South Dakota Union Farmer - August 2013

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

Union Farmer From the President...

South Dakota’s State Fair will be here before you know it, and a Farm Bill Rally is being organized including all organization concerned about passing a farm bill. It’s time Congress hears from normal, concerned individuals, not extreme groups sponsored by corporate and elite wealthy individuals.

The extreme groups have done nothing but cut programs that fight hunger here at home.

The proposed farm bill also continues to throw billions of taxpayer dolDoug Sombke lars at a crop insurance SDFU President program that badly needs reform.

I encourage all who care about the future of agriculture and feeding our own people to stand with us and fight for what is right in this great country.

Write your member of Congress, draft letters to the editor for your local newspapers, post on social media and tell your neighbors that we need positive action from Congress, not destructive tactics tearing at the moral fabric of America that made us the land of liberty and justice for all. Stand with us at the Farm Bill Rally on Saturday, August 31, at the South Dakota State Fair.

For Congress to address real hunger and lower SNAP assistance they must lift more working poor out of poverty by supporting higher minimum wage levels across the country. Today’s discrepancy between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ is layered more now than ever before in our nation’s history.

While those who work for minimum wage hold down two or three jobs to make ends meet from paycheck to paycheck, their children lack quality time with mom or dad because work consumes

them.

I don’t deny there are abuses in several social programs, but our leaders can address them on a case-by-case basis, they don’t need to harm those who truly need assistance.

Our country has overcome adversity before.

We didn’t do it by looking for what is wrong with America, but striving to do what is right.

So, Congress, listen to people like this dirt farmer in northeastern South Dakota who deal with reallife issues every day and are accountable for their family’s well being instead of some slick lobbyist or major political donor. If you really want to help our country be the land of the free and the home of the brave, just listen to those who live off the land.

U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas said he wanted a comprehensive bill, but concluded the farm-program-only bill was the way to go. It is the duty of the House members, he said, to complete the people’s business in “a dignified and orderly fashion.”

If anyone watched CSPAN the day the split farm bill was being debated it was anything but dignified and orderly. The session looked like a schoolyard brawl with the teacher and principals leading the fight. It was embarrassing to watch our nation’s elected officials act like unruly, spoiled grade school children. As a matter of fact I’ve seen better manners from my 3-year-old granddaughter.

It’s time we stand and let Congress know they are our representatives and they need to listen to us and we will hold them accountable for their actions, or lack of actions!

Let’s start by attending the Farm Bill Rally on Saturday of the South Dakota State Fair and show a united front on behalf of all farmers, ranchers, rural communities and those that need a hand up.

South Dakota

Union Farmer A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION South Dakota Union Farmer, ISSN 0745-8797, publishes ten times per calendar year, with issues printed in January, February, March, April, May/June, July, August, Sept/Oct, November, and December. Copies are available for $3.00 per year (included with membership dues), and non-members annual subscription is $7.50. Advertising rate is $6.00/column inch. Periodical postage paid at Mitchell, S.D. POSTMASTER: Address changes to: SDFU, PO Box 1388, Huron, S.D. 57350-1388

Contact SDFU 888.734.8136

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

Angela Tarasoff..........ext. 111 Membership Specialist Huron

Chris Studer.............ext. 122 Communications/Marketing Huron

Kelsey Schnetzer........ext. 116 Membership Director Wolsey

Mike Traxinger........ext. 112 Legislative Director Claremont

Erin Wilcox................ext. 118 Rural Development Director Huron

Bonnie Geyer..............ext. 125 Education Director Huron

SDFU Board of Directors Doug Sombke.........President Groton

Wayne Soren..........Vice Pres.

Lake Preston Terry Sestak...........District I Tabor Jim Wahle..............District II Salem Franklin Olson.....District III Pierpont

Contact NFU

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

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

Roger Johnson, President ~ Claudia Svarstad, Vice President Doug Peterson, Secretary ~ Don Teske, Treasurer 202.554.1600 www.nfu.org

Farmers Union Members get

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

www.doubledwestern.net Please present this coupon with your purchase

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August 2013

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www.sdfu.org

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Education News Youth Attend Three Year Award Trip to Twin Cities

By Bonnie Geyer Education Director

The 2013 camping season is going well. We still have a few camps to go and a big thank you goes out to everyone for their support of the camping program! We are educating our young people about Farmers Union, cooperatives and financial literacy so they can be successful adults and lead this organization, cooperative businesses and our communities into the future. We have had a lot of positive feedback so we are proud that people are noticing our efforts on behalf of this great organization.

A big thank you to all of our dedicated volunteers! This is much deserved recognition and please know that we appreciate you and your hard work and you are making a difference! We are grateful for the extra efforts made by the local leaders so that as many youth as possible can have the opportunity to become involved in the Farmers Union youth program.

All State’s Camp was held June 23-28, 2013, at NFU’s facility in Bailey, Colo. This year’s South Dakota participants included Elizabeth Reddy, Aberdeen; Keely Thompson, New Underwood; Jackie Dethlefsen, Stickney; and Bailey Zwahr, Sioux Falls. These young people had the opportunity to spend a week in Colorado where they explored their personal leadership skills, identified issues important to their generation and discussed their role in affecting positive change throughout rural America, both individually and through involvement in Farmers Union. I am very proud of all of them! Denise Mushitz, District I Education Director from Geddes, served as our South Dakota chaperone and thanks goes out to her for sharing her time and talents at this event.

We took a group of young people to Minneapolis for the Three Year Cooperative Award Trip July 29-31. This group of young people earned this award trip through completing Farmers Union and community projects. You can read more about their trip in the story on the right.

If you have questions on how you can be a part of these exciting educational award trips give me a call.

Our young people are excited about being involved in our camping and achievement programs and are our ambassadors for growth into the future.

We are already making plans for 2014 so if any of you have ideas or suggestions please give me a call. I am always glad to hear from you on ways we can improve and grow our programs.

Hopefully many of you are planning to join us for Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair August 31, 2013. This is the agriculture event we wait for all year and we will look forward to seeing all of our Farmers Union family there!

www.sdfu.org

Each summer, South Dakota Farmers Union honors youth who have put in a lot of time and effort in the youth education program with an educational, three-day event to the Twin Cities for the Three Year Award Trip.

From July 29-31, a group of 17 youth traveled to a number of cooperative businesses and fun group outings to gain a better understanding of the cooperative philosophy and see businesses in action.

State Education Director Bonnie Geyer and District VII Education Direc- Pictured, from left, front row: Alexis Blindauer, Mitchell; Alyson Hauck, De Smet; tor Barb Vetter served as Brandi Enright, Union Center; Kiana Brockel, Shadehill. Second row: Ashton Reedy, chaperones on the trip.

Philip; Tyana Gottsleben, Philip; Alexandra Waldner, Huron; Adrianne Grabinski, The group of young Rockham; Kesley Paye, Cavour. Back row: Chris Nemec, Holabird; Bailey Zwahr, Sioux Falls, Alexandra Farber, Britton; Jackie Dethlefsen, Stickney; Jonathan Linke, people earned this award Woonsocket; Dayton Trujillo, De Smet; Tyler Novak, Yankton; Jason Hanson, Britton. trip through completing Farmers Union projects and community service projects in their communisissippi Food Co-op, REI (Recreation Equipment ties.

Cooperative), Chateau Student Housing Cooperative “I’m incredibly proud of each and every one of and “The Hub” Bicycle Cooperative. these young people for all of the work and effort it The trip isn’t all business, they young people takes to earn this trip,” Geyer said. “They sacrifice also had a chance to visit the always entertaining their time and give their talents to a cause that’s Minnesota Science Museum, Valley Fair and took in close to their hearts, and by giving them an award a Minnesota Twins game at Target Field against the trip like this really solidifies their knowledge about Kansas City Royals. what cooperative business and Farmers Union is all For more information about the Farmers Union about.” youth education programs, visit the education page While in the Minneapolis area they visited differ- online at www.sdfu.org. ent types of cooperative businesses like the Mis-

Washington Fly-In Sept. 8-11 The annual National Farmers Union Fly-In to Washington, D.C., is scheduled for Sept. 8-11, 2013.

The Fly-In brings Farmers Union members from across the country to the nation’s capital to discuss issues important to rural America.

“This year’s Fly-In is one of the most important in years,” said SDFU President Doug Sombke. “With the farm bill debate still going, and lawmakers trying to split the farm bill and repeal permanent law we need South Dakota common sense to come to Washington and tell our lawmakers how important the farm bill is.”

During the Fly-In, participants will meet with United States Department of Agriculture officials and many lawmakers from across the country during the four-day event.

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“You’ll have the chance to sit down with members of Congress and their staff to discuss your personal story,” Sombke said. “It’s an opportunity to really make a difference and I encourage everyone who’s able to make the trip with us.”

South Dakotans will also meet with the state’s congressional delegation during the Fly-In. Personal meetings will be scheduled with Sen. John Thune, Rep. Kristi Noem and Sen. Tim Johnson.

SDFU is currently seeking participants to travel to Washington, D.C. If you’re interested in attending please contact SDFU Legislation Director Mike Traxinger at 605-377-4110 or mtraxinger@sdfu.org.

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FARM BILL RALLY: 1:00 p.m. Saturday August 31 on the Freedom Stage at State Fair

Continued from Page 1

our elected leaders are playing political games. It’s time that we stand up as farmers and ranchers and say ‘enough is enough’ and rally around our common goal of getting a farm bill passed before the deadline comes on Sept. 30.”

Farmers Union continues to gather more supporters for this effort and encourages all Farmers Union members to join us at the South Dakota State Fair for the Farm Bill Rally.

“The more people we can get to the State Fair and the Farm Bill Rally, the louder our voice will be,” Sombke said. “It’s important that our elected leaders here from those of us on the countryside

who make our living off the land. They need to hear our personal stories about how the farm bill affects every aspect of our businesses and how important this piece of legislation is.”

The Farm Bill Rally will begin at 1:00 p.m. on the Freedom Stage and feature a number of speakers who will discuss the importance of the legislation.

Many new developments have come in the past few weeks as the U.S. House voted to split the farm bill by taking out the nutrition title and voted to repeal permanent law. It’s unlikely the final farm bill, if it’s passed, wouldn’t include a nutrition title. The U.S. Senate’s version included a nutrition title.

FARMERS UNION DAY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

10:30 a.m. - Insuring a Brighter Tomorrow Scholarship Recipients The SDFU Foundation and Farmers Union Insurance Agency will honor the 26 recipients who will share $26,000 in college scholarships.

11:00 a.m. - Rural Dakota Pride Award Recipients The SDFU Foundation will honor individuals who have gone above and beyond to volunteer and help their communities grow and prosper.

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Farmer’s Share Luncheon Held in the tent near the Freedom Stage, our annual Farmer’s Share Luncheon will show you how much farmers and ranchers get of your retail food dollar while filling you up for a donation to Make-A-Wish South Dakota of just $1.

1:00 p.m. - Farm Bill Rally Join Farmers Union and a number of other groups from across the state for a Farm Bill Rally at the Freedom Stage. We’ll send a strong and united message to our lawmakers in Washington that rural America needs a farm bill.

2:30 p.m. - Prize Drawings Wear your Farmers Union apparel and be eligible to sign up to win a new iPad. Kids should bring their junior membership card to be eligible to sign up to win a Kindle Fire. You must be present to win, and be wearing SDFU apparel to win iPad

FREE TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR FARMERS UNION MEMBERS Dues paying Farmers Union members can receive free tickets to Saturday, August 31, at the State Fair. Call Angela at 605-352-6761 ext. 111 or email her at atarasoff@sdfu.org today to reserve your tickets. They’re limited and given on a first come, first served basis.

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FARMERS UNION DAY Continued from Page 1 the foundation to honor individuals in rural South Dakota who give of their time and talents to make their communities better.

The Rural Dakota Pride winners are nominated by friends or family and are chosen by a committee.

“People in our rural communities are so very important and we’re excited to honor these wonderful people for all that they do each and every year to make their towns stronger,” said SDFU President Doug Sombke. “It’s one of the highlights of Farmers Union Day at the State Fair every year and we’re really looking forward to it.”

Beginning at 11:30 a.m. Farmers Union will host its annual Farmer’s Share Luncheon in the tent near the Freedom Stage. The luncheon will teach consumers about the small amount of the retail food dollar farmers and ranchers really see. The meal will cost just $1 with all of the proceeds being donated to Make-A-Wish South Dakota.

After the luncheon, the Farm Bill Rally will be held on the Freedom Stage at 1 p.m. A coalition of farm and ranch groups along with businesses and food organizations have come together to pass a farm bill before the current extension of the 2008 farm bill expires on Sept. 30 of this year.

Some great prizes are up for grabs during this year’s Farmers Union Day. Anyone wearing Farmers Union apparel (hat, T-shirt, anything with Farmers Union on it) will be eligible to sign up to win a new iPad. Children who bring their junior membership cards are eligible to sign up to win a Kindle Fire.

We’ll see you on Saturday, August 31, for Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair!

The Rural Lobbyist Get South Dakota Farmers Union’s legislative update sent right to your inbox each week during the session and bi-weekly throughout the year. Stay informed, get insight into bills that matter to you and your operation, and be an informed voter.

Go online now and sign up.

Look for the “Sign up to receive updates” box.

It’s easy, and best of all it’s FREE!

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Watershed Advisory Task Force takes public testimony In the 2012 legislative session, lawmakers approved a plan to create a Regional Watershed Advisory Task Force to look into the state’s water management laws, research solutions, and possibly propose legislation to deal with issues across the state.

At the beginning of July, the members of the task force, made up of legislators and citizens with a knowledge of water issues, took public testimony from a number of agriculture and natural resources groups and the general public.

South Dakota Farmers Union Legislative Director Mike Traxinger testified on behalf of the organization and laid out SDFU’s priorities for water management law changes or updates.

Traxinger released the findings of a non-scientific survey that was conducted over a few weeks prior to the task force’s meeting that SDFU held in several counties in the state. Landowners and producers who attended the meetings filled out the survey and shared their thoughts about the future of water management laws in the state.

There were over 90 people who attended the meetings and shared their ideas about how to fix problems of water management.

“I think the results of the survey show that there are landowners out there who have some great ideas on how to better manage water in South Dakota,” Traxinger said. “It gave us a snapshot of what people who live on the land and deal with water issues every day think about the issue and some of their ideas will be helpful in shaping the future of our water laws.”

You can read more about the results of the survey in Traxinger’s article on page 6 of this issue.

During the task force meeting, maps of the major watersheds and water development districts in South Dakota were handed out before public testimony began.

Matt McCaulley, representing the South Dakota Corn Growers Association, discussed five core principles that the majority of agriculture groups in the state support in concept.

They included mandatory mediation of disputes

SDFU Legislative Director Mike Traxinger (right) testifies before the Regional Watershed Advisory Committee July 1 at Aberdeen.

which would encourage communication between neighbors and lessen the amount of legal fees that would be incurred if a lawsuit was filed. Another key component of a solution, according to McCaulley, was standardized notice for new drainage projects. Not necessarily a permit, but a notice that would encourage communication and engineering would not be a condition of this notice.

Creating a catalogue of infrastructure improvements was also explained by McCaulley. It would identify existing water drainage systems and possible problem areas and would create a statewide database of the improvements.

Research funding was another key component, although Farmers Union took a neutral stance on this point. It would involve doing research on the water management practices that would work best in

the state.

The fifth and final point was the creation of watershed districts to divide the state into boundaries that aren’t arbitrary like counties. It would follow the flow of water in a watershed rather than a political boundary. They would be based on hydrology and drainage basins.

During Traxinger’s testimony, he pointed out that Farmers Union supported four of the five key points in McCaulley’s testimony, and that a state framework is needed while maintaining some form of local control.

The task force also took a tour of areas that have dealt with too much water over the past few years in Brown and Marshall counties.

You can read more about the tour on page 6.

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Union Farmer Legislative News

By Mike Traxinger Legislative Director

On Monday, July 1, the Regional Watershed Advisory Task Force met in Aberdeen, in what was its second meeting of the year. This is a three-year task force, in its second year, that is charged with considering potential alternative organizational structures and entities appropriate to matters related to drainage, erosion, flood control, reclamation, environmental protection, and improvement of lands, soils, waters.

At the meeting, agricultural groups proposed five basic ideas for potential legislation. These included mandatory mediation of disputes, standardized disclosure of new projects, identifying water management assets, funding best practices research, and creating water management districts. SDFU was fortunate to be one of the agricultural organizations that presented at the task force meeting.

In preparation for the meeting, SDFU worked with its county presidents to host six county meetings focused on discussing these issues.

Meetings were held in Brown, Clark, Day, Kingsbury, Marshall, and Roberts counties to discuss the water management challenges that farmers and ranchers face. Over 90 individuals attended these meetings and shared their thoughts and opinions on the issues. At the end of each meeting, we handed out a survey, the results of which were used in the presentation SDFU gave at the task force meeting.

Based on the results of the survey, 81 percent of the respondents favored mandatory mediation, 81 percent supported a standardized disclosure form, 79 percent supported mapping of infrastructure, and 82 percent supported the concept of water management districts with boundaries defined in state statute. Based on the survey results and later discussion, SDFU supported four of the five concepts presented by the agricultural groups. At the time, SDFU believed that additional needs must be assessed prior to supporting additional funding for research. SDFU took a neutral position on funding.

The task force is again expected to meet in September when it will learn about the types of water management systems that other states utilize. SDFU will continue to reach out to you for input, ideas and support as the task force works to draft potential legislation for the 2014 legislative session.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us and thank you to all of those who have contributed and who continue to share their voice.

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Watershed Task Force tours flood prone areas of Brown, Marshall counties Members of the Regional Watershed Advisory Task Force took a tour of several areas in Marshall and Brown counties July 2 as part of the task force’s meeting in the Aberdeen area. The task force is looking into the watte’s water management laws and looking for solutions to water problems in the state that have been at issue for many years.

Task force members and others tour a gate area at Putney Slough where hundreds of Roger Schuller discussed a lot of the history thousands of acres of land drain. of water management in the area over many decades. He said landowners fought the state on several issues. After flooding in the 1990s, Schuller said many landowners gave up the fight, realizing that the water was more than likely here to stay, and put much of their land into federal programs like CRP. Schuller, speaking in front of a water management gate built decades ago near Putney Slough, said as much as 500,000 acres of land drains to this one point. With such flat ground, it’s difficult to get water out of this area. Schuller said he would prefer Area landowner Roger Schuller talks to the task force members about the history of water management in to keep local control in most respects to deal with Brown and Marshall counties over the years and some of water drainage problems because those who live in the struggles landowners in the area have faced. the area know the lay of the land much better than anyone else.

This gate, built decades ago, is located at the end of Putney Slough in Brown County. The gate controls water that is emptied into the James River.

This walk in area, usually reserved for public pheasant hunting, is completely under water in Marshall County.

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This is just one of many roads that has been built up in Marshall County over the past few years that is closed because of water encroachment.

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By NFU President Roger Johnson

2013 Farm Bill

On July 11, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to remove all nutrition programs from its version of the 2013 Farm Bill and pass all remaining sections of the bill, as amended during House floor consideration in June. The legislation passed, 216-208, on a purely party-line basis, with all Democrats and 12 Republicans voting against it. NFU opposed the bill.

The legislation also repealed the farm bill’s existing permanent law provision and replaced it with a provision making the 2013 Farm Bill the new permanent law. In essence, this action would eliminate much of the incentive for farm bill reauthorization since there would be no consequences for failing to pass a new farm bill or extend existing legislation. For example, last September, there was little political will on the part of House Republicans to extend or reauthorize the 2008 Farm Bill until leadership realized that milk prices would increase dramatically, to $38/cwt, once the existing bill expired and permanent law enacted in 1938 and 1949 kicked in.

Splitting the nutrition and farm portions of the farm bill also erodes two legs of the historic “threelegged stool” of farm bill support from the agriculture, nutrition and conservation communities. NFU is certainly concerned that, in the future, Congress could be hard-pressed to muster the will to pass farm and rural programs and nutrition programs separately. This concern is shared with the 531 other organizations that signed an NFU-led coalition letter urging the House to move a unified farm bill forward.

The next steps are unclear. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas would like the bill to move to a conference committee with conferees from the House and Senate to work out the differences between the two bills, but clearly the lack of a nutrition title in the House bill presents a challenge.

In the coming months, NFU will be pushing Congress to begin the formal conference process on the 2013 Farm Bill. NFU will be working hard to find a favorable compromise on the following outstanding issues important to family farmers and ranchers: The existing 1938 and 1949 permanent law provision maintains a mechanism that ensures Congress

www.sdfu.org

checks back periodically to see that agriculture and food systems are operating as they ought. Rejecting the House’s changes to permanent law and maintaining the existing provision provides a critical incentive for Congress to be engaged in agricultural policy.

For more information about the farm bill, please visit our new page: www.NFU.org/farmbill.

Farmers Union Members Volunteer in Africa

Two Farmers Union representatives traveled to Africa in June to participate in the National Cooperative Business Association’s (NCBA) “Farmer-toFarmer” (FTF) program.

Ellen Linderman, a North Dakota Farmers Union board member, and Brittany Jablonsky, NFU’s director of advocacy communications and NCBA board member, spent two weeks in Zambia working with the region’s Chipata District Farmers Association (CDFA) and the Community-Oriented Development Programme (CODEP) to visit with local farmers and aid in developing marketing initiatives.

CDFA is a non-governmental farmers association with more than 2000 registered farmers. CDFA offers training to farmers in agriculture related subjects such as poultry, crop husbandry and agribusiness. It also focuses on poverty reduction and land access for disadvantaged members of the community. CDFA offers seasonal agricultural inputs on credit in partnership with Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) and Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO). CODEP is a non-governmental organization that works to promote food security, improved sanitation and access to clean water, education and primary health care in the Chipata region.

The FTF program offers American farmers and agribusiness professionals the opportunity to assist farmers in developing African nations by providing training and education on several subjects, including cooperative development, soil fertility, integrated pest management and agricultural marketing.

All-States Leadership Camp Concludes Young adults from across the country spent a week in Bailey, Colo., on June 24 to 29, at NFU AllStates Leadership Camp.

Nearly 60 campers ages 17-20 that have distinguished themselves as leaders were given the opportunity to attend NFU’s 77th camp. This year’s theme was “Building Ourselves, Building Our Lives.” As part of that theme, campers wrote letters of appreciation to firefighters who have been working tire-

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lessly to contain several wildfires in the Colorado mountains.

Campers heard from Andrew Jacobs of CoBank; Josh Blue, a U.S. Paralympic Soccer Team member; Rulon Gardner, an Olympic gold and bronze medalist in Greco-Roman Wrestling; William Nelson of the CHS Foundation, and NFU leaders, including President Johnson and Vice President Claudia Svarstad.

Campers elected six of their peers to the National Youth Advisory Council, which helps plan the camp for the following year. Elected to the council were Amanda Bitz, Dickey, N.D.; Forrest Carlson, Glenburn, N.D.; Violet Green, Highwood, Mont.; Adam Long, Berlin, N.D.; Meghan Osterbauer, Benson, Minn.; and Caleb Schmitz of New London, Minn.

Please visit www.NFUAllStates.org for more information.

Fly-In

NFU’s Fall Legislative Fly-In is rapidly approaching. The annual event will be held in Washington, D.C., Sept. 8-11, 2013. Fly-ins serve as the best way for our members to have their voices heard on Capitol Hill. With the path to a farm bill this year in limbo, it will be important for Farmers Union members to meet with their members of Congress to ensure the voices of family farmers are heard.

For more information about attending, please contact your state Farmers Union office. The deadline to register is Aug. 9. More information can also be found at www.NFU.org/events/fly-ins.

Staff Changes

Daniel McEvily, NFU’s communication coordinator, departed NFU on Tuesday, July 16, to take a job in print publishing. NFU wishes him luck in his future endeavors, and truly appreciates his year of service.

For all communication inquiries, please e-mail Melisa Augusto at maugusto@nfudc.org.

Become an NFU FFAN

Earlier this year, NFU unveiled its Family Farmer Advocacy Network (FFAN). FFAN is a group of grassroots advocates who will lead Farmers Union members in grassroots activities across the country.

We’d love to have you become a FFAN. To join our network and become a FFAN, please visit www.

NFU.org/FFAN. NFU staff will contact FFAN members occasionally with requests to contact lawmakers about specific legislative proposals.

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SDFU testifies at PUC hearing COOL LAWSUIT South Dakota Farmers Union testified at a hearing on Tuesday, July 30, held by the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission to adopt new grain buyer and grain warehouse rules.

“South Dakota Farmers Union supports flexibility for our producers in allowing them to make voluntary credit sale contracts over the phone, especially in the midst of harvest,” said Mike Traxinger, South Dakota Farmers Union’s Legislative Director.

“We appreciate the work of the PUC to adopt these rules and the changes they have made in response to Anderson Seed’s insolvency.”

The PUC has proposed rules to enforce legislation that passed during the 2013 legislative session. The PUC has also proposed an addition to the voluntary credit sale contract rule to allow a contract that is not signed by both parties to be enforceable if a writing that validates that contract is mailed to the producer and the producer does not object in 48 hours.

“The only recommended change South Dakota Farmers Union is calling for is to change the

time frame from 48 hours to five days,” Traxinger continued. “We understand the balance that needs to be struck with markets constantly changing, however, the South Dakota Farmers Union Board made the determination that five days, one business week, was a reasonable amount of time to allow a producer to respond if there is an error, discrepancy, or a miscommunication in the writing mailed to a producer to indicate that they have a contract with a grain buyer.”

In Nebraska, its respective law gives the producer 10 days to object.

The PUC is taking comments on the rule until August 9. Producers can mail their comments to the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, State Capitol, 500 East Capitol, Pierre, South Dakota 57501-5070.

South Dakota Farmers Union strongly encourages producers to contact the PUC with their comments. The proposed rules can be found at http:// puc.sd.gov/Dockets/Rulemaking/2013/rm13-001. aspx.

SDSU student receives grad school scholarship Emily Helms of Creighton, S.D., has been selected to receive a $2,500 agricultural graduate school scholarship from the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation.

Helms is currently a graduate student in South Dakota State University’s Natural Resources Management Department. She’s expected to graduate with a master’s degree in biological sciences in December 2014 and plans to stay in South Dakota and work in either the range management or soil conservation field.

Helms earned undergraduate degrees in agronomy and range science and a double minor in soil science and animal science from SDSU. She has spent the last year working as an intern for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Milbank and Brookings. She grew up on a family farm in western South Dakota near Creighton where her family raises commercial beef cattle and wheat.

The Agricultural Graduate School Scholarship Program was created in 2013 by the South Dakota

Farmers Union Foundation to offer one $2,500 scholarship annually to a graduate student pursuing an advanced degree in an agricultural field.

The recipient is chosen based on several criteria including academic achievement, Emily Helms community involvement, and the applicant’s commitment to improving South Dakota agriculture.

Continued from Page 1

zation and its board of directors believe the USDA’s rule is extremely important for consumers.

“We strongly support USDA’s final rule because it addresses the issues previously brought forth to the World Trade Organization and preserves the consumer’s right to know where their food comes from.”

In June 2012, the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO) affirmed an earlier WTO Panel decision finding that the United States’ COOL requirements for certain meat commodities discriminated against Canadian and Mexican livestock imports.

The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) is leading the effort to intervene in the lawsuit filed by the meat packer-producer groups. The USCA’s legal counsel is drafting initial court filings and the group has begun fundraising to cover legal costs.

“NFU is joining with the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association in efforts to defend COOL. We are thankful for USCA getting the process started. We have fought long and hard for the implementation of COOL, and will continue to do so for as long as it takes,” Johnson said. “The packer-producer organizations that have filed the suit against the USDA are continuing to refuse consumers’ right and desire to know where their food comes from.”

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Finding common conservation goals in the Bayou South Dakotans travel to Louisiana for ‘Barnyar to Boatyard’ Conservation Exchange

A group of South Dakota farmers recently returned from a trip to Louisiana after they participated in the first Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) ‘Barnyard to Boatyard’ consertaion exchange aimed at finding solutions to conserve America’s native prairies and coastal waters.

The South Dakotans attending the conservation exchange were former South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Walt Bones of Parker, Joey Hanson, an agronomist and family farmer from Elk Point, Sen. Shantel Krebs, a state senator from Renner who chairs the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Dawn and Patrick Scheier, owners of Scheier Farms near Salem, Ryan and Kerri Wagner who farm near Roslyn, and SDFU Legislative Director Mike Traxinger, who farms and ranches with his parents near Claremont.

The South Dakota farmers and ranchers spent a few days with Louisiana Gulf fishermen in an effort to gain a better understanding of issues affecting them at the end of the Mississippi River.

“I really appreciated the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Exchange exposing me to individuals and businesses involved in the fishing industry,” Pictured left to right, front row: Patrick Scheier, Dawn Scheier, Joey Hanson, Samantha Rae Dunklau, Ryan Wagner, said Sen. Shantel Krebs. “I was able to hear their Kerri Wagner. Back row: Senator Shantel Krebs, Secretary Walt Bones concerns firsthand, while, at the same time, open the dialogue to share how our agricultural practices have changed over the years. This exchange is how miles of coastal land that is “subsiding” or shrinking and sediment on the ecosystem, but most imporinformation and needs are met through reasonable and will eventually be under water from the Gulf of tantly we made new friends.” thought processes.”

Mexico. Thank you to the Farmer’s Union for makThe participants’ experiences were meant to During the three-day trip, ing this possible.” give them a better understanding about how South the South Dakotans traveled The three-day educational Dakota farmers can have an impact on ecosystems to Cocodrie, La., to learn program July 11-14 at the thousands of miles away and to find ways they can about the trials and triumphs Louisiana Universities Mawork together to protect the environment while of managing businesses rine Consortium in Cocodrie enhancing sustainability. reliant on healthy Louisiana focused on economic topics “This trip helped to further our understanding Delta and Gulf of Mexico including an overview of about some of the challenges their fishing indusecosystems. They even got the fishing guide industry, try faces,” said Ryan Wagner. “It was also a good to take a fishing trip along shrimp fishing, oyster opera- reminder that what we do upstream can affect others Louisiana’s Cajun bayous. tions, gulf-based energy, and and that we need to continue to do our part to help “The best way to separate the ocean freight and shippreserve and protect this valuable resource.” perception and reality is to ping businesses. ConservaJoey Hanson said he gained insight into not only personally see and undertion topics they covered the environmental concerns fishermen in the Gulf stand the issue,” said former focused on cover hypoxia or region deal with, but the political challenges they Agriculture Secretary Walt the “Dead Zone,” diversions face. He said there are a lot of similarities between Bones. “The trip to Louisiand marsh building, saline Midwest farmers and fishermen on the southern ana with the Theodore Roowater, economic and develcoast. sevelt Conservation Partneropment impacts and munici“Both end products find a variety of consumers ship was just that. We heard pal water concerns. throughout the world and it takes sincere dedicafirst hand from the research“In Louisiana, we flew tion from the producer to deliver such a high quality ers at LUMCON and then over the Gulf to get a bird’s product,” he said. “I also got a better understanding from the tourism and fishing eye view of the Mississippi of the effects from runoff of multiple forms that are industries. My takeaway River entering the Gulf of changing the dynamics of how and where they fish. was that we still need to be Mexico, and we fished those It was amazing to see how their landscape, and not diligent stewards of our land, The most exciting catch of the day was courtesy of waters both from shore and in a good way, has changed over the last 100 years water and the crop nutrients Samantha Rae Dunklau who caught this red fish from boats in the delta,” said and what they project will happen in the next 50 that we apply. But, the para- weighing more than 20 pounds off the Louisiana Tim Kizer, private lands years. The interaction between both groups was fodox is that we were told that coast. field coordinator for the cused on how we can work together to help sustain without our silt and nutrients TRCP and trip organizer. both forms of life.” to regenerate the marshes and bayou ecosystems, “We heard from the professors at Louisiana UniverSee EXCHANGE Page 17 Louisiana continues to annually lose 25 square sities Marine Consortium about the impact of runoff

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Insuring a Brighter Tomorrow Scholarship recipients announced

For the sixth straight year, the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation, in cooperation with Farmers Union Insurance, are giving out thousands of dollars in scholarships through the “Insuring a Brighter Tomorrow” scholarship program. Twentysix high school seniors from across South Dakota will share $26,000 in scholarships to be used to further their education at a South Dakota post-secondary school.

Over the past six years, the Foundation has awarded over $150,000 in scholarships to students attending South Dakota post-secondary schools. Each of the 26 scholarship recipients will receive $1,000 to put toward their post-secondary

education at a South Dakota college, university or technical school.

The recipients were chosen from among a large pool of applicants. They were scored based on a combination of academic record, activities and awards, financial need, and an essay relating to how they will, “Insure a Brighter Tomorrow,” in South Dakota.

Farmers Union Insurance agents throughout the state fund this scholarship program administered by the Farmers Union Foundation.

“Every year it gets more difficult to choose from the great students who apply,” said Wayne Bartscher, Regional Manager of Farmers Union

Allison Dockter

Philip Philip High School

Wilmot Wilmot High School

Thorn Dramstad Huron Huron High School

Pierre Pierre T.F. Riggs HS

Alyssa Jung

Thad Krause

Chelsey Lehrke

Aria Meyer

Tate DeJong

Hadly Eisenbeisz

Insurance Agency. “It’s a way that our insurance agents can give back and invest in the future leaders of our state. Based on this year’s recipients, I’m confident that the future of South Dakota is bright.”

Anna Chicoine

Benjamin Connot

Rebecca Froehlich

Shayna Frost

Elk Point Elk Point-Jefferson HS

Madison Madison High School

Ashton Redfield High School

Abigail Mitchell

Abby Ottenbacher

Warner Warner High School

Clear Lake Deuel High School

Sisseton Sisseton High School

Britton Britton-Hecla HS

Yankton Yankton High School

Emily Pederson

Brian Peterson

Cole Potter

Aberdeen Aberdeen Central HS

Warner Warner High School

Winfred Howard High School

Andrew Puetz

Clear Lake Deuel High School

Elizabeth Renner

Brooke Schwasinger

Kaylee Sehr

Gavin Snook

Whitney Specht

Kaylee Vander Wal

Vermillion Vermillion High School

Canton Canton High School

Midland Philip High School

Yankton Yankton High School

Winner Winner High School

Crooks West Central HS

Volga Sioux Valley HS

Eureka Eureka High School

Dustin Santjer

Aberdeen Aberdeen Central HS

Megan Wieczorek

Mt. Vernon Mt. Vernon High School

Union Farmer Old SDFU state office building comes down Building stood on the corner of 14th and Dakota Ave. in Huron since 1951 In 1951, South Dakota Farmers Union moved into its state office building on the corner of 14th Street and Dakota Avenue in Huron. Over six decades later, the old building was torn down to make way for a parking lot to service the new state office building that was constructed right next door to the old space.

Farmers Union staff moved into the new building in June, and the process of cleaning out all that remained in the old state office building went on for a couple of weeks until the construction company hired to take down the building began the preparations for demolition.

Olson Construction of Huron was contracted by the lead contractor, Sioux Falls Construction, to demolish the old building. The process started slowly, and spanned over several days as crews were carefully tearing down the old brick structure that stood just a few feet away from the brand new building.

“It was a bittersweet day to say the least,” said SDFU President Doug Sombke. “That building housed great Farmers Union leaders and helped build a stronger agriculture industry in this state for many years. At the same time, it’s exciting to look at the new building and think about all of the work that will be done to make South Dakota and this organization even stronger in the years to come. I see the future when I look at the new building, and it looks fresh and bright.”

It’s unclear when the entire building will be completely demolished and all of the filling work will be done. Once the entire demolition project is completed, work will begin to construct a concrete parking lot on what was once the state office building.

Watch a video of a portion of the demolition process on SDFU’s Facebook page. Just search “South Dakota Farmers Union.”

Crews tear down the front of the building which was the SDFU board room and auditorium.

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Grain transaction laws differ in Midwest states

SDFU hosts meeting at Chamberlain to compare S.D. and Iowa’s laws on grain buying and warehousing During the 2013 legislative session, South Dako- in 1989. Grain buyers ta lawmakers passed a bill to update and strengthen who apply for a license the state’s laws on grain transactions in response to still have to pay a fee to the financial collapse of Anderson Seed Company in the indemnity fund as part February 2012 that cost producers an estimated $2.6 of the application promillion. But did the law go far enough to protect cess. The fund also grows agricultural producers? What are other states doing from interest earned to protect farmers? on its investments. The Those were just two of the questions raised durmoney is there as a sort of ing a meeting at Chamberlain Wednesday, July 17, insurance policy to cover which featured the vice chairman of South Dakota’s farmers who weren’t paid Public Utilities Commission Chris Nelson and grain on cash grain sales. Unlicensing regulators from South Dakota and Iowa. like North Dakota, Iowa’s The meeting was sponsored by South Dakota Farm- indemnity fund doesn’t ers Union. cover losses on credit sale “The goal here is to connect farmers and those in contracts, only cash sales. the grain buying industry with our Public Utilities Wahl said it’s important to Commission and its regulators while giving them have a safety net for farm- South Dakota Public Utilities Commission vice chairman Chris Nelson discusses recent changes in South Dakota law aimed at better protecting producers. all a perspective from other states as to how they ers because grain buyer handle grain transactions,” said Mike Traxinger, failures have a ripple efout to us that we at the PUC were lacking in some SDFU’s legislative director. “We want to create a fect across a community. of the tools we needed to find problems with grain dialogue that helps producers understand all of the “We’re trying to avoid negative impacts on the issues while we put together ideas on how to make entire community. Not only the farmers themselves, buyers,” Nelson said. “There are times when grain buyers are going to go broke. That’s part of the free sure grain farmers in South Dakota have the protec- but input suppliers, landlords and local banks,” he enterprise system, it happens. Our job is not to nection they need.” said.

There are several differences in grain transacOver the life of the indemnity fund in Iowa, over essarily stop that from happening, but what I believe is that we need the tools available to make sure that tion laws among states in the region. Both Iowa $14 million in recovery payments have been made if a grain buyer is having that kind of problem that and North Dakota have an indemnity fund that was to farmers. They’re covered up to 90 percent of we find out soon enough so that farmers don’t lose set up to pay farmers back if they deliver grain to losses with a cap of $300,000 if a grain buyer goes when that business goes out of business.” a buyer or warehouse that goes out of business and under.

The bill was passed by a large majority of legleaves the farmers unpaid. South Dakota and MinSouth Dakota Farmers Union hosted a similar islators, and includes provisions that Nelson said nesota do not have an indemnity fund. meeting last month in Redfield, the community should prevent another situation like Anderson Richard Wahl, grain bureau chief for the Iowa where Anderson Seed Company’s facility stood Seed. But some farmers in the room said South Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, when it went insolvent. North Dakota’s Public SerDakota’s current laws don’t go far enough to make discussed what his state does to protect producers if vice Commission’s licensing division director Sue sure they’re protected if a company they sell grain a grain buyer goes out of business.

Richter during that meeting discussed her state’s to goes under. They want to become the first secure “We try to make sure the companies are fairly laws dealing with grain transactions. North Dakota creditor that would get a bond payment first if a sound and credit worthy,” Wahl said as he explained is similar in that it has an indemnity fund, but it company goes broke because they produced the the application process and covers credit sale losses, not grain. financial disclosure grain buycash losses. Iowa’s is the exact Sen. Larry Lucas, a Democrat from Mission, ers have to submit when they opposite, only covering cash attended the meeting and called on everyone in the seek a grain buyer’s license. “If sales and not credit sales. room to find some common ground on grain transthe company fails, we have an Wahl said Iowa has had five action policy and called on farmers and those in indemnity fund to pick up the grain company insolvencies in the industry to come up with possible solutions that pieces.” the past ten years. In that same could turn into a bill brought to the Legislature next Iowa’s Legislature set up the time period, North Dakota has year. indemnity fund in 1986, in the had about 12 insolvencies, and “Don’t surprise us in January” when the Legismidst of the farm crisis, to make South Dakota has had two. lature begins the session next year, Lucas said. “If sure farmers weren’t losing all Chris Nelson, the South their money if a grain buyer Dakota Public Utilities Commis- there’s some common interest here I’m willing to went out of business. When the sion vice chairman, said that fact work on those, and we can take legislation to the Legislative Research Council and have it drafted.” fund was first created, it asshows the state’s grain transacSouth Dakota Farmers Union plans to continue to sessed .014 of a cent per bushel tion laws aren’t broken. They gather ideas from farmers in the state while looking on grain transactions, .014 of needed an upgrade, he said, and Richard Wahl, Iowa Department of to other states to find possible solutions. a cent per bushel of storage that came in the form of House Agriculture and Land Stewardship grain “We’re focused on making sure farmers are capacity for grain warehouses, bureau chief, discusses his state’s protec- Bill 1017 in last year’s legisprotected,” Traxinger said. “And we realize that any and producers were assessed .25 tions for agricultural producers. lative session. It was a direct laws South Dakota passes need to be well thought of a cent on grain that they sold. response to the Anderson Seed out and involve all the parties affected.”

Once the fund grew to a cap of $6 million, assessinsolvency. ments on grain transactions stopped. That happened “Obviously the Anderson Seed situation pointed

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SDFU hires new staff members South Dakota Farmers Union added two new staff members in July. Kelsey Schnetzer of Wolsey will serve as the organization’s membership director, and Erin Wilcox joined the staff as the rural development director.

“I’m thrilled to have Kelsey and Erin on staff,” Sombke said. “They both bring a wealth of knowledge about the agriculture industry to their roles and we’re excited for what they’ll be able to accomplish on behalf of the organization and its members.”

Schnetzer grew up on her family’s farm south of Doland where they raised registered Hampshire and Oxford sheep and beef cattle, corn, soybeans and wheat. She was heavily involved Kelsey Schnetzer in 4-H and FFA in her youth. Kesley and her husband, Joseph, live on the family farm north of Wolsey where they raise Red Angus cattle, corn and soybeans. She’s a graduate of Huron High School and graduated from Northern State University in Aberdeen with a degree in Biology.

“Farmers Union has always stood up for family farmers and I’m honored to be a part of the organization’s long history,” Schnetzer said. “I’m excited to settle into this new role and help grow the organi-

zation and serve our members each and every day.”

Erin Wilcox grew up in northeast Nebraska and attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln where she earned bachelor’s degrees in human nutrition and animal science. She also obtained a master’s degree in animal science, specializing in ruminant nutrition studying the effects of field pea inclusion rates in growing/finishing rations in beef cattle.

After college she worked in the ethanol industry specializing in managing labs, fermentation control, product quality and distiller grain quality.

Erin and her husband, Darren, recently relocated to Huron from Iowa this past May when her husband accepted a position with South Dakota Erin Wilcox Wheat Growers as a grain marketing specialist.

“It’s an incredible honor to work for an organization that helps preserve our rural way of life,” Wilcox said. “I love the outdoors and I’m passionate about the future of the agriculture industry. I couldn’t be more excited about being a part of an organization that makes such a large impact on the industry and our rural communities.”

Breaking the gridlock and securing our economic future Recently, President Obama laid out a vision call home, a secure path to retirement and affordfor America’s economic future. Since day one, the able health care with decent benefits.

Obama Administration has been focused on our naThose opportunities are just as important for tion’s economic recovery, and over folks who call rural America home. At recent years we’ve seen positive USDA, we have laid out a vision to signs of growth. rebuild the rural economy and create a Businesses have created more strong middle class in rural America. In than 7 million new jobs over the past recent years we’ve expanded markets 40 months. The housing market is for agriculture and rural business, coming back. Led by the tremendous while laying the groundwork for new productivity of America’s farmers growth in the coming generation. and ranchers, our nation’s exports are With Washington suffering from too growing. much gridlock today, President Obama But we also know that much pledged that he’ll do everything within remains to be done, and there’s no his executive power to keep making excuse for letting up. The President Secretary Tom Vilsack progress. At USDA we’ll continue is squarely focused on building a our own efforts, building on the record strong middle class. He is committed to ensuring results we’ve achieved in recent years. that every American has the opportunity to secure a Meanwhile we will continue to work with good job, a quality education, a dependable place to Congress to break the gridlock and accomplish

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big things. For rural America, Congress must act as soon as possible to pass a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill, which is crucial for USDA’s efforts to grow the rural economy and provide new income in rural communities.

Additionally, by fixing America’s broken immigration system, Congress can strengthen American agriculture, grow the rural economy, and create a common-sense system that works for farmers and farm workers alike.

Over the coming months, President Obama will continue to discuss his vision for a strong middle class. He’ll outline steps that can be taken by the administration, by Congress and by other partners to help grow the economy. Folks in our small towns and rural communities can help lead the way on that effort, and USDA will stand with rural America every step of the way.

Content provided by USDA Communications

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CBH Co-op opens travel center at Belle Fourche

New north side facility boasts a Subway, Champs Chicken and the city’s only ethanol blender pumps If you’re ever in Belle Fourche, there’s one spot The travel you don’t want to miss. CBH Cooperative recently center is the first finished building a state-of-the-art travel center on retailer in Belle the north side of the city, and it can only be deFourche to offer scribed as impressive. higher blends “CBH Cooperative wanted to design and build a of ethanol. The state of the art retail travel center that could serpumps offer E10, vice several industries: agriculture, over-the-road E15, E30 and industry, tourism, local and regional business and E85 along with recreational business,” said Jeff Dragseth, general premium gasoline manager of CBH. “The facility was designed to be and diesel. ‘high end’ with long-lasting features.”

“It is our first The travel center has steel asphalt-coated shinstation offering gles, rock from the Black Hills, granite counter tops, three blends of cedar timbers from Minnesota and a vaulted pine ethanol,” Dragsceiling. It also has showers for truck drivers and a eth said, but it’s ‘truckers cove’ for them to sit down and relax before not the first CBH they get back on the road. location to offer The travel center boasts a number of other higher ethanol services for customers including a Subway and the blends. “The very popular Champs Chicken.

CBH Cooperative recently opened a high end travel center on the north side of Belle Fourche.

Sturgis CStore “I worked with Westmor Industries to design and has been regional layout an 8,300 square foot facility that allowed sep- leader by having aration for the drivers, while maintaining a family an E85 pump for many years.” type of atmosphere Dragseth said the that included the truck traffic that is Subway and Champs feeding the Bakken Chicken programs,” Oil Fields in North Dragseth said. “The Dakota continues to food programs have steadily grow and the been tremendously cooperative’s existsuccessful from the ing diesel facilities onset.” simply couldn’t comWhen the properpete for the potential ty became available, capture rate. the CBH Coopera“Hwy 85 is a tive board of direcmajor road going tors couldn’t pass it into and back from up. the North Dakota oil “The board fields, and the overjumped on it,” said the-road truckers The vaulted pine beamed ceiling is striking as you walk in the door.

Tammy Basel, a have the opportunity member of the board to take a shower and and a Union Center rancher. “Evrelax for a while after filling their erything just felt right. The profortrucks,” Basel said. mas and financial analysis showed But it’s not just the truckers who that on paper it would work. Just stop and fuel up at the travel center. standing on the open lot looking “We service the farming and at the trucks roll by told us our gut ranching traffic coming from the was right and that there was a need west, as well as families pulling for a travel center. We look for camping trailers coming to the beauopportunities to fill a need while There is a full truck scale currently under contiful Black Hills for vacation,” Basel returning profits to our memberstruction at the site. Dragseth said it’s a much-needsaid. owners.” ed community asset in Belle Fourche for ranchers The operation is managed by The CBH Travel Center operthat need a certified scale to sell cattle, calves and Christina Scholz. ates 24 hours a day, seven days a hay or for truckers.

“Christina and her staff have week to service its customers.

CBH also has locations in Union Center, Sturdone a wonderful job of opening “The staff has been tremendous gis, Rapid City and Hot Springs. Their trade area and running a business that CBH The travel center has Belle with positive attitudes and pride in Fourche’s first ethanol blender services Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska and North Cooperative is tremendously proud pump. the new facility,” Dragseth said.

Dakota. of,” Dragseth said.

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Water rights topic of Winner meeting REAL Participants South Dakota Farmers Union hosted a water rights informational meeting in Winner on Thursday night, July 18. Mark Rath, an engineer with the surface water office of the water rights department in the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources was the featured speaker.

Rath gave a brief history of water rights on both a national and state level. He noted that South Dakota is unique because in our water laws, domestic use takes precedence over other uses.

A crowd of over 25 people attended the water rights meeting at Winner July 18.

Domestic use entails the average household, livestock receive one due to the restrictions. watering, gardening, watering trees, municipal use Rath agreed with them, however, he did say (school and public recreation). Domestic water use that he talked with an official in the water rights may not exceed 25,920 gallons per day or else it department in Nebraska, and they assured him that will be subject to other regulations and be considthey were being very cautious with the approval of ered a different use. permits so as to not overuse the river.

He then went on to explain the process that the Questions were raised on what Pierre was doDENR uses to monitor water levels throughout the ing to help producers and if there was a compact in state. The state has a vast system of water wells and place with the state of Nebraska. Rath explained gauging stations to alert officials when there needs the process to approve a compact between states is to be a shut off order issued. very tedious, and that SD has only The engineer also remarked one compact for water use. He how the number of applications also mentioned how water fights for irrigation permits has dramatican be a long and grueling procally increased over the past year. cess, with millions spent in court “Even though we issued 172 fees and a decision that takes (permits) most of these came in at years to get to. However, he did the tail end of 2012. We handled explain the protocol if someone those going into 2013. This is the wants a rule change that would most permits we’ve gotten since be a simpler alternative to a legal 1976-1977—by far the largest battle. The protocol includes year for number of applications. making a complaint to the Water Primarily they’re irrigation and Management Board. The board is primarily in the southeast part of politically neutral and is appointthe state. But down in that area— ed by the governor in staggered even in a dry year—they don’t terms. have crop failure. Typically, “I was very pleased with the they’ll get something. This was turnout and Mark’s presentation just a shock to them, so it was like DENR engineer Mark Rath explained tonight. He was thoughtful and a run on the bank once the season water rights laws and policies during the meeting at Winner. well informed about the issues was over,” Rath said. and so were the attendees. It was Rath then went on to spell out a great discussion and many ideas were contributed, the differences in water rights law between South Dakota and Nebraska. He mentioned that irrigation which are essential to solving the problem of water rights,” said SDFU Legislative Director Mike Traxuse trumps domestic use in Nebraska. This has led to some tension between South Dakota residents and inger. Traxinger added, “I would also like to thank water rights officials in Nebraska. Farmers that live SDFU District IV President and Board Member Joel Keierleber for setting the meeting up and hosting near the Keya Paha River along the Tripp County, it.”

SD-NE border expressed their concerns about not If you would like to add to the discussion you being able to utilize the river for domestic and ircan reach Mike at mtraxinger@sdfu.org or (888) rigation uses due to the water restriction set in SD. Furthermore, they were dismayed that NE continues 734-8136 ext. 112. to approve irrigation permits, while they cannot

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Sought for 2013-14 South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) is currently seeking participants for the organization’s 20132014 Rural Economic And Leadership (REAL) Development Program.

The REAL Development Program is a comprehensive series designed and tailored for rural South Dakotans who currently serve or have a willingness to serve in a leadership role and those who want to improve their leadership abilities. Participants will receive challenging and supportive development training in personal motivation, leadership strategy, goal achievement, and community growth.

“It’s an incredible opportunity for anyone who has ever wondered if they have what it takes to be a leader in their community,” said SDFU Rural Development Director Erin Wilcox. “Our speakers and presenters give participants the tools and information they need to step out and lead. We’ve had several former participants run for public office or serve on a number of community boards and be more active in their hometowns. It’s a wonderful program that could change your life.”

Through innovative speakers and hands-on activities, participants will develop skills that can be directly applied to their own lives. The class meets three times during a 12 month period. The first session is scheduled for Sept. 27-28, 2013, at Cabela’s meeting room in Mitchell. Participants will stay at the Kelly Inn. Session two will be held January 20-21, 2014, at Pierre, and the third and final session will be held in a location and on a date specified by program participants. Lodging and meals are provided free with this course. A $50 fee is required to secure your spot.

Many other programs similar to REAL can cost well over $1,000 to attend, and they’re not tailored to the specific needs and issues that face people in rural South Dakota.

“We’ve geared our sessions toward building rural leaders in South Dakota,” said Wilcox. “It’s a handson experience that will help participants grow not only in their professional development but in their personal lives as well.”

If you’ve ever wanted to serve your community by becoming a member of a board of directors for an organization, this class will teach you the skills you need to succeed. REAL is also beneficial to people who want to network with other professionals. It’s a great way to meet new people and form relationships in a fun and relaxed setting.

For more information on registering for the 2013-2014 REAL Development Program contact Erin Wilcox at 605-352-6761 ext. 118 or ewilcox@ sdfu.org For more information visit www.sdfu.org

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GRANDSTAND LINEUP - August 28-September 2

Wednesday, August 28 & Thursday, August 29 Red Wilk Construction CBR Bull Bash - 8:00 p.m.

Tickets: $15 - adults, $12 - youth

Friday, August 30 Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives - 7 p.m.

Opening act

Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers - 8:30 p.m.

Tickets: $30 - reserved seating, $35 - standing

Saturday, August 31 Casey Donahew Band - 7 p.m.

Opening act

Eli Young Band - 8:00 p.m.

Tickets: $30 - reserved seating, $35 - standing

Sunday, September 1 Three Doors Down - 8:00 p.m.

Tickets: $30 - reserved seating, $35 - standing

Monday, September 2 Monster Trucks & Soccer Ball Demo Derby - 8:00 p.m.

Tickets: $15 - adults, $10 - youth

For more schedules and information visit

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www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

EXCHANGE: Fishermen coming north to visit S.D. this month Continued from Page 9

As the second part of the conservation exchange, Louisiana fishermen engaged in commercial fishing, tourism and recreational fishing from the Louisiana Delta region will travel to Sioux Falls this month to participate in an intensive, three-day briefing on the innovations and realities of grain and livestock farming and ranching, capped off by a trip to the Sioux Empire Fair.

In partnership with the South Dakota Farmers Union, two captains of Gulf Coast recreational fishing outfitters will participate in an intensive South Dakota agriculture session, witnessing the innovations and realities of grain, livestock and dairy operations, including a night at the rodeo.

“I look forward to being able to show them the passion that South Dakota producers have for agriculture just as they showed us how they how they have that same passion for aquaculture,” Joey Hanson said. “It was a great learning experience and I am excited about the opportunity to share my experiences with others.”

One of the stops on the South Dakota tour will be at Walt Bones’ farm near Parker.

“I am looking forward to returning the varvelous hospitality as our new friends from Louisiana will be visiting our farmers and stat to see firsthand our stewardship practices,” Bones said.

The South Dakota program, Aug. 8-11, will focus on grain and livestock production. Production topics will include best practices for row-crop production, federal and state conservation programs, drainage and nutrient management, federal crop insurance incentives, municipal water issues and economic impacts.

“The conservation exchange is about working together to solve problems, and the best way to do that is to walk a while in each others’ shoes. After three days in the Louisiana Delta, we look forward to our trip to the prairies of South Dakota, experiencing life in the breadbasket of the nation, and learning about the economics of agriculture firsthand,” Kizer said.

The South Dakota participants toured the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) to learn about environmental and economic impacts of conservation. They discussed the “Dead Zone” and the loss of sedimentary deposits from the Mississippi River which results in the continued loss of coastal wetlands.

The TRCP South Dakota exchange will begin Friday morning, Aug. 9, with a half-day session at South Dakota State University. There they will learn about best practices for row-crop production, federal and state conservation programs, drain tiling, nutrient management, federal crop insurance incentives, municipal water issues and economic impacts.

During the four-day South Dakota exchange, the group will tour an ethanol facility, grain and livestock operation and cooperative dairy and will see a precision ag demonstration. In addition, they will tour the Missouri River with conservationist John Cooper, former secretary of the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks.

The Gulf Coast fisherman Captain Andre Boudreaux pulls in a net full of fish off the shores of Louisiana. The fish will be used for bait to catch red fish and other species used on his daily fishing trips.

www.sdfu.org

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Beef Cook-Off Coming to S.D. Geyer Receives State Fair Saturday August 31 Volunteer of the Year Award If you have a recipe that demonstrates just how easy it is to cook with beef, using any fresh beef cut and fresh ingredients with prepackaged food products, it’s time to enter the 2013 South Dakota State Fair Beef Cook-Off. This year’s Cook-Off theme is Semi-Homemade Beef Recipes, and it’s a perfect fit for the busy home cook who loves to serve delicious and nutritious beef. “Everyone is pressed for time today,” explains event chairperson Shirley Thompson. “We want to inspire home cooks to share their best beef recipe paired with time-saving products.”

The SD State Fair Beef Cook-Off is an annual event that invites amateur cooks from across the state to show their beef-cooking skills and creativity in a fun competition during the State Fair.

“This year’s theme is a bit of a departure from past contests,” explains Thompson, “but we really want to target that group of home cooks that can create a great beef dish with little fuss and in a short amount of time.”

Recipes should include a maximum of 12 ingredients including beef, fruits or vegetables, grain and dairy products, and be prepared and cooked in 30 minutes or less. They may include pre-packaged food products such as any frozen vegetable or vegetable combination product, fresh produce convenience product, fresh deli product, any shelf

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stable dinner mix, salad dressing, marinade or salad dressing mix, prepared soup or soup mix, prepared sauce or sauce mix, packaged rice mix, baking mix product, or seasoning blend product.

Entries and recipes for the State Fair Beef CookOff are due August 9. The contest itself takes place August 31 on the state fair grounds in Huron during the South Dakota State Fair, where individuals selected to compete will prepare their beef recipe at the Women’s Building, allowing participants to interact with state fair attendees.

The contest is open to non-professional South Dakota residents in either of three divisions: beginner (10-13 years), youth (14-17 years) or adult (18 and older). First place winners in each division will take home a $500 cash prize. Runner-ups will receive $250 in cash.

Hosted by the South Dakota Cattle Women and funded by the South Dakota Beef Industry Council through the Beef Checkoff, the State Fair Beef Cook-Off is an excellent way, says Thompson, to educate consumers about beef’s versatility, convenience and nutritional value.

For more information and to submit a recipe online, go to www.sdcattlewomen.org, or you can find a link at www.sdbeef.org. Any additional questions about the contest can be directed to Thompson at 605-360-6546.

Union Farmer

South Dakota Farmers Union State Education Director Bonnie Geyer of Huron has been named the 2012 South Dakota Credit Union Volunteer of the Year by the Credit Union Association of the Dakotas.

Geyer is a member of the Dakotaland Federal Credit Union board of directors.

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

Passings

Farmers Union Footnotes

Opal Kvernes, 83, of Howard died Wednesday, July 3, 2013, at home. Funeral services were held Monday, July 8, 2013, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Howard. Burial followed in Graceland Cemetery at Howard.

Opal Marie Schneider was born Oct. 6, 1929, at Flandreau to LeRoy and Isabelle (Mitchell) Schneider. As a young child the family moved to Miner County where Opal attended Burbank School, southwest of Howard. Opal married Orvid Kvernes Jan. 14, 1949, at Pipestone, Minn. She worked for the Howard Good Samaritan Center in housekeeping for 29 years. She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church and the Women of ELCA. Opal enjoyed reading, watching golf on television and especially spending time with her children, grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She is survived by three daughters, Barbara (Jim) O’Neal of Lindhurst, Ill.; Sharon (Dallas) Tonsager of McLean, Va.; Beverly (Dalton) Fenton of Canova; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Gullickson Schneider of West Bend, Wis.; and a brother-in-law, Jim (LeAnn) Kvernes of Sioux Falls.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, six brothers, Lloyd, Francis, Lorraine, Russell, Jim and Lyle; and two sisters, Ester Beck and Lois Hoffman.

Doane Lester Mortenson, 89, of Howard, died Saturday, July 6, 2013, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 10, 2013, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Howard with the Rev. Rick Senner officiating.

Burial was in Belleview Lutheran Church Cemetery

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in Howard.

Doane Mortenson was born July 29, 1923, to Arthur and Amanda (Clemetson) Mortenson on a farmstead northeast of Howard. Doane grew up in the Belleview Township in Miner County and attended Jacobs School for eight years. He attended four years of agriculture high school at Brookings. He wanted to be a farmer, but served in the U.S. Navy from December of 1942 to December of 1945. After boot camp in Illinois, he attended two mechanic schools in Chicago. He then served as an aviation mechanic working on Navy carriers for three years at various Navy air bases.

Doane married Elizabeth (Betty) Hollowell and the couple had three children. They farmed northeast of Howard for 41 years. He served 16 years on the Farmers Union Cooperative board in Howard, the last 10 years as chairman. He also served 21 years on the Farmers Union Central Exchanged Regional Cooperative board in St. Paul, Minn., representing South Dakota’s cooperatives. He served eight years on the national co-op board. Doane was a member of the Howard American Legion for over 65 years, was a longtime member of Farmers Union and a lifetime member of Belleview Lutheran Church.

In 2007, Doane married Patricia Scheider. He is survived by his wife, a son, Jerry (Barbara) of Maple Grove, Minn.; two daughters, Diana Nelson and special friend Bill Feller of Dillingham, Alaska; Debra (Jim) Croissant of Atlanta; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Doane was preceded in death by his parents, wife Elizabeth (Betty) and son-in-law Peter Nelson.

Clip & Save Calendar See Page 8 for youth camp dates

August 2013 3-11 Sioux Empire Fair, Sioux Falls 8-11 Conservation Exchange 4-7 Assoc. of Co-ops Educators Conf.

12-18 Brown County Fair, Aberdeen 14 Animal Husbandry Mtg, Aberdeen 19-25 Central States Fair, Rapid City 20-22 Dakotafest, Mitchell 20 SDFU Quiz Bowl Finals, Mitchell 26-27 ACE ethanol conference, Des Moines 29-Sept. 2 S.D. State Fair, Huron 31 Farmers Union Day, State Fair

September 2013 2 9-11 15 26-28 27-28

State Office Closed, Labor Day NFU Fly-In, Washington, DC SDSU Beef Bowl, Brookings ACE Conference, Des Moines REAL Class Session 1, Mitchell

October 2013 3-4 9 14 16

Rural Women in Ag, Keystone Beresford Brown Bag State Office Closed, Native Am. Day Elk Point Brown Bag

Visit the Events section at www.sdfu.org for more details on upcoming events.

Thank You Thank you very much for sponsoring the feed and the bags at the state rodeo finals! It is a fun time to just relax and sit with your family and friends before the competition. We truly appreciate everything you guys do - Cedar Jandreau Vice President - S.D. High School Rodeo Association

The South Dakota Union Farmer is published 10 times per calendar year with issues in January, February, March, April, May/June, July, Aug./Sept., October, November, and December. All information for publication must be submitted by the 15th of the month. You may submit items by mail to the State Office, P.O. Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350 or email items to: cstuder@sdfu.org

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