FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 28, 2006

Contact:  Sandy Courtnage

Montana Farmers Union Elects President and Board

GREAT FALLS, MT  (Oct. 28, 2006) – Alan Merrill, Big Sandy, was elected president of the Montana Farmers Union at its 91^st Annual Meeting and Convention on Saturday, October 28, 2006, in Great Falls.

Merrill and his wife Lorrie are organic farmers southeast of Big Sandy.  Life-long members of Farmers Union, the Merrill family has participated in all aspects of its education program, and has served at the local and county levels of the organization.  Merrill currently serves on the MFU Education, Resolutions and Facilities committees.  The Merrills are the parents of two grown children, Nathan and Serena.

Others elected during the convention include:

Vice President, Rollie Schlepp, Conrad

District 2, Diana Adamson, Devon

District 4, Sig Rudie, Fairview

District 6, Jan Tusick, Polson

At Large, Calvin Lane, Molt

Conductor, Herb Vasseur, Chinook

Doorkeeper, John Wendland, Rudyard

NFU convention delegates are Bill Courtnage, Geraldine; Calvin Lane, Molt; and Erik Somerfeld, Power.  Alternates are:  Charlotte Kelly, Chester; Henry Nagamori, Loma; and Betty Schwarzrock, Poplar.  Youth delegate is Zach Styren, Brady, with Raelee Bishop, Brady, as alternate.

-30-