held November 20-21, 2026, in Bismarck.
- Adopted policy then directs NDFB's advocacy at the state legislature and in Congress. Resolutions go to the American Farm Bureau Federation convention in January 2027.
The county policy page names a policy person or group in each county to know the timeline, help members write resolutions and attend the annual meeting as a delegate. For questions, the page lists NDFB Public Policy at 701-224-0330. In April 2026, NDFB President Val Wagner said property tax reform came up often at food and farm policy meetings held before the county resolution process.
The Annual Meeting Cycle
The yearly cycle runs on a predictable calendar. Counties discuss and draft resolutions in winter and spring, finalize them at county annual meetings in spring and summer, and send them to Bismarck by the end of September. District meetings follow, then the state annual meeting each November, then the American Farm Bureau Federation convention (January 8-12, 2027, in Charlotte, North Carolina), and finally implementation from January through June 2027. NDFB posts its policy books on its website, so you can read the current policy before you write a resolution. Past state meetings have also included a Collegiate Discussion Meet and a banquet, so the meeting is more than a vote.
Why County Meetings Matter
Because dues are shared three ways, part of every membership stays in your county for local priorities. County Farm Bureaus also supply the directors and volunteers who run the state organization. NDFB's president has described the organization as grassroots-driven, and the infoguide says local involvement is essential to how it works. A single member with a well-written resolution can start the process that eventually reaches the legislature.
Programs for Youth and Young Producers
- Agricultural education. Living Ag Classroom, Special Assignment Pizza, Food, Land and People, the ABC Safety Program and Ag Day events.
- Young Farmer and Rancher. A leadership development program.
- Collegiate Farm Bureau. Listed on the NDFB site alongside student memberships.
- NDFB Foundation. The information guide says it funds roughly $35,000 to $40,000 in scholarships each year.
- Member benefits. Nodak insurance and AgriPlanNOW are listed.
How to Get Involved
- Find out which county Farm Bureau covers your area through the county directory on ndfb.org.
- Join or renew through the website, where student and premier memberships are also listed.
- Attend your county annual meeting and bring a resolution for something that needs fixing, whether it is a property tax question or a road.
- Volunteer for a district or committee role.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to farm to join?
The NDFB site lists student and other membership types alongside regular and premier memberships; check the Join page for who qualifies.
Where do my dues go?
They are split three ways among your county, NDFB and the American Farm Bureau Federation.
How does a resolution become policy?
Members vote on it at the county annual meeting, it moves through district and state levels, and delegates vote at the NDFB Annual Meeting.
North Dakota Listings Covered by This Guide
- North Dakota Farm Bureau Special Assignment Pizza Killdeer
A Special Assignment Pizza gathering for Farm Bureau members in Killdeer. Next event posted for November 18, 2026; the city comes from the event title.
Killdeer, ND | Organizer: North Dakota Farm Bureau Official event details - North Dakota Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting
Farm Bureau members meet in Bismarck for the NDFB state annual meeting. Next meeting posted for November 20, 2026.
- North Dakota Farm Bureau Route 1000 Mandan
A Route 1000 Farm Bureau member stop in Mandan. Next stop posted for December 2, 2026.
Mandan, ND | Organizer: North Dakota Farm Bureau Official event details - North Dakota Farm Bureau Route 1000 Watford City
A Route 1000 Farm Bureau member stop in Watford City at the Roughrider Center. Next stop posted for December 7, 2026.
Watford City, ND | Organizer: North Dakota Farm Bureau Official event details - North Dakota Farm Bureau Living Ag in the Classroom Minot
A Living Ag in the Classroom session in Minot for teachers. Next session posted for January 27, 2027; the city comes from the event title.
Minot, ND | Organizer: North Dakota Farm Bureau 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 - North Dakota Farm Bureau Living Ag in the Classroom Fargo
A Living Ag in the Classroom session in Fargo for teachers. Next session posted for February 23, 2027; the city comes from the event title.
Fargo, ND | Organizer: North Dakota Farm Bureau Official event details - North Dakota Farm Bureau Regional Conference Dickinson
NDFB's Dickinson conference carried the theme to drive the future of agriculture, with registration at $175 per adult. Held each year in this region; the most recent dates were January 30-31, 2026.
Dickinson, ND | Organizer: North Dakota Farm Bureau Official event details - Bottineau County Farm Bureau
Bottineau County Farm Bureau is a local chapter of the North Dakota Farm Bureau, the state farm and ranch advocacy group. Led by a county president and board who work on member events and local ag policy.
ND Website - Burleigh County Farm Bureau
Burleigh County Farm Bureau is a chapter of the North Dakota Farm Bureau. Members in the Bismarck area take part in county chapter activities alongside the nearby Young Farmers and Ranchers committee work.
ND - Foster County Farm Bureau
Foster County Farm Bureau is a local chapter of the North Dakota Farm Bureau, the state farm and ranch advocacy group. Part of the 49 organized county Farm Bureaus in North Dakota.
ND Website - Kidder County Farm Bureau
Kidder County Farm Bureau is a local chapter of the North Dakota Farm Bureau, the state farm and ranch advocacy group. Runs local programs through a county board overseen by NDFB field staff.
ND Website - Morton County Farm Bureau
Morton County Farm Bureau is a local chapter of the North Dakota Farm Bureau, the state farm and ranch advocacy group. Member group for farm and ranch families around Mandan and rural Morton County.
ND - Nelson County Farm Bureau
Nelson County Farm Bureau is a local chapter of the North Dakota Farm Bureau, the state farm and ranch advocacy group. County board plans the local program of work for Farm Bureau members.
ND Website - North Dakota Farm Bureau Bismarck Office
North Dakota Farm Bureau headquarters in Bismarck, the contact point for county chapters, policy work and statewide member programs.
4900 Ottawa Street, Bismarck, ND 58503 | 701-224-0330 Website - North Dakota Farm Bureau Fargo Office
North Dakota Farm Bureau regional office in Fargo, serving member families in the Red River Valley with membership, insurance and policy contacts.
1101 1st Ave. N., Fargo, ND 58102 | 701-298-2200 Website - Ramsey County Farm Bureau
Ramsey County Farm Bureau is a chapter of the North Dakota Farm Bureau. A longtime county board in northern Ramsey County and the Devils Lake area supports members of the North Dakota Farm Bureau with local programs.
ND - Traill County Farm Bureau
Traill County Farm Bureau is a chapter of the North Dakota Farm Bureau. Farm Bureau board service by a Hatton-area producer places an organized chapter here, helping members on policy and local community events.
ND - Ward County Farm Bureau
Ward County Farm Bureau is a local chapter of the North Dakota Farm Bureau, the state farm and ranch advocacy group. Active in the Minot area with its own county Facebook page for members and events.
ND Website
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.