Swenson Bows Out as NFU President

January 7, 2002

Leland Swenson, who concludes 14 years as president of the National Farmers Union (NFU) in March, has chosen not to seek re-election as president of the family farm organization in order to pursue other opportunities. "As National Farmers Union celebrates its centennial anniversary, I feel this is an appropriate time to pass the torch of leadership. NFU is in a strong position to continue being the organization that provides progressive leadership for family farmers and ranchers," Swenson said. A new president will be elected during the organization's 100th anniversary convention March 1-4 in Irving, TX.

He was first elected president of the 300,000-member organization in 1988. He previously was president of the South Dakota Farmers Union. Growing up in rural Minnesota, Swenson was involved in Farmers Union youth activities and is the first NFU president to have earned the Torchbearer Award, the highest educational award given by the organization.

"It has been an honor and privilege to have worked on behalf of America's family farmers and ranchers," said Swenson. "I will continue to provide aggressive leadership in working for a new farm bill, in fighting corporate concentration and in addressing the numerous challenges we face in rural America."

During his 14 years as president of NFU, Swenson has served on the executive committee of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP) and was appointed by former President Bill Clinton to serve on the 21st Century Commission on the Future of Agriculture. In addition, he serves as chairman of the National Consumers League; is on the board of the Consumer Federation of America; was on the board of overseers of the Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE), and has been appointed by former Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman and current Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman to serve on the USDA Agriculture Policy Advisory Committee for Trade.