May/June 2019 Union Farmer by South Dakota Farmers Union

Volume CIV, No. 3 Huron, SD MAY/JUNE 2019

A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

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

Advocate for Clean Air

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New FUE Couple

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Farm Safety Quiz Bowl

Scholarship Recipients

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Mental Health: How to Help Those We Love Story on Page 4

SDFU Celebrates Freeman Farm Family

tanding in their pasture, surrounded by cows with their new calves, Michelle Friesen points to a shelterbelt off to the southwest. “My mother grew up on a farm over there, about a year after my parents were married, my grandparents bought this place for my parents and they moved here,” explains the fourthgeneration Freeman farmer. Quick to point out that although she grew up on the farm and spends five days each week actively involved, farming is actually her husband, Mike Miller’s passion. Music is hers. “My mother says that from 2-years-old on, I begged for a piano,”

CAMP SEASON BEGINS! Find dates and camp locations on Page 12

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 Mike Miller and Michelle Friesen. The couple have farmed together near Freeman since they married in 1996. They raise corn, soybeans, a cow/calf herd and feeder operation.

says Friesen, who is a soprano in the Sioux Falls Symphony Chorus and owns a piano studio, teaching 20 students each week. “I love music. It’s all around us. It’s everywhere you go.” Before the couple married, she was living in Kansas teaching music and worked as the pianist for a junior college choir and Miller was farming fulltime. She knew marrying him meant she would return to farming, but she also knew he would support her in pursuing music and performing. “Farming is his passion and this farm is more than what he can do

Freeman Family Continued on Page 2

Union Farmer Freeman Family

Continued from Page 1

“Growing up here I had a lot of people who did a lot for me. I believe in paying it forward and while I’m on this earth I want to be invested in the people who are on it.” — MICHELLE FRIESEN

on his own. So, as long as it works for me to do music and perform, I am available to help with farm work three-fourths time,” Friesen says. Together, the couple raise corn, soybeans, a cow/calf herd and feeder operation. They lease some farmland and pasture from Michelle’s parents, Maureen (Hofer) and Marlyn Friesen, who retired in 2013. Like Friesen said, farming is Miller’s passion. As a little boy, he remembers making the 50-mile drive from Sioux Falls to his grandparents’ Freeman farm each Saturday so his dad, Max, could help on the family’s farm and farm 80 acres he owned. After his

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grandpa, Edward Miller, passed away, his family moved to the farm fulltime. “I always knew I wanted to be a farmer,” Miller explains. “The family tells a story that one morning they got up and couldn’t find Mike. He was already on the tractor,” Friesen adds. A while after the story took place, his family suffered a tremendous loss, when his dad was killed in a farm accident. About that time, Miller began working for a local dairyman, Steve Friesen. “I worked for him all through high school and college. Before I even graduated from high school, he said, ‘you let me know if you want to farm, and I will help you get started,’” Miller recalls. After college, he took over the lease on a quarter of land his mom, Marlyce, owned and began farming. Steve loaned him equipment and gave him advice. “I couldn’t have gotten into farming without Steve’s help,” Miller says. “Someday, we’d like to do the same for a young farmer,” Friesen adds. Conventional crop farmers, the couple implements outside-the-box thinking when it comes to managing their cow/calf herd. “Efficiencies are the name of the game,” Miller says. “We calve half the herd in the spring and the other half in the fall because

I have enough feedlot space for 120 head, but we calve more than 200 head. This way I don’t have to invest in larger facilities.” Although it’s tough to juggle calving in the spring and fall during planting and harvest, typically, the weather cooperates. However, this spring, due to extreme moisture, Miller says planting is postponed, so they will have most of the calving done before planting begins. They sell the feeder calves in January and May at auction markets in Worthing or Yankton. “It’s good to be diversified so we aren’t tied to one commodity, and when that

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Union Farmer commodity is at a low, then you’re stuck. But, when you have some diversification, the highs in other areas can keep you going,” she says. Miller uses forward contracting to market

their corn and soybeans. “I don’t have to hit a home run, but I have to get on base. My object is not to hit the high of the market, but to avoid the low,” he explains. Closely connected to their hometown and school, Freeman Academy, they are actively involved in their community. Together, the couple donates their time and equipment to farm a quarter of land that belongs to Freeman Academy. The money raised at harvest helps fund the local Christian school. They serve as two of 250 Schmeckfest volunteers. Since 1959, Schmeckfest has been an annual festival/fundraiser for Freeman Academy, which serves kindergarten through high school. Running two weekends each spring, the event includes meals and a community play. This year, Friesen was the director of the musical, “The Boyfriend,” a 1920s-era romantic comedy.

“Growing up here I had a lot of people who did a lot for me. I believe in paying it forward and while I’m on this earth I want to be invested in the people who are on it,” she explains. For more than 17 years, Miller has served on the board of Country Pride Cooperative, he is on the board of the South Dakota Cooperative Association and in 2018, he was elected to serve on the SDFU Board of Directors, representing District 1. “The more I became involved, starting with our local cooperative, and the more I learned about agriculture in South Dakota, it made me realize, we need to speak up for ourselves,” he says. “We are only 2 percent of the population. Another reason to get involved in Farmers Union, because Farmers Union gives us a voice.” ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU

“The more I became involved, starting with our local cooperative, and the more I learned about agriculture in South Dakota, it made me realize, we need to speak up for ourselves.” — MIKE MILLER

www.sdfu.org

May/June 2019

Union Farmer

Farmers Don’t Have to Suffer or Lose Sleep – Ask Professionals for Help

f a friend or loved one has diabetes or high blood pressure and their current diet or medications aren’t working, you wouldn’t tell them to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps and get over it.” More than likely, you’d suggest they meet with their doctor. The same thoughtfulness should apply when a neighbor or family member is struggling with anxiety or depression, explained Karl Oehlke, a physician assistant with Avera Medical Group University Psychiatry Associates. “You can’t just grit your teeth and bear it. If you have pneumonia, I will prescribe an antibiotic for you. If you have sleep disturbance, I will give you something for sleep. Farming is never without stress. Right now, farmers are faced with a lot of stressors out of their control, which may be causing bonafide anxiety or depression. A medical professional can provide medication or counseling options to help with that too,” Oehlke says. Oehlke speaks from experience. He is a third generation Hartford farmer. “I farm myself, so I know that typical stresses are heightened right now, with concerns over significant fall off in profitability caused by issues with China, flooding and drought. And, the loss of income is pervasive right now. It’s not just the row crop guy or the dairy guy, it’s everyone in agriculture.” In fact, Oehlke is concerned enough over farmers’ and ranchers’ mental health due to magnified stressors that he suggested Avera launch the Farmer’s Stress Hotline. Completely confidential and free, farmers, ranchers, their family and friends can call in 24/7 to visit with trained specialists to better understand where they can go for help. The Farmer’s Stress Hotline number is 800-691-4336. “There is a level of trepidation about going to the doctor for anxiety or depression. And, if you live in a small community, maybe you go hunting or to church with your primary care doctor and you’d rather keep things confidential. Call the hotline and we can refer you to someone outside your community,” Oehlke explains. “By asking for help, farmers and ranchers are not only helping themselves, but they can help those around them. As farmers, we may not realize how many people we touch. Not only the many people we help feed, but our friends and family members are connected to our actions as well.” — Karl Oehlke, Physician Assistant and Third Generation Farmer A professional, Oehlke explains, can provide farmers or ranchers with the medicine and other resources they need to get a good night’s sleep or more healthfully deal with depression and anxiety. “When I visit with farmers who call in, I hear the words, ‘fear’ and ‘anxiety,’ quite a bit,” Oehlke said. “When you’re not making money, you start to lose sleep because you’re worried about getting the kids through school or, as a third, fourth or fifth generation farmer, you don’t want to be the guy who loses the farm.” And, unfortunately, lack of profits is currently an issue for many South Dakota farmers and ranchers, explained Nate Franzen, President of Ag Banking Division of First Dakota National Bank. “If you look across the agriculture landscape, it’s been really tight, with

May/June 2019

Karl Oehlke, physician assistant and third generation farmer, with his children on their Hartford farm.

low commodity prices, a lot of volatility in the markets and livestock. It’s a tough environment to make money,” Franzen says. Two years ago, 52 percent of First Dakota National Bank’s agriculture customers made a profit. Whereas, four years ago 60 percent of agriculture customers made a profit. “Tough economic times in agriculture are tough on everyone. It not only wears on farmers and ranchers, it wears on lenders, and others who serve them,” Franzen says. “The ag industry is a close group of folks, with lots of great leaders. We will be fine as long as we lean on each other, and we are there for each other.” Signs you or a loved one needs mental health support So, how do you know if someone you know or love is battling anxiety or depression? Andrea Bjornestad, Assistant Professor and SDSU Extension Mental Health Specialist, shares some symptoms to watch for among family and friends: • Depression, hopelessness • Withdrawal from people or activities they ordinarily enjoy • Negative thoughts, including frequent talk about disappearing or death www.sdfu.org

Advocate for Safe Air – Sign This Petition

s farmers who have advocated for ethanol for nearly four decades, we understand the impact higher ethanol blends can have on our farm economy.

Higher ethanol blends, like E30 would create $42 billion in economic activity to sustain the agricultural-based economies in the United States by increasing demand for

corn by 5 billion bushels. However, have you given much thought to the impact higher ethanol blends, like E30, can have on the air we breathe and our children’s health? Research shows, the additives in fuel are proven carcinogens. Yup, Benzene, Toulene, Ethyl Benzene and Xylene – they all cause cancer, and we’re all breathing them in. These additives CAN be removed from gasoline if higher ethanol blends are added to gasoline. In fact, if these harmful additives were removed from gasoline and replaced by higher ethanol blends, it would decrease premature deaths by 50,000 – because 50,000 deaths in the United States are associated with pollution from transportation fuels. What can you do? Sign the Make Gasoline SAFE! Petition, launched by the

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Clean Fuels Development Coalition, asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to remove cancer-causing additives from gasoline. Please sign today: www.change.org/p/ environmental-protection-agency-epa-makegasoline-safe Want to learn more, watch this video and share it with your friends: Do You Know Jack? Part 1@ youtu.be/NURz10BLaaI. ■ By Doug Sombke, SDFU President and fourth generation South Dakota farmer

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To sign up a team, contact SDFU 605.352.6761 x 111 or sdfu@sdfu.org • Strong feelings of guilt or low selfesteem • Decline in hygiene or appearance • Alcohol or substance misuse • Stockpiling medication • Easy access to firearms And, Bjornestad said if you see the above symptoms or assume someone is struggling, don’t hesitate to get involved. “If you see someone struggling, socially withdrawing, behavioral changes, don’t hesitate to ask them if they are thinking about killing themselves,” Bjornestad says. “Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions. You asking will not impact a person’s response or thoughts.” Approaching a friend or family member to discuss their mental health is not easy, Bjornestad offers some advice for this as well. She suggests talking to the person alone and www.sdfu.org

in a private location. “It is important to describe any changes you’ve observed in the person and to let them know that you care about them,” Bjornestad says. “After describing changes, you may need to ask tough questions directly including, ‘Have you had any recent thoughts of death and dying?’ or, ‘Are you experiencing thoughts of suicide?’” If the answer is yes, the following resources are important: • Help the person get immediate mental health assistance. Offer options such as the Helpline (dial 211) or Farmer’s Stress Hotline numbers; call a family member to come help and potentially take the person to the hospital; call a local mental health crisis team; call for emergency medical services. Do not leave the person alone.

“Remember, there are so many things right now that farmers and ranchers cannot control. We can’t control the prices. We can’t control the weather. But you can control whether or not you reach out for help to treat anxiety or depression symptoms,” Oehlke says. “By asking for help, farmers and ranchers are not only helping themselves, but they can help those around them. As farmers, we may not realize how many people we touch. Not only the many people we help feed, but our friends and family members are connected to our actions as well.” For more information, call the Avera Farmer’s Stress Hotline at 800-691-4336 or Avera.org/FarmerStress, or contact Bjornestad at 605-688-5125 or andrea.bjornestad@ sdstate.edu. ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU May/June 2019

Union Farmer

As we reflect on the women who raised us this Mother’s Day, SDFU would like to celebrate the many women who support the state’s No. 1 industry – farm and ranch moms! By Lura Roti for S.D. Farmers Union

Back: Sheldon & Bobbi Froelich, Danni, Mike, Bailie Beer, Carter Honeyman, Bo Beer Front: Blaze Beer, Dogs: Bear & Truman.

DANNI BEER

The only constant is change. And, for Keldron rancher, Danni Beer, that’s a good thing. “Everything is constantly changing. If your operation isn’t changing with the times, or your family isn’t moving forward, something’s wrong,” explains Beer, 48. “I want to make sure the cattle industry stays progressive, not regressive or reactive. I want the same for my family.” “I think raising kids on the ranch provides them with a great work ethic. It teaches them so many life skills – you learn so much here. And, they get to grow up seeing their mom and dad working together. A lot of kids don’t get to see that – for better or worse, our kids see everything.” — Danni Beer, Keldron, rancher & mother of four Beer, together with her husband, Mike, and oldest son, Bo, raise cattle and crops on the family’s ranch 20 miles southeast of Lemmon. Growing up on a ranch just across the North Dakota line, Beer always enjoyed ranch work. She knew she wanted to remain in the agriculture industry and pursued an agriculture education degree at South Dakota State University. She also knew she wanted to raise her family on a ranch. “I think raising kids on the ranch provides them with a great work ethic. It teaches them so many life skills – you learn so much here. And,

May/June 2019

they get to grow up seeing their mom and dad working together. A lot of kids don’t get to see that – for better or worse, our kids see everything,” says Beer, of their four children Bobbi Froelich, 26; Bo,25; Bailie, 22, and Blaze, 9. Working on the ranch fulltime, other than a few brief years here and there, Beer says she has enjoyed watching their children learn and grow. “I have always enjoyed watching them learn new things. And, there are sometimes when the kids teach us more than we teach them. It happens nearly every day with technology,” Beer says. “There are times when I watch my daughter, Bailie, do things on the ranch, and she does things the way I would do them. It’s like having someone who thinks a lot like you do.” Reflecting on her parenting skills, Beer says she learned a lot from her own mother, Gloria Maher. “She is the perfect mom. She put her kids first in everything. She supported my dad and us kids in everything we did.” Beer worked to do the same. “Sometimes you just have to drop everything and get them to their activity. And, sometimes they have to learn you can’t do everything. You have to say, ‘no’ to some things,” she says. In addition to ranch work and children, Beer also gives of her time to the cattle industry. She helped found the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association and served as its president 2014-2016. She remains active in the organization as a board member. “Getting involved in the agriculture industry off the farm or ranch is something you need to do to help direct the future,” she says. Discussing the future, she says as a mom, she’s enjoyed every stage of her children’s lives. “When the kids were little, helping them with things and now that some are adults, interacting with them as adults.” www.sdfu.org

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“I always thought it would be wonderful to raise the kids in the country because I felt it taught them about nature and responsibility.” — Janet Kolousek, Wessington Springs, farm wife and mother of three Back row: Amber and Scott (son), daughter Laura, daughter Leah and her husband Jared Richter. Middle: Ella, Abby, Jacob (now deceased), Isaac (Scott’s kids); Shea and Caleb (Leah’s kids). Front: Ed and Judy Carter (Janet’s brother), Janet’s mom Goldie Carter, Janet and Dick Kolousek.

JANET KOLOUSEK

Even before she married a Wessington Springs crop and cattle farmer, Janet (Carter) Kolousek knew when she became a mother, she wanted to raise her children in the country. “I always thought it would be wonderful to raise the kids in the country because I felt it taught them about nature and responsibility,” explains Kolousek, 67, who grew up on a diversified farm. “I have always enjoyed the wide open spaces and loved going out and hearing birdsong and seeing wildlife, being able to see the stars and moon at night. I just love the land. I love nature. I love creation. And, it’s easy to enjoy all that when you’re in the country.” Together with her husband, Dick, she did get to raise their three children, Scott, Laura and Leah, in the country, on his family’s Wessington Springs diversified crop and livestock farm. But, because the family needed health insurance, she used her education as a medical transcriptionist coder and worked fulltime off the farm at a local medical clinic, first in insurance, then as an administrative assistant and, eventually working her way up to serving as office manager for three clinics. Reflecting on the busy years as a working mom, she doesn’t know exactly how she juggled it all. “Just like every other working mom, I just learned how to get everything done and keep up with the kids’ www.sdfu.org

activities and job responsibilities.” When the kids were too young to spend time on the farm without close supervision, Dick’s mom, Ione, watched them. “This helped immensely. I knew they were with family. I knew my husband was within a few miles if anything happened and he was needed. The kids got to help grandma with her garden, and with the chicken chores. They learned all kinds of things from Grandma and Grandpa, and that was great for them and for us.” Semi-retired, today, Kolousek gets to spend a lot of time with grandchildren. Scott farms with Dick, and he and his wife, Amber, live just a half mile away. “One of the best things about a family farming operation is that the people you work with have the same goals and dreams, and we all love and trust each other,” Kolousek says. Two of her grandchildren do live in Rapid City, but when they visit, she makes time for all the cousins to play and work together. “I read somewhere that grandma’s is where cousins become friends. “I think it is a real blessing. I know there are a lot of grandparents whose kids live so far away that they don’t get that quality time together with the grandkids to form that bond between grandparents and grandchildren,” she says. Reflecting on her parenting years, she relied upon her parents’ example, advice from friends and her faith. “Prayer and faith were the main thing – and talking with other moms, asking how they dealt with this or that.” Growing up, Kolousek’s mom made sure she and her siblings never missed church. As an eighth-grader, she began to play piano for her church, a tradition she continues today, playing piano for St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. “Mom really taught us that you need to give of your time and talents – use the gifts God has given you for His glory.” ■ May/June 2019

Union Farmer

Cooperative Highlight: Central Farmers

eople are the reason Mark Finck enjoys his work as general manager of Central Farmers Cooperative. And, the people who make up Central Farmers Cooperative are essential to the full-service agronomy, grain, feed and energy and energy cooperative’s ability to serve their member-owner. “People are the core asset of this cooperative. Without our people, there is no way we can timely serve our growers,”

May/June 2019

Finck explains. “When you look at last spring, and this spring, when our growers can get into their fields, they will need our products and services fast and furious. If we don’t have the people, there is no way we can get the product out the door, get the fertilizer spread, acres sprayed and treated seed out the door.” Finck invests a lot of time, strategy and energy to ensure that he has the employee team in place to serve farmer-members

this growing season. That’s no small task, as he explains. “Talk to anyone managing employees in rural South Dakota and they will tell you that finding and keeping employees is the biggest challenge.” In response to this challenge, Central Farmers Cooperative began offering sign-on and referral bonuses – but beyond incentives, the management team also began increasing employee engagements. Instead of annual reviews, they implemented semi-annual reviews. They encourage feedback and frequently check in with the employee team. “By getting employees more involved in the process, we feel like we are getting a better line of communication with our employees. And, we are getting more open and honest feedback cooperative-wide so we can respond to issues sooner and hopefully retain employees.” Like the farmer-members they serve, the work Central Farmers Cooperative employees do is not 8 to 5. So, it takes a dedicated, hard-working team, and Finck is encouraged by the employee team serving farmers this season. More about Central Farmers Central Farmers Cooperative’s legacy is rooted in five local South Dakota cooperatives who merged in recent years to provide added value to their members. A full-service agriculture cooperative, through mergers with cooperatives from the communities of Canova, Dimock, Freeman, Irene, Lyons, Marion, Montrose, Salem, Springfield, Scotland and Viborg; Central Farmers Cooperative has been able to invest in facility upgrades while maintaining its financial strength. Since 1998, the grain and agronomy divisions of Central Farmers Cooperative, Fremar LLC has been connected to ADM. The partnership with ADM has connected the cooperative globally. Central Farmers Cooperative has locations in Marion, Freeman, Dimock, Canova, Salem, Montrose, Lyons, Viborg, Irene, Scotland, Tyndall and Springfield. To learn more about Central Farmers Cooperative, visit www.cenfarmcoop .com. ■ www.sdfu.org

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De Smet Farmers Represent South Dakota during 2019 Farmers Union Enterprises Couples Leadership Program

s De Smet farmers and young parents who also work off the farm fulltime, Rob and Darcie Lee say it’s not easy to make time for leadership development, but it’s important to their future, so they are making it a priority. The couple will represent South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) as members of the 2019 Farmers Union Enterprise Couples Leadership Program. “We can always come up with reasons not to do things. But we accepted the fact that there will never be a good time to give up five weekends, so we prioritized this and we’re going to make it work because it is worth it,” Rob explains. And, the couple is fortunate to have grandparents living nearby to help care for 3-year-old Everett and 6-month-old Rosene. The Farmers Union Enterprise Couples Leadership Program was developed to substantiate and empower future leaders for rural America and Farmers Union through leadership, citizenship and policy development training. Each year, one couple from each of the five state Farmers Union organizations which make up Farmers Union Enterprise, are selected to participate. Throughout the 2019-2020 year, the Lees will attend five seminars. They will join with farm or ranch De Smet farmers, Darcie and Rob Lee with their children, 3-year-old Everett and 6-month-old couples from North Montana, Rosene. The Lees will represent South Dakota Dakota, Farmers Union (SDFU) as members of the 2019 W i s c o n s i n and Farmers Union Enterprise Couples Leadership Minnesota. Program. “We are both excited about the networking opportunity to get to know other farm and ranch couples,” says Darcie, who is a nurse, working at Horizon Health Care Clinic in De Smet. “There is value in being around like-minded individuals who you can bounce ideas off one another, and look at things from a different perspective,” says Rob, who along with raising crops, works as a crop insurance adjustor for Precision Risk Management. “We share the same interests and we are working toward the same goal, albeit on different farms – making a living from the farm and keeping it going for the next generation.” Preserving the family farm for the next generation is a legacy Rob inherited from his dad, Roger. “My dad brought us up telling us, ‘don’t ever sell the farm.’ And, he has worked to pay down the land so that it’s a bit easier on me and my siblings,” Rob explains. “I www.sdfu.org

catch myself thinking this same way and trying to figure out ways to pay off the land so that when Everett is old enough to farm, it’s easy going for him.” Roger, who has been actively involved in SDFU for decades, introduced Rob to Farmers Union. Rob helped lobby Congressional leaders on behalf of South Dakota agriculture during the 2018 D.C. Fly-In and then took the policy advocacy skills he gained in D.C. and put them to work during SDFU Legislative Day in Pierre. In addition to gaining leadership and advocacy skills to benefit their farming heritage, Rob and Darcie also enjoy the lifestyle they have living and working on their family farm. They value raising their children on the farm. “I enjoyed my life growing up on the farm, I could just wander, and my parents knew I was OK. It’s nice to give our kids that kind of lifestyle too,” Darcie explains. “I enjoy seeing the world through our kids’ eyes. Everett gets so excited for the garden. He eats whatever we raise because we grew it in the garden.” Recently, the couple diversified their farm when they purchased a small herd of alpaca. They plan to raise them for their fiber and provide Everett and Rosene with the opportunity to raise livestock. Throughout their year involvement in Farmers Union Enterprise Couples Leadership Program, the Lees will provide members with Union Farmer updates. ■

May/June 2019

Union Farmer

2019 Insuring a Brighter Tomorrow Scholarship Winners Announced

he South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation, in cooperation with Farmers Union Insurance, announces the Insuring a Brighter Tomorrow scholarship recipients. Each of the scholarship recipients will receive $1,000 to put toward their postsecondary education at a South Dakota college, university or technical school. Over the past 12 years, the Foundation has awarded more than $275,000 in scholarships to students attending South Dakota post-secondary schools. The recipients were chosen from among a large pool of applicants. They were scored based on a combination of academic record, school, community and volunteer involvement and an essay responding to the following prompt: describe a meaningful high school experience and how it impacted your life. Farmers Union Insurance agents throughout the state fund this scholarship program administered by the Farmers Union Foundation. “Our insurance agents are committed to building a brighter future in South Dakota,” says Jason Wells, Regional Manager of Farmers Union Insurance. “This is a remarkable group and they make me excited about the future of our great state. We’re choosing to invest in these outstanding individuals to help them pursue their goals and aspirations.” ■

May/June 2019

Abbie Bratland Daughter of Curwin & Kim Bratland Willow Lake High School

Caleb Nugteren Son of Darin & Lisa Nugteren Canistota High School

Justin Edelman Son of Del & Brenda Edelman Menno Public High School

Liza Schoenbeck Daughter of Loren & Lisa Schoenbeck Webster Area High School

Sydney Smith Daughter of Jay & Sherry Smith Redfield High School

Bayden Schneider Son of Jason & Velda Schneider Chester Area High School

Conner Edelman Son of Kevin & Lisa Edelman Menno Public High School

Justin Goetz Son of Trent Goetz & Patricia Pudwill Selby Area High School

Morgan Feddersen Son of Chris & Beth Feddersen Jones County High School

Tess Oplinger Daughter of Linda Oplinger Menno Public High School

Benjamin Sees Son of Mike & Kris Sees Irene-Wakonda High School

Elise Heesch Daughter of Loran & Yvette Heesch Sisseton High School

Kaitlyn Carlon Daughter of Ronald & Nancy Carlon Canton High School

Paydon Casper Son of Eric & Laurie Casper Lake Preston High School

Tessa Menzel Daughter of CJ & Mandie Menzel Philip High School

Brandon Volmer Son of Todd & Rona Volmer Winner High School

Emily Buse Daughter of Gary & DeeAnna Buse Lennox High School

Kendra Johnson Daughter of Wayne & Nancy Johnson Webster Area High School

Spencer Lund Son of Brian & Kari Lund St. Thomas More High School

Trevor Frost Son of Travis & Kaylin Frost Redfield High School

Brittany Delzer Daughter of Glen & Cheryl Delzer Sturgis Brown High School

Jaedyn Oplinger Daughter of Linda Oplinger Menno Public High School

Kristin Kotes Daughter of Greg Kotes & Angel Eddy Bridgewater-Emery High School

Sydney Hoffman Daughter of Jeff & Deanna Hoffman Bridgewater-Emery High School

Trista Frost Daughter of Travis & Kaylin Frost Redfield High School

www.sdfu.org

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

Around the State with Farmers Union

Pukwana Ag Day

Union Farmer

Faith Salebarn Coffee

April 2019 Radio Show Aberdeen 2019 Woman-Owned Small Business Administrator of the Year

NRCS Meeting

NRCSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chief Matthew Lohrr has traveled to South Dakota and heard from representatives from SD Ag groups covering topics such as wetlands and the various programs available through NRCS.

Farmers Union member Samantha Miller (right) was awarded Aberdeenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2019 Woman-owned Small Business of the Year.

Lemmon Farm Safety Day

Rosebud Meeting

Kim Vanneman, S.D. Secretary of Agriculture, speaking at the annual Rosebud Farmers Union meeting.

www.sdfu.org

George Kenzy, Iona, was elected to the Board of Directors at the recent annual Rosebud Farmers Union meeting.

May/June 2019

Union Farmer

MAY

20 Charles Mix County Camp – Geddes 21 Sanborn County Camp – Forestburg 22 Brule County Camp – Kimball 22 Haakon/Jackson County Camp – Philip 23 Hand County Camp – Miller 23 Hughes/Sully/Stanley County Camp – Onida 28 Faulk County Camp – Faulkton 29 Clark County Camp – Clark 29-31st District I & II Camp – Swan Lake 30 Lincoln/Clay/Union County Camp – Vermillion

JUNE 2-7 9-11 12 13 13 14 17 17 18

State Leadership Camp – Storm Mountain District IV, V, VI Camp – Storm Mountain Beadle County Camp – Huron Campbell/Walworth/Potter County Camp – Herreid Gregory County Camp – Fairfax Yankton County Camp – Yankton Lyman County Camp – Reliance Tripp County Camp – Colome Gregory County Camp – Gregory

2 0 1 9 C A M P DAT E S

19 Hutchinson County Camp – Menno 20 Kingsbury County Camp – De Smet 20 Roberts County Camp – Wilmot 24 Perkins County Camp – Bison 25 Meade/Pennington County Camp – Union Center 26 Harding County Camp – Buffalo 30- July 2 District III & VII Camp – Lake Byron

JULY

8 Bon Homme County Camp – Tyndall 8 Marshall County Camp – Britton 9 Codington/Hamlin County Camp – Watertown 10 Aurora County Camp – Stickney 10 Day County Camp – Webster 11 Jerauld/Buffalo County Camp – Wessington Springs 15 Spink County Camp – Frankfort 16 McCook County Camp – Salem 17 Hanson County Camp – Alexandria 18 Brown County Camp – Aberdeen 18 Davison County Camp – Mitchell 22-24 Three Year Trip – Minneapolis 25 Minnehaha County Camp – Hartford Corson Co. Camp – TBA

For updates and more camps, visit www.sdfu.org/calendar/list

May/June 2019

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Summer Means Making Time For Camp Fun Too

very South Dakotan knows that the rural lifestyle is a year-round job. Summer means work, but summer is also time for camp That’s why South Dakota Farmers Union offers dozens of camps for youth each summer. It’s an opportunity for some welldeserved fun, cooperative education and forging new friendships. Kate Oberembt of Parkston is a member of the Senior Advisory Council (SAC), which serves in various capacities at both camps and state convention. She says, “I think the goal of camp is not only to educate kids about cooperatives and Farmers Union, but to help them find friends from different places and experience what it’s like to have a home away from home.” “I think the goal of camp is not only to educate kids about cooperatives and Farmers Union, but to help them find friends from different places and experience what it’s like to have a home away from home.” — KATE OBEREMBT OF PARKSTON, SENIOR ADVISORY COUNCIL Oberembt also cherishes her role as an SAC. “I really enjoy helping out with the whole process of camp and welcoming kids to Storm Mountain.” Storm Mountain is home to the state leadership camp and district camps held in June. This year’s camping theme is “Cooperation: A Journey Toward a New Tomorrow.” Campers will engage in a cooperative-themed scavenger hunt and learn from local experts about the daily impact different cooperatives have on our lives. Campers are taught the connection between where food comes from, farms and neighbors, and keeping local viable. Campers also learn the importance of reducing, reusing, recycling and how going green can impact our future. Another emphasis is water conservation and how the Earth only has a set amount of water to redistribute. The day also includes a lot of hands-on fun too, including crafts and other games. “The goal is really to keep the education relevant,” says Rachel Haigh-Blume, South Dakota Farmers Union Education Director. “Having an educated understanding of the Earth’s resources is very important.” Oberembt agrees, “Farmers Union has really www.sdfu.org

informed me on a lot of hot topics.” State camp will be viewing and discussing “Paris to Pittsburgh,” a documentary filmed by National Geographic. The film highlights flooding and other weather changes happening around the world and allows viewers to form their own opinions. Campers will also visit a new housing cooperative and take part in a team building activity with the National Guard. “I feel camp is a good place for our youth to learn about Farmers Union, leadership and what is going on in today’s agriculture,” says District Education Director Tamie Fahreholz. “Camp teaches them about cooperatives through activities. My favorite part is seeing the kids working together and having fun learning.” Cassidy Keller, a student from Canistota and Junior Advisory Council member, says, “In the many years I have been going to camp I learned life skills like writing checks, balancing money and working with others to run a successful co-op. One thing camp taught me is the importance of our family farmers in my community and how they work hard every day to provide for their families and others.” If you’re interested in having a child participate in a 2019 camp, go to www.sdfu. org/education/youth-programs-/youth-camps to learn more. ■ by Toby Kane for SDFU

Union Farmer LETTER TO THE EDITOR Orrie Swayze 705 Ordway Street Wilmot, SD 57279 605-938-4141 c 605-949-0903 Not For Political Purposes I was president of the very young S.D. Corn Growers Association when we humbly asked Gov. Janklow and legislators to create a substantial S.D. corn checkoff. The savvy Gov. Janklow told us: “I will just take those dollars and put them in the SDSU budget.” He liked our responses. “You do that and we will be first to advocate growers refund corn checkoff dollars.” And “we want the corn checkoff to be refundable with no restrictions on refunders because they are key to keeping the checkoff board transparent and working for the best interest of those paying the checkoff.” Our initial by-laws reflected that deal. Now by-laws enable punishing refunders. That creates a wrong attitude: ‘Refunders are evil’ rather than accepted regulators of checkoff board’s misuse of check off dollars. Like reflecting S.D. Corn Growers Assocation’s political policy that E30’s illegal for standard autos to destroy a 5-10 billion bushel potential new corn grind. At initial start up the Corn Growers Assocation board illegally became the checkoff board. We asked for forgiveness and promised ourselves, legislators and Gov. Jankow we would prioritize separating to independent boards with separate administrators and offices. We kept our promise. Obviously that is all now forgotten history. S.D. growers assocations and checkoff boards began to deceive when they went back to a single administrator for the growers association and checkoff. That again illegally blends corn checkoff dollars with political S.D. Corn Growers Assocation policies. To be legally independent the corn checkoff must be administrated from its own office and by its administrator untangled with the political Corn Growers Association. Importantly that would unmask many current deceptions making true transparency far more possible. What a tangled web they weave when they first deceive. Orrie Swayze, Wilmot farmer

May/June 2019

Union Farmer

Cooperative Highlight: Prairie Ag Partners

inancial stability and remaining relevant are focuses which guide Prairie Ag Partners’ locally governed board of directors, explains general

May/June 2019

manager Chad Dylla. “Good decisions create financial success. We depend on guidance from our board because they are all local farmers

who use our services every day. They know what we need, what we are good at and what we need to improve upon because they have first-hand knowledge.” To remain relevant, Prairie Ag Partners recently expanded its service area, purchasing a facility in Carthage. And the cooperative continuously updates or expands facilities to keep up with farmermembers’ needs. “Every year our farmers are getting faster and more efficient in what they do, we are doing the same here,” Dylla says. Recently, the cooperative added grain storage in Oldham and bulk seed treating and loadout facilities in Lake Preston. In summer 2019, the cooperative plans to add grain storage and increase dumping and receiving capabilities in Bancroft. With locations in Arlington, Lake Preston, De Smet, Bancroft, Carthage, Oldham and Badger, Prairie Ag Partners provides its members with complete agronomy services, feed, LP gas, refined fuels and operates three service repair shops. “We listen to our board and members, and, since we are not too big, it’s easy to communicate within our cooperative. We are large enough – with enough scale and size – but small enough, that things don’t get lost in the shuffle,” says Dylla, who has served Prairie Ag Partners since he graduated from Lake Area Technical Institute in 1998; working his way up from a starting position to location, then grain and operations manager. Dylla became general manager in 2012. “It’s the only fulltime employer I’ve ever had. I really enjoy the people I get to work with and serve.” To learn more about Prairie Ag Partners, visit www.prairieagpartners.com. ■ www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer Meet Farmers Union 2019 Summer Interns & Agriculture Advocates

Hannah Groth

Kathryn Paulson Karley Litterick

Maisie Walter

his summer, the 2019 S.D. Farmers Union intern team will crisscross the state, working with member volunteers to engage and educate rural youth about agriculture, farm safety and cooperatives during numerous county and local day camps. “Those involved in hosting these summer camps are making a positive difference in the lives of South Dakota youth and families,” says Doug Sombke, President of SDFU. “Education of rural citizens, youth as well as adults, is a large focus of S.D. Farmers Union because it matters to the future well-being of agriculture in our state.” Selected through an application and interview process, these college students are excited to get on the road and share their passion for agriculture with youth in a community near you. Read on to learn more about the 2019 SDFU intern team.

Hannah Groth, Monroe, Neb., attends South Dakota State University, studying agriculture education. The opportunity to work with youth of all ages and help them learn about agriculture is what she looks forward to most in summer 2019. “I think it is important for students to understand how their food gets from the farm to the table,” explains Groth, who grew up on a cow/calf operation and spent her summers showing cattle in 4-H and FFA. “I also think it’s important youth understand so much more than their food comes from agriculture – even the clothes we wear are connected to agriculture.” She adds that this internship will help her in her future career. “This experience will help me gain experience working with different ages of youth, which will be helpful when I start teaching.” Karley Litterick, Howard, S.D., is pursuing a degree in agriculture education at South Dakota State University and sees the SDFU internship as a great opportunity to put the skills she’s learning to good use. “I look forward to teaching children about www.sdfu.org

agriculture and helping them grow as individuals,” says Litterick, who grew up on her family’s cow/calf and crop farm. When she graduates, Litterick hopes to either become an agriculture education teacher or 4-H/Youth Program Adviser because she believes in teaching youth about agriculture and cooperatives. “It is important they learn the impact agriculture and cooperatives have on our lives. If we educate youth now, it will spark an interest and they will be excited to get out and, maybe it will change the way they think about agriculture.” Kathryn Paulson, Clark, S.D., is pursuing a degree in human development and family studies at South Dakota State University. Growing up on her family’s farm near Clark, she developed an understanding for the importance of agriculture and leadership. “From a young age, I was involved in 4-H and in high school, I joined FFA. I have always been interested in personal development programs that educate youth and encourage them to get involved in their communities, so I’m excited how this internship will bridge the

gap between my passion for youth, personal development and agriculture.” She adds. “It is important youth understand where their food comes from and their connection to agriculture. We are all related to agriculture in some aspect, whether a producer or a consumer.” Maisie Walter, Montrose, Minn., is excited about the SDFU internship. “I am able to connect with topics I love: agriculture and working with children,” explains Walter, who is majoring in dairy production at South Dakota State University. Part of her agriculture experience includes starting her own dairy herd and showing livestock and companion animals in 4-H. She explains that agriculture has been a big part of her life, growing up on a dairy farm. “I have a passion for working with others to provide them with the proper knowledge about the agricultural industry.” In 2018, Walter served as a dairy ambassador, traveling the state of Minnesota speaking about the dairy industry at the state and county fairs. ■ May/June 2019

Union Farmer Roger Johnson National Farmers Union President

armers have been enduring a six-year slide in the agricultural economy, and recent events suggest that conditions will not likely improve soon. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data, the farmer’s share of the American food dollar dropped to 14.6 cents, which is the lowest it has ever been since the Economic Research Service (ERS) began tracking it in 1993. At the same time, certain trade and biofuels policies are contributing to issues of oversupply and depressed prices, making it more difficult for farmers to eke out a living. As these issues persist, National Farmers Union is advocating for the financial wellbeing of its members by promoting a stronger farm safety net, year-round sales of higher-level blends of ethanol, and supply management options. TRADE TENSIONS WITH CHINA ESCALATE On the heels of unsuccessful trade negotiations with China, the White House increased tariffs from 10 percent to 25 percent on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods in May. Though the two countries have continued talks, they have not yet reached an agreement. As a result, China intends to impose retaliatory tariffs on $60 billion worth of American imports starting June 1. The long list of affected products covers many agricultural goods, including preparations of beef, fruit and vegetables, peanuts, sugar, wheat, chicken and turkey. President Donald Trump, not to be outdone, threatened to levy duties on an additional $325 billion worth of imports, which, if implemented, would mean that nearly all U.S. imports from China would be subject to tariffs. In a statement, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson expressed concern about how the recent escalation would affect family farmers and ranchers. “China’s unfair and manipulative trade practices are clearly a problem that need to be fixed,” said Johnson. “But addressing these practices has created new problems for American farmers and ranchers in the form of lost export markets, a commodity glut, and severely depressed prices.” The administration has indicated that it plans to provide a trade assistance package to support struggling family farmers and ranchers, though details about how much assistance will be available, how it will be allocated, and who will be eligible to apply have not yet been released. In response to the news, NFU sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue providing recommendations for how best to “craft a package that will adequately address the broad, long-term impacts to all of American agriculture.” In particular, the organization urged

May/June 2019

USDA to base payments on historical production, provide assistance to producers of all affected commodities, and avoid undue disparities between payment rates for various commodities. In the longer-term, NFU also suggested that the agency “address the growing problem of oversupply by providing farmers with incentives to reduce overall production.” FARMER’S SHARE FALLS TO ALL-TIME LOW For every dollar American consumers spend on food, U.S. farmers and ranchers earn just 14.6 cents, according to a report recently released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS). This value marks a 17 percent decline since 2011 and the smallest portion of the American food dollar that farmers have received since the USDA began reporting these data in 1993. The remaining 85.4 cents cover off-farm costs, including processing, wholesaling, distribution, marketing, and retailing. The ERS report supports a larger story about the weakened state of the farm economy: net farm income is estimated to be just $66.3 billion for 2018, a 12 percent drop from 2017 and a nearly 50 percent drop since 2013. Similarly, median farm income is estimated to be negative $1,548, meaning a majority of farms lost money last year. National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson expressed concern about the news. “Conditions for farmers have been eroding since 2011, and there’s only so much longer they can hold on. Many have already made the heartbreaking decision to close up shop; in just the past five years, the United States lost upwards of 70,000 farm operations,” Johnson said. “We sincerely hope this startling report will open policy makers’ eyes to the financial challenges family farmers and ranchers endure on a daily basis and convince them to provide the support they so desperately need.” OVERSUPPLY, DEPRESSED PRICES PLAGUE DAIRY INDUSTRY In response to sustained depressed milk prices, chronic oversupply, farm-level consolidation, and a wave of farm closures, the U.S. House Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture held a hearing on the state of the dairy economy. Dairy farmers, trade specialists, and economists presented verbal testimony about the Dairy Margin Coverage program, international trade policy, milk consumption in schools, farm labor, and other issues affecting the industry. National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson submitted written testimony highlighting the considerable financial difficulties American

dairy producers have withstood for the past several years. “Most dairy farmers have been paid below the cost of production for over four consecutive years,” Johnson wrote. “With mounting debt and no significant price rebound in sight, thousands have been left with no choice but to close their doors.” NFU Vice President Patty Edelburg, who coowns and operates a dairy farm in Amherst Junction, Wisconsin, largely attributed the problem to overproduction, which has plagued the industry for some time. “The 2018 Farm Bill provides improvements that will help stem losses for many family farmers, but this support alone won’t be enough to save the dairy industry,” Edelburg said in a statement. “We need to have a meaningful conversation about supply management options that will ensure dairy farmers are paid a fair price from the market.” NFU SUPPORTS E15 WAIVER, PATHWAY FOR MID-LEVEL BLENDS In March, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced a proposed rule which would allow year-round use of gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol, also known as E15. The rule also includes regulatory changes to renewable identification number (RIN) market, which aim to prevent market manipulation. National Farmers Union, which has long supported ethanol for its environmental and economic benefits, submitted comments to the agency on the rule. By allowing for year-round E15, the rule would provide expanded market opportunities for family farmers, spur economic growth in rural communities, lower fuel costs for consumers, and cut down on pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. However, NFU President Roger Johnson said that the EPA should more strongly commit to further expanding higher-level blends of biofuels, including E30, which the proposed rule does not include. “What we need from EPA is allowing year-round sales of higher-level blends of ethanol in gasoline,” said Johnson. “That’s the way we cut into oversupply. That’s the way we better our environmental impact. And that’s the way we save consumers more money at the pump.” Johnson also proposed EPA separate its proposed RIN reforms from the E15 rule until the agency has considered the potential implications of the reforms and made such findings public. The Washington Corner can also be found at www.nfu.org/corner. ■ Current as of May 16, 2019

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Union Farmer

From the President....

Admitting When You Need Help is a Sign of Strength

Doug Sombke SDFU President

f you’re like me, growing up on a South Dakota farm taught me more than how to work, I also learned to be tough… Well, I’m 59, a father of four, grandfather to six and you know what, I’m not bulletproof. I’ve learned that it’s OK, and much healthier, to admit when I need help than to try and grin and bear it. Because there is so much out of our control these days – namely low prices and high input costs – that I am concerned for my farmer and rancher friends and neighbors. Know that you are not alone. And, please, if you are feeling depressed or not able to sleep – get help. Like the specialist, Karl Oehlke says in this month’s newsletter article, “You can’t just grit your teeth and bear it. If you have pneumonia, I will prescribe an antibiotic for you. If you have sleep disturbance, I will give you something for sleep. Farming is never without stress. Right now, farmers are faced with a lot of stressors out of their control, which may be causing bonafide anxiety or depression. A medical professional can provide medication or counseling options to help with that too.” The Farm Crisis impacts everyone. Quoting a recent Bloomberg news article, “The Commerce Department on Monday cited the steep decline in farm proprietors’ income as a key factor weighing on the nation’s overall personal income growth in March, even though agricultural producers represent only about 2 percent of total employed Americans.” Growing up, my family also emphasized, “Your great-grandfather started this farm. Your grandpa made it through the Depression.” Comments like these put a lot of pressure on those of us responsible for the farm today. And, we’re not talking about farms suffering because they’ve never had much. The current Farm Crisis, it’s not just impacting one commodity or one region. All farmers and ranchers are impacted. I was visiting with Paul Shubeck, South www.sdfu.org

Dakota Farm Service Agency Director, recently, and he says the financial stress farmers and ranchers are facing today needs to be discussed openly, so that our agriculture producers don’t feel alone and consider self-harm. National media has begun to report on the Farm Crisis. I am hopeful Sen. Thune will too. Congressional leaders need to know the challenges facing farmers and ranchers. I am consistently reaching out to Sen. Thune asking him to bring this issue to the floor. Will you help me? Contact Sen. John Thune by calling 202224-2321 or visit his website at www.thune. senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact. The Farm Crisis impacts everyone. Quoting a recent Bloomberg news article, “The Commerce Department on Monday cited the steep decline in farm proprietors’ income as a key factor weighing on the nation’s overall personal income growth in March, even though agricultural producers represent only about 2 percent of total employed Americans.” You can read the complete article on the South Dakota Farmers Union Facebook page. I posted it April 30. During these tough times, tough discussions with loan officers and family members, I find it’s helpful to work for you. Serving South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers, giving a voice to the challenges we face and opportunities we need to pursue, is my focus each day. If you’d like to learn how you can become more involved in our organization, just send me an email DSombke@sdfu.org or give Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director, a call at 605-3526761 ext. 114.

A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

South Dakota Union Farmer, ISSN 0745-8797, publishes 8 times per calendar year, with issues printed in January/February, 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 sdfu@sdfu.org

SDFU State Office Staff Karla Hofhenke.......ext. 114 Executive Director Huron Rocky Forman..............ext. 117 Member Services Coordinator Huron

Pam Evenson................ ext. 116 Membership Specialist Doland

Luanne Thompson.......ext. 111 Administrative Assistant Virgil

Karon Rembold............ext. 111 Receptionist Miller

Rachel Haigh-Blume.... ext. 125 Education Director Tulare

Kayla Stevens................ext. 118 Controller Miller

SDFU Board of Directors Doug Sombke.........President Groton Wayne Soren.. Vice President Lake Preston Mike Miller................ District I Freeman Lisa Snedeker........... District II Woonsocket Gail Temple............. District III Clark

Contact NFU

Sincerely, Doug Sombke, President South Dakota Farmers Union

David Reis................District IV Oacoma Dallis Basel...............District V Union Center Lynn Frey.................District VI Lemmon Chad Johnson........District VII Groton

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

Roger Johnson, President ~ Patty Edelburg, Vice President Darin Von Ruden, Secretary ~ Doug Sombke, Treasurer 202.554.1600 www.nfu.org

May/June 2019

Union Farmer

2019 State Fair Farm Safety Quiz Bowl Contestants Announced

arm safety will be on the minds of 16 South Dakota youth most of the summer as they prepare for the 2019 South Dakota Farmers Union Farm Safety Quiz Bowl Championships held during Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair. “We’re going to study hard and try to win,” explains Logan Zemlicka who will be graduating from Wolsey Wessington High School in a few weeks. Vice President of the Wolsey Wessington FFA Chapter, Zemlicka and his teammates are among the four teams to qualify during the South Dakota State FFA Convention held this month in Brookings on the campus of South Dakota State University. The other qualifying teams include: Hoven, Howard and Platte-Geddes. “Farm safety is a very important aspect of farming that is underestimated at times and if you take it for granted, it can be the difference between preventing an accident or serious injury or even death,” explains Zemlicka, who will be able to use the information he gleans in his future career. He plans on pursuing a degree in animal science from Mitchell Technical Institute. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 1 million youth, under the age of 20, live on farms in the U.S. Over half of them do farm-related work. Sombke points out that agriculture is often listed among the most dangerous occupations in America. Because of the large machinery they work with, along with chemical hazards, unpredictable livestock and enclosed spaces, like grain bins that hold thousands of pounds of grain, farm workers face many risks. The U.S. Department of Labor reported that in 2010 the injury rate for agricultural workers was over 20 percent higher than the rate for all workers. The department reported in 2009 alone that 440 farm workers died from work-related injuries.

Making youth aware of farm safety and educating them on how to keep themselves and their friends safe is a focus of South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU), explains Doug Sombke, SDFU President and fourthgeneration Conde farmer. “Just the simple fact that most farms in South Dakota are family farms, means many South Dakota youth either live on farms or have friends who do. As an organization dedicated to supporting family farmers and rural communities, we invest in keeping our rural youth and families safe,” Sombke explains. In addition to the annual Quiz Bowl hosted during the State FFA Convention and at State Fair and farm safety education implemented into the curriculum of SDFU summer camps, in 2018 SDFU invested in the development of a customized Farm Safety Trailer. “The hands-on nature of the Farm Safety Trailer allows us to make the message of farm safety real,” explains Rocky Forman, SDFU Member Services Coordinator. The Safety Trailer was recently awarded the Best of National Agri-Marketing Association in the Exhibit category. Creating an opportunity for youth to learn about farm safety in a fun way is why Sara Colombe encourages students to participate in the SDFU Farm Safety Quiz Bowl. “The quiz bowl makes learning about farm safety fun. And, the contest builds momentum for some other farm safety educational opportunities, like participating in our local cooperative’s grain bin simulator that demonstrates how to help get people out of grain bins safely,” explains the Hoven FFA Adviser/Agriculture Education Instructor. “The students are really into the fact that if they win, there is a cash prize. Competing in a farm safety contest, versus taking a test is much more effective.” To learn more, watch the 2019 South Dakota Farmers Union Farm Safety Quiz Bowl Championships, Aug. 31 during Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair. ■

Wolsey Wessington FFA members Jacob Kahre, Logan Zemlicka, Mark Himilton and Paige Snyder are among the four teams to qualify for the 2019 South Dakota Farmers Union Farm Safety Quiz Bowl Championships held during Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair.

Platte-Geddes FFA members Kade Starr, Beau Dean, Sadie Rasmussen and Weston VanderPol are among the four teams to qualify for the 2019 South Dakota Farmers Union Farm Safety Quiz Bowl Championships held during Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair.

Howard FFA members Logan Schlim, C.J. Calmus, Tanner Calmus and Briar Feldhaus are among the four teams to qualify for the 2019 South Dakota Farmers Union Farm Safety Quiz Bowl Championships held during Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair.

Hoven FFA members Jaxson Spindler, Connor Kaup, Peter Rausch and Chayce Raush are among the four teams to qualify for the 2019 South Dakota Farmers Union Farm Safety Quiz Bowl Championships held during Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair.

May/June 2019

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Union Farmer Thank You

Departings

Thank you for organizing and supporting the Farm Safety Quiz Bowl at the State FFA Convention. It was a great opportunity for us to test our agriculture knowledge. We learned and expanded our knowledge, while having fun. Megan, Tanner, Ethan and Gavin Northwestern Area FFA Chapter Mellette, S.D.

Michael Pillatzke, age 64, of Milbank, S.D., died on Feb. 21, 2019, at his home, losing his battle with Andexal Carcinoma. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Linda; step-son, Gerald Lee Pribbenow of Watertown, S.D., four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, along with brothers: Eugene (Marlys) Pillatzke of Milbank, and Leo (Diane) Pillatzke of Milbank, sister, Kathy (Kenny) Morris of Milbank.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Eugene Hoffman, 91, or Lemmon, S.D. passed away April 10, 2019. Eugene was a lifetime member of South Dakota Farmers Union and Perkins County. He is survived by his sister, Esther (Bill) Nagel, Reeder, N.D., sister-in-law, Bev Hoffman, Lemmon, S.D., step-daughter, Vicki (Jeff) Glanzer, Rapid City, S.D., and numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Family of Dee Battest is requesting a card shower in honor of Dee’s 90th birthday (May 19, 2019) Send your birthday greetings to her at Garden Grove, 201 7th Ave. SE, Apartment #1, Clark, SD 57225.

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 $10 or free with a fiveyear or greater membership to Farmers Union. To get yours today, contact Membership Specialist Pam Evenson at 605-352-6761 ext 116 or at PEvenson@sdfu.org.

Order Your Own Copy of the Farmers Union Centennial Cookbook Cookbooks are $10 plus tax and shipping. Contact Pam Evenson, 605-352-6761, ext 116, to place your order today!

COOK’S CORNER

Calico Baked Beans ½ lb. hamburger, cooked ½ lb. bacon, 6 slices, cut up 1 onion, diced and cooked slightly ½ c. ketchup 1 tsp. salt ½ c. brown sugar

Carol Sabers, Sturgis, S.D. (Lifetime Member)

½ c. white sugar 1 tsp. mustard 2 tsp. vinegar 1 (no. 2) can buttered beans 1 (no. 2) can pork & beans 1 (no. 2) can kidney beans

Brown hamburger and bacon. Add onion and cook a little more. Drain off fat. Add ketchup, salt, sugars, mustard, vinegar and beans. Mix well and bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees F. NOTE: I usually put it in a crockpot and let it cook on low. www.sdfu.org

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

SDFU CLIP AND SAVE CALENDAR MAY 2019 20 Farm Safety – Geddes 21 Farm Safety – Forestburg 27 State Office Closed – Huron 29-30 FUE Board meeting – Redwood Falls JUNE 2019 4 Women’s Ag Day – Brookings 4 Farm Safety – Wolsey 5 Women’s Ag Day – Faulkton 11 KELO AM Radio – Sioux Falls 12 SD High School Rodeo Finals – Belle Fourche 12-14 NFU Board meeting – Minneapolis 25 Farm Safety – Pierre JULY 2019 9 KELO AM Radio – Sioux Falls 19-20 Young Producers – Oacoma 23 SDFU Board meeting – Huron 24 State Policy meeting – Huron 25-26 Farm Safety – Huron 30-31 FUE Board meeting – Redwood Falls May/June 2019

Union Farmer

Aberdeen Aberdeen Bison Bison Britton Brookings Brookings Brookings Buffalo Clark Doland Doland Faulkton Groton Huron Irene Irene Kadoka

Darrel Kessler J.R. Johnson Alan Voller Karen Voller Tom Farber Gary Ray Beth Reams Heidi Fields Jim Erk Lon Reidburn Bonnie Wagner Mark Rozell Dawn Melius J.R. Johnson Blaine Anderson Brendon Hansen Brian Hansen Donna Enders

229-3945 725-3003 244-7431 244-7431 448-5150 692-6735 690-3018 881-2830 375-3311 532-3299 635-6511 635-6511 598-6570 725-3003 352-2130 263-2121 263-3342 837-2144

Lemmon Marion Menno Mitchell Piedmont Pierre Rapid City Rapid City Rapid City Sioux Falls Sisseton Spearfish Sturgis Watertown Webster Webster Winner Yankton

Carrie Derschan Kevin Albrecht Brendon Hansen Ryan Leischner Ce Faulkner Mefferd Agency Black Hills Agency Kasey Keller Lewis Agency Jeff Nord Erica Steiner Sabers Agency Scott Sabers Todd Nichols Debbie Baumgarn Larry Baumgarn Jeremy Clay James Murphy

374-3462 941-0650 387-5555 996-9651 737-0463 224-4123 342-5555 343-4213 342-3585 338-5302 698-7316 642-8870 347-4507 886-9683 345-2640 345-2640 842-1556 664-2121