South Dakota VOLUME CII, NO. 6
HURON, SD
JULY/AUGUST 2017
UNION FARMER A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION
Farmers Union Enterprises Scott & Amber
2017 SDFU State Leadership Camp
Golf Tournament
Page 8
Page 13
Page 14
S.D. Farmers Union SDFU Weighs in on New Non-Meandered Water Law Celebrates the Springer
T
he new Non-Meandered Water law, passed June 12, continues to be a work in progress according to David Ganje, the natural resources attorney South Dakota Farmers Union hired to work with legislators to draft a bill that would represent the needs of South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers. “In principal, the bill reopens the waters – which was the issue Farmers Union advocated for,” Ganje explains. “Although this bill is not perfect, it also attempts to grant property owners immunity from liability issues, which is a good thing.” Ganje added that Farmers Union supports the bill because the organization is encouraged by the fact that in six months, when the bill will come before the 2018 Legislature, the issues family farmers and ranchers are concerned about will again be in front of the legislature for review. “The committee opted for a bill that is unfinished, even for the limited, immediate issues the bill seeks to remedy. To create remedies quickly does not always work well when writing new law. The bill was only in the public's eye for 10 days before it passed,” Ganje said. Lifetime Farmers Union member and Day County farmer, Franklin Olson agrees with Ganje. The former SDFU board member owns about 75 acres of non-meandered water on land he purchased more than 50
Farm Family
Water Law Continued on Page 16 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 celebrate the Springer farm family who farms and raises cattle together near Dixon. Pictured here with farm dog, Cruizer, are brothers, Terry (left) and Wayne (right) and Wayne's wife, DenaMarie.
R
ock hound and fourth-generation Dixon farmer, Terry Springer, 65, says when he’s outdoors he’s always on the lookout for a stone that catches his eye. “Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve been walking around with my head down,” explains Terry, who over a lifetime has amassed a rare and extensive rock collection. Terry’s collection boasts ancient arrow heads, mammoth bones, fossilized wood, rose quartz, moss rock and other unique geologic specimens.
Springer Family Continued on Page 2