Union Farmer January/February 2020

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Volume CV, No. 1 Huron, SD JAN/FEB 2020

A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

SERVING SOUTH DAKOTA’S FARM & RANCH FAMILIES SINCE 1915. SDFU Member Speaks to WTO

NFU Convention Preview

Building Soil Health

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Calling for Fair Prices

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SDFU Celebrates Attend Legislative Day 2020 Harwood Ranch Family Impact Agriculture

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ace-to-face interaction makes a difference, says Oren Lesmeister. “Showing up in Pierre lets legislators know you do care,” explains District 28-A legislator, Parade rancher and small business owner. “It far outweighs emails, letters or phone calls. A short, inperson conversation with a legislator opens a valuable dialogue on issues that matter to you.”

Legislative Day Continued on Page 5

Legislative Day 2020

Date: February 25

Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Capitol Rotunda Learn more on page 5

Questions? Call Karla Hofhenke: 605-352-6761 ext 114

South Dakota Farmers Union has served South Dakota farm and ranch families for more than a century. Throughout the year, we share their stories in order to highlight the families who make up our state’s No. 1 industry and help feed the world. This month we highlight the Harwood ranch family of Union Center. Left to right: Richard, Steve and Deb Harwood, Tamie and Samantha Fahrenholz.

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here was a time, when his dad was growing up, that there were a lot of Harwoods ranching in Meade County. The family’s roots go back to early 1900s homesteads. Today, Steve Harwood is the last Harwood ranching. And it’s not because he’s had an easy go of it. “We about starved to death in the ’80s,” Steve says. He recalls the spring storm that wiped out 75 percent of his calf crop. It was the calving season of 1984. He had just invested in several heifers, expanding the cow herd he’d been slowly building since childhood. “The loan was 18 percent interest, and the bank made you renew the loan every six months. I had to borrow to pay the interest. You wonder how you kept going?” “There were a lot of young couples out here who had to leave during that time,” adds Steve’s wife and ranching partner, Deb. Together, the couple raised three children, weathering the ups and downs on their Union Center ranch. “Steve is a good manager,” Deb says. “He is very good with budgeting. He knows what his expenses

Harwood Family Continued on Page 2


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