Union Farmer From the President.... Stronger Together

Policy, education and cooperation – these are the foundation upon which Farmers Union is built. They guide the work your board of directors and staff do to support South Dakota’s family farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

And they are not stand-alone concepts. Let me explain.

On July 20, members gathered with the State Policy Committee and Board of Directors to discuss our organization’s current policy as well as timely issues we need to address.

This annual Policy Meeting continues Farmers Union more than a century-old tradition of grassroots policy development. Members telling leadership what is important to them and members voting on the policy their leaders will advocate for.

It is essential to the work we do to advocate for policy to support family farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Because we know that a collective voice of nearly 20,000 strong will be heard.

The decisions made during this July meeting will be voted on during our State Convention this winter. And what is voted into our policy during State Convention guides our advocacy efforts as we meet with state and national policymakers.

Landowner rights were the focus of two of the three Special Orders of Business developed during the Policy Meeting. For those new to Farmers Union policy development, Special Orders are established to address timely issues. The Special Orders will be voted on for adoption during the 2023 State Convention. And although landowner rights have been part of SDFU policy for decades, these Special Orders were developed to address the specific threat Summit Carbon Solutions poses to South Dakota farmers and other landowners.

Some want to make this issue about ethanol. Farmers Union does not. Our policy supports ethanol.

Our organization believes this issue is about two things – landowner rights and safety. And they are what the Special Orders focus on (read Special Orders 2 and 3 beginning on page 3).

Since these Special Orders align with current policy, we are moving forward in our member-driven efforts to educate policymakers on steps they can take TODAY to stop Summit Carbon Solutions.

Farmers Union is advocating for the Public Utilities Commission and the governor to use the authority they have been given to halt the efforts of Summit Carbon Solutions.

Special Order 3 highlights the fact that there is a current safety investigation underway by the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHIMSA). This Special Order advocates for state leaders to halt any actions taken by Summit Carbon Solutions until the results of this investigation are made public.

We are also working to educate landowners by holding panel discussions at the Brown County Fair and the South Dakota State Fair. During these panel discussions, our goal is to provide landowners with answers, while at the same time give landowners a platform to share how Summit Carbon Solutions is impacting their land and livelihoods.

Ensuring the voices of South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers are heard is a task we take seriously. It is also one I personally enjoy. I am eager to listen to you and look forward to connecting with you during the Brown County Fair and South Dakota State Fair.

Sincerely,

South Dakota Union Farmer, ISSN 0745-8797, publishes seven times per calendar year, with issues printed in January/February, March/April, May, June/July, August, September/October and November. 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 • 605-554-3028 1410 Dakota Avenue South, PO Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350 www.sdfu.org sdfu@sdfu.org

SDFU State Office Staff

Doug Sombke ext. 1240 President

Groton Direct Line 605-554-3027

Karla Hofhenke ext. 1140

Executive Director Huron

Direct Line 605-554-3028

Rocky Forman. ext. 1170

Member Services Coordinator Huron Direct Line 605-554-3025

Kelli Peterson ext. 1160

Administrative Assistant Huron Direct Line 605-554-3023

Doug Sombke, President South Dakota

Congressional Leaders Contact information:

Rep. Dusty Johnson 202-225-2801 / 855-225-2801 reid.rasmussen@mail.house.gov

Sen. Mike Rounds Michael Brooks – 202-570-1558 Michael_Brooks@Rounds.Senate.gov

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

Doug Bruckner ext. 1180 Controller

Wessington Springs Direct Line 605-554-3026

Samantha Olson ....... ext. 1250 Education Specialist Mitchell Direct Line 605-554-3022

Luke Reindl ext. 1220

Comm. & Policy Specialist Wessington Springs Direct Line 605-554-3024

David Smith

Legislative/Farm Specialist Pierre Direct Line 605-350-8857

SDFU Board of Directors

Doug Sombke.........President Groton

Wayne Soren Vice President Lake Preston

Larry Birgen District I

Beresford

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

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

Rob Larew, President ~ Jeff Kippley, Vice President

Darin Von Ruden, Secretary ~ Doug Sombke, Treasurer 202.554.1600 www.nfu.org