South Dakota
VOLUME XCVIII, NO. 9
HURON, SD
NOVEMBER 2015
UNION FARMER A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION
Co-op Highlight: Santel
SDFU hosts Harvest Lunches
Tyler Gerlach: Proud Soldier & Farmer
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Redistricting on the Ballot...Almost There!
South Dakota Farmers Union Celebrates the Sombke Farm Family Celebrating a century of service to South Dakota's farm and ranch families, throughout 2015, South Dakota Farmers Union highlights members who farm or ranch with their families each month. This November, South Dakota Farmers Union features the Sombke family who farm together near Conde.
Doug Sombke, SDFU President, and his sons, Bryce, Bryan and Brett, farm together near Conde.
South Dakota Farmers Union staff, Pam Evenson and Karla Hofhenke, review redistricting petitions and count signatures. We're almost there!
Celebrate a Century of Service
Farmers Union CENTENNIAL CONVENTION December 9 & 10 in Huron at the
Crossroads Event Center
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n 1978, when Doug Sombke made the decision to farm fulltime after high school, times were tough. “To explain how broke we were, I tell people that when Mel and I got married we couldn’t afford an oven. We cooked on a hotplate,” Sombke recalls. But he was determined to make a go of it. Starting with 38 acres and the 4-H flock of 150 registered Suffolk ewes he and his brother, Dean, had built, Sombke stuck with it. He leased from neighbors, share cropped and eventually purchased land. Along with sheep, the fourth generation Brown County farmer started a cow/calf herd and eventually expanded to operate a feedlot. “Everything Mel and I earned went back into the farm.” Together the couple raised four, now grown children: Nikki, Brett, Bryan and Bryce. Fast forward 20 years. Like their dad, as his sons grew into men, they wanted to return to the family farm. However, the now 2,300-acre farm was not large enough to support four families and land prices had escalated dramatically. So, Brett, 29, Bryan, 28, and Bryce, 28, began looking for innovative ways to supplement their farm income. Today, along with farming, Brett is co-owner of No Limits Soil Services and Bryan and Bryce co-own Coteau View Hunt and Kennels. To learn more about the Sombke family, turn to page 9 or visit www.sdfu.org. by Lura Roti, for SDFU; Photos by Kaylee Speck Photography
UNION FARMER Thank You South Dakota Farmers Union SDFU Foundation, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for presenting me with the 2015 Rural Dakota Pride Award. I absolutely love what I do and all of the 4-H kids, organizations and communities I work with. I am the “Lucky One” to get to watch them develop. The state of SD is fortunate to have organizations like yours to fight for and represent agriculture. Donna Kubik
Dear South Dakota Farmers Union, Thank you so much for the beautiful metal “Bless this Farm” sign that you gave away at the SD State Fair. It was a fun finish to the great week at the fair! Thanks to Karla for having it delivered so quickly—my boys had it mounted and hanging up in our yard the next week. They couldn’t wait to surprise their Dad with it, as we had planned to purchase one like this at the fair—but the vendor was out—so this was an awesome gift that has been enjoyed by our entire family. Thank you so much, Johann Jones & family
Silent & Live Auction Items Needed for 2015 Nights on the Prairie Event. All proceeds raised during the event held during Convention on the evening of Dec. 10 will go to SDFU Youth Programming. Ralph Winegar displayed the South Dakota Farmers Union flag proudly as he attended various parades with his tractors this last summer. It is also displayed at his farm southwest of Wessington Springs.
Congratulations To: A birthday celebration was enjoyed at the Goodwin Community Center for Robert Weber who turned 80 on November 14.
COOK’S CORNER
Wild Rice Pheasant Soup Submitted by: Pamela Evenson, SDFU Administrative Asst.
2 c. cooked pheasant, cubed (turkey or chicken can be substituted) 1 onion, chopped 2 ribs celery, diced 2 carrots, diced ½ c. butter ½ c. flour
4 c. chicken broth 2 c. wild rice, cooked (1/2 c. uncooked) 2 c. light cream or half and half 1 tsp. dried parsley ½ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. pepper
Sauté onion, celery and carrots in butter. Reduce heat and add flour. Cook until bubbly. Gradually add broth. Boil 1 minute. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer 20 minutes. Do not boil again.
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Congratulations to Area Homecoming Royalty! Jesse Carlson, Faulkton High School, son of Amy and Scott Carlson. Hailey Bruckner, Wessington Springs High School, daughter of Doug and Julie Bruckner. Jonathan Sumption, son of Eric and Stacey Sumption, was crowned Homecoming king of Frederick Area High School and was also named 4-H Royalty for Brown County. MiKayla Forsting was named Brown County 4-H Queen. She is the daughter of Jeff and Kristi Forsting.
ANNIVERSARY WISHES TO...
Lyman (Slim) and Lorrie Nelson celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary October 3, 2015.
MEMBERSHIP NEWS Are you celebrating a life event or honoring the life of a Farmers Union member? We’d like to share the news. Please send photos and membership updates, anniversaries, awards, birthdays, birth announcements, obituaries and other updates to SDFU Executive Director, Karla Hofhenke, at PO Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350 or Khofhenke@sdfu.org. The date we receive the information will determine in which Union Farmer the information will run.
D D
For the Cowboy In All of Us Double D
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Farmers Union Members get
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UNION FARMER SDFU CLIP AND SAVE CALENDAR 2015
Cooperative Highlight: Santel Communications Cooperative Inc.
NOVEMBER 4-5 REAL, Session I, Huron 18-19 State Board Meeting, Huron 26-27 State Office Closed DECEMBER 9-10 State Convention, Huron 24-25 State Office Closed 31 State Office Closes @ 12 PM
2016 JANUARY 1 State Office Closed 19 State Office Closed 23-27 NFU Women’s Conference, Florida 29-30 Young Producers, Deadwood 29-Feb. 6 Black Hills Stock Show, Rapid City FEBRUARY 8-9 REAL, Session II, Pierre 16 State Office Closed 18-21 College Conference on Cooperatives MARCH 9-10 REAL, Session III, Sioux Falls
Order Your Own Copy of the Farmers Union Centennial Cookbook
Cookbooks are $15 plus tax and shipping. Contact Pam Evenson, 605-352-6761, ext: 116, to place your order today! WWW.SDFU.ORG
“There is so much technology on today’s farms. We are here to provide farm and commercial IT support, as well as surveillance and monitoring equipment and support.” Ryan Thompson, General Manager of Santel Communications Cooperative, Inc.
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hen powering up a new piece of technology, consumers may not give much thought to the behind the scenes efforts necessary for it to work; but as General Manager of Santel Communications Cooperative Inc., Ryan Thompson does. “Consumers don’t necessarily realize what they need until they see technology on stores’ shelves,” explains Thompson. Years before Wi-Fi and broadband were household terms, Santel Communications Cooperative, along with many other regional telecommunications cooperatives, began developing the infrastructure necessary for rural South Dakotans to enjoy internet connectivity. “Back in the day when Internet was only available to universities, our cooperative didn’t have members asking for connectivity, but we joined with other telephone cooperatives and laid out a master plan to connect the entire state through a cooperative effort.” Santel Communications Cooperative Inc. is a part-owner in SDN Communications. This is the mission of cooperatives. Thompson says as members of this state-wide cooperative, they maintain their local identity and gain the benefits of supply-chain integration. “It’s that guidance and vision way back then which allows consumers throughout rural South Dakota to sit down with a brand new iPad and it just works,” Thompson says.
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Established in 1952 Connecting rural citizens to communication tools is at the heart of what Santel Communications Cooperative Inc. has done since it was founded in 1952 to provide telephone service to rural citizens along Highway 37. Today, they service 3,400 members and 5,000 non-members in an excess of 10 communities covering more than 6,000 square miles. Forty-five employees are officed primarily out of two locations, Woonsocket and Mitchell. Along with telephone and broadband service, Santel Communications’ other services include: cable TV, managed IT services and SmartFarm. “There is so much technology on today’s farms. We are here to provide farm and commercial IT support, as well as surveillance and monitoring equipment and support,” Thompson said. He explains that SmartFarm is a farmfocused surveillance and monitoring service. SmartFarm bin monitoring controls energy consumption and grain condition optimization. SmartFarm video surveillance and security allows farmers to remotely monitor on-farm activity from their smartphone. To learn more about Santel Communications Cooperative Inc., visit http://www.santel.net/.
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UNION FARMER Do you know your South Dakota Farmers Union Staff? PAM EVENSON Administrative Assistant
Help Stock Food Pantry & Receive Free Registration
Farmers Union members who bring non-perishable food items to State Convention, Dec. 9-10, will have their convention registration and meals fees waived. Registration is $25 plus meals. Registration fee and meal prices for the 2 lunches are waived if members bring at least 3 food items for local food banks.
The items will be donated to the Salvation Army of Huron’s food pantry. Suggested items: Holiday food items are in demand this time of year. So please consider bringing the following non-perishable items: canned pumpkin pie filling, evaporated milk, dressing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green beans, French fried onions, cranberries or any other nonperishable food items that you enjoy during the holidays.
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Pam Evenson’s work day begins with a 36mile drive. The Agronomist-turned Administrative Assistant lives on a farm near Doland with her husband, Joe, and 2-year-old son, Jep – who accompanies her to and from work. “My morning drive is quiet because Jep sleeps most of the way to town but going home he chats and snacks so that is always very entertaining,” says Pam, who joined the Farmers Union staff Dec. 2014. When asked how she heard about the Farmers Union job opening, she said she was job shopping, saw the position advertised and emailed Karla, who immediately answered back. “I was quite excited about working at a place that supports the farm community since I am an agronomist and a farmer’s wife.” In her role as administrative assistant, Pam does “a little bit of everything, it seems. I process the memberships as they come in, do a bit of bookkeeping, data entry and special projects such as the cookbook or processing/tabulating petitions. I also send out mailings.” In the short time she has worked for Farmers Union, working on the 100th Anniversary Cookbook has been her biggest
achievement. “I really enjoyed receiving so many wonderful recipes from our members, getting to read them, type them, organize them and have them printed for everyone to enjoy!” Readers would be surprised to know that Pam has two degrees: a bachelors of science in Landscape Design, which she received right after high school, and an Agronomy degree. She spent the first years of her career working in Landscape Design and then moved to the Ukraine where she served as a missionary for seven years. She then returned to school for her agronomy degree. About the time she finished, she met and married Joe. Together they began their family. Pam loves gardening, canning and freezing their produce. “There is a great sense of accomplishment in pulling summer’s bounty from the shelf or freezer during the long winter months and feeding my family!” To reach Pam at the State Office call 605352-6761, ext 116, or email her at PEvenson@sdfu.org.
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UNION FARMER Climate Change a Global Concern
Celebrate A Century Strong at South Dakota Farmers Union 2015 State Convention
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ll South Dakota Farmers Union members and friends are invited to the organization’s centennial celebration – the 2015 State Convention held in Huron Dec. 9 and 10.
his summer, the pope released the encyclical, “On Care for our Common Home,” which recognized climate change as a real global phenomenon and specifically challenged humans of all faiths to take actions to address this crisis. During his recent visit to Washington, D.C., Pope Francis sparked conversation on climate change and the need to address the threats it poses to family farmers and the global food system. Shortly following Pope Francis’ visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Washington, D.C., to meet with President Obama to discuss climate change, among other things. The two world leaders released a joint statement reaffirming their shared conviction that climate change is one of the greatest threats facing humanity, and that their two countries have a critical role to play in addressing it. This statement precedes the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, held from November 30 to December 11, which aims to produce a binding and universal agreement on climate from all nations of the world. NFU thanks Pope Francis, President Xi and the Obama administration for highlighting the threats climate change poses to everyone. In early September, the NFU Board of Directors voted to make the issue of climate change a top priority, focusing on policies that encourage climate resilience throughout the agriculture and food sectors and connecting farmers with the information they need to protect the productivity of their operations in spite of climate change-related challenges.
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Dist. 6 President, Lynn Frey, discusses policy during the 2014 State Convention.
“This historical milestone says a lot about the strength, loyalty and foresight of our membership,” says Doug Sombke, SDFU President. “To think we have been advocating for South Dakota’s family farmers, ranchers and rural communities for a century now – it’s a pretty big deal!” Advocacy is developed by the policy set during State Convention, explains Gail Temple, County Counselor President. “I urge all members to turn out for convention because no one knows the issues facing the farmer and rancher better than those of us who earn our living off the land.” Temple has served as President of County Counselors since 2000. County Counselors is
Gail Temple leads policy discussion during 2014 convention.
the group who reviews and updates S.D. Farmers Union policy each year. During state convention, the group ensures membership is aware of current issues and leads the policy discussion where members weigh in and vote on policy changes. “I enjoy seeing how issues change and it is exciting to see members become involved in policy development,” Temple says. “I remember attending Farmers Union conventions as a kid where the policy discussions would go on for hours, sometimes days, because everyone was so involved.”
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Actively involved in Farmers Union since childhood – her parents, Lloyd and Dee Battest, are also members – Temple thinks of State Convention as a family reunion of sorts. “I have a lot of friends and memories connected to Farmers Union and I would like to visit with old friends. I hope that Farmers Union members who haven’t been to a State Convention in a while will make time to turn out for our centennial convention,” says Temple, whose son, Jordyn, will receive the Torchbearer award this year. Reflecting on the people, policy and events which are part of the Farmers Union’s rich history and looking to the future of the organization, Sombke reminds members that the proposed redistricting Constitutional Amendment Farmers Union spearheaded is a direct result of policy voted on by members during the 2014 State Convention. “Redistricting reform impacts all South Dakotans. If we are able to collect the signatures needed to get this issue on the ballot, all South Dakota voters will have a voice,” Sombke says. “This issue, like many of the issues our membership develops our policy around, is an issue which impacts not only our membership, but all South Dakotans. By attending Convention, you get to be in on the development of our grassroots policy.” Temple Grandin, Williams and Ree & More Temple Grandin, professor of animal science at Colorado State University, bestselling author, autism activist and consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior will be the State Convention Keynote. “When Farmers Union brought her to the state in 2014 the response was so amazing, we wanted to bring her back,” says Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director. Thursday evening, during Nights on the Prairie, Williams and Ree will be the entertainment. Throughout the convention, members will also have an opportunity to browse through memorabilia saved in the state archive and on loan from members. If you have items you’d like to loan for this purpose – old programs, logowear or other items – contact Karla Hofhenke, 605- 352-6761, ext. 114 before December 1, 2015. Remember, your convention registration fee of $25 is waved if you bring nonperishable food items. See you at State Convention!
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UNION FARMER Cooperative Highlight: Midstates Communications Cooperative
CELEBRATE
100 YEARS WITH US!
Celebrate a Century of Service
Farmers Union CENTENNIAL CONVENTION Held Dec. 9 & 10 in Huron at the Crossroads Event Center Call 352-3204 to reserve your rooms now! Registration & Meals fees waived when members bring 3 non-perishable food items to donate.
Installing Fiber Optics in very remote areas of South Dakota KEYNOTE BY
Dr. Temple Grandin
ENTERTAINMENT BY
Williams and Ree
www.sdfu.org
APPLY NOW FOR ONE OF THREE $500 SCHOLARSHIPS
South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation will be awarding three $500 scholarships to young people who commit to attending a South Dakota college, university or technical school; and are children of parents who are current dues-paying members of South Dakota Farmers Union. Applicants must be high school seniors or freshmen currently enrolled in a post-secondary institution in South Dakota.
DEADLINE IS DEC. 1, 2015
To apply for the 2016 scholarships, students need to turn in a completed application before the Dec. 1, 2015, deadline. No late or incomplete scholarships will be accepted. Go to www.sdfu.org for more information.
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hen you live in rural areas like our members do, you need better than good,” says Chad Mutziger, marketing manager of Midstates Communications Cooperative, when talking about the cooperative’s philosophy. This ‘better than good’ take on service has driven Midstates Communications Cooperative to install more than 2,841 miles of fiberoptics throughout rural south central South Dakota. By 2016 their patrons who live in 11 communities along the Missouri River will have access to 1 GB of broadband data. “We’ve been proactive in our technology and this has future-proofed our plant,” Mutziger explains. Whether it’s a rural household, school, sale barn or hospital, access to 1 GB of data “means folks in Gann Valley have the same connectivity as those living in downtown Chicago,” Mutziger explains. Established in 1952, Midstates Communications Cooperative, like all telecommunications co-ops in South Dakota, was founded by rural residents to bring telephone service to communities deemed too small for private companies to serve. Today, all the communications cooperatives throughout South Dakota work together through a regional cooperative, SDN Communications, to connect the state using the latest in broadband and fiber optic technologies. “That’s the beauty of cooperatives. We work together for everyone,” Mutziger says. He adds that the cooperative values the support they receive from Farmers Union. “Farmers Union lobbying on our behalf makes all cooperatives more viable,” Mutziger says. All of the nearly 5,000 members of Midstates Communications Cooperative have telephone service with the cooperative. Along with telephone, members also subscribe to the cooperative’s other services which include: broadband service, cable TV, managed IT services and SmartFarm. “When you pair great member/customers with great employees and a vision for the future, it’s a win-win.” To learn more about Midstates Communications Cooperative, visit http://www.midstatesd.net/.
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UNION FARMER Farmers Union Celebrates Cooperatives & Harvest with 2015 Harvest Lunches Across South Dakota, Cooperatives have served as a lifeline to technology, products and services which have allowed local farmers, ranchers, rural citizens and businesses to grow and thrive. To celebrate cooperatives and the close bond they share with South Dakota Farmers Union, throughout harvest, S.D. Farmers Union hosted Harvest Lunches at cooperatives across the state. FERNEY
GREGORY
TORONTO
TORONTO
ANDOVER
ANDOVER
TORONTO
LAKE PRESTON ANDOVER
ANDOVER
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UNION FARMER
LAKE PRESTON
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UNION FARMER Farmer & Soldier Reflects on Freedom & Love of Farming
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aking a break from soybean harvest, Tyler Gerlach climbs into a John Deere 9430 and begins planting winter wheat. Well into the rhythm of planting, Gerlach, 31, begins visiting about the double life he leads – that of a Stickney farmer and the former Company Commander of the 1742nd Army National Guard Transportation Company. As foreign as the two careers may seem from one another - Captain Gerlach was recently responsible for the lives of 160
a soldier I analyze everything and take all conditions into consideration before making a decision,” says Gerlach, who returned from a 9-month deployment to Afghanistan last October. His years of leadership experience and training in the Army National Guard taught him the value of planning ahead. “In the military we plan for everything well ahead of time,” he explains. “If something doesn’t pan out, we don’t get upset, we move on to the next plan. Sounds a lot like farming doesn’t
Tyler Gerlach takes a break from corn harvest to recall his deployment a little more than a year ago and reflect on his second career in the Army National Guard.
National Guard soldiers whereas Farmer Gerlach, along with his brother, LaRon, are stewards of the land, raising 3,000 acres of corn, soybeans and winter wheat - Gerlach says there are many circumstances when his background in farming makes him a better soldier and being a soldier makes him a better farmer/business owner. “Farmers learn not to make rash decisions. Just like planting corn. You don’t plant when it’s muddy because it won’t grow as well. As
The Gerlach family: Tyler, and Vickie, Easton, 4, and Alexis, 5.
it?” In his blood Growing up, Gerlach spent his weekends and summers working on his Uncle Andy’s farm. When it came time to begin thinking about what he was going to do after high school, his uncle let him know that returning to farm was a viable option and encouraged him to study agriculture in college. “I practically grew up on my uncle’s farm. I love working outside. I also love the technical
nature of farming. He and my Aunt Doris never had children, so they invested a lot of energy in my brother and me. They are like our second parents.” It became his plan to attend South Dakota State University and major in Agriculture Systems Technology with a specialization in Agronomy. To pay for college, Gerlach joined the Army National Guard in August 2001 – just a month before September 11. After high school, instead of spending his days on a college campus, Gerlach was
Tyler Gerlach Continued on Page 12
While Tyler Gerlach was deployed, neighbors turned out with their trucks and equipment to help with winter wheat harvest.
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UNION FARMER Crops, Pheasants and Entrepreneurial Spirit Thrive on Conde Farm “The boys have exceeded my expectations of the businesses that they have built. “I have said this to my sons and I truly believe it – a good life is not about the money you make. It’s about the place you live and doing what you like to do. If you love what you do, then it’s not work.” Doug Sombke
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ooking for a career path off the farm, Doug Sombke headed to college in 1978. However, only a few weeks into his freshman year, he was ready to pack up and head back to his family’s Conde farm. “Sitting in class I began to think of how many heifers or ewes I could buy with the money I had just spent on books and college tuition,” explains Doug, 55, a fourth generation farmer. Up to this point, he had seen college as a way to escape the farm. “It was hard work and there was little reward. Only a few weeks away from the farm, I could not wait to return.” Farming was hard work alright. And in 1978 a future in farming didn’t look bright, but Doug had discovered his calling and he was determined to make it work. With 38 acres and a flock of 150 ewes he owned with his brother, Dean, Doug set about building his farming operation. He had support from his dad, Dallas, who let Doug use his machinery in exchange for labor. He sharecropped and leased ground from retiring neighbors. In time, those same neighbors sold him their land. “It was a different time. My neighbors didn’t pit me against another neighbor or family member trying to get the best price; they felt fortunate to have someone farm their ground who they knew would take care of it,” Doug explains. In one season he went from farming two quarters and 38 acres to four quarters. “That more than doubled my farm ground. It doesn’t sound like a lot today, but in those days of 12-foot drills, it was a lot,” he said. Lifetime Farmers Union member Along with supportive neighbors, Doug
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found an ally in Farmers Union. His dad was a lifetime member of Farmers Union and actively served on the board of several local cooperatives, so Doug was familiar with the organization. However, it was not until he became concerned about packer consolidation and the resulting impact on local markets that he became involved. “Farmers Union was lobbying on behalf of family farmers like me,” Doug explained. “This was about the same time that Sen. Johnson first introduced COOL (Country of Origin Labeling).” He attended a D.C. Fly-In. “I was impressed by how professionally the national staff handled themselves. I was also impressed by the respect the organization received from Congressional staff,” he says. “During the Fly-In, Farmers Union was determined to help us share our stories. I was able to share my family’s farm story, and Congressmen actually listened to me. That was a big deal.” After the Fly-In experience, Doug became actively involved in the South Dakota Farmers Union. He served on the Brown County Farmers Union board, and like his dad, also served on the local board of the Ferney Farmers Union Oil Cooperative Association board. In 2005 he was elected to serve as President of the S.D. Farmers Union. “Fortunately, I was asked to serve at the same time that my sons were home to help with farm work. I can focus my energies on carrying my neighbors’ concerns and the concerns of South Dakota’s farmers and ranchers to change policy and activate change,” Doug says. “I love helping people.
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My mom always said that helping people is either my passion or vice. I have always found great satisfaction in helping people get what they want.” Today, South Dakota Farmers Union takes second place only to Doug’s family. “Farming is how I unwind these days,” says Doug, who starts most mornings before dawn reading online articles, blogs and newspapers to stay on top of issues impacting South Dakota’s family farmers, ranchers and rural communities. “These are the people and issues that are important to me,” Doug says as he recalls a Tom Daschle quote: “If I don’t do it, who will? If not now, when?” Family life In 1980, Doug and Mel married. The couple began dating in high school. Since the beginning, Mel worked off the farm as a postal clerk. Today, she is Postmaster of the Groton Post Office. “Mel’s off-farm income was helpful, but the biggest reason she worked off the farm was healthcare. With four kids, that was a big deal - we needed to find a way to supplement healthcare costs.” Together they raised four children on the farm: Nikki, Brett, Bryan and Bryce. “We all did chores together and hunted together,” says Bryan, 28, of the work and hobby that would bring him back to the family’s farm in ironically a similar way that his dad came home. “I was pursuing a Business Economics degree and sitting in an accounting class one day when the department head walked in and encouraged all of us to change our
Sombke Family Continued on Page 13 NOVEMBER 2015
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UNION FARMER Around the State With Farmers Union Read on to learn how South Dakota Farmers Union members and staff are making a difference in rural communities across South Dakota. Collegiate Farmers Union members turned out to hear agriculture advocate and blogger, Amanda Radke, speak during the October meeting on the campus of SDSU.
Collegiate Farmers Union member, Tara Parmley of Miller, and SDFU Communications Director, Kecia Beranek, attended the Women in Agriculture Conference held in Rapid City. SDFU was an event sponsor.
NFU Hosts Education Director’s Meeting in Colorado
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DFU Education Director, Bonnie Geyer traveled to Colorado for the National Farmers Union Education Staff meeting which took place Sept. 23 and 24, 2015. “The meeting serves as an opportunity for peers to discuss their education programs, share ideas and give some feedback on particular events or programs,” says Geyer. Connecting with young adults - especially college students - was among a long list of discussion topics including: cooperative education, summer camp programs, leadership development, adult education, using social media and engaging women in agriculture.
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Left to Right: Glen Schmidt, Minnesota Farmers Union; Delisa Protsman, Montana Farmers Union; Jennifer Sundeen, North Dakota Farmers Union; Sarah Campbell, National Farmers Union; Bonnie Geyer, South Dakota Farmers Union; Mary Mertens, North Dakota Farmers Union; Jennifer Bahr, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union; Cathy Statz, Wisconsin Farmers Union.
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UNION FARMER Eric Sumption Elected to Serve as Vice President of SD Beef Industry Council
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outh Dakota Farmers Union member and Frederick cattle producer, Eric Sumption, was elected to serve as the 2016 Vice President during the September meeting of the South Dakota Beef Industry Council Board of Directors held on the campus of South Dakota State University September 25-26, 2015. “Our sole purpose is determining how we can best invest checkoff dollars to touch the most consumers with the message that our product is safe. This message is directed to U.S. as well as overseas consumers – with the overall goal of increasing the value of our product here in South Dakota,” says Sumption. A fourth generation farmer, Sumption farms with his four brothers on their crop and livestock farm. Passionate about cattle since childhood, the livestock side of the farm is where he focuses his energy. The family runs both a commercial and a registered Angus cow/calf herd. The Sumptions are unique to most South Dakota cattle producers in the fact that they also finish out all their own calves in their farm’s feedlot. Sumption’s experience with all aspects of cattle production is beneficial to his role as the S.D. Farmers Union representative on the S.D. Beef Industry Board. During the September meeting, the board of directors also set the fiscal year 2016 budget. SDBIC FY2016 budget to include the following: • Research - $146,704, which includes three ongoing projects with SDSU. The first study explores maternal protein restrictions in beef cattle during late gestation and its implications on offspring growth, carcass composition and meat quality. The second project aims to identify the microbial risk factors that cause Salmonella persistence and infection in beef cattle. The third research study will look at the supplementation of long chain fatty acids in feedlot cattle diets and its effects on beef carcass traits. • Promotion - $370,660, which will fund a number of projects including Mom's Every Day, Weather Channel, Home Ideas, Beef Up Your Game, as well as regional out-of-state projects hosted by
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the Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative, New York and Pennsylvania Beef Councils. • Consumer Information - $232,587, which will fund American Heart Association events, social media outreach, foodservice and retail programs, Team BEEF, as well as health and nutrition influencers programming. • Industry Information and Producer Communications - $136,826 to fund Beef Quality Assurance programs, Farms After 5 tours and Beef Crawls in conjunction with Ag United, SDSU's Beef 2020 and Meat Evaluation and Judging teams, and outreach to checkoff investors. To support national projects, the SDBIC will send $1.3 million to the Cattlemen's Beef Board in 2016, as well as $326,653 to the Federation of State Beef Councils, with $209,453 budgeted for unrestricted use by the Federation and the remaining $117,200 sent to the U.S. Meat Export Federation to focus on increasing global beef demand. "The SDBIC Board of Directors work diligently to be fiscally responsible with South Dakota checkoff investments," said Tracey Walsh, Director of Industry Relations. "The 24 board members represent the more than 15,000 cattle producers to make decisions on
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checkoff programming to help drive beef demand and provide opportunities for producer profitability." Along with Sumption, other officers elected include: Wayne Tupper, owner of Kimball Livestock Auction, who will serve as the SDBIC president; Laurie Johnson, a rancher from South Shore, will serve as treasurer; Scott Jones, of Midland, and Becky Walth, of Glenham, were elected to serve as directors for the Federation of State Beef Council. More about SDBIC The SDBIC collects and administers the $1 beef checkoff on cattle sold in South Dakota. Checkoff dollars are utilized strictly for promotion, education or research programs. Fifty cents of every dollar is directed to the Cattlemen's Beef Board for programs on the national level. The SDBIC retains 50 cents, which is invested in additional national programs or in-state programs. The SDBIC is comprised of three representatives from eight agricultural organizations: SD Beef Breeds Council, SD Cattlemen's Association, SD Cattlemen's Auxiliary, SD CattleWomen, SD Farmers Union, SD Farm Bureau, SD Livestock Auction Market Association and SD Stockgrowers Association.
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UNION FARMER Tyler Gerlach Continued from Page 8 attending Basic Training and then activated to Air Force Security at Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls for two years. “Since the farm was so close, on my days off I was able to help on the farm and I took a fair amount of leave during harvest.” From the beginning, Gerlach says he felt right at home in the National Guard. “Many things that make farming fun, I also found in the Guards,” he explains, adding that his dad, Ronald, and brother, LaRon, also served in the Guards. “I developed a strong base of friends there.” When his deployment ended, Gerlach began classes at SDSU. As a student, he along with his girlfriend at the time, Vicki Schumacher, became involved in Collegiate Farmers Union. Both of their families had been active in Farmers Union and Vicki is a Torchbearer. “Lobbying for the needs of the family farmer is something we both feel very strongly about,” says Gerlach, who is President of Aurora County Farmers Union. “I am also grateful for all they do to support ethanol and renewable fuels. Farmers Union gives us a voice and the strength that can only be found within a grassroots organization.”
Young Producers Group January 29-30 HELD AT
SPACE IS LIMITED Contact Erin Wilcox at 605-352-6761, ext. 118 EWilcox@sdfu.org
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In 2008, he graduated and returned to farming fulltime. His uncle retired, making it possible for Gerlach and his brother to begin taking over ownership of the farm. “Uncle Andy made it easy. We couldn’t have done it without him. He was willing to take on risk and stick his neck out for us when the bank couldn’t,” says Gerlach, explaining that all parties involved began working with lawyers to design a transition plan that was fair for everyone. “We had a lot of discussions with lawyers and the accountant and hashed everything out so that it was fair for everyone,” Gerlach says. Together he and LaRon built upon their uncle’s farming legacy – continuing to implement Andy’s no-till farming practices and acceptance of precision agriculture technology. They also began utilizing variable rate technology. As an agronomist, Gerlach writes prescriptions for seed and fertilizer placement. Scouting and input recommendations also fall on his plate. “It works out well because my brother is a diesel mechanic, so he manages all the equipment,” Gerlach explains. Also in 2008, he and Vicki married. Today they have two children, daughter, Alexis, 5, and a son, Easton, 4. “I don’t think there is any better way to raise a family than on the farm,” he says. “We get to teach our children a good work ethic. They get to see the value in a good day’s work.” More patriotic than ever At the same time that he was building his farm and family, Gerlach remained active in the Army National Guard, serving one weekend a month and two weeks a year. Following his college graduation, Gerlach became an officer. In 2012, he became a Company Commander and was notified that in a year his new unit would be deployed to Afghanistan. It was their job to gather unused equipment from remote operating bases and bring the equipment to a centralized location where it would be destroyed or shipped back to the U.S. “Basically, it was our job to make sure our equipment didn’t fall into the wrong hands,” Gerlach explained. Preparing 160 soldiers and his farm for deployment became his fulltime job. He and his brother hired an agronomist and employee to take over Gerlach’s farm responsibilities. “We made good plans. When you have your life, livelihood and future 8,000 miles
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away, you cannot think of ‘what ifs.’” As the countdown to deployment began, Gerlach moved to Sioux Falls so he could focus 100 percent of his energy on the imminent deployment. “I needed to focus on one thing and that was taking my unit overseas,” he says. “As Company Commander everything that happens, good or bad, is my responsibility.” Once he was deployed, Gerlach worked to stay in close communication with his family. He and Vicki chatted via FaceTime almost daily. To make conversations with his young children easy, Vicki had them place items in a basket to help remind them of things they wanted to talk to Daddy about. “That really helped keep us connected.” Although he and his brother also spoke frequently, LaRon kept farm-related discussions positive. “He never brought any problems to me. He would only visit with me about issues after they were solved.” Gerlach adds that while he was gone, family and neighbors pitched in to help with farm work. “Being overseas, my family couldn’t have done it without family, friends and neighbors. My brother and our employee were pushed for time to get 900 acres of winter wheat out of the field and a bunch of neighbors pitched in to help – I have a photo on Facebook of all the neighbors’ semis lined up in our field to haul wheat for us.” To thank them, Gerlach sent them each an American flag which flew over the base where they were stationed in Kandahar. Although the mission was not uneventful, Gerlach’s entire unit made it home. While the unit was collecting equipment from remote bases across Afghanistan, they were responsible for their own security. “At times it was dangerous, but we all made it home and there were no serious injuries.” Looking back on where he was just a little more than a year ago, Gerlach says he wouldn’t change a thing. “I am more patriotic now than ever. I am glad I had the opportunity to do the thing I had signed up to do as a young man – to serve my country,” he says. “I also think it’s more important than ever that we try and find alternatives to foreign oil that could be heavily impacted by international conflict. As a corn producer, 95 percent of my corn goes to POET. In addition in this global future we need to be very certain of the politics of war as we venture into the very cultural diverse regions of the world.”
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UNION FARMER Sombke Family Continued from Page 9 majors because the job market was so bad,” Bryan says of the 2008 moment that motivated him to return to the farm fulltime.
Coteau View Hunt & Kennels is born “Bryce and I were just getting the dog kennel and lodge off the ground, so I saw college debt more as dead weight, when I could be investing that money into these businesses,” he explains. Twins and now business partners, Bryce and Bryan had been trying to figure out a way to make returning to the farm feasible. Doug suggested they look into building a hunting lodge and business around the wild pheasant population which already flourished on the farm. Both Dallas and Doug were strong advocates for conservation and had been placing marginal production acres into Conservation Reserve Programs (CRP) for more than 20 years. “We only hunt wild birds and they need plenty of cover to survive winter and have a successful hatch – without CRP and the food plots, we wouldn’t have pheasants,” Bryan says. They converted a 1950s-era grain bin into a hunting lodge and began visiting sportsman shows across the U.S. to drum up business. “You talk to thousands of hunters and maybe book 12 guys, but that’s what it took to get started,” Bryan says. From there, word of mouth did the work for them. They haven’t attended a show for a few years now because each season they are booked hosting about 80 hunters. Doug helped his sons get started by loaning them the capital they needed. “At 19 there wasn’t a bank that would loan us the money
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we needed. He believed in us,” Bryce says. Along with the lodge, Bryce and Bryan raise pointing Labradors and train hunting dogs. “These are not flushing dogs. They will point a bird until you produce a bird and kill it,” Bryan explains. Together they train about 20 dogs a year and sell about 50 puppies. To guarantee their puppies’ health, they have all breeding stock genetically tested before purchasing them. “These tests rule out things like hip and elbow dysplasia and eye issues – basically all inherited diseases,” Bryce explains. Looking back on the history of their family farm, Doug says since the beginning breeding registered animals has been part of its legacy. “Great Grandpa Albert, who homesteaded this land, raised registered Percheron horses; my Grandpa, Alvin, raised Registered Hereford cattle and I raised registered Suffolk. Now my sons are raising registered Labradors.”
No Limits Soil Services Growing up farming with his dad and brothers, Brett, 29, knew the value of soil sampling. As precision ag technologies took off across farm country, he noticed that the soil sampling process had become much more precise and time consuming. “Today, it takes a lot of time and technology, so agriculture cooperatives are looking for third parties to do the work,” explains Brett of the niche he and business partner, Austin Clark, fill with the soil sampling business they began five years ago. “We are busy sampling from the time soybeans come off the field until the ground freezes.” Brett says the days become quite long – he works until dark and then heads home to help with harvest - but he says the business provides the supplemental income he needs to farm with his dad and brothers. “Land today is so expensive that if you can’t pay for it up front, it’s difficult to make it work. Because we all wanted to return to the farm, we all had to find different avenues to make it work,” he explains. “I love the lifestyle farming provides. I like being my own boss
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and living out in the country.” The next generation Reflecting on the work it took to get their respective businesses off the ground, all three sons say timing was everything. When they started, grain markets were good.
“The farm was actually making enough that we would have been OK just farming, but we knew it wasn’t sustainable and eventually the markets would level off. I’m so thankful we were ready for it and our businesses were off the ground,” says Bryce. In today’s markets, Bryce says if it weren’t for their off-farm income, the farm income would not be able to sustain four families. Brett is married. He and his wife, Stephanie, have a baby son, Braxten, born this August. Stephanie works as a radiology technician at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen. Bryan is married. He and his wife, Whitney, have a baby daughter, Maryn, born this August. Whitney works as a nurse at same day surgery at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen. Bryce’s girlfriend, Amber, is in her last year of veterinary school at Iowa State University. Nikki has a daughter, Adeline, 5, and works as a radiology technician for Orthopedic Surgery Specialists and Avera in Aberdeen. She is currently pursuing a degree in MRI. Nikki has always helped out on the family farm and currently helps Bryce and Bryan by cleaning the lodge in between groups of guests. “The boys have exceeded my expectations of the businesses that they have built,” Doug says. “I have said this to my sons and I truly believe it – a good life is not about the money you make. It’s about the place you live and doing what you like to do. If you love what you do, then it’s not work.” by Lura
Roti, for SDFU; Photos by Kaylee Speck Photography
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UNION FARMER Roger Johnson National Farmers Union President
Negotiators from 12 Pacific Rim nations agreed to the massive Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement last month. NFU is opposing the agreement because it lacks effective language to curb currency manipulation by U.S. trading partners. Some notable world leaders visited the U.S. recently, and they emphasized the importance of addressing climate change. National Farmers Union and National Corn Growers Association released a white paper in October that argues the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) delays and flawed proposals for volume obligations for the Renewable Fuel Standard have negatively impacted farm income. On top of that, federal sequestration is causing a 6.8% reduction in farm program payments. CURRENCY MANIPULATION NOT ADDRESSED IN TPP After years of negotiations, 12 Pacific Rim countries agreed to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a major trade agreement that includes 40 percent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The controversial TPP includes reductions and eliminations of tariffs, a common framework for intellectual property and standards for labor and environmental law. The reduction or elimination of tariffs appears beneficial to farmers and ranchers until you consider that no enforceable currency manipulation provisions were included in the agreement. Currency manipulation enables our trading partners to skirt the rules and gain a competitive advantage by devaluing their currency, which consequently reduces the costs of their goods to other countries and increases the costs of our goods to their country. We have seen many examples of countries entering into trade agreements with the United States, only to then manipulate their currencies and wipe out any gains that were promised by the elimination of tariffs. Mexico did it immediately after implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), devaluing the peso by 50 percent. South Korea did it immediately following the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS),
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negating the tariff reductions achieved in the agreement. Due in part to currency manipulation, the U.S. trade deficit has increased after every new free trade deal. It totaled $505 billion last year, which equates to a 3 percent drag on the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP). U.S. trade negotiators have pushed off addressing currency manipulation, arguing it should be the done by the U.S. Treasury through the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, or some other international organization. And now because no action has been taken to address this obvious problem, the U.S. trade deficit remains in the hundreds of billions every year. NFU is encouraging Congress to oppose the TPP and has called on our trade negotiators to include enforceable provisions barring currency manipulation. Urge your representative to vote against the TPP by calling, writing or visiting www.NFU.org and clicking on the Take Action link to utilize the NFU Action Center. RFS WOES HURT FARM INCOME, CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION Despite growing global acknowledgment of climate change, only one U.S. law addresses climate resiliency: the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Since its origination a decade ago, the RFS has effectively engaged farmers and rural communities in climate resiliency efforts, helping stabilize the security of the global food system and the viability of family farms and their communities. The RFS requires the blending of specific volumes of biofuels into the nation’s fuel supply, displacing traditional, petroleum-based products with renewable products that lower greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is supposed to use the blending volume targets set by Congress in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). However, recent interference from Big Oil has altered EPA’s implementation of the RFS. The agency has proposed volume targets for 2014, 2015, and 2016 much lower than those prescribed in the EISA. National Farmers Union, in collaboration
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with National Corn Growers Association, released a white paper stating that EPA’s delays and proposals for the RFS volume targets have harmed American farmers and ranchers. The USDA is predicting net cash income to drop by 26 percent in 2015, and the two organizations are claiming EPA’s mishandling of the RFS has contributed to this decline. Family farmers and ranchers are also combating the effects of climate change, including extreme weather events, changes in precipitation, and alterations in their access to water. Increased infrastructure and inputs needed to maintain production in the changing environment are costly, jeopardizing the success of smaller farm operations. NFU recently submitted comments to the EPA, advocating for the blending volume targets previously prescribed by Congress to help farmers combat the serious threat of climate change. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently invested in technology that would aid in renewable fuel infrastructure, awarding $100 million to 21 states to match private and state funding for nearly 5,000 pumps with higher biofuels blends, enhancing biofuels infrastructure at over 1,400 fueling stations nationwide. FARM PROGRAMS SUBJECT TO SEQUESTRATION Due to federal sequestration rules, farmers and ranchers will take a 6.8% cut in their farm-program payments, including the Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, regardless of when they signed up. This cut, announced by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, will also affect the Dairy Margin Protection Program, marketing loans, sugar loans, and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. In 2013, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) detailed some of the programs cut, noting that Conservation Reserve Program payments and crop insurance would not be affected by sequester cuts. The Washington Corner can also be found at www.nfu.org/corner. from NFU current as of October 15, 2015
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From the President....
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Cooperative Patrons Need to Read & Address CHS Proposed Bylaw Changes
South Dakota
UNION FARMER
A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION
Doug Sombke SDFU President
C
HS will soon be voting on its proposed bylaw changes. I’m concerned and urge our membership to weigh in on CHS proposed bylaw changes. It all seems logical enough, until you ask yourself,"How does this affect voters’ rights and freedoms according to our state constitution?" If the suggested bylaw changes are passed, they will significantly alter the philosophy of CHS which could have a negative impact on family farmers and could result in changes to the local cooperative business structure. My main concern is that the proposed bylaw changes leave too much to the discretion of the board. These bylaw changes may not result in any changes; however, if made, they give a huge amount of flexibility to those serving as board members. It’s not that we should not trust current board members to make correct decisions, it’s the fact that we do not know who will be serving on these boards in the future. In fact, if the proposed changes are passed, there isn’t much stopping CHS from trading in the cooperative business model for that of a corporate business structure. Review bylaws & act Members can review the proposed amendments to the bylaws on the CHS website, www.chsinc.com. Once you have reviewed the bylaw changes, please contact your local cooperative board of directors and manager to share any concerns you may have. Don’t sit on this. The vote is just around the corner; we need to share any concerns we have soon. Below I list some specific changes I am concerned about: • Section 3 of Article II - allows the cooperative to do business with anyone up to any amount. • Section 2 of Article IV - stricken language deals with agricultural marketing act, AKA the Capper Volstead Act. It will allow CHS board of directors to determine how and what is deemed the business operating agreement. • Section 3 of Article IV - changes the number of classes of members from 3 to 2. • Section 4 of Article IV - adds language
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that allows CHS board members to determine who can be an active member. This is a floating definition. This change really should be defined more. • Section 5 - Stricken language is stricken out because of removal of the Capper Volstead Act language in the previous section. • Section 6 - Stricken language is old language from 1978. Doing no harm. • Section 1 of Article 1 – Added language means anyone can allow a change of qualifications quite rapidly. • Section 2 of Article 1 - Strikes that are being stricken are old language and does not affect local cooperatives today. • Section 3 of Article 1 - Is completely deleted due to changes in ACTIVE member definition. • Section 4 - Will become Section 3 due to deletion of Section 3. • Section 5 through Section 10 - Cleaning up language and fitting with proposed changes earlier in the proposed changes. Again, I am concerned that these proposed changes give the CHS board far too much latitude to award patronage as they see fit, and that this language changes control from owner/patrons to whomever the CHS board determines can control the company. A century of service to cooperatives, communities & family farmers and ranchers Cooperatives are a large focus of South Dakota Farmers Union. A century old this year, S.D. Farmers Union helped launch many local cooperatives throughout the state. Our organization founded many cooperatives. In fact, three name changes ago, CHS was a Farmers Union cooperative. The “Farmers Union” was removed from the name when the organization became CENEX.
Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union
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South Dakota Union Farmer, ISSN 0745-8797, publishes ten times per calendar year, with issues printed in January, February, March, April, May/June, July/August, September, October, November and December. Copies are available for $3.00 per year (included with membership dues), and nonmembers annual subscription is $7.50. Advertising rate is $6.00/column inch. Periodical postage paid at Madison, S.D. POSTMASTER: Address changes to: SDFU, PO Box 1388, Huron, S.D. 57350-1388
Contact SDFU 888.734.8136 • 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 Matt Sibley .............ext. 122 Legislative Specialist Huron
Kecia Beranek...............ext. 113 Communications Specialist Miller
Bonnie Geyer..........ext. 125 Education Director Huron
Luanne Thompson.......ext. 111 Administrative Assistant Virgil
Pam Evenson ..........ext. 116 Administrative Assistant Doland
Erin Wilcox ...................ext. 118 Rural Development Coordinator Alpena
SDFU Board of Directors Doug Sombke.........President Groton Wayne Soren..........Vice Pres. Lake Preston Terry Sestak..............District I Tabor Jim Wahle ................District II Salem Franklin Olson ........District III Pierpont
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 Doug Peterson, 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 ~ Jodie Fenske, Copy Editor Tri-State Graphics, Layout and Design
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
NOVEMBER 2015
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