Farmers Union Herd Builder Awards
Oakleigh Reis-Elwood of Reliance and Trace Urban of Pukwana won breeding heifers through the South Dakota Farmers Union Herd Builder Award presented during the Western Jr. Livestock Show in Rapid City. Reis-Elwood and Urban are pictured here with David Reis, SDFU Board Member, Dallis Basel, SDFU Board Member, Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director, and Rocky Forman, SDFU Member Services Coordinator.
Farmers Union Celebrates Deuel County Farm Family
Combining corn in a field just outside of Clear Lake this fall, Jerad Goens reflects on the generations of family members who harvested crops from this same field and others he farms.
There’s his mom’s great-grandma Mills, his grandpas Dale Hoftiezer and Jerald Goens, his great-uncle Gordon and many more.
“It especially hits me when an old piece of farm machinery or a horseshoe gets caught in the disc openers. The only reason there is a horseshoe left in this field is my great-great-grandparents used to farm this ground with horses,” explained Jerad, a fifth-generation crop and cattle farmer.
Last spring Jerad added another family artifact to the collection – an old skeleton key padlock.
“It is interesting to think, the last person to touch this object was probably my ancestor,” Jerad said.
As he thinks about those who cared for the land before him, along with pride in continuing the family farming legacy comes a bit of anxiety.
“The generations before me came through tough times, but every generation was still able to add land to the farm. Right now, I am concerned about hanging on to what my family worked so hard to gain,” Jerad said.
Jerad explained this harvest his concerns are compounded by high inputs and poor commodity prices. “We just came off a field before this
on Page 2
The Goens family farms near Clear Lake. Left to right Jack, Uncle LaVern, Jennie, Grandpa Jake, Great-Uncle Gordon, Jerad, Jase and Amanda.
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“It is our goal that we maintain what my ancestors have built and eventually add to it or figure out ways to add value to what we already have. If our children want to return to the farm, it is here for them.”
– Jerad Goens
that we actually lost $150 to $200 an acre because of low commodity prices and lower than average yields,” Jerad said.
The field he references has been in his dad’s family for decades. Today, Jerad and his wife,
Amanda, lease land from family members on both sides of Jerad’s family tree. They are in the process of purchasing land from Great-uncle Gordon Goens.
“A lot of the family take pride and enjoyment knowing that family is farming this land,” Jerad said. “A lot of my family who I do lease land from were involved in farming or cattle so they know what it takes for me to be successful, so it’s not all about the money.”
Farming
is all I wanted to do
Although Jerad grew up in Aberdeen and Sioux Falls, he spent school year weekends and summers helping out on his Grandpa Dale, Grandpa Jerald and Great-uncle Gordon’s farms.
“I started baling straw when I was 8,” Jerad said. “Growing up, the farm is where I wanted to be.”
His great-uncle Gordon recognized Jerad’s love for farming early on. “As a kid, Jerad dug right in, helping his grandpa and dad. I remember him at just 4 or 5 running to grab tools for us,” Gordon said. “Jerad follows after me. If something doesn’t work, we tear it apart. We figure, if it don’t work, you can’t hurt it and you can probably fix it.”
Gordon got his start farming young. He was only 8 when his dad, John, passed away from leukemia, leaving Gordon’s mom with six children to raise and the family farm to care
for. John had purchased the family farm back from an insurance company a year before he died.
The insurance company bought the land at auction in 1929 after Gordon’s grandpa was not able to pay the land tax because the money he’d saved up was lost following the Stock Market Crash.
“It was not that he didn’t have the money. When the bank went broke during the crash, no one was able to access their money,” Gordon said. “Dad told us that some of the bankers left town with heavy suitcases.”
Gordon’s oldest brother, Jerald, was only 16 when he began farming full time to fulfill his
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dad’s dying wish.
After Gordon graduated from eighth grade, he left school and joined his brothers, Jerald and Harlan, to farm full time.
“We would split everything in thirds,” said Gordon, who would farm with his brother Jerald until Jerald’s death in 2022. And in spring 2024, he decided to sell his farm and machinery to Jerad and Amanda.
“I wanted to sell to Jerad and Amanda because I don’t want to cut it up. And since I am selling him everything, there should not be any grumbling. It feels good not to lose sleep worrying about what I should do with the land because I don’t have any children,” Gordon said.
“It is wonderful that Jerad’s uncle is selling his land to us and both his grandpas helped him get started,” said Amanda, a fourthgeneration farmer. “If we were to start our
own operation from scratch there is no way we could do this because of the price of machinery, land and taxes.”
Unlike Jerad, Amanda did grow up on a farm. When she grew up, her parents raised cattle and crops near Dallas, a small farming community in south-central South Dakota. Amanda and Jerad met about the time she started a career as a traveling physical therapist assistant.
When the couple decided to build their life together, Amanda began working full time in Brookings and now in Milbank. Jerad has an adult daughter, Sara, and Jerad and Amanda have three young children: Jennie (named after Jerad’s great-grandma), Jack (Jack was Jerad’s great-grandpa’s nickname) and Jase.
“Raising our children on the farm is a way of life that teaches them self-respect, discipline and gives them self-confidence
because they have chores they can take pride in completing,” Amanda explained.
Amanda works four, 10-hour days, and their children do not have school on Fridays, so the family is on the farm together each Friday.
“Work is fast-paced, we have productivity standards and a lot of patients to see – always rush, rush, rush. I enjoy my time on the farm when I can unwind with our children, get my vitamin D and soak in the fresh air,” Amanda said.
Jerad said the family relies on Amanda’s income for their household budget, reinvesting any farm profits back into the farm.
“It is our goal that we maintain what my ancestors have built and eventually add to it or figure out ways to add value to what we already have,” Jerad said. “If our children want to return to the farm, it is here for them.” n
By Lura Roti
“Raising our children on the farm is a way of life that teaches them self-respect, discipline and gives them self-confidence because they have chores they can take pride in completing.”
– Amanda Goens
Scan to watch video about harvest on the Goens farm.
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Rural POWER Inspired Women in Ag Focused Podcast & More
Season 4 of The Best Job in South Dakota podcast just launched and Rebecca Blue, the co-host of this women in agfocused podcast, credits her involvement in Rural POWER as the initial catalyst.
“Often, you have a great idea, but without a program, like Rural POWER, it might feel challenging to bring it to life,” explained Blue, who participated in the 2022 class.
Rural POWER is a year-long leadership development program sponsored by South Dakota Farmers Union and hosted by the Billie Sutton Leadership Institute. For Blue, a South Dakota native with a distinguished career in agricultural policy, Rural POWER provided the structure and support she needed to take her vision to the next level.
Heading from Huron to Brookings, Blue received her undergraduate degree in agronomy with a minor in Spanish and a master’s in soil science from South Dakota State University. Then it was on to Washington, D.C., where she began her career working on ag and trade policy in the U.S. House of Representatives. Next, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Blue served as the Legislative Director for the Office of Congressional Relations as well as the Deputy Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs.
Following her service in the public sector, Blue founded a consulting firm, focusing on strategic planning, consensus building and resolving international market access issues. As Blue explored ways to be more involved in South Dakota agriculture, she was met with an interesting discovery.
“It was a strange feeling when I realized that even though I had spent my whole
career working in ag, and I was from South Dakota, I did not have a network in agriculture in South Dakota,” Blue explained. She saw Rural POWER as an opportunity to connect with South Dakota’s ag community and applied for the program.
Throughout their year involvement in Rural POWER, participants are expected to develop and implement a project to enhance their community.
The Best Job in South Dakota podcast is the project Blue developed. “I knew instantly I wanted to focus on women in ag because they have played an incredibly important role in my own life and career,” said Blue.
When developing The Best Job in South Dakota, Blue teamed up with former USDA co-worker Chris Church to co-host the podcast that explores the important role women in agriculture play.
“There is something so powerful about storytelling, it is a way to connect us, no matter where we are,” Blue said. “Women’s role in agriculture is often under-represented, so we aim to highlight their outstanding work and showcase the incredible variety of jobs that fall into the world of agriculture. This podcast gives women the recognition they deserve. It’s informative, but light enough to help bring a smile to your day.”
As Blue developed her own network in South Dakota she saw a greater need to support increased engagement of women in agriculture and conservation. This led to a $1.2 million grant to do just that, as Blue explains in a 2024 interview with Kristi Hine for a Sept. 26, South Dakota News Watch article.
“I wanted to develop a program that helps
women be seen, exposes them to leadership opportunities and creates a safe space to share ideas and connect. I finally realized that’s not mentoring, that’s a networking program. We had a brainstorming session and I went ahead and wrote up a proposal.”
The project is a collaboration between USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Jones County Conservation District and the South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts. It supports increased engagement of women in agriculture and conservation through networking and educating.
The new project, Women’s Ag Network, is seeking input from women in ag and related fields from across the state through a survey, which can be found on their website. Blue encourages South Dakota women engaged in every aspect of agriculture and conservation to get involved and provide their feedback so they can build a program that truly meets the needs of women in ag in the state.
To learn more about this project and get involved, visit their website www. WomensAgNetwork.org and for additional background on the project read the Sept. 26 South Dakota News Watch article written by Kristi Hine at www.sdnewswatch.org
Applications for the 2025 Rural POWER/ Billie Sutton Leadership Institute will be available in the new year at www. SuttonLeadership.org.
To enjoy episodes of The Best Job in South Dakota podcast, visit www.BestJobSD.com n By Lura Roti
Union Farmer
Young Producers Rebuild County Organizations
When Edmunds County farmer Melvin Roesch was first trying to organize a county Farmers Union organization nearly 80 years ago, he went from farm to farm on horseback.
“He was trying to get a group together to get their voice heard and get policy to help them out. You know they had just come through the Dirty Thirties and things were still tough. So he rounded up a bunch of people and got the county going,” explained Lance Perrion, 33, a fourth-generation Edmunds County crop and cattle producer.
Many decades after Roesch organized the county, active membership dropped and Roesch, now in his 90s, was looking for someone to jumpstart the organization that no longer met on a regular basis. This is when Lance, together with his wife, Sarah, decided to volunteer their time to get an Edmunds County Farmers Union organization going again.
“There’s a pretty good handful of young guys like me coming back to their family farms, and we face a new set of challenges, and we need to network and work together with an organization like Farmers Union to find solutions,” Lance explained.
Lance and Sarah became actively involved after they attended a Farmers Union Young Producers event and were selected to represent South Dakota in the Farmers Union Enterprise Leadership (FUEL) program in 2021.
Since that time, the couple has served as delegates to the state and national Farmers Union conventions, served on the state Policy Committee and advocated in Pierre and D.C. for property rights, fair prices and transparent markets.
“We know how beneficial Farmers Union is for family farmers and ranchers, and even though we have made time to travel for Farmers Union events, we know not everyone is able to, so we wanted to bring information closer through county meetings,” Sarah explained.
This summer, Sarah worked with state Farmers Union Education Program Specialist Samantha Bowman and Membership Coordinator Rocky Forman to host Edmunds County Farm Safety Day Camp. More than
60 local youth attended.
“It was fantastic,” Sarah said. “We were able to expose all these kids to many different aspects of farm safety and they also got to learn about cooperatives. I have heard from so many parents that their kids have not stopped talking about the camp.”
Sarah and Lance’s three young daughters also attended the camp. The couple hopes the camp success also encourages some more parents to attend county meetings.
“We got involved in Farmers Union because it is an organization that will make our voice heard,” Sarah said.
She added that through involvement with Farmers Union, she and Lance have connected with other young producers from across South Dakota and the region.
“The people we have met through Farmers Union understand what our life is like because it’s their life too. Farming and ranching are a different lifestyle because everything you do – your life, your work, your family – it is all connected,” Sarah explained. “We feel like our Farmers Union friends are an extension of our family.”
Family is the word that Harding County rancher Kaeloni Latham also uses to describe the friends she and her husband, Jason, have made through Farmers Union. In August the Lathams helped restart the Harding County Farmers Union organization.
“As we have gotten more involved, we realized there are so many ways Farmers Union benefits family ranchers like us. We want to bring the benefits of Farmers Union to our neighbors and friends. We want to take their input on policy to the state level,” Kaeloni explained.
Jason’s family has been longtime Farmers Union members. The couple became more involved in Farmers Union after attending the 2024 Tri-State Producers Conference in Oklahoma. They were selected to represent South Dakota in the 2024 FUEL class.
When the couple learned that the National Farmers Union President Rob Larew was doing a western South Dakota ranch tour and meeting in Harding County, they used this event as an opportunity to introduce their friends and neighbors to Farmers Union.
“We are excited about getting more young ranchers involved because we have ideas about what needs to be done policywise to help us, but by ourselves we can’t do much. But if we band together with Farmers Union, we think we can get things done that will make a difference,” Kaeloni said.
The grassroots nature of Farmers Union is also what led Oren Lesmeister to restart Dewey and Ziebach county organizations a few years back.
“Grassroots is the way every organization should be run in my eyes,” Lesmeister said. “We start at the local level and bring policy to the state and then to the national organization.”
Lesmeister also serves on the SDFU board of directors. He said that if a member is interested in getting their county more involved, all they need to do is reach out to their board member for ideas and support.
SDFU President Doug Sombke agreed.
“As a grassroots organization, everything we do is member-led. So, our leadership team and state staff are eager to help with organizing local meetings – anything we can do to help producers engage,” Sombke said. “Young producers are our future.” n By Lura Roti
SDFU Member Jason Latham introduces NFU President Rob Larew to his neighbors and friends during a meeting at a cafe in Harding County.
Lance and Sarah Perrion
Kaeloni and Jason Latham
White House Invites South Dakota Rancher & Two Farmers to Give Input
It’s harvest in South Dakota and De Smet farmer Rob Lee is behind getting soybeans out of the field because he accepted an invitation to the White House.
“It was the worst timing, but when you have the opportunity to sit in a room and meet with the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture – in the White House – you don’t say no,” said Lee, who farms with his wife Darcie, and their three young children: Everett, Rosie and Esme.
Lee was one of three young South Dakota agriculture producers invited to the White House to meet with the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and other top U.S. Department of Agriculture officials Oct. 8 as part of the Farmers and Ranchers In Action event hosted by the Biden/Harris Administration.
Ipswich crop and cattle producer Lance Perrion and Harding County rancher Jason Latham were also invited.
“They wanted to have a conversation with us about what is working and what is not working and what needs to change,” explained Latham, a fourth-generation cattleman who ranches with his parents, Darwin and Kay, his wife, Kaeloni, and their young sons, Jaydon, Jarrett and James.
Latham said the setting was intimate –only 75 producers from across the U.S. were invited, and the conversations were candid.
“You could tell they were invested in the conversation because they took their own notes. And if they didn’t understand something we were talking about, they asked follow-up questions,” Latham said. “It
was an opportunity to help make meaningful change, talking face-to-face with the officials who draft the rules.”
Latham was specifically interested in what Vilsack had to say about the USDA and Department of Justice’s ongoing investigation into consolidation among meatpackers. “I was happy to learn about the steps they are taking to more actively enforce existing laws addressing monopolies.”
Consolidation is not isolated to the meatpackers, said Perrion. He was interested to learn what the USDA and administration were doing about holding other sectors of corporate agriculture accountable. “I was happy to hear that the Secretary of Agriculture understood the issues we face with GMO (genetically modified organism) seeds,” Perrion said.
Perrion explained that because corporations who own the patent on Roundup-resistant seeds, will not release the technology, even though the patent term has expired, seed is expensive and new technologies are not emerging to update or replace the weed-controlling technology. “As farmers we are stuck,” Perrion said. “We’ve now got 15 Roundup-resistant weeds we can’t control – waterhemp is running wild, kochia is running wild – and we don’t have new products to control them because like humans and antibiotics, these weeds are now resistant.”
Change for the better
Like Lee, Perrion was in the midst of harvest. But he didn’t hesitate when he was asked to participate.
“We got to bring our issues and
ideas to the decision-makers and have a conversation,” explained Perrion, who farms with his wife, Sarah, and their three young daughters, Bexley, Haddie and Elliott. “You got to meet with these people when you have the opportunity. Building relationships is how we get change for the better.”
The White House connected with Perrion, Latham and Lee through National Farmers Union. The White House reached out to the organization when they were planning the event. National Farmers Union then reached out to South Dakota Farmers Union. The three young producers are active members, and they have all traveled to D.C. in the past as part of a large annual Fly-In organized by National Farmers Union.
Comparing this visit to USDA meetings from the past, Lee was impressed with the administration’s efforts. “I appreciate their willingness to work with us on issues important to our future. I was here in 2018 and listened to then Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue tell us, ‘get big or get out,’” Lee said. “As a family farmer, that is not a hopeful message. I think all farmers and ranchers are trying to build something for the future. Will my kids want to come back and farm? I don’t know. But if they want to, I hope farming is still a noble pursuit that can also be profitable.”
To learn more about how South Dakota Farmers Union works to support South Dakota family farmers and ranchers, visit www.sdfu.org. To attend an upcoming young producers event, email sdfu@sdfu. org. n By Lura Roti
Lance Perrion, Jason Latham and Rob Lee
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Tri-State Young Producer Conference Event Connects Producers with Ag Marketing & Transition Planning Experts
In 2024 several young producers from South Dakota traveled to Oklahoma for the Tri-State Producer Conference. We invite you or a young producer you know to join us in Fargo, N.D., for the 2025 Conference.
South Dakota Farmers Union invites family farmers and ranchers to the TriState Young Producer Conference held in Fargo, N.D., Jan. 10-11.
“Building a career on the family farm or ranch comes with its challenges. Through this conference, we seek to provide young producers with information and resources to help them succeed,” explained Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director for South Dakota Farmers Union.
Because supporting the next generation of family farmers and ranchers is a focus of the state’s largest agriculture organization, South Dakota Farmers Union will cover lodging and meals for members. The event is only $50 for non-members.
Information to support your family and ag operation
When planning the 2025 event, Jessica Haak relied on feedback from the young producers who attended the 2024 and 2023 conferences.
“Participants appreciated the ag marketing and estate planning information and asked for more,” explained Haak, the Membership Director for North Dakota
Farmers Union.
Building on information covered during previous conferences, speaker line-up includes:
• Ag Marketing – Frayne Olson, Professor/ Crops Economist, North Dakota State University
• Transition & Estate Planning – Devon Liljenquist, Attorney and Estate Planning Expert
• Strengthen Relationships Through Communications – John Beranek, Speaker, Trainer, Facilitator, Coach, Strategist and Owner Intersections Consulting
After attending the 2024 conference in Oklahoma with her husband, Travis, Dewey County rancher Mercedes Spiel said the speakers were relevant and they were able to use the information they gained.
“The workshops are helpful,” Spiel said. “With the uncertainty of today’s markets, it is always good to have other market options for selling farm and ranch commodities. Estate
planning is essential because you never know what tomorrow will bring.”
The two-day conference is designed so that attendees have plenty of time to get to know other young producers as well. “We made lifelong friends during the conference,” Spiel said. “We enjoyed hearing how other producers run their operations and noticing the similarities or differences from ours. No matter how big or small, we all share the same values and hardships.”
In addition to speakers, conference attendees will also have the opportunity to tour Grand Farm and learn about the initiative created to solve the biggest problems facing agriculture. It started around a community challenge and has transformed into a global leader in AgTech innovation. Learn more at GrandFarm.com.
To sign up for the 2025 Tri-State Young Producer Conference, email sdfu@sdfu.org.
Registration deadline is Dec. 16. n By Lura Roti
Travis and Mercedes Spiel
Union Farmer
Tax Reform, Property Rights & Access to Childcare Policy Focus of 2024 Farmers Union State Convention
Family farmers and ranchers from across South Dakota will gather in Huron December 11-12 when South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) hosts its 109th State Convention.
“Members prioritize State Convention because it is where we establish our organization’s policy,” explained Doug Sombke, President of SDFU and a fourthgeneration crop and cattle farmer. “Grassroots policy is a major focus of convention, because the policy our members put in place each year guides our leadership team and state staff.”
“Members prioritize State Convention because it is where we establish our organization’s policy.”
– Doug Sombke, President, SDFU
South Dakota Farmers Union is the state’s largest agriculture organization with a membership of more than 18,000. Leading up to convention, members prioritized the policy issues they will discuss during the Annual Policy Meeting held in July. During State Convention Policy Discussion some of the issues members will discuss and vote on include;
• Tax Reform
• Oppose Anticompetitive Practices in Livestock Markets
• Eminent Domain
• Supporting a Competition Title in the Next Farm Bill
• Ballot Measures Against Meatpacking Facilities
• Addressing Childcare Shortages in Rural Communities
These topics and more will be discussed and voted on during the State Policy Discussion held at State Convention. During State Convention, members will vote on delegates who will take the SDFU policy passed to the National Farmers Union Convention held in Oklahoma City in March 2025.
During convention members will vote to
approve three state board nominations:
Northeast – District 3, Gail Temple
North Central – District 7, Chad Johnson
Southeast – District 1, Larry Birgen
Read the page 11 article to learn more about these candidates.
Markets, Weather & Farmer-Led Conservation Programming
In addition to policy, during SDFU State Convention family farmers and ranchers will have the opportunity to engage with national ag experts focused on topics relevant to their family farms and ranches.
“We know family farmers’ and ranchers’ time is valuable, so while they are at convention to discuss policy, we work to enhance the experience by connecting them to national ag experts,” explained Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director for SDFU. “Using feedback from farmers and ranchers about the topics they want more information on, we find national experts who are entertaining and engaging.”
Jared Knock is an eastern South Dakota farmer/rancher and Vice President of Agriculture Innovation for AgSpire. Leveraging his 25 years of on-the-ground experience implementing practical and natural solutions within agriculture, Knock cofounded AgSpire, where he currently serves as Vice President of Agriculture Innovation. AgSpire is focused on program development and implementation to advance sustainability goals and metrics in the food and agriculture sector.
Additionally, Knock is the owner of Dakota Vision Ag – an ag retailer specializing in enhanced forage options, restoration of soil health, and grazing system improvements. He holds degrees in animal science from South Dakota State University and China Agricultural University in Beijing.
Matt Roberts is founder of The Kernmantle Group, an economics research and training consultancy. Roberts is a nationally-renowned expert and speaker on the grain and energy markets. He has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago
Tribune, Associated Press and Forbes, and has been interviewed on CNBC. Roberts received a bachelor’s degree in economics from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, and a doctorate in economics from North Carolina State University. Prior to graduate school, Roberts worked as a commodity and energy derivatives broker in Vienna, Austria, and as a market research consultant to the pharmaceutical industry in North Carolina. From 2001 through 2016, Roberts was an Assistant and Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at The Ohio State University.
Eric Snodgrass is a Senior Science Fellow and Principal Atmospheric Scientist for Nutrien Ag Solutions, where he develops predictive, analytical software solutions to manage weather risk for global production agriculture. He provides frequent weather updates that focus on how high-impact weather events influence global agriculture productivity. His current research uses machine learning to better understand field-level weather impacts on yields in the U.S. and to increase confidence in longrange weather prediction. He presents his research as a featured speaker at more than 120 conferences annually where he provides logistical guidance and solutions to weathersensitive financial institutions, farmers, commodity traders, and other stakeholders.
Agriculture Leaders
&
Youth Recognized South Dakota agriculture is strong and resilient because of the individuals involved in all aspects of the industry. During SDFU State Convention, the state’s largest agriculture organization honors individuals for giving of their time, talents and expertise.
Brown County farmers Paul Dennert and Don Schaunaman (posthumous) will be recognized with the Ag Ambassador
Continued on Page 13
South Dakota Farmers Union
109th Annual State Convenon December 11-12, 2024
Crossroads Hotel and Convenon Center, Huron—100 4th St. SW, Huron, SD
NOTE: The registraon costs do not include Hotel Call the CROSSROADS HOTEL & CONVENTION CENTER AT (605) 352.3204 Rate is $96.00 plus tax, per night. Our block will be held unl November 20, 2024
First Name ___________________________ Delegate: Yes ___ No ___ Last Name __________________________________
Spouse Name ________________________ Delegate: Yes ___ No ___
City ______________________________ County ______________________________ Phone ____________________________
Convenon package - $50 PER PERSON ______ Night on the Prairie Foundaon Fundraiser—$50 PER PERSON ______ (Aer Dec. 9) - $75 PER PERSON _______ (Aer Dec. 6) —$75 PER PERSON _______
TOTAL PAYMENT _____________________ Check Enclosed _____ Credit Card _____
Credit Card # ____________________________________________ Expiraon __________________ CVV _________
Signature _________________________________________ Return this form to: SDFU, PO Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350
109th Annual Convention
Register using the form below or go online to www.sdfu.org (click on the slider) Join us on Wednesday evening for
Crossroads Hotel and Huron Event Center Huron, South Dakota
Union Farmer
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2024
(Tentative agenda)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024
11:00 a.m. Beth Thompson, State Veterinarian
11:30 a.m. Convention Banquet and Torchbearer program
1:00 p.m. Jared Knock, VP of Ag Innovation – Agspire
Regenerative Ag: Offering voluntary incentive-based programs that are practical and impactful
1:45 p.m. Eric Snodgrass, High Impact Meteorology
How to use the abundance of weather data to stay ahead of disruptive weather events, limits of predictability for weather events and learn about the resources available to monitor changes in longer-range forecasts.
2:45 p.m. Beverage Break
3:00 p.m. Bylaw changes Grassroots Policy Discussion
5:30 p.m. Board Reception
6:00 p.m. A Night on the Prairie Event Featuring The Six Appeal’s
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Call to Order
Candidate Addresses: SDFU District Board
Introduce Nominated NFU Delegates
Financial Report - Jake Holm, CarlsonSV
Farmers Union Industries
Dale Bednarek, CEO Farmers Union Industries
President’s Address
Doug Sombke, S.D. Farmers Union President
10:00 a.m. Election
10:15 a.m. Beverage Break
10:30 a.m. Farmers Union Insurance
Kevin Ressler, Lance Boyer & Dave Murphy
11:00 a.m. Matt Roberts, Surviving and Thriving In This Crazy World: Whether elections or markets or wars, how can position our farms to take advantage of the opportunities that are out there. What can we learn from past price cycles, both boom and bust, and how to apply it to today?
• $4000 CASH
• Honda Generator
• Kids Polaris RZR – 12V
Grand Prize giveaways – No ticket needed!
Must be present to win, be a member, registered at Convention and over 18 years of age. Staff, board and their spouses are not eligible to participate.
Noon Banquet Luncheon and Awards Presentation
Jeff Kippley, NFU Vice- President
1:30 p.m. State of the Union
Rob Larew, NFU President
2:00 p.m. FSA Farm Loan Enhancements update
Ryan Vanden Berge, Deputy SED for SD FSA
2:15 p.m. Panel: Tax reform
3:00 p.m. Drawing for prizes -
South Dakota Farmers Union Board Candidates Answer Your Questions
During the 2024 South Dakota Farmers Union Convention, you will have an opportunity to vote on three board members. Read on to learn more about each board member.
GAIL TEMPLE, NORTHEAST – DISTRICT 3 CANDIDATE
Q: Gail, you have served members in this role since 2016, why do you want to continue serving?
A: SDFU has made progress with policy initiatives like working with the Department of Justice to hold packers accountable. Our job is not done with packer accountability yet, so I want to continue working to see this through. And there is more to do in other areas as well and I want to remain involved at this level to help get work done.
Q: What do you enjoy about serving as a board member?
A: Every member has a story. I like hearing their stories and being able to listen to what they need, and take those needs and their stories to Pierre or D.C. to make things better for family farmers and ranchers.
And Farmers Union is part of who I am because I have been involved in Farmers Union since I was too young to attend camp (my mom helped out so they let me attend Day Camps). So, I care deeply about its future.
Q: What excites you about the future of this organization?
A: I like seeing the young producers that we have seen join the organization in recent years getting more involved. And as someone who has been involved my entire life, I enjoy helping them learn about the organization and its history.
CHAD JOHNSON, NORTH CENTRAL – DISTRICT 7
Q: Chad, you have served members in this role since 2012, why do you want to continue serving?
A: My passion for agriculture and sustaining this way of life for my son’s generation is one reason, but the other reason is I truly love learning. And as a board member we are learning all the time. We are learning about issues that matter to our members – like MCOOL and property rights. We are learning about ways policy can solve challenges. We are learning more about Farmers Union.
Q: What do you enjoy about serving as a board member?
A: I enjoy serving as a voice for our members. Agriculture is such a broad industry and we as family farmers and ranchers need to have farmers and ranchers out there voicing our needs and opinions and sharing our stories. We can’t have lobbyists speaking for us. I enjoy sharing members’ stories and working hard at the grassroots level for policy we as family farmers and ranchers need. I also enjoy working with the other board members to serve members. We are a well-rounded group – when you look at the size of our operations and what we raise on our family farms and ranches – we do represent the members we serve.
Teamwork is huge. We come together with a common goal – whether it is property rights or MCOOL or getting a Farm Bill passed and we work hard to make sure policymakers understand what we need.
Q: What excites you about the future of this organization?
A: I enjoy seeing the fresh new faces of young family farmers and ranchers who are coming into the organization through events like the Young Producer Conference.
The Young Producer Conference is actually how my wife, Michelle, and I got to know Farmers Union better. And by getting to know Farmers Union, I realized I wanted to get more involved.
Young family farmers and ranchers are our future, and I am encouraged by their eagerness to get involved and make their voice heard.
LARRY BIRGEN, SOUTHEAST – DISTRICT 1
Q: Larry, you have served members in this role since 2022 and previously as the organization’s Vice President from 20052010, why do you want to continue serving?
A: I have been in Farmers Union my whole life. I was a Torchbearer, my dad was County President and District Vice President. Farmers Union has been a part of my life, so I want to give back through service because as a South Dakota farmer, I have benefited greatly from my membership in Farmers Union.
And it is exciting to serve on a leadership team that can help make positive change because we have the resources to do what needs to be done based on the policy priorities of our family farmers and ranchers.
When I first served on the leadership team as vice president, it was during a time when our organization was financially strapped. At that time, it was a struggle to do anything, because we did not have the resources.
This time around, we are financially in much better shape, so we can do a lot more to serve members and policy that our members believe in – like advocating for property rights and helping to get Medicare and Medicaid expansion for working South Dakotans who don’t have insurance coverage provided by their employers.
It is refreshing to be able to do more than say we believe in something, now as an organization, when our members believe in something, we can put our money where our mouth is.
Q: What do you enjoy about serving as a board member?
A: I enjoy seeing young producers become engaged in the organization. During this year’s Fly-In, I enjoyed leading a team during Congressional visits. I enjoy serving as a mentor as our members make our voice heard. And I enjoy learning about the diverse needs, challenges and opportunities in agriculture throughout South Dakota. Our members’ family farms and ranches are diverse, so their needs are also diverse.
I enjoy working with the board to address these unique needs through policy and helping get all our voices heard.
Q: What excites you about the future of this organization?
A: The young people who are becoming involved in our organization today will be South Dakota Farmers Union’s next leaders. Because of them, I am excited for what the future holds – among the young producers there is great potential.
Some organizations talk about the challenge of getting the next generation involved. I am happy that Farmers Union has been proactive about engaging young producers early. Our staff has done a great job of getting young producers fired up and interested in carrying on the traditions of Farmers Union. n By Lura Roti
Union Farmer
Cattle Producer & Veteran Says Time of Service
Strengthened His Love For Country
Two weeks after graduating from Southern State College with an associate’s degree in life science and electronic repair, Ray Martinmaas was drafted into the Army.
It was 1970 and while many of his classmates went to Vietnam, the Army had other plans for Martinmaas.
“I took airborne training and worked in explosives and defusing bombs,” Martinmaas said. “Our entire unit had college degrees – I think my electronics degree had something to do with it because there are a lot of
electronics in high explosives.”
Because he served in Special Operations, Martinmaas cannot share much about the work he did during his time of service.
But the veteran and cattle fourthgeneration producer says growing up on a Polo farm the oldest of 12, prepared him for the work he did.
“Growing up on the farm, I learned how to figure things out and I had real good mechanic skills,” Martinmaas explained. “What I did in the Army was hands-on. We had to figure things out because no two situations were alike.”
Martinmaas sustained severe injuries during a mission and was honorably discharged in 1971. Although he said he learned a lot about order, discipline and follow-through during his time of service, he shared that perhaps the best life lessons he learned during his time of service was while he was undergoing rehabilitation in an Army hospital.
“Just about everyone on my ward, except me, was an amputee. The guy in the bed next to me was a young kid and he was only missing half his foot, but the guy in the bed next to him, Arnie, had been on patrol, when the guy ahead of him stepped on a land mine, so Arnie lost both of his legs and one arm.”
“So, Arnie used to say, ‘I woke up this morning and I thought I was having a bad day, and then I turned my head, and I looked at Armando and I realized I was not having a bad day.’”
Martinmaas explained that Armando was a helicopter door gunner. His spine was shattered when his helicopter was shot down. “He could not move anything. He had a concave mirror above his bed so he could see the TV above my bed. I was responsible for controlling the TV for him. I would turn
his TV to the all-day soap opera channel.”
“I share this story because if you think you’re having a bad day, you’re not having a bad day.”
It took three months of rehabilitation before Martinmaas could return to South Dakota. Martinmaas utilized his veteran’s educational benefits and in 1972, he enrolled in Southern State College and got a bachelor’s degree in vocational and technical education and electronic technology.
Even though he sustained life-altering injuries, Martinmaas said his time of service strengthened his love of and respect for his country.
“When I was drafted, I knew I was fighting for my country and patriotism was forefront,” Martinmaas said. “You know you are fighting alongside your fellow soldiers – it is a community and you depend upon each other.”
Martinmaas went on to teach high school vocational education classes, and if his students asked him about his time in the Army, Martinmaas would encourage them to consider it.
“I encouraged them, telling them it will pay for college, and it is an experience you will always have,” he explained. “I would see them years later and they would tell me they were glad I encouraged them to join the service.”
In 1987, Martinmaas returned to Polo and built up his own crop acres and cattle herd alongside his dad and brothers.
As he reflects on his time of service and the life he has lived since, Martinmaas said he makes time each Memorial and Veteran’s Day to remember the veterans he served with who are no longer here and to thank those who are. n By Lura Roti
Ray and Becky Martinmaas
Overall Continued from Page 8
Award for their contributions to South Dakota agriculture.
Carol Oberbroekling of Geddes will be recognized for her contributions to farm safety and rural youth leadership education with the Minnie Lovinger Award.
Student Ag Advocates The winners of the Farming for the Future agriculture advocacy scholarship contest will be introduced. Scholarship funds of $15,000 will be awarded.
2024 Torchbearers For nearly a century, thousands of rural South Dakota youth have participated in SDFU educational programming, learning about farm safety, cooperatives, gleaning life and leadership skills. South Dakota youth will receive their Torchbearer Award for their involvement in SDFU educational programming: Madi Raymond of Ethan and Cadence Konechne of Kimball.
Registration is open
For a State Convention agenda and to register, visit www.sdfu.org. South Dakota Farmers Union State Convention registration is only $50 and free to students and media. n By
Lura Roti
Union Farmer
Covention
Union Farmer
Farmers Union Gives Breeding Livestock to Five Rural Youth
Five South Dakota youth exhibiting at the 2024 Western Jr. Livestock Show in Rapid City went home with more than ribbons and buckles this year. Winners of the South Dakota Farmers Union Herd Builder Award won breeding heifers and ewes.
“Building up a livestock herd takes time because of the costs associated. This award is designed to help the next generation of South Dakota family farmers and ranchers,” explained Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director of South Dakota Farmers Union.
Only youth involved in Western Jr. qualify and the winners are selected by a panel of judges based on an application. The five winners are Oakleigh Reis-Elwood, Reliance; Trace Urban, Pukwana; Rylan Fagerhaug, Wessington Springs; Brooke LaMont, Union Center; and Evelyn Bunker, Reliance.
Pukwana cattle producer Ryan Urban appreciates the support from the state’s largest agriculture organization. His 13-year-old son, Trace, is among the winners of this year’s award. “Farmers Union’s support of rural South Dakota is second to none,” Urban said. “The ag world is tough to get started in, the capital it takes, let alone having the opportunities to get started, so for a young producer getting started, this helps them get a leg up.”
Urban began showing at Western Jr. when he was 8 and today, he and his wife, Samantha, enjoy bringing their four sons, Trace, Huntley, Rhett and Briggs, to show at one of the state’s oldest and most prestigious livestock shows.
In addition to showing livestock, Trace competes in livestock judging, Ryan is his coach. Their Brule County Junior Team placed first in the junior division this year.
Rylan Fagerhaug of Wessington Springs, Brooke LaMont of Union Center, and Evelyn Bunker of Reliance won breeding ewes through the South Dakota Farmers Union Herd Builder Award presented during the Western Jr. Livestock Show in Rapid City. The Herd Builder winners are pictured here with Rocky Forman, SDFU Member Services Coordinator, David Reis, SDFU Board Member, Dallis Basel, SDFU Board Member, and Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director.
Meet the Winners
Oakleigh Reis-Elwood of Reliance won a breeding heifer. She exhibited quite a few animals during Western Jr.: Futurity breeding heifer, feeder steer, junior heifer, market swine, dairy cattle, dairy goats, boer goat and sheep.
When asked the reason she is grateful she won, Reis-Elwood had this to say, “I have always loved working on my family’s ranch and I know this breeding heifer will help me in the future as I continue to build my herd.”
Trace Urban of Pukwana won a breeding heifer. In addition to competing on the winning Junior Livestock Judging Team, Urban exhibited futurity market steer, Chi breeding heifer, and a foundation Simmental breeding heifer during Western Jr.
When asked why he is grateful he won, Urban had this to say, “Cattle are so expensive right now that this heifer helps me start my own herd.”
Brooke LaMont of Union Center won a breeding ewe. She exhibited a ram lamb, ewe lamb and a yearling ewe during Western Jr.
When asked why she is grateful she won, LaMont had this to say, “This ewe helps grow my flock, which in turn not only helps me, but can inspire other young livestock owners to grow their own herd or flock.”
Rylan Fagerhaug of Wessington Springs won a breeding ewe. He exhibited a bull calf during Western Jr.
A third-generation sheep producer, Fagerhaug had this to say when asked why he is grateful he won the ewe, “I plan to add this ewe to my current flock and I hope to get some good lambs out of her.”
Farmers Union will cover registration fees for the first 40 members who sign up. For free registration, contact Samantha Olerud at solerud@sdfu.org on or before February 1
Evelyn Bunker of Reliance won a breeding ewe. She exhibited a market wether during Western Jr.
When asked why she is grateful she won, Bunker had this to say, “Sheep are my favorite animals to show and I am excited to start a flock of sheep now that I won this ewe.”
To learn more about how South Dakota Farmers Union supports South Dakota farm and ranch families, visit www.sdfu.org n By Lura Roti
California Dreamin’
Doug Durante, Clean Fuels Development Coalition
The decades long hate-love-hate relationship between California and ethanol is trending the wrong way.
With 29 million cars on the road and a nearly 14 billion gallon gasoline market, the state of California is a market unto itself. With 1.4 billion gallons of ethanol in the gasoline mix and another 100 million gallons going to E85, it can be argued ethanol saved the state’s low carbon fuel standard. For years there was essentially nothing other than internal combustion engines on the road and the gasoline that powered them was decarbonized, thanks to ethanol being added. The credits generated by those ethanol gallons were sold and traded to make the program work, at least on paper. That was the love part. Now the hate part.
A quick refresher for those who wisely do not get mired in the nuances of the Clean Air Act: California is essentially allowed to enact its own standards as long as they are more stringent than federal standards. This is in recognition of the 39 million people that live in the state and the serious pollution they create and must deal with. This environmental autonomy has led the Legislature to swing for the fences and propose drastic mitigation programs that have sputtered and continually come up against practical realities. People would be surprised to know that three of the past five governors have been Republicans, so the state is not a complete left wing, all blue, hippie haven. But pollution is pollution and there have been bi-partisan attempts to figure this out.
Unfortunately, for two decades or more, the state relied on modeling that denied ethanol use, based largely on sincedebunked concerns of NOx emissions. They eventually allowed it but at very low levels and dragged their feet as they slowly got with the rest of the country and allowed 10 percent blends. There were some ugly fights along the way with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the South Coast Air Quality Management District
(SCAQMD) which had to control the brutal smog in the Los Angeles basin. They were fine with MTBE in their gas but not ethanol, even though both performed the same duty in terms of oxygenating fuels to reduce emissions. Some would point out the significant presence of Chevron, Phillips, Marathon and Valero in the state as a factor, refiners preferred MTBE in part because they controlled it. It should always be noted that despite the green image of California, it is the third largest oil-producing state in the U.S. When MTBE leaks started showing up in California water, both CARB and the AQMD did everything possible to not use ethanol.
While they did get to 10 percent blends, as of this writing they do not allow E15 –for reasons they could never really defend. However, in a very positive development, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsome showed a little love and has directed CARB to get off their duffs and do whatever they have to do to approve E15. This was not a token act. In a letter to CARB, Newsome called it a “critical issue” and went as far as to say E15 can reduce fuel prices and increase supply, although he inexplicably added “with little or no harm to the environment,” a reminder of the old CARB prejudices. Will it be too late? Will corn ethanol at any volume again be penalized in the state? Consistent with their history of overreach, now that the RFS and better science have won the day and E10 is in all California gasoline, California lawmakers are again moving the goal posts in an effort to absolutely force feed EVs. Previous legislative and regulatory efforts called for certain percentages of vehicles to be EVs over time, now they are essentially saying the heck with it, let’s just ban internal combustion engines and force this down the throats of the public.
For years I have cautioned against total reliance on a Low Carbon Fuel Standard as an effective policy driver, warning that it was always vulnerable based on whoever got to define low carbon. When the LCFS first came along, they loved ethanol when
the ethanol allowed them to say the LCFS was working. But now they are updating the LCFS regulations and proposing new sustainability and “climate-friendly” farming programs that could keep corn ethanol out of the market. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), Growth and others have done a good job challenging the proposed regs. RFA comments keyed on the assumption of land use changes and a “fundamentally flawed” and arbitrary methodology. CARB defends their actions saying they are guarding against “the rapid expansion of biofuel production and biofuel feedstock demand.” Good grief, we certainly wouldn’t want to see expansion of biofuels, but they may be OK with the rapid expansion of imported gasoline. Let me explain.
For us ethanol supporters, they are adding insult to injury as all this is happening as a major Phillips refinery is closing down rather than meeting new air quality standards. This refinery is estimated to supply 8 percent of the state’s gasoline, an amount ethanol could easily make up with an E20 or higher blend while lowering costs and reducing pollution. Instead, the Los Angeles Times reports that it is almost certain that California will make up this shortfall with imports from a range of foreign countries. It would come in by barge, at a high cost and spewing marine emissions into the LA harbor.
EPA reportedly is set to approve the California proposal to ban gasoline powered cars by 2035. Rather than set standards and establish reasonable requirements, the state is making a huge mistake. Punishing ethanol as a means of getting yet one more obstacle out of the way in the effort to go all EV is at best bad judgement and at worst, heavy handed. Liquid fuels are not going anywhere and ethanol is the most cost-effective means of decarbonizing those fuels. Maybe at some point the state will come to its senses. n
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.
HARVEST LUNCHES
SAFETY TRAILER
ANDOVER
STANLEY MOORE SCHOLARSHIP
Connor Johnson from South Dakota won the FUI Stanley Moore Scholarship. He is attending Lake Area Technical College studying agriculture production and precision agriculture.
BERESFORD
CARVEN
FREEMAN
MADISON
ONIDA
PLATTE
PLATTE
Union Farmer
From the President.... Tax Reform
is A Priority
Recently South Dakota Farmers Union state board of directors set tax reform as a priority.
And although no one enjoys paying taxes, without them there would not be roads, bridges, clean water, police and fire departments – and schools.
Ask any school board member, township board member or county commissioner and they will tell you it seems there is rarely enough money to go around under South Dakota’s current tax structure. Many local governments are in areas of the state where roads and bridges have not been updated since they were put in 75 years ago. Schools struggle to find qualified teachers due to high demand and the fact our neighboring states offer better pay.
Farmers Union members have felt there has been a need for tax reform for quite some time. It has long been part of SDFU policy. In fact, taxes are among the reasons SDFU supported Medicaid expansion with no strings attached – because all South Dakotans need healthcare. And if an individual does not have health insurance, the cost of their emergency room visit falls to the county government…taking away funds from the needed infrastructure and other priorities. So, the recent ballot measure that only provides healthcare to those who work, motivated the board to focus our efforts on tax reform that will work for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
You know what tax reform does not work for family farmers and ranchers? Increasing property taxes. The burden of paying for needed services should not just fall on those who own land.
And you know what tax reform doesn’t
Doug Sombke, SDFU President
work for the rest of South Dakota? Income tax.
Yup. When it comes to tax reform there is no easy solution. This is the reason we do not plan to accomplish this alone. SDFU is working to build a coalition of stakeholders from across South Dakota’s industries to discuss how we can reform our state’s tax structure to work for everyone.
Attend Tax Reform Panel during 2024 State Convention
SDFU is hosting a panel discussion focused on tax reform at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 during our State Convention held in Huron. This panel discussion is one of many informational opportunities you can engage with during convention. (Turn to page 10 to see the complete agenda.)
In addition to learning from experts, State Convention is where YOU get to vote on the policy we focus on. As a grassroots organization, we rely on our members to guide our lobbying efforts in Pierre and D.C. I know life is busy and as family farmers and ranchers, most of you have second or third careers to keep your farms and ranches afloat financially, so taking time off is difficult.
The need to earn a fair living from your farm or ranch is all the more reason to make time for State Convention.
I hope to see you there!
Doug Sombke, President South Dakota Farmers Union
Congressional Leaders Contact information:
Rep. Dusty Johnson
202-225-2801 / 855-225-2801 reid.rasmussen@mail.house.gov
Sen. Mike Rounds
Lucas Heitkamp, Legislative Assistant
605-595-3075
Lucas_Heitkamp@rounds.senate.gov
Sen. John Thune
202-224-2321 / 866-850-3855 ryan_donnelly@thune.senate.gov
South Dakota Union Farmer, ISSN 0745-8797, publishes eight times per calendar year, with issues printed in January, February, March/April, May, June/July, August, September/ October and November/December. Periodical postage paid at Madison, S.D.
Karla Hofhenke, Publisher Lura Roti, Editor Wendy Sweeter, Copy Editor Diane Martinson, Layout & Design
All information for publication must be submitted by the 15th of the month. You may submit items to address below or email items to: sdfu@sdfu.org
POSTMASTER: Address changes to: SDFU, PO Box 1388, Huron, S.D. 57350-1388
Contact SDFU • 605-554-3028 1410 Dakota Avenue South, PO Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350 www.sdfu.org sdfu@sdfu.org
Doug Sombke ext. 1240
President Groton Direct Line 605-554-3027
Doug Bruckner ext. 1180
Controller Wessington Springs Direct Line 605-554-3026
Rocky Forman. ext. 1170
Member Services Coordinator Cavour Direct Line 605-554-3025
Samantha Olerud.....ext 1160
Executive Administrative Asst. Direct line -605-554-3023
Karla Hofhenke ext. 1140
Executive Director Huron Direct Line 605-554-3028
Samantha Bowman .. ext. 1250
Education Specialist
Mitchell Direct Line 605-554-3022
Cally Faulhaber ext. 1220
Digital Media Specialist Direct Line 605-554-3024
David Smith
Legislative/Farm Specialist Pierre Direct Line 605-350-8857
SDFU Board of Directors
Doug Sombke.........President Groton
Jeff Kippley Vice President Aberdeen
Contact NFU National Farmers Union 20 F Street NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20001
Rob Larew, President ~ Jeff Kippley, Vice President Darin Von Ruden, Secretary ~ Doug Sombke, Treasurer 202.554.1600 www.nfu.org
Union Farmer
Insurance agent Dawn Melius always wanted to be a teacher. While she was completing her elementary education degree at Northern State University, she married Faulkton farmer Kelly Melius.
Get to Know the Dawn Melius Agency, Faulkton
Moving to the Melius family farm near Faulkton changed what Dawn’s classroom looked like, but it did not take away her opportunity to teach. Instead of teaching elementary students while Dawn waited for an opening at the local school, she began working for a Farmers Union Insurance agent.
“No one goes to school to be an insurance agent, but there is a lot of education that I do as an insurance agent,” Dawn said. “Insurance is complex, and it is important that individuals understand the coverage they are getting to ensure it is the coverage they need.”
Twelve years after Dawn and Kelly married, she had the opportunity to teach fourth grade and help coach volleyball and track, so she left insurance to formally use the degree she attained at college. At about the same time, Kelly’s second career was beginning to take off.
In 2000, Kelly and a friend patented a bale feeder, so in addition to raising crops and cattle, Kelly began Common Sense Manufacturing. As demand grew for the quality ag products he built, what had been a side business, now needed more of Kelly’s attention. With Common Sense Manufacturing taking more of Kelly’s time and their family expanding, (February of 2007 Dawn and Kelly welcomed their fifth child), it became necessary for Dawn to return home full time.
“Kelly was still farming and ranching and now he was traveling to farm shows, so I gave up my teaching career because our family needed me,” Dawn explained.
Even though she missed her students, Dawn appreciated the opportunity to have more time with her children on the farm.
“One thing about raising kids on the farm, is as a family you are working together. It is not easy work, it is hard work, but you are all
working together in the business,” Dawn said. “When Common Sense Manufacturing got to the size that Kelly needed to focus on it full time and we decided to lease our farm ground, I missed our entire family working together to raise crops and cattle.”
In 2018, when her youngest son, Chase, was 11, Dawn was ready to return to a career in education, and her classroom of choice was Farmers Union Insurance.
“While I was on the farm full time with our children, Farmers Union Insurance changed their business structure so now we can offer our clients more options,” she said. “And because most of my clients are farmers or ranchers, I understand their lifestyle and when their busy seasons are – whether it is crops or cattle. So, I know when they may need a gentle reminder about something or I know what type of questions to ask to ensure they have the coverage they need.”
In addition to her involvement in work and her family, Dawn is also active in the Faulkton community. She teaches religious education at St. Thomas in Faulkton and she and Kelly organize the community’s annual Wild West Days Car Show. n
Contact: Dawn Melius 605-380-946 • dawn.melius@fumic.com
Dawn Melius with her husband, Kelly, and children, Taylor, Lane, Sarah, Chase and Jaden.
Thank You
Farmers Union,
Thank you for sponsoring the Ag Issues Contest at the state level.
Bridgewater – Emery FFA
Joseph Kayser, Parker Burke, Ben Weber, Oliver Guenthner, Peyton Roskers ***
Farmers Union,
Thank you so much for providing me with drawstring bags for my senior project. I was able to host over 100 elementary students and inform them about beef, soil, crops and safety. I am very passionate about educating youth about the importance of ag and where their food comes from. Thank you for making my event possible! The kids loved the bags! Thanks again!
Karlie Stiefvater
COOK’S CORNER
Your support helps make our fall gathering possible. Thank you!
Billie Sutton Leadership Institute ***
Thank you so much for sponsoring the Sutton Leadership Fall Retreat. I truly appreciate your support. It was an amazing experience. I am moving forward with my project as the president of the Parent Teacher Organization for our rural school. The focus this year is family engagement. The SLI is helping me connect with families in our district with the help of your sponsorship. Thanks!
Danielle Duxbury
Cranberry Scones
2 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1 T. baking powder
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 c. butter, chilled and diced
1 c. fresh cranberries, roughly chopped
1/3 c. white sugar
1 grated zest of one orange
½ c. nuts, chopped
¾ c. half-and-half cream
1 egg
Preheat oven to 375° F. In a large bowl, stir together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, nutmeg and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl, toss cranberries with sugar; add to flour mixture along with orange peel and nuts. Mix lightly. In another bowl, beat together cream and egg; slowly pour into dry ingredients, mixing with rubber scraper until dough forms. Knead dough 4 or 5 times, being careful not to over handle. Divide dough in half. Turn out onto lightly floured surface. Shape each half into a 6-inch circle. Cut each circle into 6 wedges. Place scones on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.
Union Farmer
ORDER YOUR OWN COPY OF THE FARMERS UNION CENTENNIAL COOKBOOK
Cookbooks are $10 plus tax and shipping. Call 605-352-6761 or email sdfu@sdfu.org to place your order today!
Karen Wheeldreyer Huron, S.D.
South Dakota Farmers Union –