May/June 2017

South Dakota VOLUME CII, NO. 3

HURON, SD

MAY/JUNE 2017

UNION FARMER A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

Dairy Producers Face Challenges

2017 Mother’s Day Special

Premium E-30 Where to Buy

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Page 12

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Camps Emphasize Play S.D. Farmers Union Celebrates the and Everyday Heroes

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Phones, iPads, tablets and GPS. Modern technology is essential to today’s agricultural producers, but that same technology sometimes keeps their children from getting outside as much as they should.That’s one thing South Dakota Farmers Union Education Director Rachel Haigh-Blume keeps in mind when planning camps.

“Everything is so structured nowadays. It’s really important that kids get to be kids,” says Haigh-Blume. “Anything that promotes play, imagination and outdoors is really important.”

South Dakota Farmers Union hosts around 50 camps across the state each year. But camp’s not all about running and jumping; it’s also about education and introducing youth to the many opportunities that exist

Camps Continued on Page 22

WANTED Everyday Heroes!

Who makes a difference in your rural community?

We want to honor them.

South Dakota Farmers Union is taking nominations for the 2017 Rural Dakota Pride Awards.

Contact Karla Hofhenke for more information. Karla@sdfu.org or www.sdfufoundation.org.

Martinmaas Farm Family

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 feature the Martinmaas farm family from Orient. Ray and Becky Martinmaas pictured here.

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uring a blizzard nearly 65 years ago, a neighbor knocked on Bill and Wanelda Martinmaas’ door. His wife was in labor and things were not going well. Bill started up his John Deere A and drove with his young wife the half mile to help.

On Bill’s way home, his tractor got stuck. It was dark. Driving wind mixed with snow made it impossible to see. Bill was lost.

“I had the young kids at home. I thought of those kids in the house and knew I needed to get home to them or they would freeze,” says Bill, who at 90, vividly recalls the story.

“Dad walked for quite a while, then he tripped over something.

He realized he tripped over the top wire of a barbed wire fence and figured out where he was. He followed that fence and made it home,” says Ray, 67, Bill’s oldest son.

At the time, Ray was 3, his brother, Randy, was 2 and their sister, Sandy, was just a baby. In the end, the neighbor and her baby survived.

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UNION FARMER Martinmaas Family Continued from Page 1

And the three Martinmaas kids? They eventually became 12. Six boys and six girls – Ray, Randy, Sandy, Kathy, Paulette, Rick, Lonnie, Lori, Julie, Mike, Marylynn and Brad.

Today, standing outside the farmhouse Ray shares with his wife, Becky, father and son recall the early years.

Working alongside their parents, the Martinmaas kids grew up with a strong sense of family. They inherited Bill and Wanelda’s grit and a determination to make a living off the land against all odds.

“Everything was hard, but my parents were tough people,” Ray says. “We didn’t have much time to play. There were all these kids and all these chores. A lot of it fell to us older kids to raise the younger kids. When you are in a big family, that’s just what you do.”

He explains that when he and his brothers and sisters were in diapers, the family’s two-bedroom home didn’t have electricity or running water. His dad worked for neighboring farms to keep things going while he built up his own operation.

“He worked and she managed,” Ray says. “My mother was a real business person and a go-getter. She was the force behind my father.

Whenever they could, they bought more land. They didn’t spend money on vehicles or vacations.”

Slowly but surely the crop acres increased and the livestock operation grew. By the time Ray left South Dakota to serve in the Army, the family farm had expanded to include a cow/calf herd, hogs, chickens and a thriving dairy.

About a decade after they married, Bill and Wanelda built a sixbedroom home – complete with running water, electricity and two bathrooms.

“Working together, we ride the highs together with the lows.”

Mike Martinmaas Eventually all six brothers returned home to farm – Ray, Randy, Rick, Lonnie, Mike and Brad.

“We grew up with farming and didn’t know anything else,” says Randy, 66.

Each brother owns his own land, livestock and some equipment.

Through a partnership, the men share equipment and labor.

“It’s so we can all survive,” Ray says. “You can’t go out spend these huge sums of money for equipment – combines today are half a million dollars – so we each buy certain pieces of equipment and the

“IT’S GREAT RAISING KIDS ON THE FARM BECAUSE YOU CAN SEND THEM OUT TO PLAY OR RIDE IN THE TRACTOR WITH DAD. THEY LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS LIFE.” – Darci Martinmaas corporation owns others we all can use.”

Like their dad, the brothers didn’t inherit their land. The men worked off the farm until they could purchase or lease land of their own.

The Martinmaas family operates two, drug-free cow/calf herds. Ray and his brothers' herd is Black Angus genetics. Becky’s are Red Angus.

“This way, I can keep track of them,” Becky says. “If they break out or cross a fence, I know which are mine.”

Randy raises crops and cattle with his son, Bill. “He and I have a good working relationship. They live on a place pretty near us, so we have a lot of little grandkids running around. It’s a pretty nice deal.”

Bill and his wife, Darci, have eight young children. “It’s great raising kids on the farm because you can send them out to play or ride in the tractor with Dad. They love everything about this life,” Darci says.

“When I met Bill, I thought he was pretty hard core about this farm.

Now, I see the same look in my 6-year-old Max’s eyes when he comes in from checking the cows during calving.”

Ray and Randy’s brother, Mike, runs a drug-free, dirt-raised, farrow-to-finish hog operation. “We weren’t a confinement hog operation before, so I decided if it was the same amount of work, then I might as well get paid more,” Mike says of the niche market which pays 100 percent more Western Wear & Tack than selling them on 800 21st St., Huron, SD the open market.

605.352.5792 Their brother, www.ddwesternhuron.com Brad raises cattle and Farmers Union Members get like Mike, he operates a drug-free, dirt-raised, farrowto-finish hog one item only! operation.

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Bill Martinmaas (far left) with sons: Ray, Randy, Rick, Lonnie, Herbie and Brad Martinmaas. Photo courtesy Jessie Dale Martinmaas

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Mean Woman Taxidermy

Commemorating a hunt can take years. Tired of waiting for their trophies, 10 years ago Becky Martinmaas decided to try her hand at taxidermy. She enrolled in Dave’s School of Taxidermy in Newburg, N.D. When she returned to the farm, she set right to work practicing what she learned.

What was intended to be a hobby became a fulltime business she runs with her son, Josh Berg.

“The first couple years were terrifying,” she admits. “You go to school and do one pheasant or deer head with someone looking over your shoulder. Then, I was home and doing it by myself. I have been blessed with so many friends and neighbors who allowed me touch their trophies when I was a rookie.”

Sitting at her workbench, leaning over a pheasant pelt, Becky is surrounded by a menagerie of mounted wildlife – proof that this taxidermist is no longer a rookie. A grizzly bear stands next to a coyote who is resting beside the head of an Australian water buffalo. The walls are covered with deer, antelope and pheasant trophies waiting to be picked up.

Becky and Josh complete about 400 mounts each year. Mean Woman Taxidermy guarantees customers 12-month turnaround on their mounts.

To learn more visit her Facebook page, or call 605-392-2433.

UNION FARMER years, the six Martinmaas brothers worked together on neighboring farms. Then, on July 31, 2016 a farm accident claimed the lives of brothers Rick and Lonnie.

That Sunday, without telling anyone, Lonnie decided to repair the door to the lagoon pit under the dairy barn he and Rick managed together. While working on the door, Lonnie fell into the lagoon.

Rick found Lonnie. After pushing Lonnie out of the lagoon, Rick lost consciousness. Lonnie somehow radioed for help. Ray and Becky tried to pull Rick from the pit. It was an hour and a half before the men were rushed to the Faulkton Hospital. Lonnie passed away shortly after he arrived and Rick died six months later, never regaining consciousness.

“I think about it every day,” Ray says. “I will see something Lonnie and I did together or Rick and I did together (on the farm). I think about it every day.”

Nothing can prepare a family for tragedy. Randy says the routine of their farm work has helped give them all something to Mike Martinmaas focus on as they grieve.

“One day at a time. That’s how you get through something. We have to go on.”

It was also through farm work that the family’s friends and neighbors showed how much they cared. “One day eight combines showed up with grain carts. In a couple days they had the wheat harvest done. They wouldn’t take anything,” Ray recalls.

Time and again, throughout the fall, neighbors turned out to help with milking, chopping silage and corn harvest. “We have that kind of support in the neighborhood here. We have wonderful neighbors,” Ray says.

For a time, the four remaining brothers tried to keep the dairy going, but the labor became too much. This winter they were able to sell their herd to another South Dakota dairy.

Grieving takes time. As they move into 2017 planting, the family agrees that together with the help of family, friends, the routine of farm work and clamor of rambunctious grandkids, they are healing.

“Our family knows how to pull together. When work needs to be done, it doesn’t matter whose it is or where you are, we pull together,” says Randy’s son, Bill.

To view a photo gallery of the Martinmaas family, visit www.sdfu.org. by Lura Roti for SDFU

“OUR FAMILY KNOWS HOW TO PULL TOGETHER. WHEN WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE, IT DOESN’T MATTER WHOSE IT IS OR WHERE YOU ARE, WE PULL TOGETHER.”

Friends and neighbors help the Martinmaas family harvest after the loss of their brothers, Rick and Lonnie, to a farm accident.

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2017 S.D. Farmers Union Intern Team Eager to Support and Educate Rural Youth

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his summer, the 2017 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.

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.

in Belize. “All these opportunities have taught me how to teach in a variety of environments and with all types of learners.”

“AGRICULTURE IS SO IMPORTANT TO OUR STATE’S OVERALL ECONOMY." – TAGE HANSON connections with them.”

The opportunity to spend the summer working with youth of all ages attracted Tage Hanson to apply for the Farmers Union internship. The University of South Dakota communications sciences student is pursuing a master’s in speech and language pathology.

Danielle Schmitz

Hunter Klontz

“Agriculture education is not just for farm kids. I developed a passion for the industry on my grandparents’ farm. The experiences I gained growing up on the farm shaped who I am today,” says Hunter Klontz, a fourthgeneration farmer from Jackson, Minn., who is pursuing a degree in agriculture education from South Dakota State University. “I want to help promote agriculture and correct misconceptions about the industry.”

Klontz has gained a lot of experience working with youth in college classes and during a recent service trip to work rural youth

Flexibility is a valuable skill for Farmers Union interns because every Farmers Union Day Camp is unique, explains 2017 intern Danielle Schmitz, a farm girl from Le Mars, Iowa, who also served as an intern last summer. “We meet new kids at each camp and the type of agriculture the kids are familiar with changes depending on where you are in South Dakota. I grew up raising hogs, so I was able to share stories about what that is like, while campers taught me about raising cattle and sheep,” says Schmitz, who is pursuing degrees in early childhood and elementary education at SDSU. Throughout the school-year, Schmitz keeps her teaching skills honed, mentoring Brookings school-age youth, teaching Sunday school and working with 3- to 5-year-olds at the Fishback Center, SDSU’s on-campus preschool.

“My internship experience with Farmers Union last summer made me realize how much I want to become a teacher,” Schmitz says. “I enjoy meeting the kids and developing

Tage Hanson

She currently works part-time at a daycare.

The Aberdeen native also explains the connection to agriculture was a draw.

“Although I didn’t grow up on a farm, my brother is an agronomist, so our entire family has learned a lot through him about farming,” Hanson says. “Agriculture is so important to our state’s overall economy.

Through this internship, I am eager to learn more and help children understand the value of agriculture.”

To learn how you can become involved in South Dakota Farmers Union educational programming or volunteer at your county or local day camp, contact SDFU Education Director Rachel Haigh-Blume at Rachel@sdfu.org.

“THE EXPERIENCES I GAINED GROWING UP ON THE FARM SHAPED WHO I AM TODAY.” – HUNTER KLONTZ, 2017 SDFU INTERN

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Dairy Producers Face Labor & Pricing Challenges in S.D. and Across the Nation

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aced with labor and pricing issues, South Dakota dairy producers remain dedicated to providing families across our state and nation with safe, delicious, calcium and protein-rich foods and beverages.

“Dairying is a passion. It really is,” says Tracey Erickson, South Dakota State University Extension Dairy Field Specialist. “It takes a special breed of people to milk cows day-in and day-out – they have to be dedicated.”

Erickson should know. She grew up on her family’s Arlington, S.D., dairy farm. Erickson milked cows until she was in high school and the farm crisis of the 1980s forced her family into selling their herd.

To stay involved in the industry she loves, Erickson pursued undergraduate degrees in dairy production and manufacturing degrees from SDSU as well as a master’s in human

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resources from the University of South Dakota. She has worked in SDSU Extension for 26 years, where she serves the families who operate South Dakota’s 233 dairies.* These dairies are home to nearly 116,000 dairy cows – each producing about 22,000 pounds of milk annually.

“Our dairy producers do a great job of producing milk and doing it efficiently. Cows are extremely productive – we’ve gotten pretty good at milk production,” Erickson says.

Sadly, Erickson goes on to explain, increased production efficiencies do not currently equal profits. “There is a milk glut across the United States. We need to develop markets nationally and internationally,” says Erickson of the $18.60 dairy producers receive for every 100 pounds of milk their cows’ produce, according to March 2017 National Ag Statistics Service (NASS) data.

Based on a number of factors, Erickson explains that after expenses, dairy farmers received between 67 cents to $2.25 profit on every 100 pounds or 11.5 gallons of milk their cows produce (at March 2017 price levels).

“Unfortunately, the milk market has been extremely volatile and most producers are barely able to break even," Erickson said.

Providing fair prices is no small task, explains Zack Clark, Director of Government Relations for National Farmers Union. “The margin protection program in the current farm bill is not working,” Clark says. “The dairy pricing issue is more of a safety net

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discussion than a pricing discussion.”

Clark adds that National Farmers Union encourages supply management – which has become increasingly difficult for some dairy farmers who have been dropped from milk routes. “We need more robust federal programs. We need to see it at the federal level all the way to the grassroots level.

Producers need to get more forceful with local cooperatives to ensure they have contracts in hand so they are not dropped from milk routes – processors need to be responsible to the producers.”

Labor shortages Finding and maintaining good help is an on-going challenge among South Dakota’s dairies. “It takes a lot of people to milk cows,” says Erickson, explaining that on average, one employee is needed for approximately every 80 cows. The average South Dakota dairy farm is home to about 500 cows.

She adds. “In this industry there is a struggle to access a legal workforce.”

Clark echoes Erickson’s comments. “This is a national concern. Dairy employees do not qualify for the H2A guest labor program because that is for seasonal workers. Dairying is fulltime, year-round,” Clark says.

Each week, Clark meets on the Hill to discuss agriculture labor issues as a steering member on the Agriculture Workforce Coalition. “Agriculture is really united on immigration,” Clark says. “There may be little details here and there that we may not agree on, but for the most part, we see sticking together in support of visa reform, the best action.”

To help dairy producers navigate visa programs and train their current employees, SDSU Extension offers several bilingual resources. To learn more about these resources, contact Erickson at Tracey.Erickson@sdstate.edu. To learn more about National Farmers Union’s efforts to support our nation’s dairy farmers, contact Clark at zclark@nfudc.org. *According to the current USDA Monthly Milk Report and S.D. Department of Agriculture Statistics.

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Teaming up for Farm Safety at 2017 Quiz Bowl

nyone who has lived on a farm or ranch has heard the stories – an injury from a grain auger or an accidental fire or deadly gas exposure. Some of us have seen tragedy first hand. There's nothing fun about these realities, but South Dakota Farmers Union is taking a fun approach to helping prevent them.

Each year, the Team Up for Safety Quiz Bowl challenges high school students from South Dakota FFA chapters to compete in a game show format with questions such as: What kind of fire extinguisher should you keep in a combine? What does hydrogen sulfide smell like? Or, what is the leading cause of weather-related deaths?

South Dakota Farmers Union Education Director Rachel HaighBlume says, “Anything you can do to promote safety to the next generation is so important. You can’t emphasize it enough, no matter the age.”

Hundreds of people are hurt or killed on farms and ranches each year. Accidents are highest among youth who are inexperienced and among older experienced operators who may be used to their common routine. Rural safety is a unique challenge because family members – no matter the age - share in the work. And the workplace is also where they live.

“For most of us in South Dakota, we like to think we’re pretty in tune with what’s going on around us,” says Doug Sombke, South Dakota Farmers Union President. “But life moves pretty fast and it’s easy to take little things for granted. It could be something as simple as just taking the time to read labels on chemicals or applications and making sure you don’t harm yourself or your livestock.”

On April 24, 19 high school teams competed at this year’s FFA state

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convention. Winning teams from from Tri-Valley, Sunshine Bible Academy, Wolsey/Wessington and Viborg/Hurley high schools will go on to compete for cash prizes during the South Dakota State Fair.

Tri-Valley senior Levi Burggraff farms and ranches with his family in Colton. “You need to know what you’re doing on a farm because it’s dangerous,” says Burggraff. “You can’t be horsing around cattle or machinery. I want to keep things calm…and keep all my limbs.” On participating, he adds, “You have to have fun with it and you have to learn something.”

Samantha Olson, a sophomore at Aberdeen Roncalli, spends time on her grandpa’s farm and lives just outside Aberdeen. She offers insight on the importance of bringing rural youth and city youth together on farm safety. “City kids may think they never need to use this. But safety pertains to everyone,” says Olson. Other valuable lessons are learned from competition too. “It’s great to go head-tohead with another team and work with your teammates…but it’s also great to get out there and learn different things about each other’s backgrounds.”

Safety is the goal. But building community is another outcome.

“The quiz bowl really gets them into the competitive spirit, buzzing in on answers and taking pride in their team,” says Sombke. “It builds teamwork and really strengthens community spirit.”

Tri-Valley, Sunshine Bible Academy, Wolsey/Wessington and Viborg/Hurley will compete Sept. 2, 2017, on the South Dakota State Fair Freedom Stage during Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair.

Sunshine Bible Academy FFA Chapter placed first with 140 points. Team members include (left to right) Andrew Hoffman, Shelby Belmore, Christopher Hass and Evan Lopez.

Wolsey/Wessington FFA Chapter placed second with 135 points. Team members include (left to right) Logan Zemlicka, Mark Hamilton, Jayden Kahre and Jacob Sievers.

Tri-Valley FFA Chapter placed third with 130 points. Team members include (left to right) Levi Burggraff, Dylan Meyer, Connor Farr and Carter Warne.

Viborg/Hurley FFA Chapter placed fourth with 120 points. Team members include (left to right) Brittney Nelsen, Kolby Lee, Alexa Montagne and Cassidy Sayler.

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UNION FARMER Cooperative Highlight: Rosebud Farmers Union Cooperative

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osebud Farmers Union Cooperative hired a new general manager this year. Clayton Whitney is not new to the cooperative.

He began working in the shop driving a service truck 21 years ago.

“The employees I work with are like family to me. We all try to get along because we are out working for the same main goal – to do the best we can for our cooperative and the members we serve,” Whitney explains.

It was these same employees which made Whitney’s transition to general manager a smooth one. “I have worked with many of these employees for the larger part of my life – there is a lot of trust among our team,” he says.

Taking care to show employees that they are appreciated is important to Whitney and the cooperative’s board of directors. “We are a company who takes care of our employee. If you want quality workers, you have to pay them,” he says.

“It takes our entire team to ensure that our cooperative fulfills its mission to deliver quality products and services to our members.”

More about Established in 1940, Rosebud Farmers Union Cooperative provides farmers within a 60-mile radius of Gregory with agronomy products and services, fuel, feed and a tire and service center for vehicles and farm machinery.

Today, Rosebud Farmers Union Cooperative employs 30 employees who work for the two locations in Gregory and Fairfax. The cooperative provides the following products and services to its members: bulk fuel, propane, fertilizer, custom chemical application, bulk feed, seed, farm store, service department, tire service trucks and a full line of fencing supplies.

“I HAVE WORKED WITH MANY OF THESE EMPLOYEES FOR THE LARGER PART OF MY LIFE – THERE IS A LOT OF TRUST AMONG OUR TEAM.” — Clayton Whitney

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UNION FARMER S.D. Farmers Union Gives Matching Grants to Six South Dakota Communities

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outh Dakota Farmers Union is uniting farmers, ranchers and rural communities to strengthen South Dakota by providing more than $3,900 to five rural communities through Community Concepts, a matching grant program.

“We launched Community Concepts as way for our state organization to work with county Farmers Union chapters to reach out and impact our rural communities,” explains Pam Evenson, SDFU Membership Specialist.

Currently, five Farmers Union chapters took advantage of the up to $500 in matching funds provided by South Dakota Farmers Union.

These counties include Hand, Kingsbury, Spink, Gregory and Roberts.

Projects receiving the grant dollars include a county 4-H community center project, Roberts County; daycare improvements and 4-H show ring, Spink County; a food pantry, Gregory County; agricultural educational equipment, Hand County; and scholarship funds, Kingsbury County.

“We want our members to know that, by becoming a Farmers Union member, they are ultimately giving back to their rural communities,” said Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union.

To learn more about this program, contact Evenson at PEvenson@sdfu.org or visit www.sdfu.org/membership/thecommunity-concept.

Spink County Farmers Union members donated $200 in matching funds to help fund improvements made to the show ring at their 4-H grounds and $200 in matching funds to the Doland Community Daycare.

Pictured here is the Doland Community Daycare with Preston Miles, Vice President of Spink County Farmers Union; Pam Evenson, SDFU Membership Specialist; Lori Remily (center) is a daycare employee.

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Kingsbury County Farmers Union members donated $1,000 in matching funds to the Lake Preston High School scholarship fund which provides a $1,200 scholarship to all graduating seniors pursuing further education.

Left to Right: Cathy Kazmerzak Nelson, Lake Preston Higher Education Foundation Treasurer; Tim Casper, Lake Preston Superintendent; Wayne Soren, President Kingsbury County Farmers Union; and Karla Hofhenke, South Dakota Farmers Union Executive Director.

Gregory County Farmers Union members donated $500 in matching funds to their local food bank.

SDFU Gregory County Farmers Union President (far right) and Pam Evenson, SDFU Membership Specialist (in blue) pictured here with Ed Nebola, Food Bank Manager (far left) and board members Bonnie Johnson, Bob Wik, Marcia Rundall, Marijane Fulwider and Sherman Vomacka.

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UNION FARMER Roberts County Farmers Union members donated more than $1,200 in matching funds to help fund the building of a new 4-H Community Center. (Roberts County raised a total of $700.)

Members of Roberts County Farmers Union and Pam Evenson, SDFU Membership Specialist, present a check to Roberts County 4-H representatives. Front Row: Pam Richards, Amy Currence, Julie Nelson, Pam Evenson, Jason Biel, Don Arbach, Back Row: Rozana Docktet and Brett Hanson.

Hand County Farmers Union members donated $1,000 to the Miller High School agriculture education department to help them purchase a Torchmate 4400 CNC Plasma Cutter.

Kaili Wilson, Landon Siversen, Mackayln Fulton, Evan Steers, Kecia Beranek (SDFU Communication Specialist), Dylan Fulton, Teanna Palowski, Claire Bonebright (Hand County Farmers Union President), JoAnn Morford (Hand County Secretary), Marshall Johnson, Shaly Werdel, Trevor Parmely, and Talli Heim.

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UNION FARMER Tee Off for Education During 2017 S.D. Farmers Union Golf Tournament June 20

2016 Golf Tournament Best Dressed Team: Doug Kazmerzak, Wayne Soren, Ryan Soren, David Jones and Jason Soren.

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ark your calendars for a day of fun between planting and harvest by joining S.D. Farmers Union for the annual Dakota Prairie Open Golf Tournament June 20.

“A guy needs a day off once in a while – why not spend a day golfing with friends to raise money for educational programming,” says Wayne Soren, a Lake Preston farmer and S.D. Farmers Union Vice President.

Held in Mitchell at the Lakeview Golf Course, the 18-hole scramble begins at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start. Registration includes lunch and prizes on every hole.

All event proceeds go to the S.D. Farmers Union Foundation to help fund educational programming.

Each year more than 3,000 South Dakotans participate in Farmers Union educational programming.

From youth summer camps to school-year leadership programming for youth and adults through the Jr. REAL and REAL (Rural Education & Leadership) programs, S.D. Farmers Union hosts educational programming year-round.

“Since the beginning, education has been a focus of Farmers Union.

Education is the foundation of our organization as reflected in our logo,” Soren explains. “Without education you cannot do legislation.

Without education, you cannot do cooperation.

Education is important, not only to South Dakota’s youth but also to South Dakota’s rural professionals, family

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farmers and ranchers.”

Soren looks forward to the event each year as an opportunity to take a break from his Kingsbury County crop and livestock farm to spend time with friends and his sons, Ryan and Jason.

“We’ve had the same team for years.

We’re not the best golfers in the world, but you don’t have to be a good golfer – this is a fun event,” says Soren, whose team did take home the 2016 Best Dressed trophy. His team dressed up as minions.

Soren’s comments are echoed by Kecia Beranek, S.D. Farmers Union Communications Specialist and the event’s coordinator. “Golf is a fun activity and a nice way for members to reconnect while raising money for a great cause,” Beranek says.

To participate in the 2017 tournament, contact Beranek at KBeranek@sdfu.org or 605-352-6761 ext. 113. Sign up a four-person team for $300 or as an individual for $75.

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UNION FARMER No Better Place to Raise Kids W

Margaret Sumption with her husband, John, celebrate the first communion

hen her five sons were young, mealtime was sacred. of four of their grandchildren (left to right) Morgan, Tristan, Maddie and Laura.

Courtesy photo “Everyone sat at the table until everyone was done. They had to ask to leave the table. I never let them eat with their caps on,” explains Margaret (Jensen) Sumption, 68, who has farmed with her husband, helping their dad on her family’s Day County farm. “We milked. We John, for 46 years. “Mealtime was our only time together. As the boys worked in the fields. We hauled grain – we did a lot of things generally were starting high school and had practices and games, we would try boys would do.”

She says she always enjoyed farm work, but it to eat our breakfast together.” wasn’t until she taught school and was forced to Today, Sumption prepares a meal nearly “THERE WAS ALWAYS LOTS OF spend her days indoors that she realized just how every weekday to ensure her five grown sons much. “I couldn’t wait till Friday when I could drive continue the tradition. The brothers say this WORK, BUT WE ALWAYS FOUND out of town.” daily meal has been key TIME TO PLAY TOO.” Even though she and John retired in 2000, they to ensuring nothing – Margaret Sumption, Frederick, S.D., both stay falls through the cracks farmer, mother of five, grandma of 21 involved on on the Sumption family and great-grandma to one. the farm. farm. In fact, the fifthSumption says generation made sure a kitchen was included in the design of a new she is blessed to have her sons working on the farm with their shop built in 2004.

After lunch these days, Chris, Eric, Mark, families close by. “I always Taylor and Warren all head back outside to thought we would be driving Wedding Day manage the family’s Frederick crop and livestock off to visit this one or that one – operation. But, when they were young, the routine was a bit more fun. wherever they are. Now, we Margaret Sumption with her husband John and their five sons, circa 1983.

“John and the boys played football every day after the noon meal kind of laugh and try to sneak Left to right front row: Taylor, Warren – until someone got hurt or cried. When that happened, John would away for time alone. It’s kind of and Mark. Back row, left to right: Eric say, ‘OK, time to go to work,’” Sumption says. “We all liked being crazy, but I enjoy it,” she says. “I and Chris. love getting to watch the grandkids grow up. And, I have the best outside.”

Like her sons, growing up, Sumption and her sister spent their days daughters-in-law. I treasure them. My sons made good choices.”

Photo by Kaylee Speck Photography

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UNION FARMER

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UNION FARMER AS WE REFLECT ON THE WOMEN WHO RAISED US THIS MOTHER’S DAY, SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION WOULD LIKE TO CELEBRATE THE MANY WOMEN WHO SUPPORT THE STATE’S NO. 1 INDUSTRY – FARM AND RANCH MOMS! READ ON TO LEARN THE STORY OF TWO MOTHERS REPRESENTING TWO GENERATIONS BORN AND RAISED ON SOUTH DAKOTA FARMS AND RANCHES. THESE WOMEN SHARE THEIR STORY AND REFLECT ON RAISING CHILDREN ON THEIR SOUTH DAKOTA FARM OR RANCH.

Farm & Ranch Moms Share Parenting Philosophy

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she says. awonza (Baker) Montague grew up “BEING A MOM IS THE MOST IMPORTANT in the saddle herding cattle on her “Sometimes they JOB IN THE WORLD. WHEN IT’S ALL SAID AND family’s ranch 25 miles north of New think it is cruel Underwood – dismounting to fix fence, when they have to DONE, MY KIDS ARE WHAT I HAVE TO LOOK rake hay and attend school. clean the drill out BACK ON AND SAY, ‘I DID THIS.’” The fourth-generation rancher made or get up at 6 to – Lawonza (Baker) Montague, 38, sure her daughter, Taylin, 17, and son, do chores before New Underwood rancher and mother of two.

Kade, 12, were given the same school, but where opportunity. “Since my kids could sit else will they gain upright, they have been in the saddle,” explains Montague, who this sense of responsibility?” always saw herself returning to her family’s ranch.

Montague says her own mom, Mary, served “Dad always said, ‘they never make more land. They can make as a great example. “My mom was a wonderful more of everything else, but not land. So, you have to keep it.’” mom. She raised five kids and taught us values "I don't care if itʼs Montague took this message to heart. Shortly after she and her raising bum lambs and calves. She was so giving blizzarding, I'd rather looking after the husband, Brad, welcomed Taylin into their family, they packed up and and never had a bad word to say about anyone be cows than a next door moved home. At the time, the couple was living in a Black Hawk and saw the good in everyone.” neighbor's house," neighborhood. “I don’t care if it’s blizzarding, I’d rather be looking Mary passed away this February after a long says Lawonza (Baker) after the cows than a next door neighbor’s house,” she says. battle with Parkinson’s disease. Montague Montague a fourthNew Although her fulltime job is on the ranch, to help with cash-flow, added that her mom also believed “idle hands generation Underwood rancher, Montague works three days a week in Rapid City. “The ranch is my were the devil’s play things,” so she and her pictured here during primary job, so I may need to rake hay at 4 in the morning and check brothers and a recent branding. cows after I get home.” sisters were Since her kids were little, they have been working right alongside all actively involved in ranch work. her. “When they are home, they are with me. There is no better way Montague says this impacted her to raise your kids and no better way of life than here on the ranch,” own parenting philosophy. “If I’m not teaching my children how to be productive in society, I am failing at my job,” she says. “They give me such a sense of pride. The other day Kade went to fix fence with my dad.

My dad came home and said that he’d forgotten to grab an extra post staple. But, Kade said, ‘here Grandpa, I have a piece of wire.’”

When the family isn’t working together, they are rodeoing – a Lawonza (Baker) Montague grew sport Montague has been involved up in the saddle herding cattle on in since childhood. “The rodeo her family's ranch 25 miles north family is a good family to be a part of New Underwood – dismounting to fix fence, rake hay and attend of. It teaches responsibility,” she says. school.

The fourth-generation rancher In the future, if her children made sure her daughter, Taylin, want to return to the ranch, 17, and son, Kade, 12 (pictured), were given the same opportunity. Montague is helping them prepare "Being a mom is the most important job in the world. When it's all said and "Since my kids could sit upright, by continuing a tradition her dad done, my kids are what I have to look back on and say, 'I did this,'" said they have been in the saddle," started. “He sold us a heifer calf Lawonza (Baker) Montague, 38, New Underwood rancher and mother of explains Montague, who always when we were born,” she says. two. Pictured here with her husband, Brad , daughter, Taylin, 17, and son, saw herself returning to her “We did the same with our kids.”

Kade, 12. family's ranch.

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UNION FARMER Around the State With Farmers Union South Dakota Farmers Union members and staff are making a difference in rural communities across South Dakota.

Sale Barn Coffees - Platte

Deuel County Farmers Union Oil Company

Rosebud Farmers Union Co-op

Sale Barn Coffees - Yankton

SDSU Ag Day

Lyman County Meeting

Congratulations to Lyman County on a very successful membership drive meeting, 13 members in one night.

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Ma & Pa’s C-Store LLC ..........................................................Gayville ......................................................................................31095 451st Ave Coffee Cup Fuel Stop............................................................Hartford...............................................................................1001 S. Western Ave Farmers Coop .........................................................................Hayti.............................................................................................101 Redbird Ave Farmers Union Oil Coop .......................................................Hazel........................................................................................ 44175 SD Hwy 22 Southside Convenience .......................................................Huron......................................................................................... 1775 Dakota Ave Tip Top, Inc ..............................................................................Kranzburg .............................................................................46399 US Hwy 212 Tip Top, Inc- .............................................................................Lake Nordon ..........................................................................471 Burmington St Lake Nordon Country Store .................................................Lake Nordon .....................................................................721 Burlington Street Prairie Ag Partners .................................................................Lake Preston ............................................................................... 101 Main Ave N Dave’s Service & Repair .......................................................Lennox..........................................................................................210 North Main F&M Coop ................................................................................Madison .................................................................................. 45316 SD Hwy 34 Mellette Travel Center...........................................................Mellette ..................................................................................38620 SD Hwy 20 FUEL STATION CITY ADDRESS FUEL STATION CITY ADDRESS Berens ......................................................................................Milbank..............................................................................1506 Morningside Dr. Airportand Travel .............................................................Aberdeen ......................................................................................4707WE4th HwyAve 12 Airport Travel Center .............................................................Aberdeen......................................................................................4707 E Hwy 12 Food FuelCenter .........................................................................Milbank ...........................................................................................103 BonnPetroleum Express ..........................................................................Aberdeen ......................................................................................801 NWHwy 281 Bonn Express ..........................................................................Aberdeen......................................................................................801 N Hwy 281 UPI Inc. .................................................................Milbank...........................................................................................313 4th Ave Cenex C-Express ....................................................................Aberdeen ..................................................................................2303 6th Ave SE Cenex C-Express ....................................................................Aberdeen..................................................................................2303 6th Ave SE The M Station .........................................................................Mina ...............................................................................................800 Nesbitt Dr North Central Farmers Elevator - Cardtrol........................Aberdeen .....................................................................................811 3rd AveAve SW North Central Farmers Elevator - Cardtrol........................Aberdeen.....................................................................................811 3rd Ave SW Cubby’s West ..........................................................................Mitchell ................................................................................

1700 W Havens Friendly’sTravel Fuel Stop ...............................................................Baltic .............................................................................................47155 250th St Friendly’s Fuel Stop ...............................................................Baltic .............................................................................................47155 250th St Highland Plaza, LLC ..................................................Mitchell ................................................................................. 2166 Highland Way Midway I-90 Service Station ........................................................Baltic .........................................................................................25402 475th Ave Midway Service Station ........................................................Baltic .........................................................................................25402 475th Ave Holiday Travel Center ...................................................Mitchell ...................................................................................1821 S Burr St East CBH Cooperative-Travel Center .........................................Belle Fourche .................................................................................

18765 US-85 CBH Cooperative-Travel Center .........................................Belle Fourche ................................................................................. 18765 US-85 Lucky’s Gas N More ...............................................................Mobridge .......................................................................

705 W Grand Crossing Jet Truck ........................................................................Beresford .........................................Hwy 29 and State Hwy 461301 Interchange Jet Truck Plaza........................................................................Beresford .........................................Hwy 29 and State Hwy 46 Interchange Goode ToPlaza Go ...........................................................................N. Sioux City....................................................................................

River Dr Coffee Cup FuelOilStop ............................................................Brandon ........................................................................... 1009 N Splitrock Coffee Cup Fuel Stop............................................................Brandon ........................................................................... 1009 N Splitrock Blvd Farmers Union Coop .......................................................Orient.............................................................................................108 Co HwyBlvd 16 Martin’s Oil ............................................................................................106 1st St S Martin’s Oil ...............................................................................Brookings ............................................................................................106 1st St S Cowboy #5...............................................................................Brookings .............................................................................Pierre ...........................................................................................

1619 N Harrison Cenex ........................................................................................Bryant .......................................................................................102 EWest 6th Ave Cenex ........................................................................................Bryant .......................................................................................102 West 6th Ave The Corner Station.................................................................Pierre ........................................................................................103 Pleasant Dr Kones Corner ..........................................................................Castlewood .............................................................................18299USUSHwy Hwy281 81 Kones Corner ..........................................................................Castlewood .............................................................................18299 US Hwy 81 Coffee Cup Fuel Stop............................................................Plankinton..............................................................................25471 Big C Travel 1stDr St Big C Travel Plaza ..................................................................Clark ........................................................................................................801 1st St Canyon LakePlaza Gas &..................................................................Clark Auto Care............................................Rapid ........................................................................................................801 City ........................................................................3928 Canyon Lake Clark Community Oil...............................................................Redfield .............................................................Clark .......................................................................................................401st Clark Community Oil .............................................................Clark .......................................................................................................401st East Apprel’s Quick Stop ........................................................................................... 23 W 7th East Ave Cowboy Store .........................................................Clear Lake ........................................................................................ 420 St S Cowboy Country Store .........................................................Clear Lake ........................................................................................ 420 3rd St S One StopCountry Convenience Store .............................................Redfield ..........................................................................................105 W 3rd 7th Ave Estelline Community Oil .......................................................Estelline..............................................................................................201 Estelline Community Oil .......................................................Estelline..............................................................................................201 4th St N Sioux Valley Co-op.................................................................Roslyn ...............................................................................................110th 4th HwySt25N BermackFarmers 2................................................................................Faulkton ..............................................................................................

817 Main St Bermack 2................................................................................Faulkton .............................................................................................. 817 Main St Central Coop...........................................................Salem........................................................................................131 S Nebraska Farmers Co-op ............................................................Ferney .....................................................................................................101 1st St. Farmers Union Co-op ............................................................Ferney .....................................................................................................101 1st St. Main StopUnion .................................................................................Scotland ...............................................................................................411 Main St North Central Elevator ..........................................Frederick Brown County Ave 10A North Central Farmers Elevator ..........................................Frederick...................................................................38604 Brown County 10A Friendly’s FuelFarmers Stop ...............................................................Sioux Falls...................................................................38604 ..........................................................................3700 Pottsdam Ma & Pa’s C-Store LLC ..........................................................Gayville ......................................................................................31095 Ma & Pa’s C-Store LLC ..........................................................Gayville ......................................................................................31095 451st Ave Deuel County Farmers Union Coop...................................Toronto ..............................................................................................

375451st MainAve St CoffeeCentral Cup Fuel Stop............................................................Hartford ...............................................................................1001 S.Central Western Coffee Cup Fuel Stop............................................................Hartford...............................................................................1001 S. Western Ave North Farmers Elevator ..........................................Warner ......................................................................................110 AveAve N Farmers Country Coop .........................................................................Hayti .............................................................................................101 Farmers Coop .........................................................................Hayti.............................................................................................101 Redbird Ave Cowboy Store .........................................................Watertown .................................................................................. 504Redbird 9th AveAve SE Farmers Country Union OilStore Coop.........................................................Watertown .......................................................Hazel........................................................................................

44175 SD4thHwy 22 Farmers Union Oil Coop .......................................................Hazel........................................................................................ 44175 SD Hwy 22 Cowboy ....................................................................................1400 St NE Southside Convenience .......................................................Huron......................................................................................... 1775 Dakota Ave Southside20 Convenience .......................................................Huron.........................................................................................

1775 Dakota LakeStop ............................................................................Watertown ...................................................................................2301 N HwyAve 20 Tip Top, Inc ..............................................................................Kranzburg .............................................................................46399 US Hwy 212 Tip Top,Stop Inc ..............................................................................Watertown ..............................................................................Kranzburg .............................................................................46399 Prairie .................................................................................1107 US 9thHwy Ave 212 SW Lake Nordon Norden ..........................................................................471 Burmington St Tip Top, Inc- .............................................................................Lake Tip Top, Inc- .............................................................................Lake Nordon ..........................................................................471 Burmington St Sioux Valley Co-op - Cardtrol ..............................................Watertown .....................................................................................

1016 5th St SE Lake Nordon Norden .....................................................................721 Burlington Street Lake Nordon Country Store .................................................Lake Lake Nordon Store .................................................Lake Nordon .....................................................................721 Burlington Street Stone’s Truck Country Stop .................................................................Watertown .................................................................................3801 9th Ave SE Prairie Ag Partners .................................................................Lake Preston ............................................................................... 101 Main Ave N PrairieValley Ag Partners .................................................................Lake Preston.................................................................................1601 ............................................................................... 101 Main AveSEN Sioux Co-op.................................................................Watertown 9th Ave Dave’s Service & Repair .......................................................Lennox..........................................................................................210 North Main Dave’sValley Service & Repair .......................................................Lennox..........................................................................................210 Main Sioux Co-op .................................................................Webster ..............................................................................................11North W Hwy 12 F&M Coop ................................................................................Madison .................................................................................. 45316 SD Hwy 34 F&M Coop .................................................................................. 45316 SD Hwy Jurgen’s Oil................................................................................Madison Company...........................................................Wilmot ................................................................................................406 Main 34 St Mellette Travel Center...........................................................Mellette ..................................................................................38620 SD Hwy 20 Mellette Center...........................................................Mellette ..................................................................................38620 SD HwyAve 20 Cork andTravel Bottle.......................................................................Yankton .............................................................................. 1500 Broadway Berens ......................................................................................Milbank..............................................................................1506 Morningside Dr. Berens Morningside The Fox......................................................................................Milbank Stop ...........................................................................Yankton..............................................................................1506 ...................................................................................1316 West 30thDr. St Food and Fuel .........................................................................Milbank...........................................................................................103 W 4th Ave Food and Fuel .........................................................................Milbank...........................................................................................103 W 4th Ave UPI Petroleum Inc. .................................................................Milbank...........................................................................................313 W 4th Ave UPI Petroleum Inc. .................................................................Milbank...........................................................................................313 W 4th Ave The M Station .........................................................................Mina ...............................................................................................800 Nesbitt Dr The M Station .........................................................................Mina ...............................................................................................800 Nesbitt Dr Cubby’s West ..........................................................................Mitchell................................................................................ 1700 W Havens Ave Cubby’s West ..........................................................................Mitchell................................................................................ 1700 W Havens Ave Highland Travel Plaza, LLC ..................................................Mitchell................................................................................. 2166 Highland Way Highland Travel Plaza, LLC ..................................................Mitchell................................................................................. 2166 Highland Way Holiday I-90 Travel Center ...................................................Mitchell...................................................................................1821 S Burr St East Holiday I-90 Travel Center ...................................................Mitchell...................................................................................1821 S Burr St East Lucky’s Gas N More ...............................................................Mobridge ....................................................................... 705 W Grand Crossing Lucky’s Gas N More ...............................................................Mobridge ....................................................................... 705 W Grand Crossing Goode To Go ...........................................................................N. Sioux City.................................................................................... 1301 River Dr Goode To Go ...........................................................................N. Sioux City.................................................................................... 1301 River Dr Farmers Union Oil Coop .......................................................Orient.............................................................................................108 Co Hwy 16 Farmers Union Oil Coop .......................................................Orient.............................................................................................108 Co Hwy 16 lan and work with so many different carriers, we can “THESE TOWNS NEED Cowboy #5 .............................................................................Pierre ...........................................................................................

1619 N SMALL Harrison Cowboy #5 .............................................................................Pierre ........................................................................................... 1619 N Harrison K a r e n our concentrate our time on meeting The Corner Station.................................................................Pierre ........................................................................................103 E Pleasant Dr The Corner Station.................................................................Pierre ........................................................................................103 E Pleasant Dr Coffee Cup Fuel V Stopo............................................................Plankinton ..............................................................................25471 US Hwy 281 Coffee Cup Fuel Stop ............................................................Plankinton ..............................................................................25471 US Hwy EVERYONE TO BE INVOLVED. NO ller customers’ needs with a customized plan.”281 Canyon Lake Gas & Auto Care............................................Rapid City ........................................................................3928 Canyon Lake Dr Canyon Lake Gas & Auto Care............................................Rapid City ........................................................................3928 Canyon Lake Dr are often asked Karen ........................................................................................... agrees. She left a competitor to sell Apprel’s Quick Stop ...............................................................Redfield ...........................................................................................

23 W 7th Ave QuickAND Stop ...............................................................Redfield 23 W 7th Ave ONE WILL COME Apprel’s HERE DO how Farmers ..........................................................................................105 Union Insurance. “The Wother One Stop Conveniencethey Store .............................................Redfield ..........................................................................................105 W 7th Ave One Stop Convenience Store .............................................Redfield 7th Ave Sioux Valley Co-op.................................................................Roslyn ...............................................................................................110th Hwy 25 Sioux Valley Co-op.................................................................Roslyn ...............................................................................................110th Hwy 25 maintain a company I worked for, I only had one THINGSS FOR US. WE BE Central Farmers Coop...........................................................Salem........................................................................................131 Nebraska St CentralNEED Farmers CoopTO ...........................................................Salem ........................................................................................131 S Nebraska St h e a l t h y product to sell. It is huge to be able to have Main Stop .................................................................................Scotland ...............................................................................................411 Main St Main Stop .................................................................................Scotland ...............................................................................................411 Main St r e l a t i o n s h i p THE ORIGINATORS ANDFuelTHINKERS so many Falls products to choose from.” Pottsdam Ave Friendly’s Fuel Stop ...............................................................Sioux Falls ..........................................................................3700 Pottsdam Ave Friendly’s Stop ...............................................................Sioux ..........................................................................3700 Deuel Deuel County Farmers Union Coop...................................Toronto ..............................................................................................

Main St w County o r Farmers k i Union n gCoop...................................Toronto .............................................................................................. 375 Main St Although they share an office, the 375 Vollers North Central Farmers Elevator ..........................................Warner ......................................................................................110 Central Ave NTHINGS North Central Farmers Elevator ..........................................Warner ......................................................................................110 Central Ave N AND MAKE HAPPEN.” together selling don’t spend every waking minute together.

Cowboy Country Store .........................................................Watertown .................................................................................. 504 9th Ave SE Cowboy Country Store .........................................................Watertown .................................................................................. 504 9th Ave SE Farmers Union Because service to their customers is the Cowboy Country Store .........................................................Watertown ....................................................................................1400 St NE Cowboy Country Store .........................................................Watertown ....................................................................................1400 4th No. St NE –4thALAN VOLLER LakeStop 20 ............................................................................Watertown ...................................................................................2301 N Hwy 20 LakeStop 20 ............................................................................Watertown ...................................................................................2301 N 20 Insurance. road 1 priority, the Vollers are often on the Hwy Prairie Stop ..............................................................................Watertown .................................................................................1107 9th Ave SW Prairie Stop ..............................................................................Watertown .................................................................................1107 9th Ave SW “It’s funny meeting with customers in their homes or on Alan and Karen.....................................................................................

Voller Sioux Valley Co-op - Cardtrol ..............................................Watertown 1016 5th Styoung, SE Sioux Co-op they - Cardtrolwere ..............................................Watertown ..................................................................................... 1016 5th St SE three kids were butValley once because the their farms .................................................................................3801 and ranches.

Stone’s Truck Stop .................................................................Watertown .................................................................................3801 9th Ave SE Stone’s Truck Stop .................................................................Watertown 9th Ave SE Karen was ready for a new Sioux Valley Co-op .................................................................Watertown .................................................................................1601 9th Ave SE Sioux Valley Co-op.................................................................Watertown .................................................................................1601 Ave SE people asking us are ranchers and their wives all school age, When they do have free time, it is9thmost Sioux .................................................................Webster ..............................................................................................11 Hwy 12 challenge.

Sioux Valley Co-op.................................................................Webster ..............................................................................................11 W Hwy 12 – Valley andCo-op I don’t think what we do is much schedule and Wcareer often spent at one of many local community Jurgen’s Oil Company...........................................................Wilmot ................................................................................................406 Jurgen’s Oil Company...........................................................Wilmot ................................................................................................406 Main St She found itMaininStinsurance sales. different from what they do – they spend events with their children – Victoria, Cork and Bottle.......................................................................Yankton .............................................................................. 1500 Broadway Ave Cork and Bottle.......................................................................Yankton ..............................................................................

1500 Broadway19; Ave “I’m a West salesperson byStopnature,” she Thetheir Fox Stopdays ...........................................................................Yankton ...................................................................................1316 30th St The Fox ...........................................................................Yankton ...................................................................................1316 West 30th St working together just like we do,” Gregory, 17, and Veronica, 14.

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LOCATIONS OFFERING E-30

Get to Know ...

Get to Know Farmers Union Insurance Agents Alan and Karen Voller

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explains Karen who shares an office with Alan in Bison.

Karen found her calling selling insurance nearly a decade ago.

Prior to insurance, she had owned her own beauty salon (she is a licensed cosmetologist) and spent a few years working nights and weekends as a karaoke DJ. DJing was a nice gig when the couple’s

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explains.

Alan joined her in 2008, when he was ready for a career change. Weldon Gibbons, heard he was looking for a new career so the then, District 4 Farmers Union Insurance manager suggested he try selling insurance.

“I like the organization and the agency,” Alan says. “There is a lot of great opportunity within the organization. And, because we

UNION FARMER

“We are big supporters and promoters of our school and community,” Alan explains.

“These small towns need everyone to be involved. No one will come here and do things for us. We need to be the originators and thinkers and make things happen.”

To learn more about the Vollers, check them out on their Facebook page, Farmers Union Insurance Voller Agency.

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An Unlikely Journey to South Dakota

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ilson Kubwayo’s presentation to S.D. Farmers Union Jr. REAL students at Freeman High School begins with a song he calls "the fun song."

But it's not a simple song. And his is not a simple story.

Starting the beat with handclaps, he sings a few lines, encourages the crowd to join in, breaks into a rap verse and finishes with some show-stopping dance moves. The audience of juniors and seniors goes wild. Kubwayo's energy is infectious. He is happy.

Jr. REAL presenter, Holly Hoffman poses for a photo with a student.

That itself is impressive given his unlikely journey to the United States.

At age 2, Kubwayo and his family fled the small African country of Burundi when it was torn apart by a civil war. They migrated to a refugee camp in Tanzania where Wilson lived until age 13. “Living in that camp taught me lessons no man can teach,” says Kubwayo. “I

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always thought if I just had an easier life, I would have a good life and then I would be able to do great things.”

Kubwayo calls that mentality a “mind virus,” a negative way of thinking based on one’s experiences and circumstances.

His story is about overcoming adversity, breaking cycles and living life to your fullest potential. He reminds students that happiness is a choice.

South Dakota Farmers Union Education Director Rachel Haigh-Blume recruited Kubwayo for the keynote address, not just because of his ability to connect with youth, but because his story puts a human face on the world news we see every day.

“To hear from a peer that has lived through the things they see on television, really makes a difference on how kids view the world,” says Haigh-Blume.

Family is a bond very important to Kubwayo, as evidenced by his brother Nelson, a constant sidekick, assistant and even cheerleader for the 22-year-old’s frequent speaking engagements.

“Without the family support I have, I would not be where I am right now,” says Kubwayo.

Bringing Opportunity to Small Communities “The larger schools in South Dakota have lots of leadership training and guest speakers,” says Haigh-Blume. “Jr. REAL provides those same opportunities to our smaller rural communities.”

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Wilson Kubwayo

South Dakota Jr. REAL (Rural Education and Leadership) features an inspirational speaker and interactive sessions on financial responsibility, community service and leadership from fellow South Dakotans.

"That's important to our audiences," says Haigh-Blume. "To see people from small towns like theirs, doing big things, really gets the kids attention."

Dozens of students stop between presentations to introduce themselves to presenters and ask, “How did you get your start?” or add, “I never thought there was this kind of opportunity here,” or just to say, “thank you.”

At the end of his Jr. REAL presentation, Kubwayo sticks around to laugh and answer questions from students. His brother is already working the phone to plan their next stop.

They are 8,000 miles away from where they started, but exactly where they want to be – happy. by Toby Kane for SDFU

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UNION FARMER

Farmers Union Now Taking Nominations for 2017 Rural Dakota Pride Awards

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outh Dakota winters can be brutal. Foot Hills Kiwanas Club ensures that children in need of warm winter coats have them before the cold winds blow.

“Kids shouldn’t suffer in the winter. We make sure kids in need have a new winter coat. You know they love them because the day they come in to pick them out, it is typically too warm to wear a coat, and yet they don’t want to take their new coat off,” explains Sharon Wilson, a charter member of the organization.

Each year Wilson and the other members of the organization raise funds through a pancake breakfast and kids clothes consignment sale to buy new coats for underprivileged Piedmont Valley and Black Hawk Elementary students.

Wilson says that the volunteer work is not only rewarding, but it’s a great way to build community.

“Working together you get to know people who you probably would never have met. We wouldn’t be happy living here if we didn’t know our neighbors,” she adds.

Wilson and her husband, Norman, helped start the Kiwanas because they believed in its “Kids First” mission and they wanted to develop a sense of community in their retirement.

In 2016, Farmers Union recognized Wilson with the Dakota Rural Pride Award.

“Rural communities depend on these everyday heroes. They are the people who do what needs to be done,” says Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director of South Dakota Farmers Union.

Each year, the Rural Dakota Pride Award recognizes five individuals who give back to their rural communities.

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WAYS TO CONNECT WITH US mail to: sdfu@sdfu.org

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Each year, South Dakota Farmers Union recognizes individuals who give back to their communities with the Rural Dakota Pride Award during Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair. 2016 Rural Dakota Pride Honorees pictured here with SDFU Vice President Wayne Soren (far left) and SDFU President Doug Sombke (far right) Left to Right: Doug Edwards, South Hand County; Bryan Breitling, Miller; Tim Pravecek, Winner; and Sharon Wilson, Black Hawk.

As an organization which supports South Dakota farmers and ranchers, Hofhenke explains that Farmers Union understands the integral connection between those who work in South Dakota’s No. 1 industry and their rural communities.

“One survives with the other,” she says.

“Without thriving communities, it’s difficult to encourage young people to return to their family’s farm or ranch. Rural communities are key to the future of South Dakota’s agriculture industry; which is why we like to

recognize those individuals who help them thrive.”

Nominate a Volunteer Who Makes Your Community A Better Place to Live 2017 nominations are due July 1. To nominate a volunteer in your community, visit the Farmers Union website, www.sdfu.org or contact Hofhenke at 605-352-6761 ext. 114.

The five Rural Dakota Pride Awards will be presented during Farmers Union Day at the 2017 South Dakota State Fair.

Like us for updates, photos news, and so much more.

Follow us for photos taken around the state and #FlashbackFriday.

Follow us for the latest legislative updates and news.

View videos at the South Dakota Farmers Union Channel.

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UNION FARMER Roger Johnson

National Farmers Union President

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FU has long emphasized the importance of science-based research to fight climate change. This past month, the organization participated in two events in support of the cause, the March for Science and the People’s Climate March, at which NFU addressed the challenges climate change places on agriculture and the threat it poses to national food security. Unfortunately, climate change is not the only potential hazard family farmers and ranchers face. Access to affordable and effective health care has consistently been a concern of farmers and rural communities. After the House of Representatives passed a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, it appears the issue won’t be fixed any time soon. If the bill were enacted, it would cause an estimated 24 million Americans to lose coverage by 2026. To add insult to injury, the ChemChina-Syngenta merger was officially approved, further contributing to the ongoing issue of corporate consolidation within the agribusiness sector. Fortunately, family farmers and rancher finally have representation in D.C. following Sonny Perdue’s confirmation as Secretary of Agriculture; he wasted no time getting to work on behalf of food producers and rural communities.

NFU CALLS ON SENATE TO REJECT AHCA In late March, the U.S. House of Representatives was scheduled to vote on the American Health Care Act (AHCA), a bill intended to replace Obama's signature legislation, the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Prior to the vote, NFU came out in strong opposition to the bill.

President Roger Johnson sent a letter to the House to urge them to vote against the proposed legislation, highlighting NFU's concerns with the inclusion of a cap on Medicaid, reforms to the healthcare marketplace, and the proposed system of basing premium subsidies on a person's age rather than their income. Lacking the necessary support to pass the bill, Congressional leadership withdrew the bill shortly before the scheduled vote.

More than a month later, the House proposed and passed of a new version of AHCA, which had been amended to garner the approval of Republican members of Congress who had opposed the previous iteration of the bill. Many of the issues from the original legislation persist; the bill would still cap Medicaid, disproportionately affecting rural Americans who enroll in Medicaid at higher rates, and whose hospitals rely more on the program than their urban counterparts. The bill would also base subsidies on a person’s age, adversely affecting

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younger farmers, while dramatically easing restrictions on what companies can charge older farmers.

The amended bill is even more troubling, as it now provides even fewer protections for family farmers and rural Americans, especially those with preexisting conditions. A new provision, known as the MacArthur Amendment, has several weak points. For one, it allows states to opt not to cover essential health benefits, such as mental health and maternity care, and to change the community rating provision, thus allowing insurers to charge higher premiums to those with preexisting conditions who let their coverage lapse. This would force many farmers into high-risk pools and leave individuals with preexisting conditions to contend with increased premiums, higher deductibles, and longer waiting periods for coverage. The amended AHCA would also disproportionately affect rural hospitals that are more dependent on Medicare and Medicaid payments than their urban counterparts.

NFU has long advocated for the right to affordable, high-quality health care for all Americans. Because the AHCA would both hinder access to health insurance for millions of people as well as drastically impair the effectiveness and affordability of rural healthcare, NFU was dismayed by the passage of this bill and urged members of the Senate to defeat the flawed legislation.

NFU ADVOCATES FOR SCIENCE-BASED POLICY On Earth Day, April 22, National Farmers Union joined the first-ever March for Science, organized to celebrate science, call for science that upholds the common good, and demand evidence-based policies in the public interest. NFU President Roger Johnson addressed the crowd at the flagship event in Washington, D.C., emphasizing the importance of science-based policy for the success of America's farmers and ranchers. He also voiced support for publicly funded, independent, and peer-reviewed research to inform both farmers and policymakers.

Johnson was joined by farmers and agricultural leaders, both in D.C. and at satellite marches across the country.

The following weekend, Tom Driscoll, NFU's Director of Conservation Policy, spoke at a climate science and solutions forum hosted by Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts. One day later, on President Trump’s 100th day in office, NFU joined 200,000 people at the People’s Climate March in the nation’s capital to demonstrate the importance of addressing climate change for our nation’s family farmers and food security.

UNION FARMER

SONNY PERDUE CONFIRMED AS AGRICULTURE SECRETARY After significant delay, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (USDA).

The absence of agricultural leadership in Washington concerned and dismayed farmers and ranchers, who have endured months of the current farm crisis and drastic policy changes in Washington without representation in the Trump administration. NFU expressed relief and optimism about the U.S. Department of Agriculture's new leader, and urged him to work immediately to address the depressed farm economy, assist struggling dairy producers, and review and approve the Farmer Fair Practices Rules.

FTC APPROVES CHEMCHINA-SYNGENTA MERGER The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which, along with the U.S. Justice Department, is responsible for eliminating and preventing anticompetitive business practices, approved ChemChina's $43 billion acquisition of Syngenta in early April. The approval is contingent upon ChemChina divesting production of three pesticides. In the following days, the merger received the green light from the European Commission, the Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica in Mexico, and China's Ministry of Commerce. Brazil's Administrative Council for Economic Defense and Canada's Competition Bureau had previously approved the deal, leaving India as the only holdout as of early May. At that time, it had also won the support of 82 percent of Syngenta’s shareholders, far more than the 67 percent needed for the acquisition to occur.

Continuing NFU's long tradition of advocating for competitive marketplaces for family farmers and ranchers, President Roger Johnson submitted public comments to FTC Secretary Donald S. Clark, asserting that the deal further consolidates the highly globalized agricultural inputs sector. The resulting reduction in competition would decrease innovation, increase input costs, and limit choice for farmers. Johnson also expressed concern that the deal would give the resulting conglomerate an unfair advantage in accessing Chinese markets, as ChemChina is owned by the Chinese government. Current as of May 12, 2017

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UNION FARMER South Dakota

From the President....

When you come to a fork in the road, take it

F

aced with yet another depressed agriculture economy, a quote comes to mind from Yogi Berra, the great New York Yankee Hall of Fame catcher, “It’s like déjà vu all over again.”

Each time this happens, family farms and rural communities suffer loss. Farm bill after farm bill attempts to address this never-ending problem to no avail.

Other farm and commodity groups insist the best and only way to fix this problem is to let capitalistic markets work.

In a free market, where the price for a widget is set by the manufacturer, this may be true. However, farmers are price takers not price makers. Which means when over-production creates lower prices and costs of production don’t fall accordingly, farmers have no choice but to produce more to make up for low prices.

This creates a never-ending dilemma which in turn affects family farmers and rural communities.

It’s a story as old as time.

This will be my fourth farm bill as president of South Dakota Farmers Union - and my ninth farm bill as a farmer. I feel strongly that it’s time a farm bill works for the family farmer as much as it works for all Americans.

After all, if we continue to neglect family farmers’ ability to make a living from farming, how much longer will they be around to raise food, fuel and fiber for our great nation and the world?

Everyone knows the only way to stay in business is for the business to be profitable. Forward thinking has always been the backbone of our organization.

So I ask you, what is the value of a family business? What is the value of passing on knowledge one can only acquire by living it day in and day out?

I have had the distinct privilege to visit other family farmers from around the

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Doug Sombke SDFU President

world and I have been told numerous times by them how envious they are of the American agriculture production system.

The troubling thing to me is; why don’t we as Americans treasure this phenomenon? When will we reward those who make it work – our family farmers?

To quote another statement from the New York Yankee Great Hall of Fame catcher, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

I believe as family farmers, we are at a great fork in the road of our destiny. The direction we choose to go will be determined by this next farm bill. Will we ensure family farmers will continue to be profitable? Will it ensure the American farmer’s future ability to produce the most abundant supply of food, fuel and fiber for this nation and the world? Or, will one of our country’s greatest treasures - family farming - be mined and abused until it is unrecognizable and turned in to an agricultural Wal-Mart?

Rest assured, as hard as you work on your farm providing a living for your family, South Dakota Farmers Union is working hard as your strong voice off the farm. Our team works to ensure your thoughts and concerns for agriculture and rural policy stay in front of policymakers.

We support your business and your way of life.

Be safe this spring during your long busy days and God bless all you do!

UNION FARMER

A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

South Dakota Union Farmer, ISSN 0745-8797, publishes 10 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. 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 Pam Evenson ..........ext. 116 Membership Specialist Doland

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

Kecia Beranek.........ext. 113 Communications Specialist Miller Luanne Thompson .ext. 111 Administrative Assistant Virgil

Kayla Foreman ............ext. 118 Controller Miller

SDFU Board of Directors Doug Sombke.........President Groton Wayne Soren..Vice President Lake Preston Terry Sestak..............District I Tabor Jim Wahle ................District II Salem Gail Temple ............District III Clark

Contact NFU

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

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

Roger Johnson, President ~ Donn Teske, Vice President Darin Von Ruden, Secretary ~ John Hansen, Treasurer 202.554.1600 www.nfu.org

The South Dakota Union Farmer is published 10 times per calendar year.

Karla Hofhenke, Publisher Lura Roti, Editor ~ Wendy Sweeter, Copy Editor Tri-State Graphics, Layout and Design

Doug Sombke South Dakota Farmers Union President

UNION FARMER

All information for publication must be submitted by the 15th of the month. You may submit items by mail to the State Office, P.O. Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350 or email items to: sdfu@sdfu.org

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UNION FARMER Camps Continued from Page 1

within the farming community.

“We have a career focus with fun activities on things like animal care, business and mechanics,” says Haigh-Blume. "We have a career focus so campers can see exactly how many careers one a farmer does. A farmer does animal care, business, mechanic work, and many others. We want to get kids thinking about all the skills required on a farm and what talents they can bring back as young producers.”

Recognizing Everyday Heroes This year’s camp theme is “Everyday

Some things to expect at camp

• Outdoor fun • The history of cooperativ es • Understand ing farm safe ty • The 7 Stars of Citizenship • Community service • Exploring a g careers

Heroes.” Activities highlight things such as the single-family farmer who feeds 150 people and why they are every bit as important as the celebrity or rock star.

Crafts and field trips have always been a part of the camp experience. “We also really want to emphasize service,” says HaighBlume. Campers will create blankets for cancer patients and others will visit Feeding South Dakota for some hands-on volunteering.

"Leadership is about action and giving back, through projects like this the campers are learning how they can impact their

communities," says Haigh-Blume.

Safety and paying attention to your surroundings is always a priority at camp.

Topics focus on grain safety, power take-off (PTO) safety, electrical safety, ATV use and more, whether in town or on the farm.

South Dakota Farmers Union camps are unique in that high school students help create the camp structure. High school senior, Cole Van Gorp of Corsica-Stickney is on the Junior Advisory Council working to help build the best camp experience possible. “We want a place where kids can just open up with the group and have fun with leadership activities.”

Senior Adviser Counselor Reece Schulte of Faulkton and a freshman at Dakota State University adds, “Getting kids involved and keeping them involved is so important to camp and their interest in farming. We just want to keep that going.”

To learn more about South Dakota Farmers Union camps in your area, go to www.sdfu.org/education/youth-camps. by Toby Kane for SDFU

Thursday, July 20 1 to 4 pm Crossroads Convention Center Huron, SD 22

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UNION FARMER

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UNION FARMER THANK YOU SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION Farmers Union Staff, Thank you for spot-lighting our farm and family during the March 2017 publication. We had a lot of fun visiting with Lura. We were surprised and a bit humbled by the exposure and publicity our article received. A true keepsake with the book too! Thanks again!

Roger & Mary Lee, DeSmet SDFU, Thank you for your matched grant donation to the Roberts County 4-H Community Center. Through grants and gifts such as yours, we are able to move forward with our building project. Your support to the Roberts County 4-H program is truly appreciated.

4-H Building Committee

Dear Doug, Karla & Staff, I am enclosing memorial funds we received in memory of our mother, Dorothy. We would be pleased to provide these to the Endowment Fund so that they continue to provide for Farmers Union in South Dakota. My father and my mother’s father had a special regard for this organization, and it’s fitting to support it with some of her memory funds.

God’s blessings to you all.

Lynn, Marilyn, Dean, Roland, and Monte Frey

DEPARTINGS

Dorothy Frey, age 88, of White Butte, S.D., passed away on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at the Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon, S.D., Funeral was April 20, 2017 at the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bison. She was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin, in 2011.

Grateful for having shared in her life are her four sons, Lynn, Lemmon, S.D.; Dean, rural Haynes, N.D.; Roland, Mobridge, S.D. and Monte, Hettinger, N.D.; daughter, Marilyn Schwartzbauer, Bismarck, N.D.; one brother, Gerhard (Joyce) Kriesel, Shoreline, Wash., and one sister, Betty (Rolla) Stoltenburg, Watertown, S.D.

COOK’S CORNER

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 5-year 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.

SDFU CLIP AND SAVE CALENDAR MAY 9 KELO AM Radio Show, Sioux Falls 17 District IV Meeting, Winner 17 Tripp County Meeting, Winner 29 State Office Closed

Rhubarb Slush Nikki Kotzer -Groton, S.D. – Lifetime Member

2 qt. rhubarb, diced 2 qt. water 1 ½ c. sugar 1 (3 oz.) pkg. strawberry gelatin 1 c. vodka ½ c. lemon juice Squirt or 7-Up

JUNE 5 Davison County Meeting, TBA 13 KELO AM Radio Show, Sioux Falls 14-17 SDHSRA, Belle Fourche 17 District II Meeting, Flandreau 20 Foundation Golf Tournament, Mitchell

Cook rhubarb with water until soft. Strain and use juice. Add sugar and gelatin. Cool. Add vodka and lemon juice. Place in freezer until frozen. Serve with Squirt or 7-Up. WWW.SDFU.ORG

Farmers Union signs available

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JULY 4 State Office Closed 9 District III Annual Picnic, Lake Preston 11 KELO AM Radio Show, Sioux Falls 20 County Councilors, Huron

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Aberdeen Aberdeen Bison Bison Britton Brookings Brookings Brookings Buffalo Clark Doland Doland Faulkton Huron Irene Irene Kadoka Lemmon Lemmon Marion

Darrel Kessler J.R. Johnson Alan Voller Karen Voller Tom Farber Larry Sutton Beth Reams Heidi Fields Jim Erk Lon Reidburn Bonnie Wagner Mark Rozell Jason Lee Blaine Anderson Brendon Hansen Brian Hansen Donna Enders Brad Derschan Carrie Derschan Kevin Albrecht

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Brendon Hansen Richard Hofer Nathan Hofer Andrew Mefferd Jessica Mefferd Ce Faulkner Gary Ray Black Hills Agency Kasey Keller Lewis Agency Jeff Nord Erica Steiner Spearfish Agency Scott Sabers Todd Nichols Debbie Baumgarn Larry Baumgarn Jeremy Clay James Murphy

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