FIONA Simson has been elected president of the NSW Farmers Association.

At a ballot in Sydney today, Mrs Simson defeated incumbent president Charles Armstrong who had been in the top job for two years.

Mrs Simpson was the association's former vice president.

She hails from Premer, near Quirindi in northern NSW.

Mrs Simpson said she was humbled and very proud to take on the position.

She is the NSW Farmers Association's first female president.