Union Farmer March/April 2022

Volume CVII, No. 2 Huron, SD MAR/APR 2022

A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

SERVING SOUTH DAKOTA’S FARM & RANCH FAMILIES SINCE 1915.

SDFU President Elected NFU Treasurer

PAGE 11

Meet 2022 Farmers Union Enterprise Leadership couples

2022 Young Producers Event

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2022 National Farmers Union Convention

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ational Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew addressed 2022 NFU National Convention-goers saying, “We are being heard.”

His comments came following addresses from President Joe Biden and Montana Sen. Jon Tester.

Being heard by policymakers in ways that make positive change for family farmers and ranchers is among the key missions of Farmers Union. It’s the reason many South Dakota crop and livestock producers took time away from their operations to join with the more than 450 Farmers Union members from across the nation for the national convention held in Denver, Colo., Feb. 27

National Convention Continued on Page 5

Legislative Day 2022

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Farmers Union Celebrates McPherson Ranch Family

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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 Lux family.

LeAnn and Layne are pictured here with their son, Jacob.

rom the day they knew they would spend their lives together, three criteria have guided most life decisions made by Layne and LeAnn Lux. “We wanted to live in the country, own our own business and raise our own kids in a safe place,” shared Layne, 53.

So, in 1996 when they had the opportunity to purchase an old

Lux Family Continued on Page 2

Jeff Kippley Elected NFU VP Aberdeen farmer Jeff Kippley takes the oath of office after being elected to serve as Vice President of NFU. Learn more on page 4.

Union Farmer “I wanted to be the mom and not miss out on all the things that they do during the day. I wanted to be the one to raise them.”

– LeAnn Lux

Frankie irls: Samantha, G ; on er m Ca d Boys: Jacob an and Jessie

Lux Family

Continued from Page 1

dairy farm halfway between Leola and Eureka, they took it.

“I never set out to be a dairy farmer,” explained Layne, whose family farmed in McPherson County. “Back to the criteria.

In order for us to get those three things, we needed the farm to cash flow, and because the farm was set up for a dairy, the only way a bank would look at us was if we milked cows.”

“We came into this farm with almost nothing,” added LeAnn, also a McPherson

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County farm kid. “We only had 35 dairy cows when we started. We took out a big loan to buy more cows and the farm.”

The couple also had had two young children and one on the way – so the timing could not be better. “I wanted to be the mom and not miss out on all the things that they do during the day. I wanted to be the one to raise them,” she explained.

Milking cows twice a day was a familyfriendly career choice. “It was forced family time. We were together 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When our kids were little, they were in the milking barn with us. As they got older, they were still in the milking barn with us.”

Layne and LeAnn have three daughters: Frankie, Samantha and Jessie; and two sons: Cameron and Jacob.

Over time, the Lux’s expanded their dairy herd to 100. But, the dairy industry in South Dakota was changing and their small herd became obsolete.

“If you didn’t have 400 to 600 cows you

were too small. They wanted to fill a tanker every time they came into the yard,” LeAnn explained. “When we started dairy farming in 1996, there were 35 dairies in McPherson County. When we quit in 2008, we were the second to the last one to go.”

Again, the timing worked. All five of their children were in school.

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Union Farmer

Layne with the next generation of Lux ranchers, grandson, Robert Nelson.

A dairy farm becomes a ranch To make the farm cash flow, the couple began building up a small beef herd and Layne and LeAnn both found full-time, off-farm jobs until their cow/calf herd expanded to where someone needed to be home fulltime.

“One winter it got to the point we had more than 100 cows calving out and no one was home during the day. We could have easily had a train wreck,” LeAnn explained.

Today, LeAnn works full time on the ranch and Layne continues to work full time for a local wind farm. He says when his workday is complete, he is always eager to get home to put in some more hours working on the family’s ranch.

“I find it relaxing to come home at the end of the day and tend to the cattle or make a repair on equipment. I don’t consider it ‘work,’” he said, sharing this story to explain.

“A couple years ago, I was feeding cattle on New Year’s Day because I had the day off work. As I was feeding, I was listening to the radio and the radio announcer made the comment, ‘some of us have to work today and some of us have the day off.’ I said to myself, ‘I am lucky I got the day off.’

Then I realized, ‘No, I really don’t. Here I am loading feed.’ Some may consider this work, but in my mind, I don’t consider ranch work, work.”

When they transitioned from dairy cows to beef, they utilized genetics from LeAnn’s family. As they have grown their herd, they have focused on maximizing their grazing acres.

“Instead of putting up as much feed, we www.sdfu.org

are trying to be more efficient and graze longer so that the cattle can go get the feed themselves,” Layne explained. “If you look at expenses, one of our biggest expenses is putting up feed.”

Inspired by a grazing school they attended, the couple began rotating their cattle through smaller pastures more frequently. They also began planting forage cover crops.

“I plant cereal rye in the fall of the year.

Because it comes up in the spring, I don’t have to worry as much about moisture,” Layne said.

He added that because it grows quick, the rye does a good job at controlling weeds. After they cut the rye, they plant the field to a forage cover crop as well as turnips and radishes.

“The more diverse you plant it, the better. We try to keep something growing on the ground at all times,” he said.

Only implementing these more intensive grazing practices a few years, Layne says they already see benefits. Because the cows are out on pasture grazing more days each season, the family was able to stockpile more forage than typical.

“With the dry summer we had last summer, it really helped.”

Even with the extra forage, they needed to cut cow numbers, and sold 20 percent of their herd.

“Because we knew we had to sell, we did not expose them to the bull as long as we typically would,” Layne said. “This made

it easy to determine who stays and who goes.”

In addition to increasing their forage availability, the couple said more intensive rotational grazing is improving their forage and soil health.

“We cannot just take away and take away from the soil. We have to put something back into the land to increase the organic matter. Healthy soil holds water better and hopefully weathers a drought better,” Layne said.

In their early ’50s, Layne and LeAnn continue to value the goals they set as newlyweds. “My work knows that the minute our ranch can support us both, I will return to full-time ranching,” Layne said.

To add another income opportunity to the ranch, they recently purchased Katahdin sheep. “We have a lot to learn, but that is something I like about ranching. If you think you know everything, you don’t. Even the best stock cow farmer out there still has something to learn,” Layne said.

And their children remain part of their motivation to keep the ranch profitable today and into the future. To date, one of their five children has decided that farming is the career for them.

“Any one of our kids could pick farming or ranching. We were hoping someone would want to take this place over,” LeAnn said. ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU

To add another income opportunity to the ranch, Layne and LeAnn recently purchased Katahdin sheep.

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Union Farmer

South Dakota Farmer Elected Vice President of National Farmers Union

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outh Dakota cow/calf and crop farmer Jeff Kippley was elected to serve family farmers and ranchers from across the nation as National Farmers Union Vice President. He was elected Feb. 28, during the 2022 National Farmers Union Convention held in Denver, Colo.

“I am honored family farmers and ranchers put their trust in me to help lead this organization in its mission,” said Kippley, who farms with his wife, Rachel, and dad, John, near Aberdeen, S.D. The need for fair prices motivated Kippley to serve.

“Policy changes need to take place soon, so our children can earn a fair living on the family farm or ranch,” Kippley said. “Like many agriculture producers, I also work full time off the farm to sustain our family’s farming operation.

“Working with family, Rachel and I own a tax preparation service. As tax advisers we see the numbers behind many family farms and ranches. And it’s not just our family farm that needs off-farm income to stay afloat financially – it is the majority of family agriculture producers.”

In his role as National Farmers Union Vice President, Kippley will serve members together with National Farmers Union President Rob Larew.

Kippley and his wife, Rachel, have four children: Noah, 15; Titus, 13; Aaron, 9; and Moriah, 7. ■ To learn more about Jeff Kippley, use your phone’s photo app to scan this QR code, or visit www. sdfu.org/JeffKippley.

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More about Jeff Kippley Jeff Kippley is a fifth-generation family farmer. He grew up on a crop and cattle operation in northeastern South Dakota.

Jeff returned to farm with his dad in 2001 after graduating from Black Hills State University with degrees in accounting and business administration.

To make room for a second family on the farm, he and his dad expanded the operation from 300 acres and 100 cows to 2,500 crop acres and 400 cows. But it still is not Jeff & Rachel Kippley raise crops and cattle with their large enough to pay the bills. So, children near Aberdeen.

Jeff and his wife, Rachel, also operate a tax preparation business, The Kippley Group, with their family.

In addition to working full time on and off the farm, Jeff and Rachel have four children: Noah, Titus, Aaron and Moriah. The family is actively involved in their church and community.

Service to others is foundational to who Jeff and Rachel Kippley are. The couple met at a collegiate leadership conference when Jeff was a Student Association Senator and Rachel was President of Northern State University.

After returning to Jeff’s family farm, the couple applied their leadership experience to advocating for family agriculture. While serving as a county commissioner, Rachel advocated for the county fleet to run on the ethanol blend E30. Together the couple has participated in National Farmers Union D.C. Fly-Ins, served as state and national delegates and represented South Dakota as members of the Farmers Union Enterprise Leadership Seminar.

Prior to being elected to serve as Vice President of National Farmers Union, Jeff served on the National Farmers Union Board of Directors as a Next Generation Leader.

As he looks at the future of family agriculture in America, Jeff sees a strong need for policy change that will support fair markets in agriculture, so that his children, and children of other family farmers and ranchers can return to their family’s agriculture operations full time – without the need for other income sources.

Jeff is honored to serve as National Farmers Union Vice President because he sees a need for a fresh voice to advocate for fair markets through: • Price transparency • MCOOL (mandatory country-of-origin labeling) • Higher ethanol blends like E30.

Learn more at www.sdfu.org/JeffKippley.

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

National Convention Continued from Page 1

through March 1.

“If we don’t step up and make sure South Dakota producers have a voice, who will,” asked Darcie Lee. Lee and her husband, Rob, farm near De Smet. This convention was Rob’s second to serve as a delegate. And he said because the couple recently expanded their crop acres, he feels there is even more at stake this year.

Because of a bylaw passed during the 2021 convention, like the Lees, all delegates voting on policy during convention earn at least a portion of their income from farming or ranching. In addition to Rob and Darcie Lee, the other South Dakota delegates include Gail Temple, Clark; Lorrie Hanson, Britton; Cassie and Taylor Sumption, Frederick; Shilo LaMont, Union Center; Jeff and Rachel Kippley, Aberdeen; Hank and Melissa Wonnenberg, Dallas; Kirk Schaunaman, Aberdeen; David Reis, Oacoma; and Sarah and Lance Perrion, Ipswich.

Fairness for Farmers Creating fair markets for farmers and ranchers was a common theme of convention speakers. Biden, Tester and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack discussed programs and policy currently underway to create more opportunities for competitive markets for producers.

“Family farm agriculture has been pinched on both sides for so long,” Tester said in his address to members. “We need to reintroduce capitalism into the marketplace so family farm production ag can be vibrant once more.”

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack

Tester said transparency in the marketplace is key to accomplishing this.

His speech focused on bills to help secure fair prices for livestock producers by holding packers accountable, banning Brazilian beef and enforcing the Packers and Stockyards Act. “Packers have had it their way for www.sdfu.org

Members re-elect NFU President Rob Larew.

too long. I don’t mind profits. Profits are important, but it is not right when you are doing it on the backs of producers and money is not trickling down.”

He went on to say mandatory countryof-origin labeling needs to be reinstated, “For those folks who want to make COOL voluntary, if you make it voluntary, it will never happen.”

In his closing remarks he encouraged Farmers Union members to continue fighting for policy to support fair prices for family farmers and ranchers. “There is too much at stake to fail. We need to be successful and reinsert competition.”

“Packers have had it their way for too long. I don’t mind profits. Profits are important, but it is not right when you are doing it on the backs of producers and money is not trickling down.”

– Senator Jon Tester, Montana Vilsack discussed steps to strengthen the Packers and Stockyards Act as well as a program addressing issues in the packing industry. He shared that a survey of consumers is underway to understand the value they place on “Product of the USA” label.

“We want to make sure we are in the position to ensure no deception in the use of this label,” Vilsack said.

Union Center rancher and NFU delegate, Shilo LaMont appreciated learning about what is going on in D.C. to support cattle producers like her and her husband, Ryan.

“Where we live in rural South Dakota, we suffer from not having enough options when it comes to marketing our cattle,” LaMont explained.

Providing producers with economic freedom was also a focus of Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux.

“Packers hold us all captive and squeeze us in the middle. They keep us separated from consumers who would like to know producers,” Ducheneaux said.

A South Dakota rancher, many SDFU members have heard Ducheneaux speak during Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair and the 2021 State Convention. An advocate for open dialogue, Ducheneaux gave out his email and phone number to NFU members.

“When I first started this job, my staff warned me, saying that I’d better watch out because my email would become inundated. I said, ‘it’s the least I can do in this job,’” Ducheneaux said.

And he stands by his word, said Reliance rancher and District 4 board member, David Reis. “My wife, Brenda, emailed him about

Montana Sen. Jon Tester

an issue and he emailed back. A few emails to our local office and the issue was fixed,” Reis said. “Because he comes from a ranch background, he completely understands our situation.”

After hearing Vilsack, Ducheneaux and Tester’s remarks, Reis said he felt, “guarded optimism.”

“We have been working for this for so long,” Reis said. “I hope these efforts are not lost with all the other stuff going on right now.”

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was top of mind for convention-goers and speakers.

“This is not just a battle between two countries,” Vilsack said. “This is a battle that involves an approach to how we as people govern ourselves and whether we govern ourselves in a democratic way.”

Vilsack went on to say that it is too early to understand the war’s impact on U.S. agriculture. “What we do know is the Ukraine produces a tremendous amount of wheat, corn and other products. If these exports are disrupted the world community will have another set of issues to deal with.”

Vilsack’s remarks addressed the same

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Union Farmer How Cooperatives Make Farmers Resilient

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During the 2022 NFU Convention, members had an opportunity to learn about the cooperative business model and hear how today’s farmers and ranchers utilize the cooperative business model to help them overcome challenges and remain resilient.

ince its founding more than a century ago, cooperatives have been integral to Farmers Union. During the 2022 NFU Convention, members had an opportunity to learn about the cooperative business model and hear how today’s farmers and ranchers utilize the cooperative business model to help them overcome challenges and remain resilient.

“There might even be people in Farmers Union who don’t understand the cooperative concept. So, it’s important to explain what a cooperative is and understand this is what can happen if you create a cooperative,” said Vicki Soren, an SDFU member who attended the breakout session.

Among the panelists was Paul Neubauer.

A first-generation farmer and rancher living in Havre, Mont., Neubauer is the board chair for Montana Premium Processing Cooperative. Montana Premium is a newly formed cooperative focused on opening a federally inspected meat processing facility.

“There isn’t enough meat processing to fill the demand,” Neubauer said. He explained that the cooperative is supported by 35 area livestock producers who have invested more than $100,000.

In addition to this cooperative fulfilling a 6 March/April 2022

need for a local processing plant, Neubauer said his involvement in the cooperative also connected him to the community.

He moved to the rural Montana community three years ago and serves as foreman of a certified organic dryland crop farm. “We are outsiders in many senses of the word, so being a member of this cooperative has been a great avenue for me to find solidarity with my neighbors around a subject we all care about and agree needs to work.”

Another panelist, Anne Schwagerl is also in the process of starting a new cooperative. She spoke about the extensive legwork necessary to get a cooperative up and running – drafting bylaws, working with lawyers and cooperative development advisers.

“There is a big learning curve for us,” explained Schwagerl who serves as secretary on the steering committee of Perennial Promise Growers Cooperative. “The work we are doing is fundamentally critical to the success of this new grain crop.”

The grain crop she is referencing is Kernza®, a food grade grain of an intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) being developed at The Land Institute. The Land Institute is a science-

based research organization.

Perennial Promise Growers Cooperative sees opportunities for farmers and ranchers to add Kernza® to their cropping rotation.

It is a perennial grain that has soil health benefits and can be grazed up to two times annually.

Because Soren and her husband, Wayne, have belonged to established cooperatives their entire farming career, learning about start-up cooperatives was interesting.

“For me, it’s the things you don’t think about that were discussed during the breakout session,” Soren said. “Like thinking about training your board of directors on what a cooperative is and educating those who invest in your cooperative so that everyone understands what a co-op is and why it is a co-op is important to them.”

In addition to panelists in the midst of cooperative start-ups, the breakout session also featured Annie Hoy, with the NW Co-op Development Center. Hoy discussed resources available to those interested in starting cooperatives.

“It surprised me about how many resources there are available to those interested in setting up a cooperative,” Soren said. ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU www.sdfu.org

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Parade, South Dakota, Rancher Receives National Award

arade rancher and in other bills that were District 28-A Legislator being presented, so I Oren Lesmeister was started reading the bills,” recognized by National Lesmeister said.

Farmers Union during the No stranger to public 2022 National Convention service – his parents both held in Denver, Colo., with actively served on several the Bruce Miller Award for his community boards – active involvement in state and when the legislator national Farmers Union events representing his district as well as service to his state termed out and asked him and community. to run, Lesmeister jumped “This award recognizes at the opportunity. individuals who demonstrate A gregarious guy and the mission and vision of small business owner, Famers Union. Through his Lesmeister enjoyed the active involvement in our campaigning and found organization and his service himself paying close as a State Legislator, Oren attention to customers’ lives out our focus of serving political thoughts and South Dakota’s family farmers comments, when they and ranchers,” says Karla stopped by Fox Ridge Ag Hofhenke, South Dakota Supply for feed, seed or Farmers Union Executive Director. other supplies.

Lesmeister and his “Talking to my wife, Tracy, are the third customers is a great way generation to operate the to understand what my cow/calf operation his greatconstituents want. I am grandfather homesteaded in Parade rancher and District 28-A Legislator Oren Lesmeister (right) was recogalso blessed to know the early 1900s. To supplement nized by National Farmers Union during the 2022 National Convention with virtually every member of the Bruce Miller Award for his active involvement in state and national Farmthe ranch income, the couple the tribal council because ers Union events as well as service to his state and community. Award is prealso own and operate a feed I either went to school sented by National Farmers Union President Rob Larew. store, Fox Ridge Ag Supply. with them, or I grew up His passion for agriculture motivated him to serve as a state legislator. as neighbors to them,” said the 1984 and its people led him to become active “Today, even in South Dakota, our graduate of Cheyenne Eagle Butte High in South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) state is becoming more urban. It’s not a School.

Lesmeister has lobbied for Farmers Union bad thing. But it is the reason we need Although he didn’t win the first time he policy in Washington, D.C., and serves as to protect our way of life,” explained ran, Lesmeister decided to give it another the District 6 SDFU state board member.

Lesmeister, District 28-A Legislator try in 2016 and secured a seat. Through “I appreciate the grassroots nature of and Assistant Minority Leader. “There his role as a South Dakota State Legislator this organization,” Lesmeister said. “This are more and more senators and and involvement in leadership of the organization gives family farmers and representatives coming out of areas who state’s largest agriculture organization, ranchers a voice because at the end of the do not understand what true farming and Lesmeister said he works to continue day, our policies and what we believe in, ranching life is like.” to build bridges for family farmers and is member-driven.”

Lesmeister says he became interested ranchers and provide a voice in the State in politics nearly a decade ago when he “My mom always said I have the Capitol for the issues that impact their was asked to drive to Pierre and testify. perfect mouth for politics.” – Oren “Once I was sitting there listening to the Lesmeister farms, ranches and families. ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU discussion and testimony, I got interested Lesmeister’s passion for agriculture

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Union Farmer

2022 NFU CONVENTION PHOTOS

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Union Farmer NFU Biofuels Panel Discuss Ethanol’s Role Today

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outh Dakota Farmers Union Sombke’s discussion focused (SDFU) President Doug on higher ethanol blends, like Sombke was one of two E30, and their ability to produce panelists serving on a Biofuels a fuel that is safe for families and panel during the 2022 National the environment. He also added Farmers Union Convention held that recent events emphasize the in Denver. The other panelist was benefits of E30’s homegrown Dan Bowerson, Senior Director, nature as a fuel source.

Energy and Environment at “When this Ukraine invasion the Alliance for Automotive happened and talk about $5 Innovation. gasoline, the first thing I thought The panel focused on was, “wouldn’t it be wonderful ethanol’s role today, and where SDFU President Doug Sombke speaks about the benefits of E30 during if every gas pump in the U.S. the liquid fuel fits as auto a biofuels panel discussion. pumped E30.’” manufacturers are turning out In addition to its U.S.-based electric vehicles in earnest. administration’s goal of 40 percent electric production benefits, Sombke Just a few months into 2022, sales of vehicles. With the right policy we can do went on to share the benefits of E30 as electric vehicles (EV) increased by 425 this. We can make vehicles, but we cannot a low carbon, high octane fuel, as well percent. But, Bowerson said there is still make people buy them,” Bowerson said. as research detailing its overall health room for ethanol in today’s marketplace.

“We really need a holistic approach and benefits. “When the ethanol industry Bowerson’s group works with auto low carbon, high octane fuels can play began, two things we as farmers saw as manufacturers producing nearly 99 percent a role in any future. They should be benefits were good prices and the ability of new cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. promoted for their market benefits.” to make a living on the farm without as well as original equipment suppliers, The panel moderator, Anne Steckel, damaging the environment,” Sombke technology and other automotive-related Senior Adviser for National Farmers Union, said. “Today, we know that E30 also takes companies and trade associations. agreed. “We have the solution for today CO2 out of the air and carcinogens out of “The auto industry is all in on the and now.” fuel.” ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU

National Convention Continued from Page 5

SDFU President Doug Sombke speaks during NFU policy.

questions that are on many farmers’ minds, explained Beresford farmer Larry Birgen.

“It will be interesting to see how this war impacts commodity prices,” he said. “Even my Lyft driver asked me as he drove me from the airport to convention if I was planning to plant wheat.”

Beyond economics, Birgen and others focused the humanitarian cost as Ukrainian citizens fight for their freedoms.

“As I think of the freedoms we have here in the U.S., I am grateful for the fact that I www.sdfu.org

have never had to fight for my freedoms like those in the Ukraine are fighting today,” said Doug Sombke, Conde farmer and South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) President. “I am grateful for the freedoms we have in the U.S., and I appreciate the work our organization does for family farmers and our organization’s leadership.”

“I am grateful for the freedoms we have in the U.S., and I appreciate the work our organization does for family farmers and our organization’s leadership.”

– Doug Sombke, SDFU President Sombke also serves as treasurer on the NFU executive board. He was re-elected to serve in this position during the 2022 convention (read more on page 11).

During convention, Aberdeen farmer and SDFU member Jeff Kippley was elected by delegates to serve as NFU Vice President

(read more on page 4).

“I am honored family farmers and ranchers put their trust in me to help lead this organization in its mission,” said Kippley, who farms with his wife, Rachel, and dad, John, near Aberdeen, S.D. Having a candidate from South Dakota run for an NFU office made serving as an NFU delegate even more interesting, said Frederick farmer Taylor Sumption.

“To really know the candidate puts more meaning on the process and makes me feel even more connected to the national organization,” said Sumption, who served as a delegate together with his wife, Cassie.

In addition to electing Kippley to serve as Vice President, delegates re-elected Rob Larew to serve as NFU President.

Policy discussions were lively as delegates discussed NFU bylaws, policy and Special Orders (read more on page 10).

“The challenges are immense…we leave Denver with newfound energy,” Larew said. “After all, Farmers Union is at its finest when the challenges are great, and we are well positioned to succeed in the difficult year ahead.” ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU March/April 2022

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Union Farmer

Grassroots Policy Established by Family Farmers & Ranchers

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outh Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) delegates worked hard to represent the state’s grassroots policy during the National Farmers Union Convention.

“Policy, not politics. This is how South Dakota Farmers Union works to make positive change for family farmers and ranchers – through grassroots policy,” explained Doug Sombke, SDFU President and Conde farmer.

And delegates lost no time debating. “It is amazing how many different perspectives there are, even from states that are not that far apart geographically,” said Sarah Perrion, an Ipswich farmer, serving as a delegate for the first time.

Perrion and her husband, Lance, were among the 15 delegates SDFU members elected to serve during the 2021 State Convention. Each delegate carried 1,135 votes. In addition to the Perrions, the other South Dakota delegates included Gail Temple, Clark; Wayne Soren, Lake Preston; Lorrie Hanson, Britton; Cassie and Taylor Sumption, Frederick; Shilo LaMont, Union Center; Jeff and Rachel Kippley, Aberdeen; Hank and Melissa Wonnenberg, Dallas; Kirk Schaunaman, Aberdeen; David Reis, Oacoma; and Rob and Darcie Lee, De Smet.

Melissa Wonnenberg

Gail Temple

Rachel Kippley

needs of family farmers and ranchers will serve the national organization well. He is someone who will put in the long hours and do what it takes to get the job done.”

The process of reviewing and updating the current NFU policy is one Clark farmer, District 3 board member and delegate, Gail Temple appreciates.

“I enjoy hearing all different aspects of farming and how our policy can work together to support family farming,” she said.

Delegates also identified priorities for

Sarah Perrion and other SDFU delegates

Throughout two days of policy discussion, delegates re-elected Rob Larew to serve as NFU President and elected SDFU member and Aberdeen crop and cattle producer Jeff Kippley to serve as Vice President. In the 118-year history of NFU, this is the first time South Dakota has had a member serve in this position.

“It is phenomenal for SDFU that we have a South Dakota farmer serving as national vice president,” said Wayne Soren, Vice President of SDFU and a Lake Preston farmer.

“Jeff’s work ethic and understanding of the

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March/April 2022

Wayne Soren

Doug Sombke

Newly elected NFU Vice President Jeff Kippley with re-elected NFU President Rob Larew.

Kirk Schaunaman

David Reis

NFU to focus on in 2022-2023 and approved five Special Orders. Below is a brief overview of each Special Order. For more information, contact Luke Reindl, SDFU Communications and Legislative Specialist, at lreindl@sdfu. org.

Fairness for Farmers: This Special Order supports a campaign that is a nationwide effort to give voice to farmers, ranchers and communities being harmed by economic concentration, and to advocate for the revival of strong antitrust and competition law enforcement and the breakup of corporate monopolies.

Family Farming and Supply Chains: This Special Order supports a long list of principles or policies to address challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, unexpected shifts in supply and demand, natural disasters and market concentration which have caused significant supply chain disruptions for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

Family Farming and Agricultural Workforce and Food Processing Reform: This Special Order supports policies or principles to help achieve fairer, more competitive and more resilient farm and food supply chains through more local and

Grassroots Policy Continued on Page 11

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Union Farmer

SDFU President Re-Elected to Serve as National Treasurer

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epresenting more than 20,000 family farmers and ranchers throughout South Dakota in his role as S.D. Farmers Union President, Doug Sombke was re-elected to serve as Treasurer of the national organization’s executive board during the 120th NFU Convention, held in Denver, Colo., Feb. 27 through March 1.

“My first priority is serving South Dakota Farmers Union members. This role strengthens my ability to ensure national lobbying efforts and clearly represent South Dakota’s members,” explained Sombke.

“By serving on the executive board, I work closely with NFU president and staff. I have a lot more input on what is happening and how we are implementing our current policy and special orders of business.”

As NFU Treasurer, Sombke provides oversight to the national organization’s finances. Since 2017, Sombke has also served as President of Farmers Union Enterprises, the organization that oversees Farmers Union Industries.

Farmers Union Industries is made up of several businesses — the dividends of which help fund Farmers Union organizations in

Grassroots Policy Continued from Page 10

SDFU delegate Gail Temple

regional processing options for farmers and ranchers. The Special Order also supports policies or principles to aide in securing a skilled labor force.

Family Farming and Climate Change: National Farmers Union (NFU) believes policies intended to address climate change should leverage agriculture’s potential to be part of the solution. These policies should provide incentives to support farmers and ranchers as they tackle climate challenges. Public policy should www.sdfu.org

South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin as well as Farmers Union Enterprise programs and National Farmers Union.

The diverse business portfolio Farmers Union Enterprises oversees includes grainfree pet food, grease and animal rendering plants. Like the organizations it supports, Farmers Union Industries also focuses on funding policy and advocacy.

A fourth-generation Conde farmer, today Sombke’s three sons have all returned to the farm where they raise crops and operate other value-added enterprises.

Sombke’s clear understanding of the life and challenges family farmers live and face daily serve him well in his leadership roles as SDFU President, NFU Treasurer and FUE President, says Rob Larew, President of NFU. “You can talk about agriculture, but unless you’ve planted corn, fed cattle and endured several market cycles, it’s hard to appreciate how stressful and important every decision can be to a family’s farming operation,” Larew said. “Doug understands agriculture because he is a farmer. He lives it.” ■

also play a role in ensuring carbon and other ecosystem markets provide fair and transparent opportunities to farmers and ranchers. Additionally, it is essential to have a national energy policy that incentivizes carbon emission reductions using renewable energy, biofuels and other technologies and products while balancing rural energy needs and jobs.

Family Farming and Dairy Policy Reform: This Special Order supports efforts made to improve federal dairy programs by addressing the fundamental problem of oversupply. It supports federal dairy policy,

which provides both a safety net for family dairy farms in all regions and of all herd sizes, and a mechanism to manage milk supply to meet profitable demand.

Because delegates from different states did not always agree, it made for informative and heated debates.

“It has been great to see members have a healthy discussion and debate, and see the clear passion for Farmers Union policy,” said Union Center rancher and SDFU delegate Shilo LaMont. “It is refreshing to be here with other farmers and ranchers who care about issues that matter.”

To learn more about National Farmers Union Policy, visit www.nfu.org. ■

SDFU delegate Hank Wonnenberg

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Union Farmer

~ Members’ Thoughts ~ Lance and Sarah Perrion This is the first NFU Convention for Ipswich farmers Lance and Sarah Perrion. “It has been interesting the connections National Farmers Union has to public officials. The president greeted Rob Larew by name. The president knows Farmers Union and is hearing what we are saying. This could make all the difference.”

Kelly and Curtis Johnson During Convention, Curtis and Kelly Johnson attended their first Farmers Union Enterprise Leadership Couples seminar. Kelly says she has appreciated the opportunity to share their farm’s story with their classmates. She also appreciated the communications workshop she and Curtis participated in during the seminar.

“It was a good reminder on ways to relate to others – we all know not everyone is the same – but this was a good reminder.”

Victoria Havermann Victoria Havermann is a 2021 Torchbearer from Elk Point. She says watching National Farmers Union delegate discussion was a good experience. “It is a cool thing to witness. I feel like listening to other state’s opinions and how delegates can disagree, and at the end of policy discussion, they are able to come to an agreement.”

Cassie and Taylor Sumption Having served as delegates to NFU more than once, Frederick farmer, Taylor Sumption had this to say, “Everyone knows their story and sometimes we forget how diverse agriculture is and how policy can have unintended consequences – this is the value in having a national policy discussion.”

Lorrie Hanson Lorrie Hanson is an SDFU delegate from Britton. He enjoys serving as a delegate to the NFU Convention because: “As a delegate, through policy, I can be a part of making change in the world. We are all working for one idea – the future of family farming.”

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www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer Shilo LaMont Union Center rancher Shilo Lamont is looking forward to day two of policy discussion at the National Farmers Union Convention. “It has been great to see members have a healthy discussion and debate, and see the clear passion for Farmers Union policy. It is refreshing to be here with other farmers and ranchers who care about issues that matter.”

Rob and Darcie Lee South Dakota Farmers Union delegates, Rob and Darcie Lee farm near De Smet and say serving as delegates to represent South Dakota Farmers Union policy is an honor.

“If we don’t step up to do it, who will? And who will make sure South Dakota farmers have a voice?” shared Darcie. Rob agrees with her and says this is his second year to serve as a delegate, but his first to serve in-person. And because the couple invested in expanding their farm in 2021, he feels they have even more at stake.

Gail Temple Clark farmer and National Farmers Union delegate Gail Temple enjoys the opportunity to support South Dakota Farmers Union policy and be a part of the national discussion because, “I enjoy hearing all different aspects of farming and how our policy can work together to support family farming.”

Hank Wonnenberg Before policy discussion began, Dallas crop and cattle farmer, Hank Wonnenberg and his wife, Melissa, participated a seminar on parliamentary procedure. This was part of the training they receive as members of the Farmers Union Enterprise Leadership class. Hank says the parliamentary procedure pointers he learned during the seminar came in handy during policy discussion as he and Melissa represent South Dakota Farmers Union as delegates. “I feel more comfortable getting up to speak on behalf of policy important to our state’s family farmers and ranchers – like biofuels and MCOOL.” Melissa Wonnenberg In addition to policy, South Dakota Farmers Union delegate Melissa Wonnenberg also served on the Credentials, Policy and Rules Committee. In addition to the important work of the committee, she says she was impressed by the number of young family farmers and ranchers she served with. “I am not the youngest farmer in the room. To me, seeing younger producers involved shows progress in the organization and that people are doing more than talking. It also shows, younger farmers and ranchers are not waiting to get involved.”

Jeff Kippley Jeff Kippley takes the oath of office after being elected National Farmers Union Vice President. “The reason I am doing this is so that your children and mine can farm and will not need second jobs off the farm. I know this is a big job, but I am up for the challenge.”

www.sdfu.org

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Union Farmer

Young Agriculture Producers from Meade & Hand counties Selected for Leadership Opportunity

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uring National Farmers Union Convention policy sessions, state’s delegates sit at tables in long rows, their state flags proudly displayed. As Karla Hofhenke, checked in with South Dakota’s delegates ahead of the 2022 session, she noticed something.

“I looked across the session hall and realized South Dakota had one of the youngest delegations,” said Hofhenke, Executive Director of South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU).

Hofhenke attributes SDFU’s ability to engage with the next generation of family farmers and ranchers to state programming designed to meet their leadership needs and production interests.

She also credits the five-state Farmers Union Enterprise Leadership (FUEL) program.

“Looking at our current delegates, 11 of the 15 are current or former FUEL participants. And the newly elected NFU Vice President, Jeff Kippley is an alumnus,” said Hofhenke, who also serves as the 2021-2022 FUEL program coordinator.

Sponsored by Farmers Union Enterprises, the organization which oversees Farmers Union Industries, FUEL is designed to strengthen young producers’ leadership and communication skills. FUEL seminars are held throughout the year.

Each year, Farmers Union Enterprises sponsors 10 farm and ranch couples to participate in the program. Two couples are selected from

2022 FUEL participants from South Dakota: Curtis and Kelly Johnson, Miller; and Shilo and Ryan LaMont, Union Center.

each of the following states: South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin.

“In a time when many agriculture organizations are concerned about the lack of interest in younger farmers and ranchers to take on leadership roles, we feel investing in the next generation is not only valuable to the future of family farming and ranching, but to the future of our organization as well,” explained Doug Sombke, SDFU President.

Meet the 2022 South Dakota FUEL Couples Shilo and Ryan LaMont, Union Center, and Kelly and Curtis Johnson, Miller, were selected to participate in the 2022 FUEL class.

“We have been involved in Farmers Union for a long time, and saw FUEL as a way to gain leadership skills for the next step,” explained Shilo LaMont.

Shilo ranches with her husband, Ryan, and his family. “Ryan and I feel strongly that if someone does not step up to the plate to be a voice for family ranching, our voice will not be heard,” Shilo said.

“I wanted to participate to learn more leadership skills,” added Ryan. He currently serves as President of Meade County Farmers Union and is the District 5 Vice President.

The couple have four children, daughter, Brooke, and two sons, Logan and Kole. They raise Red Angus cattle and sheep on land homesteaded by the family of Ryan’s stepdad, Dallis Basel, who also serves as District 5 SDFU board member. Over the years they have expanded their ranch – purchasing more land and growing their cow herd.

Curtis Johnson said he and his wife, Kelly, had similar reasons for wanting to participate. “Ultimately leadership is a staple that farmers need to have. It takes good leaders to have a strong community,” Curtis explained. “In the region where I live, where agriculture is the dominate workforce, if you have strong leaders in agriculture, then

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Union Farmer FUEL Continued from Page 14 you will have strong schools and strong communities.”

Curtis is a fifth-generation farmer. He raises crops and cattle with his dad on the family farm near Miller. In addition to leadership skills, Kelly said she appreciates the opportunity to get to know other farm and ranch couples from across the region.

“It’s nice to know that we are not alone,” Kelly said. “Other farm and ranch couples can identify with not only the special and good things that come with having a family farm, but also the struggles we face.”

Curtis and Kelly have five children: Jesse Volek, Alexis, Brooks, Ava and Nikki. Their family and farm were featured in the January/ February 2022 Union Farmer.

More about Farmers Union Enterprises/Industries Farmers Union Industries is made up of several businesses – the dividends of which go to help fund Farmers Union organizations in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin as well as Farmers Union Enterprises programs and National Farmers Union.

To learn more about FUEL and how to apply for the 2023 class, contact Karla Hofhenke, Karla@SDFU.org.

South Dakota’s 2021 FUEL couples: Lance and Sarah Perrion, Ipswich, and Melissa and Hank Wonnenberg, Dallas.

FUEL Q&A: Hear what participants have to say

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n 2021, SDFU selected Hank and Melissa Wonnenberg, Dallas, and Lance and Sarah Perrion, Ipswich, to participate in FUEL. Let’s hear what they have to say about the program.

Q: Overall, what are your thoughts about FUEL? Melissa Wonnenberg answers: FUEL gave me a more broad www.sdfu.org

What’s a year involved in FUEL look like?

Communications Workshop: Participants learn about their specific communication style and how to relate to other communication styles. They also engage in a training on how to have difficult conversations.

National Farmers Union Convention: Participants engage in parliamentary procedure training and then spend a day observing policy discussions in action on the NFU convention floor.

National Farmers Union Fly-In: Participants learn about the value in sharing their story and gain how-to tips. They also have an opportunity to share their family farm and ranch story as they meet with policymakers in Washington, D.C.

view of agriculture in the U.S. It also helped me to realize there are agriculture leaders with the same struggles we have. This was a great group of leaders to be with. We have created lifelong relationships with this group.

Q: What impresses you about the farm and ranch couples selected to participate in FUEL? Lance Perrion answers: The other participants are also leaders. This not only comes through in our jobs, as most of us are managers or work in a management role, but we are driven people. We want to see others succeed and we have the motivation to be on our own and be thinkers – progressive thinkers.

Hank Wonnenberg answers: We all come from different areas of the Upper Midwest, and each of our operations are significantly different. We have large and small organic farmers, row crop farmers, feedlot managers, vegetable farmers and cow/ calf operators.

Each of our operations face different challenges, but we all have common goals and can benefit from many of the same policies. We share our stories and situations – by doing so, we can open up to people who won’t judge us. We can give and receive advice from each other, and we can pick up new things from what others are doing that we might be able to incorporate into our own operation.

We also gain an appreciation for the magnitude of agriculture.

Q: What would you say to a farm or ranch couple thinking about applying for FUEL? Sarah Perrion answers: I would tell any young producer to absolutely go for it! What’s there to lose? We have met some absolutely amazing people in our FUEL group that are going to be lifelong friends and will be some of our biggest supporters too! It’s humbling to know that our entire group is working through many of the same challenges and we can all be there to support one another. ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU March/April 2022

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Union Farmer

Rural Professionals Learn Value in Engagement through Conversation with Rural POWER Speaker

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ngagement is important. This is the message Ed Anderson, retired General Manager of the South Dakota Rural Electric Association, shared with Rural POWER participants during a recent seminar.

“I think if anything is consistent across the cooperative business model since the very first formations of co-ops, it is the need to engage,” Anderson said. “Cooperatives are all about memberowners taking an active role in representing their own best interests.”

Success through engagement is not limited to the cooperative business Wayne model. Anderson called Ducheneaux on his 30 years of lobbying experience to explain. “Politics have changed quite a bit over the last 20 years, but as frustrating as it gets, you have to continue to engage. You can’t take a back seat and let personal frustrations or party frustrations – or any other frustrations prevent you from continued involvement.”

His message resonated with Wayne Ducheneaux, executive director of Native Governance Center, a nonprofit that works

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with 23 tribes in a three-state region to help them grow capacity and exercise sovereignty.

“Ed’s talk was eye-opening,” Ducheneaux said. “Everyone is so concerned about personal rights, and we need to not forget our responsibly to our fellow person.

Ed talked about ways we can bring people together for mutual benefit.”

Ducheneaux is one of six rural cooperative members sponsored by South Dakota Farmers Union and selected to participate in the 2021-22 Rural POWER class. Other members include Sara Hento, Avon; Joshua Hofer, Parkston; Jordan Jones, Rapid City; Krecia Leddy, Stockholm; and Katy VanderPol, Platte.

Rural POWER provides information and overall education into cooperatives by inviting cooperative staff and leadership to speak during in-person and virtual seminars.

“We want to expose our participants to a diverse set of cooperative leaders so they learn from these leaders, understand what cooperatives do and how they can play a role in their local co-op,” explains Billie Sutton, founder of the nonprofit Billie Sutton Leadership Institute, which directs Rural POWER. Building connections with rural leaders

and developing communication skills to strengthen engagement has been a valuable benefit to participating in Rural POWER explained Sara Hento.

Hento made a recent career change and now works as an attorney representing rural schools throughout South Dakota and Nebraska.

“Rural POWER instilled in me the value in asking questions of leaders. This is a critical skill that I use all the time in my new role. I am constantly in dialogue with school superintendents Sara Hento and school board members,” Hento said.

She added that Rural POWER also empowers its participants.

“It really focuses on the fact that you can live in rural South Dakota and have the career that you want,” said Hento, who works remote from her husband’s family farm near Avon.

To learn more about Rural POWER, visit https://suttonleadership.org/. ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

Young Producers Discuss How to Have Tough Conversations & More during 2022 Deadwood Event

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ith two young sons and working full time as a nurse practitioner, Amy Albrecht says it’s tough to find uninterrupted time for conversations of any kind with her husband, Chris, let alone those of a serious nature. So, she found quite a bit of value in the fact she and Chris had several hours of uninterrupted time to visit during the recent South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) Young Producers Event in Deadwood.

“It is nice to have a break from the farm and our little boys just to catch up with each other and get to visit with other farm couples,” Amy said.

Amy’s husband, Chris, farms full time with her parents on the family’s farm near Alpena. They run a cow/calf operation and raise corn, soybeans, alfalfa, rye, wheat and millet. This is the second SDFU Young Producers Event the couple has attended.

Chris says in addition to the time away, he appreciates the experts SDFU brought in for them to learn from.

“There’s a lot of issues currently going on in modern farming. Rocky does a good job lining up speakers who are on the

Amy and Chris Albrecht farm with her parents on the family’s farm near Alpena.

www.sdfu.org

Young producers from across the state gathered in Deadwood for SDFU Young Producer Event: Back row: Sarah & Lance Perrion, Matt & Stephanie Cavanee, Amy & Chris Albrecht and Chad & Michelle Johnson. Front Row: Rocky Forman, Brett Stevens, Stephanie & Bret Sombke and Betsy & Jeff Harry.

forefront of topics relevant to these issues,” Chris said, referencing Rocky Forman, SDFU Membership Coordinator and event organizer.

John Beranek was among the speaker lineup. Communications was the focus of Beranek’s workshop, specifically, how to have difficult conversations.

“As someone who grew up on a farm myself, I have watched transitions in the family operation and watched squabbles among farm families in my area,” said Beranek, President of Intersections Consulting. “Young producers need to know how to have difficult conversations and I want to provide them with tools they can use to do this.”

Beranek began his workshop by having all participants take a personality test so they could understand their own communication style. Chris said he enjoyed this activity because it opened his eyes to not only how he interacts with others, but how others interact with him.

“I had never taken a personality test before, so I was intrigued by it,” Chris said.

“And this led into a discussion about the fact that we need to have hard conversations – especially around farm transitioning before it’s too late.”

Throughout the workshop, Beranek gave couples the opportunity to visit alone about Glen Gross difficult topics dealing with finances, family

and farm transition plans.

“Part of my task is to put them in a different frame of mind and give them an opportunity to think about questions they don’t normally have time to think about,” Beranek explained.

In addition to Beranek’s presentation, participants heard from a soil health specialist, David Ollila, and learned about policy impacting cattle producers from James Halverson, executive director of South Dakota Stockgrowers.

“Being involved in Farmers Union helps keep us connected with farmers as well as policy important to farmers,” Chris said. “I always say if you don’t do your part to get involved and fight for what you believe in, and advocate for farming, you don’t really have a leg to stand on.”

Chris and Amy also appreciated the opportunity the event provided to socialize with other South Dakota farm and ranch couples.

“It’s nice to get to visit with other farm couples and know that you are not alone,” Amy said. “Farming can sometimes be a little lonely.”

South Dakota Farmers Union sponsored the event, covering all costs for members, and providing the event for only $50 to non-members. To learn more about how SDFU supports farm and ranch families, visit www.sdfu.org. ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU March/April 2022

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Union Farmer Speaking up for Agriculture in Pierre During Legislative Day 2022

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griculture is South Dakota’s No. 1 economic driver. This fact wasn’t lost on legislators eager to visit with family farmers and ranchers during 2022 Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota Legislature.

“Agriculture brings eight times more to our economy than tourism. It is the engine that drives our state’s economy,” said Tim Goodwin, majority whip and District 30 Representative from Hill City. “We enjoy the chance to actually visit with the people who do the work.”

Goodwin was among many South Dakota legislators to visit with Farmers Union members during a lunch sponsored

by South Dakota Farmers Union in the Capitol Rotunda.

Sharing a meal together with legislators made it easy to visit about issues important to his family and their Wessington Springs cattle operation, explained Scott Kolousek.

“Most of the time, when they see our name tags and that we are with

SDFU members and legislators enjoy a meal together. In front, Myrna Hotchkiss (left) and Gail Temple, District 3 board member (right).

Scott Kolousek, District 2 board member and a Wessington Springs farmer, visits with Legislator Gary Cammack.

Farmers Union, the legislators initiate the conversation,” said Kolousek who also represents District 2 on the State Board.

“It’s important to show the people who make laws, that those of us impacted by the laws care.”

Clark farmer Gail Temple agreed. “This is a way to have one-on-one conversations with legislators so that they know what we care about and that we care about what they are doing,” explained Temple, who also represents District 3 on the State Board.

Visiting face-to-face with constituents is among the best ways to communicate, explained SDFU member and assistant minority leader, Oren Lesmeister. “When you are in-person, there is an opportunity for real-time follow-up questions, which emails do not provide,” explained Lesmeister who is the District 28-A legislator. Lesmeister also

ranches with his wife, Tracy, near Parade.

District 20 Legislator Paul Miskimins added, “as Rapid City and Sioux Falls continue to grow, having farmers and ranchers come to Pierre is critical.”

Even the event’s catering is done by a farmer. “I am glad to be a part of any event that puts agriculture in the forefront,” said Polo farmer, caterer and SDFU member, Cheryl Schaefers. “Even some farm kids think the grocery store is where their food comes from. It is important to make sure folks know their food comes from the land and we as farmers are the ultimate caretakers of the land.”

In addition to the legislator luncheon, SDFU members sat in on a committee hearing, attended a legislative caucus and were asked to stand and be recognized during the General House and Senate sessions.

“Legislative Day was a good investment of our time,” said Myrna Hotchkiss, who drove to Pierre for the day with her husband, Paul, who farms near Colton.

“I’ve read about what goes on here, but to actually hear legislators speak and listen to them express their opinions, makes it real.”

During Legislative Day, Farmers Union recognized legislators David Anderson and Marty Overweg for their dedicated support of South Dakota’s No 1 industry of agriculture and presented them with awards.

To learn more about how South Dakota Farmers Union policy supports family farmers and ranchers in Pierre and D.C., visit www.sdfu.org. ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU

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Union Farmer 2022 Legislative Wrap Up

Funds for Housing & Rural Development Focus of 2022 Legislative Session

Rural development and housing received quite a bit of attention during the 2022 Legislative Session.

The Legislature passed $200 million for workforce housing. Of the $200 million, 70 percent of the funds are allocated to cities other than Rapid City and Sioux Falls.

How the funds are used is up to the cities, however they need to be allocated to one of these 11 items: 1. Rights of way; 10. The purchase of land 2. Water distribution systems; necessary to accommodate 3. Sanitary and storm sewers; projects listed in this 4. Streets, roads and bridges; section; and 5. Curbs, gutters and 11. Any other infrastructure sidewalks; project determined by the 6. Lift stations; South Dakota Housing 7. Excavation and compaction; Development Authority 8. Traffic signals; to be consistent with the 9. Street lighting; purposes of this Act. Water projects Another $600 million was allocated to water projects. Oversight of these falls under the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Funds will provide grants and revolving loans.

Medicaid expansion update South Dakota Farmers Union policy supports Medicaid Expansion.

The Legislature did not pass Medicaid expansion. So, the initiative will be on the ballot November 2022. This will be Amendment D on the Nov. 8, general election ballot. There is a bill that South Dakota

By Mitch Richter

Legislative Session 2022 wrapped up in March. Our eyes and ears in Pierre, lobbyist Mitch Richter shares a session wrap up.

Farmers Union policy does not support which will be on the primary ballot, June 2022.

Vote no on Amendment C There is a bill that South Dakota Farmers Union policy does not support which will be on the primary ballot, June 2022. This is Amendment C. Amendment C would require that in order for any voter-led ballot initiative that expend more than $10 million to become law, they need to first pass by 60 percent. South Dakota Farmers Union policy does not support Amendment C because it would limit and nearly kill voter-led initiatives.

How can we help? Get out the vote for June primaries, ask your friends to vote no on Amendment C. Then, make time to vote again in November for medicaid expansion.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at mitchell.richter@gmail.com. ■

Legislative Day 2022

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Union Farmer

Koen’s Wish:

Teach Kids About Farming

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Dan Eisenhauer

oen, a 7-year-old from rural South Dakota has a passion for farming that he wants to share with the world. If it weren’t for this outgoing young boy’s respiratory disorder, he would spend all of his time on the farm. The time he can spend outside with his tractors and animals is limited because dust in the air has potential to aggravate his symptoms.

Koen has had quite the medical journey with his condition, which has included hospital stays, a lot of testing and even more pokes. His current treatments require regular doctor visits for shots and testing.

He also does daily treatments at home with a nebulizer and shaker vest.

Dan Eisenhauer

Despite all this, Koen doesn’t let his condition get him down. When he is able to go outside, he carries a backpack with special medical equipment to help him in case something should happen while he is outside. He keeps himself occupied during his daily treatments by playing games and watching his favorite tv shows. Koen even

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has a talent for playing the piano.

When Koen found out that he could have any wish – a trip, a shopping spree, a chance to meet someone famous, he took his time to contemplate what the perfect wish would be. Finally, one day while he was receiving one of his monthly shots, his wish came to him! He was on his way home with his mom; he was tired and sore from the stressful day at the hospital. He decided that other kids shouldn’t have to feel the way he did. Koen wished to transform the waiting room experience for kids at Avera Medical Group Pediatric Specialists Sioux Falls. Koen was going to teach other kids about farming and provide them a little escape from the hospital environment.

Koen’s family share his compassion for kids like him. “Hospitalized kids deserve some cheer, and a piece of unexpected kindness might lift their spirits,” said Wish Mom Shanda.

Once word got out about Koen’s wish, it grew bigger than anyone could have anticipated because so many people wanted to help! Tractor Supply Foundation stepped in with a significant donation of $25,000 to help transform the waiting room into Koen’s Farm. This incredible makeover will touch the lives of hundreds of kids who pass through this area on their medical journey.

With the help of volunteers, donors, business partners and others, the big reveal happened on World Wish Day, April 29.

Koen’s Farm includes farm-themed videos, engaging activities and farm safety

lessons. “I want to take kids’ minds off of it, and I want them to feel better,” Koen said. Koen’s wish was uniquely created to follow kids like him through their hospital journey. In the waiting room, kids can learn more about farming through an interactive display and a tractor that is attached to the wall. They will receive a coloring activity book that was designed by Koen and crayons during their visit. After their visit, kids will also get to choose from a treasure chest filled with tractor toys that were donated by Tractor Supply Company to take home with them.

Before Koen’s wish came true, his parents had not fully understood the impact

Dan Eisenhauer

Koen’s Wish Continued on Page 21 www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer Koen’s Wish Continued from Page 20 hospital days had on their son, but the ability to design his very own farm gave him hope and joy. He customized the animals at Koen’s Farm to match the animals on his family farm, along with a red cabbed tractor just like his dad’s.

In addition to Tractor Supply Company Foundation’s involvement, Koen’s wish was made possible by several local generous donors, each with a strong connection to Make-A-Wish and Avera. First, Jeff and Julie (Norton) Lautt. Julie is the CFO for Avera, and Jeff is the President of POET. Second, Kathleen Kunkel and her daughters, Megan,

Dan Eisenhauer

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Katie and Carly, in loving memory of their husband and father, Shawn. Kathleen is Mission Formation Consultant for Avera.

Third, the Ty Eschenbaum Foundation-in Honor of Autumn. Ty is a Wish alumnus, having received his wish to go to Disney World in 2004. During his battle with cancer while in high school, Ty received his medical care at Avera and today serves on Avera’s Rural Cancer Advisory Committee.

Many other generous corporate partners stepped up to bring Koen’s wish to life, working directly with Koen through the planning and design phase of his wish.

The design of Koen’s wish was created by HenkinSchultz of Sioux Falls, Nanonation of Lincoln, Neb., and Avera. The other groups that partnered to make his wish come true were Journey Construction of Sioux Falls, Thompson Electric of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls Interiors, Elo Touch Solutions, Dell Computers, Peerless-AV and Sisson Printing of Sioux Falls. Volunteers JoAnn McHugh, Mary Jacobs and Gerald Schied helped to pull everything together for Koen’s wish, and Marlee Hayes used her photography skills to capture the special moments.

Those who were involved in Koen’s

Dan Eisenhauer

wish were inspired to instill hope in kids who battle critical illnesses. After being diagnosed with a critical illness, a wish brings renewed energy, strength, hope and joy back into a child’s life. We need the help and support of donors and volunteers, like Koen’s, so we can grant the wish of every eligible child. ■ Courtesy of Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana

March/April 2022

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Union Farmer St. Onge

Around the State with ion Farmers Un

Kimball

Sale Barn Coffees Watertown Farm Show

Platte

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Union Farmer

Around the State with Farmers Union

Farmers Union Insurance Supports Communities

South Dakota Farmers Union members and staff are making a difference in rural communities across South Dakota.

Black Hills Stock Show Sioux Empire Livestock Show

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March/April 2022

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Union Farmer

Rob Larew National Farmers Union President

Throughout the month of February, NFU was very busy preparing for the 120th Anniversary Convention, which took place Feb. 27 through March 1. The convention was a success, with more than 700 family farmers and ranchers and guests in attendance.

Farmers Union delegates and members from across the country gathered to set NFU’s policy priorities for the year, heard from agricultural experts and public officials and elected a new Vice President.

CONVENTION RECAP After two long years apart, it was great to be back in person with so many Farmers Union members, staff and friends at the 120th Anniversary NFU convention in Denver.

Delegates debated and adopted the policy book for 2022 and approved five special orders of business. Among the core policy issues were combatting climate change, promoting biofuels and intensifying anticonsolidation efforts through Fairness for Farmers. New special orders included: calling on Congress to improve federal dairy programs; enhancing efforts to fix supply chain issues; and strengthening agriculture workforce protections and regional food systems.

The convention featured several speakers including Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Colorado Agriculture Commissioner Kate Greenberg and Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, who was presented with NFU’s Fairness for Farmers Champion Award and provided remarks on the status of several major legislative initiatives in Congress. Tester raised hopes for progress in 2022 on right to repair, which he filed in January, as well as the next steps for cattle

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market transparency and country-of-origin labeling legislation. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack joined virtually for a live presentation and lengthy Q&A session, focusing on ensuring social equity in USDA programs and investing in climate-smart projects, as well as USDA’s collaboration with the Department of Justice to enforce antitrust laws, as the Biden Administration has made it a domestic priority.

Other presenters included EPA Administrator Michael Regan, FTC Chair Lina Khan, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and U.S. Reps.

Joe Neguse and Jason Crow – all of whom provided pre-recorded videos, as did President Joe Biden.

NFU FILES FTC COMPLAINT AGAINST JOHN DEERE In early March, NFU filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against John Deere. The complaint, prepared by Fairmark Partners, outlines how Deere has harmed farmers and independent mechanics by making it nearly impossible to obtain repair services other than from Deere-authorized technicians. Other right to repair and farm advocacy organizations also joined Farmers Union on the complaint, including Farm Action, U.S. PIRG, Digital Right to Repair Coalition and iFIXIT. The complaint asserts Deere is violating the antitrust laws through a process called “tying.” By tying purchases of its equipment to repairs that only Deere can perform, Deere is using its market dominance to monopolize the repair market. While Deere is facing several class action lawsuits on this matter, NFU hopes the FTC can act more quickly and aggressively to address the issue.

The FTC signaled last July that it intended to ramp up enforcement against illegal repair restrictions. Legislation on the topic is also being introduced: Tester introduced a bill in February, two House bills have been filed as well, and bills have been introduced in more than half of state legislatures.

BEEF MARKET TRANSPARENCY Indications are strong that there will be renewed energy to bring about greater transparency and price discovery in the cattle markets. During his speech at the NFU convention banquet, Tester signaled that progress is likely in spring for the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2021.

In a letter to the Democratic caucus on March 7, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer included meat prices as an issue that is the subject of bipartisan legislative negotiations, along with insulin costs and ocean shipping. NFU is closely tracking these developments and is working with legislative leaders to bring this bill, along with other Fairness for Farmers issues, further along in the House and Senate.

POSTAL SERVICE REFORM On March 8, the Senate passed the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 on a 79-19 bipartisan vote. The bill passed the House in February with a 342-92 vote and is now expected to be signed into law by President Biden in the next couple of days. The bill will save $50 billion over the next decade by requiring retired postal employees to enroll in Medicare when they become eligible and eliminating a mandate that requires the USPS to cover its healthcare costs years in advance.

The bill also will require the USPS to create and make available an online dashboard with local and national delivery time data to address ongoing postal mail delivery disruptions.

Passage of H.R. 3072 is a recognition of the fact that the USPS is an organization that provides a critical service for rural Americans who rely on mail. This legislation strengthens the Postal Service by providing much-needed financial support to expand and enhance services and protects postal workers’ jobs, family-sustaining pay and benefits that uplift their communities. ■ Current as of March 15, 2022 www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

From the President....

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Planting Season Begins with Prayers for Ukraine Doug Sombke, SDFU President

s we prepare our equipment this planting season, let us all remember the family farmers of the Ukraine who may not be so fortunate as to plant the 2022 crop in peace. Every time I think of them, I send up prayers for their safety.

Worldwide, Ukraine is the No. 1 producer of winter wheat. Russia’s invasion will have a major impact on grain markets.

Thankfully we live in a country at peace, with friendly neighbors along our north and south borders. But we do need to see steps taken to protect our family farmers as we face growing season 2022 with overpriced fuel and fertilizer.

The administration is taking notice. I wish they had acted quicker by instructing the EPA to enforce the Clean Air Act which mandates that the cleanest fuel on the market be used and made available.

Research shows that the cleanest fuel on the market is E30 and other higher ethanol blends. Not only are these fuels the cleanest, but this U.S.A.-produced fuel is also safe to run in all vehicles.

To date, Glacial Lakes Energy has data showing more than 10 million miles on vehicles of all makes, models and ages have fueled up with E30 with no issues of any kind.

In January of this year, results of a study conducted by NASCAR determined E30 is a better fuel with more power and efficiency than E10 which they use in their vehicles today.

A study from the University of Nebraska of the state fleet, released February 2021, showed the same results. And noted if 10 percent of Nebraskans fueled up their nonflex-fuel vehicles with 30 percent ethanol, CO2 emissions would decrease by 64,000 tons per year.

Speaking of clean emissions, let me circle back to the Clean Air Act. The Biden administrations EPA needs to enforce Section 202L of the Act as congress intended the law

to be enacted. This is the section of the Act which states only the cleanest fuels should be burned. Blended gasoline at the level of E30 fits this mold the best of all liquid fuels.

I urge our members to reach out to our state representatives (their contacts are listed below) and ask them to encourage the EPA to enforce Section 202L of the Clean Air Act so we can gain back control of our fuel prices.

To fertilizer prices…it’s unnerving to think that most of our fertilizer supply comes from Russia.

NFU 2022 On the livestock side of things, fortunately, there is positive momentum coming from the USDA to support more local processing. In Secretary Vilsack’s NFU Convention address, he outlined funds allocated to everything from updates and construction of smaller processing plants to workforce training.

The issue of packer concentration is one Farmers Union has been working on for a long time. NFU speakers reenforced the fact that your voice is heard on this issue.

During the 2022 NFU Convention, your delegates did an exceptional job representing your voice and policy.

And Jeff Kippley is the first South Dakotan to be elected to serve as National Farmers Union Vice President!

Jeff won by a landslide – with 40,000 more votes than the incumbent. He is a very articulate advocate for family farmers and ranchers.

He and his wife, Rachel, are active in their community and active members of South Dakota Farmers Union. As a modern family farmer and rancher Jeff will be a huge asset to NFU as an advocate for all farmers union members.

Sincerely,

www.sdfu.org

South Dakota Union Farmer, ISSN 0745-8797, publishes 9 times per calendar year, with issues printed in March/April, March/April, May/June, July, August, September, October, November and December. Periodical postage paid at Madison, S.D. Karla Hofhenke, Publisher Lura Roti, Editor Wendy Sweeter, Copy Editor Diane Martinson, Layout & Design

All information for publication must be submitted by the 15th of the month. You may submit items to address below or email items to: sdfu@sdfu.org POSTMASTER: Address changes to: SDFU, PO Box 1388, Huron, S.D. 57350-1388

Contact SDFU • 605.352.6761 1410 Dakota Avenue South, PO Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350 www.sdfu.org

Doug Sombke, President South Dakota Farmers Union

Sen. Mike Rounds 202-224-5842 / 844-875-5268 logan_penfield@rounds.senate.gov

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

sdfu@sdfu.org

SDFU State Office Staff Karla Hofhenke............ext. 114 Executive Director Huron Rachel Haigh-Blume.... ext. 125 Education Director Tulare Rocky Forman..............ext. 117 Member Services Coordinator Huron

Kelli Peterson...............ext. 116 Administrative Assistant Huron Doug Bruckner..............ext. 118 Controller Wessington Springs Luke Reindl................... ext. 122 Comm. & Policy Specialist Wessington Springs

SDFU Board of Directors Doug Sombke.........President Groton Wayne Soren.. Vice President Lake Preston Mike Miller................ District I Freeman Scott Kolousek......... District II Wessington Springs Gail Temple............. District III Clark

Contact NFU

Congressional Leaders Contact information: Rep. Dusty Johnson 202-225-2801 / 855-225-2801 reid.rasmussen@mail.house.gov

A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

David Reis................District IV Oacoma Dallis Basel...............District V Union Center Oren Lesmeister......District VI Parade Chad Johnson........District VII Groton

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

Rob Larew, President ~ Jeff Kippley, Vice President Darin Von Ruden, Secretary ~ Doug Sombke, Treasurer 202.554.1600 www.nfu.org

March/April 2022

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Union Farmer

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gricultural producers with small-scale farms who sell locally can now get simplified insurance coverage through a new policy designed for their needs.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture introduced the new Micro Farm policy, which will be a much more simplified form of recordkeeping than the normal crop insurance policy.

Micro Farm is offered through Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP), a premium subsidized risk management option that puts all farm commodities under one insurance

USDA Launches Micro Farm Crop Insurance for 2022! policy. WFRP protects farmers from loss of income due to many different perils or causes of loss.

The WFRP policy for Micro Farm has been enhanced to minimize underwriting requirements, and producers will not have to report expenses and individual commodities.

Producers can include post-production costs activities as revenue, such as washing and packaging commodities or value-added products like jam.

Micro Farm is available. Talk with your Farmers Union Insurance agent for sales closing dates. Producers

with crops insured under another crop insurance policy or a vertically integrated operation will not be eligible.

The Micro Farm policy was designed based on research required under the 2018 Farm Bill. The policy development process included obtaining feedback from small-scale producers that have grown products for their local communities. It was formed as part of RMA efforts to better serve specialty and organic crop growers. ■

NFU’s College Conference on Cooperatives Continues Excellence in Cooperative Education

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ach February, Farmers Union hosts the College Conference on Cooperatives to educate, motivate and inspire the next generation of leaders. Held virtually this year, more than 257 individuals registered for conference, with representation from 36 states and eight countries and spanning four continents (North America, Africa, Europe and Asia).

During the course of this two-day conference, attendees discussed the importance, structure and operations of various types of cooperative sectors. Participants heard from experts in the field and participated in interactive learning sessions, including: • Decision-making in Cooperatives • Cooperatives in Agriculture • Consumer Cooperatives • Next Steps in Your Co-op Journey • Co-op Advocacy • Leadership in Co-ops: Board Roles & Responsibilities • The Co-op Career Advantage This year’s conference was made possible by premier supporters CHS Foundation, CHS Inc., CoBank and NFU Foundation. National Farmers Union also appreciates the generosity of the Ralph K. Morris Foundation, which hosted the keynote address. ■ Courtesy of NFU

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March/April 2022

www.sdfu.org

Thank You I would like to thank you for covering the cost of my registration to the Women in Blue Jeans conference in Mitchell. Looking forward to the event again this year as there is always something new to learn.

Thanks again, Lyla Sigmund *** Dear Rachel and South Dakota Farmers Union, Thank you for selecting me as a scholarship recipient. I am excited and honored. This scholarship will be very helpful as I pursue my ag business degree at SDSU next fall.

Thank you and Happy New Year, Matea Gordon Sturgis Brown High School

Welcome

Kelli Peterson, SDFU Administrative Assistant welcomed her grandson, Rook James Peterson, into the world Feb. 7, 2022. This is Kelli’s first grandchild.

Departings

Duane DeVries of Lennox died Dec. 25, 2021. Duane is preceded in death by his wife, Lois, and his son, Marlyn. Survivors include his children: Carla (Alvin) Haan and Glenn DeVries. *** James Charles Konechne, Jr., 68, of Kimball, passed away Feb. 10, 2022.

Survivors include his wife, Audrey; six children: Chris (Amanda) Konechne, Kelly (Kayla) Konechne, Grant (Jolene) Konechne, Laura (Bret) Sitzmann, Kevin (Heather) Konechne and Taylor (Nataly) Konechne. *** Verla Lindblad, 94, of Wolsey, passed away Feb. 14, 2022. Survivors include two sons, Wayne (Kathy) and Vern. Verla was preceded in death by her husband, Carl.

Verla worked for South Dakota Farmers Union from 1963 until she retired in 1990, and then worked part-time until 1997. *** Patrick L Howard of Woonsocket passed away Jan. 26, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Marlen (Higgins) Howard; and children, Julie (Robert) Thompson, James (Lori) Howard, Jeffrey (Carrie) Howard and Jason (Torria) Howard.

Farmers Union signs available Show your Farmers Union spirit with a special Farmers Union sign. Available for a limited time, the sign makes a fun addition to the farm driveway, the side of a barn or even a statement piece in the house.

The cost per sign is $5 or free with a five-year or greater membership to Farmers Union. To get yours today, contact Membership Specialist Rocky Forman at 605-352-6761 ext 116 or at rforman@sdfu.org.

COOK’S CORNER

Little Smokies

Nikki Kotzer, Groton, S.D. Lifetime Member

2 pkg. little smokies 1 c. grape jelly 1 c. ketchup ½ c. brown sugar 2 T. mustard Mix jelly, ketchup, mustard and brown sugar together. Place little smokies in a crockpot and pour jelly mixture over them. Stir well until they are evenly coated. Heat through. www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer 4 Ways to Connect With Us! SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION mail to: sdfu@sdfu.org Like us for updates, photos, news, and so much more. https://www.facebook.com/ South-Dakota-Farmers-Union277721538812/ Follow us for the latest legislative updates and news. https://twitter.com/sdfarmersunion View videos at the South Dakota Farmers Union Channel. https://www.youtube.com/ user/sdfarmersunion

ORDER YOUR OWN COPY OF THE FARMERS UNION CENTENNIAL COOKBOOK Cookbooks are $10 plus tax and shipping. Contact Kelli Peterson 605-352-6761, ext 116, to place your order today!

SDFU CLIP AND SAVE CALENDAR (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

March 2022 29 Farm Safety Trailer, Lennox School April 2022 9 District 3 Meeting, Quality Inn, Watertown 15 Office Closed – Easter 25 FFA Quiz Bowl, Brookings May 2022 17-19 FUSA Statewide Meetings, Huron 25 Distrct 4 Meeting 30 Office Closed – Memorial Day June 2022 6-10 State Camp 15 SDHSRA Appreciation 24-29 All States Camp, Wisconsin July 2022 4 Office Closed – 4th of July 14 Policy Committee Meeting, Huron August 2022 1 District 3 Meeting, Pizza Ranch, Watertown

March/April 2022

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P r o t e c t i n g W h a t ’s I m p o r t a n t i n L i f e

Simply Different | fumic.com ABERDEEN ABERDEEN ABERDEEN ABERDEEN BISON BISON BISON BISON BRITTON BRITTON BROOKINGS BROOKINGS BROOKINGS BROOKINGS BROOKINGS BROOKINGS BUFFALO BUFFALO CLARK CLARK DOLAND DOLAND FAULKTON FAULKTON

Johnson...............725-3003 J.R.J.R. Johnson ............ 725-3003 Cameron Lux.............

229-3945 Cameron Lux ............ 229-3945 Voller. ..................

244-7431 AlanAlan Voller ................

244-7431 Karen Voller................

244-7431 Karen Voller .............. 244-7431 Farber.................448-5150 TomTom Farber ............... 448-5150 Gary Ray. ....................692-6735 Gary Ray ..................

692-6735 Reams................690-3018 BethBeth Reams ............. 690-3018 Heidi Fields.................

881-2830 Heidi Fields .............. 881-2830 Wickstrom..........

375-3311 JennJenn Wickstrom ........ 375-3311 Lon Reidburn..............532-3299 Lon Reidburn ........... 532-3299 Mark Rozell.................

635-6511 Mark Rozell .............. 635-6511 Dawn Melius...............598-6570 Dawn Melius............. 598-6570

AUTO

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FA R M

Johnson...............

397-8155 J.R.J.R. Johnson ............ 397-8155 Blaine Anderson.........

352-2130 Blaine Anderson ....... 352-2130 Brendon Hansen. ........

263-2121 Brendon Hansen ......

263-2121 Brian Hansen..............263-3342 Brian Hansen ........... 263-3342 Donna Enders.............

837-2144 Donna Enders...........

837-2144 Chris Goldsmith..........374-3462 Carrie Derschan........ 374-3462 Kevin Albrecht. ............941-0650 Chris Goldsmith ........

374-3462 Brendon Hansen. ........387-5555 Kevin Albrecht ..........

941-0650 MITCHELL David Hansen Schelske...........660-2743 MENNO Brendon ...... 387-5555 PIEDMONT Ce Faulkner................737-0463 MITCHELL Ryan Leischner......... 996-9651 PIERRE Andrew Mefferd..........

224-4123 PIEDMONT Ce Faulkner .............. 737-0463 RAPID CITY Kasey Keller. . ..............343-4213 PIERRE Andrew Mefferd ........ 224-4123

RAPID CITY Dan Lewis...................342-3585 RAPID CITY Kasey Keller.............. 343-4213 RAPID CITY Jake Lewis..................342-3585 RAPID CITY Dan Lewis................. 342-3585 SIOUX FALLS Jeff Nord.................... 338-5302 SIOUX FALLS Jeff Nord .................. 338-5302 SIOUX FALLS Stacy Mongar............. 338-5302 SIOUX FALLS Stacy Mongar ........... 338-5302

GROTON GROTON HURON HURON IRENE IRENE IRENE IRENE KADOKA KADOKA LEMMON LEMMON MARION LEMMON MENNO MARION

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ANNUITY

SISSETON Erica Steiner...............

698-7316 SISSETON Erica Steiner ............. 698-7316 SPEARFISH Scott Sabers...............642-8870 SPEARFISH Scott Sabers ............. 642-8870

STURGIS Scott Sabers..............

347-4507 STURGIS Scott Sabers ............. 347-4507 WATERTOWN Todd Nichols..............

886-9683 WATERTOWN Todd Nichols ............ 886-9683

WEBSTER WEBSTER WEBSTER WEBSTER WINNER WINNER YANKTON YANKTON

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Debbie Baumgarn.

Debbie Baumgarn ..........345-2640 345-2640 Larry Baumgarn..........345-2640 Larry Baumgarn........ 345-2640 Jeremy 842-1556 Jeremy ClayClay............... .............. 842-1556 James Murphy...........

664-2121 James Murphy.......... 664-2121

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