McClusky Farmer Jim Pellman Takes on USW Chairmanship

Clark Hamilton, USW past chairman, passes the gavel to Jim Pellman at the USW summer meeting in Boise, ID.

By: Erica Olson

Posted: September 8, 2025

(excerpts taken from U.S. Wheat Associates press release)

Jim Pellman, a producer from McClusky and the current District 3 representative to the NDWC board, took over the U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) Chairmanship at the July meeting in Boise, ID. Jim has represented south central producers on the NDWC board since 2018 and has served in many roles, including Chairman of the NDWC. Pellman and his wife, Candace, have two married children and one grandchild and grow wheat, barley, canola, corn and soybeans on the farm they started in 1990 near McClusky, ND.

USW works on behalf of U.S. wheat producers to develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance market opportunities for U.S. wheat and promote U.S. wheat quality, value and reliability to customers in more than 100 countries. Funding for USW comes from producer check off dollars and USDA funds. Pellman has seen the work of USW firsthand, “over the last year as vice chairman, I’ve had the opportunity to travel and meet USW staff in a few of our 13 foreign offices, and what I have learned is that the insight they provide to our customers and the technical services that they provide are invaluable,” said Pellman. “In my role as chairman, I plan to meet more of our customers to emphasize the importance U.S. farmers put on raising quality wheat.”

Pellman was active on the USW board of directors for a few years prior to running for an officer position. “Jim brings a broad skill set in agriculture and wheat production to the USW officer team,” said USW President and CEO Mike Spier. “Jim deeply believes in the mission of USW to build export demand in a very competitive global market. We look forward to his continued contributions to our work that benefits wheat farmers in his home state of North Dakota and beyond.”

The full slate of officers for USW’s 2025/26 fiscal year (July to June) was elected at the winter board meeting on Jan. 15, 2025, in Washington, D.C. In addition to Pellman, Gary Millershaski of Lakin, KS, moved up in the officer rotation to vice chairman and Clark Hamilton of Ririe, ID, moved to the past chair position. Mike Carstensen of Almira, WA, was newly elected as secretary-treasurer. The officers all started their official terms on July 17 following installation. For more information on USW, visit www.uswheat.org.