Mark Birdsall, Berthold, ND, was appointed by North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to represent North Dakota’s wheat producers as the Commissioner-at-Large on the board of the North Dakota Wheat Commission.

The Commission is governed by seven producer board members, six of whom are producer elected and the Commissioner-at-large appointed by the Governor.

Birdsall officially started his first four-year term on July 1, 2019.

Birdsall and his family farm in Ward and Mountrail counties.

The operation raises spring wheat, durum, barley, canola, peas, flax, lentils and soybeans.

Mark is also a partner in Birdsall Grain and Seed LLC which is dedicated to the production of registered and certified seed.

He is chairman of the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education (SBARE), and a board member of NDSU Research Foundation.

He has also served in leadership roles in the U.S. Durum Growers Association, Dakota Growers Pasta Company research board, Ward County Ag Improvement Association and ND Crop Improvement Association.

“We are excited to have Mark on our board, representing wheat producers in North Dakota,” says Greg Svenningsen, NDWC Chairman.

“Mark’s current and past experience on a long list of agricultural and industry related organizations, boards and associations is a terrific asset to the Commission and the 12,000 wheat producers it represents,” Svenningsen adds.

The Commissioner-at-Large, like the other six members, serves a four year term and is limited to no more than three terms.

Bruce Freitag, Scranton, served his maximum three, four year terms from July 2007 to June 2019.

The North Dakota Wheat Commission was established in 1959 to develop, promote and service domestic and international markets for North Dakota wheat.

The Commission is funded by a producer checkoff of one and a half cents per bushel on wheat sold in North Dakota.

The seven Commission members are active in development and implementation of Commission policy, programs, research priorities and budget expenditures.

For more information, please contact 701-328-5111.