April 2017

South Dakota VOLUME CII, NO. 3

HURON, SD

APRIL 2017

UNION FARMER A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

Leadership Training

Legislative Scorecard

Oren Lesmeister Reflects on Legislature

Page 9

Page 16

Page 18

Members Help Pass E30 Resolution During 2017 National Farmers Union Convention

S.D. Farmers Union Celebrates the Mendel Farm Family of Doland

S.D. Farmers Union President Doug Sombke speaks up for E30 policy. Sombke and the South Dakota delegation helped pass E30 resolution and worked to reinstate COOL during the 2017 National Farmers Union Convention. For the rest of the story, turn to page 5.

S

outh Dakota Farmers Union members stepped up to voice their support for Premium E30 during the 2017 National Farmers Union Convention held March 5-8 in San Diego, Calif.

NFU Wrapup Continued on Page 5

WANTED Everyday Heroes!

Who makes a difference in your rural community?

We want to honor them.

South Dakota Farmers Union is taking nominations for the 2017 Rural Dakota Pride Awards.

Contact Karla Hofhenke for more information. Karla@sdfu.org or www.sdfufoundation.org.

South Dakota Farmers Union has served South Dakota farm and ranch families for more than a century. Throughout the year, we share their stories in order to highlight the families who make up our state’s No. 1 industry and help feed the world. This month we highlight the Mendel farm family of Doland. Pictured here left to right: Dave, Judy, Don, Lavonne, Grace, Miles, Jill, Merrit, Shem, 4, and Leon Brondsema.

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on Mendel was 9 when his dad first let him drive the gray Ford Ferguson tractor across the field. He wasn’t unsupervised. His dad, Joe, was beside him pulling a twobottom plow with a team of five-work horses.

“Dad liked horses and kept them around longer than lots of the neighbors,” explains the 83-year-old Doland farmer. “He put me on that Ford tractor and would let me drive as fast as he was going with those horses. We would plow together and thought we were turning over a lot of ground.”

Retired since 2000, Don can still be found driving machinery across the fields that his twin sons, Merrit and Miles, 45, now manage with the help of his grandsons and four employees.

“Farming is in our blood,” Don says.

His brother, Dave, agrees.

Mendel Family Continued on Page 2

UNION FARMER Mendel Family Continued from Page 1 “WHEN A PARTNERSHIP HAS AS MANY GENERATIONS OF PEOPLE INVOLVED (AS OURS), WITH THE DIFFERING PERSONALITIES, IT IS ONLY THROUGH GOD’S GRACE THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WORK AND SUCCEED TOGETHER.” — Dave Mendel

Don’s farming partner since 1972 and now, also retired, Dave, like Don, spends most days on the farm helping his nephews out. “I always enjoyed working on the farm,” says Dave, 67.

Although he was pursuing a teaching degree, when he returned from serving in Vietnam, he decided he’d rather farm. “I saw more of a future in agriculture. Even back then, South Dakota was very near the bottom of the teacher pay scale,” says Dave, who together with his wife, Judy, raised their three, now-grown children, Jason (deceased), Audrey and Seth; and now-grown grandson, Jason, on the farm.

When the brothers formed the partnership they each retained ownership of their own land but shared equipment and labor.

Over time, the brothers expanded the farm’s Spink County footprint. It also evolved from its diversified roots. When Don and Dave began farming fulltime they were responsible for a beef herd, pigs, chickens and small

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grains.

Today, the family primarily raises corn and soybeans and runs a 600-head commercial cow/calf herd and backgrounding operation.

“We recognize synergies between the enterprises that benefit each other,” Dave explains. “Plus, we are in an area of the country where there is enough land that lends itself best to grazing or hay production. If you don’t have livestock, it’s hard to fully utilize the land.”

To maximize grazing opportunities and efficiencies, the herd is divided into two calving seasons – February through May and August through November.

Miles’ wife, Grace, oversees the calving seasons. “I love animals and should have been a vet,” says Grace.

Grace and Miles have two children, Hannah, 21, and Michael, 18.

Grace explains that there are many benefits to two calving seasons – including the fact that it results in two breeding seasons, spreading the cost-per-bull out over

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more cows.

The family raises their own replacement heifers and backgrounds their own calves.

“Growing up we always helped dad feed cattle and we continue this practice. We have the feed here. We can feed our own calves cheaper than anyone else,” Merrit says. “It just makes sense.”

With two separate weaning dates, Merrit

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adds that they did not need to expand their backgrounding facility to meet their increased herd size. “We only have a certain amount of space,” Merrit says. “This also gives us two opportunities to market our calves.”

Hardened Conservationists Planting a shelter belt was one of the first things Joe did in 1940 when he purchased the land where Dave and his wife, Judy’s home sits today. “We’re hardened conservationists,” Don says.

In the early ’80s Don and Dave began implementing no-till practices across all their fields. The moisture and topsoil retention allowed them to move from producing primarily wheat and small grains to corn and soybeans.

“We have seen the Wheat Belt move out

and the Corn Belt move in because of no-till,” Judy says.

“Traditionally, 50 years ago, Spink County was the largest spring wheat producing county in the state. As a result of no-till and weed control, we grow almost no spring wheat at all,” Don adds.

The benefits no-till introduced to their land motivated Dave to become actively involved in the Spink County Conservation Board 30 years ago. “I saw what I thought was an opportunity to promote no-till,” Dave explains. “By no means were we the first farm to implement no-till. There are a good number of Spink County farmers who are pretty progressive.”

For several years the Conservation Board purchased drills area farmers could lease.

Vintage photo shows Dave with is dad, Joe.

Today, most Spink County farmers have embraced the practice and there is no longer a need for the Conservation District to provide this service.

“Often you could get near irrigation results from dryland with no-till,” Don says.

Building on a strong foundation Merrit and Miles grew up farming with their dad, uncle and Grandpa Joe. Only 1year-old when their biological father was killed in an accident, the brothers became Mendels when Don adopted them after he married their mom, Janice. In 1992, Janice passed away after a long battle with cancer. A year later, Don married Lavonne, who also lost her spouse to cancer.

Like their role models, the twins say they knew from a young age that farming was the career for them. “It’s the lifestyle that I’m used to. It’s the challenges we have. I always get to learn something new and do something different,” explains Miles, who spent the first

two years after college teaching at James Valley Christian School.

The brothers explain the transition from employees to farm managers as an organic one. “Miles and I have evolved into our different management roles over time,” Merrit explains.

Today Merrit oversees the daily livestock operations while Miles is focused on the crops.

“We started with a strong foundation developed by our grandpa, dad and Dave and over the years the operation has evolved,” Merrit says.

Dave says a smooth transition was always his and Don’s intention.

“We observed contemporaries who had fathers reluctant to release control and they struggled with that. Our dad probably would almost release decisions sooner rather than later. So, we allowed the boys to make those

Mendel Family Continued on Page 4 WWW.SDFU.ORG

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UNION FARMER Mendel Family Continued from Page 3 choices,” Dave says.

Dave says that the family farm’s success is due to the family, the team of great employees they have worked with over the years as well as their neighbors.

“Don and I recognize we could not and cannot do it alone. Our children and spouses have been involved – whether they are active in the farming operation today or not,” says Dave, noting that family members, like his son, Seth, and grandson, Jason, who grew up on the farm but are building careers off the farm, are always willing to chip in when they come home to visit.

He adds that the family’s faith has played a key role in maintaining positive relationships.

“When a partnership has as many generations of people involved (as ours), with the differing personalities, it is only through God’s grace that we have been able to work and succeed together,” Dave explains.

As they look to the future and welcome the fourth-generation of Mendels to the farm, Merrit says they will continue to look to their faith, as well as the legacy Don and Dave began to guide their decisions.

“Faith is everything to our family,” says Merrit, who together with his wife, Jill, has four children; Blake, 17, Seth, 14, Hope, 10, and Shem, 4. “It is the foundation upon which decisions are made on this farm.”

Their nephew, Leon Brondsema, 21, began working on the farm fulltime after he graduated from Lake Area Technical Institute with a degree in production agriculture.

“I quit baseball when I was in junior

high because I wanted to spend more time on the farm,” explains Leon, who grew up in Huron. “I enjoy just about everything about farming, mostly that no day is the same. It’s also nice knowing that I have a future here. (Working on the family farm) is not a normal job, it’s a family deal – so it’s going to be here for the long term.”

In spring 2018, Miles’ son, Michael plans to join the operation after he graduates from Lake Area Technical Institute. Miles and Grace also have a daughter, Hannah, 21.

“Farming wouldn’t be any fun if we didn’t have the young generation coming on, not sure if we would go through the hassle of it,” Merrit says.

To see more photos of the Mendel family and a recorded interview, visit www.sdfu.org. by Lura Roti for SDFU

Membership to SD Farmers Union is purchased on a calendar year… Jan. 1 – Dec. 31 Contact Pam Evenson for details!

PEvenson@sdfu.org or (605) 352-6761 ext 116

1 year .................................................................$50 2 years ...............................................................$96 3 years .............................................................$141 5 years .............................................................$225 30 years ...........................................................$600 Lifetime.........................................................$2,000

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UNION FARMER NFU Wrapup Continued from Page 1 “Our organization is known for grassroots policy development – this special resolution was a prime example,” says Doug Sombke, S.D. Farmers Union President. “Our members did a great job testifying on this and other issues important to family farmers, ranchers and rural America.”

Getting this special resolution passed was not a simple task, explains S.D. Farmers Union delegate and Reliance rancher David Reis.

“This was probably the hottest topic at convention. It was debated right up to the end of convention,” Reis explains. “Delegates from other states felt E30 was too big a jump and wanted to go for E15 because they thought it was more attainable. South Dakota delegates did a good job explaining the benefits of E30 as well as sharing scientific data that supports its use.”

The Special Resolution passed by a majority.

“I don’t think E30 Special Resolution would have passed without our South Dakota members,” adds Jim Wahle, Salem farmer and District 2 board member.

To learn more about the E30 Special Resolution turn to page 6.

In addition to E30, COOL was another issue important to South Dakota’s agriculture producers discussed on the policy floor. A Special Resolution passed to reinstate COOL. “Government is run by the people who show up,” says Joel Keierleber, a Colome cattle producer and District 4 board member.

“When people complain about government, they need to realize – they are the government.”

Now that E30 and COOL are part of National Farmers Union policy, they will be among the issues the national organization lobbies for in Washington, D.C. Reis, Keierleber and Wahle were among 35 S.D. Farmers Union members who took time away from their farms, ranches, college classes and agribusinesses to participate in the national convention.

These South Dakotans joined with the more than 450 Farmers Union members from across the nation.

“Farmers Union national membership is so diverse. Not only geographically, but the type of crops we all raise,” says Kirk Schaunaman, an Aberdeen farmer and Farmers Union Industries board member. “What we all have in common is a passion for agriculture and a strong commitment to supporting family farmers and rural communities.”

In 2018 even more members will be able to attend thanks to a bylaw change which increases the number of delegates a state organization can have represent them at the national convention. The change increases the number of delegates from one delegate for every 2,500 members to one delegate for every 1,250 members.

“More members gives us a stronger voice,” Sombke explains. “I also think it paves the way for more young members, like Kaden Kummer, to attend.”

“Young producers are our future,” Wahle adds. “Seeing more young people attend convention is important. Guys like Joel and me, we are knowledgeable on issues but we are also close to retirement.”

Kummer was one of four delegates elected during the 2016 S.D. Farmers Union State Convention to represent the state. The other delegates who represented South Dakota at the National Convention were Tammy Basel, Union Center; David Reis, Reliance; and Lisa Snedeker, Woonsocket.

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This was the third convention Basel has attended. She says that along with serving as a delegate and having the opportunity to promote South Dakota’s policy at the national level, she also enjoys the opportunity the National Convention gives farmers and ranchers to network.

“Like the old saying goes, ‘It’s not what you know in life, often it’s who you know.’ I had the opportunity to meet such a vast variety of producers that I left convention like a sponge filled up with knowledge,” says Basel, who also served on the National Rules and Credentials Committee.

Beresford farmer Larry Birgen agrees.

“You always learn something new from people who are involved in the similar industry. I always learn something new from convention,” says Birgen, who serves as secretary of the board of directors for Farmers Union Industries. “As a member of FUI board of directors, I am always looking for ways to improve our business.”

Farmers Union Industries is made up of several businesses – the dividends of which go to help fund Farmers Union organizations in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin as well as Farmers Union Enterprise programs and National Farmers Union.

Sombke was recently elected to serve as chair of the board for Farmers Union Enterprise.

Farmers Union Industries is a large sponsor of the National Farmers Union convention.

“This is our way of helping the entire organization remain strong,” Birgen explains.

Along with policy development, convention-goers also had the opportunity to tour a flower farm and sit in on panel discussions related to conservation and the next farm bill.

“The national organization did a good job selecting speakers who help you explore timely issues,” says Wayne Soren, S.D. Farmers Union Vice President. “It always helps to gain insight into topics, even if they are topics we are familiar with.”

Soren, Sombke and the other attendees strongly encourage members to mark their calendars for the 2018 National Farmers Union Convention which will be held March 3-6 in Kansas City, Mo. “As producers we plan for calving, planting and harvest – make this convention part of your 2018 plan and you won’t be disappointed,” Sombke says.

To learn more, visit www.nfu.org.

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National Farmers Union Supports Use of E30 in All Fuel Injected Vehicles

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ational Farmers Union called for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to open the market to higher blends of ethanol in a landmark resolution passed during the National Farmers Union annual meeting held in San Diego March 5-8.

“National Farmers Union, as an organization, considers increased ethanol use one of the most important demand drivers for American agriculture,” says Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union.

“Members are taking a stand against EPA regulations that limit the use of ethanol blends in non-flex vehicles.”

South Dakota Farmers Union is one of 33 state affiliates which make up the grassroots National Farmers Union organization.

“Ethanol is a critically important part of our future and higher ethanol blends are key to creating demand for ethanol and corn,” Sombke says. “EPA and all government regulators should immediately reverse statements and policies that unfairly limit the amount of ethanol we can put in our cars.”

The resolution brought forward by the South Dakota Farmers Union delegation to the convention promotes the use of higher blended fuels, like Premium E30. “We see this as a continued effort to continue efforts to expand retail fuels infrastructure and to further support the Renewable Fuel Standard,” Sombke explains.

In conjunction with these efforts, National Farmers Union has recently filed legal comments challenging EPA's invalid, arbitrary and capricious overreach with its interpretation of the Clean Air Act, which limits ethanol volumes to 10, or at most, 15 percent.

In addition to actively supporting this policy during the National Farmers Union convention, South Dakota Farmers Union worked diligently during the 2017 legislative session to support the passage of a resolution which supports the use of Premium E30 in state-owned vehicles.

Since the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 14, the governor’s office has already begun to solicit bids for the supply of Premium E30.

“South Dakota Farmers Union has long been a leader in the development of

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ethanol,” Sombke says. “Our state has produced many national leaders who have supported the ethanol industry over the years, including former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle.”

In a speech he gave to attendees of the Siouxland Ethanol annual meeting, Daschle said public policy initiatives for ethanol helped create an industry that reduced U.S. oil imports by $20 billion in 2016 and contributed nearly $50 billion to the nation’s economy.

“What I want to get across is how dynamic the ethanol industry is and how we need to build on our success of the past,” Daschle says. “We passed the Clean Air Act amendments and that gave us a threshold.

We passed the Renewable Fuel Standard and that gave us an opportunity, catalytically, to see the explosion of the industry.”

The National Farmers Union resolution comes at a time when there is increased interest nationally in the benefits of higher ethanol volumes such as a 30 percent volume blend (Premium E30).

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Data shows Premium E30 Works in NonFlex Fuel Vehicles Premium E30 is endorsed by the U.S. Department of Energy as a potentially optimum blend level.

Data collected during a recent Glacial Lakes Energy’s E30 Challenge, Watertown, S.D., showed that non-flex-fuel vehicles run better on E30 than flex-fuel vehicles.

“This high octane, cleaner burning fuel is available at a lower cost and provides consumer choice while supporting local communities,” says Brad Brunner, Ethanol Marketing Manager at Glacial Lakes Energy.

“We also see this as a way to achieve reduced governmental regulation,” Sombke adds. “These actions by our state and national organization, highlight continued efforts to seek greater market access for higher blended fuels. It is the position of both organizations that rural economies and consumers across the nation have much to gain in such actions.”

To learn more, visit www.sdfu.org.

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UNION FARMER Cooperative Highlight: Deuel County Farmers Union

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ustomers’ needs and increasing efficiencies are constantly on the minds of Deuel County Farmers Union Oil Company employees.

“As a cooperative, we are here because of our customers. We need to supply them with what they need in an efficient manner,” explains Daryl Feilmeier, the co-op’s general manager.

Monitoring the markets, weather patterns and customers’ buying habits helps Feilmeier and the Deuel County Farmers Union team ensure the cooperative is on the right track.

“Today, as it always has been, the weather is a big part of our farmers’ operations – therefore it’s a big part of our operations,” Feilmeier says, of the cooperative business which includes propane, fuel, service stations, convenience store and agronomy services.

Looking ahead to growing season 2017, Feilmeier says the farmers they serve are optimistic. “They are planning for a good crop,” he says. “Truthfully, very few plan for disaster. Everyone plans for profitability and we are here to try and help them achieve profitability.”

Feilmeier joined the leadership team of Deuel County Farmers Union Oil Company a little more than a year ago. Growing up on a farm near Yankton, he began his cooperative career as a fuel delivery person in 1989.

Goodbye Matt

Matt Sibley with is wife, Hannah, and new baby daughter, Reagan.

WWW.SDFU.ORG

“I guess I have co-op in my blood. I enjoy working with the patrons and I like the fact that as cooperative members, they receive a fair price,” he says.

More about Deuel County Farmers Union Oil Company Driven by the need for local access to products and services, in 1931 a group of farmers began raising funds necessary to start a cooperative. At $10 a share, it took the group five years to collect the $1,733 necessary to open the doors of Deuel County Farmers Union Oil Company.

“It was the middle of the Depression,” explains Feilmeier. “So, for the time, this was

I

t is with a heavy heart that I am writing these words to tell you I will be leaving my position as your legislative specialist.

When I took this position I was a younger, newly married man not tied down by anything but a small home mortgage loan.

Oh how quickly things change. With the birth of my first child, Reagan, my world has been turned upside down. Every waking moment away from her is painstaking. She has me wrapped around her little finger.

With that said, it would be unfair to her, unfair to the great leadership of SDFU and unfair to all of you, for me to stay in my position.

Every time I traveled for Farmers Union my heart and head would be in two different places.

I made the incredibly difficult decision to find an opportunity that allows me to spend more time at home.

Thomas Edison once said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” I

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quite a bit of money to raise.”

Today, the cooperative, which has 22 fulltime employees, provides agriculture inputs, feed and fuel to farmers and homeowners throughout the rural South Dakota communities of Clear Lake, Toronto and Hendricks, Minn.

When discussing what makes the cooperative successful, Feilmeier has this to say, “We have excellent member loyalty. The cooperative has great employees with a desire to serve the patrons. We do not have any long-term debt to service and we try to expand where and when we see the need.” find this quote fitting as I think about all the people I have met and have had the pleasure to work with since 2014.

You have changed my worldview in ways I never thought possible. I am forever grateful.

I want to extend a special thank you to the leadership of SDFU. You took a chance on me and treated me with nothing but respect. Whatever success I experience in my life I will always bear your mark.

I know there has been trouble and turmoil in the past. But, a true family organization finds a way to heal those wounds. You have great leadership, a great staff in the state office and a great membership. Don’t let all the little things get in the way of your success. I know your potential and I am excited to see what life has in store for Farmers Union.

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SDFU

Scholarships

SCHOLARSHIPS 2017 Scholarship

Eligibility

Award

Due

NFU Foundation Stanley Moore

Any Farmers Union member or their child

Several $1,000

April 3

FUI Foundation Stanley Moore

Any Farmers Union member or their child, who resides in S.D., N.D., Minn., or Wis.

Several $1,500

April 22

Insuring a Brighter Tomorrow

Any S.D. Farmers Union member, Farmers Union policy holder or participant in SDHSAA

25 $1,000

April 15

TMC Agricultural Graduate School

Any full-time student who pursues a graduate degree in ag related field

$2,500

Nov. 1

Farmers Union Memorial

Any S.D. Farmers Union member or their child

$500

Nov. 17

Farmers Union Leadership

Any S.D. Farmers Union member or their child

$500

Nov. 17

Farmers Union Cooperative

Any S.D. Farmers Union member or their child

$500

Nov. 17

To download applications and for more information, visit www.sdfu.org/education/scholarships or call Rachel Haigh-Blume, SDFU Education Director, at 605-352-6761 ext 125.

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UNION FARMER Policy & Parliamentary Procedure Focus of San Diego Farmers Union Enterprise Couples Program

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aking the most of meetings was a prominent theme for the recent Farmers Union Enterprise Couples Leadership Program, a focus which Scott and Amber Kolousek found useful.

As leaders in their Wessington Springs community, the farm couple spend several evenings each month in meetings – school board meetings, cooperative meetings, church finance council meetings and Fish and Game Club meetings.

“If you’re involved at all in your community, meetings are a part of life. We learned how to effectively run a meeting and speak up,” says Amber of the parliamentary procedure training the couple received.

“It was interesting to see how you can impact the outcome and control the flow of meetings with parliamentary procedure – if it’s used correctly, it helps control the meeting, giving the minority an opportunity to speak and keeping the majority from dominating the meeting,” Scott adds.

In addition to parliamentary procedure, the couple had the opportunity to sharpen their public speaking skills. Each participant was given 15 minutes to prepare a 2-minute speech which they presented to the group.

“Again, an important skill to have,” Amber explains. Scott added that the

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presenter gave them some tips on where to sit when attending a meeting where they plan to speak. “He said to sit in the front left or right corner because then you can stand and speak to the crowd as well as the board without having your back to anyone.”

Farmers Union Enterprise Couples Leadership Program Developed to substantiate and empower future leaders for rural America and Farmers Union, the Farmers Union Enterprise Couples Leadership Program provides training and hands-on experiences which enable couples to become knowledgeable leaders.

Each year, one farm or ranch couple from South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wisconsin and Minnesota are selected to participate in the year-long leadership program. Scott and Amber were selected to represent South Dakota Farmers Union as members of the 2016-2017 Farmers Union Enterprise Couples Leadership Program.

This recent training was held in conjunction with the 2017 Farmers Union National Convention held in San Diego March 5-8. Scott and Amber were able to take in an NFU panel discussion on the upcoming farm bill.

“What the panelists had to say hit home,”

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Scott says.

During the program, Scott and Amber made time to join other South Dakota Farmers Union members to tour a flower farm. “It was neat to see how a flower farm works – 50 acers of flowers surrounded by houses and urban development,” Scott says.

More about Scott and Amber Wessington Springs farmers, the couple partners with Scott’s parents, Dick and Janet, and operate a 600-head Angus/Hereford cow/calf herd and backgrounding operation.

The family utilizes intensive grazing to manage 4,700 acres of rangeland. They raise corn, oats, winter wheat, alfalfa and grass hay on an additional 1,300 acres of farmland and do some custom farming and hay moving to supplement their machinery budget.

To learn more about Scott and Amber, visit www.sdfu.org and click on the Celebrate Farm and Ranch Families icon. The Kolousek family and their farm and cattle operation were highlighted in June 2015.

To learn more and find out how you can participate in the 2016 Farmers Union Enterprise Couples Leadership Program, contact Karla Hofhenke at khofhenke@sdfu.org or 605-352-6761 ext: 114.

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UNION FARMER 2017 Legislative Update

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outh Dakota Farmers Union stayed busy this legislative session working on a number of legislative issues.

These issues ranged

By Matt Sibley, from promoting the use SDFU Legislative of Premium E30 to Specialist funding the Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Lab. Fortunately, SDFU is able to boast a number of successes in this year’s efforts.

The relationship between the producer and the consumer seemed to be a strong theme which ran through the issues SDFU addressed throughout session.

Our goal was to pass legislation to make those relationships stronger. Below you will find a list of our efforts and what we accomplished this past session.

• The Buffer Strip Bill The “Buffer Strip Bill” is somewhat of a carryover from the 2016 legislative session. In 2016, former Sen. Jim Peterson presented a bill that incentivized the use of buffer strips around lakes, ponds and streams in order to enhance and protect water quality in South Dakota. The bill had moved quickly through both the House and Senate and found significant support.

However, when the bill reached the governor’s desk it was vetoed. In cooperation with the governor’s office and the department of revenue, the bill was brought back this year with a more detailed structure and implementation process in place. Once again the bill found strong support this legislative session. SDFU was a strong advocate in 2016 and was again in 2017. This time, when the bill reached the governor’s desk, it wasn’t vetoed. It was signed and will take effect July 1.

• Premium E30 Resolution One of the major victories of the 2017 session was the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 14. SCR 14 urged Gov. Daugaard to fuel the vehicles in the state fleet with Premium E30. The bill touted 31 co-sponsors and was met with strong support in both the House and Senate. The text of the bill highlighted the misconceptions with Premium E30, as well as the benefits of filling up with the premium fuel. The resolved statement indicated the state legislature’s support of Premium E30 in the state fleet. The resolution passed 30-2 in the Senate and 58-9 in the House. Since the passage of SCR 14, the governor’s office has begun the bidding process for Premium E30.

This is a big step in the advancement of our homegrown fuel. With efforts taking place on the national level, including actions taken by a coalition of governors, this is a signal that states like South Dakota support the use of Premium E30.

• Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Lab Funding Much of the conversation throughout the session dealt with funding for the ADRDL. With reports that revenue was far below budget estimates, it proved difficult finding $58 million to fund the new ADRDL. If you recall, the initial proposals listed a number of tax

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and fee increases that would further burden farmers and ranchers in South Dakota. This placed the burden solely on agriculture. At SDFU we were determined to make sure that did NOT happen. SDFU originally took the position that funding should be taken from the current budget surplus of more than $150 million.

However, it was made clear early on that certain entities would not allow that to happen in order to protect the AAA bond rating recently acquired by South Dakota. SDFU then focused on taking it from other funds like the Revolving Economic Development Initiative (REDI) fund. With Senate Bill 162, there was an attempt to take funds from the REDI fund, as well as diverting last year’s 0.5 percent increase in the farm machinery tax toward a bond payment. SDFU supported SB 162 but the bill was ultimately tabled, due to preference of another funding option. At the midpoint of session, House and Senate leadership called a number of meetings to discuss the potential options for ADRDL funding. During these meetings and others, we developed a plan to divert a portion of last year’s sales tax increase toward a bond payment for the lab. It is important to note that the money diverted would not come from money previously dedicated to a teacher pay increase. Instead, the money would be diverted from the property tax relief portion of the increase. This was ultimately the path chosen by the majority and was passed by both chambers. While we took a number of bites at the apple, we consider this option a victory because we avoided the initial proposal of a whole host of fee and tax increases on farmers and ranchers. By using the revenue collected from every sales tax payer (including residents and non-residents), we were able to avoid placing further burden on producers and still finding adequate funding for the lab.

• Country-of-Origin Labeling A longtime issue of Farmers Union, country-oforiginal labeling (COOL) was once again discussed this legislative session in the form of Senate Bill 135. The bill attempted to provide for statewide country-oforigin labeling of all beef products. SB 135 was somewhat different from COOL on the national level because it focused on the retailer rather than the packer. With SB 135, retailers would have to provide a beef product’s country of origin through the use of a placard. If the country of origin was unknown, the retailer would simply have to provide that information to the consumer as well through the use of a placard.

The penalty for failing to comply was a miniscule petty offense. Unfortunately, last minute scare tactics and a few unexpected events ultimately killed SB 135 on the Senate floor. However, it should still be considered a victory in the sense that we were able to get the bill out of committee and kept the conversation alive. The ultimate goal is still to get COOL reinstated on a national level and every step we can take, no matter how small, will help make that happen.

• Rural Broadband Rural broadband is an issue for many Farmers Union families. As advancements in ag technology move at a rapid pace, some farms only fall further

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behind without access to rural broadband. That’s why Farmers Union was happy and eager to support Senate Bill 71. During testimony on SB 71, proponents explained that there are still many rural pockets across the state without access. Groups across the spectrum joined in support of SB 71, including members from the telecommunications industry, the governor’s office of economic development and the Public Utilities Commission. South Dakota Farmers Union was the only ag group to testify in favor of SB 71.

Ultimately, SB 71 inserts telecommunication projects into the reinvestment payment program. This would allow projects up to $20 million for the purpose of expanding rural broadband. The success of SB 71 serves as another notch in the win column for SDFU this session.

• The Off the Radar License Bill Sometimes bills fly under the radar only to become a bill that grabs the attention in the waning moments of the session. Senate Bill 130 was one of those bills. A bill that started as a simple license fee increase evolved into a piece of legislation that caught the attention of a number of ag groups late in the 2017 legislative session. The original increase from $2 to $4 for both retailers and the Game, Fish and Parks moved quickly through the Senate by a vote of 28-3. At that time the bill wasn’t even on the SDFU radar. Things quickly changed in the House Ag Committee when the bill was deferred to the 41st legislative day by a vote of 8-5.

However the bill was revived by the same committee five days later by the same vote. The bill was then amended to only provide the increase for the retailers, not GF&P. After concerns arose about the competition between the retailers and the GF&P, a compromise was struck. The new bill would increase the fees for both retailers and GF&P but would specifically designate the increase in funds between two GF&P programs. The two programs are the wildlife depredation fund and the animal damage control fund. With this designation, GF&P would be given more resources to address problems like coyote control. In fact, GF&P testified that without this increase it was more likely than not that they would be back next year requesting additional revenue in order to further manage the ADC fund. It just goes to show that you always have to be on your toes when you wander the halls of the capitol. Who knows what bills will become a benefit or a burden.

This legislative session was certainly jam packed with issues that kept the SDFU team busy during the winter months. We are happy to celebrate a number of successes and look forward to working even harder next session. Our efforts during this session were team efforts. With your support we were able to accomplish great things. Whatever you do, and no matter who is in this role, support your legislative team. When 18,000 members speak through one unified voice, people listen. Together you can grow family agriculture.

You can read more about these issues and more by checking out the SDFU Rural Lobbyist Blog at www.sdfu.org/blog.

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UNION FARMER CAMP CALENDAR 2017 May

23 Sanborn County Camp, Forestburg 24 Brule County Camp, Kimball 25 Hand County Camp, Miller 26 Clay County Camp, Vermillion 30-June 1 District I & II: Swan Lake 31 Edmunds County Camp, Ipswich

June

1 McPherson County Camp, Leola 2 Yankton County Camp, Yankton 4-9 State Leadership Camp, Rapid City 15 Kingsbury County Camp, DeSmet 19 Tripp County Camp, Colome 20 Gregory/Fairfax County Camp, Fairfax 21 Gregory County Camp, Gregory 21 Hutchinson County, Menno 27 Lincoln County Camp, Tea 28 Haakon/Jackson, Phillip 29 Meade/Pennington County Camp, Union Center

July

5 Codington/Hamlin County Camp, Watertown 10 Marshall County Camp, Britton 13 Davison County Camp, Mitchell 17 Spink Cuonty, Frankfort 18 Brown County Camp, Aberdeen 20 Minnehaha County Camp, Hartford 21 McCook County Camp, Salem 23-25 District III & VII Camp, Lake Bryon 26 Moody/Lake County Camp, TBD 27 Bon Homme County Camp, Tabor 30-Aug 1 District IV, V, VI Camp, Bob Marshall List current as of March 29, 2017. For updates and more camps, visit www.sdfu.org/calendar/list

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Convention Snapshots

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Farmers Union Insurance Agent & 101-Year-Old Lifetime Member Share Their Story

had just paid off the mortgage on our homestead in 1926. Then the hard times came.”

The family and their farms survived the Dirty Thirties. Years later, Julian and his brother, Laurel, were able to pay off the uncle’s mortgage.

Holter Family Farm 1868-2016 Verna and Julian grew up as neighbors.

Both families homesteaded in Lincoln County.

The farm they lived on together, after marrying in 1942, was homesteaded by Julian’s grandpa, Jacob.

An iron miner in Duluth, Minn., Jacob and a friend were intrigued by rumors of gold in Montana, so they hopped on a train to see for themselves. When the track ran out at Sioux City, the friends decided to check out homesteading opportunities in Dakota Territory.

“Jacob came up over the hills from the south and looked out over the Big Sioux Valley and he said, ‘isn’t that a grand valley.’

Lifetime Farmers Union Members, Julian, 101, and Verna, 95 (a retired Farmers Union Insurance Agent) Holter, with their son, Jerry. The Holters recently moved into an assisted living facility in Canton. They would love to hear from old friends. Find their address on page 19.

S

ixty-eight years ago, during a Farmers Union Local 738 meeting, Verna Holter’s husband, Julian, asked a question that would change her life.

“I heard Julian ask, ‘could my wife be an insurance agent?’ I could hardly believe my ears,’” recalls Verna, who was a rural school teacher at the time. “The speaker was explaining to us how Farmers Union was recruiting members to sell insurance. He looked just as surprised as me. But, he said, ‘yes.’”

Verna became the first female Farmers Union insurance agent in South Dakota – and perhaps the nation. She sold insurance for 56 years, retiring in 2005.

Prompted by a bad personal experience she and Julian had encountered with a crop insurance agent just a few years prior, Verna set out to do the best for her clients. “I always made sure they understood what they were buying.”

A third-generation farmer married to a third-generation farmer, Verna understood the impact insurance made to a farm’s bottom line. “I was so glad when we were able to sell multi-peril crop insurance. If

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someone had a perfect looking crop that got hailed on and then dried out – the farmer got a double-whammy. It was nice to be able to help them out.”

Today, at 95, Verna sits in the community room of Good Samaritan Center in Canton with her husband of 74 years, Julian, 101.

Together, they reflect on their family’s farm and involvement in S.D. Farmers Union.

“I joined the Farmers Union right after school because there was a huge cry in the Farmers Union for parity – farmers were not getting a fair share. Parity meant we would get an income comparable to others in society,” Julian explains.

Julian’s dad, Thorsten, was already an officer when Julian was elected to serve as secretary/treasurer of Canton Local 738 in 1937. Life on their family farm had been tough in recent years.

As Julian explains, it all began when his dad took over his uncle’s farm payment in 1928. “My uncle left his quarter of land to join the Mormons in Salt Lake City. The banker came out and asked my dad if he would take over the $14,000 mortgage on the land which was just west of us. Dad thought about it. He

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The Farmers Union Insurance hat Verna wore for years and other memorabilia she collected.

The grass was waist high for as far as you could see. There were no buildings or farms or towns,” retells Julian.

By the time Verna began selling insurance, hundreds of small farms dotted the Lincoln County countryside. Her business grew. By retirement, she had two offices – one in Canton and one in Beresford.

“I enjoyed the freedom of being able to set my own schedule and the people of course. I worked with great people,” Verna says of her clients.

As an insurance agent, her time wasn’t

Holters Continued on Page 19 APRIL 2017

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UNION FARMER Around the State With Farmers Union Read on to learn how South Dakota Farmers Union members and staff are making a difference in rural communities across South Dakota.

Lemmon Farm Show Women in Blue Jeans

Rural Economic and Leadership (REAL) A leadership program for anyone interested in serving your community on a board. Contact Rachel Haigh-Blume for more information on the next class!

Rachel@sdfu.org

Gregory Farm & Home Show

Rhonda Schroeder of Gregory won the drawing during the Gregory Farm Show.

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UNION FARMER S.D. Farmers Union Hosts Farm Bill Meetings in Aberdeen

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outh Dakota Farmers Union joined with the Dakota Marketing Coalition to host meetings in Aberdeen discussing the upcoming farm bill. The groups brought in Frank Endres of the National Farmers Organization and Harwood Schaffer, a respected economist to address the group.

The conversation surrounding the farm bill is a difficult one to have, considering there are some questioning whether or not we will ever

see one again.

Current budget cuts to agricultural spending seems to indicate producers will be hard-pressed to find extra dollars in the next farm bill, if there is one.

Despite these concerns, those in attendance had the discussion anyway.

In the meeting, producers were asked to discuss what they liked about the current farm bill, what they didn’t like and what solutions were available in a new farm bill. This led to a number of discussions about the history of farm bills, the attitude of the current administration and the dire realities of farmers and ranchers.

Producers from across the state had meaningful discussions on how to improve the next farm bill. Whether you are a

consumer, producer, lender or a member of a rural community, the decisions made about this next farm bill – including the decision of whether we have one or not – will greatly affect you.

Will we be able to keep young farmers and ranchers in production? Will you still have access to affordable crop insurance? What will happen to rural communities if family farms can’t make ends meet?

The time to speak up and speak out is now. If you want to be involved in more farm bill discussions, contact the South Dakota Farmers Union state office and ask them how you can help. You can also stay informed online at www.sdfu.org.

by Matt Sibley, SDFU Legislative Specialist

S.D. Farmers Union President Urges Trump to Reinstate COOL for Public Health Reasons

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outh Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke recently joined National Farmers Union in urging President Trump to reinstate country-of-origin labeling (COOL) of beef and other meat products for public health reasons.

"Without COOL, consumers don't know where their meat is raised or processed. The recent Brazilian meat scandal just affirms the fact that we need to label meat for public health reasons," says Sombke, of the scandal where a chemical was added to meat processed in Brazil to mask the fact the meat was rancid. "The World Trade Organization should not determine which foods are labeled and which are not. Not labeling meat is a public health concern."

Sombke was referring to the recent discovery that some of Brazil’s largest meat producers had bribed health inspectors to turn a blind eye to some unsavory practices.

Since the story broke, China, the European Union, Chile and South Korea have stated they would impose some kind of ban on imports from Brazil until the issue is resolved.

USDA has since released a statement which included these remarks: “While none of the slaughter or

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processing facilities implicated in the Brazilian scandal have shipped meat products to the United States, FSIS immediately instituted additional pathogen testing of all shipments of raw beef and ready-to-eat products from Brazil upon hearing reports of the Brazilian investigation. FSIS has also increased its examination of all these products at ports-ofentry across the country. The agency will indefinitely maintain its 100 percent reinspection and pathogen testing of all lots of FSIS-regulated products imported from Brazil.”

Sombke had his own thoughts on these remarks stating that ”while it is important to reassure consumers that their meat products are safe, a properly implemented COOL system would allow consumers to make their own informed decisions about their food choice.”

In 2015, COOL was repealed by Congress after a lengthy World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute with Canada and Mexico, along with pressure from multinational meatpackers. Faced with either making the law compliant by switching it to a voluntary system, paying more than $1 billion in retaliatory tariffs or repealing the law,

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Congress chose to repeal the law. And when doing so, they even removed COOL labels from meats like ground beef and ground pork that were never an issue with the WTO. Earlier this month, the Trump Administration released a list of 24 trade practices, including COOL, that trade negotiators should prioritize in future negotiations.

Supporting South Dakota's Beef Industry Sombke says that along with maintaining a safe food supply, the reinstatement of COOL will support South Dakota's beef industry. An industry which accounts for $3.12 billion dollars in the state, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture 2012 census data.

"South Dakota producers invest heavily in raising a safe, quality beef supply. If the meat they raised is labeled, it prevents our cattle producers from taking a hit when meat from foreign countries is deemed unsafe," Sombke says.

Sombke urges South Dakotans to reach out to the state's representatives in D.C. and encourage them to urge Trump to reinstate COOL. To learn more about Farmers Union efforts to reinstate COOL, visit their website www.sdfu.org.

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UNION FARMER SOUTH DAKOTA LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD Each year, South Dakota Farmers Union crafts its Legislative Scorecard in an attempt to educate members about some of the legislation the organization worked on throughout the recent legislative session and to give you an idea where lawmakers stand on the bills important to you.

We hope this information proves to be valuable to you as a citizen and voter. Please read through the bills which were selected for this year’s scorecard and find the corresponding votes of your lawmakers on the pages that follow.

The scores were determined based on the votes each lawmaker cast. If they were absent for a vote, their absence will not be reflected on the legislator’s overall score. Some of the legislation was voted on and defeated in committee, so not all lawmakers voted on every piece of legislation chosen for the scorecard. *Note: We also added a brief explanation of two primary issues that were not addressed in the scorecard (Medicaid Expansion and Teacher Pay).

Y = Legislator Supported Legislation N = Legislator Did Not Support E = Excused A ‘Y’ vote does not necessarily mean they voted ‘Yes’ during the committee or floor vote.

An ‘N’ vote does not necessarily mean a lawmaker voted ‘No.’ Some Yes votes were meant to defeat measures. Some No votes were meant to keep from defeating a measure.

STATE SENATE Senator

District

Bolin, Jim Cammack, Gary L Cronin, Justin R Curd, R. Blake Ewing, Bob Frerichs, Jason E Greenfield, Brock L Haverly, Terri Heinert, Troy Jensen, Phil Kennedy, Craig Killer, Kevin Klumb, Joshua Kolbeck, Jack Langer, Kris Maher, Ryan Monroe, Jeff Nelson, Stace Nesiba, Reynold F Netherton, Jenna Novstrup, Al Otten, Ernie Partridge, Jeffrey D Peters, Deb Rusch, Arthur L Russell, Lance S Soholt, Deb Solano, Alan Stalzer, Jim Sutton, Billie H Tapio, Neal Tidemann, Larry White, Jim Wiik, John Youngberg, Jordan

16 29 23 12 31 1 2 35 26 33 18 27 20 13 25 28 24 19 15 10 3 6 34 9 17 30 14 32 11 21 5 7 22 4 8 TOTAL

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SDFU Stance on Due Pass Vote (Y)

SDFU Stance on Vote to Defer (N)

SDFU Stance on Due Pass Vote (Y)

SDFU Stance on Due Pass Vote (Y)

SDFU Stance on Due Pass Vote (Y)

SDFU Stance on Due Pass Vote (Y)

SDFU Stance on Due Pass Vote (Y)

Senate Vote SB 135

Senate Vote SCR 14

Senate Vote SB 172

Senate Vote SB 66

Senate Vote SB 71

Senate Vote SB 9/10

Senate Vote HB 1038

N N N N Y Y N N Y Y Y Y N N Y Y Y Y Y N N N N N N Y E N N Y N N N N N (13-21-1)

Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y (30-5-0)

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y E Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y (34-0-1)

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y (34-0-1)

Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y E E Y Y Y E Y Y Y Y Y Y Y (30-2-3)

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Y

Y N

N

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y (7-2)

Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y N Y N E Y Y Y N Y Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y N E Y N Y Y (25-8-2)

Alignment with SDFU (%)

67% 57% 33% 67% 71% 100% 67% 67% 100% 50% 100% 100% 57% 67% 83% 100% 57% 83% 100% 50% 67% 57% 60% 80% 67% 67% 67% 60% 67% 100% 80% 67% 83% 67% 57%

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UNION FARMER STATE HOUSE Representative

Ahlers, Dan Anderson, David L Bartels, Hugh M Bartling, Julie Beal, Arch Bordeaux, Shawn Brunner, Thomas J Campbell, Blaine "Chip" Carson, Lance Chase, Roger D Clark, Michael Conzet, Kristin A Dennert, Drew DiSanto, Lynne Duvall, Mary Frye-Mueller, Julie Glanzer, Bob Goodwin, Tim Gosch, Spencer Greenfield, Lana Haggar, Don Haugaard, Steven G Hawley, Spencer Heinemann, Leslie J Holmes, Thomas R Howard, Taffy Hunhoff, Jean M Jamison, Greg Jensen, Kevin D Johns, Timothy R Johnson, David Kaiser, Dan Karr, Chris Kettwig, Jason W Lake, John A Latterell, Isaac Lesmeister, Oren L Livermont, Steve Lust, David Marty, Sam May, Elizabeth McCleerey, Steven D McPherson, Sean Mickelson, G. Mark Mills, John Otten, Herman Peterson, Kent Peterson, Sue Pischke, Tom Qualm, Lee Rasmussen, Nancy Reed, Tim Rhoden, Larry Ring, Ray Rounds, Tim Rozum, Tona Schaefer, James Schoenfish, Kyle Smith, Jamie Soli, Karen Steinhauer, Wayne H Stevens, Mike Tieszen, Craig Tulson, Burt Turbiville, Charles M Wiese, Marli Willadsen, Mark Wismer, Susan York, Nancy Zikmund, Larry P

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Disctrict

25 16 5 21 12 26a 29 35 20 22 9 32 3 35 24 30 22 30 23 2 10 10 7 8 14 33 18 12 16 31 33 3 11 4 23 6 28a 27 34 28b 27 1 32 13 4 6 19 13 25 21 17 7 29 17 24 20 26b 19 15 15 9 18 34 2 31 8 11 1 5 14 TOTAL

SDFU Stance on Due Pass Vote (N)

SDFU Stance Motion to Defer (Y)

SDFU Stance on Due Pass Vote (Y)

SDFU Stance on Due Pass Vote (Y)

SDFU Stance on Due Pass Vote (N)

SDFU Stance on Due Pass Vote (Y)

House Vote HB 1038

House Vote SCR 14

House Vote SB 172

House Vote SB 66

House Vote SB 71

House Vote SB 130

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N E Y Y Y N Y Y E Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y N Y N Y N N Y E Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y E N Y Y Y Y (7-6)

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N E Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y E Y Y E Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y (56-10-4)

E Y Y Y Y Y Y Y E Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y N Y E Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y (62-5-3)

Y N N Y Y Y Y Y E Y Y Y N Y Y E Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y E Y Y Y Y Y N Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y (63-4-3)

Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y N N Y N Y Y Y Y N Y E (58-10-1)

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y E Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y N N Y Y N Y N Y N N Y E Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y E Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y (58-9-3)

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Alignment with SDFU (%)

80% 67% 67% 83% 83% 100% 83% 50% 0% 83% 83% 83% 33% 29% 83% 25% 83% 83% 83% 83% 83% 50% 100% 83% 83% 33% 83% 83% 83% 100% 83% 17% 50% 83% 83% 50% 100% 50% 67% 33% 33% 100% 0% 83% 83% 80% 83% 83% 67% 83% 67% 83% 67% 100% 83% 80% 67% 83% 100% 100% 83% 100% 67% 83% 80% 80% 83% 100% 83% 100% (58-9-3)

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UNION FARMER Legislator Oren Lesmeister Reflects on His First Year in Office G

etting it right. This is O r e n Lesmeister’s focus when it comes to serving South Dakotans as the District 28A State Representative.

“I don’t want to Oren Lesmeister make a mistake that hurts agriculture or the state of South Dakota by helping pass a law that is wrong,” explains the Farmers Union member, Parade rancher and owner of Fox Ridge Ag Supply.

Doing his best for his constituents during his first legislative session, Lesmeister carefully read every bill and asked questions.

“I sent a lot of texts, emails and had several conversations where I simply asked questions so I could clearly understand the information before I cast my vote,” says Lesmeister, recalling a tip he received during orientation.

“They told us to look at the names of the six people who sit next to us on the floor – encouraging us to get to know those individuals as they probably sat in on different committees than we do and could help us better understand bills,” he says.

“My mom always said I have the perfect mouth for politics.”

Growing up on the Dewey County ranch his great-grandfather homesteaded in the early 1900s, Lesmeister says he became interested in politics nearly a decade ago when he was asked to drive to Pierre and testify. “Once I was sitting there listening to the discussion and testimony, I got interested in other bills that were being presented, so I started reading the bills,” Lesmeister explains.

No stranger to public service – his parents both actively served on several community boards – when the legislator representing his district termed out and asked him to run, Lesmeister jumped at the opportunity.

A gregarious guy and small business owner, Lesmeister enjoyed the campaigning and found himself paying close attention to customers’ comments, as they related to politics, when they stopped in to Fox Ridge Ag Supply for feed, seed or other supplies.

“Talking to my customers is a great way to understand what my constituents want. I am also blessed to know virtually every member of the tribal council because I either went to school with them or I grew up as neighbors to them,” says the 1984 graduate of Cheyenne Eagle Butte High School.

Although he didn’t win the first time he ran, Lesmeister decided to give it another try in 2016 and secured a seat.

As a legislator, Lesmeister found himself spending a lot of time listening to testimony given by South Dakota citizens – reminding him of how he first became interested in serving.

He says showing up matters. He has a few tips to share when it comes to giving testimony.

• If you come with a group, divide up the talking points so that everyone doesn’t say the same thing.

• Feel free to share a brief, personal story or example of how the bill will impact you and drive home the point.

• If those testifying before you have said what you had planned on saying, feel free to simply step up and say, “I agree with what has been said and am in favor/not in favor.”

“I think everyone who talks about politics is a politician. If you vote – you’re a politician – go out and let your voice be heard,” Lesmeister explains.

Lesmeister and his wife, Tracy, have three grown children; Colten, Colby and Chelsy.

MEMBERSHIP NEWS: Are you celebrating a life event or honoring the life of a Farmers Union member? We’d like to share the news. Please send photos and membership updates, anniversaries, awards, birthdays, birth announcements, obituaries and other updates to SDFU Executive Director, Karla Hofhenke, PO Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350 or karla@sdfu.org. The date we receive the information will determine in which Union Farmer the information will run.

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UNION FARMER Holters Continued from Page 13 always her own, her son, Jerry interjects.

“Whenever a client would have a claim, mom would always go out with the adjuster to make sure her client was taken care of.”

Jerry recalls several phone calls which Verna responded to day or night – even on Christmas Day. Verna had built up quite a business by the time she and Julian adopted baby Jerry, welcoming him into their lives and the Holter farmstead.

It was 1952, and although it was unique to the time, Verna kept working even though she had a new baby to care for. “I was thinking about quitting and the Regional Manager said I couldn’t quit now because they had invested so much training into me,” Verna explains. “It was interesting work, but it took more than part-time to keep up. There was a lot of training involved.”

Childcare was never an issue.

About the time Jerry arrived, Julian’s mom, Inga “Olson,” had welcomed her four, now widowed and bachelor siblings to join her on the farm. They built a small house and moved some trailer houses onto the farmstead next door to Julian and Verna.

“For a time, neighbors called our farm ‘Olsonville,’” says Jerry, explaining his morning routine as a toddler. “I would eat breakfast with my parents, then walk to Grandma Inga then across to Aunt Helen’s for

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1935 meeting notes from Canton. And, a photo of Julian leading singing during a Farmers Union State Convention. At 101, Julian continues to sing.

To hear him sing "God Bless America," visit www.sdfu.org homepage and click on the article in the News Reel.

a snack, then over to my great uncles’ Eilert and Boye’s trailer for rolled pancakes with butter and sugar, and then, I made my last stop at Uncle Lauritz, who kept a drawer filled with candy by the couch. He would give me some candy and lukewarm coffee.”

After breakfast, Jerry would often join Julian in the fields. When it came to Farmers Union activities, Jerry would also tag along.

His parents were active at the local and state level. A 1970 Torchbearer, Jerry remembers attending several local, district and state conventions where Julian was often called on to lead the singing. “I have sung all my life,” says Julian, who was asked to travel

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to Norway to sing on Pentecost as part of a Norwegian men’s singing group.

Julian continues to sing with the Grieg Male Chorus, who these days, gathers at the Good Samaritan Center for practice. To hear him sing "God Bless America," visit www.sdfu.org homepage and click on the article in the News Reel.

Healthy until summer 2016, the Holters were able to continue farming their family’s land, with Jerry’s help. Jerry owns the neighboring farm. Shortly after Memorial Day, an infection left Julian without the use of his left leg. This led the couple to sell their farm and move into the Good Samaritan Center in Canton.

“Change is something we all need to be prepared for,” Julian says.

He doesn’t complain. Instead, he references back to the days when he and his brother transitioned away from work horses and purchased the farm’s first tractor, a 1937 Allis Chalmers. “My uncle, who ranched near Hayes, wrote my dad, ‘don’t sell the horses boys. Those tractors are just a fad.’”

Verna and Julian remain sharp and read the Union Farmer to stay connected to the organization they actively served for 80 years.

If you’d like to reconnect with the couple, their address is Good Samaritan Society, 1022 North Dakota, Room 215, Canton, SD 57013.

By Lura Roti, for SDFU

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UNION FARMER Roger Johnson

National Farmers Union President

I

n the first months of his presidency, Donald Trump has been fulfilling many of his campaign promises. Many of the changes, both proposed and enacted, significantly affect family farmers and rural communities, and not necessarily for the better. President Trump’s federal budget blueprint calls for a drastic reduction in spending on agriculture- and rural-related agencies and programs that support American food producers and their families. The president has also made troubling decisions regarding trade policy, immigration reform and healthcare that will adversely affect rural constituents. In light of these developments, NFU’s delegates participated in policy deliberation at the organization’s 115th Anniversary Convention. The adopted policy book and special orders of business will guide the organization’s government affairs priorities over the course of the coming year.

PRESIDENT’S BUDGET SHUNS RURAL AMERICA In mid-March, President Trump issued his fiscal year 2018 federal budget blueprint, calling for a drastic reduction in spending on agriculture- and rural-related agencies and programs.

Among his recommendations is a $4.7 billion cut to USDA, which equates to a 21 percent drop for programs that serve rural and farming communities across the U.S. This huge cut to discretionary spending puts rural development, food safety, conservation and research programs on the chopping block. Additionally, the blueprint provides for a $2.6 billion cut to EPA funding. This 31 percent drop guts the agency’s ability to provide essential environmental services and pesticide approval.

Family farmers and ranchers are currently enduring the worst farm economy in well over a decade as well as an inadequate safety net that is hamstrung by $23 billion in budget cuts. Further cuts to agencies and programs that provide support to agriculture and rural communities will compound the difficulties farmers endure, particularly during the current farm crisis. These cuts and the message they send to rural America are deeply disappointing.

To compound these concerns, President Donald Trump failed to mention the words ‘rural,’ ‘farm’ or ‘agriculture’ in his address to a joint session of Congress in February, even though he touched on a number of subjects that will both directly and indirectly affect American farmers and ranchers. NFU expressed dismay about the president’s statements on trade, immigration and healthcare.

The president’s plans to replace the “current system of lower-skilled immigration” has many farmers and ranchers on edge, as it neglects the unique and important contribution of immigrant laborers to our national food system and rural economies. Farmers are similarly concerned about the proposed changes in national health insurance

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policy. Notably, motions to cut support to Medicaid would disproportionately affect farmers and ranchers, a population that is older than average.

To this point, the president has put the needs of rural America and agriculture on the backburner, and, in many cases, on the chopping block. If the president intends to be a champion for all Americans, he must consider the real and lasting impacts of his policy agenda and budget on rural America and family farmers and ranchers.

BILL WOULD ADD USDA TO FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMMITTEE On March 14, U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow (DMichigan) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced a bill to add the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). CFIUS is responsible for reviewing foreign investments, mergers and acquisitions of U.S. companies and operations in regard to their effect on national security. Called the “Food Security is National Security Act,” the bill would also direct CFIUS to consider U.S. food and agriculture systems when determining whether or not to approve foreign investment in U.S. companies.

The U.S. agriculture sector has recently experienced an alarming amount of investment from foreign governments and companies, notably Smithfield’s sale to Chinese firm Shuanghui, the Syngenta acquisition by Chinese-government owned group ChemChina, and Bayer’s proposed acquisition of Monsanto. These investments and others like them can threaten national food sovereignty and security. This, in turn, can jeopardize national security, as food shortages and disputes often lead to international crises.

Across all agricultural sectors, foreign investment can pose a security risk. In the case of biotechnology, it transfers critical technologies and information to foreign entities, who may or may not act in our country’s best interest. Similarly, foreign investment in meat processing can disrupt trade markets and give foreign competitors an unfair advantage.

NFU lauded the bipartisan bill and called on Congress to adopt the common sense legislation.

Food security is closely tied to national security, both of which will prove integral to the future success of the United States.

FARMER FAIR PRACTICES RULES NEEDED TO ADDRESS LACK OF COMPETITION IN LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY SECTORS Pointing to issues with today’s extremely consolidated livestock and poultry sectors, NFU is advocating for the adoption of the Farmer Fair Practices Rules, which offer family farmers and ranchers basic protections from anti-competitive and abusive practices.

The livestock sectors are more consolidated today than they were 100 years ago. In 1916, the

UNION FARMER

top five slaughterhouses controlled 82 percent of the cattle market and 61 percent of the hog market. Today, just four companies control 85 percent of the beef industry and 74 percent of the pork industry, and more than half of the poultry industry is dominated by just four firms.

Additionally, the development of contract farming as the model in the poultry and hog sectors has institutionalized the monopsony/monopoly relationship between farmers and agribusiness. The resulting dynamic gives agribusiness undue influence over contract farmers.

Family farmers and ranchers operating in an extremely consolidated marketplace deserve the full protection of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, which will come from finalizing long overdue Farmer Fair Practices Rules.

NFU ADOPTS POLICY, SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS NFU held its 115th Anniversary Convention March 5-8. Nearly 500 family farmers and ranchers convened in San Diego both to engage in thoughtful policy deliberations, as well as to learn from agricultural experts and each other.

More than 130 delegates from 33 states and regions selected strong language to address a variety of issues facing family agriculture and rural communities. The adopted policy book and special orders of business will guide the organization’s government affairs priorities over the course of the next year, including the current farm crisis, international trade, corporate consolidation and upcoming deliberations on the 2018 farm bill.

Additionally, as a means of providing the organization a prescriptive set of priorities, delegates approved six special orders of business on family farming and crisis relief, farm bills, trade policy, climate change, expanded higher ethanol blend utilization and dairy policy.

NFU URGES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO AVOID CHANGES THAT UNDERMINE RFS In the past couple of months, there have been reports of a pending executive order to change the point of obligation for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), from refiners to gasoline retailers.

NFU urged the Trump Administration to avoid these changes that would undermine the success of the nation’s strongest biofuel policy, which has been a boon to rural economies, energy independence and the environment.

To this point, President Trump has expressed support for renewable biofuels and the RFS, and his administration has stated its intent to administer the program as written by Congress.

Any attempt by the administration to change the point of obligation through an executive order would unnecessarily complicate compliance and undermine the underpinnings of the RFS. Courtesy of NFU. Current as of March 15.

WWW.SDFU.ORG

UNION FARMER

NFU Women’s Conference Attendee South Dakota Reflects on Networking & Valuing UNION FARMER Diversity Within Agriculture

A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

South Dakota Union Farmer, ISSN 0745-8797, publishes 10 times per calendar year, with issues printed in January, February, March, April, May/June, July/August, September, October, November and December. Periodical postage paid at Madison, S.D. POSTMASTER: Address changes to: SDFU, PO Box 1388, Huron, S.D. 57350-1388

Contact SDFU • 605.352.6761 1410 Dakota Avenue South, PO Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350 www.sdfu.org sdfu@sdfu.org

SDFU State Office Staff Karla Hofhenke.......ext. 114 Executive Director Huron

Dawn Nagel, Gettysburg; Tammy Basel, Union Center; and Lisa Snedeker, Woonsocket, represented S.D. Farmers Union at the National Women's Conference held in conjunction with the organization's national convention.

N

etworking with women involved in agriculture has many benefits, explains Dawn Nagel, Farm Service Agency Executive Director for Sully County.

“Connecting with other women facing similar issues that I face on a day-to-day basis within agriculture introduces me to opportunities I may not have known about and helps me make a positive impact in my career and community,” says Nagel, a fourthgeneration farmer, who farms with her dad, uncle and cousins near Gettysburg.

Throughout the year, Nagel makes time to network with women working in agriculture. She helps organize Farm Service Agency’s annual Agricultural Women’s Day and this year, she was one of three South Dakota Farmers Union members to attend the National Farmers Union Women’s Conference held in San Diego, Calif., March 3-5.

“I was impressed by the variance of topics covered throughout the conference,” Nagel says of the topics which ranged from business and succession planning to running for local office, communications and innovative marketing.

“This is a non-political conference, which provided me with resources I can use but

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didn’t tell me how to think,” Nagel says.

The NFU Women’s Conference attracted women from across the nation representing diverse agricultural operations.

Being exposed to women involved in the diverse agricultural landscape that makes up American agriculture is another benefit Nagel sees in attending the NFU Women’s Conference.

“Agriculture in the U.S. is changing – in size and scope. What one person views as who a farmer is, is different from what another person views as who a farmer is,” says Nagel, whose family’s farm operates a cow/calf and backgrounding operation as well as raises corn, wheat, soybeans, sunflowers, alfalfa and other forage crops.

“I think as we plan for the future of farming and agriculture, it is important to better understand each other and value what each person and their operation brings to the table,” she says. “Instead of looking at how we are different, we need to be asking, ‘how are we similar to better work together?’”

To learn more about how you can attend the 2018 NFU Women’s Conference, contact Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director, at Karla@sdfu.org.

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Matt Sibley .............ext. 122 Legislative Specialist Huron

Luanne Thompson.......ext. 111 Administrative Assistant Virgil

Pam Evenson ..........ext. 116 Membership Specialist Doland

Rachel Haigh-Blume ....ext. 125 Education Director Tulare

Kecia Beranek.........ext. 113 Communications Specialist Miller

Kayla Foreman ............ext. 118 Controller Miller

SDFU Board of Directors Doug Sombke.........President Groton Wayne Soren..Vice President Lake Preston Terry Sestak..............District I Tabor Jim Wahle ................District II Salem Gail Temple ............District III Clark

Contact NFU

Joel Keierleber .......District IV Colome Dallis Basel ..............District V Union Center Lynn Frey................District VI Lemmon Chad Johnson .......District VII Groton

National Farmers Union 20 F Street NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20001

Roger Johnson, President ~ Donn Teske, Vice President Darin Von Ruden, Secretary ~ John Hansen, Treasurer 202.554.1600 www.nfu.org

The South Dakota Union Farmer is published 10 times per calendar year.

Karla Hofhenke, Publisher Lura Roti, Editor ~ Wendy Sweeter, Copy Editor Tri-State Graphics, Layout and Design

All information for publication must be submitted by the 15th of the month. You may submit items by mail to the State Office, P.O. Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350 or email items to: sdfu@sdfu.org

APRIL 2017

21

UNION FARMER From the President....

Healthcare Impacts Us All

W

ith all the talk about repealing and replacing the ACA, I thought it would be a good idea to share what the Census, Medicaid.gov, Kaiser Family Foundation and the Congressional Budget Office, have to say.

Below is a side-by-side-guide comparison to what is covered under the Affordable Care Act and the proposed Republican healthcare plan.

NUMBER OF UNINSURED COULD NEARLY DOUBLE UNDER GOP PLAN BY 2026 The Republican plan to replace the Affordable Care Act would remove health coverage for an estimated 24 million Americans by 2026, according to independent analysis by the Congressional Budget Office. Lawmakers from both parties rely on the nonpartisan budget office to gauge the potential impact of legislation.

IMPACT ON DEFICIT The legislation would also reduce the deficit by $337 billion over the next 10 years largely from Medicaid reductions and the elimination of the ACA's subsidies for nongroup health insurance, the CBO found.

CHANGES IN INSURANCE SUBSIDIES Who wins and who loses under the Republican proposal? That depends on a few factors. In a nutshell, the new system would provide less help to low-income individuals and those in high-cost areas.

According to a Kaiser Family Foundation study, an American who is older, has lower income and lives in an area with higher premiums, like Alaska or Arizona, will lose out if the Affordable Care Act – also known as Obamacare – is replaced.

An American, who is younger, has higher income and lives in areas with lower premiums like, Massachusetts or Washington, may receive additional assistance under the replacement plan.

Under the Affordable Care Act • People using healthcare marketplaces and making less than $48,000 a year, receive subsidies to help them buy insurance; • The amount of the subsidy is tied to a person's income and to the cost of insurance in the person's area; and • The subsidies are automatically applied to the consumers’ monthly insurance bills rather than having to wait for a rebate.

Under the GOP proposal • People would still receive subsidies, which would phase out at incomes of $75,000 per year; • The amount would be tied to a person's age, not income so, low-income people would get less help; and • The subsidies would not vary with the cost of insurance so, people in high-cost areas would also not get as much help.

INSURANCE MANDATE Obamacare, for the first time, required Americans to have health insurance. That would no longer be the case.

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APRIL 2017

Under the Affordable Care Act • A person is required to purchase health insurance or pay a tax penalty.

Under the GOP proposal • The tax penalty for not having health insurance would be dropped. But consumers would face a different sort of penalty. Anyone who goes without insurance for more than two months would face a 30 percent premium surcharge when they try to buy a new plan.

GUARANTEED COVERAGE People with pre-existing conditions would still get coverage.

Under the Affordable Care Act • Americans are able to get health insurance even if they’re sick. This put an end to insurers denying coverage to people who have preexisting medical conditions Under the GOP proposal • The House GOP plan would still prohibit insurers from turning away sick consumers.

WOMEN'S HEALTH The Republican plan would impose new restrictions on health plans with abortion coverage and would defund Planned Parenthood. Lowincome women would be among the most seriously affected.

Under the Affordable Care Act • Insurance companies cannot charge women more than men for the same health plan; • Insurers are required to provide a basic set of benefits including maternity care, pediatric care and contraceptives; and • Planned Parenthood receives federal funding for family planning and other medical services used

by Medicaid recipients. Abortion is not currently and cannot be funded with federal dollars.

Under the GOP proposal • Insurance companies would still be banned from charging women more; • Insurers would still be required to provide basic benefits but, starting in 2020, Medicaid would no longer have to offer these benefits, which would impact low-income women. Nearly 80 percent of Planned Parenthood patients have incomes at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

• Medicaid would be barred from providing funding for any health clinics that provide abortion services, including Planned Parenthood.

MEDICAID Expanded Medicaid coverage would cease and the funding structure would change.

Under the Affordable Care Act • The federal government and states share the cost of insuring the poor. The amount of money that Washington gives each state varies depending on how much medical care that state's Medicaid patients receive.

• The federal government is picking up almost the

UNION FARMER

Doug Sombke SDFU President

entire cost of expanding Medicaid coverage to low-income adults without children in the 30 states (and the District of Columbia) that have chosen to expand their programs.

Under the GOP proposal • A fixed "per capita cap" would replace the decades-old current system. Each state would have a fixed amount of money every year for every person who qualifies for Medicaid.

• That amount would increase annually by a percentage linked to the inflation rate; and • The additional federal funding that covered expanding Medicaid would be eliminated by 2020.

INSURANCE MARKETPLACES The insurance marketplace would be intact, but insurers could charge older consumers more.

Under the Affordable Care Act • The Obamacare marketplaces, such as HealthCare.gov, enable people who don't get health benefits at work, to compare plans just as they might compare hotel rooms or airline tickets online; and • All plans on the marketplaces must offer a basic set of benefits, such as hospital care, mental health services and prescription drugs.

Under the GOP proposal • Insurers would be able to charge older consumers five times more than younger consumers; • Basic benefits would largely be preserved; and • Insurers would still be barred from imposing annual or lifetime limits.

TAXES Most of the taxes set up under Obamacare to pay for subsidizing insurance would be scrapped.

The GOP proposal does not include any new tax to offset the loss of revenue.

Under the Affordable Care Act • Insurance companies and medical device makers, which benefit from new customers under the law, pay more taxes; and • Taxpayers with incomes over $250,000 are also taxed more.

Under the GOP proposal • Medical device makers, insurance companies and wealthy Americans would all receive a big tax cut.

BOTTOM LINE This is an important topic for all Americans. It is especially important to family farmers and rural Americans where healthcare and its cost is extremely expensive and vitally important.

God bless all you do!

Doug Sombke South Dakota Farmers Union President

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UNION FARMER THANK YOU SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION Thank you so very much for honoring your members through WIBJ registrations and for being a hostess at the event. A special thanks for the potholder and can opener as a special member gift! Thank you also for the chemo bag donations that we received.

LeAnn Moe, WIBJ Volunteer and SDFU Member *** Thank you for the awesome FARM sign! I love it! Thank you for being a sponsor for Women In Blue Jeans.

Judy Geidel *** Dear Pam & SDFU, I would like to thank you for the ticket and helpfulness you gave me for Women in Blue Jeans. I appreciated it very much.

Dee Storm *** SDFU, Thanks for all you do for WIBJ as sponsor and for covering registration cost. I was a recipient of having my registration cost covered this year—again! I hope SDFU continues to support Women in Blue Jeans. I believe it gives the Ag Women – and any associated with Ag – a revitalization and boost—ready for another season! Thanks to all @ SDFU. Kathy Iburg *** Dear Pam & SDFU, Thank you so much for sponsoring my registration to the Women in Blue Jeans Conference! I really enjoyed it, and especially visiting you, Pam, during the FU Hospitality part. I wish we could have visited longer!

Thanks also for the potholder, can opener, and can strainer. Thanks so much for your generous donation to the WIBJ Conference. I really appreciate everything you did to make the WIBJ conference extra special! God Bless You! Pam Thompson *** Thank you for my registration fee to Women in Blue Jeans. It was a knowledgeable and enjoyable Conference. Some of the subjects available included health, bees, varmits, Medicare, estate planning, farm management, cooking and plants. I had a great time and we meet new people and got new ideas also. The gals in the VIP room were fun and did a good job.

JoAnn Weisz *** I would like to send you a big thank you for sponsoring my registration for the Women in Blue Jeans Conference. As always, it was a fantasatic and educational time. Your crew did a wonderful job hosting the hospitality room Friday evening. You all do a great job.

Keep up the good work.

Bev Rubel *** Karla, We appreciate SD Farmers Union support of Ag Day at South Dakota State University.

Thank you, Mike Barber, SDSU Foundation *** Dear Karla & SDFU, Thank you to SDFU for its donation toward SDSU campus-wide Ag Day. Your donation toward this yearly event is greatly

COOK’S CORNER

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

appreciated! Your support toward this event will be used to advocate for agriculture during National Ag Day on March 21, 2017. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to working with you in the future!

Cheyenne Leonhardt, SDSU Prexy Council Ag Day Chair

DEPARTINGS Dale Zemlicka, age 86, of rural Watertown, passed away suddenly March 3, at his residence. Dale was always proud of the Farmers Union. He and his Wilma, had the pleasure of going to Washington, D.C. on a bus tour in 2000. Dale and Wilma have been members since 1952.

SDFU CLIP AND SAVE CALENDAR APRIL 3 Jr. REAL, Mobridge 8 District III meeting, Watertown 11 KELO AM Radio Show, Sioux Falls 14 State Office Closed 22 National Earth Day 24 Team Up to Safety Quiz Bowl, Brookings MAY 9 KELO AM Radio Show, Sioux Falls 29 State Office Closed

By Gail Temple, Clark, S.D. – Lifetime Member

1 lemon cake mix 1 sm. Pkg. lemon instant pudding 1 c. warm water

½ c. (1.25 oz.) poppy seed 4 eggs ½ c. oil

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Soak poppy seed in warm water for 10 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients. Mix and put into 2 loaf pans. Bake until toothpick comes out clean, about 45-60 minutes.

WWW.SDFU.ORG

UNION FARMER

JUNE 4-9 State Leadership Camp, Rapid City 13 KELO AM Radio Show, Sioux Falls 13-17 SDHSRA, Belle Fourche 20 Foundation Golf Tournament, Mitchell 29 Hutchinson County Annual Meeting, Tripp

APRIL 2017

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Aberdeen Aberdeen Bison Bison Britton Brookings Brookings Brookings Buffalo Clark Doland Doland Faulkton Huron Irene Irene Kadoka Lemmon Lemmon Marion

Darrel Kessler J.R. Johnson Alan Voller Karen Voller Tom Farber Larry Sutton Beth Reams Heidi Fields Jim Erk Lon Reidburn Bonnie Wagner Mark Rozell Jason Lee Blaine Anderson Brendon Hansen Brian Hansen Donna Enders Brad Derschan Carrie Derschan Kevin Albrecht

229-3945 725-3003 244-7431 244-7431 448-5150 692-6735 690-3018 881-2830 375-3311 532-3299 635-6511 635-6511 598-6570 352-2130 263-2121 263-3342 837-2144 374-3462 374-3462 941-0650

Menno Mitchell Mitchell Mitchell Mitchell Piedmont Pierre Rapid City Rapid City Rapid City Sioux Falls Sisseton Spearfish Sturgis Watertown Webster Webster Winner Yankton

Brendon Hansen Richard Hofer Nathan Hofer Andrew Mefferd Jessica Mefferd Ce Faulkner Gary Ray Black Hills Agency Kasey Keller Lewis Agency Jeff Nord Erica Steiner Spearfish Agency Scott Sabers Todd Nichols Debbie Baumgarn Larry Baumgarn Jeremy Clay James Murphy

387-5555 996-9651 996-9651 222-7979 290-3852 737-0463 224-4123 342-5555 343-4213 342-3585 338-5302 698-7316 642-8870 347-4507 886-9683 345-2640 345-2640 842-1556 664-2121