November 2017 web

VOLUME CII, NO.9

HURON, SD

NOVEMBER 2017

South Dakota

UNION FARMER A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Harvest Lunches

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Brown County Commission to Bring E30 to County Fleet

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or Brown County Commission Chairwoman Rachel Kippley, the decision to push for a 30-percent ethanol blend in the county’s vehicle fleet was a no-brainer.

“Ethanol has had a tremendous impact on our community and economy here in Brown County,” K i p p l e y says. “Brown County is the fourth largest corn- County Commission Chairwoman and Farmers Union member p r o d u c i n g Rachel Kippley fuels up with E30. county in the nation. It only makes sense to use and promote ethanol, a homegrown product, in our own fleets.”

When it came to convincing her fellow commissioners, Kippley explained that her idea was met with little resistance and immense support.

“Three out of five of us on the commission are farmers, we all

E30 Continued on Page 18

Register Today to Receive Early Bird Convention Registration Discounts Available through Nov. 20

Childcare in Rural Communities

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S.D. Farmers Union Celebrates the Beer Ranch Family

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ulling back a thick layer of crop residue with his bare hands, Mike Beer digs into the earth and holds up a black clump of soil alive with earthworms.

“This is heavy clay and when I first started farming, it was hard as a rock. Now, look at it – it’s like a vegetable garden,” says the Keldron rancher. “I’m a soil person. Even as a kid I was always playing in the dirt, digging holes. I was curious.”

He goes on to explain that even as a young teen, he would go out onto the range and dig deep holes.

“Everyone has something and for me, it is soil,” Mike explains. “I remember seeing the different horizons and understanding that they were different soil types – long before I ever read that in a textbook.”

South Dakota Farmers Union has served South Dakota farm and ranch families for more than a century. Throughout the year, we share their stories in order to highlight the families who make up our state’s No. 1 industry and help feed the world. This month we highlight the Beer ranch family who raise cattle and a diversified crop operation east of Lemmon. Danni and Mike Beer are pictured here with their youngest, Blaze, 7. The couple have three older children; Bobbi Froelich, 24; Bo, 23; and Bailie, 20.

Beer Family Continued on Page 2

UNION FARMER Beer Family Continued from Page 1

Mike Beer digs into the earth and holds up a black clump of soil alive with earthworms – evidence that the soil management practices he has been implementing for nearly three decades are paying off.

What began as a childhood hobby became a useful talent in college when he judged on South Dakota State University’s nationally ranked soil judging team.

His interest in enhancing soil health led him to work in the university’s soil lab and complete a 1991 senior research project on no-till farming practices – at the time, a foreign concept in northwest South Dakota.

Today, the soil management practices Mike has implemented for nearly three decades are key to his family’s livelihood on their farm and ranch where Mike and his wife, Danni, raise cattle and a wide range of crops including registered spring wheat, winter wheat, corn, sunflowers, millet, soybeans, chickpeas, hay and cover crops.

Mike, 48, and Danni, 47, were among the first in northwestern South Dakota to implement no-till farming practices. No-till is now the norm because of its ability to capture and retain soil moisture in a region where, “moisture is our limiting factor,” explains Danni. “When we started farming here, everything was strip farmed – one year wheat and one year fallow.”

Dust storms were just part of life. Today, thanks to no-till’s popularity among growers, the couple says wind erosion is no longer much of an issue.

They rely on the diversity of their crop rotations to naturally control weeds and disease pressure. Mike explains that for two years they will plant cool-season grasses – like spring wheat and winter wheat. Then they will follow that with two years of something else – like a cool-season broadleaf, such as field peas – followed by a warm-season broadleaf like sunflowers or warmseason grasses like corn or millet.

“We spray a lot less today than we did 25 years ago,” Danni says.

Working toward a goal Although Mike did not grow up on a farm or ranch, his roots run deep in South Dakota agriculture. His family homesteaded in Ziebach

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Blaze Beer, 7, spends his summers helping his parents on the ranch and working with his 4-H show calf.

County.

As a teen, he worked for area farm couple Jack and Barb Wanstedt. Their grown children were not interested in returning home to run the farm/ranch so they reached out to Mike.

“They told me that after I went to college, if I wanted to take over their place, they would help me get started,” Mike says. “It was always my dream to farm.”

Like Mike’s passion for the land, raising cattle was all Danni could envision herself doing. A third generation rancher, she grew up in North Dakota on a registered Angus operation north of Morristown, S.D. Friends since middle school, Mike and Danni began dating in high school. They attended SDSU. Mike graduated with an agronomy degree and Danni with a degree in agriculture education.

Following graduation, the newlyweds set about building an operation that would sustain their growing family. They have four children; Bobbi Froelich, 24; Bo, 23; Bailie, 20; and Blaze, 7.

“We have always been goal setters. It was our goal to have a full-time operation where we could both work together day-in and day-out,” Danni explains.

Over time, they slowly expanded, adding to the land they purchased from the Wanstedts.

Today, their oldest son, Bo, works with them and is building up his own cattle herd.

“We are always working to increase yields by trying new things or adapting new ideas,” Bo says.

A few years ago, they started seeding in cover crops for additional fall forage as they harvested their small grains mid-summer. “One of us will run the combine while the other runs the drill. This technique captures the remaining soil moisture. In this country, you won’t get seed to germinate if you wait because we may not get another rain,” Mike explains.

It’s the last week in July and the only rain the family has seen in weeks fell the week before.

“We’re at 40 percent of normal,” Mike says of the 4.6 inches of rain the ranch received thus far for the 2017 growing season.

Last fall when they began to fall behind on moisture, Beers adjusted planting decisions based on fields’ moisture potential. And, when things didn’t look like they were going to change much this spring, they decided to sell calves early to help maintain rangeland health.

“With drought, you make a plan then you end up changing it in a couple days,” Danni says.

They ended up having a couple miles of pipeline installed so they could supply well water to pastures which had dams that tested positive

Bo Beer, 23, ranches with his parents on the family’s Keldron ranch.

for high sulfate levels.

During a drought year, Mike says the years of no-till and other soil-building farming practices pay off. “Look here,” he again pulls back a 4-inch layer of residue in a field of corn, uncovering moist soil. “I plan to harvest most of my acres for grain.”

Nearing the end of harvest 2017, the Beers report that all crops were harvested, but some of the winter wheat was used for hay. As of midOctober, they are optimistic about corn and sunflower harvest.

“We got a little rain the first part of August which really helped things,” Danni says.

To learn more about the Beer family, view a photo gallery and listen to a recorded interview, visit www.sdfu.org. ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU

“EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING AND FOR ME, IT IS SOIL.” — Mike Beer

WWW.SDFU.ORG

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SDFU Education Director Attends Annual Meeting in Wisconsin

South Dakota Farmers Union Education Director Rachel Haigh-Blume recently attended the Annual Education Directors meeting held in Wisconsin at Kamp Kenwood.

During the meeting, education directors from several states had the opportunity to discuss camp policies and brainstorm ways to improve future programming.

Pictured here: Bottom Row: (Left to Right) Codi Hintz, North Dakota Farmers Union; Rachel Haigh-Blume, South Dakota Farmers Union; Violet Green, Montana Farmers Union; and Jen Bahr, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union.

Top Row (Left to Right) Bri Sorensen, North Dakota Farmers Union; Glen Schmidt, Minnesota Farmers Union; Melissa Miller, National Farmers Union; Kirsten Slaughter, Wisconsin Farmers Union; and Cathy Statz, Wisconsin Farmers Union.

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Cooperative Highlight: Santel Communications Cooperative Inc.

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ow do you take a very sparse population and invest in it so they aren’t left behind? This question is on the mind of Ryan Thompson, CEO and General Manager of Santel Communications Cooperative Inc. “For rural areas with sparse populations the desire for and consumption of internet is no different than urban areas,” Thompson explains. “Like many telecommunications cooperatives, our board has focused on getting fiber optics to many family farms. The technology required to power these farms is vastly different than in 1995 when we started rolling out high speed internet.”

With a customer base of roughly 1.7 people per square mile, Santel sees the challenges of providing such a widespread base with highly technical and expansive networks as opportunity.

“We maintain long-term thinking and get short-term wins along the way,” Thompson says. “We are doing a lot with cyber security and taking a more serious approach to information technology. For many operations that depend on a few computers, their livelihood rests on the security of that network.”

“WE MAINTAIN LONG-TERM THINKING AND GET SHORT-TERM WINS ALONG THE WAY.” – Ryan Thompson

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While investing in South Dakota for the long run, they are able to build relationships with producers and rural customers along the way.

“Our patrons look to Santel as a longterm trusted partner that has become part of their operation’s information technology,” Thompson says.

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 1,500 non-members in an excess of 10 communities covering more than 6,000 square miles. Thirty-one 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 information technology services, video surveillance and SmartFarm applications.

“There is so much technology on today’s farms. We are here to provide farm and commercial businesses connectivity and information technology support,” Thompson

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says.

He explains that Santel can be a partner with agriculture producers and small businesses for their connectivity, information technology needs and surveillance services.

SmartFarm is a farm-focused 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.

Information technology experts on staff sell and support technology hardware, software, networking, security and use the most reliable best practices to ensure uninterrupted operations.

To learn more about Santel Communications Cooperative Inc., visit www. santel.net/. ■

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Neighbors Helping Neighbors – It’s the Rural Way

“The remoteness and harshness of climate and challenges that come with farming and ranching, mean that very seldom can the average operation go it alone. In those crunch times of the year – branding, shearing and shipping – when you need all hands on deck, your neighbors are there to help,” Ollila explains. “It’s been a tradition since the beginning, the same way as when neighbors would turn out for threshings before the advent of modern combines.”

Whether you’re helping a rancher a few miles away or a farmer several states away, Ollila says it’s just what those working in agriculture do. “It’s called ‘neighboring.’”

Steve Roduner agrees. The Wessington Springs farmer volunteered to help Burnison by transporting a load of hay and called three friends, asking if they’d do the same. “It didn’t take much thought for any of us. I called my neighbors telling them what I was doing and they jumped on board.”

As the men drove their semis down the interstate, a tire on Roduner’s semi blew.

When he pulled into a tire shop to have the tire repaired, a representative from Rowse Manufacturing drove in behind him and asked the shop to put the tire and labor on her account. “She had seen the whole thing and, because we had banners on our hay load that read, ‘South Dakota Cares,’ she knew what we were doing wanted to do something to help,’” Roduner says. “It was pretty humbling.”

On the way to Ashland, Kan., the men witnessed horrific scenes of devastation.

“It was bone-chilling the stuff we saw – and we didn’t see the worst of it. We saw Following devastating fires this spring that impacted several Kansas farmers, the community of Wessington Springs farms that were completely gone. We saw responded. The community sent four semi-truck loads of hay to Kansas and $10,000 for fencing supplies. Four Wessington the chimney of a house that was gone and Springs farmers donated their time and trucking fees and made the delivery themselves. Pictured here (left to right) Riley the tin off a machine shed with trucks and Roduner, 12, with her dad, Steve; Cody Tobin and John Olinger. The fourth farmer who trucked hay, Rex Zastrow, is not tractors and other machinery burned,” pictured.

Roduner says.

When they arrived, Roduner, his friends unday school and church have always been a part of Randy Burnison’s and 12-year-old daughter, Riley, had an opportunity to meet the cattle life. But, it still took courage for him to stand up one Sunday morning and ask his friends and fellow worshipers to donate to help cover producers who received the donated hay.

They also learned about a need for milk replacer for newborn calves expenses for a hay drive he was organizing for Kansas farmers who lost whose mother cows had to be humanely put down. A few days after he everything in fires this spring. returned home, Roduner’s daughter left a letter on his desk along with cash Burnison’s call was met with a generous outpouring from the she had been saving to help purchase milk replacer.

Wessington Springs community and resulted in sending four semi-truck “It made me feel pretty good that my daughter cared enough to give loads of hay to Kansas and $10,000 for fencing supplies. money that she worked really hard for to help,” Roduner says.

“It was the first time I’d done anything like this. It was pretty A little closer to home overwhelming and scary once everything got started,” explains Burnison, Now, a season after the Kansas haylift and several months into a drought, a Jerauld County farmer and father of two who also runs a feedlot on his cattle producers in Wessington Springs along with many other South family’s farm.

Dakota communities are also in need of hay to get their cattle through the Although it doesn’t make the news until catastrophic devastation hits winter. And, when the state’s approximately 450,000 acres of Conservation a community, neighbors helping neighbors is simply a way of life for those Reserve Program (CRP) were opened up for emergency haying and grazing living in rural South Dakota, explains David Ollila, a fifth-generation Newell due to the extreme drought, many South Dakota landowners with CRP rancher who together with his wife, Holly, and their three sons, raises cattle, Neighbors Continued on Page 13 sheep and works as an SDSU Extension Sheep Field Specialist.

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Jaclynn Knutson of Centerville Receives NFU Foundation Scholarship for Next Generation Agricultural Leaders

NOTICE TO DELEGATES ATTENDING THE STATE CONVENTION There was a proofing error on the Delegate cards sent out earlier.

The convention will be in Huron, S.D. These Delegate cards are still valid and need to be into the state office by Nov. 25, 2017.

WWW.SDFU.ORG

Centerville farmer (and third generation FFA member). She and her sisters raise a flock of registered Suffolk and Rambouillet sheep. She served as the South Dakota State FFA Reporter in 2016-17.

In addition to Knutson, the other recipients include: Caitlyn Becker of Flasher, N.D., and Jane Umbriaco of Charlo, Mont.

Education is considered the foundation of Farmers Union’s success in all aspects of the organization.

The scholarship is made available annually

to young Farmers Union members pursuing a degree in any field at a two- or four-year accredited college or university. The Stanley Moore Scholarship is also available for students attending technical school.

Applications for the 2018 scholarship awards will be available through NFUF in December 2017.

More information about the scholarships is available on the NFU website at www.nfu.org/ education/scholarships. ■

REAL

Sponsored By:

F

armers Union member and South Dakota State University student Jaclynn Knutson, Centerville, was one of three college students to receive the National Farmers Union Foundation Stanley Moore Scholarship award.

“I congratulate our three scholarship recipients for their dedication to their education, and thank them for their commitment to the Farmers Union organization,” says National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson. “We had an exceptional Jaclynn Knutson pool of candidates apply for the scholarship programs this year, and I am proud to see the enthusiasm for Farmers Union from the next generation of leaders in American agriculture.”

The $1,000 Stanley Moore Scholarship is awarded in memory of its namesake, a longtime Farmers Union member and visionary leader, including his roles as National Farmers Union (NFU) Vice President and chairman of the NFU Insurance Companies board.

Jaclynn Knutson is a seventh generation

United to Grow Family Agriculture

• Personal Motivation • Goal Achievement

January 23-24 - Huron February 27-28 - Pierre March 20-21 - TBA

• Leadership Strategy • Community Growth

get involved. be changed.

South Dakota Farmers Union is currently accepting applications for participants in the 2018 Rural Economic And Leadership (REAL) Development Program. REAL allows the opportunity to meet people from throughout the state while learning how to motivate yourself and your community toward financial growth, stability, and a positive future.

TO REgiSTER gO TO: www.sdfu.org or call Rachel at 605.352.6761 ext 125

Questions? Contact Rachel Haigh-Blume at 605.352.6761 ext 125 or rachel@sdfu.org South Dakota Farmers Union provides all meals and hotel accommodations free of charge for participants.

A $50 nonrefundable deposit is required of all participants

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Farmers & Ranchers will Discuss E30 & Rural Healthcare During 2017 S.D. Farmers Union Convention

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embers are encouraged to attend the 2017 S.D. Farmers Union State Convention held in Huron at the Crossroads Hotel Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

Experts will be discussing E30 and rural healthcare during the two-day convention where SDFU members will vote on policy that will be the focus of the 2018 legislative session in Pierre.

“When it comes to policy that impacts family farmers and ranchers, there are many changes coming down the pike – in our state and nation.

It’s our hope that when members leave this convention they have a better understanding of the issues and what we can do to advocate for policy we need,” says Doug Sombke, SDFU President.

Along with policy development, industry experts will discuss pressing issues of healthcare, crop insurance and the future of E30.

Alana Knudson, Public Health Program Area

Director at the University of Chicago NORC, will update members on healthcare and its impact on farming and ranching families.

Today, Knudson serves as a Principal Research Scientist and is the Co-Director of the Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis at NORC. She also is the Deputy Director for the Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center, one of seven rural health research centers funded by the federal Office of Rural Health Policy.

“Studying health insurance among farmers is not new but it has picked up in the last 10 years,” says Knudson, who grew up on farm in rural North Dakota and conducted her first healthcare study of farmers in North Dakota in 2008.

Marc Rausch, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of The Auto Channel, and Dale Christensen, Glacial Lakes Inc. board member, will engage members in a panel to discuss the benefits, future and impact of E30 on farm

country.

SDFU Insurance Agent and Salem farmer Craig Blindert will discuss a new way to manage grain and soil enhancement.

South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Mike Jaspers is also invited to speak.

Along with policy, members will also vote for President and Vice President board positions.

Doug Sombke, current President, and Wayne Soren, current Vice President, are both running unopposed for re-election.

To learn more about the 2017 Farmers Union State Convention and to register, visit www.sdfu. org. To book a room, contact the Crossroads Hotel and Convention Center at 605-352-3204.

The Farmers Union member rate is $82.99 plus tax, per night.

The SDFU block of rooms will be held until Nov. 22. ■

South Dakota Farmers Union 102nd Annual State Convenon Thursday, November 30 & Friday, December 1, 2017 Crossroads Hotel and Convenon Center, Huron—100 4th St. SW, Huron, SD

NOTE: do not notinclude includeHotel Hotel.

NOTE:The Theregistration registration costs costs do Call the CROSSROADS CROSSROADS HOTEL 352.3204 Call HOTEL&&CONVENTION CONVENTIONCENTER CENTERAT at(605) 605-352-3204.

Rate is $82.99 plus tax, per night. Our block will be held until November 22, 2017 Rate is $82.99 plus tax, per night. Our block will be held until Nov. 22.

Register using the form below or go online to www.sdfu.org (under “Membership”).

Register using the form below or go online to www.sdfu.org (under “Membership”).

To receive early registration discount, payment mustmust be post marked by 20, 2017 To receive early registration discount, payment be postmarked byNovember Nov. 20.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— First Name ___________________________ Delegate: Yes ___ No ___

Last Name __________________________________

Spouse Name ________________________ Delegate: Yes ___ No ___ City ______________________________ County ______________________________ Phone ____________________________ Convenon package —$50 PER PERSON ______ (Aer Nov. 20) —$75 PER PERSON _______

Night on the Prairie Foundaon Fundraiser—$50 PER PERSON ______

TOTAL PAYMENT _____________________

Check Enclosed _____ Credit Card _____

Credit Card # ____________________________________________ Expiraon __________________ CVV _________ Signature ________________________________________________

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Return this form to: SDFU, PO Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350

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Tentative Agenda

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1

Noon

Convention Banquet and Torchbearer Ceremony

1:30 p.m.

Call to Order Greeting

1:45 p.m.

Jeremy Freking Outreach & Operations Director Agriculture Development

7:00 a.m. Farmers Union Industries Breakfast 8:00 a.m. Call to Order

Candidate Addresses: SDFU District Board

2:15 p.m.

State of Our Health Care Alana Knudson, PhD

2:45 p.m.

Wayne Soren S.D. Farmers Union Vice‐President

3:00 p.m.

Beverage Break

3:15 p.m.

State of the Union Rob Larew, NFU VP of Government Relations

3:45 p.m.

Faith and Farming Jim Ennis

4:15 p.m.

Dakota Fresh Food Hub Kari O’Neill

6:30 p.m.

A Night on the Prairie Event Featuring Comedian/Magician Tim Gabrielson

NFU Delegate Nomination Speeches Financial Report Jake Holm, CarlsonSV 9:00 a.m. Doug Sombke S.D. Farmers Union President 9:15 a.m. Ethanol, Fuel for the Future Marc Rauch & Dale Christensen 10:15 a.m. Beverage Break 10:30 a.m. Inventory Grain Management

Soil Enhancement through Crop Insurance

Craig Blindert, Frayne Olson & Saleem Shaik 11:30 a.m. Young Producer Round Table Scott & Amber Kolousek, Taylor & Cassie Sumption 12:30 p.m. Banquet Luncheon and Awards Presentation 1:45 p.m. Call to Order

2:00 p.m. Election 2:30 p.m. Grassroots Policy Discussion 4:30 p.m. Convention Adjourned

WWW.SDFU.ORG

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UNION FARMER Farm Safety Trailer Provides Hands-On Safety Reminder

AIRIE E

ach year, lives are changed forever when South Dakotans are injured or lose their lives to farm or ranch accidents.

Farmers Union invests in education to keep youth and families safe on farms and ranches. The grassroots agriculture organization recently designed a decked-out Farm Safety Trailer to help.

Complete with an ATV simulator, grain bin harness, interactive games and a toy-size farm, the Farm Safety Trailer is a portable reminder of safety practices.

“Verbal reminders only go so far,” says Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director of S.D. Farmers Union. “As most parents and teachers will attest, hands-on learning is one of the most effective ways to teach. That’s why this trailer was custom designed to actively engage all senses, learning styles and ages.”

The Farm Safety Trailer is among many tools S.D. Farmers Union has used to spread the safety message. Each summer more than 3,000 youth attend Farmers Union day camps where farm safety is taught. During the annual State FFA Convention and South Dakota State Fair, Farmers Union hosts a Team Up for Safety quiz bowl geared to remind teens of safe practices when on farms, ranches or working around large equipment.

“As a grassroots organization committed to supporting South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers, safety of rural youth and their families is top of mind,” says Doug Sombke, President of S.D. Farmers Union. “If this trailer prevents one accident or loss, it will be well worth the investment.”

On right: The Farm Safety Trailer’s interior is filled with hands-on and fun ways to learn about safety. ■

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A Night on the Prairie You’re invited to experience

12th Annual Fundraiser to benefit the

Thursday, November 30, 2017 Crossroads Hotel & Convention Center Including Featured Entertainment Huron, SD Doors open at 6:30pm

Silent Auction Banquet Dinner tain nmen Entertainment Tim Gabrielson The Magic of Comedy

For more information call (605) 352-6761 ext 111

www.sdfufoundation.org A Night on the Prairie Please Respond on or Before November 20, 2017

Limited Seating eating ing $50 $50/Guest 0/Guuest 0/G

M

Number of Guests Attending

$

Enclosed

I/We regretfully decline your invitation, but please accept the enclosed donation to the Foundation for $ Please Send Bottom Attachment to:

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SDFU Foundation PO Box 1388 Huron, SD 57350

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Farmers Union Feeds Farmers During Harvest

L

s Andover Wheat Grower

Beresford-Southeast Fa rmers Coop

Claremont-Full Circle Ag

DeSmet-Prairie Ag Partn ers

Partners Lake Preston-Prairie Ag

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ike many farmers, a typical harvest day for John Voss consists of long hours spent in the combine focusing on one goal – getting his crops out before the weather turns and makes it impossible.

“Harvest days are hectic,” says the third generation Andover farmer. “We don’t have much spare time during harvest because we are working with small windows in the weather. I spend most of my days out in the combine, from early morning to late in the evening.”

Working with time constraints in mind gives Voss little time to stop. So, when SDFU members visited Voss in his field the other day with a pre-made lunch, it made his day.

“Getting a lunch from Farmers Union makes me feel appreciated for the work I’m doing,” Voss explains. “My lunches during harvest are normally cold sandwiches eaten on the go. It was nice to have a different lunch for a change.”

Making sure producers feel appreciated and get a complimentary lunch during harvest is the goal of South Dakota Farmers Union Harvest Lunch Program, explains Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director.

“It’s one way SDFU can say ‘thank you’ to South Dakota family farmers for what they do to feed the rest of us and care for the land,” Hofhenke says. “These people are the workforce behind our state’s No. 1 industry.”

Each harvest season, Hofhenke and other Farmers Union staff set out and visit cooperative elevators handing out hundreds of lunches to farmers as they pull through to unload grain.

“We make sure to stop into fields if we see someone out combining,” Hofhenke says.

“We don’t want anyone to be forgotten.”

Bill Timm, General Manager of Wheat Growers cooperative in Wolsey, shares Farmers Union’s goal in recognizing farmers’ hard work.

“It’s something we can do that we know they appreciate,” Timm says. “It is like another silent ‘thank you’ to our farmers during one of their busiest times of year.”

Like the farmers they work with, Timm recognizes the impact changing weather patterns have on the harvest process and the bushels they are getting from their crops.

“Harvest has been a little later this year, but it’s going good,” Timm says. “Most farmers are surprised with the bushels they are getting because of the amount of rain we got.”

To learn more about South Dakota Farmers Union, visit www.sdfu.org. ■ by Christina Dexter, Legislative Specialist

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Marion-Central Farmer’s Elevator

ers Oldham-Prairie Ag Partn

Redfield-Redfield Energy

ont Co-op Elevator Sisseton-Wheaton Dum

Wolsey Wheat Growers

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Rural Communities Get Creative To Provide Childcare

Children play happily in the sandbox at Energy Capital Cooperative Childcare, rural North Dakota communities’ solution to quality, stable and affordable childcare.

Childcare Continued on Page 15

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ince their son, Tate was born four years ago, finding quality, stable childcare has been an on-going challenge for Loni and Travis Brown.

When Tate was a newborn, Loni, who had been working as a Building Specialist at Cammack Ranch Supply in Union Center, quit her job and began working in the infant room at a Sturgis daycare center so she could remain his primary caregiver.

Soon however, Loni knew she needed to find a job that provided the family with healthcare benefits. The daycare didn’t offer benefits and benefits through Travis’ employer, at that time, were too expensive.

When she began working for Black Hills Credit Union, Loni found an in-home daycare for Tate. “In-home care just seemed like an overall better environment for him. It was more personal and hands-on. It was also a more calm environment because there were only 10 kids versus the center’s 70,” she explains.

Then, about the time she went on maternity leave with their daughter, Maysa, their childcare provider notified the families she cared for that she would be closing her business.

Loni and Travis reconsidered the daycare center, but now that they had two children, the $1,000-a-month price tag didn’t fit their family budget.

So, she and a co-worker teamed up to pay for a nanny.

Then, the nanny took a different job.

At this point, Loni’s co-worker’s husband decided to modify his work schedule and work weekends, so he could stay at home during the week with their two children as well as the Brown’s two children.

“He’s been watching them for about a month now and so far it’s going well,” Loni explains. “There are very few people who I genuinely trust to watch my children and I trust him.”

Unfortunately, the challenges the Browns face when it comes to childcare are not unique. Finding quality, affordable childcare is a challenge for many South Dakota parents, explains Shelby Bergeson, Early Childhood Specialist for The Right Turn Inc., a nonprofit organization which as part of their mission, provides training and technical assistance to state licensed daycare providers.

“Even here in Pierre, it can be difficult to find childcare. And, because of the ratio of children to childcare providers, it can be especially difficult, in smaller communities like Gregory or Burke, where there simply are not many childcare options,” Bergeson explains.

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Statewide childcare is enough of an issue, that childcare became part of the policy discussion during the 2016 South Dakota Farmers Union State Convention.

The topic was introduced by Tammy Basel, a Union Center rancher and grandmother of four.

“Protecting our youth is vitally important. As off-farm income and insurance benefits become essential to maintaining many family farms and ranches, most often one parent, and sometimes both, need offfarm/ranch work. Childcare for farm and ranch kids is necessary today,” explains Basel, who became aware of the issue when her granddaughter Lily was born.

Lily’s mom, CJ, works about 16 miles from the ranch, for Cammack Ranch Supply. After she missed days of work when various babysitters quit, Lily’s aunt, Shilo LaMont, stepped in and offered to watch her along with her three children, who are now school age.

Produc g n

rs o y Co n f e r e n c e JANUARY 26-27, 2018 Cambria Hotel & Suites • Rapid City SD 3333 Outfitters Road, Rapid City Hotel Rooms & Meals Provided

TOPICS INCLUDE

• • •

Telling the Story of Ag/Ag Advocacy South Dakota One Health Initiative Colors and Communication The Next Step

UNION FARMER

• • •

(But not limited to):

Current Rural Issues and Trends Marketing Updates for Tough Times Farm Bill Updates and Current Trends

Young Agricultural Producers

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UNION FARMER Neighbors Continued from Page 6 acres reached out to neighbors in need.

“It is always refreshing to be from South Dakota because when times are tough, South Dakota farmers and ranchers step up and lend a helping hand,” says Jamie White, Acting State Executive Director for South Dakota Farm Service Agency (FSA). “Many with CRP acres eligible for emergency hay or grazing, who did not have livestock, did make those acres available – sometimes to a neighbor and sometimes to someone multiple counties away.”

This was the case for Farmers Union member and Salem farmer Jim Wahle. Although he began his farming career with cattle, he sold the last of his herd in the late 1990s and today is strictly a crop producer with several acres of marginal ground enrolled in CRP. Wahle reached out to Wessington Springs cattle producers Dick and Scott Kolousek.

“I understand what it’s like to have livestock and go through a drought,” Wahle says. “In 1976 we were in a drought and we cut silage, we baled road ditches, we did everything we could to get the livestock through. That’s what this drought reminded me of.”

Jim’s offer was much needed.

“We’ve never had it this bad before,” says Scott.

“Dad is 72, the last bad drought he saw was 1976 and he says this was worse.”

To make it through, the Kolouseks had sold some cow/calf pairs in July because they didn’t have enough Wessington Springs cattle producers Dick and Scott Kolousek say the CRP grass Jim Wahle summer pasture. gve them to bale will help get their herd through the winter.

They baled nearly 30 President. miles of road ditches and still didn’t have enough “It made me feel good to help someone out hay to carry their herd through the winter. When Jim called Dick, they were thinking they would who needed the feed,” says Jim. need to sell more pairs to have enough hay to The day after Jim offered his CRP acres to carry their herd through winter.

Scott and Dick, they filled out the necessary “I don’t know how to put it into words. It is FSA paperwork and drove the 90 miles to begin humbling to think that Jim thought to help us,” cutting and baling the more than 200 tons of explains Scott. “Dad and Jim only knew each hay that came off of his CRP ground. “The hay other through Farmers Union meetings.”

Jim gave us is the only way we have enough Dick is the Jerauld County Farmers Union feed for our herd this winter,” says Scott. “It was a President and Jim served as the District 2 lifesaver.” ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU

Get to Know...

Farmers Union Insurance Agents Andrew and Jessica Mefferd

F

or Andrew and Jessica Mefferd, their agency’s recent move to Pierre meant an opportunity for them and their young family to come home.

“We became agents and started our Mitchell office in 2015,” Andrew explains.

“The move to Pierre has landed us closer to our family and friends, which has been a great blessing to us both. It has also been a great opportunity for the growth of our agency and expanding our customer base with Farmers Union.”

Becoming insurance agents was never in the Mefferds’ life plan, but when opportunity arose, they were excited to jump on board with Farmers Union.

“I cannot imagine a better fit for Andrew and I than Farmers Union,” says Jessica. “We are able to protect the things that matter most to our clients and that’s an honor and responsibility we take very seriously. We joined a great dynamic, the other agents in our association are like family, always willing to help and encourage each other.”

Prior to owning their agency, the Mefferds dealt with a hectic and demanding work schedule, limiting their family time. Now the couple views their business partnership as a

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way to make time for their family and each other. “ S o m e people ask ‘How do you work with your wife every day?’ I get to spend every day with my best friend. Who wouldn’t want that?” Andrew says. “No one gets to determine the amount of time they have, why not take advantage of the time we do.”

The Mefferds are challenged with staying up to date on the constantly changing issues impacting their rural area.

“Healthcare is in the headlines everywhere, it’s an ever-changing beast that has left many in our area confused and concerned about their options,” Jessica says. “We put in a lot of time and training to keep up with the industry and provide knowledgeable options and answers to our clients.”

For the Mefferds, knowing their clients is

UNION FARMER

“AT THE END OF THE DAY, I WANT EVERYONE WE SERVE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE AND CONFIDENT THAT NOT ONLY DO WE CARE ABOUT THEM, BUT WE HAVE THEIR BEST INTEREST IN MIND.” – Jessica Mefferd key to good and reliable customer service.

“The big thing with health insurance is getting to know the people it’s covering,” Andrew says. “Not every plan will work for everyone and you have to make sure they are comfortable and understand what they are getting.”

Access to affordable and quality healthcare is no small issue to the Mefferd family as they raise their four children, Lincoln, 13, Natalie, 6, Breckin, 4, and Lily, 1.

To connect with the Mefferds, email them at amefferd.fui@gmail.com or call 605-2227979. ■

NOVEMBER 2017

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UNION FARMER Election Time!

GET TO KNOW THE CANDIDATES WHO ARE DEDICATED TO SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION AND EAGER TO SERVE YOU. are at risk from regulations, policies or markets.

As the leader of this organization, I will continue to fight each day to ensure that those in control hear the voice of South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers.

I am not afraid to be the mouthpiece of our family farmer and rancher members – even when what we have to say is not popular. ■

W

Doug Sombke, SDFU President on his Conde farm

DOUG SOMBKE has served as President

of South Dakota Farmers Union since 2005. He is running for another two-year term.

Doug is a fourth-generation crop and livestock farmer who continues to remain involved in his family’s Conde farm. Since he began serving as SDFU President, his three sons have taken over managing the day-to-day farm operations. His sons also operate value-added enterprises from the farm.

He and his wife, Mel, have three grandchildren.

In his role as President of S.D. Farmers Union, Doug has served on the board of directors for Farmers Union Industries, an organization that is made up of several businesses – the dividends of which go to help fund Farmers Union organizations in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin as well as Farmers Union Enterprise programs and National Farmers Union.

In 2017, Doug was named President of this organization. Like the organizations it supports, Farmers Union Industries also focuses on funding policy and advocacy. In 2014, Doug was among the Farmers Union Enterprise board members who traveled to the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis to discuss the important role family farmers play in food security as well as the fact that most food produced in the U.S. is produced by family farmers.

How will you use your Farmers Union experience to continue to serve the organization and membership moving forward?

I first became actively involved in Farmers Union during the Farm Crisis of the ‘80s. Throughout the years of legislative days, policy meetings, panel discussions and D.C. Fly-Ins, I gained a deep respect for the work this organization does to provide a voice to South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers and their rural communities.

Having served the members of this organization for more than a decade, I have learned that the best way to serve is to listen to what our members are saying and watch their actions.

By listening, I have been able to better lead our

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organization as we elevate the concerns through our grassroots policy development from the local level to our state government and beyond.

Times have changed since I was a young farmer.

Young farmers starting out today may voice similar concerns, however it is obvious, based on their actions that our organization cannot effectively serve them the same way it served me and other young farmers in the ‘80s.

By observing today’s new and beginning farmers, I have been able to guide changes which makes our organization more approachable.

Today, along with this copy of the Union Farmer, SDFU engages younger members through social media, like Facebook and Twitter.

We provide leadership training through our Young Producers events and REAL programming.

And, when there is an issue – whether it is a large cooperative contemplating a merger, disaster relief funding, a new farm bill or meandered water – our team brings experts to our members’ home communities to discuss these topics and receive input.

The next generation has responded. We’ve seen an uptick in engagement among young family farmers – who together with their families are walking the halls of government – in Pierre and D.C. What is it about Farmers Union that makes you want to continue to serve the organization and its membership as President?

I love this organization because it gives a voice to family farmers and ranchers.

I am a farmer. Farming is all I ever wanted to do.

It’s my passion.

I have made it my lifelong goal to work to advance the future of family farmers and ranchers any way I can. I gave up my daily involvement in my family’s farm to serve this organization because I want to ensure the next generation of farm and ranch kids have the opportunity to farm and ranch.

As a father to three young farmers in their 20s, I have skin in the game. Every day, our livelihoods

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S

AYNE OREN is a third-generation farmer who raises corn, soybeans, wheat and operates a cow/calf herd near Lake Preston.

Nearly three decades ago, Dallas Tonsager invited him to a meeting where the National Farmers Union president spoke. A few months later, Dallas invited Wayne to another meeting where he got to hear Leland Swenson speak.

Impressed by the leadership of Farmers Union, Wayne decided this was an organization he needed to join.

Jumping in with both feet, Wayne began carving out time in his busy farm and fathering schedule for county meetings, Pierre Legislative Days and D.C. Fly-Ins (Wayne’s wife, Vicki, works full-time off the farm, so when their boys, Jason and Ryan were growing up, the boys spent time with Wayne helping him on the farm in lieu of daycare).

It wasn’t long before his active membership became active leadership. First, as President of Kingsbury County Farmers Union, then as a County Counselor, District 3 President and in 2010, Wayne was appointed to serve as the South Dakota Farmers Union Vice President.

How will you use your Farmers Union experience to continue to serve the organization and membership moving forward?

Throughout the years that I have been actively involved in Farmers Union, I am constantly impressed with the grassroots’ changes we are able to make in our state to improve the lives and livelihoods of South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers.

I have seen the power sharing our story has on impacting positive change for family farmers and ranchers.

As I have participated in lobbying efforts in Pierre and D.C., I have been surprised by how much time it takes to impact change.

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UNION FARMER Experience has also taught me that patience and persistence are key.

When an issue is important to our membership, I will not give up lobbying for it.

In my leadership role, I have shared this message with our members because waiting for positive change can get frustrating. However, we must never give up. I also believe that positive change requires some give and take. To be an effective leader, I believe it is important to figure out how to strike a balance with political leaders to reach a positive outcome.

What is it about Farmers Union that makes you want to continue to serve the organization and its membership as Vice President?

There are a couple reasons.

Childcare Continued from Page 12 “There are no daycare options around here.

This not only impacts farm and ranch families but if you are a rural business who needs employees, childcare becomes an issue that not only impacts families, but employers. It becomes a community issue,” Basel says.

Solving the childcare challenge together Acknowledging the need for quality childcare and its importance to attracting professionals to live and work in a community, in some rural areas, business leaders have teamed up to develop creative solutions.

This is the case in Tulare, the rural community where Roxanne and Eric Knock returned after receiving their post graduate educations. Roxanne works as a staff nutritionist for Dakotaland Feeds and Eric is a veterinarian and partner at Prairie View Veterinary Clinics.

The couple has four young children, Rylee, 8; RaeAnna, 6; Rielle, 3; and Roy, 1 – and very demanding schedules. They rely on the Tulare Daycare to care for their children when they are working.

The nonprofit is run by the Tulare Development Corporation in a building the Development Corporation owns and maintains.

It is led by a parent and community board of directors.

“Our community recognizes the importance of childcare,” explains Roxanne. “Without this daycare, finding childcare would be chaotic.”

She explains that outside of Tulare, the closest daycare would be 30 miles away. “It’s nice to know that while we are working, our kids are playing with their cousins and neighbors.”

Roxanne currently serves on the board. She appreciates the value the Tulare Daycare placed on parental input and involvement– as does daycare supervisor and director Kaylee Cole.

“The parents are great. I can’t image my life without working with these kids and getting to know their families,” says Cole.

Parent and community buy-in are essential factors when it comes to adapting creative, community-based solutions to childcare, explains Erin Huntimer.

Huntimer works for Basin Electric Power Cooperative as the Project Coordinations Representative. Her daily duties recently included helping the North Dakota-based

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First, our youth programming. To my knowledge, there is not another agriculture organization or commodity group out there who is investing as much time, resources and energy in educating children on agriculture, leadership, farm safety and cooperatives as South Dakota Farmers Union.

Our educational programming is critical for the future of our family farms, ranches and rural communities.

The second is our organization’s more than a century-old connection to cooperatives.

The cooperative model continues to make a positive difference in the lives of South Dakota’s citizens. And, it continues to evolve. Along with the grain, telephone and electric cooperatives my

grandpa Chester was familiar with, the cooperative model continues to be used to meet rural needs – think local food, childcare, retirement housing and credit unions.

Farmers Union’s legacy is rooted in advocating for cooperatives. I will work to continue our support for the cooperative model and providing cooperative education to South Dakotans.

I believe our cooperative mission is even more important today, as folks are further removed from the days when everyone understood the cooperative model because it was the rural cooperative that brought electricity and phone service to their rural farms, ranches and communities. ■

cooperative open a childcare center in rural Mercer County.

When she first took on the task, Huntimer trusted the cooperative business model to help meet the growing need among their employees for local, quality and affordable childcare.

“It was my natural instinct to turn to the cooperative business model that has been used so extensively to help fill the needs of underserved areas,” explains the mom of two; Vander, 4, and KayLee, 10.

Reaching out to the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives was among her first steps. Turns out the organization had actually tried to open a daycare in another community, but community buy-in wasn’t what it needed to be.

“The good news here was that we had buy-in, we just did not know how,” Huntimer says.

She explains that before picking up the phone to call the association, Basin Electric reached out to other local employers to see if their employees were expressing similar childcare challenges. These seven businesses utilized feedback gathered by a survey conducted by Mercer County Economic Development, of community members and parents to determine if the idea of a daycare cooperative would appeal to them or not.

“When you’re faced with a problem and you don’t know the solution, one of the best things you can do is talk about it,” she says.

A year after leaders from the seven companies sat down with Basin Electric to visit, Energy Capital Cooperative Childcare opened its doors.

Listening to the needs of parents in the community, the daycare center is open extended hours, features a large outdoor space, does not rely on TV to entertain children and offers childcare/payment options that fit parents’ work schedules whether their needs are drop-in, parttime, shift or full-time.

The center is housed in an old church building that community members helped renovate to fit the needs of the daycare. Located on an expansive lawn, a fence was donated by Coyote Station, a founding partner in the project, so children can safely spend time outdoors.

“My kids are outside playing most days

when I pick them up. Having plenty of time to play outside was important to many parents,” explains Laura Dronen, a Process Engineering Supervisor for Basin Electric subsidiary Dakota Gasification Company.

Dronen and her husband, Jon, who is also employed with Basin Electric, have two young children, Caitlin, 7, and Dillon, 5. Their childcare story is similar to the Browns. By the time Dillon was 4, they’d had two in-home providers close their doors and an au pair/nanny change careers. The childcare instability nearly ended with Dronen quitting her job to stay home with her children.

In her case, timing was everything. “I was talking with my manager one day and told him, that things were getting to the point where I think I am going to have to quit because there is no one to watch our children. He said, ‘slow down a minute here, let’s see if we can come up with something.’”

This was the conversation which led to bringing Huntimer on board to see what options were possible to help address the childcare issue for Basin Electric employees, as well as the employees of area businesses.

The Dronens were among a group of parents who helped renovate the church and were actively involved in providing feedback.

Today, their children are among more than 50 who enjoy spending time at Energy Capital Cooperative Childcare while their parents work in banks, hospitals, nursing homes and for Basin Electric in Mercer County.

“Don’t underestimate the value of rural electric and telephone cooperatives when it comes to solving issues which impact rural communities,” Huntimer says. ■ by Lura Roti for SDFU

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UNION FARMER Roger Johnson National Farmers Union President

L

ast month, during the Fall Legislative Fly-In, 350 Farmers Union members traveled to the nation’s capital to speak with members of Congress about the most important issues they’re facing, including the farm safety net, renewable fuels and access to healthcare. Though they have since departed, NFU is still busy advocating for those same issues in D.C. In August, NFU launched a new initiative to encourage the transition to homegrown, renewable energy. As part of that initiative, the organization is advocating for the Renewable Fuel Standard, E30 and higher blends of ethanol and advanced biofuels. Additionally, NFU has ramped up its 2018 Farm Bill activities, urging lawmakers to provide an adequate safety net, address corporate consolidation in agribusiness, and strengthen the legislation’s conservation title. As the farm bill process progresses, NFU will continue to advocate on behalf of this nation’s family farmers and ranchers as well as the rural communities in which they reside.

NFU Provides Administration with Pathway to Expanded Ethanol Use Between a persistently weak farm economy and grain surpluses, family farmers and ranchers have had a tough go of it for the past several years. But there is a bright spot among the agricultural gloom and doom: biofuels.

Biofuels, including ethanol and advanced biofuels, offer myriad benefits. For farmers, they open new markets and cuts into surpluses, thus bolstering incomes and stabilizing prices. At the same time, biofuel production brings thousands of new, good-paying jobs to rural communities, strengthening local economies and stemming rural flight. The advantages extend beyond the communities in which ethanol is produced: wider adoption of biofuels decreases transportation fuel prices for consumers, reduces American dependence on foreign fuel sources, improves air quality and decreases carbon emissions.

The current state of the farm economy, coupled with biofuels’ potential to mitigate the problem, has led National Farmers Union to promote policies that support the production and adoption of biofuels. In October, NFU President Roger Johnson submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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(EPA) outlining regulatory changes that would promote use of higher blends of ethanol. A week prior, NFU joined 10 prominent biofuel organizations to urge the agency to maintain its commitment to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Additionally, Johnson joined the advisory board of New Energy America, a new organizations created to promote clean energy jobs in rural America.

These actions are part of NFU’s larger initiative, launched in September, to promote legislative and regulatory solutions for expanding markets for higher blends of ethanol and advanced biofuels.

Farmer Fair Practices Rules Due to Go Into Effect The Farmer Fair Practices Rules’ (FFPR) “competitive injury” provision is due to go into effect in late October. The rule will eliminate the unreasonable burden for livestock producers to be able to sue for abusive practices, they must prove that harm was done to the entire industry rather than just to themselves.

NFU and the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association released a joint statement emphasizing the importance of FFPR and urging U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to allow the rule to be finalized on schedule.

The FFPR, once known as the Grain Inspectors, Packers and Stockyards Act (GIPSA) rules, are intended to protect farmers from fraudulent and anti-competitive practices that are all too common in the highly-concentrated livestock and poultry sectors. However, for almost a decade, Congress has prevented the rules from being fully implemented through the appropriations process.

This particular rule, which is a clarification that is required for family farmers to remain protected under the Packers and Stockyards Act, has been debated thoroughly for the past seven years – the U.S. Department of Agriculture has solicited comments and rewritten it several times, only to have industry groups funded by the meatpacking conglomerates stall their progress through backchannel legislative and regulatory means. This has occurred at the expense of family farmers and ranchers, who have long been waiting for the basic protections the rule will offer.

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Farm Bill Should Address Corporate Consolidation In a letter sent earlier this month, NFU joined a coalition of 210 farm, rural, worker and consumer advocacy groups to urge Congress to address the lack of competition in the food chain.

Farmers and ranchers have been dealing with rapid consolidation in the industries that both supply and buy from their operations over the past several decades. It is hard to think of a sector in which this isn’t true – fertilizer, seeds, agrichemicals, biotechnology, farm machinery, meatpacking, cane sugar processing, food distribution, processed food and supermarkets are all heavily consolidated, with only a handful of companies controlling the majority of the market.

This level of consolidation has serious consequences. As the letter notes, “the consolidated economic power in the hands of few agribusiness and food companies captures most of the economic value in the food system, leaving little for farmers, workers and consumers throughout the food chain. These trends play a significant role in the ill health of our rural economy.”

This manifests itself in several ways. For one, input producers are able to increase the cost farmers must pay, while meatpackers and supermarkets lower prices paid to farmers and ranchers, cutting already slim profit margins.

At the same time, consumer prices continue to rise. This can wreak havoc on rural communities, as small and mid-size farms are priced out of the market. Consolidation removes money and power from local communities, leading to rural depopulation and depletion of essential services and infrastructure. Additionally, monopolies and oligopolies have little motivation to compete or innovate, leaving farmers and consumers with fewer and worse choices.

NFU and the rural coalition are urging Congress to include common sense protections to level the playing field for farmers, workers and consumers by prioritizing antitrust enforcement, anticompetitive behavior and market transparency.

The Washington Corner can also be found at www.nfu.org/corner. ■ Current as of October 15, 2017

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UNION FARMER South Dakota

From the President....

Our Legacy with CHS & Other Cooperatives

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HS annual convention is upon us. In case you didn’t know, Farmers Union built CHS, which began as Farmers Union Central Exchange.

How many of us in rural America are familiar with the time-tested cooperatives that built financial stability and market access for farmers and ranchers in the early part of the last century?

Farm supply co-ops and their federated systems – like the Farmers Union Central Exchange, later Cenex and now CHS – helped farmers get access to feed, seed and equipment.

Rural electric cooperatives brought light and power to barns and homes of people unserved by investor-owned utilities.

Telephone cooperatives (known today as telecommunication cooperatives) first connected rural neighbors via party lines to each other and their urban cousins. Today, these cooperatives provide internet access, mobile phone services and cable television to their owners.

The Farm Credit System and marketing coops helped farmers finance, move and process the natural resources of the countryside converting them into goods for a hungry nation and world.

The story of cooperatives doesn’t end there.

Many rural communities and small towns are served by hardware stores. Oftentimes these stores are True Value hardware stores.

What many farmer co-op members may not realize, is these store owners are co-op members too.

True Value represents a somewhat hidden sector – purchasing cooperatives – which allow independent retailers to have access to

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A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

Doug Sombke SDFU President

the benefits, insurance and advertising clout of much bigger businesses – while retaining local ownership and control on Main Streets across the country.

These cooperatives are all governed by patron-owners serving as board members representing all members of the cooperative.

As cooperative members, each of us has a duty to ensure our businesses stay focused, dedicated and fiscally strong so these cooperatives can successfully serve generations into the future.

Celebrating our cooperatives’ past is a wonderful tool we can all learn from. I am confident SDFU members are living up to the challenge.

Whatever the future cooperatives may look like, SDFU is together with our members, doing our part for a better future. By keeping up on business news, visiting with board members and attending annual meetings, patrons play a vital role in a cooperative’s success. Sharing thoughts and ideas of the business and stepping up to serve in leadership are also crucial for a cooperative’s success.

Remember, a cooperative is only as successful as patron-owners make it. I encourage our members to take pride in their cooperative businesses. Be part of the cooperative. Take an active role. Act like the owner that you are.

God Bless all you do,

Like us for updates, photos news, and so much more. https://www.facebook.com/ South-Dakota-FarmersUnion-277721538812/ Follow us for the latest legislative updates and news. https://twitter.com/sdfarmers union

South Dakota Union Farmer, ISSN 0745-8797, publishes 10 times per calendar year, with issues printed in January, February, March, April, May/June, July/August, September, October, November and December. Periodical postage paid at Madison, S.D. POSTMASTER: Address changes to: SDFU, PO Box 1388, Huron, S.D. 57350-1388

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

SDFU State Office Staff Karla Hofhenke.......ext. 114 Executive Director Huron Kayla Foreman ........ext. 118 Controller Miller

Christina Dexter. ......ext 122 Legislative Specialist Huron

Kecia Beranek ..........ext. 113 Communications Specialist Miller

Luanne Thompson ..ext. 111 Administrative Assistant Virgil

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

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

Rachel Haigh-Blumeext. 125 Education Director Tulare

SDFU Board of Directors Doug Sombke.........President Groton

Wayne Soren... Vice President Lake Preston Terry Sestak ...............District I Tabor Jim Wahle..................District II Salem Gail Temple ............. District III Clark

Contact NFU

Doug Sombke SDFU President

mail to: sdfu@sdfu.org

WAYS TO CONNECT WITH US

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Follow us for photos taken around the state and #FlashbackFriday. https://twitter.com/farmers union View videos at the South Dakota Farmers Union Channel. https://www.youtube.com/ user/sdfarmersunion

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

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

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

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

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

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 2017

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UNION FARMER E30 Continued from Page 1

understand ethanol and the benefits it will have for the county fleet,” Kippley said. “We will see no adverse effects on the engines and the power is comparable to fuels with low blends of ethanol.”

The benefits Kippley refers to include a higher octane rating than does pure gasoline, it is a homegrown renewable fuel and it benefits local economies. The county commission meeting was attended by Glacial Lakes Energy, a Watertown-based ethanol production facility. Kippley’s idea stemmed from Glacial Lakes Energy’s E30 Challenge. The challenge encouraged customers fueling at stations with blender pumps to choose E30.

“The presentation our commission received from Glacial Lakes was just so compelling,” Kippley says. “We were provided with research that backed every positive claim for fuels with higher blends of ethanol. They provided data from test vehicles and mapped out average savings. I encourage all other county commissions and municipalities in South Dakota to review these benefits and take the challenge.”

Some of the data Glacial Lakes’ presentation featured included E30 blend’s ability to increase available horsepower and torque, to typically maintain fuel economy and to reduce harmful cancer causing carcinogens found in gasoline.

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Joining Kippley in support of the county fleet’s transition to E30 was fellow commissioner and area farmer Tom Fischbach.

“I have been using E30 for as long as I can remember,” Fischbach says. “We have four ethanol plants close to Aberdeen that have helped stimulate our local economy.”

Fischbach explains that the benefits higher blends of ethanol bring to not only vehicles but to the community itself prove to be unmatchable. For example, by fueling up with E30, Brown County will save roughly $12,000 annually, hugely impacting the county budget.

“By challenging the highway, sheriff’s and emergency department heads to develop a plan to transition to E30, we are supporting Brown County farmers,” Fischbach says. “Everybody

UNION FARMER

realizes it’s a renewable and affordable fuel that is produced in our own community, the environmental benefits are just a bonus.”

As a South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) member, Kippley’s efforts in Brown County have not gone unnoticed.

“I think Rachel has done a great job as a member in demonstrating what this organization stands for by helping family farmers and rural communities,” SDFU President Doug Sombke says. “She is using her position as county commission chairwoman to be a good public servant and recognize what is best for the community.”

Sombke sees members like Kippley as a way to advance SDFU policy and efforts when it comes to promoting higher blends of ethanol.

“Rachel is recognizing what ethanol has done for the state of South Dakota and its communities,” Sombke says. “This move for Brown County is just the beginning. We hope to see other counties in South Dakota follow their lead.”

To learn more about the role South Dakota Farmers Union plays in supporting South Dakota’s ethanol industry, visit www.sdfu.org. ■

By Christina Dexter, SDFU Legislative Specialist

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UNION FARMER Order Your Own Copy of the Farmers Union Centennial Cookbook

THANK YOU SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION Thank you so much for featuring our family in your October issue of the Farmers Union magazine. We feel truly honored and Lura did a fantastic job! The Shutterfly book is such a special treat. The grandkids love looking at all the pictures and actually reading it!

Sincerely, Gary & Angie Hanson & family

Farmers Union signs available

~ Departings ~

Cookbooks are $15 plus tax and shipping. Contact Pam Evenson, 605-352-6761, ext 116, to place your order today!

Births

Congratulations to Jason and Ashley Frerichs on the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth Grace on Oct. 29, 6 lbs. ,12 oz., and 17.5 inches of pure joy according to the proud new dad.

Harold Schaunaman, 91, of Aberdeen, passed away Oct. 19, 2017. He is survived by his wife, Pauline; seven children – Janet (Ken) Hollister of Westport, Lora A. Schaunaman (Brian Cleberg-Special Friend) of Aberdeen, Jim (Wendy) Schaunaman of Aberdeen, Karen (Melvin) Schanzenbach of Wetonka, Kevin R. Schaunaman of Aberdeen, Paula (Eric) Arnold of Willmar, Minn., and Carol (Chad) Forkrud of Clara City, Minn.; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two brothers – Don (Hazel) Schaunaman and Lyle (Trudy) Schaunaman, both of Aberdeen; and one sister, Ila (Ardel) Ronning of Billings, Mont.

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

The cost per sign is $10 or free with a 5-year or greater membership to Farmers Union.

To get yours today, contact Membership Specialist Pam Evenson at 605-352-6761 ext 116 or at PEvenson@sdfu.org.

COOK’S CORNER

Cold Vegetarian Pizza 2 pkg. crescent rolls 2 (8 oz) cream cheese ¾ c. mayonnaise ¼ c. milk

SDFU CLIP AND SAVE CALENDAR Eleanor Steptoe, Miller, S.D.

2 tsp. dill weed 1 ½ tsp. garlic salt Fresh vegetables, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Press crescent rolls into a jelly roll pan.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool. Combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, milk, dill, and garlic salt. Spread mixture over the crust. Cover with chopped vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, onions, green peppers. Even olives work well for this. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Cut into 24 squares.

WWW.SDFU.ORG

UNION FARMER

NOVEMBER 14 KELO AM Radio Show, Sioux Falls 15 SDFU Foundation Graduate Scholarship Deadline 23-24 State Office Closed Nov. 30- SDFU State Convention, Huron Dec. 1 DECEMBER 9 District II Meeting, Woonsocket 12 KELO AM Radio Show, Sioux Falls 25-26 State Office Closed JANUARY 1 State Office Closed 9 KELO AM Radio Show, Sioux Falls 9 2018 SD Legislative Session, Pierre 15 State Office Closed 23-24 REAL, Session 1, Huron 26-27 Young Producers, Rapid City 26-Feb. 4 Black Hills Stock Show, Rapid City

NOVEMBER 2017

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