An Organisation Led by Farmers, Driven by Inclusion and Democracy
The World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) is a member-led organisation, guided by the principles of inclusion, transparency, and democracy. At WFO, no farmer is left behind – every voice counts in shaping the Organisation’s direction.
The more resilient and united the global farming community becomes, the stronger and more impactful our voice, collective action, and advocacy power in the global arena. Through its governance structure, WFO ensures that decisions are made by farmers, for farmers – ensuring balance across regions, generations, genders and sectors. This inclusive model guarantees transparent and accountable decision-making, grounded in the priorities of those who work the land.
The General Assembly: A Democratic Voice for Global Farmers
The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO), composed of all full members. It convenes once a year, bringing together representatives from across the membership to review progress, set priorities, and shape the future of the Organisation.
It plays a central role by electing the President and the Board of Directors, and by approving WFO’s strategic direction, policy positions, and financial decisions.
More than a formal body, the General Assembly is a testament to the global farming community’s commitment to democratic, consensus-based decision-making.
Farmers listen to each other and learn from each other, no matter where they are from. Through open and respectful dialogue, they bridge geographical and cultural differences to find common ground and reach consensus on the most critical issues in agriculture.
Farmers’ Leadership in Action
The Board of Directors ensures the implementation of decisions adopted by the General Assembly, keeping the Organisation aligned with its mission, values, and strategic priorities.
It includes the President, who also serves as a Board member, and six representatives from WFO’s regional constituencies (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and Oceania), appointed by the General Assembly.
Composed entirely of elected farmers, the Board embodies WFO’s commitment to democratic representation, inclusion, and farmer-led leadership. Working in close coordination with the Secretary General and the WFO Secretariat, the Board provides strategic guidance, oversight, and accountability to ensure the effective delivery of the members’ mandate.
Dr Daniel Mwendah M’Mailutha is a farmer running a dairy and apiculture farm in Nakuru, Rift Valley, Kenya. He grew up on his parents’ coffee farm in the Meru region of Mt. Kenya. His father’s membership in a local cooperative introduced him to organised agriculture. He studied agriculture at university, began his career as a KENAFF field officer, pursued graduate studies in the United States, and returned to Kenya to teach agricultural policy.
Fiona Simson is a farmer from the Liverpool Plains in New South Wales, Australia. Together with her husband and her family, she runs a mixed farming enterprise, including broad-acre farming and grass-fed cattle.
With a Master of Business Engineering (KU Leuven) and a Master in Agricultural Development (Ghent University), he started his career as a PhD researcher in Agricultural Economics at Ghent University. Since joining Boerenbond in 2008, he has held various leadership roles, first as Advisor for European and International Policy, currently as Board Member. He serves as President of Agricord and Secretary of the Belgian Agro-Food Chain Consultation. His expertise spans European and international agricultural policy, macroeconomics, food-chain governance, and cooperatives. He also holds several board and audit committee positions within Boerenbond and affiliated organisations.
Gunsham Seeborun is from Mauritius and is deeply committed to agricultural development and empowering farmers. He is the Founder and President of the FALCON Association, where he has led several initiatives to improve the lives of farmers and young farmers in Africa and Asia through sustainable practices, innovation, technology, research, and policy advocacy. With over two decades of experience in agricultural leadership, Mr Seeborun has facilitated collaboration and networking among stakeholders to effectively address agricultural challenges.
Eloisa Frederking is a third-generation agricultural producer who breeds and raises cattle on three farms in Cordoba and Buenos Aires provinces. From 2021 to 2024, she served as the Secretary of the Board of Directors of Sociedad Rural Argentina (SRA). In September 2024, she was appointed Second Vice President of SRA, becoming the first female to hold this position in the organisation’s history. Since May 2024, she has been representing the Latin American Constituency on the Board of Directors of the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO).
Mr Rob Larew, along with his family, owns and operates a diversified livestock and forage farm in West Virginia, USA. Elected National Farmers Union President in 2020, Mr Larew previously served as NFU’s Vice President for Public Policy and Communications. With 22 years of work experience in the US Congress, including a decade as the Staff Director of the House Agriculture Committee, his expertise in farm policy and advocacy is extensive. Mr Larew holds a degree in Dairy Science from Virginia Tech and pursued graduate studies in Agronomy at Pennsylvania State University. He is also actively involved in various civic and community organisations. In June 2025, Mr Larew was elected as representative of the North American Constituency on the Board of Directors of the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO).Serving the Farmers of the World
The Secretariat is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and activities of the Organisation from its headquarters in Rome, Italy, and supporting the implementation of the mandate defined by WFO’s members.
Led by the Secretary General, the Secretariat works in close collaboration with the President and the Board of Directors to ensure the effective implementation of WFO’s strategic direction. It provides continuity, institutional memory, and professional expertise to deliver on the priorities set by the membership.
The Secretariat is composed of a dedicated, multidisciplinary team that supports the Organisation across all areas – from policy and advocacy to communications, membership engagement, project coordination, and internal operations – all aimed at amplifying the voice of farmers and enhancing WFO’s global impact.
Governance Framework: Statutes and Rules of Procedure
The functioning of the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) is governed by its Statutes and Rules of Procedure, which define the principles, responsibilities, and processes that shape the life of the Organisation. These founding documents ensure that WFO operates with transparency, accountability, and democratic legitimacy, as approved by its General Assembly.