WASHINGTON, D.C. (Cramer’s Office) – Congressman Kevin Cramer arranged a meeting at the White House Friday with a delegation of North Dakota farmers and ranchers to discuss international trade and tariff issues facing them and fellow producers with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky.

Those on the panel included Republican District 29 State Senator, Terry Wanzek.

Wanzek is a farmer, rancher, and businessman. He faces a re-election challenge from the Democratic endorsed candidate, Katherine Roth of Jamestown, in the November elections.

Cramer said, “North Dakota’s farmers and ranchers are hard working men and women who deserve to be treated fairly in the global market place. The delegation delivered a clear and concise message to Secretary Ross and Undersecretary Censky: they want better deals for ag producers.  They expressed the understanding for using tariffs as an integral part of trade negotiations but stressed concerns about the potential negative impacts on agriculture when tariffs are used as a weapon in a trade war.”

In addition to discussing tariffs, the group stressed the need to quickly finish the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) re-negotiations.

This is the first meeting between North Dakota agriculture producers with United States’ senior administration officials to discuss trade issues. Cramer plans to host Secretary Ross in North Dakota later this year.

 

List of Participants from North Dakota

Chad Weckerly – Hurdsfield, N.D.

Chad Weckerly has a diversified farming operation located in Hurdsfield, North Dakota. Chad and family have been farming for generations and they grow a variety of crops including wheat, corn, and soybeans.

Julie Ellingson – St. Anthony, N.D.

Julie Ellingson grew up near St. Anthony, North Dakota, where she continues to operate a registered Angus ranch. In addition to cattle, the Ellingsons raise some crops and hay for their cattle. Julie works as the Executive Vice President of the North Dakota’s Stockmen’s Association, an 88-year-old beef cattle trade organization, which is headquartered in Bismarck.

Barry Vculek – Oakes, N.D.

Barry Vculek is the owner and sales manager of Four Star Agriculture in Oakes, North Dakota. This fourth generation family farming operation raises and packages onions for resale throughout the United States. They also grow corn and soybeans in southeastern North Dakota.

Senator Terry Wanzek – Jamestown, N.D.

Senator Terry Wanzek is a farmer, rancher, and businessman. He is a member of the North Dakota State Senate from the 29th District, serving since 2007.

Senator Tom Campbell – Grafton, N.D.

Senator Tom Campbell is a farmer, businessman, and co-founder of Campbell farms. The Campbell family of companies is a fully integrated year-round supplier of fresh table stock, and certified seed potatoes. He is a member of North Dakota State Senate from the 19th District, serving since 2013.

Kenny Graner – Menoken, N.D.

Kenny Graner is the former president of the Independent Beef Association of North Dakota.  He and his wife ranch near Menoken, N.D.

Kevin Skunes – Arthur, N.D.

Kevin Skunes serves as the president of the Corn Board of the National Corn Growers Association. Kevin, his wife Betty, and their two sons grow corn and soybeans near Arthur, N.D.

Levi Otis – Harwood, N.D.

Levi Otis is fifth generation North Dakotan.  He works for Ellingson Companies, an agribusiness servicing farmers in the United States and Canada.  He also sits on the Board of Directors of the Land Association of North Dakota.