Newly-seated USW Chairman Jim Pellman of North Dakota greets Japanese officials at a meeting in 2024.
By: Julia Debes
The degree in Ag Economics Jim Pellman earned from North Dakota State University came in handy during his long career off the farm, but today his job relies on a much different type of education – one that teaches hard work, patience, preparation and persistence can be spoiled by a snip of bad weather or a snap of bad luck.
Pellman is a full-time farmer.
He is also Chairman of U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), a role he began on July 16. His ascension to the top of the USW Board of Directors Officer Team followed, and still parallels, his service on the North Dakota Wheat Commission.
And decades of farming.
The Heart of North Dakota
In McClusky, a town so geographically centered in the state it earned the nickname “Heart of North Dakota,” Pellman grows wheat, canola, corn and soybeans with his wife, Candace, and two sons.
“I grew up on a farm 200 miles southeast of here in southeastern North Dakota, and moved here after college for a job,” Pellman explained. “Some years after I moved here, I had an opportunity to farm in a partnership, and then eventually broke off on my own while continuing my off-farm job for about 25 years while I was farming on the side. I decided I was large enough where I could farm full time.”
Building a family farm
Farming is not always an easy profession, Pellman admits. Yet it is a living he enjoys. As many U.S. farmers who close in on four decades of farming do, Pellman spent a long stretch thinking
about the future of his operation. He feels fortunate that both his sons were attracted to the land and life. Pellman has his own land to farm, as do his sons.
They combine equipment and manpower to farm together. His sons plan to continue growing their operations to continue farming in the future as the second generation, which makes Pellman proud.
He is already thinking about the third generation.
“We have our first grandchild now, who is about six months old, so the third generation will eventually someday be ready to go,” Pellman said with a chuckle.
Looking forward to time as USW Chairman
Pellman represented his state on the USW Board of Directors. When the chance to join the USW Officer Team came up, he was eager to serve.
In recent years, as a USW Officer, he has traveled to several foreign countries to explore markets and learn about USW’s relationship with wheat buyers.
“I’ve been able to meet the U.S. Wheat staff around the world in some of our 13 foreign offices and I have learned that the insight our staff provides to buyers and the technical service staff provides are invaluable – not only to customers, but to U.S. wheat producers like myself, back home,” Pellman said.
Pellman’s year-long term as Chairman comes at a time of change for USW. Vince Peterson retired July 1 and was replaced by Mike Spier, a veteran wheat industry professional who had served USW as Vice President of Overseas Operations.
Spier is looking forward to working with Pellman, and the two have upcoming overseas trips planned to meet with customers.
“Jim deeply believes in the mission of USW to build export demand in a very competitive global market,” Spier said. “The USW Chairman is someone we all turn to because of their experience and knowledge when it comes to growing high-quality wheat. Wheat buyers around the world always look forward to meeting the Chairman and come to meetings with good questions about wheat production in the U.S.”
Pellman is eager to meet with those international customers and to emphasize U.S. farmers’ commitment.
“I want to emphasize the importance that farmers put on raising a quality crop each year,” he said. “The thing is, we always learn from each other. They ask a lot of questions, but the conversations are ‘give and take.’ They are happy to answer questions about their operations, too, and that is an effective way to do business.”
Hear from Jim Pellman and learn more about his farm in the Video below . . .
