For immediate release: 2/12/2010

For More Information Contact:
Scott Schultz, WFU Executive Director
Office: 715-723-5561
Cell: 715-533-5906
Email: sschultz@wisconsinfarmersunion.com

Westby farmer elected Wisconsin Farmers Union president
Liebaert elected to at-large seat, Danielson and Lueder re-elected

Chippewa Falls, Wis. (2/12/2010) -- Darin Von Ruden, a Westby-area dairy farmer, has been elected Wisconsin Farmers Union president.

Von Ruden was elected Feb. 12 during the Wisconsin Farmers Union Board's reorganizational meeting. He will replace Doug Caruso of Middleton who, during the organization's Feb. 6-7 convention in Eau Claire, declined nomination to the board. Caruso had been the WFU president since being appointed to the board in October, after the resignation of Sue Beitlich-Carlson of Chippewa Falls.

The new WFU president is a life-long member of the organization, and since 2007 served as the organization's District 5 director. With help from his wife JoAnn and their children Brett, 16, and Alyssa, 11, he is the third generation of his family to work and own their farm. His parents, Dale and Dorothea, also continue to work on the farm.

Under his leadership, an emphasis will be placed on working to show rural people the work Wisconsin Farmers Union does for family farmers. As that understanding grows, the organization's membership and voice will grow, Von Ruden said.

"We'll be working to expand the WFU as the reasoned voice for the state's family farmers and rural people," Von Ruden said. "I look forward to working with others who share in our mission of making life good for family farmers and rural communities."

Von Ruden has been active with the WFU at the local, county and state levels, earning membership recruitment awards.

A patron member of the Westby Cooperative Creamery, he also is a founding member of Wisconsin Farmers Union Specialty Cheese, chairman of the Wisconsin Dairy Farmers Guild and is a founding member of the Upper Midwest Milk Producers Association. Von Ruden has been a delegate to the Farmers Union Marketing and Processing Association, and in 1996-1997 was a member of Gov. Tommy Thompson's Cheese Pricing Task Force.

A member of the Wisconsin Outdoor Alliance Board, Von Ruden also has served on the Family Dairies USA District and Resolution Committee and since 2005 has been a delegate to the Family Dairies USA annual meeting. He is a member of his local chapter of the Catholic Knights of Columbus group and active in his township on the local comprehensive planning committee.

Von Ruden is the 11th President in Wisconsin Farmers Union's 79-year history.

Mark Liebaert of South Range was elected to the at-large director position that Caruso held. Wally Lueder of Neosho was re-elected as District 8 director and Wayne Danielson of Cadott was re-elected as District 5 director.

CLICK HERE for a photo of Von Ruden.