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N.D.–North Dakota Farmers Union President Robert Carlson has been elected to lead the World Farmers Organization, or WFO, at the first international general assembly held in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
In the wake of global food security concerns, National Farmers Union joined more than 50 agricultural groups and cooperative organizations from 39 countries to create the WFO  to represent the united voice of world farmers and cooperatives.
Carlson had announced earlier this year that he would not be seeking reelection as President of the North Dakota Farmers Union following the end of his term in November; until that time he will be leading both groups.  “The role of WFO President started today and I’ll be perusing both things for a while and today I have found out just how much is going to be involved with the WFO presidency.  I’m not going to be full time.  I’m not going to be living in Rome.  I’m going to be living in Jamestown, North Dakota.  But I’m going to be doing a lot of traveling and communicating by phone and Internet and Skype…I will not be neglecting the NDFU duties.”
The mission of the World Farmers’ Organization is to bring together national agricultural organizations and agricultural cooperative organizations to create policies and advocate on world farmers’ behalf, in order to improve the economic situation and livelihood of producers, their families and rural communities.
As the newly elected president, Carlson and the members of the board will represent the WFO in upcoming events including world food security, climate change and sustainability.
The new organization will be headquartered in Rome, Italy.