BISMARCK, N.D. -- Leaders of North Dakota's largest farmer-member organization decided Friday to pursue a ballot measure asking voters to reject a recently signed bill that would relax the state's anti-corporate farming law to allow non-family corporations to own dairy and swine operations.
North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne made the announcement Friday afternoon on the snowy steps of the state Capitol in front of about 150 farmers and others who rallied in support of family farms.
"We believe family farm agriculture is the best tool to feed the world," he said.
Supporters will need to gather 13,452 valid signatures by June 18 to get the measure on the June 2016 ballot. Watne said they hoped to submit the petition paperwork to the secretary of state's office Friday.
