November uf

Volume XCVII, NO. 9

Huron, SD

November 2014

South Dakota

Union Farmer A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION Getting to Know Board Member Chad Johnson

Page 14

9th Annual A Night on the Prairie

Page 7

USDA Handles Country-of-Origin-Labeling Ruling National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson said that the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) recent ruling on Countryof-Origin Labeling (COOL) clearly shows U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is headed in the right direction.

“This ruling demonstrates the legitimate nature of the COOL objective and finds that the current labeling rule is an improvement over the original rule, but it remains unbalanced between consumer information and production costs,” said Johnson. “This decision, as it has been issued, will likely be modified on appeal and NFU strongly urges the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to appeal the ruling.”

Johnson moderated the panel discussion, and also joined by Danni Beer, president of U.S. Cattleman’s Association, Patrick Woodall, research director at Food & Water Watch, and Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch, to discuss the details and implications of the WTO ruling.

On Monday, the WTO released the long-awaited, 200-plus page ruling that found the regulatory goal of COOL was WTO-compliant, and that the new 2013 labels provided better, more accurate information for consumers.

“The ruling gives USDA and USTR the opportunity to redefine the rule without the need for see COOL on page 16

Family Farmers – Feeding the World 99th Annual South Dakota Farmers Union State Convention November 20-21, 2014 to be held in Aberdeen, South Dakota

To learn more about SDFU State Convention, turn to page 6.

Ethanol Celebrated with Yellow Dime Days

Page 8

South Dakota Farmers Union Celebrates South Dakota Farm & Ranch Families

Eckmann Farms (L to R) Marvin Eckmann, Scot Eckmann, Colton Eckmann and Rick Eckmann.

To join with the United Nations in celebrating the International Year of Family Farming, South Dakota Farmers Union will highlight a South Dakota farm or ranch family each month.This month South Dakota Farmers Union features the Eckmann family who farms near Cavour, S.D. Like many South Dakota farm families, the Eckmanns raise corn, soybeans and cattle. And, like many of their peers, brothers Rick and Scot own separate farming operations but share labor and equipment. What makes this family’s farm story unique is the fact that while Scot manages his farm conventionally, Rick’s operation is all-natural.

While Rick applies commercial fertilizer and herbicides to his fields, he also applies many natural, soil building products and raises GMO-free crops. He finishes all his own cattle, feeding them the GMO-free grains and forages he raises, and he maintains a drug-free/hormone-free herd.

Some may think this difference in management styles would impact the brothers’ relationship or alter their ability to work together, but it doesn’t.

“We talk about what we each do on our own farms, but it’s not an issue. Even though our farming practices are different, we face many of the same challenges – looking for ways to make it in a year like this when input costs are high and commodity prices are down,” Scot explains.

“We’ve worked together for more than 35 years. I don’t know what we’d do without each other’s help. We are both valuable and play an integral role to each other’s farming operations,” Rick says.

Their dad, Marvin, 82, also helps out the fourth-generation farmers, as does Rick’s son, Colton, 26, who also works full-time off the farm as a diesel mechanic for James River Equipment in Huron. see Farming Today on page 9

Union Farmer Around the State with South Dakota Farmers Union Thank You South Dakota Farmers Union

South Dakota Farmers Union would like to extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have recently lost a loved one

Thank you for selecting me as one of your Stanley Moore scholarship recipients. I am very honored to receive this scholarship.

This will be used for my tuition and books.

I am double majoring in Agriculture Business and Communication. I am also riding on the Women’s Equestrian team.

Thank you once again, Joellen Gonsoir

Carl M. Lindblad age 86, of Wolsey, passed away Sunday, October 5, 2014

Evelyn Mae “Evie” Bruckner age 76, of Aberdeen, passed away Saturday, October 18, 2014 Mother of Doug Bruckner, FUSA Accountant

Clip and Save Calendar November

Ola Bushfield from Hitchcock

celebrated her 90

th

birthday

on October 16

NEWS, EVENTS AND MORE ONLINE NOW!

www.SDFU.org

Cook’s Corner To celebrate Farmers Union’s Centennial, we will be releasing a cookbook and we’re calling on Farmers Union members to contribute.

Please send your favorite recipes to khofhenke@sdfu.org or submit them through our website www.sdfu.org. Each month we’ll select one recipe to feature in the Union Farmer’s Cook’s Corner.

Apple Torte Submitted by: Dee Battest, Member, from Clark

5 5-6 20-21 27-28

District IV meeting, Sargent’s, Winner REAL Session 1, Mitchell SDFU State Convention State Office Closed

December 24-26 State Office Closed

January 2015 1 13 17-21 30-31

State Office Closed Legislative Session Starts, Pierre NFU Women’s Conference in Clearwater, Fl. Young Producers, Deadwood

February 2015 2-3 REAL Session 2, Pierre 3 Legislative Day, Pierre 3-5 Two year Trip, Pierre 19-22 College Conference on Cooperatives, MN Visit the Events section at www.sdfu.org for more details on upcoming events.

Ingredients: 1/2 cup shortening│ 1 cup sugar │ 1 tsp. vanilla 2 eggs │ 2 cups flour │ 1/2 tsp. salt │ 2 tsp. baking soda │ 4 chopped unpeeled apples 3/4 cups nuts │ 1/2 tsp. cloves │ 1 tsp. cinnamon

Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease 9x13 pan. │ 2. Cream fi rst four ingredients together.

3. Stir in flour, salt, baking soda, cloves and cinnamon. │ 4. Fold in nuts and apples.

5. Bake for 30-40 minutes. Check with a toothpick

2

November 2014

Union Farmer

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

South Dakota Farmers Union Jr. REAL Fall Session Recap Farmers Union is developing future leaders through the Jr. REAL (Rural Economic and Leadership Development Program) program which brings leadership development and life skills training to rural high schools throughout South Dakota.

This year, Jr. REAL will reach about 1,000 students.

“We focus on rural high schools because they may not have the opportunity to bring in leadership development speakers that larger schools do,” explains Kristen Fink, Leadership Program Specialist of the youth version of the adult REAL program.

“We also target rural schools in hopes that this leadership program encourages students to come back as leaders for these rural communities.”

When organizing the program, Fink invites top-notch speakers to present during the one-day program which began its fall session traveling to the following high

schools: Britton/Hecla, Sioux Valley/Volga, Groton and Colman-Egan/Flandreau.

“This is a great opportunity for Farmers Union to invest in tomorrow’s future.The program is designed to encourage students to become leaders, get involved in their community and prepare them for life after high school by giving them commonsense tips to avoid credit and identity theft and advice to build credit,” Fink says.

Speakers for the 2014 Jr. REAL fall session Malcom Chapman, owner of The Chapman Group; Holly Hoffman, owner of Inner Depth, LLC; Cast member of Survivor: Nicaragua, season 21; Geri Ann Eide, owner of GANE Leadership Consulting; John Beranek, owner of Intersections Consulting; Rebecca Long, Graphic Designer for SD Farmers Union; and Dr.Tim Nichols, Dean of Honors College, South Dakota State University. ■

Geri Ann Eide, owner of GANE Leadership Consulting

Malcom Chapman, owner of The Chapman Group

Holly Hoffman, owner of Inner Depth, LLC; Cast member of Survivor: Nicaragua, season 21 Holly Hoffman and Colman-Egan student, Baylee Groos

Dr. Tim Nichols, Dean of Honors College, SDSU

www.sdfu.org

Rebecca Long, Graphic Designer for SD Farmers Union

Union Farmer

November 2014

3

Union Farmer

Celebrate South Dakota’s Cooperatives: Member-Owned & Member Led For Almost A Century business with their co-op, they to fuel, home-heating and electric services, and are investing in their future.” providing farmers and ranchers with inputs and Investing in the future has supplies. become a large focus of many “People continue to see the value in owning South Dakota cooperatives, what they use,” explains Brenda Forman, Executive explains Don Truhe, General Director of South Dakota Association of Manager of Southeast Farmers Cooperatives. “The principles of member-owned Coop. “As our farmers become and member-used, upon which all cooperatives are bigger and faster, so does our based, resonate today just as they did well over cooperative. With our purchasing a century ago when South Dakota’s cooperative power, we can buy the best movement began. I liken cooperatives to farmers equipment and technology taking care of the land for the next generation. to meet today’s needs and Cooperatives are here for the next generation.” tomorrow’s challenges,” Truhe To remain relevant, cooperatives have had to says. adapt, explains Jeff Dragseth, General Manager of Headquartered in Elk Point, CBH Cooperatives, headquartered in Sturgis with Truhe explains that across the several fuel, home heating, feed and agronomy state, communities have seen locations throughout South Dakota’s Northern Wayne Soren (left), SDFU Vice President offers Paul Casper (right), Lake Preston their local cooperatives merge to Black Hills. area farmer, a sack lunch as part of Farmers Union Harvest Lunches program. expand their purchasing power “The cooperative business model continues to For many of South Dakota’s rural communities, and increase the speed and change. I don’t care what your cooperative does cooperatives have served as a lifeline to technology, efficiency of their facilities. or where it’s located, the products and services which have allowed local This purchasing power cooperative has to evolve farmers, ranchers and businesses to grow and goes beyond inputs, Truhe with the needs of its thrive. explains. For the memberowners,” says Dragseth, “Co-ops have played an important role in our owners of Southeast who started with CBH in state’s progress,” explains Doug Sombke, President Farmers Coop, it means 2005. of South Dakota Farmers Union. “When companies access to equipment to At that time the didn’t want to invest in the infrastructure necessary solve current issues like cooperative was at $12.5 to bring electricity, telephone service, fuel and weed resistance. “The million in sales. Today, agriculture inputs to the countryside, our state’s window of time we have the cooperative has farmers and ranchers banded together to form to spray is quite small now expanded from serving member-owned cooperatives.” that many weeds have just community members, developed glyphosateSupporting the cooperative mission by providing Don Truhe, General Manager of Southeast Farmers Coop, farmers and ranchers resistance; farmers can policy support, as well as cooperative education, to headquartered in Elk Point to serving commercial no longer go out and just rural youth is a large focus of S.D. Farmers Union. businesses as well. In 2014 spray one product on all Throughout the month of October, the the cooperative brought in grassroots organization celebrated the valuable role their fields and not worry $70 million in sales. about drift,” Truhe says. cooperatives play in the state by hosting a number “As we grow, change Which is why the of activities including Yellow Dime Days at fuel and look for new cooperative is investing stations: Oct. 16, 2014 at Kusler’s (602 S Main St) opportunities, our in top of the line custom in Aberdeen and Oct. 23, 2014 at Cenex C-Store members reap the benefits spray equipment.

(1601 9th Ave SE) in Watertown. During Yellow through patronage,” Dime Day, for every gallon of E-30 that drivers Looking to the future, Dragseth said. purchased, they received a yellow dime in return. his agronomy team is Educating the next also in the process of Farmers Union also hosted harvest lunches generation of cooperative purchasing a drone to for farmers at Deuel County Farmers Union Oil Jeff Dragseth, General Manager of CBH Cooperatives, members has been key to scout members’ fields.

Company in Toronto, Prairie Ag Partners in Lake headquartered in Sturgis. Pictured in front of the CBH Travel S.D. Farmers Union youth “The information this Center located at the junction of Hwy 212 and Hwy 85 in Preston, Southeast Farmers Co-op in Elk Point, education curriculum.

Belle Fourche. drone can provide to our South Dakota Wheat Growers in Andover and Each year more than 2,000 growers, such as nutrient Central Farmers Co-op in Salem.

South Dakota youth attend district and state camps deficiencies, after only 10 to 15 minutes of scouting, Like the farm, cooperative involvement has been where they learn about how cooperatives work is impressive – and can be used to improve yields a part of Sombke’s family for several generations. and the value they bring to their local communities, during the growing season,” Truhe says.

“My grandpa, Alvin, was a founding member of the explains Truhe.

Still Relevant Farmers Union Oil Company of Ferney. He told me “The youth programming Farmers Union does the story of how the farmers joined together to Membership in South Dakota cooperatives provides great value to cooperatives throughout form it because there was no local access to fuel,” continues to remain strong with more than 80,000 the state because by the time these youth are says Sombke, a fourth-generation Conde farmer.

South Dakotans owning shares in more than 160 members, they will understand the importance of “During a recent annual meeting, my dad, Dallas, cooperatives state-wide. getting involved in the leadership decisions and who is 76, held up his $20,000 patronage check to These cooperatives serve a diversity of needs direction of the cooperative business they own,” remind all the young farmers that when they do from telecommunications, banking and marketing Truhe says. ■ By Lura Roti, for SDFU

4

November 2014

Union Farmer

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

South Dakota Farmers Union Hosts National Farmers Union Education Meeting

Geyer explained that exchanging ideas traditions," Geyer said. with her peers gets her motivated for Cathy Statz, the Wisconsin Farmers Union the 2015 camp season. Each summer she Education Director, can relate. Statz, who was among oversees the organization of more than 56 the directors to attend the conference in Huron, day camps and three, 3- to 5-day leadership attended Farmers Union youth activities and camps camps, and a State Leadership Camp. More from the time she was 6. than 2,000 South Dakota rural youth attend She said that along with the fun activities, it was the these camps. cooperative philosophy she was taught at Farmers Union camp that kept her involved through her teen Serving South Dakota Farmers Union as years and beyond. "I am not competitive by nature, so its Education Director since 1997, Geyer the idea of everyone working together and bringing says that although summer youth programs everyone's skills, interests and talents to the table to have always been popular, in recent years enrollment has increased. "It's mostly word- make the world a better place really resonated with of-mouth. One kid has a good time and they me," said Statz, who interned and worked for both Front row from left: Cathy Statz, Wisconsin; Katie Ogaard, North Dakota; the Wisconsin and National Farmers Union camp tell their friends, relatives and neighbors," Maria Miller, NFU; Jennifer Sundeen, North Dakota; Jennifer Bahr, programs during college and then moved into her Geyer explained. "Farmers Union camp Rocky Mountain. Back row from left: Mary Mertens, North Dakota; current role after she graduated in 1997.

Glen Schmidt, Minnesota; Bonnie Geyer, South Dakota; Delisa Clampitt, programming works to empower young During the conference, Statz, Geyer and the other Montana; Sarah Campbell, NFU people to become influential leaders in education directors visited about ways they can their home communities. Camp activities recruit more youth as they age-out of the youth South Dakota Farmers Union recently hosted the encourage them to explore interests and discover programs to become involved in Farmers Union National Farmers Union Education Meeting in their their strengths." adult education state office in Huron.

To keep young programs and take The two-day conference focused on educational “We learn a lot from each other. Although each people returning on leadership roles. programming topics, as well as provided Education of our state education programs is unique, we all year-after-year, "Like many Directors from across the nation with an share the same focus - which is to provide rural youth with multi-generational Geyer said the opportunity to share their best practices and leadership and cooperative educational programming National Farmers organizations, we discuss ways to overcome challenges. that is fun and captures their attention year after year.”

Union provides an are faced with excellent curriculum, "We learn a lot from each other," explained the challenge - Bonnie Geyer, S.D. Farmers Union Education Director Bonnie Geyer, S.D. Farmers Union Education and she works of maintaining with a team of Director and the event's coordinator. "Although members through each of our state education programs is unique, we teens and collegiate their college and early professional years," Geyer all share the same focus - which is to provide rural interns to help her and the many volunteers from said. "We often see them return to Farmers Union youth with leadership and cooperative educational communities across South Dakota plan camp once they have children of their own because they programming that is fun and captures their activities and programming that are fresh and want their own children to experience the same attention year after year." new. "Like all camps, we also have plenty of camp benefits they did as campers." ■

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

November 2014

5

Union Farmer

Family Farmers – Feeding the World: 99th Annual SDFU State Convention November 20-21, 2014 Farmers Union 2014 State Convention is only a few weeks away – are you planning to attend?

Your Board of Directors and State Staff sure hope so!

“As a farmer- and rancher-led grassroots organization, we depend upon our members to provide policy direction for the year ahead during our State Convention,” explains Doug Sombke, S.D. Farmers Union President.

The State Convention will be held in Aberdeen at the Ramkota Hotel & Convention Center (1400 8th Avenue NW) Nov. 20-21, 2014.

During the convention, members discuss what policy issues Farmers Union will focus on during the 2015 Legislative Session, as well as the stance the organization will take. “This is the reason we moved the convention from February to November,” Sombke says. “We wanted to make sure we had clear direction from our members prior to the start of the Legislative Session.”

Some issues expected to take center stage during this year’s convention include: 2014 Farm Bill, E-30, recreational use of flooded private land, infrastructure issues and railroad transportation issues.

Following State Convention, policy positions are shared with Legislators. Speaking from experience, Paul Symens says policy statements are very helpful. A third-generation Amherst

farmer, Symens spent 16 years as a Dist. 1 Senator.

“When you have policy in front of you that states what the state’s agriculture producers desire, it provides Legislators something to work toward – Farmers Union is a well-respected organization in Pierre,” Symens says.

Symens encourages all Farmers Union members to attend the State Convention because “your future is impacted by what government does – whether that is in D.C. or Pierre. Without a spokesman, like Farmers Union, working for you, you don’t have much of a voice – so take this opportunity to decide what that voice will say on your behalf,” Symens says.

Set Aside Two Days & SDFU Spends 12 Months Advocating for You. SDFU understands that as agriculture producers, taking time away from your farm or ranch is challenging. “We know that farmers and ranchers in our state can’t run to Pierre and D.C. every time an issue that impacts them comes up. This is why Farmers Union works to lobby on their behalf,” explains Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director. “This is why it’s important our state’s farmers and ranchers attend State Convention, so they can help draft the policy we’ll be using when we lobby for them.”

State Convention also provides an opportunity for members to weigh in on the organization’s

leadership. During the convention, four board members are up for re-election. These board members are ending a term of service on the board and have been nominated by their respective districts to be confirmed. These include: Terry Sestak, Dist. 1; Franklin Olson, Dist.

3; Dallis Basel, Dist. 5; and Chad Johnson, Dist. 7.

“We are farmer-led. Look at our board of directors; it is made up of producers who, like me, are actively farming and ranching,” Sombke says.

Beyond Policy Discussions In addition to determining policy, the SDFU State Convention is a good place to learn from the experts and gain insight into issues that impact agriculture. This year’s lineup of speakers and panelists provide behind-the-scenes insight and in-depth knowledge into issues which impact agriculture on the state and national level.

“Education is what sets our organization apart from others. It’s our mission to keep our farmers and ranchers informed on issues that impact their communities, farms, ranches and communities,” Hofhenke says.

Take a quick look at the agenda on page 7; then call up a family member, neighbor or friend to take care of things on your farm or ranch so you can spend two days impacting the future of family operations like yours who make up South Dakota’s agriculture industry. ■

Receive FREE Convention Registration and two FREE convention meals and help feed those in need when you bring nonperishable food items with you to the State Convention registration table.

This offer excludes A Night on the Prairie fundraiser Some ideas of nonperishable food items include: • Canned Meat (Tuna, Chicken, Beef Stew etc.)

• Corn, Peas, Green Beans, Pork & Beans • Crackers • Jello & Pudding • Juice & Drink Mixes • Macaroni & Cheese • Milk (canned or powdered) • Pasta • Soup • Rice or Pasta Mixes • Cereal • Peanut Butter • Tomato Products (spaghetti sauce, canned tomatoes)

6

November 2014

Union Farmer

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer Agenda: 99th Annual State Convention (Details of this schedule are subject to change)

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21

10:00 a.m.

Call to order Greetings

7:00 a.m.

Farmers Union Industries Breakfast

8:00 a.m.

Call to order

10:15 a.m.

Sec. Lucas Lentsch SD Sec. of Agriculture

8:15 a.m.

Panel discussion: E-30 Your Auto’s Best Friend

11:00 a.m.

Financial Report: Ron Hennen, SDFU Auditor

8:45 a.m.

Larry Mitchell, Administrator of GIPSA (Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration)

11:15 a.m.

Daniel Elliott Chairman of Surface Transportation Board

9:15 a.m.

Panel discussion: Recreational Use of Flooded Private Land

9:45 a.m.

Beverage Break

Noon

Education Honors Lunch

10:00 a.m.

1:15 p.m.

Call to order

Farm Bill FAQ, Craig Schaunaman South Dakota State Executive Director (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA)

1:20 p.m.

Cowboy Logic, Ryan Taylor, columnist, speaker, former North Dakota State Senator and current candidate for North Dakota’s Ag Commissioner

11:20 a.m.

Farmers Union Enterprise Couples Leadership Program, presentation by current class members and Frederick S.D. farmers, Taylor and Cassie Sumption

2:20 p.m.

SDFU in Motion, 2014 review

11:45 a.m.

Convention Banquet

2:45 p.m.

Presenting the 365 Club, Jim Wahle, Dist.II President

1:15 p.m.

3:00 p.m.

Beverage Break

3:15 p.m.

Upcoming Legislative Issues

Call to order Candidate Addresses: SDFU District Board Presidential candidates and NFU Delegates State of the Your Union Roger Johnson, NFU President

4:15 p.m.

Grassroots Policy Discussion

2:00 p.m.

Election of Board Presidents & NFU Convention Delegates

5:30 p.m.

Adjourn for supper on your own

2:20 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Call to order Award presentation Doug Sombke, SDFU President

Family Farmers Feeding the World, Robert Carlson United Nations Ambassador to International Year of Family Farming Dallas Tonsager, Presidential nominee for Member, Farm Credit Administration Board, Farm Credit Administration

9:00 p.m.

Entertainment: Songblast, 2 Killer Voices, 2 Dueling Guitars, 2 Much Fun!

3:20 p.m.

Ag Advocacy, Greg Peterson, The Peterson Farm Bros.

4:00 p.m.

Convention adjourned

5:00 p.m.

Nights on the Prairie Event – open to the public

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

November 2014

7

Union Farmer New Farm Bill Provision has Potential

Yellow Dime Day Celebrates South Dakota's Ethanol Industry Locally produced, ethanol is a clean, renewable fuel which saves consumers nearly 30 cents per gallon at the pump compared to petroleum's unleaded.

"That's a savings of nearly $120 million annually," explains Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union. "Ethanol eliminates cancer-causing benzene and in the case of E-30, provides better performance. This is a product that is better for you, the environment and South Dakota's farming community."

To increase awareness of ethanol's efficiency, environmental benefits and economic impact, the South Dakota Farmers Union hosted Yellow Dime Days at two South Dakota fuel stations: Oct. 16, 2014 at Kusler's in Aberdeen (602 S Main St) and Oct. 23, 2014 at Cenex C-Store (1601 9th Ave SE) Watertown.

During Yellow Dime Day, for every gallon of E-30 drivers purchased, they received a yellow dime in return.

"It's great to fuel up with a product that is produced locally. In our case, the ethanol we blend is produced at Glacial Lakes Energy right here in Watertown," says Jared Landmark, CEO of Sioux Valley Cooperative, a petroleum retail cooperative and one of the fuel stations participating in Yellow Dime Day. Although drivers have had the option to fuel up with ethanol for quite some time, and multiple performance studies have proven its safety and efficiency, Landmark says there are still some who don't choose “E-30 is your legal, superior ethanol blend. Try a couple to fuel up with the tanks full and see if you don’t agree.” locally produced option. "Yellow - Doug Sombke, SDFU President Dime Day provides a great opportunity to try blended fuel," Landmark says. "I don't drive a flex-fuel vehicle, but I trust E-30 and when I fuel up with it, I get great performance and gas mileage."

Local Impact Nationally, South Dakota ranks sixth in ethanol production. The industry employs about 1,900 South Dakotans who on average earn about $60,000 each year. And, according to a 2012 study conducted by the South Dakota Ethanol Producers Association, each year ethanol has about a $3.8 billion economic impact statewide.

"Yellow Dime Day is a great promotional tool to help inform the public of the economic ripple effect the ethanol industry has throughout South Dakota's communities," says Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE).

To learn more about ethanol, visit ethanol.org. ■

8

November 2014

A new provision included in the 2014 Farm Bill has the potential to be a “lifeline” for farmers following crop losses due to severe weather events and natural disasters, according to the American Soybean Association. The Actual Production History Yield Exclusion, or APH, allows farmers to exclude yields from exceptionally bad years, such as those brought on by severe weather or natural disasters from their production history when calculating yields used to establish their crop insurance coverage.

“The rollout of the APH program is a lifesaver for soybean farmers in so many parts of the country. It quite literally means the difference between continuing to farm following disastrous years and being forced out of business,” said ASA First Vice President Wade Cowan, who farms in Brownfield, Texas, and has experienced significant drought in each of the last four growing seasons.

“Weather is the single biggest external factor in soybean farming. We have no control over its effects, but with the APH program, we can better respond to its impacts.”

The APH program is significant given the formula used to calculate crop insurance coverage. Producers are able to purchase coverage based on that farmer’s average recent yields. Formerly, a year of bad yields due to severe weather would reduce the yield coverage levels available in future years.

Under the APH program included in the Farm Bill and announced on Oct. 23

by USDA, yields can be excluded from farm actual production history when the county average yield for that crop year is at least 50 percent below the 10 previous consecutive crop years average yield. By excluding exceptionally unusual years, a farmer’s overall yield average avoids a disproportionate reduction.

The APH exclusion, according to Cowan, takes on additional significance this year, given the decline in prices for many commodities. “Without the APH program, producers who have suffered severe weather would face the doublewhammy of low prices and low yield protection,” Cowan said.

According to USDA, spring crops eligible for APH Yield Exclusion include corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, grain sorghum, rice, barley, canola, sunflowers, peanuts and popcorn. Nearly three-fourths of all acres and liability in the federal crop insurance program will be covered under APH Yield Exclusion.

“Much credit should be given to the Agriculture Committees for including this provision in the Farm Bill, and then to Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and the team at USDA for rolling out this program for 2015 spring plantings,” added Cowan. “The positive effects it will have for farmers, not only in the Southwest but nationwide, will be great evidence of its success.” ■ American Soybean Association

Union Farmer

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

The Eckmann Family: Farming Today With Tomorrow in Mind

(Continued from page 1)

Some of Marvin Eckmann’s earliest farm memories include his dad, Fred, cultivating with a team of horses.

“The day he bought the F12 Farmall, he thought he’d died and went to Heaven. It was a great thing in those days to switch from horses to a tractor,” says the 82-year-old, third generation Cavour farmer.

Today, Marvin understands the joy his father felt as he enjoys working with the new technology his sons, Scot and Rick, utilize in their farming operations. Although he and his wife, Rose, retired from farming some years back, Marvin spends most days Marvin Eckmann on one or the other of his sons’ farms helping out. “Agriculture is about being neighborly. We help each other out and we still help our neighbors when we can. I remember when I was a kid; all the farm families helped each other out and worked together. That doesn’t exist as much as it used to and I think that’s too bad,” Marvin says.

Sharing labor and equipment is integral to both of his sons’ farming operations. “Nowadays with equipment costs the way they are, I would not be able to justify purchasing equipment because I don’t farm enough land,” Rick explains. “And, two guys can get more work done more efficiently than one.”

Although he and Scot share equipment and labor, they don’t share the same farming philosophy. While Scot farms conventionally, Rick runs an all-natural operation. “Because I don’t farm a lot of ground, I need to do something to add value to what I do farm,” Rick says.

Rick raises GMO-free corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa, as well as grass hay and oats. He markets most of his crops through his all-natural, antibiotic- and hormone-free commercial beef herd. “When I hear the term “value-added” I often think, ‘it can’t get more value-added than raising the feed that is fed to the cattle that I calve out and finish,’” Rick says.

Rick began farming full-time in 1978 when he purchased his cousin’s farm. Almost from the start, he has raised an all-natural beef herd. Rick will use antibiotics to treat his cattle if they are sick, but if he does this, they are not marketed as all-natural. On average, he earns about $100 more per head than conventionally raised cattle. If he has extra grain on hand, he also receives a premium when he sells it to

www.sdfu.org

GMO-free markets in Europe.

The premiums do help his overall bottom line; however, Rick is quick to point out that premiums are not entirely responsible for his more natural approach to farming. “I feel that farming this way is better for the soil’s health and my cattle’s health and in the end, the consumers’ health,” Rick says.

His focus on soil health introduced him to Verity Farms, an Oldham-based company working in 13 states.

Verity Farms specializes in improving soil health through biology feeders and plant and soil-friendly nutrients. Rick has been purchasing soil-building products from the company since 2000.

The natural products are designed to build up soil microbial activity, reduce compaction and increase water infiltration.

“We work to enhance the life of the soil. Soil is full of microorganisms which need to be fed,” Rick says. “The way I look at it, the soil isn’t just dirt. It’s a living, growing thing. So, by adding nutrients to the soil to enhance the life of the soil and using less herbicide, it will be able to yield more.”

With the help of these products, Rick says he has been able to reduce the application of commercial fertilizer.

He adds that as his soil’s health increases, weed populations decrease. “Instead of always turning to a chemical herbicide, we focus on our soil’s health.

Many weeds are indicators of nutrient deficiencies,” Rick explains.

His son, Colton, shares an example. “If we see dandelions, that means the soil is short on calcium.

Once we add calcium, or whatever the missing nutrient is, we see the weed pressure decrease.”

If they don’t clear out of the field, Rick is not opposed to utilizing herbicides or cultivation. In fact, last year he purchased a cultivator for just that purpose. “Chemical costs are getting scary. At least when I buy iron, at the end of the year, I have the iron to use next year, whereas the chemical is gone,” Rick says.

However persistent the weeds may get, it won’t convince Rick or his son, Colton, who works on the farm when he’s not at his full-time job as a diesel

Union Farmer

mechanic for James River Equipment in Huron, to incorporate GMO crops into their farming operation.

“Look around at all the glyphosate-resistant weeds; GMO seeds aren’t working,” Colton says.

“Someday I hope to take over my dad’s operation and I will absolutely keep things non-GMO and continue to raise drug- and hormone-free cattle. We know where everything comes from and we know where each calf was born and that it was fed allnatural crops.”

Although taking over the farm is a ways down the road, Colton says he and his new wife, Tiffany, live in a house on the farm rent-free in exchange for him helping his dad and uncle. He says he wouldn’t have it any other way. “The farm is a good family environment. I like my job in town, but I don’t want to see my family’s farm sold to a bigger farm. I want to keep it in the family and raise my family here.”

A generation earlier, his thoughts were echoed by his dad and uncle. Along with Colton, Rick and his wife, Peggy, also have a grown daughter, Beth, who also lives on the family farm with her husband, Brandon Neitzert. Scot has four daughters: Jenna, Lacey, Kahlie and Lexi.

Looking to the future, Rick sees the natural farming approach as a more sustainable practice. “I think too many farmers are farming for today and not looking to the future. We need to all take care of what we have – and that begins with the soil,” he says.

The only challenge Rick’s approach creates for Scot is the fact that equipment needs to be thoroughly cleaned before it’s transported from one farm to the other. “We clean the combine and the spraying equipment. We don’t want GMO seed to contaminate his fields, and we don’t dare spray nonGMO crops with glyphosate,” Scot says. “But that’s really not too big of a deal. I grew up farming with my dad and brother and the three of us continue to work together today. It’s an opportunity not every farmer gets.”

To view more photos of the Eckmann family, visit www.sdfu.org. ■ By Lura Roti, for SDFU Troy Person nominated the Eckmann family for this month’s featured Farm Family. Troy knows the Eckmann family because he is their Farmers Union Insurance Agent. Troy works to serve farm families like the Eckmanns each day out of the Person – Anderson Agency in Huron.

November 2014

9

This special section of the Union Farmer is designed to help you as you decide which candidates you’ll cast a vote for this November and to help you with your decisions on the many ballot issues you’ll be voting on. Education is the base of the Farmers Union triangle, and this is a way that your organization can help educate you on the issues and on the candidates who are seeking public office.

We’ve asked each candidate for statewide office to submit an article about themselves that is unedited by Farmers Union along with explanations on ballot measures you’ll be voting on. Make sure to fill out the sample ballot and bring it with you to the polls. Do your research and make sure you’re making the most informed vote you can.You have tough choices to make, and above all else, Farmers Union hopes you’ll do your civic duty and cast your vote. It’s our responsibility to be engaged in the process and without voter input, our democracy doesn’t work. Make your voice heard at the polls this November!

SoUtH DaKota GoveRnoR Susan Wismer (D) Growing up on a farm in northeast South Dakota, I understand the importance of agriculture to the state. Agriculture is South Dakota’s number one industry. Our farm and ranch families, the state, and the nation depend on us as a source of healthy, affordable food for our citizens. Ag also provides the economic base that sustains our communities and the foundation for a proud culture and heritage for our entire state. Working on the family farm, I learned the value of a hard day’s work, and I plan to bring that work ethic to the governor’s office as an advocate for agriculture.

It is vital that state and local governments come together to work with our livestock producers on development projects. We need to strike a balanced approach so that everyone's rights are protected as producers seek to expand their operations and neighbors and local communities are able to voice their concerns.

Our family farmers and ranchers have struggled getting their products to market on our crumbling roads and bridges. As a legislator I worked with both political parties to find common sense solutions to give our local governments the tools they need to solve these problems. We pushed legislation that would have created special road districts allowing rural producers to opt-out of state-imposed limits to help pay for road repairs, while those living in town would be exempt from those fees. Unfortunately, that was opposed by the current administration.

Growing up on the farm in Northeast South Dakota, I learned that pretending a problem didn't exist didn't make it go away. As the first grandchild of seven granddaughters in a row, my summer job was to drive the swather. That broken sickle section on the swather left a tell-tale green line down the field for as long as I put off changing it. Just like that green line, we can all see the damage that was done by the 2011 budget cuts, even if some people refuse to acknowledge it. As governor, I would listen to the needs of all South Dakotans and do what is best for the people and our farmers and ranchers, not special interests. ■ The following candidates did not submit columns to SDFU by press time: Larry Pressler - Independent candidate for the U.S. Senatorial election.

Corinna Robinson - Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives election.

Mike Myer - Independent candidate for South Dakota Governor election.

10

November 2014

Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R) The best hope for growing and strengthening our rural communities is through our state’s No. 1 industry – agriculture. South Dakota agriculture is strong and diverse, and it is clearly our top economic driver. But beyond that, it’s also our heritage. Our farmers and ranchers take great pride in being responsible stewards of the land while they work to feed the world.

I was proud when our family received the century farm award a few years ago at the South Dakota State Fair, and I remain committed to seeing agriculture thrive in South Dakota.

One of the best opportunities for bringing youth back into agriculture is through livestock development. We are all familiar with the high prices of land and equipment that makes getting started in production agriculture a challenging proposition.

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture has programs in place to assist young producers, including beginning farmer loan programs, and investments in livestock offer young men and women the opportunity to work alongside mom and dad – or grandma and grandpa – and get a foothold into the family farm.

I’ve worked hard to expand our dairy, beef, and swine industries through the County Site Analysis Program, which provides information about the best potential locations for siting livestock operations.

Investments in agriculture are vital to the long-term sustainability of our communities, but development must be done responsibly. Not every new project is a good fit in every location, so the County Site Analysis Program helps county commissioners and landowners determine where they feel projects fit most appropriately. Since its launch last year, more than 30 county commissions have passed resolutions requesting site analysis.

New and expanding livestock enterprises are often a viable option for young producers, but they also need the knowledge and skills to operate them. That’s why last year I proposed allocating $2 million in one-time funds to help build a new, state-of-the-art swine research and education facility at South Dakota State University. The legislature supported my request, and we broke ground on that facility earlier this month.

By encouraging value-added enterprises like livestock, ethanol, and food processing, we keep jobs in our rural communities, kids in our schools, and businesses on Main Street. That’s the value of agriculture to South Dakota.

Farming and ranching has provided the bedrock of our state in the past and it promises a solid foundation for the future. ■

Union Farmer

www.sdfu.org

U.S. Senate Rick Weiland (D)

After traveling to all 311 of South Dakota’s incorporated towns, I am more convinced than ever that small towns are the backbone of our state. Obviously, changing market dynamics, global developments and the corrosive power of big money have exacerbated the challenges facing rural America. Some people will say that creating and sustaining a vibrant economy in rural America is an impossible one.

I disagree.

South Dakota’s small towns represent a way of life worth fighting for and I believe every candidate for the Senate should tell you how they plan to strengthen rural America.

Here is my plan: South Dakota needs to pursue a dual strategy -- finding ways to strengthen the traditional bases of agriculture and small manufacturing while simultaneously building the infrastructure to allow our communities to compete and win in the new economy.

1. Increased federal funding to USDA’s rural development programs.

2. Provide incentives and subsidies for South Dakota companies and corporate America to build out high-speed broadband to rural South Dakota.

3. Complete the funding and build out of the Lewis & Clark Rural Water System.

4. Pass legislation to allow the refinancing of old, high-interest student loan debt and help our young graduates stay here in South Dakota.

5. Increase collaboration between private capital, local elected officials and the federal government. The simple fact is that communities and states that have professionals with strong social networks are better positioned to build the organizational planning required to spur new businesses and improve existing ones.

6. Increase funding to rebuild our crumbling rural infrastructure.

Let’s focus on how we can improve South Dakota while at the same time invest in the tools our towns and people need to compete for jobs in a rapidly transforming economy. ■

Mike Rounds (R)

Agriculture is our state’s number one industry; it influences our economy, our lifestyle, and our culture. South Dakotans are known for strong work ethic and innovative, common sense solutions which are born from our farming heritage.

Unfortunately, the bureaucracy in Washington D.C. seems to be working against our farmers’ efforts. We’ve seen federal environmental, energy, labor, and transportation policies which have made it harder for farmers to produce their goods and get their product to market. We’ve seen delays in budgeting and the Farm Bill which leave farmers with uncertainty about federal programs they depend upon to make good business decisions. I want to bring common sense solutions to the United States Senate to address the issues creating unnecessary barriers and burdens for our South Dakota farmers.

On the top of my list: We need to authorize the Keystone XL Pipeline. Corn, wheat and soybeans are piling up because rail lines are being used to ship

North Dakota oil to refineries around the country. As a result, South Dakota producers aren’t getting their grain to market and they aren’t getting paid. If we can relieve the pressure on our rail system by building a pipeline to carry the oil, our farmers will see more rail cars to haul their grain to market. Six years of inaction in Washington D.C. is unacceptable. One of the first things I’ll do if elected is vote to support the passage of the Keystone Pipeline.

We’ve also seen too many unrealistic, unnecessary proposed rules impacting our farmers’ ability to do their job; such as labor rules restricting our kids from being involved in the family farm or environmental rules restricting cow emissions. There are now more than one million federal regulations impacting Americans and driving up costs for citizens and farmers. This has gone too far! We need to return to a system of reasonable regulation and defer to local government as much as possible.

If elected your Senator, I will work hard every day to represent the people of South Dakota and to make our country a better place for our children and grandchildren. We need a lot more South Dakota common sense in Washington D.C. and a lot less federal regulation here in South Dakota.

Thank you for the opportunity to work as your 31st Governor and I hope to serve you once again as your next U.S. Senator. Thank you. Mike Rounds ■

Gordon Howie (I) My wife, Connie, and I live on the ranch we own and operate. We are actively engaged in our farmranch operation and understand the challenges faced by agriculture in South Dakota.

The inadequate rail service in our state is costing farmers as much as $100 million dollars a year.

Construction of the Keystone pipeline would reduce the pressure on rail service by delivering 100,000 barrels of North Dakota oil every day. I will be a strong proponent to move this project forward so more rail cars are available for farmers.

Tax increases continue to eat away at the bottom line for Ag producers.

While all of the other candidates have records of increasing taxes and/or a willingness to support tax increases, I have pledged not to raise your taxes.

Some of the proposals by candidates in this race include a $ .20 per gallon fuel tax increase and a 3% income tax surcharge to select taxpayers. Raising taxes is a bad idea. Presidents Kennedy and Reagan understood that the way

www.sdfu.org

to create economic recovery is to REDUCE taxes. I will support that proven direction in the U.S. Senate.

Bigger government, more debt and increased government spending has created a difficult business environment for agriculture. I believe we must CUT spending, REDUCE the debt and STOP government growth. My record shows that I don’t just talk about fiscal responsibility, I believe it. I will stand up to leaders of BOTH parties when they are leading in the wrong direction. In the 2010 State Senate, I was the ONLY Republican Senator to vote against thenGovernor Rounds’ budget, because it spent more than $10 million dollars over the previous year and led to a $127 million dollar deficit. It wasn’t a vote that was popular with Party leaders, but it was the right thing to do. I will take that commitment to fiscal responsibility with me to Washington D.C. Overreaching and overregulating government costs Ag producers and consumers billions of dollars every year. As a State Legislator, I voted against proposals of the Rounds administration that increased regulations, making it more difficult for farmers and ranchers. In politics, talk is cheap. While others talk about eliminating the EPA, a quick review of the records reveals that I have been on the side of Ag producers, resisting government growth and control. ■

Union Farmer

November 2014

11

ELECTION PREVIEW U.S. House of Representatives

Sample Ballot

Representative Kristi Noem (R)

I made passing a five-year Farm Bill my number one priority and I’m proud that earlier this year the 2014 Farm Bill was signed into law. As a member of the Farm Bill conference committee that negotiated the final agreement, I was able to include a number of provisions for South Dakota agriculture while saving taxpayers billions of dollars. The bill includes a Livestock Disaster Program based on legislation I authored that reimburses producers up to 75% of the fair market value of their losses, raises the assistance cap, and authorizes and pays for the program retroactively and through the life of the Farm Bill. These payments have already made a difference in South Dakota after ranchers were hit hard with a drought in 2012 and Winter Storm Atlas in 2013. I was also able to get more tools to fight the pine beetle in the Black Hills and conservation measures to protect our native grasslands included.

One of the tasks we face in agriculture is attracting the next generation of producers who will continue the vital task of feeding the world.

When my father unexpectedly passed away in a farming accident, I remember the difficulties I faced as a young producer taking over the family farm.

The Farm Bill includes provisions for beginning farmers and ranchers such as reducing premiums for crop insurance and encouraging retiring farmers to transfer part of their Conservation Reserve Program land to beginning, disadvantaged, or veteran farmers through the Transition Incentives Program.

Since the Farm Bill has been signed into law, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has the job of implementing those provisions and ensuring they work as intended. Producers have a lot of choices to make in the coming months, including reallocating base acres, updating program yields, and choosing to enroll crops in either ARC or PLC. Online tools are now available to help producers choose between these options.

While the Farm Bill has provided more certainty for the years ahead, we still face challenges.

With a bumper wheat, soybean and corn harvest expected, producers are facing delays in moving their crop. That’s why I’ve been meeting with the Surface Transportation Board and rail companies to ensure adequate service. I’ve fought regulations like the EPA’s navigable waters rule and restrictions on family operations that could make farming more difficult. Despite these challenges, I remain committed to fighting for South Dakota’s agriculture industry. ■

12

November 2014

Union Farmer

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

Hear What Candidates Have to Say About South Dakota Ethanol Industry Hear What 2014 Candidates Have to Say We reached out to candidates to learn what their stance is on ethanol. Read on to learn more.

Gubernatorial Candidate, Susan Wismer - D I support the continued development and use of our homegrown, renewable fuels including ethanol, biodiesel and biomass fuels. As Governor, I would expand the state vehicle fleet to an E-30 blend. I believe it is important to the South Dakota economy that the myths surrounding E-30 are put to rest and the state expands the use of blender pumps and E-30 for standard autos.

Gubernatorial Incumbent, Dennis Daugaard – R Ethanol remains an important value-added enterprise for South Dakota.We have almost 200 ethanol blender pumps at about 90 fueling stations across the state. Each year we’re producing almost 900 million gallons, and already, 2014 is the most profitable year for ethanol plants in our state’s history.

Earlier this year, in collaboration with South Dakota ethanol producers, I began a project to incorporate E-15 fuel into the state vehicle fleet. Almost 2,000 state vehicles are now utilizing E-15 at the state’s largest fueling locations.

Senatorial Candidate, Gordon Howie - I One of the most important things we can do to support the ethanol industry is to begin leveling the playing field with regard to energy policy in America. The free market is the best place to develop products, including energy. The government should not be in the business of choosing winners and losers. Industry subsidies and consumer mandates stifle long term development of self-sustaining energy products. Big oil subsidies create a disadvantage for market place competition of renewable fuels. Long term energy policy must include the elimination of subsidies, removal of mandates and the reduction of over-regulation. Achieving a balanced free market environment creates opportunity for growth of renewable fuels, including ethanol.

Senatorial Race, Candidate Mike Rounds – R I am a strong supporter of ethanol. It’s a home-grown renewable fuel that’s been good for our farmers and good for our nation. I support a free market approach and I support the Renewable Fuels Standard. The federal government made a deal with the ethanol industry and must stand by it. Based on the RFS, the ethanol industry has invested billions of dollars in research, development and production of advanced biofuels. That investment and the future development of new biofuels would be in jeopardy without the RFS. The ethanol industry is in a prime position for another expansion. As C.A.F.E. Standards call for higher mileage vehicles, auto manufacturers are creating higher compression engines that require higher octane fuels. The most inexpensive, most readily available form of octane is ethanol.

Senatorial Candidate, Rick Weiland – D I support expanding the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) and was highly critical of the President when he cut the Ethanol requirement.That was a sell out to big oil companies. In the Senate, I would support expanding the RFS standard, but I also want to increase the amount of E-30 available by investing in infrastructure.There is no reason E-30 is not more widely available other than big oil companies don’t like it and don’t want the competition. Big Oil is wrong on E-30 and I would fight in the Senate to expand its use.

U.S. Representative Incumbent, Kristi Noem – R I have always been, and continue to be, a strong supporter of ethanol and making

www.sdfu.org

biofuels an integral part of our fuel supply, while giving consumers options at the pump. Not only does ethanol support our agriculture industry here in South Dakota, but it also is a key part of our national security by reducing our reliance on hostile foreign sources of energy. However, we still face challenges. I am deeply concerned about the EPA’s proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and other attacks on biofuels.

Despite the challenges to the biofuel industry, we have had some successes.

Project Liberty recently opened, giving our nation its first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol refinery. I’ve also taken a leading role in educating many on the benefits of biofuels and pushing back against changes to the RFS. I led a bipartisan group of lawmakers asking the EPA to back down on their proposed changes, and I am hopeful that when the 2014 targets are finally released, they will be based on the targets Congress enacted into law. Please know that I will continue to support a true all-of-the-above American energy policy that includes more home-grown energy like biofuels, consumer access to ethanol, and blend options at the pump. ■

SD Farmers Union E-30 Campaign Viewing current commodity prices as an opportunity to promote the performance enhancing benefits of E-30 (used in standard autos), South Dakota Farmers Union launched a campaign to promote the product in October 2014.

“Now that commodity prices are down, South Dakotans are ready to pay attention to ethanol for its performance boosting qualities, as well as the economic benefits,” says Doug Sombke, South Dakota Farmers Union President, of the motivation behind Farmers Union’s decision to launch a statewide campaign to promote the benefits of E-30.

The campaign includes newspaper ads and posters promoting the benefits of E-30 at fuel stations which sell E-30, as well as October’s Yellow Dime Days promotions at fuel stations in Aberdeen and Watertown. During Yellow Dime Days, drivers received a yellow-tinted dime back for every gallon of E-30 they fueled up with.

More Reason to Fuel Standard Autos with E-30 According to a study published in 2007 by the University of North Dakota’s Energy & Environment Research Center, gas mileage and road performance of some vehicles fueled by E-30 is equal to or better than vehicles fueled with premium gasoline.

“This is good news for automakers,” explains Brian Jennings, Executive Director for the American Coalition for Ethanol.

About 1,900 South Dakotans are employed by the ethanol industry, earning average annual salaries of about $60,000. South Dakota consumers save nearly 30 cents per gallon on E-10 versus petroleum’s unleaded, or $120 million annually. If standard auto owners move to E-30, they could save nearly 50 cents/gallon, or $200 million annually.

To learn more, visit ethanol.org. ■

Union Farmer

November 2014

13

Union Farmer Getting to Know Board Member: Chad Johnson As a grassroots farm/ranch organization, Farmers Union relies heavily on our board members for guidance and insight. So you can get to know this team of leaders, each issue of Union Farmer will be featuring one of our board members.

Q:Tell us about your farming operation.

A: My family homesteaded in 1894 on land near Groton where I farm today. The barn that was built that same year is still on our place.

For as long as I can remember, we’ve been pretty diversified. We raise corn, soybeans, wheat, a cow/calf herd and, until 1998, we had a dairy herd.

Farming has always been the career for me.

From the time that I rode with my dad on the floor of the tractor (back then they didn’t have the nice Chad Johnson, District VII buddy seats they have today), I have always loved it.

I still do - from the ability to bring a new calf into the world to planting a seed and watching corn, wheat and soybeans grow each growing season. Even though every year is different and comes with its own set of challenges, I am like most farmers and still try to shoot to the moon every year.

In 1996 we formed a family corporation, Four J Farms Inc, with my dad, Glenn, my uncle James, and my mom, Alvina.

I also appreciate the fact that my wife, Michelle, and I can raise our children, Brenna, 14, and Porter, 10, on the farm.

Q: 1894, that’s quite a heritage! What has held things together through all the challenges?

A: I’d have to say that it’s our passion for farming. My folks and uncle never took a vacation.

The farm always came first.

Farming is what we all love to do. We get out of bed every morning to feed the world.

The farm has gone through some tough times - the 1930s and the 1980s. Since I started farming, the farm has seen good years, but now, this growing season we are seeing some tough times with the prices.

Q:Tell us about your involvement in Farmers Union.

A: My grandpa helped start the local Ferney co-op, Farmers Union Oil Company of Ferney, in 1943. The farmers were having a tough time getting inputs into the community so they formed their own cooperative. He was one of the founding members.

Right after I graduated from high school, I was asked to serve on the board.

Then, one year I was asked to go on a Farmers Union Fly-In. I was impressed by the process and the opportunity it gave me and other farmers to tell our story.

I still feel that if you can go to Washington D.C. with dirt under your fingernails and tell a story, it means much more to our policy makers than having a lobbyist try to tell our story for us.

Q: Any current issues you’re watching closely?

A: COOL is a big deal to me as a livestock producer and consumer of meat. I strongly believe that our food products should be labeled because U.S. farmers and our cattle industry are held to such a high standard compared to other countries.

It costs us more to raise our product, and in the end, consumers receive a quality product that is much safer.

I’m also a promoter of E-30 and the ethanol industry in general. Ethanol is a renewable resource that provides us with cleaner energy.

Right now I’m concerned about rail issues.

Through Farmers Union, I recently had the opportunity to meet with executives of Burlington Northern Railroad to discuss the current issues.

Like so many, this is an issue Farmers Union is fighting for farmers’ rights. ■

EXCITING MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS! • A prescription discount card, saving you up to 20% at major pharmacies—at no cost • Save up to 80% on office and school supplies from Office Depot (free shipping on orders over $50) • Save 10% off LifeLock Identity Theft protection

Visit www.NFU.org for more information

14

November 2014

Union Farmer

SDFU Supports Sen. Johnson in Efforts to Protect COOL South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke credits Sen. Tim Johnson for his role in protecting Country of Origin Labeling (COOL).

“Since the beginning, Sen. Johnson has been a champion for South Dakota’s livestock producers who depend on COOL to inform consumers on where their meat comes from,” said Sombke.

As the bill’s original author, Sen. Johnson was instrumental in getting it passed. Today, despite repeated attempts by opponents of COOL to repeal the program during consideration of the farm bill, Johnson remains successful in maintaining the current statute in the final bill.

Sombke references the Oct. 7, 2014 announcement that Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) joined with 31 of his Senate colleagues from both sides of the aisle in sending a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-AL) urging them to reject any efforts that would undermine, weaken or suspend Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) through the appropriations process for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2015.

“While there are some in Congress who will try to use the appropriations process as a way to weaken Country of Origin Labeling (COOL), I remain committed to maintaining full funding for this critical program,” said Johnson. “COOL is a valuable marketing tool for South Dakota producers, and consumers deserve to know where their meat comes from. I was pleased that this year’s farm bill maintained COOL, and I will continue to fight for this program on behalf of producers and consumers.”

Background In July, a decision by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reaffirmed the legitimacy of COOL for meat products. Objections to the U.S. COOL program

by Canada and Mexico before the World Trade Organization (WTO), however, have not been finalized. A decision is expected to be made public soon.

The following Senators also signed on to the letter: Jon Tester (D-MT), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Charles Grassley (R-IA), Heidi Heitkamp (DND), John Thune (R-SD), Tom Harkin (D-IA), John Hoeven (R-ND), Mark Begich (D-AK), Susan Collins (R-ME), Carl Levin (D-MI), David Vitter (R-LA), Tom Udall (D-NM), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Benjamin Cardin (DMD), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Edward Markey (D-MA), Christopher Murphy (D-CT), Claire McCaskill (DMO), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Al Franken (D-MN), Amy Klobuchar (DMN), John Walsh (D-MT), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). ■

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

Women in Blue Jeans 2015 Conference to be Held February 20 & 21 in Mitchell Save the date for the 2015 Women in Blue Jeans Conference Feb. 20-21 in Mitchell at the Highland Conference Center.

Registration is free to the first 40 Farmers Union members who contact Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director. For everyone else it is $45 from now until Feb. 1, 2015; after that date the price will be $55.

This year’s theme is Celebrating Women in Rural America.

Whether you are just beginning your journey into a busy life of family and work or looking forward to an opportunity to slow down and enjoy your accomplishments, be sure to join Women in Blue Jeans at the 2015 conference to celebrate women of all generations!

Sessions will focus on the needs and goals for women at different stages of their lives-- from home, health and heart to family, finances and fun.

Same great conference ~ different days of the week There is a change to a Friday evening and Saturday sessions as we are hoping to accommodate the needs of those women whose work schedules had made it difficult to attend in the past.

Friday evening’s events run from 5:00 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday sessions run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Retail Therapy Join WIBJ for a little retail therapy where the businesses come to you!

This year we will feature a wide variety of home based businesses offering products from kitchen necessities and home decorating to personal BLING! Friday evening sessions will include an opportunity to join a trio of programs and presentations.

Friday Night Sessions Painting Classes: Turn your creative juices loose and join your friends for a WIBJ canvas painting class presented by Elizabeth ‘Sam’ Grosz of Delmont. Sam will be designing an exclusive print for the WIBJ 2015 conference. Painting with a few surprises – be watching for more details.

Pallet Creations: How many things can you create from a pallet? Garner some surprising and creative new ideas from Dawn Weiss of Salvage with Style. Learn from Dawn how to repurpose and craft useful and fun items through this hands-on class.

Gardening Secrets: Learn secrets and tips on box gardening, starting plants and incorporating flowers into a vegetable garden from Judy Thiesse.

Note: When you register, you will want to make sure you select a 5:30 p.m. session and a 7:30 p.m. session for Friday night. This helps us plan the amount of materials we need at each session.

Crazy Cash will be available to all early bird registrants, so submit registration and payment before the February 1st deadline and receive $5.00 in FREE Crazy Cash to treat yourself at our Friday night vendors.

Attention Vendors If you or someone you know would be a good fit for our ladies shopping experience and would be interested in being a vendor at the 2015 conference, please contact committee woman Sarah Bode for details on the Friday evening event. Sarah can be reached at sarahannbode@gmail.com. ■ Provided by www.womeninbluejeans.com

16

November 2014

Young Producers Group SDFU Foundation $500 Scholarship Deadline: December 1, 2014 www.sdfu.org

January 30 - 31 Held at

Space is Limited Contact Kristen Fink at 605-352-6761 ext. 118 kfink@sdfu.org

COOL: (Continued from page 1)

Congress to get involved,” said Johnson. “There may well be a more clear way to define ‘born, raised, slaughtered’ such that it cleans up the confusion which was in the decision.”

Johnson also offered the inclusion of value-added meat in the rule in order to make it WTO-compliant. “By rule, we could include a number of value-added meat products that heretofore, have not been included,” said Johnson. “The WTO decision says that essentially the costs side that the producers have to bear are more than the benefit side that the consumers get… To the extent that you can increase the amount of the product that is labeled, you nullify that argument.”

Johnson also discredited the economic issues raised by COOL opponents.

He noted that the U.S. was heading into a recession, the U.S.-Canadian dollar exchange rate dramatically changed and energy costs were starting to skyrocket.

All of this caused a decrease in imports, not just across Canada and Mexico, but for all countries and commodities.

“There is a very strong conviction among all of us that the COOL statute needs to remain in place. The WTO, in all of the decisions that have been rendered on this case so far, have always said the law is ok. We have a right to do this.” ■ Provided by National Farmers Union

Union Farmer

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer Roger Johnson

National Farmers Union President

Despite Congress being on another recess in October for campaign season, several issues important to family farms continue to be under debate in Washington: Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL), the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and Waters of the United States (WOTUS). The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has also been involved in talks with 11 other countries in the Asia-Pacific region involving a trade negotiation known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

TPP and Free Trade Photo Courtesy: Reuters

As a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the U.S. has entered into free trade agreements with 20 countries. Under these agreements, many important U.S. laws protecting investors, labor rights, the environment and our currency have been preempted. There has also been a major economic effect. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the United States had a $40.5 billion trade deficit in July 2014, which represents three percent drag on the U.S. Gross Domestic Product.

The U.S. is currently negotiating two trade agreements: the TransPacific Partnership (TPP), an agreement with 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific region and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), an agreement with the European Union.

NFU believes that these two trade agreements, along with all future trade agreements, should have the goal of reducing the U.S. trade deficit, not just increasing trade flows.

Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) Definitions In April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the

www.sdfu.org

Army Corps of Engineers announced a proposed rule on the Waters of the United States (WOTUS). Since the passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972, the scope of jurisdiction has changed through amendments to the law, regulatory actions and court cases.

Court cases in 2001 and 2006 dealing with the jurisdictional nature of the Clean Water Act substantially reduced the law’s jurisdiction but failed to provide clarity. This lack of clarity has led to significant anxiety among farmers and ranchers.

The proposed rule on WOTUS is supposed to clarify jurisdiction and provide certainty for farmers.

However, much of the farming and ranching community seems confused by the proposal. In September, NFU submitted comments to the EPA that provided the EPA instructions on how to draft a rule that would comply with NFU policy. Should NFU’s comments be incorporated into the final rule, several clarifications would be achieved: • A definition of “tributary” that clarifies without increasing CWA jurisdiction.

•

A bright-line rule for “adjacent waters,” reducing the need for case-by-case determinations.

• Codification of agency practice in light of Supreme Court rulings, increasing the predictability of jurisdictional determinations by the agencies.

• An exclusion of ditches that do not connect with wetlands, riparian areas, floodplains, or other waters.

• An exclusion of ditches without perennial flow from CWA jurisdiction.

• Affirmation of exemptions for normal agricultural activities.

NFU President Urges Administration Not to Lower RFS Targets The fate of the RFS remains in limbo.

Last November, the EPA proposed to reduce the 2014 blending targets for the RFS. Yet, observers are still waiting on the Obama administration to finalize targets that were supposed to be completed in June. NFU’s hope is that the delay is due to EPA working to get the numbers right, as it has been

Union Farmer

particularly painful for the renewable fuels industry: making planning difficult and attracting new investment virtually impossible. Ethanol and the RFS benefit farmers, consumers, the economy, our nation’s energy security and the environment.

The RFS creates competition in our nation’s transportation fuel sector by ensuring access to cheaper, clean, lowcarbon alternatives to oil, and creating choice for consumers at the pump. It also creates $184.5 billion of economic impact and supports up to 852,056 jobs nationwide. Finally, it reduces dependence on foreign oil and cuts greenhouse gas emissions.

In October, the Governor’s Biofuels Coalition (GBC), which represents two-thirds of the nation’s governors, sent a letter asking the Obama administration to ensure the development of domestically produced renewable fuels by amending EPA’s proposed RFS levels for 2014. NFU is currently in accord with the sentiments expressed in the GBC letter, urging the administration not to lower RFS target levels. ■ National Farmers Union: Current as of Oct. 15, 2014

November 2014

17

Union Farmer IN CASE YOU MISSED IT For your reading enjoyment, we’ve pulled some highlights from South Dakota-based agriculture newspapers and websites. If the lead intrigues you, visit our website, www.sdfu.org for the rest of the story. If you read an article you’d like to share with fellow Farmers Union members, please send the headline, byline, publication and issue date to karla@sdfu.org and we’ll include it in next month’s In Case You Missed It section.

Animal Health

Conservation

General

Gov. Daugaard Presented with 2014 BIO Food and Agriculture For Mitch Truebenbach, building Governor of the Year Award

Truck Wash A Hedge Against Spreading Hog Disease

a truck wash in Hecla is a cheap insurance policy. The pork industry lost 10 percent of the swineherd in this last year due to a disease called porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv).

Having the capability to wash down the company’s trucks and heat the trucks to disable the virus does a lot to protect the animals. Originally published in the Sept. 26, 2014 issue of Farm Forum, Connie Groop Farm Forum Writer

Crops

The Biotechnology Industr y Organization (BIO) announced that South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard was presented with its 2014 Food and Agriculture Governor of the Year Award in recognition of his leadership and commitment to strengthening the agricultural and livestock biotechnology industries within South Dakota. Credit: Biotechnology Industry Organization

Campaign Supports Future of South Dakota Agriculture

Producers Need Lower Cash Rent Togeth e r, l o c a l e l ev a to r s a re for Fair Chance to Make Profit launching the I Believe in the Future of Over the past decade, both share arrangements and cash rent were likely very lucrative for both the producer and the landlord. However, the increase in cash rent over this period has become quite a concerning trend, especially for the producer. Originally published as a guest commentary in the Sept. 5, 2014 issue of Tri-State Neighbor, by Jared A. Hofer Mitchell Technical Institute S.D. Center for Farm and Ranch Mgt.

Agriculture campaign with the South Dakota FFA Foundation. Agriculture producers, FFA supporters and alumni can turn their words into deeds by donating grain or funds to support local FFA chapters through their local elevators. Credit: S.D. FFA Foundation

Company to Pay $75,000 in Crop-Insurance Violations

In two letters released Monday answering questions from legislators, former Gov. Mike Rounds said former Cabinet member Richard Benda was the only state government official who acted illegally in the EB-5 foreign investment program established during his administration. Originally published in the Sept. 26, 2014 issue of Farm Forum, Bob Mercer Farm Forum Correspondent

An insurance company based in California agreed to pay $75,000 penalty for improper activities in South Dakota. The amount is the largest penalty levied by the state Division of Insurance in recent years and might be one of the biggest ever in a South Dakota insurance case. Originally published in the Sept. 5, 2014 issue of Farm Forum, Bob Mercer, Farm Forum Correspondent

Professor Sees Benefits from Newer Seed Treatments Alan Dyer, an associate professor of plant pathology with Montana State University, with the help of four growers, tracked the effect of using 16 different new varieties of seed treatments over two years. Originally published in the Oct. 3, 2014 issue of Tri-State Neighbor, Terri Adams, for Lee Agri-Media

18

November 2014

Politics Rounds Blames Benda in EB-5 Scandal

Risk Management USDA Unveils Key New Programs to Help Far mers Manage Risk U.S. Depar tment of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today unveiled highly anticipated new programs to help farmers better manage risk, ushering in one of the most significant reforms to U.S. farm programs in decades. Credit: USDA/FSA

Transportation

Hunters Asked to Guard Against Growing in Agriculture: Rail Service Challenges and Grass Fires The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Opportunities

(GFP) is asking hunters going into the field this fall to be diligent in not only preventing fires, but also detecting them. While some parts of western South Dakota have an elevated fire danger, many parts of the state that started out with plenty of rain are currently dry.Credit:S.D.Game,Fish and Parks

Since the rail service issues became apparent earlier this year, Gov. Daugaard and your departments of agriculture and transportation have been working with railroad executives, congressional members, and the three-member U.S. Department of Transportation Surface Transportation Board (STB) to address Trolling Tactics to Land More the issues our South Dakota industries Fall Walleyes There are a few fishing patterns that continue to face. Originally published by really stand out in the fall: vertical jigging Lucas Lentsch, South Dakota Secretar y over deep rock piles; casting stick baits of Agriculture, September 23, 2014 after dark over shallow rocks; pitching jigs tipped with soft-plastic swim baits Livestock into weed beds; live-bait rigging with big chubs; and trolling crankbaits along main Grazing Rights: Ranchers Lope lake contours.Originally published in the Oct. for Land Issues with Grass March 3, 2014 issue of Farm Forum, Jason Mitchell The “express” part of the Grass March Cowboy Express is certainly the Markets picture that comes to mind considering Nation’s Ag Co-ops Set Record the group plans to complete their On Sept. 30, agriculture Secretary trek – from California to Washington TomVilsack announced that the nation’s DC, in just 20 days, riding every inch farmer,rancher and fishery cooperatives of it horseback. Originally published set a new sales record in 2013, with in the Oct. 4, 2014 issue of Tri-State total business volume of more than Livestock News, Carrie Stadheim, Editor $246 billion. Credit: USDA, Sept. 30, 2014

Youth S.D. Well Drillers Association Offers Scholarships

Vilsack: Second Checkoff Likely a Reality Agriculture Secretary Vilsack told beef and cattle groups Sept. 30, that a second beef checkoff will likely be a reality by January 2016. Originally published in the Oct. 4, 2014 issue of Tri-State Livestock News, by Carrie Stadheim, Editor

The South Dakota Well Drillers Association is pleased to announce it is offering scholarships totaling $9,000 to be divided between two deserving students.

The Association recognizes the need for educational advancements at all levels of the industry and seeks to support students pursuing their educational Cattle Producers See Payday with goals. Credit: S.D. Well Drillers Association Escalating Prices Climbing prices are putting smiles on Technology faces and hefty checks in pockets of App Allows for “Traceable Meat” cattle producers at local sale barns. As A new smart-phone app aims to the cows and calves move through the help consumers learn more about ring, the mood is adrenaline-charged. where meat products come from and Sellers know they have excellent how the meat product was raised and quality cattle and in return, prices are harvested. Originally published in Oct. 8, providing them a handsome payday.

2014 of Cattle Business Weekly, compiled Originally published in the Oct. 3, 2014

by Kindra Gordon, for Cattle Business Weekly edition of Farm Forum, Connie Sieh Groop

Union Farmer

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

From the President....

Much to be Thankful for This Harvest Season Family farms can be the greatest place to work especially in South Dakota.

The way I see it, there is no better time of year to be thankful for where you work than during the month of November in South Dakota. Calves are being weaned, crops are being harvested and bounty is gathered and stored for the coming year.

The Sombke family farm is similar to just about every other family operation in the state. During harvest, everyone pitches in to get the work done as effectively and efficiently as possible. We count on each other and depend on everyone doing their share, day-in and day-out of some very long days when the sun sets long before we end our day.

It can be challenging, as you all know – especially since as farmers and ranchers there are no guarantees that we’ll be rewarded with profits.

However, we all take pride with eternal hope and trust things will work out to benefit the common good.

Within a farm family there are many different skill sets, including management skills which are passed down from generation to generation. As a person in the management generation, I understand that it’s my job to also be open to change and willing to adapt when change is beneficial to the operation.

Our farm is not the same farm my great grandfather left behind. The land he homesteaded has evolved quite a bit over the last three generations. I am certain my three sons’ generation will see more adaptation than the past three generations combined – which will require even

more management skills.

Looking back over my farming career, I am thankful for what Great Grandpa Sombke, Grandpa Sombke and my dad endured during their careers, which has allowed me and my family to farm today Doug Sombke SDFU President and face the challenges of farming in South Dakota.

If I could have one wish though, it would be that Great Grandpa Sombke would have traveled just three more miles west to stake his claim. But, one has no control of where and when your wagon wheel breaks!

All-in-all, as family farmers, we should be thankful we have the opportunity to operate in the greatest country in the world. For most of us, it’s not because we chose to be here. We are here because we were born here and given a gift - or as some say, a curse - to be family farmers.

We need to thank God every day for every blessing and challenge we have; they make us better at what we do and how we do it to His glory.

God bless all you do! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

South Dakota

Union Farmer A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

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 non-members 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 Member Advocacy Specialist Huron

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

Bonnie Geyer..............ext. 125 Education Director Huron

Kelsey Schnetzer........ext. 116 Member Relations Specialist Wolsey

Rebecca Long.............ext. 115 Graphic Designer Huron

Kristen Fink...............ext. 118 Leadership Program Specialist Huron

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

Send Us Your Email Address sdfu@sdfu.org 1. Publication Title

Contact NFU

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation (All Periodicals Publications Except Requester Publications)

South Dakota Union Farmer

4. Issue Frequency

Monthly/Bi-Monthly

2. Publication Number

0

7 4 5

_

3. Filing Date

8

7 9 7

5. Number of Issues Published Annually

6. Annual Subscription Price

10

Contact Person

7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication (Not printer) (Street, city, county, state, and ZIP+4 ®)

South Dakota Farmers Union 1410 Dakota Avenue S., Huron, Beadle, SD 57350-1388

$7.50

Karla Hofhenke

Telephone (Include area code)

8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher (Not printer)

Wayne Soren..........Vice Pres.

Lake Preston Terry Sestak...........District I Tabor Jim Wahle..............District II Salem Franklin Olson.....District III Pierpont

605-352-6761 ext. 114

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

South Dakota Farmers Union, 1410 Dakota Avenue S., Huron, Beadle, SD 57350-1388

9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor (Do not leave blank) Publisher (Name and complete mailing address)

Karla Hofhenke, South Dakota Farmers Union, 1410 Dakota Avenue S., Huron, Beadle, SD 57350-1388

Editor (Name and complete mailing address)

Doug Sombke, South Dakota Farmers Union, 1410 Dakota Avenue S., Huron, Beadle, SD 57350-1388

Managing Editor (Name and complete mailing address)

Lura Roti, 840 W 9th Street, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, SD 57104

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

10. Owner (Do not leave blank. If the publication is owned by a corporation, give the name and address of the corporation immediately followed by the names and addresses of all stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or more of the total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, give the names and addresses of the individual owners. If owned by a partnership or other unincorporated firm, give its name and address as well as those of each individual owner. If the publication is published by a nonprofit organization, give its name and address.)

Full Name Complete Mailing Address

South Dakota Farmers Union

1410 Dakota Ave S., Huron, Beadle, SD 57350

Karla Hofhenke, Publisher ~ Lura Roti, Editor Jodie Fenske, Copy Editor ~ Rebecca Long, Layout and Design

11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities. If none, check box X None Full Name

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

Complete Mailing Address

12. Tax Status (For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at nonprofit rates) (Check one) The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: X Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months Has Changed During Preceding 12 Months (Publisher must submit explanation of change with this statement) PS Form 3526, July 2014 [Page 1 of 4 (see instructions page 4)] PSN: 7530-01-000-9931

PRIVACY NOTICE: See our privacy policy on www.usps.com.

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

November 2014

19