South Dakota Union Farmer - August 2013

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Volume XCVI, NO. 7

Huron, SD

August 2013

South Dakota

Union Farmer A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION Water Issues Tour in N.E. South Dakota

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CBH Cooperative Opens New Belle Fourche Travel Center

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South Dakotans Travel to Louisiana for Conservation Exchange Trip

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Farm Bill Rally Planned for S.D. State Fair Farmers Union Day at the Fair August 31

Congress twice failed to pass a comprehensive farm bill. Once in 2012 when the U.S. House didn’t even bring the House Agriculture Committee’s version to the floor, and again when the House killed the measure just a few weeks ago. Hundreds expected for Farm Bill Rally at the South Dakota State Fair August 31 South Dakota agriculture groups, conservation groups, food pantrys bill rally Saturday, August 31, 2013, at the South and businesses that support the passage of a longDakota State Fair in Huron. A number of groups and term farm bill are coming together to show broad their leaders have been invited to attend along with support during the month of August for a ‘Back the national farm leaders. Farm Bill’ campaign to urge lawmakers to get a “We need to send a clear message,” said SDFU farm bill passed before the current extension expires President Doug Sombke. “Rural America needs a on Sept. 30, 2013. comprehensive farm bill. Our friends in urban cenThe campaign will kick off Wednesday, August ters need a comprehensive farm bill. Our country’s 7, at the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds in Sioux Falls food supply depends on this piece of legislation and with a press conference to announce the coalition members and to discuss the future of the farm bill. See FARM BILL RALLY Page 4 The coalition will present a united voice and call on Congress to get to work passing a five-year, National Farmers Union’s (NFU) board of comprehensive farm bill. directors has voted unanimously to intervene in a During the month of lawsuit over country-of-origin labeling (COOL). August, Farmers Union The lawsuit was brought by a number of meat and other groups will be packer-producer groups from the U.S. and Canada spreading the message against the United States Department of Agriculacross the state during ture who seek an injunction to vacate and halt the fairs and farm shows and implementation of the USDA’s final COOL rule. urging people to contact On May 23, 2013, USDA issued a final rule to their elected leaders to tell modify the labeling provisions for muscle cuts to them about the importance require the origin designations to include inforof the farm bill to their mation about where each of the production steps lives and their farming or occurred. ranching operations. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association The campaign will (NCBA), American Meat Institute (AMI), Caculminate with a farm nadian Cattlemen’s Association, Canadian Pork

It’s become a tradition, Saturday at the South Dakota State Fair is Farmers Union Day. This year’s event is scheduled August 31. Farmers Union Day will feature several exciting events and chances for you to win some fantastic prizes. The day will begin at 10:30 a.m. on the Freedom Stage on the fairgrounds when the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation and Farmers Union Insurance Agency will honor the 26 recipients of this year’s ‘Insuring a Brighter Tomorrow’ scholarships. The 26 high school graduates will share $26,000 in college scholarships to pursue their post-secondary education at a South Dakota college, university or technical school. A number of the recipients and their families will join the SDFU Foundation and Farmers Union Insurance Agency at the event. The young people will receive an award for being chosen as a recipient. At 11:00 a.m., the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation will honor the 2013 recipients of the Rural Dakota Pride Award. It’s an honor established by

See FARMERS UNION DAY Page 4

NFU joins COOL Lawsuit

Council, National Pork Producers Council, North American Meat Association (NAMA), American Association of Meat Processors and Southwest Meat Association are all named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Anne Alonzo are named in the suit as defendants. The groups argue that the rule violates the Constitution by compelling speech without a substantial government interest. They also say the rul goes beyond the intentions of the original mandate and is arbitrary and places undue burden on the industry. NFU President Roger Johnson said his organi-

See COOL LAWSUIT Page 8


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