Baker elected as new Farmers' Market president

The North Dakota Farmers Market and Growers Association has elected Marvin Baker of Carpio as their next president. Baker was elected to the board of directors a month ago during the annual meeting in Bottineau and was elevated to president during the association's most recent meeting which was held Tuesday night.

He replaces Mary Podoll of Bismarck who has held the spot for the past year.

Danielle Mickelson of Rolla was re-elected as vice president and will serve a one-year term as will the new president. Mike Pretzer of Taylor is the treasurer of the organization.

This is actually Baker's fifth term as president of the North Dakota Farmers' Market and Growers Association. He held the position four consecutive years from 2013 to 2016 and had been on the board of directors since 2005.

Following a kidney cancer diagnosis in 2018, Baker relinquished his director position until earlier this month when he was put back on the board of directors.

Because of personnel changes at Dakota College in Bottineau, which the association is closely affiliated, and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, the association is also looking for an executive director to replace the late Holly Mawby, who was also director of the Entrepreneurial Center for Horticulture at Dakota College.

Those who may have questions or concerns about the North Dakota Farmers' Market and Growers Association may contact Baker at (mbaker@northstarorganic.com).

Marvin Baker is a news writer for the Kenmare News and formerly Foster County Independent.