Erik Somerfeld
Candidate for Vice President
2026 MFU Candidates
Meet the candidates seeking leadership positions with Montana Farmers Union. Select a candidate below to learn more about their agricultural background, leadership experience, priorities and commitment to MFU members.
Vice President
District Directors
Jeanie Alderson
District 4
Trent Stoltz
District 5
District 1 & 2 At Large
Tammy Copenhaver
District 1 & 2 At Large
Anna Bold
District 1 & 2 At Large
Doorkeeper
Heather Siderius
Doorkeeper
Heather Siderius
Candidate for Doorkeeper
What Is Your Agricultural Background?
We have a cow/calf operation in the Flathead Valley. We have a feedlot, where we finish the steers and heifers, and I direct market the beef to customers here in the Flathead, around the state, and surrounding states. We also raise alfalfa, wheat, barley, and pulse crops.
Why Are You Running For This Position?
I ran for the Doorkeeper position because I like to be involved and help out with Montana Farmers Union.
What Issues Drive You To Advocacy And To Pursue Leadership?
The main issue I advocate for is MCOOL. Everyone should know where their food is coming from and be able to make an educated decision on which meat they want to take home to cook for their family.
What Do You Feel You Would Contribute As A Board Member For MFU?
I feel I would contribute by using my knowledge of my past leadership roles and by my willingness to always be learning new things.
Previous Leadership Experience:
- 4-H leader for 11 years
- FFA Alumni for 16 years
- Flathead Local Secretary/Treasurer for 4 years
Previous Leadership Experience With MFU:
- Doorkeeper
- Secretary/Treasurer for Flathead Local
Fun Fact About You:
I was in the Air Force for four years.
Why Should A Member Vote For You To Serve In Leadership With MFU?
I've been a member of Montana Farmers Union for 26 years and enjoyed supporting and learning about the different programs and policies we support.
Jeanie Alderson
Candidate for District 4
What is your agricultural background?
I am a fourth generation Montana rancher. Together with my family we own and operate an Angus-Hereford cow-calf operation. My husband and I also own and operate a direct-to consumer grass finished Wagyu beef business.
Why are you running for this position?
I am interested in joining MFU's board because in my years of work as a rancher, mom, and teacher I have spent a lot of time as an advocate for land, water, and family ranching. I've come to believe that ranching and farming in these times also requires advocacy and collaboration. We need our neighbors and we need good advocates. I admire the work of MFU and hope I have something to contribute.
What issues drive you to advocacy and to pursue leadership?
Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling on beef; fair, honest, competitive markets for livestock producers; and strong local markets for Montana farmers and ranchers; healthy rural communities and homegrown prosperity.
What do you feel you would contribute as a board member for MFU?
My years working with a non-profit organization to protect and advocate for land, water, and family ranching.
Previous Leadership experience:
- Past chair of the board of directors of The Northern Plains Resource Council
- Active in Northern Plains issue taskforces and executive board.
Previous leadership experience with MFU:
None. I have, however, worked with The Montana Mandatory COOL Collaboration where MFU is a leading member.
Fun fact about you:
I love and believe in the power of a good story and the people and places they come from.
Why should a member vote for you to serve in leadership with MFU?
I have experience as a livestock producer (commercial and local food markets) and I have experience speaking up for my industry and community.
Erik Somerfeld
Candidate for Vice President
What is your agricultural background?
Lifelong farmer raising winter wheat, spring wheat, malt barley and safflower.
Why are you running for this position?
I want to continue what I have pushed for in my first term as Vice President and that is to start and maintain more active locals around the state.
What issues drive you to advocacy and to pursue leadership?
To try and improve the viability and profitability of farmers and ranchers.
What do you feel you would contribute as a board member for MFU?
My experience at both the state and national levels.
Previous Leadership experience:
Chief of Power Volunteer Fire Department of 15 years. 20 plus years as a board member and the past 2 as Vice President.
Fun fact about you:
Enjoy brewing beer and going to microbreweries.
Why should a member vote for you to serve in leadership with MFU?
I want to continue starting locals, strengthen existing ones, work to make farms and ranches more viable and profitable.
Trent Stoltz
Candidate for District 5
What is your agricultural background?
I have operated or worked on our family ranch for the last 35 years. We currently raise and feed multiple classes of cattle; sell BLM horses; custom hay and truck. In the past we raised small grains, oilseeds, and pulse crops.
Why are you running for this position?
I believe in the work and advocacy that Farmers Union does on behalf of agriculture. Ag is in one of its most challenging times. As a third generation rancher in Montana I have seen that ag is the backbone our state and especially our small communities. I want the next generation to have their chance.
What issues drive you to advocacy and to pursue leadership?
The disappearing northern and eastern communities of this state and how to revive them. The consolidation of businesses that we buy inputs or sell our products to. The plight of smaller producers and how they thrive.
What do you feel you would contribute as a board member for MFU?
I have been involved in multiple facets of Agriculture for the last 30 plus years. I understand the challenges that both young and older producers face. I know and believe in Farmers Union policies, and I will continue to be a strong advocate for these policies.
Previous Leadership experience:
- 6 years -Valier School Board - Chairman for 2 years
Previous Leadership experience with MFU:
- 3 years - District 5 Board Director
- 3 years - Montana Beef Council representative
- 3 years – Board Secretary-Treasurer
Fun fact about you:
I got an A+ at a surfing lesson
Why should a member vote for you to serve in leadership with MFU?
I am passionate about ag. As a board member I hope to not only ensure that my family farm/ranch continues into the next generation but yours does also.
Tammy Copenhaver
Candidate for District 1 & 2 At Large
What is your agricultural background?
As a new and beginning producer, I co-operate a first-generation cow-calf operation in Rudyard, where we are building our business from the ground up. Coming into agriculture later in life allows me to apply 30 years of private sector executive experience directly to our daily logistics and financial planning. Starting this journey at an age when many are looking toward retirement gives me a mature, practical perspective on what it takes to build a lasting agricultural legacy.
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for this board seat to serve as a collaborative voice supporting the full spectrum of Montana agriculture. Through over a decade of MFU involvement, from women's conferences to National Conventions, I have connected with our diverse membership and deeply value our grassroots mission. I am ready to apply my professional background, alongside my firsthand experience of building a ranch from the ground up, to help the board effectively manage the business affairs and long-term sustainability of our organization. I am passionate about creating realistic pathways so our producers can stay on the land and build lasting, multi-generational success.
What issues drive you to advocacy and to pursue leadership?
Attending state and national policy meetings and DC fly-ins showed me exactly how vital it is to bring our grassroots priorities directly to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. I am driven to tackle pressing challenges like the long-term viability of our diverse membership, the complex details of MCOOL, and rural mental health. Ultimately, I am pursuing leadership to help shape solid policies that fiercely protect our agricultural operations at all levels.
What do you feel you would contribute as a board member for MFU?
I bring a practical perspective to the board by pairing my 30-year career in executive support with the reality of building a first-generation ranch from the ground up. Because agriculture is not one-size-fits-all, I take a highly balanced approach to leadership that evaluates the good of the whole across our incredibly diverse membership. Having represented MFU at both the state and national levels, I am ready to roll up my sleeves and actively contribute to guiding our ongoing business affairs, programs, and the long-term success of the Montana Farmers Union.
Previous Leadership experience:
- Co-Owner, 12MT Ranch
- Executive Support & Worksite Wellness Coordinator, Mountain Pacific Quality Health (2012 to 2020)
- Membership Services Director & Executive Assistant, Montana Medical Association (1989 to 2012)
- Secretary & Program Chair, Helena Women's Leadership Network
- Volunteer State Coordinator & Board Member, Women in the Outdoors (National Wild Turkey Federation Montana)
Previous Leadership experience with MFU:
- Multi-Year MFU Policy Committee Member
- NFU D.C. Fly-In Representative and "For Farmers Sake" Advocate
- Three-Time NFU National Convention Delegate
- Three-Time Representative, NFU National Women's Conference
- NFU Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) Alumnus and Guest Speaker
- Multi-Year MFU Annual State Convention Attendee
- Over a decade of dedicated MFU Women's Conference attendance, valuing its vital role as a vehicle for engaging farm families in MFU
Fun fact about you:
When I am not doing the ranch books, sorting cattle, or helping my husband with a ranch task, I run my own digital archiving business. As a Certified Photo Manager, I love safeguarding rural families' photos and videos, so our multi-generational agricultural heritage is never lost.
Why should a member vote for you to serve in leadership with MFU?
Members should vote for me because I bring the practical grit of a first-generation rancher and the organizational expertise of a 30-year career directly to the boardroom. I recognize that agriculture is not one-size-fits-all, and I will take a highly balanced, collaborative approach to represent the full spectrum of our diverse membership. I promise to thoroughly evaluate all sides of an issue, advocate fiercely for our grassroots priorities, and work alongside leadership to secure the long-term business health and economic sustainability of every producer we represent.
Anna Bold
Candidate for District 1 & 2 At Large
What is your agricultural background?
I was raised on my family's farm in Kalispell where we had a chicken hatchery and a poultry processing plant, then over time the farm transitioned to its current operation -- Hedstrom Dairy and Kalispell Kreamery. Now, I work alongside my husband, John, and our 4 kids on his family's 4th generation farm northwest of Big Sandy where we raise wheat and cattle. I earned a degree from MSU-Bozeman in Range Science/Watershed Management and worked for the USDA-NRCS after graduation.
Why are you running for this position?
I am a dedicated advocate for Montana agricultural and our rural communities. I want to help create policy, legislation, and support structures that ensure my family's and our nation's farming legacy. MFU has a voice that is listened to and respected, I want to be part of that voice to better champion grassroots initiatives.
What issues drive you to advocacy and to pursue leadership?
We need to be fairly compensated for the production and sale of our agricultural products. We need to maintain our rural community infrastructure by promoting local involvement. We need food transparency that supports our American farmers and helps consumers make informed choices.
What do you feel you would contribute as a board member for MFU?
I know the members that sit on the MFU board and feel that my leadership style of dependability, following through, and being willing to do the research to make informed decisions will complement the existing board.
Previous Leadership experience:
- Big Sandy Medical Center-Board Chair
- Big Sandy School Board
- Big Sandy Booster Club-President
- Havre FFA Alumni and Supporters-President
- Havre High Graduation Committee
- High School Agronomy Team - coach
- Havre Wrestling Team- hospitality and event coordinator
- MSU-Bozeman-Septemviri (elite honor society)
- Big Sandy Medical Guild -fundraising committee
Previous Leadership experience with MFU:
I served as an MFU Associate Board Member in 2025-26, my son and I represented Montana in the Farmers Union Enterprise Leadership (FUEL) Program last fall, I presented farmer concerns to legislators at the National Famers Union Washington D.C. Fly-In, organized two MFU Far Out and Waiting events, attended State and National Farmers Union Conventions, I organized a 200 guest (which MFU sponsored) Montana Raised-Farm to Table fundraising event in February, and currently serve on the MFU Policy Committee.
Fun fact about you:
I repurpose jeans by making jean quilts for graduating FFA kids.
Why should a member vote for you to serve in leadership with MFU?
I want to serve Montana Farmers Union and its members. As a farmer, wife, mother, I understand many of the challenges facing agricultural life. I believe that education, working in cooperation, and advocating for the family farm is the foundation of a strong and healthy society.