A North Dakotan who has led the National Farmers Union for more than a decade said Tuesday he won’t seek re-election.
Roger Johnson said he will retire when his current term ends next year. His successor will be elected at the Farmers Union annual convention in March.
Johnson has led the organization for 11 years. During his tenure he led efforts to fight corporate consolidation in the agriculture industry, help farmers adapt to climate change and develop fair international trade agreements.
Johnson is a third-generation family farmer from Turtle Lake, North Dakota. He said it’s a “bittersweet feeling to take a step back from this career-defining role,” but he said it’s time for him to spend more time with his wife and four grandchildren.