Farmers UnionMINOT, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota Farmers Union members have elected a new president.

Mark Watne, of Jamestown, was elected during the group’s convention in Minot over the weekend. Watne is a longtime Farmers Union member who farms in the Velva area.

Watne succeeds Elwood “Woody” Barth, who had been president since 2011. Bob Kuylen retains his position as vice president.

The North Dakota Farmers Union has about 40,000 family members. About 700 people registered for the annual convention.