Farmers Union President Drives the Miles for the Job - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

North Dakota is a rural state and many people are driving a long way to get to work.

But one state Ag official is really putting on the miles.

Ag Reporter Sarah Gustin has the story.

Imagine a work commute of driving from just north of Flasher to Jamestown.

For Woody Barth that distance is a part of the job.

Barth's farm and his office are 2 hours a part.

Last November Barth was elected as North Dakota Farmers Union President switching his office from being in a tractor to being behind desk.

(Woody Barth / NDFU President) "This is definitely a full time job."

Even once he arrives at his Jamestown office there's still plenty of miles left to travel.

(Woody Barth / NDFU President) "Lot of travel, lot of miles flying, a lot in state travel of course. I've been to about every part of the state and It's been very exciting, very worthwhile and very rewarding."

As the state Farmers Union President Woody represents more than 40-thousand members.

Barth says working with membership, insurance and legislative policy has been exciting.

(Woody Barth / NDFU President) "Do you love your decision? I do. I do. It was a big decision. We are coming off 4-5 very good years of agriculture. You had to walk away from a farm that was doing well financially, these last five years have been good in agriculture. That was a tough decision."

Barth says while the decision wasn't easy, he's made a few adjustments at home to make his farm and his new 8-5 duty work together.

(Woody Barth / NDFU President) "I've been able to be there on enough occasions to help with the seeding, help with the spraying and now be a part of the harvest. It's been good."

And Barth says he has no regrets of taking on this role of being a voice for family farmers and ranchers.

(Woody Barth / NDFU President) "I made the decision when I ran for vice president 3 years ago that if I was elected vice president then I believe the members assume that I wanted to be president and I don't regret any minute of it making that decision of being president. It's been a great experience."

Barth says he does a lot of work home and says it is hard when he is at home to not be checking his Blackberry constantly.