BISMARCK, N.D. (PPR) – A former president of the North Dakota Farmers Union says he’s been through a lot of ups and downs in the agriculture economy.

Alan Bergman was the president during the 1980s farm-credit crisis. At the same time, the region was experiencing drought.

Bergman says farmers are struggling right now. But he’s optimistic.

Bergman was the president from 1986 to 1996.