Union Farmer August 2020

Volume CV, No. 5 Huron, SD AUGUST 2020

A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

SERVING SOUTH DAKOTA’S FARM & RANCH FAMILIES SINCE 1915.

Congressional Cattle Update SDFU Commitment To State Fair PAGE 11 PAGE 5

2020 Policy Meeting Members Work to Keep Policy Clear & Relevant

S

Supporting Tomorrow’s Leaders

PAGE 13

2020 Photo Contest Winner!

PAGE 14

S.D. Farmers Union Celebrates Dallas Farm Family

Policy Committee member Hank Wonnenberg with daughter, Lydia, on their family’s Dallas farm.

outh Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) may be more than a century old, but thanks to the grassroots nature of our organization and member engagement, our policy addresses timely issues focused on South Dakota’s farm and ranch families and their rural communities.

“Farmers Union is on the right track when it comes to policy

Policy Meeting Continued on Page 19 Virtual NFU 2020 D.C. Fly-In...

details coming soon

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 McCance farm family: Taylor & Preston Burma with daughter, Stevi (3 months); Karli, Steve, Andy and Baili with farm dog, Mia.

A

sk Steve McCance the best date to plant winter wheat, and he responds, “Sept. 20, right after oat harvest. You will get just the right amount of growth so the wheat will not be as apt to winterkill.” Ask him the best time to sell weaned calves, and the Dallas farmer’s response? “The first sale of the year. Buyers have a bit of renewed optimism.”

Steve doesn’t leave much up to chance when it comes to his family’s second-generation farm. “I am diligent about giving every square-inch of land that I plant, and every calf born, the maximum opportunity,” he says.

To accomplish this, Steve develops a plan for each field and follows it to ensure every plant has what it needs to maximize yield potential. He implements no-till and other soil health practices to maximize moisture retention and reduce erosion. He calves early to avoid wet and muddy conditions. He begins his days around 5:30 and may not leave the field until well past dark. Thankfully, Steve says he works with a small team of employees as dedicated as he is – daughter, Taylor, and her husband, Preston Burma; brother, Blaine and longtime friend, Larry O’Connor.

“It’s important to have a good team because we do a lot and farm a lot of acres,” he says. “When you do as much as we do,

McCance Family Continued on Page 2

Union Farmer “I enjoy the new life associated with farming. With each season of baby calves you get to experience new life, or when I see a grain of wheat die and produce a hundredfold.”

– Steve McCance

McCance Family

Continued from Page 1

there’s a lot at stake and mistakes cost a lot. For example, Larry has been here for 25 years and he knows what’s going on as well as anyone on the farm. This team lessens my workload, the more they know and the better they do, the easier it is for me to delegate.”

Farming 45 years, Steve says his farming practices have not always been quite as thorough as they are today. “When I was a young farmer, I would get one field in

This iconic Dust Bowl photo was taken on the McCance Farm during the Dirty 30s (the McCance family purchased the land in 1965). Steve says it serves as a reminder of the reasons he implements no-till and other soil health practices to maximize moisture retention and reduce erosion.

2

August 2020

pretty good shape and it would yield well.

But my other fields would get away from me.”

He says much of his philosophy on farming comes from his mentor, Frank Putz.

Putz was a local farmer and family friend Steve spent time working for. “Along with my father and mother, who instilled a lot of good characteristics in me that I ignored as long as I could, Frank had a pretty profound impact on how I do things today,” Steve explains. “By that I mean, you gotta carry a job through to the bitter end and every square inch of land you plant, you have to give it maximum opportunity for yield.”

During the drought of 1976, Steve says because of his methods, Putz had a crop to harvest when most did not. “It was the driest year that we probably ever had – even drier than the ’30s. But because of his experience, his knowledge and techniques, Frank still had a small crop,” Steve recalls. “I never had a combine on the farm that year.

That was my debut in the farming industry, so I found out it can be a struggle.”

Farming can be a struggle, but Steve is quick to point out there are so many things to love about what he refers to as his dream job. “From the time I was old enough to remember, this is the career that I wanted.

I am pretty much living a dream,” Steve says. “I enjoy the new life associated with farming. With each season of baby calves you get to experience new life, or when I see a grain of wheat die and produce a hundredfold – to this day I get satisfaction from driving by a field that I planted and cared for and it looks nice and has bountiful yields.”

Taylor and Preston mirror Steve’s passion for farming. “I love the challenge,” explains Preston, who splits his time working full time as a swine herdsman for Pillen Family Farms and with Taylor and Steve.

Taylor says she always knew she enjoyed

D D

For the Cowboy In All of Us Double D

Western Wear & Tack 800 21st St., Huron, SD 605.352.5792

www.ddwesternhuron.com

Farmers Union Members get

20% OFF* one item only!

Present this coupon with your purchase *Excludes all boots, shoes, men’s jeans and tack

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer the work both of her parents did. So, after college she returned home to work with Steve on the farm.

“I had always pictured moving back,” Taylor says. “I like being outdoors and in nature. I like haying season and the factor that weather throws into it.”

Throughout the spring, fall and winter, Taylor typically spends the weekends working off the farm with her mom Karli.

Together they run the clothing, jewelry and handbag business, Karli launched in 2007, Dazzle for Days. A pop-up boutique, Karli and Taylor set up at large shows like the Denver Stock Show; Black Hills Stock Show and the South Dakota State Fair.

“We enjoy providing a full-service experience,” Karli explains. “We help customers pick outfits that look good on them. Our customers say they appreciate it because when you go to a store these days you can barely find someone to check you out.”

As an in-person boutique, COVID-19 greatly impacted their business because shows cancelled. They hope to open up again at the 2020 South Dakota State Fair.

During typical times, Dazzle for Days fits well with the farm schedule. During the work week, Taylor helps outside while Karli spends her days doing a variety of tasks.

“I take care of all the food here on the farm, run for parts and move people around, so it’s a good thing this business allows us to be here on the farm during the week – we don’t want to leave the guys alone on the farm too long,” says Karli, who explains preparing dinner for five-plus a day is no small task.

“The best part of all of it, is they come in to eat at different times. That’s what I really love,” she jokes. “We get done eating, then Larry comes in. Then Preston comes home from the hog farm. Some days I feel like I have ADD (attention d e f i c i t disorder) because I have a million things started and I keep getting interrupted.”

Kidding aside, Karli says she wouldn’t have it any other Grandma Karli enjoying time way. “I love with Stevi Janine on their this life. I love family farm. www.sdfu.org

Preston and Steve scout soybeans July 26 and see quite a few four-bean pods and bean leaf beetles.

not having close neighbors. I wouldn’t want to live 3 feet from someone else. I love the fact that I could raise the kids on the farm.

They could run around the farm and I didn’t have to worry about them. I like the quiet.”

Now that her children are grown, she loves that Taylor returned home to work with her and Steve. And she values the time she gets to spend with her first grandchild, 3-month-old Stevi Janine (named for her grandpa Steve and sharing a middle name with her mom, Grandma Karli and greatgrandma.)

“I love all this baby-holding time and snuggling. I love everything about it. I get to see her every day that they come over. It is just fantastic,” Karli says. “It is amazing how fast they grow, she is already smiling and laughing and trying to talk. Taylor even takes her in the grain cart with her.”

Along with Taylor, Steve and Karli have two other grown children, Baili and Andy.

Both say growing up on the farm provided them with skills they use daily in their current careers.

“Dad always taught me to finish things that I start and if you are in the middle of a tough task, you have to figure it out and not quit,” explains Baili, who is a flight attendant for United Airlines.

She believes the fact she knows a second language – Spanish – along with her work ethic and can-do attitude helped her secure a position in a career that is quite competitive. “They say it is harder to get a job as a flight attendant than it is to get into Harvard,” she says.

Baili was hired on her first try. “I like to travel and I like people,” says Baili, who is currently on leave due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “In this job, I am faced with a lot of difficult situations. Now, I actually miss dealing with complaining customers and

problem solving. I miss all of it.”

Like his older sisters, the youngest McCance, Andy, says seeing a task through and understanding what hard work is, are skills he gained growing up on the farm.

“Farming is hard work, so I guess I’ve been doing hard work forever,” explains the 21-year-old quarterback for the Wayne State College Wildcats.

Majoring in sports management, Andy hopes to put his education and athletic career to work coaching college football.

“Football has been my passion since I was 5 or 6, playing recess ball.”

With the goal of playing college football in mind, throughout high school he would practice two or more hours a day. He says his parents have provided him support every step of his journey. “My mom and dad are at every game,” he says.

For Steve and Karli, family comes first.

“One thing we would never do is miss my kids’ activities,” Karli says. “Sports, youth group or band, if we missed one thing their whole time that would be shocking. We are always busy on the farm, but Steve would always stop to go to games. You just have to. Maybe you just work a little harder the next day or Steve would go back to the field after the game.”

Steve adds that it means so much to him that Taylor and Preston are eager to continue the farming legacy.

“We are elated. Preston is a very hard worker, he is coachable. We have built a really good relationship and respect each other,” Steve says. “I have a 5-year retirement plan.”

To view more photos of the McCance family farm, visit www.sdfu.org. ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU August 2020

3

Union Farmer Brown County Farmer to Serve as Adviser to National Farmers Union Board of Directors

as a Brown County commissioner.

“Farmers Union is for the family farmer.

I get tired of driving through small town South Dakota and seeing them shrink. Some no longer have grocery stores or even gas stations. If there were more family farmers out here, it would be good for our communities and our entire state,” explains Kippley, who together with Rachel, raises 2,800 acres of corn and soybeans and operates a 400head cow/calf operation. The couple also own Kippley Group, a tax preparation and bookkeeping business.

When he talks about his family’s farm, Kippley is quick to point out it is conventional, like most South Dakota farms.

“I accepted the position because I want to be the voice for the small to medium-sized, conventional family farms,” Kippley says.

“Sometimes I feel like those of us who are commodity farming get left in the dust. Out here in the sticks of the Dakotas, we don’t have the population centers that make direct marketing possible. We are stuck in the commodity realm.”

A

Aberdeen crop and cattle producer Jeff Kippley was recently selected to serve as a Next Generation Leader to the National Farmers Union (NFU) board of directors.

berdeen crop and cattle producer Jeff Kippley was recently selected to serve as a Next Generation Leader to the National Farmers Union (NFU) board of directors. Kippley is the first South Dakota farmer to serve in this position.

“Jeff is a natural leader. In this role he will help be the voice of the conventional family farmer, sharing views and concerns as an active South Dakota farmer,” explains Doug Sombke, South Dakota Farmers Union President and National Farmers Union Treasurer.

The role of Next Generation Leader was introduced three years ago as a way to engage younger farmers, prepare them for future leadership positions within Farmers Union and ensure their voice is heard. In this role, Kippley will not have voting privileges.

With nearly a third of American farmers and ranchers age 65 and older, NFU President Rob Larew sees the Next Generation Leader

4

August 2020

position as an opportunity to ensure the longevity of both the American family farm agriculture and Farmers Union.

“It is imperative that we support young and beginning farmer leaders so they can take the reins when older generations decide to retire,” Larew says. “Beginning farmers understand better than anyone else what they need to succeed. By giving them a platform, in this advisory role, we can guarantee that NFU is working toward policies and programs that are in their best interest.”

Family farmer led Supporting family farmers and ranchers is the reason Jeff and his wife, Rachel, became actively involved in South Dakota Farmers Union. The couple participated in the Farmers Union Enterprise Leadership Program, the National Farmers Union Washington, D.C., Fly-In and served as delegates to the National Farmers Union Convention. In addition to South Dakota Farmers Union, Rachel serves

“It is imperative that we support young and beginning farmer leaders so they can take the reins when older generations decide to retire.”

– NFU President, Rob Larew He adds, “I am not anti any type of farming. I just want to make sure our voice is not forgotten about.”

Ensuring the voice of all family farmers and ranchers is heard on the state and national level is a primary focus of Farmers Union.

“NFU’s greatest strength is its grassroots, democratic structure,” Larew says. “Our members determine our policy positions and priorities each year at our national convention, which means we truly are representing the voices and interests of family farmers and ranchers at the local level and in D.C.” To learn more about how South Dakota Farmers Union supports family farmers and ranchers, visit www.sdfu.org. ■ www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

Rounds & Johnson Share Update for S.D. Cattle Producers

M

arkets have not been on the side of cattle producers for quite some time now, but nothing prepared South Dakota’s cattle producers for the extraordinary financial challenges the COVID-19 pandemic introduced.

Working to support our state’s No. 1 industry of agriculture, our congressional leaders have been busy working to hold the packing industry accountable and pursue policy that could have a positive impact for cattle producers.

So, where do things stand? Sen. Mike Rounds and Rep. Dusty Johnson give S.D. Farmers Union members an update.

Information contained in this article is current as of July 21, 2020.

Update from Sen. Mike Rounds Q: What message do you have for South Dakota cattle producers?

Right now, we’ve seen in the market an exaggerated example of problems our producers have had for a number of years, regarding a market which is not working.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the demand for beef. It also showed us where the choke points are in processing of our beef…

This is the perfect time to push the issue of bringing back more production facilities into the U.S. recognizing that is not fair for our cattle producers to have a limited number of packers actually buying and processing beef. Something has to be done to revive and reinvigorate our anti-trust legislation that’s on the books or it’s got to be better enforced.

Updates: Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (MCOOL): We introduced a Senate resolution, together with Montana Sen. Jon Tester, to direct the U.S. Trade Representative to enter into trade negotiations that would allow for MCOOL on U.S. beef. We want to make it clear to the administration that we believe that we should include MCOOL in trade negotiations so that it is not subject to WTO (World Trade Organization) sanctions.

At the moment, this resolution has been assigned to the Senate Finance Committee, but no action has been taken. We plan to bring it to the Senate floor and ask for a live vote. www.sdfu.org

South Dakota producers deserve to know who is stopping this legislation from moving forward.

Department of Justice Investigation: On March 19, I and three other senators sent a letter to the administration requesting an investigation into the meat packing prices.

A couple of weeks later we were joined by 15 other members, urging an investigation into concentration of the packer industry and whether or not the anti-trust laws are being violated or not.

Now, the Department of Justice (DOJ) does not provide notification as to whether an investigation is underway or not. However, the reason we know it is going on, is another member of the Senate told me a constituent who is a cattle buyer let him know, he was contacted by the DOJ as part of an inquiry into meatpacking activities.

Once the DOJ shares their findings, and if their findings show that anti-trust laws have not been violated, then we will need to fix the current laws, because they are clearly not working for the market.

Transparency in Cattle Industry Bill: We support Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley’s bill that would require 50 percent of packers’ weekly volume of beef to be purchased on the open or spot market. Currently, this bill has been assigned to the Senate Agriculture Committee, but no action has been taken.

U.S. Beef Integrity Act: This bill would only allow beef born, raised and processed in the U.S. to carry the voluntary Product of the USA label.

Like the others, this bill has been assigned to the Senate Agriculture Committee, but no action has been taken. This will be another bill we bring to the Senate floor for a vote because we believe there is no reason for opposition.

New Markets for State Inspected Meat & Poultry Act: This bill would allow stateinspected meat and poultry products to be sold across state lines. We began working on this bill May 2018, introduced it again October 2019 and we are currently working to include it in the upcoming COVID-19 Relief Package.

Questions for Sen. Rounds? Sen. Rounds can be reached at 605-224-1450 or online at www.rounds.senate.gov.

Update from Rep. Dusty Johnson Q: What message do you have for South Dakota cattle producers?

It is no secret that cattle country has been

uniquely hit during the pandemic. While COVID-19 has further exposed difficult market conditions, this has been an ongoing issue for our ranchers. I know that these conditions can be the breaking point for South Dakota producers, so I have been hard at work in Congress fighting for real solutions.

I hope the bills I have introduced can address the meat supply chain in a free-market way, allowing producers greater options to capture margin and reach consumers. Rest assured, I will keep fighting for South Dakota producers still struggling from the side effects of the pandemic. Thanks for allowing me to update you, please feel free to reach out if I can ever be of assistance.

Updates: Small Packer Overtime and Holiday Fee Relief for COVID-19 Act of 2020: The Small Packer Overtime and Holiday Fee Relief for COVID-19 Act of 2020 is one of two bipartisan, bicameral bills I recently introduced and I hope to be included in a “phase four” COVID19 relief package.

Amid large plant closures, small packing plants have extended hours to ensure our supply chain keeps moving. However, these extensions come with added costs to the packing plants as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) charges meatpacking plants overtime fees for food inspectors.

My bill would reduce the overtime fee charged by FSIS, to give small producers the flexibility they need to keep our supply chains moving and encourage them to remain open.

DIRECT Act: The DIRECT Act is a bill that will allow state-inspected meat to be sold across state lines through e-commerce, allowing small producers and processors more options to directly market to consumers online.

Many states, including South Dakota, have inspection standards that are at least equal to what the federal government requires. My bill would cut through red tape and allow producers, processors and retailers to sell state-inspected meat and poultry direct to consumers through online stores across state lines.

Questions for Rep. Johnson? Rep. Johnson can be reached at 202-225-2801 or dustyjohnson.house.gov. ■ August 2020

5

Union Farmer

S

Meet the 2020

Honorees

outh Dakota Farmers Union recognizes South Dakotans who give back to their rural communities with the 2020 Rural Dakota Pride Award.

The 2020 Rural Dakota Pride honorees include Connie and Allen Hoeft, Stratford; Holly Bauer, Whitewood; Sharon Peterson, De Smet; Jenny Wilk, Huron; and Joyce Heath, Winner.

“Without citizens willing to volunteer their time, our rural communities cannot survive. Our organization thanks all who give of their time and talents to support South Dakota’s rural communities,” says Karla Hofhenke, S.D. Farmers Union Executive Director.

As a grassroots organization which serves South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers, Doug Sombke, SDFU President, says Farmers

T

Union recognizes the important role strong rural communities play in supporting agriculture producers and their families.

“South Dakota’s agriculture producers and their communities are closely connected. In good economic times they both prosper. When the economy is down, like today with the trade war, low commodity prices and extreme weather conditions, they both feel the pain,” Sombke says. “The Rural Dakota Pride honor is one of many ways SDFU works to show our support for both.”

To learn more about how S.D. Farmers Union supports rural South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers and their rural communities visit www.sdfu.org. Visit the Farmers Union Facebook page where slideshows of the honorees will be posted weekly. ■

S.D. Farmers Union Honors Connie & Allen Hoeft of Stratford

talents were relied upon to help build elaborate sets while Connie helped develop the menu, prepare food and do dishes for the more than 120 theater-goers, volunteers and cast members during each of the nine performances.

“We begin preparing a couple months before the show. I enjoy the time together with the cast and other volunteers,” Connie says.

Much of the proceeds raised go to fund six $1,000 scholarships for area youth.

“We always enjoyed giving back to the people of Stratford,” Connie says.

March 2020 was the first year Connie volunteered without Allen, who passed away in January. “Allen could do most anything. They would come up with an idea of how the set should look and he would figure out how to do it,” she says. “He mentored two gentlemen who do the sets now.

He told them they could come over to his shop and use anything they needed. I keep the shop open for them.”

Kristi Brunes, who volunteers as the community theater director and owns a local business, she says it really takes a whole community of volunteers to make the event happen. She says Allen is missed.

“He did everything – from act in the play to build sets and all the Connie & Allen Hoeft helped prepare for Stratford’s anlittle handiwork. He could figure Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

ickets for the Stratford Community Theater go on sale the first Saturday each December. Even though there are nine performances, they sell out in three hours.

More than entertainment, these annual performances provide cast and crew members with something fun to do during the winter months and an opportunity for family, friends and neighbors to get together and reconnect in March.

“It’s something we all look forward to – being with people, laughing, having a good time, especially now that Stratford no longer has a bar. That was where a whole bunch of us would go each week for supper, to visit and to play games,” explains Connie Hoeft, who together with her husband, Allen, are among the many volunteers who make the event possible since the Stratford Community Theater began nearly 30 years ago.

Since its inception, Allen’s carpentry

nual 4th of July Parade.

6

August 2020

Allen & Connie Hoeft

out most anything. If we needed someone to jump on stage, he would jump on stage too.

He would do whatever it took. He left a big hole.”

Brunes adds that over the years, the community theater has contributed more than $400,000 to the Stratford Community.

Its funds covered the costs of two additions to the Community Hall which include a new stage, kitchen and restrooms. “Allen and Connie have been a big part of the theater since the beginning. Allen was the ramrod on both building projects.”

A family affair for Connie and Allen, this year their son and grandson were servers and daughter-in-law acted in the play. “It is wonderful to see one generation going into another generation, and hopefully another generation being involved in the play,”

Connie & Allen Hoeft Continued on Page 7 www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

Connie & Allen Hoeft Continued from Page 6 Connie says. “And it’s fun to see the local talent. You’d be surprised what these farmers can do once they make up their minds to be in a play.”

Her family is another reason Connie enjoys giving back to the Stratford community.

“Stratford was good for raising children.

When my kids were growing up, they would play outside with all the neighbor kids. They would play ball all summer and everyone would watch out for everyone else’s kids. We give back because of the people of Stratford.

They are really good people.”

S.D. Farmers Union Honors Joyce Heath of Winner

Dan Bechtold, Winner Advocate

f you need to reach Joyce Heath, you’d better call her cell phone because the Winner volunteer and small business owner is always on the go.

“I guess I don’t know how to say ‘no’ and I just love making people happy.

There are so many things that need volunteers’ help in a small town,” explains Heath, who has lived in Winner her entire life except for the year she attended beauty school in Sioux Falls. Since returning home 54 years ago, she has operated Joyce’s Hair Styling, raised her family and actively volunteered for the Winner community.

Inspired by her mom, also an active volunteer, Sedonia Wagner, Heath joined the Catholic Daughters, St. Mary’s Chapter 54 years ago. Today, she serves as Regent.

Focused on supporting their church, the St. Mary’s Catholic Daughters saw a large need to

Joyce Heath

remodel their church event hall and kitchen.

They reached out to community members and secured enough funds through donations and sponsorships of stained-glass windows and plaques to complete the remodel.

Today, the St. Mary’s Hall serves the entire Winner community. It is the go-to location for wedding receptions, reunions, the annual academic banquet and junior/senior prom banquet. Nearly 30 years ago now, Heath began organizing the prom banquet with the help of parent volunteers. She lets the Prom Committee choose the menu – which nearly always includes her famous cheesy hashbrown dish.

“I like cooking big meals and it’s fun to be a part of the kids’ excitement,” explains Heath, who also opens up her home for all family holidays and birthdays.

Her family is one of many

Joyce Heath, together with the St. Mary’s Catholic Daughters, helped raise funds to renovate their church event hall.

www.sdfu.org

town board and was chief of the volunteer fire department.

In retirement, the couple remained actively involved in the community and serve as honorary grandparents to many of Stratford’s youngest citizens. “Papa Al always had ice cream for all the kids. So, Grandma Connie has that responsibility now. When things were shut down, the Schwan’s Man sure missed visiting our house.” ■ by Lura Roti for SDFU: Special thanks to Korrie Face, Kristi Brunes and other Stratford Community members for their help collecting photos.

Dan Bechtold, Winner Advocate

I

The couple raised five children – four sons and a daughter in Stratford. Today, two of their sons and a granddaughter live close by.

Connie and Allen have lived in the Stratford community for 59 years. When their kids were young, Allen ran a local gas station and farmed. He then went to work in Aberdeen for Firestone. Connie was the Warner school bus driver for 30 years.

Active in the community since they were first married, the couple helped prepare for the annual 4th of July picnic and parade by mowing the streets and Allen served on the

reasons Heath enjoys giving back to the Winner community. “I raised my kids here.

Then I had a couple grandkids who came and spent every summer with me as they were growing up and now, I have three greatgrandkids who live in town,” she says.

She is currently teaching her greatgranddaughter, Peyton, how to sew through 4-H sewing. Peyton continues a tradition of sewing. Heath’s mom made all her clothing growing up. Heath learned how to sew from her mom, and in 2006 decided to join the local quilting guild so she could learn how to make star quilts. Since that time, she has made five and volunteers her time helping the guild host its bi-annual quilting show and teaching 4-H members how to quilt.

“We need to teach youth how to sew and get them interested in quilting so that there will be a guild in the future,” she says.

In addition to helping youth learn how to sew, as a member of the local Elk’s Lodge Doe group, she helps raise funds to support LifeScapes which provides therapies and other services to children and adults with special needs. Their largest fundraiser is the Winner Elk’s Rodeo concession stand.

“The funds we raise also go to help community members after a fire or to help them with gas money when they need to travel for medical care due to cancer,” she says.

A gal with energy to spare, when she isn’t volunteering, cutting and styling hair in her salon or at the local assisted living or nursing home, Heath can be found driving around the local golf course on her pink golf cart – sometimes accompanied by Peyton. ■

by Lura Roti for SDFU: Special thanks to Dan Bechtold, Winner Advocate for help collecting photos.

Rural Dakota Pride Continued on Page 8 August 2020

7

Union Farmer

Rural Dakota Pride Continued from Page 7

W

S.D. Farmers Union Honors Jenny Wilk of Huron friend.”

So, he launched what would become the Red Planning for the American Hero Award Wilk Construction/Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash. ceremony begins months ahead of time. Wilk When Wilk joined the family’s construction sends nominated veterans’ questions, asking business after college, her dad handed the them to share their wartime experiences and organization of the event which draws a thoughts on patriotism.

Wilk spends hours organizing a ceremony that truly honors each veteran. During the ceremony, the rodeo announcer introduces each veteran and shares their story with the more than 4,000 rodeo attendees.

The South Dakota Honor National Guard Funeral Honors Team presents each veteran with a flag which was flown over the nation’s Capitol in their honor. The Wilk family also presents each veteran Veteran honored during Wilk Construction American Hero Award cerwith a commemorative emony. coin they custom designed for the ceremony. The South Dakota governor crowd of up to 6,000 over to her. “I’ve always and congressional leaders also attend to loved rodeo,” says Wilk, who also serves thank veterans. Taps are played to honor as secretary of the Heartland 4-H Rodeo. soldiers missing in action and those who lost “I feel fortunate that because I work in my their lives in service. family’s business, and because my family is “One of the most heartwarming moments also passionate about rodeo and supporting is when each veteran is saluted by the Honor veterans, I am able to spend some work hours Guard in their dress blues. That moment is just volunteering.” for them. Many of the Vietnam veterans cry because this is the welcome home they never received,” Wilk explains.

Even though she’s only 32, giving back is something Wilk grew up doing. Her grandma is Jan Manolis and she started the Jan Manolis Family Safe Center for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault. Her mom, Cindy, volunteers time to help victims and Wilk carries the emergency phone a few times a Wilk also volunteers her time serving on month. the Beadle County Humane Society Board “I grew up watching my dad, mom and of Directors. In this role, she helps organize grandma give back. We are a family who is several fundraisers. Her favorite is the Four passionate about helping others.”

Paws Pool Party. Held the day after the Huron Wilk explains that even the Bull Bash, Water Park has closed, dog owners can where the American Hero ceremony is held, donate money and let their four-pawed best is the family’s way of giving back to the friends enjoy some splash and pool time. community of Huron. Fifteen years ago, “I love animals. It stems from my love of when it was decided the South Dakota State horses and rodeo,” Wilk explains. Wilk and Fair would not continue hosting a rodeo, her her boyfriend, Bryse Letsche, share their dad wanted to do something to help keep home with three dogs: Walter, Daphne and the state sport alive and well at the State Fair.

Camielle. ■ by Lura Roti for SDFU

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

hen Jenny Wilk’s dad, Red Wilk, returned home from two tours in Vietnam, the Marine stepped off the plane into Los Angeles’ LAX Airport and was spit upon. He rushed into a bathroom and changed out of his uniform into civilian clothes.

Nearly 30 years later, the experience inspires Wilk to help her dad honor South Dakota’s veterans, giving them the welcome home, they deserve. Each year, during the State Fair Bull Bash, Wilk organizes the Red Wilk Construction American Hero Award ceremony. Since 2003, 300 South Dakota veterans have been recognized for their service to our country.

Jenny Wilk (right) with her dad, Red Wilk.

“My dad is one of the most generous people I have ever known. He is always helping those less fortunate,” she says, explaining that there are many times when they are reviewing nomination forms together, that a veteran’s experience will trigger a similar memory that her dad will then share with her. “Working on the American Hero Award project together has definitely brought us closer. He is my best

Rural Dakota Pride Continued on Page 9 8

August 2020

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

Rural Dakota Pride Continued from Page 8

Holly Bauer

upon when the volunteers are called to a fire.

They provide meals to the firefighters and valuable support to the families impacted.

Because Bauer and two other members are Red Cross certified, the organization allows them to provide Red Cross Care Comfort kits.

Courtesy photo

f you ask Holly Bauer about the volunteer work she does as a member of the Whitewood Volunteer Fire Department Auxillary, she says simply, “It’s a family thing.”

“I remember when I was little, my dad was a member of the volunteer fire department.

My brother is the assistant chief, he’s been on the department for 18 years. My sister is involved in the auxillary with me and my brother-in-law is a volunteer firefighter as well,” she explains.

Family is also the reason, when her husband, Eric, retired from the Air Force the couple returned to her hometown, the small Northern Hills community of Whitewood.

“My whole family lives here,” she explains.

“We’re a close-knit community, everyone knows everyone and if something goes wrong, the whole town knows and will be there to help.”

Helping citizens and supporting firefighters when fire occurs is the focus of the auxiliary. The nine-member team is relied

Courtesy photo

I

S.D. Farmers Union Honors Holly Bauer of Whitewood

Holly Bauer and the Whitewood Volunteer Fire Department Auxillary worked four years to raise funds necessary for the department to purchase an 8x13 rehab trailer. The enclosed trailer contains rehab gear, misting fan and four cooling vests that work to prevent heat exhaustion by cooling a firefighter’s core after they have been working inside a burning structure.

F

The kits contain hygiene essentials as well as a debit card to help pay for clothes, food and lodging for a few days following a house fire.

“You show up to a house fire and the family is in chaos. They are losing everything they own – just watching it burn down. So, when you can give them a kit of necessary supplies and a debit card to help pay for clothes, food and lodging for a couple nights, the relief on their face is priceless,” Bauer explains.

More than food and comfort, the auxiliary worked four years to raise funds necessary for the department to purchase an 8x13 rehab trailer. The enclosed trailer contains rehab gear, misting fan and four cooling vests that work to prevent heat exhaustion by cooling a firefighter’s core after they have been working inside a burning structure. At $1,000 a vest, the vests are a valuable tool not many volunteer departments are able to afford, so the Whitewood Department shares their rehab trailer with other Northern Hills community’s volunteer departments.

“It is heartwarming knowing that the work you did to raise money can help so many.”

More than helping community members in times of need, the auxiliary also hosts an annual, community-wide Easter Egg Hunt for nearly 300 local youth. In addition to candyfilled eggs, kids also receive gifts donated from local businesses.

Accomplishing all this takes a lot of volunteer hours. In 2019, Bauer, who also runs the volunteer fire department and auxiliary Facebook pages, logged more than 250 hours. When asked why she makes time to give back, in addition to her full-time career in healthcare she says, “I enjoy helping my community.” ■ by Lura Roti for SDFU

S.D. Farmers Union Honors Sharon J. Peterson of De Smet

or years, De Smet native, Sharon J. Peterson had heard community members say it would be nice to commemorate local veterans with statues on the courthouse lawn.

Not one to wait for others when something needs to be done in her community, Peterson took action. “I put an ad in the newspaper and asked for donations and they came pouring in.”

The result of Peterson’s organization and generous community donations is a veterans park where all can take a few moments to pay their respects to local heroes and reflect upon their service to our country. “Veterans have always had a special place in my heart.

My husband, dad, brother and uncles have all served,” she explains. “Veterans play a big part in this country, so it is nice that our community can be reminded of the sacrifices

they made.”

Peterson tears up as she visits about her appreciation for veterans, apologizes and shares what those who know and love her already know, “my tears are always close to my eyelids.”

Even before she retired from a nearly 40year career working for the Farmers Home Administration, Peterson began sharing her many talents, hobbies and passions with De

Rural Dakota Pride Continued on Page 10 www.sdfu.org

August 2020

9

Union Farmer

Rural Dakota Pride Continued from Page 9

Peterson combines her interest in history with her hobby of antique collecting to put together historically informative window displays in Main Street businesses and the local library. Her displays provide information on everything from antique wedding dresses and dishes

A

Stronger Together

s a fourth-generation farmer watching his sons and their peers face many of the same struggles his generation of farmers faced and as President of South Dakota’s largest general agriculture organization, Doug Sombke has often wondered how bad things would need to get for family farmers and ranchers before positive policy change happens.

“It seems things have to get really, really bad before they get better. And that is what we are seeing today,” he explains.

In recent months, the COVID-19 pandemic brought national attention to challenges facing family farmers and ranchers that S.D. Farmers Union has focused on for years: • Congressional leaders from South Dakota and other agriculture states are calling for mandatory country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL) and other truth in labeling policies.

• A Department of Justice investigation into packer price fixing is underway.

• The National Farmers Union filed suit recently challenging the EPA’s Safer Affordable Fuel Efficiency Vehicle Rule (SAFER) which fails to credibly consider and advance mid-level ethanol fuel blends as an alternative to conventional fuels.

• Tele-medicine, including tele-mental health services, are currently covered by most insurance companies.

Although the wheels of change are in motion, now is not the time

10

August 2020

Courtesy of Kingsbury Journal

Sharon J. Peterson with husband, Rollo.

Courtesy of Kingsbury Journal

Smet. De Smet has always been her home.

A historian and vocalist with a knack for writing, Peterson has written musicals together with her husband, Rollo. She has then directed local talent to put on performances community members can enjoy during special events like De Smet’s annual Old Settlers Day. She also served as stage manager for the Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant.

to antique aprons and more. Working to protect local history, Peterson has spent hours cataloguing antiques for the local city museum – some paid and some volunteer. She also puts on historical programming around her collections.

“I just think it’s good to be reminded of where we come from. By showing antiques you can do this,” explains Peterson, who also served as co-chair of De Smet’s South Dakota Centennial Committee.

Whether it is local history or fairy tales, Peterson enjoys bringing stories to life. For more than 30 years, De Smet kindergarteners have gotten to know her as Pricilla Pilgrim, Mrs. Claus, Mrs. McGregor, Mother Goose and Larry Leprechaun. And to encourage youth to read, she designs displays for the local library. She has also been quite active in the United Methodist Church, serving in several local and conference offices.

Volunteer activities and projects, she explains, are her “bailiwick” “it’s my thing to do.”

In 2018, the De Smet community recognized Peterson and Rollo for their contributions, asking the couple to serve as Marshalls for the Old Settler’s Day Parade. ■ by Lura Roti for SDFU: Special Thanks to Donna Palmlund & Kingsbury Journal for help collecting photos

to sit back and watch from the sidelines. Sombke says now is a time for unity. “We need to stop focusing on what divides us and come together and speak with a unified voice,” he explains.

Sen. Mike Rounds shares a similar message. “The vast majority of good legislation that is passed, is passed with broad support from people on both sides of the aisle.”

Rounds points to the collaborative work he is doing with senators from both parties and states across the nation to support cattle producers’ need for MCOOL, truth in labeling and fair markets. “We won’t survive if we don’t stick together,” Rounds explains. “What

“We need to stop focusing on what divides us and come together and speak with a unified voice.”

– Doug Sombke, SDFU President we’re seeing in the market today, the competition is so intense, and this is a worldwide market, we’re competing with producers from across the world and I don’t want to see our cattle producers lose their way of life. I don’t want to see farm families lose their way of life. I know that different farm organizations come from different political backgrounds and in some cases, have different philosophies about what the direction is to go. But we’re in a crisis stage right now. It’s time to come together and form a united front.”

Stronger Continued on Page 15 www.sdfu.org

State’s Oldest Agriculture Organization Deeply Committed to South Dakota State Fair

J

Tri-State Neighbor

im Woster didn’t discover the South Dakota State Fair until his freshman year of college. It was fall 1958 and some of the new friends he’d met at South Dakota State University were Jim Woster heading to Huron to show cattle. They invited him to tag along.

“It didn’t take me long to realize I’d been missing out,” explains the Reliance farm kid, agriculture columnist, 2012 Governor’s Ag Ambassador and 62-year attendee of the South Dakota State Fair. “To this day, when I walk around through the barns and see the kids competing or walk through the campground and see old friends catching up, I’m reminded what makes the fair so special.

And why so many of us make time each year to get away – for at least a day – to enjoy the fair.”

than financially invest in the State Fair, over the decades, the organization has hosted forums, candidate debates and Farmer Share Lunches.

“We value the partnership of Farmers Union,” says Fair Commissioner Erin Yost.

“Their support is vital to the State Fair and its existence today, five years ago and 20 years to come. We understand these are trying times in agriculture, and to have sponsors who we can depend on year-after-year to step up, like Farmers Union, is a huge part of the success of State Fair.”

An ag banker from Kimball, Yost has been attending the State Fair since she was a toddler. “Everywhere you look around the State Fair, agriculture is present. It’s a family tradition for many farm and ranch families – including mine. We have been going to the fair and camping with my cousins since I was young. It is an event we look forward to each year.”

Because the State Fair is a place where many youth gather, South Dakota Farmers Union also utilizes the venue as an opportunity to educate the next generation about farm safety. Partnering with FFA, they have hosted a Farm Safety Quiz Bowl and their interactive Farm Safety Trailer can be found on 3rd Street.

“This is a rural state. Whether kids live

Union Farmer

on a farm or not, they will more than likely spend time on one,” Hofhenke explains.

“The State Fair is where farm families come to learn and showcase the best of their crops and livestock. It is also where they catch up with old friends.”

And catching up with friends is among the valuable aspects of the fair, adds Woster. He says in this digital age, nothing compares to face-to-face interaction. “You can’t feel each other’s emotions online. You cannot feel if a friend is hurting. I know organizations like Farmers Union are doing a lot to provide information on mental health. But in most cases, the first step may be talking to a

Vintage State Fair photo of the 4-H Barbecue.

South Dakota Farmers Union agrees with Woster. The State Fair is a special event and it’s worth supporting. “As South Dakota’s oldest general agriculture organization, we’re proud to be the premiere sponsor of South Dakota’s oldest agriculture fair,” explains Karla Hofhenke, S.D. Farmers Union Executive Director. “Our organization focuses on supporting South Dakota family farmers and ranchers. They are who this fair is for and about.”

Headquartered in Huron, SDFU does more www.sdfu.org

S.D. Farmers Union interactive Farm Safety Trailer

State Fair Commissioner Erin Yost with daughter, and future 4-Her, Remington.

friend. It could happen over that morning cup of coffee, two old friends sitting by their campers at the State Fair.”

To learn more about all the ways South Dakota Farmers Union supports South Dakota’s farm and ranch families, visit www. sdfu.org. ■ by Lura Roti for SDFU August 2020

11

Union Farmer

A Day-In-The Life on Your Family Farm/Ranch-Part 2 Seth Allen

Tricia McCloud

Steph Sombke

Since April, nearly 100 membe rs contributed to the photo contest. Vis it www.sdfu.o rg to see all e ntries.

Sharon Klinkhammer Whitney Haake

Michele Gerlach

Shayla French Melanie Ellsworth

Megan Huizenga

Katie Carpenter Rebecca Grenados

Kelly Jensen

Hadlee Holt

Linda Allen

Kerry Hostutler

Gail Temple Marisa Lakner

Jenna Beringer

Brandi Gilbert

Brecky (Keierleber) Cwach

Elizabeth Mulder JenaLee Dykstra

Dale Ann Bomesberger

Samantha Addison Jayme Bergin Heidi Larson

Haley Rithmiller Courtney Tyrrell Bobbi Eide

Dusti Berry Gerri Eide

Courtney Deinert Jodi Burma

12

August 2020

Julie Schulz Becker

Carissa Zysset

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer Farmers Union Insurance Supports Young Leaders

E

ach year, Farmers Union Insurance awards more than $25,000 in scholarships to South Dakota youth through the SDFU Foundation “Scholarships are an impactful way for our organization to invest in South Dakota’s farm and ranch families, rural communities and our state’s future,” says Doug Sombke, S.D. Farmers Union President.

Pursuing post-secondary education at South Dakota’s two- and four-year schools, these scholarship recipients are among our best and brightest: Nathan Andersen, Whitewood; Lexi Rust, Yankton; Mason McDonald, Huron; Danika Gordon, Whitewood; Abigail DeJong, Huron; Megan Linke, Woonsocket; Georgia Kuehn, Redfield; Jordyn Gerlach, Corsica; Emily Rystrom, Brookings; Hunter Eide, Gettysburg; Peyton Schroeder, Alexandria; Britt Oliver, Lemmon; Ellie Overweg, Kimball; Alison Logue, Volin; Rachael Cutshaw, Clear Lake; Samantha Lux, Leola; Abigail Vanden Berge, Platte; Emma Lammey, Letcher; Landon Hegg, Huron; Hayden Hegg, Huron; Teigan Clark, Meadow; Katie Schmit, Artesian; Rose Eitemiller, Armour; Samantha Thyen, Waverly; and Bailee Anderson, Colman.

As they begin the next chapter of their lives, Farmers Union spotlights three of these rural youth: Hunter Eide, Gettysburg; Landon Hegg, Huron; and Teigan Clark, Meadow.

FFA Agri-Science Project Led to Interest in Rural Healthcare When his high school science teacher asked who was interested in participating in the science fair, freshman Hunter Eide was the only student to raise a hand. But being the only one didn’t stop the Gettysburg native from applying himself.

Hunter Eide His hard work paid off. Throughout high school, Eide conducted four research projects and documented his findings. In addition to the science fair he also entered the projects in the FFA agri-science career development event. Three of his four projects qualified and placed at the National FFA Agri-Science Fair. The academic papers he wrote on his findings have been published in professional journals.

Through these experiences, as well as his fondness for growing up in the rural community of Gettysburg, Eide says he found his calling – to become a rural family practice doctor.

“I love helping people. And I have always had a passion for science and biology. As I have dug deeper into that, I decided this is what I want to do the rest of my life,” says the South Dakota State University human biology major.

The educational path to becoming a doctor is long. Eide says growing up working on his Grandpa Eugene’s farm equipped him with the perseverance needed.

“You have to be dedicated, and it takes a lot of patience to tear out an entire section of old fence and replace it. It is not a quick or easy process,” Eide explains.

In his future career as a doctor, communication is another valuable skill Hunter Eide Eide says he will need. He credits the public speaking opportunities he had through involvement in 4-H and FFA for bolstering his communication skills.

“Starting as an 8-year-old, I was giving public presentations in front of my 4-H club and at the fair,” he says. He continued developing his www.sdfu.org

speaking skills through FFA extemporaneous public speaking contests.

Today as the South Dakota State FFA Secretary, together with the team of six, Eide interacts with thousands of FFA members across South Dakota. “As a family practice doctor, I will get to help patients of all ages. It will be important that I am able to communicate with them.”

Eide is the son of Shon and Gerri Eide. He says both of his parents took the time to share their interests with him and encourage him.

“My dad created an interest in me for nature and lit the spark I have for biology. And my Hunter Eide mom pushed me to do my first prepared speech when I was 8 and was always there to support me. She pushed me and opened doors for me that I didn’t even know existed.”

Team Captain Says Leaders Support Their Teammates When asked what makes a good leader, the 2019 Huron Tiger’s Football team captain, Landon Hegg has this to say, “A good leader is someone who looks out for others…a leader is not always the best player and does not always score the most, but they are the one who others look up to because they know they can depend on them.”

As a leader, Hegg says he doesn’t take for granted that others are watching when he makes decisions.

“As a leader I know I have to be Landon Hegg responsible and I make sure I am doing the right thing.”

He says his thoughts on leadership are rooted in watching the examples set by his dad, Neal, and grandpa, Rick Benson, and other adult family members. “My dad, my grandpa and my family have formed into the man I am today. They gave me a strong work ethic and always make sure I am doing the right thing and going down the right path.”

Hegg spends a lot of time with Neal and Rick working on their

Young Leaders Continued on Page 16 August 2020

13

Photo by Deb Harwood

Photo by Deb Harwood

Union Farmer Hundreds of Photos Capture Life on South Dakota’s Family Farms & Ranches

U

we do is pretty much the same. Of course, if something breaks down we have to go to town and it seems like it takes a lot longer to get parts,” explains Harwood, who ranches with her husband, Steve. The Harwood family has been raising cattle in South Dakota since homesteading days.

What COVID-19 did however, was

Photo by Deb Harwood

Photo by Deb Harwood

nion Center rancher, Deb Harwood was named the winner of the South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) Spring Photo Contest. Winning a cash prize, Harwood is among many South Dakota farmers and ranchers who captured moments on their family’s farm or ranch this spring and shared them with SDFU for a chance to win the cash drawing.

“In light of all the challenges facing South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers, we thought a photo contest would provide an uplifting activity,” explains Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director.

Unlike some jobs, the pandemic hasn’t changed work on farms and ranchers too much, explains the photo contest winner.

“We are secluded enough, and the work

14

August 2020

dramatically decrease already depressed markets. On the Harwood Ranch because of the low markets, she and Steve had to put off some projects they’d planned to do this summer.

Harwood says the photo contest helped take her mind off the economics of ranching for a moment. “Photography is relaxing for me. With everything going on it takes my

mind off it,” Harwood says. “In the past I used to do quite a bit of photography, I have had several photos published in the Tri-State Livestock News. I had been wanting to get back to it and this contest reminded me how much I enjoy photography.”

Her photos reflect what she and her husband, Steve, and their grown children and their families’ value about the work and lifestyle production agriculture provides. “As a rancher, I like nature and to be outdoors.

There is more of a feeling of freedom to ranch work. I like working with animals. It is neat to see each year, after several generations of working on their genetics, how the new calf crop turns out. It is satisfying to look at livestock and realize we raised them as babies, nurtured them and feed them the best and give them the best we can so they can thrive,” Harwood says. “I also enjoy the fact that we are our own bosses. Ranching is an actual business. Many don’t realize, who are not in ag, that this is a business. Yes, it is a way of life, but it is also a business.”

View hundreds of images at www.sdfu. org Throughout the photo contest, which ran April 1 to July 1, 2020, SDFU posted submitted photos to their Facebook page daily.

“For safety of our members and staff, during the pandemic, we haven’t been able to get out and see our members on their farms and ranches or attend activities where we can see our producers. This photo contest was one way for state staff to stay in touch with members,” Hofhenke explains. “It was also a great way to keep producers connected to each other. These photos helped remind all of us that although social distancing is isolating, we are not alone.”

Harwood agrees. “It is fun and fun to see other people’s work. It gives people a chance to see what is all out there in our world of farming and ranching.”

To view Harwood’s photos as well as hundreds of others showcasing life on South Dakota’s farms and ranches, visit www.sdfu. org and click on the News and Events link. ■

by Lura Roti for SDFU www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

Around the State with Farmers Union South Dakota Farmers Union members and staff are making a difference in rural communities across South Dakota.

quarterly District 2 hosting their

meeting practicing so

cial distancing.

Summer Spotlight

Stronger Continued from Page 10 A united front lays the foundation for positive change, explains Larry Pearce, Executive Director of the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition. “We don’t get anything significant done unless we come to an agreement,” says Pearce, of what he has seen accomplished when governors from 21 states come together and work toward the common goal to increase use of renewable fuels and improve air quality.

Nearly 40 years ago, ethanol was a novel idea, S.D. Farmers Union supported because of

the local market and economic development it could provide to not only farmers, but their rural communities. The organization worked tirelessly to unite farmers, communities, political leaders and other agriculture groups around ethanol.

In recent years, the organization began spearheading another new idea because of its potential to help farmers better manage grain inventory, improve soil health and increase profits. The idea comes from Craig Blindert, a Salem crop and livestock farmer who also

works as an independent crop insurance agent.

Calling upon his expertise and experience in crop insurance and his lifelong interest in following ag marketing trends, Blindert developed an incentive-based, voluntary, crop insurance plan to protect farmers against market lows by encouraging farmers to cut back on production by taking marginal acres out of production when commodity

Stronger Continued on Page 17

You Are Not Alone

The many challenges facing farmers and ranchers are taking a toll. “Farmers right now, are under more stress than they have ever been.

They have zero control over everything that has made them money in the past. No control over markets, livestock prices, weather or ethanol.

Every single thing that has made money before is taking a hit right now,” explains Franne Sippel, an Aberdeen farm wife and licensed psychologist Dr. Franne Sippel with Northern Plains Psychological Associates.

She says this is no time to go it alone. “In South Dakota we have a very high suicide rate among farmers. I have been married to a farmer for 30 years, so I understand how individualistic, hardworking and proud farmers are. It is not easy or natural for them to reach out for help,” Sippel explains. “Farmers are really good at reaching out to experts like agronomists or mechanics. Add mental health experts as another tool in your toolbox to help you be a successful farmer.”

Insurance coverage (by most companies) of tele-medicine due to the COVID-19 pandemic makes it easier than ever to reach out for help. “There is more privacy-no having to sit in a waiting room. And www.sdfu.org

they can pull over in the tractor and not waste time,” Sippel says.

Left untreated, anxiety and depression not only impacts the farmer or rancher, but their family as well. Along with suicide, Sippel says she and her peers are seeing an uptick in divorce.

“When faced with depression or anxiety, men are likely to withdraw from others and be angry. A mental health professional can help provide coping tools for the farmer and/or the couple. Such tools may help save a marriage or a relationship with another family member involved in the farming operation. Dealing with business and family can be very difficult.”

As many farm organizations work to provide their members with information about mental health resources, Sippel calls on individual farmers and ranchers who have received help with anxiety or depression to share their story with neighbors and friends. “The stigma is pretty strong. It would help if some brave farmers would step forward and share how they were helped.”

To connect with a mental health professional, reach out to the Farmer & Rural Stress Hotline, 1-800-691-4336. If your insurance company will not cover telehealth, Sippel says some clinics, like Northeastern Mental Health Center, have grants to help cover costs.

August 2020

15

Union Farmer

Young Leaders Continued from Page 13

respective farms. He says along with a work ethic, he gained a strong passion for agriculture and a clear idea of what he wants to do in his future career.

“I really love working on the farm.

I find it rewarding,” Hegg explains. “It is Landon Hegg hard work, but in the end, I feel a real sense of accomplishment.”

His love for agriculture inspired him to pursue a degree in agriculture systems technology at South Dakota State University.

“With all the new technology always coming out in the farming world, I thought it would be an interesting way to stay involved in agriculture. I hope to have a career in the government or working for a cooperative and also farm on the side.”

While working for his dad and grandpa, Hegg also built up his own cattle herd as an FFA project, using a Farm Service Agency (FSA) cattle loan.

He keeps his cattle at his grandpa’s farm.

“I’m using the money I get from the cattle to pay off the loan. Once it’s paid off, then I will keep adding to the herd.”

In addition to the cattle project, Hegg says through involvement and holding officer positions in the Huron FFA Chapter and Broadland Buddies 4-H Club he had the opportunity to learn what it means Landon Hegg to be a leader. “Serving as an officer, I learned how to face problems head-on, and understand what it means to have other kids look up to you and the responsibility that comes with that.”

Rodeo Athlete Calls Wide Open Spaces Home

Rodeo is a Clark family tradition.

“Each family has their own thing that they like to do. For our family, we like to rodeo,” says Teigan Clark, who qualified to compete in saddle bronc at the 2020 National High School Finals.

Clark learned Teigan Clark how to rope and ride on his family’s Lemmon ranch. It is also on his family’s ranch where Clark figured out his future careers. “I’m a hands-on learner. I do really good with stuff that is hands-on, so my goal is to become an electrician and come back to ranch with my dad,” explains Clark, who will pursue

16

August 2020

“Scholarships are an impactful way for our organization to invest in South Dakota’s farm and ranch families, rural communities and our state’s future.”

– Doug Sombke, SD Farmers Union President a degree in electrical trades from Western Dakota Technical School this fall. “I like the wide-open spaces and the freedom to wake up in the morning and go out and not be surrounded by congestion. Also, I like working with livestock and figuring out ways to make them more productive.”

Throughout his youth, Clark has already begun to prepare by building up a flock of commercial sheep.

They are Rambouillet crossed with South African Meat Merino (SAMM).

When Clark says he wants to return to work on the ranch, Teigan Clark he is speaking from experience because he understands what it is like to not live on the ranch full time. He is a graduate of the Christian boarding school, Sunshine Bible Academy.

More than a student, Clark became actively involved in student government, serving on student council, Clark was elected to serve as president of his class, was an FFA officer and accepted the role of house leader.

“Because Sunshine is a boarding school, some students can get homesick, and as a house leader, it is our role to check in with a small group of students each day,” Clark explains.

“It is a privilege to step up and take this Teigan Clark leadership role. Being a house leader speaks of your character and willingness to step up and take on a larger role.”

Character matters to Clark. “I really strive to be a man of integrity and someone who does the right thing, even when no one else is looking,” he says. “I strive to be a godly man and someone who is a leader and someone who is honest.”

He says that throughout his life, he has had many mentors, the most important one being his dad, Pat. “He has taught me what it means to have good character and what it means to be an honest, hardworking man and someone who stands up for what I believe in.”

■ by Lura Roti for SDFU www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

State Camp 2020 Goes Virtual, Elects Junior Advisory Council Leaders

E

South Dakota Farmers Union State Leadership Camp went virtual this July.

The theme was “Campertined – A Virtual Experience.”

The theme underscored this year’s need for camp safety and understanding the value of staying connected. Campers took part in evening activities by computer July 27-30 to receive leadership training and experience the fun of camp in a new way.

Campers were sent a “campertined” care package including a t-shirt, stress tractor, and S’mores kit. SDFU focused on safety by keeping the camp virtual.

Current Junior Advisory Council member Kathryn Nightingale from White Lake says, “Camp this year wasn’t quite what I’d hoped for and expected, especially as a JAC which has always been an experience I was looking forward to.”

Campers received a “Campertine” care package ahead of camp, complete with S’mores and other camp goodies.

Nightingale adds, “It was a bummer when we decided we wouldn’t be holding camp in person, but we still managed to have fun and I’m glad we could all get together virtually, have a fun time and see familiar faces.”

“Our campers are like family and they rely on spending time with their friends every year to reconnect and see each other,” says Education Director Rachel Haigh-Blume. “So, we did everything we could to recreate the

best camp-like experience possible online.”

In addition to helping shape our future leaders, the camp emphasizes fun, too.

Campers experienced a Murder Mystery team event, virtual campfires and team games including the Snooze Queens, Farmer Illuminati, Smore Squad, Creeping Campers and Marshmallow Roasters in a virtual battle of camp packing and scary story making. They even exchanged virtual hugs.

Aeriel Eitreim of Sioux Falls joined the virtual group for her first experience of Senior High Camp.

“My favorite part of camp was getting to know other people and making Kathryn Nightingale new memoires. I am looking forward to attending in-person camp.”

One portion of camp focused on selfkindness and how to disengage from the negative thoughts and opinions of others.

Dr. Thom Flamboe, a Mental Strength Conditioning Coach from Black Hills State University, is a camp favorite and was back again this year.

“It can be a very stressful time for everyone right now, especially youth,” says HaighBlume. “I want them to take a moment and focus on all of those around them that care, the people they can turn to on a bad day. Purposeful time spent on this type of meaningful thinking will hopefully make the bad days easier and ensure they know they are never alone.”

Alyssa Fordham, a return camper, was happy for the opportunity to see friends again. “Virtual camp was a way to get to see everyone, it was better than not seeing each

other at all and the camp packet was fun – I would definitely attend in-person camp if possible again,” says Fordham.

Campers had some business to conduct, too. They elected this year’s four-member Junior Advisory Council (JAC) leaders. The new JACs will serve a one-year term as leaders, role models and representatives in planning and conducting State Camp.

Those elected to serve as the 2021 camp Junior Advisory Council (JAC) include: Kelcey Butler, Philip, S.D., daughter of David and Michelle Butler. She sees JACs as role models and mentors and applied to help mentor others in need. Butler says, “I am excited about working as a team to plan the next camp adventure and to continue the personal growth and development the program has helped me gain.”

Elle Hoops, Huron, S.D., daughter of Dave and Debbie Hoops. Hoops is excited to be a JAC because it means another year with her Farmers Union friends. She wants everyone at camp to have a great experience and to continue the opportunity of making lifelong friends and impacting the next generation of campers.

Cassie Langbehn: Huron and Rapid City, S.D., daughter of Sarah Toupal and Mike Langbehn. Langbehn wanted to be a JAC because of the kindness, calm and love they bring to camp. She wants new campers to experience the welcome and love that she has felt at camp.

Hailey Monson: Groton, S.D., daughter of Nick and Lyncee Monson. Attending state camp, Monson always looked up to the great leaders. She is looking forward getting to talk with the campers, especially the new ones, and helping them open up to just have fun.

■ by Toby Kane for SDFU

IMSET would work something like this: If you take 1 percent of your corn acres out of production, then you receive a 1 percent increase on your crop insurance price. Here is one example: $4 spring price with a maximum buyup at $4.40, so you could take out 10 percent of your crop production and receive a $4.40 insurance price. This could be used on all crops. It would only be used during periods of low prices, and up to the individual farmer.

it. Based on preliminary models, it is shown to work. Together with SDFU and National Farmers Union, Blindert shared IMSET with representatives from the Risk Management Agency.

“Farmers are in the position where they are price takers, not price makers. It’s among our biggest challenges,” Sombke explains.

“We need a fair market system.”

By working together, individual farmers, like Blindert, can work for positive change.

To learn how SDFU collaborates with others to support of South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers, visit www.sdfu.org. ■

Stronger Continued from Page 15 markets drop. The plan is called Inventory Management Soil Enhancement Tool (IMSET).

“It seems that about every 30 years or so, we end up seeing a big boom in agriculture; followed by a bust that keeps markets soft for about 10 to 20 years,” Blindert says. “This plan would keep the grain price high enough that the government doesn’t have to protect farmers from low prices, and we don’t have to be at the mercy of the farm bill.”

To ensure IMSET was a solid idea, Blindert together with S.D. Farmers Union asked agriculture economists and researchers from North Dakota State University to test www.sdfu.org

August 2020

17

Union Farmer

T

2020 Insuring a Brighter Tomorrow Scholarship Winners Announced

he South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation, in cooperation with Farmers Union Insurance, announces the Insuring a Brighter Tomorrow scholarship recipients.

Each of the scholarship recipients will receive $1,000 to put toward their post-secondary education at a South Dakota college, university or technical school. Over the past 13 years, the foundation has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships to students.

The recipients were chosen from among a large pool of applicants.

They were scored based on a combination of academic record, school, community and volunteer involvement and an essay responding to the following prompt: describe a meaningful high school experience and how it impacted your life.

Farmers Union Insurance agents throughout the state fund this scholarship program administered by the Farmers Union Foundation. “Supporting tomorrow’s leaders through scholarships not only helps these amazing youth and their families, but it is one way Farmers Union remains strong in our support of family farmers, ranchers and their rural communities,” says Doug Sombke, SDFU President. ■

18

August 2020

Nathan Andersen Son of Myron & Vonda Andersen Sturgis Brown High School

Lexi Rust Daughter of Joe & Lori Rust Yankton High School

Mason McDonald Son of Mark McDonald & Yvonne McDonald Huron High School

Danika Gordon Daughter of Bruce & Kindra Gordon Sturgis Brown High School

Abigail DeJong Daughter of Gary & Amanda DeJong Huron High School

Megan Linke Daughter of Henry & Paula Linke Woonsocket High School

Georgia Kuehn Daughter of Randy & Lynette Kuehn Redfield High School

Jordyn Gerlach Daughter of Jared & Michele Gerlach Corsica-Stickney High School

Emily Rystrom Daughter of Paul & Kristi Rystrom Brookings High School

Hunter Eide Son of Shon & Gerri Ann Eide Gettysburg High School

Peyton Schroeder Son of Lee & Lisa Schroeder Hanson High School

Britt Oliver Son of Monte Oliver & Colleen Oliver Lemmon High School

Ellie Overweg Daughter of Larry & Shelly Overweg Kimball High School

Alison Logue Daughter of Thomas & Angela Logue Irene-Wakonda High School

Rachael Cutshaw Daughter of Roger Cutshaw & Leslie Larson-Cutshaw Deuel High School

Samantha Lux Daughter of Layne & LeAnn Lux Eureka Public High School

Abigail Vanden Berge Daughter of Scott & Laura Vanden Berge Platte-Geddes High School

Emma Lammey Daughter of Scott & Crystal Lammey Wessington Springs High School

Landon Hegg Son of Neal & Jodi Hegg Huron High School

Hayden Hegg Son of Neal & Jodi Hegg Huron High School

Teigan Clark Son of Pat & Barb Clark Sunshine Bible Academy

Katie Schmit Daughter of Robert & Brenda Schmit Sanborn Central High School

Rose Eitemiller Daughter of Chet & Angela Eitemiller Wagner Community High School

Samantha Thyen Daughter of Jim & Penny Thyen Waverly-South Shore

Bailee Anderson Daughter of Mark & Melodie Anderson Chester Area High School

www.sdfu.org

Policy Meeting Continued from Page 1 that is good for farmers, ranchers and the communities we live in,” says Keldron rancher Danni Beer. “The system we have in place, allows our policy to keep up with what needs to be changed and issues that need to be addressed with special orders, and yet we are able to maintain a solid foundation for policy moving forward.

Serving as a member of the SDFU Policy Committee, Beer was among the nearly 40 members who came together virtually to review the current policy, vote on updates and clarifications, as well as special orders to address timely policy needs of South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers.

In years past, Beer would have driven about six hours to spend a day and a half reviewing the policy with the committee and members. Because of safety concerns related to COVID-19, SDFU hosted a Zoom meeting.

And although some missed the face-toface interaction, Beer says she thought the meeting was interactive and she appreciated the time savings. “It worked well and was efficient,” she says. “I checked wells and the cattle right before the meeting one day and took tires to town to get fixed before the meeting the next day.”

“When you meet as a group and speak up, you actually see results. I have actually seen issues we discuss as a group and put into policy, make it to the national level.”

– Hank Wonnenberg, Dallas farmer

Grassroots policy in action Four special orders were introduced to respond to current issues impacting South Dakota’s farm and ranch families. They focused on: • Oversight of federal aid • Adding Inventory Management Soil Enhancement (IMSET) • Truth in Labeling • Supporting local school districts in reopening plans “This policy meeting gives our members the opportunity to share their thoughts and put policy into place to make a difference,” explains Doug Sombke, SDFU President.

Making a positive difference for agriculture is something Hank Wonnenberg says he www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer appreciates about involvement in SDFU. “I am a huge fan of Farmers Union and impressed by how the organization works. It respects

SDFU therefore, encourages Congress and every agricultural advocacy group including checkoff groups and agricultural commodity groups to support SDFU’s Inventory Management Soil Enhancement (IMSET) concept for inclusion of the next farm bill, initially on an experimental level by region then allow adjustments for national level expansion before said farm bill expires.

“The system we have in place, allows our policy to keep up with what needs to be changed and issues that need to be addressed.”

Policy Committee member Danni Beer ranches with her family near Keldron.

all members. We all have a voice. Never once have I felt something I said fell on deaf ears,” explains Wonnenberg, a banker and crop and cattle farmer from Dallas. “And when you meet as a group and speak up, you actually see results. In the five years Melissa and I have been involved, I have actually seen issues we discuss as a group and put into policy, make it to the national level.”

Special Order 1 Distribution of pandemic federal aid SDFU strongly supports more oversight in the distribution of federal aid monies due to pandemics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, federal disaster aid was distributed to unentitled people and entities, both domestic and foreign. SDFU supports, that under no circumstances, should any federal aid be allowed to be paid to foreign peoples or entities. Furthermore, the improved oversight needs to ensure that the funds are distributed to qualified and true farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers.

Special Order 2 Next farm bill to include Inventory Management Soil Enhancement (IMSET) The American family farmer has lost global market share of agricultural commodities from 73 percent to today’s level of 37 percent in the year of 2020. No other industry would see this as acceptable to survive let alone to grow into the future. As farmers experienced this loss of market share globally, American farmers have grown their stockpile of farm commodities causing lower and lower prices.

Only to see them rise when affected by weather conditions.

Recognizing farmers have little direct effects on prices, if any, on what they raise.

– Danni Beer, Keldron rancher

Further definition of IMSET IMSET is designed for the individual farmer to use as a management tool for improving soil health needs on his/her farm, while at the same time setting a price on his/her grain commodities for beneficial financial results.

Each farmer can annually renew voluntarily similar to and alongside their annual renewal of revenue crop insurance of the crop they choose. For every 1.5 percent of crop acres they wish to improve soil health, they will receive 1.5 percent increase of the guarantee revenue price coverage of that crop.

Sign up would be as follows: When signing up for crop insurance, each farmer would choose to sign up to be eligible for IMSET. Sign up must be prior to deadline of crop insurance deadline. Upon reporting planted acres to crop insurance and FSA each farmer then indicates what percentage level of acres of each crop they intend soil health improvements on. This level then determines the percentage of increase to his/ her guarantee revenue price of each crop they are participating in.

The level of soil enhancement acres will be determined by the level of farmer participation. The more participation, the lower the percentage level with a range between 1 and 2 percent.

Soil enhancement acres must be planted to NRCS certified cover crops that best suit the needs to improve soil health on those acres. NRCS determines what best practice to use to improve soil health. NRCS determines suitable, soil enhancement acres can be hayed or grazed as long as soil health is improved by

Policy Meeting Continued on Page 22 August 2020

19

Union Farmer Rob Larew National Farmers Union President

T

he pandemic continues to dominate national discourse and political priorities. In July, USDA expanded eligibility for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program to include dozens of new commodities, and the Senate is expected to release a new stimulus package in the coming weeks that will more than likely include provisions to provide additional support to family farmers and ranchers.

But there’s plenty else going on; Congress is moving ahead with its process to set funding levels for 2021, the House released an extensive plan for mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change, and Farmers Union is challenging the EPA on a rule that rolled back fuel efficiency standards – all of which you’ll find more about in this month’s Washington Corner.

USDA EXPANDS CFAP As part of its efforts to support family farmers and ranchers coping with pandemic-related supply chain disruptions and price declines, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has distributed more than $5.8 billion worth of direct payments through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) as of midJuly. Another $10 billion is available, and farmers can continue to apply for assistance through Aug. 28.

The majority of funding has been allocated to growers of just a handful of commodities. Cattle producers have received $2.6 billion, or upward of half of the total, while dairy farmers have claimed a fifth at $1.2 billion. Corn growers were a close third, with $1.1 billion. All other commodities trail far behind, with hogs coming in as the fourth highest commodity at $375 million, followed by soybeans, cotton, almonds, sheep, strawberries and wheat. In all, specialty crops received just 2.7 percent of the program’s funding. Midwestern states collected the most money, with Iowa leading the pack at $618 billion, and Alaska received the least, at just $56,000.

Initially, specialty crops eligible for assistance was limited to certain produce, nuts and beans, and mushrooms. Responding to feedback from industry groups and legislators, USDA has extended the program to growers of 42 other fruits, vegetables, herbs, roots and commodities who have experienced at least a 5 percent drop in prices or are facing significant additional marketing costs. Additionally, the agency corrected payment rates for a number of commodities and expanded payment eligibility for seven others, including apples, blueberries, garlic, potatoes and raspberries.

While National Farmers Union (NFU) was pleased that USDA amended the program to better assist those affected by the pandemic, there are still many producers who have been excluded from CFAP. Those who operate small farms, agritourism businesses or farms that sell directly to consumers or local markets have often found that they do not qualify for payments.

Additionally, the payment calculation only considers damages incurred before April 15, 2020, and does not fully account for additional financial loss from valueadded sales. To ensure that assistance is both being distributed fairly and equitably as well as reaching all

20

August 2020

family farmers and ranchers who need it NFU is urging Congress address these eligibility issues in the next stimulus package.

HOUSE MAKES PROGRESS ON NEXT YEAR’S FUNDING BILL In July, the House Appropriations Committee approved a bill that would set spending levels for agriculture, rural development, the Food and Drug Administration and other related agencies and programs for fiscal year (FY) 2021.

The bill authorizes approximately $24 billion in discretionary spending, a 2 percent increase over 2020’s spending levels. NFU is pleased with many of the bill’s provisions, including a significant boost in funding for the expansion of rural broadband, strong support for programs that help develop value-added products and local agriculture markets, and a modest budget increase for public agriculture research and conservation programs. The organization was similarly pleased that the package fully funds the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN), which provides grants for mental health services for agricultural professionals.

In addition to setting spending for agricultural programs, the bill also funds the majority of the nutrition safety net, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and child nutrition programs, and includes language that would affect the administration of such programs. Most notably, it would block a rule that unnecessarily toughens work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents who receive SNAP, causing an estimated 755,000 to lose benefits. NFU strongly opposed this measure when it was first introduced and continues to oppose it, particularly given the high rates of unemployment and food insecurity our nation is currently experiencing.

Another effort NFU disapproves of – the unceremonious relocation of two major agricultural research agencies to Kansas City – is addressed in the bill as well. The Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) have both reported substantial staff attrition as a result of the move, which has reduced the agencies’ capacity.

The committee report calls on the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine to examine the consequences of the relocations.

While House appropriators are expected to finish all 12 of their FY21 spending bills by mid-July, Senate appropriators have not yet released any of their spending bills and have not committed to a timeline for release. If the two chambers can’t come to an agreement by the end of September, it is likely that Congress will pass a stopgap spending bill to prevent a government shutdown.

NFU CHALLENGES EPA ON SAFE RULE NFU, several Farmers Union regional divisions and a coalition of biofuels and public health groups filed a petition challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safer Affordable Fuel Efficiency Vehicle (SAFE) Rule.

The rule, which was finalized in April, reversed Obama-era regulations that required 5 percent increase in vehicle efficiency each year for light-duty vehicles.

Under the new rule, the annual improvement was reduced to just 1.5 percent. Additionally, as it was in the process of finalizing the rule, EPA had requested information on octane levels and how they could be increased in accordance with the Clean Air Act, but ultimately failed to address these concerns.

In doing so, EPA downplayed the harm from reduced emission standards, ignored the efficiency and health benefits of higher ethanol blends and failed to realize the promise of increased octane in gasoline – all of which contributed to the coalition’s decision to challenge the rule.

“There is strong evidence that ethanol can improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, all while providing new markets for farmers and bolstering rural economies,” says NFU President Rob Larew in a statement. “Given their benefits, NFU advocated a clear path to adoption of mid-level ethanol blends in our earlier comments – which EPA all but ignored.”

HOUSE RELEASES CLIMATE ACTION PLAN In response to the mounting challenges caused by a rapidly changing climate, the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis published a report outlining an economy-wide blueprint to both mitigate the threat of climate change and adapt to its effects.

The plan recognizes not only the threat climate change presents to agriculture, but also the role that family farmers and ranchers must play in the solution. Specifically, it calls for providing financial and technical support for on-farm conservation practices that sequester carbon and build resilience to extreme weather events; promoting crop and livestock management practices and technologies that reduce agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions; supporting on-farm renewable energy production and efficiency ensuring the success of young, beginning and socially disadvantaged agricultural producers; protecting farmland from development; and reducing food waste and the distance between food production and consumption.

On top of its agricultural-specific provisions, the plan also supports rural communities. This includes expanding public transportation, strengthening infrastructure so it can withstand increasingly extreme weather, improving energy efficiency in rural businesses and establishments, and expanding rural broadband to facilitate smart grid technologies and improve reliability in the case of disaster.

In a statement of support, Larew said he was “encouraged to see the comprehensive consideration. . . . of how to best use USDA conservation, research, energy and other programs” to meet the growing challenge of climate change, which he called the “single greatest threat facing family farmers and the global food supply.” ■ Current as of July 15, 2020

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

From the President....

T

Skipping Out on $90 Million a Year Makes No Sense Doug Sombke, SDFU President

here are so many concerning issues going on in the world right now that selecting a focus for this column was a challenge. After much thought, I landed on policy development and healthcare.

If you were unable to attend the 2020 Virtual Policy Meeting, rest assured that whether we meet from our kitchen tables or in-person, South Dakota Farmers Union’s grassroots policy development is as strong as ever. So is member engagement. Even though this year’s meeting was not in person, turnout was actually up from last year.

Thank you for continuing our strong tradition of policy development focused on serving South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers.

Speaking of our policy, two factors that come up again and again as we develop and review our policy are: 1. Our members care about family farmers and ranchers being able to be financially sustainable without government help.

2. Our members not only care about farmers and ranchers earning a healthy living, but also living a healthy life.

Affordable healthcare plays a large role in both of these factors. I know from visiting with my family, friends and neighbors that many spouses of farmers work off the farm for one reason – health insurance. So what happens when that spouse can’t work or there are not opportunities for them to work off the farm to receive employersupported health insurance? Well, you all know the answer. Insurance premiums of $2,000-$3,000 each month.

Healthcare has been on my mind a lot lately because of the current pandemic and a young farm family close to me was faced with $10,000 in medical bills, on top of their $3,000 monthly premium following a hospital stay and the inability to work for

two weeks due to pneumonia.

Insurance rates for young families remains a concern, as do eldercare costs.

Ten years after our state first declined the opportunity to receive $90 million each year in federal subsidies for Medicaid, I remain frustrated.

Rural nursing homes are hurting. They are closing. And our population continues to age.

As I write this, 41 states, including North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Montana have accepted this subsidy.

You know, just because we turned down the funding doesn’t mean South Dakotans have not all paid for the other states to enjoy the funds through our federal tax dollars.

I don’t understand why South Dakota has not joined them? A frequent response I hear is, “What will we do if they cut it?”

Well, we’ll go back to where we are today – except many more eldercare facilities which have closed within the decade, may still remain open. Basically, our state gave up $900 million in federal dollars over the last decade. Think of what we could have done with those healthcare dollars. I am confident $900 million would have done a lot for facility updates and improvements.

We may even have a few more nursing homes.

To address this issue, South Dakota Farmers Union is joining a coalition working on a 2022 Constitutional Measure so South Dakota can accept this Medicaid subsidy. If you have questions or want to support this effort, please reach out. I am eager to hear your thoughts.

www.sdfu.org

South Dakota Union Farmer, ISSN 0745-8797, publishes 9 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. Karla Hofhenke, Publisher Lura Roti, Editor ~ Wendy Sweeter, Copy Editor Diane Martinson, Layout & Design

All information for publication must be submitted by the 15th of the month. You may submit items to address below or email items to: sdfu@sdfu.org 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

Kelli Peterson...............ext. 116 Administrative Assistant Huron

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

Doug Bruckner..............ext. 118 Controller Wessington Springs

Rocky Forman..............ext. 117 Member Services Coordinator Huron

Luke Reindl................... ext. 122 Comm. & Policy Specialist Wessington Springs

SDFU Board of Directors Doug Sombke.........President Groton Wayne Soren.. Vice President Lake Preston Mike Miller................ District I Freeman Scott Kolousek......... District II Wessington Springs Gail Temple............. District III Clark

David Reis................District IV Oacoma Dallis Basel...............District V Union Center Oren Lesmeister......District VI Parade Chad Johnson........District VII Groton

Sincerely,

Contact NFU Doug Sombke, President South Dakota Farmers Union

Congressional Leaders Contact information: Rep. Dusty Johnson 202-225-2801 / 855-225-2801 reid.rasmussen@mail.house.gov

A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

Sen. Mike Rounds 202-224-5842 / 844-875-5268 logan_penfield@rounds.senate.gov

Sen. John Thune 202-224-2321 / 866-850-3855 ryan_donnelly@thune.senate.gov

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

Rob Larew, President ~ Patty Edelburg, Vice President Darin Von Ruden, Secretary ~ Doug Sombke, Treasurer 202.554.1600 www.nfu.org

August 2020

21

Union Farmer

Policy Meeting Continued from Page 19 such practices.

Special Order 3 Truth in labeling and promotion of meat products SDFU thanks South Dakota legislators from the 2019 session for passing Senate Bill 68 which supports truth in labeling of meat.

SDFU supports the use of the term beef, pork, poultry, lamb and seafood in a food label to be exclusively for meat harvested from live animals in the traditional manner.

SDFU supports the use of USDA and/or state inspection stamps be used on meat.

Furthermore, SDFU recommends a clear, identifiable, and entirely separate label for all other alternative protiens.

We believe all products should be required to pass the same strict standards of food inspection as meat products that come from animals raised in the traditional manner. SDFU recognizes that alternative proteins are destined to be in international trade deals, therefore should require separate negotiations than meat, such as beef, pork or poultry as the process of production, packaging and inspection will be different

than that of real meat products. The United States should be a leader for other countries as how to define how cell-cultured products will be inspected and keep standards for trade acceptance for these products separate from beef, pork or poultry.The U.S. Meat Export Federations website (www.usmef. org) defines themselves the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry. It is funded by USDA; the beef, pork, lamb, corn and soybean checkoff programs, as well as its members representing nine industry sectors: beef/veal producing and feeding, pork producing and feeding, lamb producing and feeding, packing and processing, purveying and trading, oilseeds producing, feed-grains producing, farm organizations and supply and service organizations. SDFU does not support that alternative proteins, plant-based proteins, insects or cell-cultured proteins be allowed to be included in the checkoff acts and orders. We request USDA to educate and put to rest misinformation on increased carbon created by livestock production.

Special Order 4 Supporting local school districts in reopening plans SDFU supports our healthcare experts, CDC and S.D. Department of Health in their recommendations to keep South Dakota communities safe.

Schools across the country and state are facing complex re-opening plans as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic. SDFU supports local control as it relates to opening plans for South Dakota schools, which include virtual and hybrid learning environments. We believe that no schools should lose funding for making the decision to not open schools, close during an uptick in cases or move to virtual learning. We support decisions of parents guardians, teachers and staff to learn and teach in a virtual environment without penalty.

SDFU commends the efforts of South Dakota school districts in developing reopening plans that keep the health and safety of students and staff at the forefront.

Special thanks to the 2020 Policy Committee: Jenae Hansen, District 7, Chair; District 1, David Cap, Yankton; District 2, Paul Hotchkiss, Humboldt; District 4, Hank Wonnenberg, Gregory; District 5, Mary Ellen Cammack, Sturgis; District 6, Dani Beer, Keldron; and District 3, Rob Lee, De Smet.To learn more about SDFU current policy, contact Karla Hofhenke for a copy of the policy book.

All policy discussed and voted on during the state policy meeting will be reviewed and voted on again by delegates during the 2020 state convention. â–

Farmers Union signs available Show your Farmers Union spirit with a special Farmers Union sign. Available for a limited time, the sign makes a fun addition to the farm driveway, the side of a barn or even a statement piece in the house.

The cost per sign is $10 or free with a five-year or greater membership to Farmers Union. To get yours today, contact Membership Specialist Pam Evenson at 605352-6761 ext 116 or at PEvenson@sdfu.org.

22

August 2020

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer Participate in Fall Photo Contest

S

outh Dakota Farmers Union will be hosting a fall photo contest, Sept. 1 through Oct. 31. Farmers and Ranchers at Work is the focus of this contest.

To enter, snap a photo of a family member working on your farm or ranch and enter it through the contest page on our website beginning Sept. 1. Each photo entered gives you a chance in the drawing for $250!

Everyone can participate. You don’t even need a camera, cell phone photos work great. We’re not looking for professional photos. We’re looking for photos of farmers, ranchers and their families at work – fall calving, harvesting, weaning calves, fixing fence, hauling grain to the elevator, etc.

Contest details Each time you submit a photo, your name will be entered in a drawing to win $250 cash prize. To enter, beginning Sept. 1, simply visit www.sdfu.org, click on the News & Events tab to link to the Photo Contest page. Upload a high resolution photo. If you have issues uploading images to the website, email the photo in its original or largest file size along with a photo description (who is in the photo and what they are doing), along with the photographer’s name, phone number and email address to Union Farmer editor, Lura Roti at Lura@LRFreelance.com.

Photos may be used for promotional purposes, published in the Union Farmer newsletter and posted to SDFU website and social media. ■

Coconut Chip Cookies

Carol Wiedenbush, Mansfield, S.D.

½ c. semi-sweet chocolate chips ¼ c. macadamia nuts or almonds, chopped

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a mixing bowl beat dry cake mix, eggs and oil. Batter will be very stiff. Stir in coconut, chips and nuts. Roll into 1-inch balls. Place on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool 2 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. www.sdfu.org

mail to: sdfu@sdfu.org Like us for updates, photos, news, and so much more. https://www.facebook.com/ South-Dakota-Farmers-Union277721538812/ Follow us for the latest legislative updates and news. https://twitter.com/sdfarmersunion View videos at the South Dakota Farmers Union Channel. https://www.youtube.com/ user/sdfarmersunion

Order Your Own Copy of the Farmers Union Centennial Cookbook Cookbooks are $10 plus tax and shipping.

Contact Kelli Peterson 605-352-6761, ext 116, to place your order today!

COOK’S CORNER

1 pkg. white cake mix 2 eggs 1/3 c. vegetable oil 1 c. flaked coconut

4 Ways to Connect With Us! SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

SDFU CLIP AND SAVE CALENDAR July 22 State Policy Meeting via Zoom 23-26 Summer Spotlight, Huron 25 District 2 Meeting, Hartford 28-29 FUE/FUI Meeting August 8 Yankton County Annual Meeting 18 Clark County Annual Meeting, Swimming Pool September 3-7 S.D. State Fair, Huron 7 State office closed, Labor Day 14-16 Washington, D.C., Fly-in 22-23 FUE/FUI Meeting October 12 Office closed for Native Americans Day November 23-24 FUE/FUI Meeting 26-27 Office closed for Thanksgiving December 3-4 CHS Annual Meeting, Minneapolis 8-9 SDFU State Convention, Huron 24-25 State office closed, Christmas

August 2020

23

Aberdeen Aberdeen Bison Bison Britton Brookings Brookings Brookings Buffalo Clark Doland Doland Faulkton Groton Huron Irene Irene

J.R. Johnson Cameron Lux Alan Voller Karen Voller Tom Farber Gary Ray Beth Reams Heidi Fields Jim Erk Lon Reidburn Bonnie Wagner Mark Rozell Dawn Melius J.R. Johnson Blaine Anderson Brendon Hansen Brian Hansen

725-3003 377-3876 244-7431 244-7431 448-5150 692-6735 690-3018 881-2830 375-3311 532-3299 635-6511 635-6511 598-6570 725-3003 352-2130 263-2121 263-3342

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

Donna Enders Carrie Derschan Kevin Albrecht Brendon Hansen Ryan Leischner Ce Faulkner Mefferd Agency Kasey Keller Lewis Agency Jeff Nord Erica Steiner Sabers Agency Sabers Agency Todd Nichols Debbie Baumgarn Larry Baumgarn Jeremy Clay James Murphy

837-2144 374-3462 941-0650 387-5555 996-9651 737-0463 224-4123 343-4213 342-3585 338-5302 698-7316 642-8870 347-4507 886-9683 345-2640 345-2640 842-1556 664-2121