South Dakota Union Farmer - October 2013

Volume XCVI, NO. 8

Huron, SD

Sept/Oct 2013

South Dakota

Union Farmer A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION Hundreds turn out for the annual Farmers Union Day at the State Fair

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Singer Neil Young Talks Biofuels During Fly-In

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South Dakotans Visit Capitol Hill A group of South Dakotans spent three days in the nation’s capital urging lawmakers to pass a comprehensive, five-year farm bill, support the Renewable Fuel Standard, and tell their personal stories to members of Congress.

A total of 30 South Dakotans were among the nearly 300 participants from across the country to attend the National Farmers Union’s annual legislative fly-in to Washington, D.C., Sept. 9-11.

“It’s was such a critical time for us to be in Washington and meet with our lawmakers,” said South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke. “We’re nearing the expiration date of the farm bill extension and we were asking lawmakers to get a farm bill passed before the end of the month.”

Much of the talk in Washington during the week was the situation in Syria. Farmers Union members worked to make sure lawmakers kept the farm bill discussions moving forward and don’t forget about the issue.

See FLY-IN Page 11

The South Dakota group poses on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. Front row, from left, Doug Sombke, Groton; Kelsey Schnetzer, Wolsey; Erin Wilcox, Huron; Anne Tornberg, Beresford; LaQuita Schockley, Lemmon; Dallis and Tammy Basel, Union Center; Olga Reuvenkamp, Elkton. Second row: Luanne Thompson, Virgil; Wayne Soren, Lake Preston; Larry Birgen, Sioux Falls; Jason Johnke, Centerville; Greg Bonn, Conde; B.J. and Kyla Richter, Britton. Back row: Kevin Thompson, Virgil, Gene Hoffman, Lemmon; Lynn Eberhart, Britton; Ron Slaba, Ludlow; Karla Hofhenke, Huron; Chad Johnson, Groton; Susan Wismer, Britton; James Murphy, Crofton, Neb.; Bradley Cihak, Tyndall; Mike Traxinger, Claremont; Rachel and Jeff Kippley, Aberdeen.

Sen. Johnson receives the ‘Friend of the Family Farmer’ Award

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SDFU Fall Conference Scheduled for Nov. South Dakota Farmers Union will host a fall conference and open house Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, at Huron. The conference will be held at the Crossroads Hotel and Huron Event Center from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and the open house will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the new SDFU state office building on Dakota Ave. in Huron.

The conference theme is ‘New Horizons’ and will focus on building Farmers Union for the future.

“We have a brand new state office building and many new things happening in Farmers Union right now,” said SDFU President Doug Sombke. “We want to be able to celebrate all that Farmers Union has accomplished and plan for the future of the organization.”

Confirmed speakers now are motivational speaker and former CBS Survivor competitor Holly Hoffman of Eureka. The legendary Jerry

See CONFERENCE Page 3

Fairgoers ‘Back the Farm Bill’ during State Fair rally

A large number of fairgoers turned out Saturday at the Freedom Stage for a rally to show their support for a comprehensive, five-year federal farm bill.

The Back the Farm Bill rally held during the State Fair was hosted by a diverse coalition of 22 South Dakota agriculture, business, energy, conservation and technology groups as well as the state’s largest network of charitable food banks.

Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., and the administrator of the federal Risk Management Agency Brandon Willis were the featured speakers at the rally.

“As a member of the Senate, I hear you loud and clear,” Sen. Johnson said. “I share your frustration with how slow this process has been.”

Sen. Johnson said he was impressed by the large number of groups involved in the Back the Farm Bill SDFU President Doug Sombke (center) leads the Back the Farm Bill Rally at the State coalition and the diverse interests the members repreFair. Seated, left to right, are Matt Gassen, Feeding South Dakota; RMA Administrator sent.

Brandon Willis; Sen. Tim Johnson; Redfield Energy CEO Tom Hitchcock; Lisa Richard-

See RALLY Page 9

son, S.D. Corn Growers executive director; and Pheasants Forever’s Mike Stephenson.

Union Farmer From the President...

In recent years, South Dakota Farmers Union has helped sponsor ‘Brown Bag’ lunch events in recognition of October as Co-op Month. These fun events are held at local cooperatives with the help of local county Farmers Union members to deliver lunch to patrons of the co-op to thank them for their continued patronage and support of the cooperative business.

This program has been extremely successful in building relations between South Dakota Farmers Union, our Doug Sombke members, cooperatives SDFU President and their patrons.

Recently, National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson asked me to commit to a series of meetings representing NFU. The meetings are sponsored by the Solutions from the Land Initiative, dealing with conservation measures. The first meeting was in September when we traveled to Missoula, Mont., to see up close how landowners, local, state and national governments, along with private funding can cooperatively make conservation measures work, benifiting everyone.

We were able to see how conservation measures can be successful with a combination of local buy-in and key individuals in government positions listening to what is important to everyone affected.

When Roger approached me to commit to these meetings I was more than somewhat reluctant to commit. My time is spread very thin with all my duties as your state president and all it requires.

But after being in Washington, D.C., for nine days and witnessing first hand the most dysfunctional Congress in our nation’s history, it was refreshing to see what can be accomplished out in the country where people with a passion to accomplish something through cooperative efforts with govern-

ment and private funds can make it happen, despite Congress and its efforts to do nothing.

Our efforts in Washington during the recent NFU legislative fly-in were very well received and respect from members of Congress and their staffs was very appreciated. Most agreed that we need to get a farm bill passed this year. No extension will be acceptable; it will be seen as rewarding failure.

Since our visits, the House has passed, by a very thin and partisan margin, a nutrition bill that cuts $39 billion over ten years from the Supplemental Nutritional Assistants Program (SNAP). It also requires individuals without small children receiving assistance 90 days to find work or has assistance denied.

The House is set now to appoint conferrees to work with Senate conferrees to work out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the farm bill and bring a conference committee version back to each body to vote on.

The nutrition title from the Senate would cut $4.1 billion over ten years, while the House version cuts $39 billion over the same span. I will tell you it is highly unlikely we will see a farm bill pass anytime soon. I have never been a glass-half-empty person, but this Congress has proven they are not willing to work cooperatively with each other, let alone with the current administration.

I wish I had better news from Washington, D.C., but somehow I’m guessing you didn’t really expect anything different. Although, as I said at the beginning of this article, on the ground where it really matters, SDFU and local cooperatives are truly making a difference in your day-to-day lives. We will always be there for you since it is you and your fellow members that make our organizations what they are. Farmers Union and our local cooperatives are full of caring, responsible people making a brighter future possible.

Have a safe and bountiful harvest and God Bless all you do,

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, Sept/Oct, 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 Mitchell, 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

Angela Tarasoff..........ext. 111 Membership Specialist Huron

Mike Traxinger........ext. 112 Legislative Director Claremont

Kelsey Schnetzer........ext. 116 Membership Director Wolsey

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

Erin Wilcox................ext. 118 Rural Development Director Huron

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

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

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

Contact NFU

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

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

Roger Johnson, President ~ Claudia Svarstad, Vice President Doug Peterson, Secretary ~ Don Teske, Treasurer 202.554.1600 www.nfu.org

Farmers Union Members get

20% OFF

*

their entire purchase at

Double D

Western Wear & Tack 800 21st St., Huron, SD

www.doubledwestern.net Please present this coupon with your purchase

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* Excludes all boots, men’s jeans and tack

Sept/Oct 2013

Union Farmer

www.sdfu.org

Education News

By Bonnie Geyer Education Director

It is hard to believe summer is over; fall is here and winter is right around the corner. Oh how time flies! I just finished updating all the records from the camping program and there is great news to report! Overall we finished the camping season with 82 campers over last year for a total of 1,438! A big ‘thank you’ goes out to all the district education directors, county and local volunteers, summer interns and everyone that helped. I so appreciate everyone’s dedication!

Thanks also to the board of directors for believing in and supporting the youth program. It’s truly changing lives! Our young people are gaining the confidence to speak in front of people, learning about cooperatives, Farmers Union, financial literacy and developing leadership skills. You can be proud that these young people are very excited about being part of this organization and a member of the Farmers Union family. I consider it an honor to work for an organization that invests in our young people and in the future!

Also a big ‘thank you’ to our sponsors: CHS Foundation, Farmers Union Insurance Agency, Santel Communications and the countless other donations from cooperative and local businesses and individuals. Thanks for believing and investing in our young people!

Youth leaders please submit your final youth reports as soon as possible. I will be working on sending out achievement awards soon. If you see or hear of any inaccuracies please contact me as soon as possible so that the appropriate updates or changes can be made. Once again, I appreciate all that you do for the Farmers Union Youth program!

Thanks to those who joined us at the State Fair on Farmers Union Day! What a fun day to come together with our Farmers Union family and celebrate our agricultural heritage. Congratulations to the Rural Dakota Pride recipients and to the 26 “Insuring a Brighter Tomorrow” Farmers Union Insurance Agency scholarship recipients.

Remember, October is Co-op Month so help us celebrate and spread the word about the benefits of a member-owned business in your community!

Go to your local cooperative and say thanks for being in your community and be proud to be a member-owner of your local business!

The 2014 SDFU Foundation Scholarship applications are due Dec. 1, 2013. All Farmers Union Senior Youth whose families are current members of Farmers Union and who are either freshmen in a post-secondary school or seniors in high school and are planning to attend a post-secondary South Dakota school are eligible to apply for the scholarships. There will be three, $500 scholarships awarded. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Go to www.sdfu.org for an application or give me a call. Good luck with Harvest! Be safe!

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

2014 SDFU Foundation Scholarship Apps Available The South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation is once again offering three, $500 scholarships to young people who commit to pursue their post-secondary education at a South Dakota college, university or technical school.

Applicants’ parents or guardians must be current members of South Dakota Farmers Union and the applicant must plan to attend a South Dakota institution. Scholarships are open to high school seniors and freshmen attending a South Dakota college, university or technical school.

Applications are available from your school counselor or online at www.sdfu.org. There is an

online application or a printable application for submission. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is Dec. 1, 2013. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Farmers Union scholarships have been awarded annually since 1961. Recipients are selected on the basis of organizational and community involvement, academic achievement and financial need. Last year’s recipients were Myles Bialas of Dimock, Maria Nightingale of White Lake, and Nathan Nugteren of Canistota.

For more information contact Bonnie Geyer at 605-352-6761 ext. 125.

CONFERENCE: Participants to choose national delegates

NFU Foundation Awards Scholarships

Continued from Page 1 Woster is also scheduled to speak. State Veterinarian Dustin Oedekoven and S.D. Secretary of Agriculture Lucas Lentsch have also been invited.

Because SDFU has moved its annual state convention from February to November 2014, this will give members a chance to connect before the state legislative session and before the National Farmers Union convention in March 2014.

The fall conference will not be considered an annual state convention. The rules will be suspended since this will be the second time in 2013 national delegates would be elected. Members are encouraged to attend because they will have an opportunity to run and vote for delegates to represent South Dakota at the national convention in Santa Fe, N.M., in March 2014. If you’re interested in running to be a national delegate, contact Karla Hofhenke at 605-352-6761 ext. 114 or email her at khofhenke@ sdfu.org. Those running to be a national delegate will need to get a petition. You can request a petition from Karla, or get one at the beginning of the conference. Petitions must be turned in by noon on Thursday, Nov. 14, during the conference with the election to be held at 2 p.m. The voting will be cast on a one person, one vote basis. All members attending will be allowed to vote.

More information will be sent to county and district leaders about the fall conference soon to they can tell their local members about the conference at any local or district meetings.

An open house will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Thursday afternoon at the new state office building on Dakota Ave. All members and friends are invited to attend this exciting opportunity to tour the new office building.

For more information on the fall conference and open house you can visit our website at www.sdfu. org, or if you have questions about the petition process call Karla Hofhenke at 605-352-6761 ext. 114.

Union Farmer

The National Farmers Union Foundation (NFUF) recently announced its scholarship recipients for 2013.

Five Stanley Moore $1,000 scholarships were awarded to Julia Birgen of Lafayette, Colo., Hunter Huff Towle of Bismarck, N.D., Kelsey Schlegel of Dalmatia, Pa., Hayley Siroky of Roy, Mont., and Derek Tarabetz of Chamberlain, S.D. The scholarships were established in the memory of Stanley Moore for his lifelong dedication to Farmers Union. He served as the NFU vice president and as chairman of the NFU Insurance Companies.

The $2,000 Hubert and JoAnn Seymour Scholarship has been awarded to Kyle Knutson of Kathryn, N.D. This scholarship is named in honor of lifetime Illinois Farmers Union member and national rural activist Hubert K. Seymour and his wife. It has been given annually to outstanding high school seniors since 1995.

“These young people were selected from among all the great applicants from across the country,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “Education plays an important role in Farmers Union, and I’m very thankful to see all the applicants are so actively involved in their schools and communities.”

The NFU Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2014 award year. Information on qualifications and the applications can be found at www.nfu.org/education/scholarships.

Visit the Education page at

www.SDFU.org

for more information on our programs

Sept/Oct 2013

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Union Farmer

S.D. water laws need an update Guest Column By: David Ganje, Ganje Law Offices Water drainage issues in South Dakota are longstanding and have a significant effect on the agricultural economy of the state. I will be writing a series of articles. This article is the first in the series. The comments and discussion in this series of articles on water drainage matters are for informational purposes only and are not intended to provide legal advice.

Readers should not act upon information you might receive from these articles without seeking professional counsel.

South Dakota has been plagued by water drainage problems for decades. Surprisingly, there is little coherent or efficient planning to meet the challenge. Instead, we have witnessed David Ganje debates, numerous court cases and the failure of new legislation capable of addressing the issue.

The state has experimented and over the years implemented a smorgasbord of agencies with authority over water issues including the State Water Management Board, County Drainage Commission statutes, irrigation districts, water user districts, water project districts, water development districts, conservation districts, and watershed districts. The results are less than successful when one considers the state’s drainage problems. There are benefits to water drainage, both environmentally and economically. However, the road to effective water drainage law and policy remains elusive, partly due to the unwillingness of those in authority to exercise existing rights given to the state’s leaders.

Water drainage is defined as the depletion of water from a water-logged piece of land. By draining off excess water, soil goes from saturated to unsaturated, allowing air to better move through the soil, making it healthier. This can result in a decreased amount of runoff and topsoil loss with water drainage, also improving soil quality. By making the soil healthier, crops are healthier, more abundant, and typically generate better profits.

Water drainage is also desirable economically.

Studies done by North Dakota State University indicate that there is a 30-50 percent yield increase in fields that have added tile drainage systems. This yield change increases revenue, as well as the quality of the land in general.

Despite the evidence that supports water drainage systems, dispute about the benefits remain, including the questions: How does one drain the water? Where should it go? And how much is too

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Sept/Oct 2013

much?

A few water rights concepts, such as the Civil Law Rule, should be considered. The Civil Law Rule states that a lower estate is responsible for the water that naturally drains across it, and whatever trouble that may come with it — however, an upper estate cannot lawfully do anything to increase this burden. This means that an upper landowner cannot add to the natural volume of water the lower landowner would naturally receive, or change the course of the water’s flow. In addition, one cannot impede the natural flow or speed of the surface water. These principles have been demonstrated and applied in numerous court cases.

For example, in the 1909 South Dakota case of Boll v. Ostroot, in which the defendant dug a ditch to drain water onto the plaintiff’s lower lands, the court ruled that the defendant could not lawfully discharge water onto another’s land through an artificial channel. In addition, it was also ruled that one could not change the natural course of the water’s natural drainage path.

More recently, the 1985 case of Gross v. Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Co. exhibited enforced water laws. This case held that discharge is allowed over, but not onto another’s land, the principle being that drainage can flow but not in such a manner as to create a new water depository.

Although effective, the precedents and general guidelines set by these court cases are not enough to combat all of South Dakota’s water drainage issues.

Part of the problem lies in South Dakota’s 1985 water drainage statutes which offer guidelines regarding when permits are needed, the application process, coordinating drainage areas, and so on. The law allows for both creating drainage plans and managing drainage controls. This newer water drainage chapter of laws could be effective in theory, but in practice and implementation falls short.

As of July 2012, only 18 out of 66 counties in South Dakota had a drainage ordinance in place, making it nearly impossible for the state as a whole to deal with all the complications that can arise.

Manpower, data, and resources necessary to carry out all that the statutes calls for are not widely available — such comments are often given as the reasons for the failure of counties to administer the law.

Political leaders at the county level are reluctant to take the bull by the horns and ‘domesticate’ water drainage issues. In later articles I will discuss some of the mechanics of the 1985 law and how it could be used and how it is ignored.

David L Ganje of Ganje Law Offices is an attorney in Rapid City who practices commercial law and natural resources law. Contact him at 605-3850330, d.ganje@ganjelaw.com or write to him: David L. Ganje, Ganje Law Offices, 1830 West Fulton, Rapid City, S.D. 57701.

Union Farmer

Membership News

By Kelsey Schnetzer Membership Director

Welcome to fall in South Dakota! It’s a time for blue jeans and short sleeves one day and our stocking hats and sweatshirts the next. As I look out my office window and admire the South Dakota “breeze,” I’m always amazed at the comments out-of-staters make about our winds.

Speaking of breeze, wow have the first few months here at South Dakota Farmers Union blown by! I have been working here at the office to acclimate myself to the surroundings and the change of pace from previous work experiences. I have been so blessed to meet many new faces already and look forward to a number of events over the next six weeks where I hope to meet many more of you.

We have been working very hard to secure a number of new exciting membership benefits for you, our members. I am on pins and needles waiting to get the final approval to announce what new deals we have been able to work out.

Hopefully within the next month they will all be official and we’ll be able to save you some hardearned money on a number of new items with companies we’ve never been able to work with before. It’s such an exciting time, and I can’t wait to share the news with you.

We are getting close to the time of year where our annual ‘Brown Bag’ events become a top priority for the Membership Department. October is Co-op Month, and to celebrate we’re partnering with a number of cooperatives around the state to host lunches to thank patron-owners for their support. We have five Brown Bag lunches planned in the month of October. We’ll be visiting cooperatives in Beresford, Toronto, Elk Point, Gregory and Ferney. The dates are on the Clip & Save Calendar on page 19.

New this year, South Dakota Farmers Union is partnering with South Dakota Wheat Growers in the Huron area to provide Harvest Lunches to local producers. We have planned a total of three Harvest Lunches for this year. The first will be held Oct. 22 at the SDWG elevator in Alpena, Oct. 23 at the elevator in Huron, and on Oct. 24 at the elevator in Wolsey. Each lunch will be served between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

I am always interested in setting up membership drives or activities in your local counties.

The more active counties we have, the greater our collective voice can be. If you have an idea you want to run by me, or are looking for activity ideas please contact me right away so we can get something planned. My number is 605-3526761 ext. 116 or email me: kschnetzer@sdfu.org.

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

Rural Development News

By Erin Wilcox Rural Development Director

Agriculture is one of the most dangerous careers in America, and it’s important to teach young people safety strategies early so they can have the knowledge they need when they’re working on the farm.

That’s why South Dakota Farmers Union sponsors and facilitates the annual Team up to Safety Quiz Bowl competition. This year’s finals were held during the Dakotafest Farm Show at Mitchell Aug. 20. South Dakota State University Extension was kind enough to let us use their tent for a couple of hours as a total of four FFA chapters participated in the Jeopardy!style quiz bowl finals. For the third straight year, Wolsey-Wessington’s FFA chapter came away with the championship. You can read more about the competition on page 17. Congratulations to all of the participants. Despite the hot weather that day, I hope everyone enjoyed the experience.

At the end of September we were excited to begin our first session of the Rural Economic and Leadership (REAL) Development Program. The first session was held September 27-28 at the conference room inside Cabela’s in Mitchell.

We lined up two very informative speakers for this event: Tammy Krings and Gerri Ann Eide.

They taught participants about public speaking, understanding personalities and also working as a team. Other topics included board development and putting together presentations.

There are 21 participates for the 2013-2014 REAL program. It’s a very diverse group in geography and occupations. I have had an overwhelming interest in this year’s program; so much we have a waiting list started for next year!

In October, we will also begin our Jr. REAL program. This is a great experience for young people in rural South Dakota, helping to develop them into tomorrow’s leaders.

This year’s participating schools include Wessington Springs, Woonsocket, Sanborn Central, Wolsey-Wessington, Hitchcock-Tulare, Mobridge-Pollock, Lake Preston and De Smet.

We have excellent speakers for Jr. Real this year; two of them are Holly Hoffman and Malcom Chapman. They will provide us with their insight on community service, leadership, personal motivation and also credit issues.

I am really excited for both programs to begin, and hope all involved have a great experience.

If you are interested or have any questions about these or any other programs we have to offer, please contact me at the office at 605-3526762 Ext. 118 or email me at ewilcox@sdfu.org.

www.sdfu.org

Judge rules in favor of COOL rule A U.S. district judge has rejected a preliminary injuction request from a group of meatpacker and producer groups that are trying to stop mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL). The law, originally passed in 2002, requires meatpackers and retailers to label their meat products with its country of origin. But over more than a decade, the law has never been fully implemented.

Nine groups, including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), American Meat Institute, Canadian Pork Council, American Association of Meat Processors, Southwest Meat Association and Mexico’s National Confederation of Livestock Organizations, filed suit this summer to stop COOL. They requested a preliminary injunction to stop the implementation of COOL rules approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture this past May. The new USDA rules follow World Trade Organization rules after previous regulations were found to violate trade laws.

A day after District Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson denied the preliminary injunction, the groups suing USDA filed a notice of appeal.

The United States Cattlemen’s Assocation, National Farmers Union, the American Sheep

Industry Association and the Consumer Federation of America filed to officially intervene on behalf of USDA and work to defend the attack on COOL. NFU President Roger Johnson said the COOL appeal filed by the meatpacker and producer groups is just another attempt to obstruct consumers’ right to know where their food comes from.

“NFU, and our allied consumer and producer organizations, intervened at the District Court to protect the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) modified COOL regulation,” Johnson said.

“The judge issued a very well reasoned opinion and, as a result, NFU will actively participate in the appeal process to defend the district court’s denial of the preliminary injunction motion.”

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack told a group of Farmers Union members at the annual NFU legislative fly-in to Washington, D.C., that the appeals process will take a lot more time and a final decision may not come until 2015.

South Dakota Farmers Union is supporting NFU in its efforts to defend the COOL law against this attack. To help offset legal fees, you can donate online at www.sdfu.org. There is a COOL Defense Fund link on the front page.

Donate to the COOL DEFENSE FUND online at www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

Sept/Oct 2013

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Union Farmer Legislative News

By Mike Traxinger Legislative Director

The Regional Watershed Advisory Task Force met Sept. 16 in Webster. It was the third meeting for the task force tasked with looking into the state’s water management laws and coming up with solutions.

The focus of this meeting was to look outside of South Dakota and learn about how other states manage water.

There were presentations from the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts, the Iowa Drainage District Association, the Yellow Bank Watershed District, the Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Red River Basin Commission, and from North Dakota State Sen. Larry Luick.

Based on the information presented, South Dakota is behind our neighbors in looking to improve the way in which we manage water. Some of the systems have been in place in these other states for 40 years and have made remarkable inroads towards proactive management of water in local watersheds.

Following the presentations the task force members had some discussion about next steps.

It is not entirely clear what direction they will go just yet, but the task force does plan to meet at least once more before next year’s legislative session begins in January. They’ll most likely meet again in the month of December. SDFU is looking forward to working with the members of the task force on drafting potential legislation.

As you may recall, several agricultural groups in South Dakota proposed five basic ideas for potential legislation during the July meeting of the task force. These included mandatory mediation of disputes, standardized disclosure of new projects, identifying water management assets, funding best practices research, and creating water management districts.

SDFU is committed to exploring these options, talking with its members about these issues, and working towards sensible solutions for all of the entities involved in water management.

Without proper management, we will continue to experience challenges in South Dakota from drought, flooding, erosion, runoff, and other causes.

I look forward to working with all of the members on these issues. Please let us know if you have ideas, suggestions, and comments.

You can reach me at mtraxinger@sdfu.org or at 605-377-4110.

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S.D. officials question CP rail investments Farmers Union supports state’s inquery into line improvements South Dakota Farmers Union has sent written comments to the federal Surface Transportation Board (STB) in support of a petition filed in August by the state of South Dakota asking the STB to look into investments made by Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. to see if they’ve lived up to their promises to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to improve rail lines in South Dakota.

The state of South Dakota wants the STB to look into whether or not Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. invested as much as $300 million in upgrades to the old Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern (DM&E) Railroad network that spans South Dakota.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard met with high-ranking officials in Washington, D.C., in September, including the secretary of agriculture and the Federal Railroad Administration, to ask them to support an effort to have Canadian Pacific disclose how much the company invested in the former DM&E line.

Canadian Pacific bought the railroad more than five years ago.

South Dakota officials argue that Canadian Pacific has failed to invest as much as they promised. They say CP was to spend $300 million in the first three years to upgrade and improve the line that runs through Wyoming, Nebraska, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and South Dakota.

The state says there is sufficient evidence that they didn’t make the promised improvements.But the company says they have invested more than

Union Farmer

$400 million to improve the safety and efficiency of the former DM&E network.

In a letter sent to the STB, South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke said South Dakota’s agricultural industry relies heavily on the use of rail to transport its commodities and the STB needs to look into the actions of Canadian Pacific and the company’s investments into this important line.

“At present time, there is sufficient evidence to indicate that CP has not followed through on its initial representations to the Surface Transportation Board,” Sombke wrote.

This past December, CP announced it is looking for a buyer for the rail west of Tracy, Minn., which includes the entirety of the line running through South Dakota.

“The sale of this line, without CP’s investments, would put the entire line at risk,” Sombke wrote.

“Without further investment, the line would not be able to be used at its current capacity, further restricting transportation of commodities on the line, potentially eliminating the ability for the agricultural industry to maintain a competitive rail system in South Dakota, stifling economic development along the line, and reducing market opportunities for farmers and ranchers.”

SDFU has called on the Surface Transportation Board to deny any request from CP to sell the rail in question until the company has fulfilled all of its represented commitments.

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

By NFU President Roger Johnson

Fly-In Concludes

Approximately 300 Farmers Union members from across the country were in Washington, D.C., Sept. 9 to 11, for NFU’s Fall Legislative Fly-In. The event kicked off on Monday morning with briefings at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the White House and on Capitol Hill.

NFU hosted a press conference with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Ag Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, musician and renewable energy activist Neil Young and Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis. The press conference underscored the importance of Congress passing a five-year, comprehensive farm bill this year and also the need for reauthorization of the Renewable Fuel Standard.

At a reception Monday evening, NFU awarded Sen. Tim Johnson the Friend of the Family Farmer award for his years of service.

“Throughout his (Sen. Johnson’s) career he has been a champion for family farmers and ranchers on issues ranging from farm bills, to energy policy, to competition in the livestock industry,” said President Johnson. “His work on the banking committee helped to provide rural communities with access to the financing and credit they need to be successful.”

Tuesday evening NFU held its annual Golden Triangle Award reception at the Stewart Mott House. The Golden Triangle is presented to members of Congress who are strong advocates for family farmers and ranchers, and support similar principles and policies as Farmers Union.

For more information on the Fly-In, please visit www.NFU.org.

2013 Farm Bill Update

Progress on a comprehensive, five-year farm bill remains at a standstill. House Republicans recently passed legislation to reauthorize farm bill nutrition programs separately from the farm and other programs in the farm bill. This legislation, H.R. 3012, the Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act of 2013, would cut $40 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is twice the funding cut by the bipartisan House Agriculture Committee-passed farm bill and ten times the cut included in the bipartisan Senate-passed farm bill. It is estimated that cuts of this magnitude

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would deny SNAP benefits to at least four million low-income Americans. NFU opposes the legislation and supports reuniting the nutrition and farm portions of the farm bill.

It is clear that this legislation has no chance of becoming law as Senate leaders will refuse to consider the bill and the president has stated his intention to veto it. With only nine legislative days in September before the one-year extension of the 2008 Farm Bill expires, House leadership would be better served by appointing members of a farm bill conference committee in order to begin the work of reconciling differences between the House and Senate bills rather than wasting valuable floor time on this effort.

Meanwhile, members of both congressional chambers and both sides of the aisle have stated their opposition to another short-term farm bill extension. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has stated his intent to begin preparing for the high support prices for dairy and other agricultural products that would kick in upon expiration of the one-year farm bill extension on Sept. 30 and reversion to permanent law enacted in 1938 and 1949.

This law requires the USDA to manipulate the dairy market in a way that would implement a floor price of roughly $39 per hundredweight beginning Jan. 1, 2014 – close to double current milk prices. It appears Congress will need to take action on a new five-year farm bill before the end of the year or risk angering consumers facing high milk prices.

COOL Lawsuit Action

On Sept. 11, the judge hearing the Country-ofOrigin Labeling (COOL) dispute filed by meatpackers and processors ruled in NFU’s favor and rejected the preliminary injunction request, which would have halted USDA’s implementation of COOL regulations. The court’s decision and opinion are extremely thorough and NFU appreciates the effort that the court took to address each argument that was made. The strongest point made by the court is that the plaintiffs were unlikely to prevail in any of their three arguments: COOL is not a violation of the first amendment, the new production steps label is not unreasonable and the label is within USDA’s authority.

Among its findings, the court ruled that the plaintiffs had not carried out their burden to demonstrate irreparable injury. This is a point that NFU has made continually throughout conversations about COOL, and we are pleased to have the judge rule in our favor.

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Perhaps more importantly, the court found that public interest, based on likelihood of success, favored the defendants in the case. NFU has said that consumers want to know where their food comes from; this decision suggests that the judge agrees.

The plaintiffs have appealed the judge’s decision, so NFU will continue to work with the other interveners in order to see that the COOL regulations are upheld and implemented. This endeavor is valuable, yet costly. Many have already supported the efforts, and for that we are grateful. If you are interested in helping to ensure we have the best representation possible, please visit www.USCOOLDefenseFund. org.

#MyFarmBill Initiative

The following is a call to action from Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. If you have videos to share, please contact NFU Director of Communications Melisa Augusto at maugusto@nfudc.org.

“At USDA, we remain committed to sharing with all Americans the need for a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill to keep up momentum in American agriculture, grow the rural economy and create jobs. And today, we launched Instagram, @ USDAgov, to highlight photos and videos from around the country that bring into your home the dynamic beauty of rural America and the hard work of people who live there.

But that’s not all – we want to hear from you!

Secretary Vilsack kicked us off by asking you to share your stories on what the Food, Farm and Jobs Bill means to YOU and your communities. Using your Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or blog, we are inviting you to help us tell this important story and to highlight the impacts that these programs have on our nation’s rural and urban communities alike. Use the hashtag #MyFarmBill and we’ll share some of our favorites.”

Beginning Farmer Institute Meets

Members of NFU’s Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) were in Washington, D.C., recently to learn financial, marketing, public speaking and planning skills.Some BFI members participated in a White House briefing, while others attended a briefing held by Senate Ag Committee staff. In addition, BFI participants attended several educational sessions including financial planning with Gary Matteson with Farm Credit.

The institute is a yearlong program and is sponsored in part by Farm Credit, CHS Foundation, FUI Foundation and the NFU Foundation.

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Legendary musician Neil Young touts benefits of renewable fuels Young takes part in press conference with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Sen. Debbie Stabenow

Washington),” Young said. People He’s a music legend. He recorded hits like Rockin’ in the Free World, Ohio, and Heart of Gold. spread disinformation that’s just not He’s won a number of Grammy Awards. But what true about how biofuels aren’t safe for some motors and that America some people might not know is that Neil Young is can’t build motors specifically for also a champion for renewable fuels. biofuels.

“Thank you to the members of the Farmers “My car runs on a four-cylinder Union for being here today to support this great quest that we’re on,” Young, wearing a T-shirt that Atkinson motor made by Ford Motors. At the Ford Motor plant my car read “GO FAMILY FARMS,” said during a press was made to run on pure ethanol, conference held during the National Farmers Union E85 down to E70, but at my request Fly-In in Washington, D.C. I said ‘Don’t make it so it runs Young joined NFU President Roger Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Harry well on gasoline, Reid of Nevada, Senate AgI don’t want to riculture Committee Chairuse it. We don’t woman Debbie Stabenow need it,’” Young of Michigan, and Growth said. “Those who Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., (left) with Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis at a press conference in Washington Sept. 9.

Energy CEO Tom Buis durtell you that we ing the press conference. need fossil fuels songs on his cell phone from the podium during the Neil Young has converted to run your car, to get to work and press conference. He was excited about Young’s a 1959 Lincoln into a bioback and to run the delivery vans passion for biofuels. electric vehicle that he drove around town and the small light“We’ve learned a lot about biofuels, we’ve done thousands of miles across the duty pickup trucks, those people so much better in producing biofuels for things country to tout the benefits are all wrong. We don’t need fosother than crops that we eat and that’s important,” of biofuels. He calls it the sil fuels for that. We have a model Sen. Reid said. “I’m happy about how important our “LincVolt.” that works and we have ways of biofuels industry is. Global climate change is here, “It is an unbelievable making it accessible for every and it’s all of us working to try and change what we car. It’s great to ride in, it’s American over the next five years have in America today that will help us around the fast and it’s clean. It burns so everyone can afford this.” world set an example of what we need to do.” cellulosic ethanol and it has “The fact is there is enough You can learn more about the LincVolt vehicle electricity,” Young said. biofuel that we can make in this online at www.lincvolt.com.

When it runs out of eleccountry that would power all of tricity the generator kicks those cars with generators running in and it burns cellulosic on biofuels like mine,” Young ethanol. said. “It’s a very good fuel. It’s “The American farmers a very clean fuel, and it’s getting Neil Young speaks during a press conferand the Canadian farmers and better,” he said. ence Sept. 9 in Washington, D.C. The the crops that you grow make legendary musician owns a LincVolt veYoung said that Americans this car go.” don’t have freedom of choice hicle that runs on electricity and cellulosic Young said he’s pushing when it comes to the fuel they put ethanol. to keep the Renewable Fuel in their vehicles.

Standard which sets a goal of requiring 36 billion “There’s a monopoly in existence,” he said. “Evgallons of renewable fuel to be blended into transery time you get off the road, you enter a monopoly portation fuel by 2022. There have been efforts by zone: It’s called Big Oil. There’s no reason why petroleum companies and associations to get rid of every fuel stop that has more than four fuel pumps that mandate. cannot have an E85 pump.”

“The Renewable Fuel Standard is probably the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he’s a most important thing we need to get done here (in big fan of Neil Young, and even played one of his

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RALLY: Broad coalition pushes for farm bill passage Continued from page 1

“The Senate is ready to move forward,” Johnson back as a high quality, high protein cattle and poulsaid. “Our leadership has already selected members try feed.”

“It goes to show that the farm bill impacts all for the conference committee to work out our differOne of the most unique groups to join the coaliAmericans, not just farmers and ranchers,” Johnences with the House bill. Unfortunately, the House, tion was Feeding South Dakota, the state’s largest son said. “It’s incredible how this broad group of with its unwillingness to compromise has been network of charitable food banks. The group’s exorganizations, each with different and sometimes dragging its feet and has refused ecutive director Matt Gassen said with competing priorities, can come together and to even send anyone to negotiate they rely on the work of agriculadvocate as one for passing a farm bill.” with the Senate about a final bill. tural producers to feed the hungry The farm bill has been at a standstill since the The House needs to follow the in South Dakota.

U.S. House defeated a comprehensive bill on the Senate’s lead, drop the partisan“It’s because of that partnerfloor in a close vote in July, but later passed a farmship and act quickly. Let’s move ship and relationship we have only bill, leaving out the nutrition title that includes forward, let us work out our difwith the farmers and ranchers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ferences and let’s get a farm bill.” in the state of South Dakota; the (SNAP). The Senate passed its version of a compreLeaders from some of the people who are working every hensive bill in June, and now the two chambers will groups involved in the Back the day to feed not only the hungry have to work out the differences in the bill during a Farm Bill Coalition also spoke people of South Dakota but the conference committee. It’ll take compromise from at Saturday’s rally, urging mempeople of the world,” Gassen both parties to get a farm bill to the president’s bers of Congress to pass the farm said. “We too believe and know desk, Johnson said. bill before the current extension the importance of passing a farm “It supports millions of jobs across the country, expires on Sept. 30. bill, especially the nutrition porprovides a safety net to producers through effective “We’re all one today for one tion. The fact that this group was risk management and feeds the hungry all while main reason, to get a farm bill willing to put the nutrition title reducing the national debt,” Johnson said. “Not passed,” said South Dakota Farmas part of their five main points everything in the bill was perfect. Not everyone ers Union President Doug Somto support speaks volumes about up here supported each individual piece of the bill, bke. “Another extension is not where their hearts are, not only in RMA Administrator Brandon Willis myself included. But that’s what compromise is all the answer, we’re only moving the work they do every day, but in about. That’s what we have to do to develop a long- backward if we do that. The farm bill needs a nutrithe people they’re trying to help support.” term farm bill.” tion title because we have to supGassen said as much as 50 percent of the recipiAdministrator Willis said port those who eat the food we ents of nutrition assistance in America are children, historically Congress has passed produce, and permanent law is and another 10 to 20 percent are older citizens. farm bills to keep up with what makes Congress act. House “We understand that everyone needs to play their changing times. Agriculture has conferees need to be named so part, but we also want the representatives in Washchanged dramatically since the we can move forward and get a ington, D.C., to understand that we’re dealing with first farm bill was passed in 1933 bill passed.” a segment of the population that many of whom and it’s because of comprehen“It is the largest deficit reduccannot do anything about the situation that they’re sive legislation that Americans tion, bipartisan bill in Congress. in.” have a safe, affordable food It saves between $23 billion and Mike Stephenson with Pheasants Forever dissupply. $40 billion,” said Lisa Richardcussed the importance of conservation provisions “United States consumers pay son, executive director of the in the farm bill and the impact it has had over the the least amount of their income South Dakota Corn Growers years on wildlife production. for food in the grocery store than Association. “I don’t understand “We understand that agriculture and conservation consumers in any developed why the largest deficit-reducing are critical in our state, especially for our economy,” nation. That doesn’t happen bill that affects agriculture, South he said. “As we have more acres coming out (of by accident,” Willis said. “You Dakota’s number one industry, is conservation programs) we’re seeing less wildlife combine a solid federal policy not passing Congress.” habitat available. We need a farm bill, and we need with the ingenuity of the hardThe South Dakota Corn to get it done. It doesn’t matter if you’re a hunter or working American farmer and Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D. Growers Association joined the a fisherman, a grower, a feeder or an eater, everyone it’s led us to pretty good places. coalition to show a united voice, is involved in this.”

None of this would’ve happened without policy that even though every group doesn’t agree on every A question many people not familiar with the dekeeps up with the time. Outdated policy will give us detail of the farm bill. tails of the farm bill have is why nutrition programs outdated results.”

“Collectively we don’t agree on everything, but are coupled with farm programs in the legislation.

The current farm bill extension expires Sept. we have to get a farm bill done or we all lose. Every Sen. Johnson explained that the farm bill needs to 30 and Congress returned to the nation’s capital South Dakotan loses,” she said. include both nutrition and farm programs because Sept. 9. The ‘Back the Farm Bill’ coalition has been Tom Hitchcock, the CEO of Redfield Energy of the political reality of fewer people in rural working to educate the public about the importance LLC, said ethanol producers rely on the hard work America. of a comprehensive five-year farm bill while urging of the state’s corn farmers and he believes that “Because there are fewer and fewer planters members of Congress to support the legislation’s a farm bill is vital to the ethanol industry. South and growers in the United States and there are passage. The coalition members have agreed to Dakota’s 15 ethanol facilities produce one billion more people who are urban-oriented and they don’t support five main points: The farm bill must be a gallons of homegrown fuel each year. understand and they don’t support the farm bill as compromise; another extension of the 2008 farm “That’s more than twice the amount of gasoline a standalone bill,” Johnson said. “So for practical bill is not a viable option; the farm bill must contain that is sold every year in the state of South Dakota; reasons we united those two together and it makes a nutrition title; Congress should not repeal permathat’s a lot of fuel,” he said. “South Dakota plants all the sense in the world, or else we would have no nent law; and the U.S. House must name conferees crush 360 million bushels of corn a year, that’s a lot chance at a farm bill.” to work out compromises on the farm bill. of corn folks. Nearly one-third of that corn comes

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Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair Hundreds of Farmers Union members and friends gathered Saturday, Aug. 31, in Huron for the annual Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair.

The day was full of events to celebrate Farmers Union and honor scholarship recipients and several outstanding South Dakotans for their volunteer work. Farmers Union also participated in a Back the Farm Bill rally to urge members of Congress to pass a comprehensive, five-year farm bill.

The day began with a ceremony honoring the 26 recipients of the Insuring a Brighter Tomorrow scholarships. Nine recipients attended the ceremony held on the Freedom Stage at the fairgrounds. You can read more about the scholarship recipients on page 15.

Next, the recipients of this year’s Rural Dakota Pride Awards were honored for their volunteer activities. The award is given on an annual basis to South Dakotans who are active in their communities and have a dramatic impact on the world around them.

You can see the recipients and read more about them on page 14.

From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., South Dakota Farm-

ers Union served its annual ‘Farmer’s Share’ luncheon in the tent near the Freedom Stage. For a donation of $1 to Make-A-Wish South Dakota fairgoers received a full meal of barbecued pork, chips, baked beans and milk.

The goal of the luncheon is to educate consumers about the true farmer’s share of their retail food dollar. The farmer’s share of the lunch they were served was just 53 cents.

Starting at 1 p.m., Farmers Union partici- SDFU Vice President Wayne Soren (left) hands out a frisbee during Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair Aug. 31. pated in the ‘Back the Farm Bill’ rally on the large mirror. The winner was Dawn Schock of Freedom Stage. SDFU was one of 22 groups from Salem. across the state of South Dakota to participate in Thanks to everyone who came out to the State the Back the Farm Bill Coalition. The Fair for Farmers Union Day. We’re excited to see groups agreed on five main points you again next year! about the farm bill; the most important being that a farm bill needs to be passed before the extension expires.

Throughout the day, anyone wearing a Farmers Union shirt, hat or other apparel was eligible to sign Farmers Union members are now eligible for up to win a new iPad. SDFU junior members who showed their junior membership card could sign up to win a Kindle Fire. At 2:30 p.m., South Dakota Farmers Union drew THE PURCHASE OF A NEW VEHICLE * the winning names. Tosha Prisinger of Wilmot won the iPad, and Annie Smith of Redfield was the winner of the Kindle Fire.

THE PURCHASE OF A USED VEHICLE * Approximately 1,300 people attended the Farmer’s Share Luncheon held Throughout the week of the State AT THESE FINE DEALERSHIPS at the South Dakota State Fair. They enjoyed a meal of barbecue pork Fair, fairgoers signed up to win a

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Annie Smith (left), of Redfield won the Kindle Fire. Tosha Prisinger of Wilmot won the iPad giveaway.

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Aidan Beck of Huron (right), SDFU education director Bonnie Geyer and the entire Junior Advisory Council helped served the meal to fairgoers during the Farmer’s Share Luncheon.

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5-20% Off Merchandise!

10% Off Gift Cards!

Call Kelsey at 605-352-6761 ext. 116 for your customer number and order over the phone for great discounts!

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FLY-IN: Participants Visit White House, Capitol Hill Continued from Page 1

“We understand that Syria is a pressing issue The other portion of the group visited with staff right now,” Sombke said. “We’re working to inform on the House and Senate Agriculture Committees members of Congress about the national security and heard from Senate Ag Committee Chairwoman impact the farm bill has on our country. If we can’t Debbie Stabenow. grow our own food, our national security is at risk.”

The group was split into four- or five-person South Dakotans met with members of Congress teams for their work on Capitol Hill. They had a and their staffs throughout the trip, including memgroup leader and visited the offices of several members from states like Florida, Georgia, Arizona and bers of Congress throughout the trip. others.

A press conference was held on the second day “It’s important for us to tell our story to people of the Fly-In with Neil Young, the legendary musifrom across the country that aren’t as familiar with cian and renewable fuels activist. You can read agriculture,” Sombke said. “It gives us a chance to more about the press conference on page 14.

An SDFU team inside the Longworth House Office Builddiscuss these issues that are extremely important.”

The South Dakotans also met privately in sepaing, from left, LaQuita Schockley, Ron Slaba, Luanne The Fly-In began with a briefing at the United rate meetings Tuesday with South Dakota’s conThompson, Kevin Thompson, Erin Wilcox and Wayne States Department of Agriculture (USDA) building gressional delegation, Sen. John Thune, Sen. Tim Soren. in Washington where several USDA officials spoke Johnson and Rep. Kristi Noem. As part of the Back to the full group of Fly-in participants. the Farm Bill campaign, hundreds Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addressed of people who support the farm bill the group and discussed the farm bill and many signed their name to placards and other issues facing agriculture. letters to the members of South “We need Congress to work as hard as you Dakota’s congressional delegation. do,” Vilsack said. “They have nine working days They were presented to them during scheduled in September. Last time I checked there the private meetings. were 30 days in September. They don’t necessarily have to go home on Thursday night. They The South Dakota group with Sen. John Thune presenting placards with the could work on Friday. signatures of hundreds of South Dakotans who support the farm bill.

Shoot, they could do what farmers do, work on Saturday and maybe even a little on Sunday.”

Vilsack discussed how Congress has failed to do its job by failing to pass a comprehensive farm South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson with the group and the placards containing bill and they’re leavthe names of hundreds of South Dakotans who support the farm bill. ing rural America out to dry.

The team led by SDFU President Doug Sombke meets with staff mem“You need to say bers in the office of Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla. ‘Enough, do your job, get it done,’” Vilsack said to room applause.

During his speech Mr. Vilsack also discussed the Renewable Fuel Standard, country-of-origin labeling Rep. Kristi Noem poses with South Dakotans and the placards containing and other issues facing hundreds of names of South Dakotans who support the farm bill. rural America. You can read more about his address on page 13.

A portion of the group also visited the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the Many of the South Dakota Farmers Union teams walked several miles in grounds of the White all over the course of the three-day Fly-In visiting the offices of several members of Congress. This team was walking in the Canon House Office House to hear from B.J. Richter of Britton stands at the microphone during the USDA briefing Building between meetings. They are, from left, B.J. Richter, Anne TornWhite House staff and asks Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack a question while Ludlow’s berg, Kayla Richter, Kelsey Schnetzer and James Murphy. and other officials.

Ron Slaba waits for his turn at the mic.

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Sen. Tim Johnson, Friend of the Family Farmer South Dakota’s senior senator receives prestigious award from NFU for legislative achievement National Farmers Union (NFU) has bestowed one of its most prestigious honors, the Friend of the Family Farmer Award, upon Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota. Sen. Johnson was presented the award Monday, Sept. 9, during a reception at the Kennedy Room inside the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. The reception was held in conjunction with NFU’s Fall Legislative Fly-In. “Sen. Johnson is a longtime friend of National Farmers Union,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “Throughout his career he has been a champion for family farmers and ranchers on issues ranging from farm bills, to energy policy, to competition in the livestock industry. His work on the banking committee helped to provide rural communities with access to the financing and credit they need to be successful.”

Over 30 South Dakotans were in Washington and surrounded Sen. Johnson as he was given the prestigious award. South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke of Groton introduced the senator during the reception.

“Senator Johnson is a true friend to the family farmer and is so deserving of this award,” Sombke said. “He’s always been a champion for agriculture and has stood with us on so many issues throughout his incredible career. I can’t thank Senator Johnson enough for all of the work he’s done to make life better for South Dakota’s agricultural producers.”

Sen. Johnson, who has announced that he will retire when his term expires at the end of 2014, has been a public servant since first winning a seat in the

Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., accepts the National Farmers Union’s Friend of the Family Farmer Award during a reception Sept. 9 inside the Kennedy Room in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C.

South Dakota Legislature in 1979. Raised in Vermillion, Johnson earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of South Dakota. He also earned a law degree from USD in 1975.

Sen. Johnson served in the South Dakota House from 1979-1982 and the state Senate from 1983-

1986. He was elected to the U.S. House in 1986 and moved to the Senate in 1997. Johnson, now 66, is serving his third consecutive term in the Senate.

“I am truly humbled and honored to receive this prestigious award from the National Farmers Union,” said Sen. Johnson. “Throughout my years of service, I have always been committed to improving the lives of family farmers and ranchers who live in rural communities, and I look forward to continuing this effort in the Senate.”

Sen. Johnson spoke of many of the accomplishments he’s seen in his time in Congress from progress on renewable energy to providing a safety net to farmers.

“I’ve spent my entire career in public service to make sure that hard-working farmers and ranchers get a fair shake,” he said.

“The Farmers Union family congratulates Sen. Johnson on his tremendous service in the U.S. Senate,” said President Johnson. ”He will be missed upon his retirement.”

South Dakotans pose with Sen. Tim Johnson after the three-term senator received the Friend of the Family Farmer Award from NFU.

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Vilsack to Congress: ‘Enough, do your job. Get it done.’

Secretary of Agriculture addresses Farmers Union Fly-In; talks farm bill, COOL, RFS Secretary of Agriculture had harsh words for members of Congress who have failed to pass a comprehensive, five-year farm bill, and encouraged farmers and ranchers to demand action.

Farmers need to say, “Enough, do your job. Get it done,” Vilsack told a large crowd of National Farmers Union Legislative Fly-In participants in Washington, D.C., Sept. 9.

Vilsack touted the importance of the farm bill to everyone in the country, not just people who live and work on the farm or ranch.

“It’s not just important to rural America, it’s important to all America, it’s a huge bill. It’s not just about the commodity programs as important as they are, it’s not just about crop insurance, as significant as that is.”

Vilsack said it’s important for trade, job creation, conservation, rural development, research and other aspects of the economy.

The U.S. House earlier this year passed a split farm bill, taking the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) out of the bill. Vilsack says that has grave consequences.

“Separating nutrition proposals from the farm programs is a mistake,” Vilsack said. “It’s not a mistake for the nutrition programs, it’s a mistake for farmers.”

Vilsack said separating nutrition and farm programs will give urban and suburban lawmakers no reason to vote for farm programs. He also said cutting nutrition programs will take money out of farmers’ pockets.

“You’re also going to impact farm income,” he said. “Because 16 cents of that dollar that is spent at the grocery store as it winds its way through the supply chain ultimately ends up on the farm. So you cut $40 billion, multiply that by 16 percent

and that’s billions of dollars fewer of farm income. interested in having.”

There’s a rippling effect here.”

Vilsack said there will be a compliance hearing There are many who argue that there is a lot of with a decision likely sometime next year, and an fraud and waste in SNAP. appeals process which could Vilack said that’s simply not take a lot of time. The final true. decision isn’t likely to come “Here are the facts: 92 until at least 2015. percent of the people receiv“We’re in a long process ing SNAP are either senior here, but we’re going to be citizens who lived and faithful to the rule, faithful worked all their life who to the intent and direction of find themselves on a very Congress, and I think faithsmall Social Security check ful to the importance of this income and are having to issue to producers across the decide whether to pay their country. It’s a battle we’ll rent and the heat or buy continue to fight.” food, or people with serious The Renewable Fuel disabilities who, by God, if Standard (RFS) was another they were given the opportopic of discussion. Vilsack tunity would love to be able said there are efforts by Big to work but because of a Oil to get rid of the RFS disability are unable to do so, but USDA is fighting those Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addresses children and people who are attacks to repeal a standard participants in the NFU Fly-In during a briefing actually working, adults who that makes sure more biofuheld at the USDA headquarters in Washington, are working.” els are making it into veD.C., Sept. 9.

The other 8 percent, Vilhicles across the country. sack said, are people who are “We’re making sure receiving cash welfare and there are requirements members of Congress understand this rule is workfor seeking work. ing,” he said. “We’re going to continue to work Vilsack also discussed the country-of-origin with our partners at EPA and continue to encourlabeling rules the USDA released this past May. The age Congress not to modify, repeal or substantially USDA was promptly taken to court over the rule. change the RFS; let it work, because it has worked “It didn’t take long for those who are opposed and it will continue to work. We are heavily into this idea of letting consumers know where their vested in this (biofuels) industry because it creates food comes from, it didn’t take long for those folks opportunity, not just for additional farm income, but to file suit,” Vilsack said. “This is something that for innovation and creativity in rural areas and job consumers and producers across the country are creation,” he said.

Shareholders approve Smithfield sale to Chinese company Shuanghui Shareholders of Smithfield Foods Inc. have approved a deal to sell the largest pork producer and processor in the world to a Chinese company, Shuanghui International Holdings Ltd., based in Hong Kong.

Smithfield, headquartered in Virginia, owns the John Morell plant in Sioux Falls. The company’s shareholders voted 96 percent in favor of the deal to sell the company for $34 per share, which works out to $4.72 billion in cash.

It’ll be the largest takeover of a U.S. company by a Chinese firm in history.

“We will cease to be the company you saw in the past,” said Smithfield’s CEO Larry Pope when he spoke to shareholders. “This does not mean the company goes away, the company just enters into a new phase and a new era of its life.”

In a statement, National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson responded to the news of the sale.

“It is a sad day for family farmers and consum-

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ers when the largest pork processing company in the United States is sold to a Chinese interest,” Johnson said. “Putting ownership of our food system in the hands of other countries does not bode well for the future of our agricultural marketplace.”

The deal was expected to close Thursday, Sept.

26. Smithfield Foods includes brands like Armour and Farmland. The company was founded in 1936 and has grown to annual sales of $13 billion. The company currently has 46,000 employees nationwide.

The company has said the buyout and China’s growing demand for pork will be a good thing for American agriculture by opening new markets.

Smithfield will keep the same executive team in place and Shuanghui will honor labor agreements with Smithfield workers. Shareholders also approved retention bonuses for the company’s executives.

There have been several incidents of food safety

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concerns within companies owned by Shuanghui, and some lawmakers have questioned the sale. The Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing this past July to discuss the takeover.

Earlier this month, a U.S. committee that reviews mergers between American and overseas companies for national-security implications cleared the deal.

NFU President Johnson said he’s extremely concerned about the sale, and says lawmakers need to continue to question these type of agricultural takeovers by foreign companies to make sure they’re in the best interest of American consumers and agricultural producers.

“Congress should revisit the official approval process for such transactions with an eye toward assuring that our food systems are more stable, safe and secure, and are based on a model of family farmers and ranchers,” Johnson said.

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Rural Dakota Pride Recipients Honored at State Fair Tom and Barb Paepke of rural Groton, Rep. Dean Schrempp of Lantry, Laurie Smith and Larry Brink both of Huron, and Jerry Martin of Meadow are all recipients of this year’s Rural Dakota Pride Award from the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation.

The award is given annually to South Dakotans who are actively involved in their communities, are tireless volunteers, and display a large amount of pride in bettering their communities.

A ceremony honoring this year’s award recipients was held Saturday, August 31, during Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron.

Tom and Barb Paepke Groton

“The Paepkes are a great South Dakota family that have given so much to their local community,” said SDFU Foundation President Doug Sombke.

“They’re always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need and to make their local Doug Sombke, Tom & Barb Paepke, area stronger.” Karla Hofhenke Tom and Barb are members of the local Ferney Farmers Union Cooperative and are longtime volunteers for the “Friends of the Fair” committee, a volunteer group that helps the Brown County Fair come to life each year. They are both past Brown County Fair board members.

The Paepkes are both active members of the County Emergency Response Team (CERT), and are often called to help in emergencies in Brown County.

Tom is active in Groton’s Kiwanis Club, helping children in the area, and will be the group’s president next year. He’s also a past FSA board member. Both Tom and Barb are active members in a local hospice. They donate and volunteer at the Thanksgiving Dinner in Groton each year, a dinner for those who don’t have family or a place to go for Thanksgiving Dinner.

“This year’s Rural Dakota Pride Award recipients are what make South Dakota such a great place to live,” Sombke said. “They make their community stronger each and every day and serve others selflessly. We’re honored to give them this small token of appreciation for all they’ve done for our state and this community.”

Rep. Dean Schrempp Lantry

“Dean is a fighter,” said SDFU Foundation President Doug Sombke. “Not only does he love boxing and help youth get started in the sport, he has fought on behalf of farmers, ranchers, and all rural South

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Dakotans as a member of the state Legislature for many years.”

Schrempp has worked with youth in his area for 40 years and founded the local Golden Gloves Club.

He’s made a dramatic Doug Sombke, Rep. Dean Schrempp, impact on Karla Hofhenke many young lives over those years, having more than 500 young people go through his boxing program. Schrempp was instrumental in saving the Eagle Butte Community Clinic. In 1991, the clinic was $10,000 in debt.

Dean helped the clinic become solvent again and helped raise $70,000. Then he worked with Gov. George Mickelson to secure $200,000 in state funds for the clinic that is still running today and provides health care to as many as 40 patients every day.

Schrempp has also served many years as an elected official. He was a Dewey County Commissioner from 1980-1988 and has served several terms in the South Dakota Legislature. He’s currently a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from District 28A.

Jerry Martin Meadow

“Jerry’s the kind of person who likes to say under the radar and does a lot of work for his local community without asking anything in return,” said SDFU Foundation President Doug Sombke. “He’s always been a quiet but stabilizing force in his area and we’re so glad we can honor him for all he’s done.”

Martin is a third-generation farmer and rancher in Perkins County Doug Sombke, Jerry Martin, Karla Hofhenke who graduated from Black Hills State College with a science degree. He taught in the Faith School District for nine years before going to farm and ranch full time. Martin is a lifelong member of Indian Creek Lutheran Church.

He has served on the Lemmon Federal Credit Union board of directors, was on the Grand Electric Cooperative board for 21 years, many of those years as president. He was the secretary/treasurer of the Glad Valley Volunteer Fire Department for 12 years and is currently in his third year as president.

Jerry’s been an active member of Perkins County and District VI Farmers Union for over 30 years and served as co-op director on the county and district boards for several of those years.

Union Farmer

Laurie Smith Huron

“Laurie Smith believes we have to teach our children the importance of service in our communities,” said SDFU Foundation President Doug Sombke. “She involves her family every chance she gets as she makes a difference in the Huron area.”

Smith is involved in Make-A-Wish South Dakota as a wish granter.

She also helps with fundraising for the organization and helped raise Sombke, Rep. Laurie Smith, Karla over $15,000 Hofhenke during the Wild, Wild Wish event.

She’s also active in Mitchell’s Summer’s Last Dance event and Hot Harley Nights in Sioux Falls which raise funds for Make-A-Wish. Smith also serves as the chairwoman of Coats for Kids in Huron and is on the Huron Little League board of directors. She is also active in the Huron Christian Church and James Valley Christian School and serves as a volunteer for Boys and Girls Scouts.

Larry Brink Huron “Larry is described by his friends as a man full of kindness with a big heart who is always willing to help anyone in any way possible,” Sombke said.

“We’re honored to present him with this award for his lifetime of service to others.”

Brink has served on the Huron Christian Church board as an elder and many times has called upon those in the hospital, nursing homes and homebound people throughout the community.

He’s a board member for Diamond Willow Ministries in Ft. Larry Brink Thompson and takes trailer loads of hay bales for horses involved in the ministry. He also takes clothes and household items to residents in the Ft. Thompson area.

Larry worked as the superintendent for many years at Dakota Energy Electric Cooperative.

Brink was unable to attend Doug Sombke with Brink’s family: the ceremony. Kay Hammond, Amy Kruse, Jane Miller, Dan Brink and SDFU’s Karla His children Hofhenke accepted the award on his behalf.

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

Insuring a Brighter Tomorrow Scholarship Recipients Recipients of the 2013 ‘Insuring a Brighter Tomorrow’ scholarships from the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation were honored Saturday, Aug. 31, as part of Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair.

A total of 26 students who graduated in 2013 received $1,000 scholarships. Nine of the students attended the ceremony held on the Freedom Stage at the State Fairgrounds.

“We’re honored to be able to be able to help these young people achieve their dreams and pursue their post-secondary education,” said Wayne Bartscher, regional manager of Farmers Union Insurance Agency and vice president of the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation. “All of these young people are enrolled this fall in a South Dakota college, university or technical school, and it’s a pleasure for us to be able to invest in their education and in the future of our state.”

For the sixth straight year, the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation, in cooperation with Farmers Union Insurance Agency, awarded the funds through the “Insuring a Brighter Tomorrow” scholarship program. Over the past six years, the Foundation has awarded over $150,000 in scholarships to students attending South Dakota post-secondary schools.

The recipients were chosen from among a large pool of applicants. They were scored based on a combination of academic record, activities and awards, financial need, and an essay relating to how they will, “Insure a Brighter Tomorrow,” in South Dakota. Farmers Union Insurance agents throughout the state fund the scholarship program administered by the Farmers Union Foundation.

The 26 recipients were: Anna Chicoine, Elk Point, Elk Point Jefferson High School; Benjamin Connot, Winner, Winner High School; Tate DeJong, Philip, Philip High School; Allison Dockter, Wilmot, Wilmot High School; Thorn Dramstad, Huron, Huron High School; Hadly Eisenbeisz, Pierre, Pierre TF Riggs High

Pictured, from left to right, front row: Allison Dockter, Wilmot; Chelsey Lehrke, Sisseton; Aria Meyer, Britton; Abigail Mitchell, Yankton; and Wayne Bartscher, regional manager of Farmers Union Insurance Agency. Back row: Thad Krause, Clear Lake; Thorn Dramstad, Huron; Shayna Frost, Redfield; Gavin Snook, Philip; and Andrew Puetz, Clear Lake.

School; Rebecca Froehlich, Madison, Madison High School; Shayna Frost, Ashton, Redfield High School; Alyssa Jung, Warner, Warner High School; Thad Krause, Clear Lake, Deuel High School; Chelsey Lehrke, Sisseton, Sisseton High School; Aria Meyer, Britton, Britton-Hecla High School; Abigail Mitchell, Yankton, Yankton High School; Abby Ottenbacher, Eureka, Eureka High School; Emily Pederson, Aberdeen, Aberdeen Central High School; Brian Peterson, Warner, Warner High School; Cole Potter, Winfred, Howard High School;

Andrew Puetz, Clear Lake, Deuel High School; Elizabeth Renner, Crooks, West Central High School; Dustin Santjer, Aberdeen, Aberdeen Central High School; Brooke Schwasinger, Vermillion, Vermillion High School; Kaylee Sehr, Canton, Canton High School; Gavin Snook, Midland, Philip High School; Whitney Specht, Yankton, Yankton High School; Kaylee Vander Wal, Volga, Sioux Valley High School; Megan Wieczorek, Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon High School.

Conservation Exchange comes to South Dakota The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, with the support of South Dakota Farmers Union, launched the second half of its Barnyard to Boatyard Conservation Exchange Aug. 8-11, 2013, in Sioux Falls with six South Dakota farm families hosting two Louisiana fishermen.

This summer, the TRCP embarked on a unique exchange between South Dakota farmers and ranchers and Louisiana Gulf fishermen to seek solutions to conserve America’s great native prairies and coastal waters.

In the first half of the TRCP Barnyard to Boatyard Conservation Exchange, South Dakota farm families traveled to Cocodrie, La., one of the farthest points south in the Louisiana Delta, for a

See EXCHANGE Page 16

www.sdfu.org

South Dakotans and a group from Louisiana during the South Dakota portion of the Conservation Exchange.

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EXCHANGE: ‘Walking a while in their shoes’ Continued from Page 15

three-day educational outing July 11-14. There they learned about the trials and triumphs of managing businesses reliant on healthy Louisiana Delta and Gulf of Mexico ecosystems.

Now it was the Louisiana fishermen’s turn. In partnership with the South Dakota Farmers Union, two captains of Gulf Coast recreational fishing outfitters participated in an intensive South Dakota agriculture session, witnessing the innovations and realities of grain, livestock and dairy operations, including a night at the rodeo.

“In Louisiana, we flew over the Gulf to get a

bird’s eye view of the Mississippi River entering the Gulf of Mexico, and we fished those waters both from shore and from boats in the delta,” said Tim Kizer, private lands field coordinator for the TRCP and trip organizer. “We heard from the professors at Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium about the impact of runoff and sediment on the ecosystem, but most importantly we made new friends.

“The conservation exchange is about working together to solve problems, and the best way to do that is to walk a while in each others’ shoes,” Kizer said.

The TRCP South Dakota exchange began with

Floats at Summer Spotlight show

South Dakota Farmers Union sponsored a ‘Float Social’ during the 4-H Summer Spotlight Livestock Show held July 26 at the State Fairgrounds in Huron. Farmers Union staff served well over 250 Coke, orange or root beer floats to participants and their families.

Cooperative educators meet in Puerto Rico

Pictured, from left, Jennifer Lutjens-Bahr, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Bonnie Geyer, South Dakota Farmers Union, Glen Schmidt, Minnesota Farmers Union, and Lauren Clary, Kansas Farmers Union.

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Cooperative educators from around the world met in San Juan, Puerto Rico, August 4-7 for the annual Association of Cooperative educators conference.

SDFU Education Director Bonnie Geyer was among the participants which included educators from three other Farmers Union states.

The educators went through workshops on a number of subjects including using technology to compliment co-op education, meeting local economic needs with co-op education, and mapping educational opportuniteies.

Union Farmer

a half-day session at S.D. State University learning about best practices for row-crop production, federal and state conservation programs, drain tiling, nutrient management, federal crop insurance incentives, municipal water issues and economic impacts.

During the four-days the group toured an ethanol facility, grain and livestock operation and cooperative dairy and saw a precision ag demonstration.

In addition, they toured the Missouri River with conservationist John Cooper, former secretary of the S.D. Dept. of Game, Fish and Parks.

Participants in the TRCP Conservation Exchange included: Capt. Howard Cuevas, Xspecktations Coastal CharConservation Exchange participants ters, Dulac/ on a South Dakota farm learning about Cocodrie, La.; precision ag.

Capt. Ryan Lambert, Cajun Fishing Adventures, Luling/Buras, La.; Walt Bones, former South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture and family farmer; Joey Hanson, Agronomist, CCA, with small row crop farm near Elk Point, S.D.; Shantel Krebs, Chair of South Dakota State Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and bison rancher; Patrick and Dawn Scheier, Scheier Farms, Salem, S.D.; Mike Traxinger, legislative director for the South Dakota Farmers Union and family farmer; Ryan and Kerri Wagner, Wagner Farms Inc., Roslyn, S.D.

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Union Farmer

Wolsey-Wessington Captures Quiz Bowl Crown For the third straight year, the FFA team from Wolsey-Wessington High School won the Team up to Safety quiz bowl competition sponsored by South Dakota Farmers Union. A total of four teams competed in the quiz bowl finals Tuesday, Aug. 20, during the Dakotafest Farm Show at Mitchell for the title of quiz bowl champion.

South Dakota Farmers Union’s annual quiz bowl, held inside the South Dakota State University tent on the Dakotafest grounds, featured four-person teams in a Jeopardy!-style competition where the students answered questions related to health and safety on the farm or ranch. Agriculture often is listed among the most dangerous occupations in America and this quiz bowl helps young people learn strategies to stay safe while working in agriculture.

In the semifinal round, Wolsey-Wessington defeated the FFA team from Brookings High School 180-170, and Clark’s FFA team beat Lyman 145-105 to set up a Wolsey-Wessington versus Clark final round.

After a back and forth competition, WolseyWessington outscored Clark by just five points, 155-150 to claim the championship, their third in as many years.

Competing for Wolsey-Wessington were Ryne Johnson, Caleb Brandt, Hunter Johnson and John Hamilton.

The FFA team from Wolsey-Wessington High School (right) competes in the semifinal round against Brookings’ FFA chapter. Wolsey-Wessington went on to capture its third-straight title.

Clark’s team featured Kayla Hemmingson, Cheyenne Severson, Trevor Mudgett and Corey Janisch.

Competing for Brookings were Nathan Braun, Jake Foiles, Justin Johnson and Rob Foiles.

Lyman’s team featured Ryder Schweitzer, Landon Fanning, Conrad Mohr-Eymer and Liam McManus.

“All four teams had impressive young people competing this year,” said South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke. “It’s a testament to the quality of the FFA chapters we have in South

First place Wolsey-Wessington, left to right, Ryne Johnson, Caleb Brandt, Hunter Johnson and John Hamilton.

Lyman, left to right, Ryder Schweitzer, Landon Fanning, Conrad Mohr-Eymer and Liam McManus.

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Dakota and all of the advisors and an honor for their schools. We hope all of the young people who competed in the quiz bowl learned important information that prepares them if they’re ever faced with an emergency on the farm or ranch.”

The four teams who qualified for the finals were the top scoring teams out of a total of 18 FFA chapters that competed during the quiz bowl’s qualifying round at the state FFA convention this past April in Brookings. Sombke and Farm Service Agency State Director Craig Schaunaman were judges.

Second place Clark, left to right, Kayla Hemmingson, Cheyenne Severson, Trevor Mudgett and Corey Janisch.

Brookings, left to right, Nathan Braun, Jake Foiles, Justin Johnson and Rob Foiles.

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Farmers Union Footnotes

Sharp Appointed to South Dakota State Fair Commission

Rep. Hawks wins Legislative Beef Show during State Fair

Gary Sharp of Bath was appointed to the South Dakota State Fair Commission by Gov. Dennis Daugaard on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013.

Sharp is a dairy farmer and cattle feeder on his family-owned and operated farm and serves as President of Sharp’s Inc. “The South Dakota State Fair has been dear to our family for several generations and I would certainly like to see it continue,” said Sharp.

Sharp currently serves as a director of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, president of Northern Electric Cooperative and co-chair of the SD State Fair Foundation Building Campaign.

The State Fair Commission supervises the operation of the South Dakota State Fair. The Commission is administered under the S.D. Department of Agriculture. There can be up to 13 members appointed by the Governor. Members cannot be all from the same political party.

District 9 Rep. Paula Hawks from Hartford was crowned Champion of the 5th annual Legislative Beef Show at the South Dakota State Fair.

As a friendly showmanship competition among state legislators, the annual Legislative Beef Show has become part of the South Dakota State Fair tradition.

This year, eight representatives and four senators were paired with 4-H youth livestock exhibitors from across the state: Sen. Larry Rhoden, Union Center; Sen. Jim White, Huron; Sen. Chuck Welke, Warner; Sen. Tim Begalka, Clear Lake; Rep. Burt Tulson, Lake Norden; Rep. Mary DuVall, Pierre; Rep. Dick Werner, Huron; Rep. Peggy Gibson, Huron; Rep. Charlie Hoffman, Eureka; Rep. Karen Soli, Sioux Falls; Rep. Kathy Tyler, Big Stone City.

Rep. Hawks’ youth ‘coach’ was Mitch Prouty, son of Mark and Donna Prouty, of Hamlin County.

Hawks received a gold belt buckle and will have her name engraved on the “Legislative Showmanship Champion” traveling trophy (won by Sen. Shantel Krebs in 2012).

“This friendly competition is a great way for the legislators to understand the hard work that our youth put into showing livestock at the State Fair,” said Lucas Lentsch, South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture. “It’s also a great way for our next generation to spend time with the policy makers of our state.”

Sponsored by First Dakota National Bank and the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, the competition is a joint project between 4-H, FFA, SDSU and the South Dakota Department of Agriculture.

The judges for this year’s event were Wayne Williamson of Yankton and Staci Wolf of Winner.

Thank You Thank you so much for the opportunity to compete and to have the opportunity to participate in such a great event that educates our future generations of students on the importance of farm safety. It was a great experience and it is a great contest to be a part of. Working as a team in a competition like this really does require teamwork, and it’s competitions like the quiz bowl that make kids prepare for their future and how they learn to work together.

Thank you again for this great opportunity to compete in the farm safety quiz bowl.

- Corey Janisch Clark High School FFA

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Thank You

Thank You

Thank you for the experience of the Farmers Union quiz bowl. Participating in the quiz bowl has been a memorable and educational experience. It has taught me many fantastic traits such as strategy and team building that I will carry with me through my education and into the workforce.

I would like to thank you for supporting the farm safety quiz bowl and my quiz bowl team, Corey Janisch, Trevor Mudgett, Kayla Hemmingson and I at Dakotafest. We greatly appreciated your interest in helping us.

- Trevor Mudgett Clark High School FFA

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- Cheyenne Severson Clark High School FFA

Union Farmer

Miss State Fair Jade Possail Crowned Jade Possail of Tyler, Minn. was awarded the title Miss South Dakota State Fair on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013 during the State Fair in Huron.

Possail is 20 years old and a senior business major at South Dakota State University (SDSU).

Her platform is “Crave a Difference: A Healthy Start for Healthy Kids.” Possail also won top honors with scholarships for most talented, best interview and lifestyle and fitness. Her talent included song and dance to “Roxy” from the musical, “Chicago.” She is the daughter of Duane and Jeanna Possail of Tyler, Minn.

Miss State Fair Possail has been a 4-H Jade Possail competitor in the past and was thrilled to take on the Miss State Fair duties while she made event introductions, announcements and presentations, flagged the start of races, and met and mingled with vendors and fairgoers.

The first-runner-up scholarship in the Miss division was awarded to Carrie Wintle, a 20-year-old native of Huron who attends the University of South Dakota.

Cecilia Knutson, a 21-year-old senior at SDSU, majoring in ag education and animal science, was voted Miss Congeniality by her peers.

Kaci Johnson, a 16-year-old junior attending Rapid City Stevens High School, won the title of Miss State Fair’s Outstanding Teen, in addition to winning the most talented scholarship award. Johanna Jensen won the title of Miss Heartland Valley’s Outstanding Teen and the best interview scholarship award. Jensen is a 16-year-old sophomore attending Arlington High School. She is the daughter of Brian and Becky Jensen of Badger, SD. Grace Rickenbach, a 16-year-old junior attending Hot Springs High School, was voted Miss Congeniality by her teen peers.

Thank You Thank you so much for putting on the quiz bowl. I really enjoyed participating in such a fun environment with great people. I really hope you plan on continuing the quiz bowl for future years because it is educational and entertaining. I really appreciate your interest in the younger generation of future farmers.

Thanks again!

- Kayla Hemmingson Clark High School FFA

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Passings

Farmers Union Footnotes

Lloyd Anderson, 85, of Willow Lake died Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, at the Huron Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services were held at Monday, Aug. 19, 2013, at the United Presbyterian Church in Willow Lake. The Rev. Richard Poppen officiated. Burial was in the Collins Cemetery at Willow Lake.

Honorary pallbearers were his daughter and son-in-law, Lorraine and Lyman Nelson, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and special friend, Eldon Herker. Active pallbearers were Jim Pommer, Don Pommer, Ron Meester, Gene Lamp, Gerald Harms and Gary Harms.

Lloyd was born May 7, 1928, to Neal and Ethel (Grimm) Anderson in Huron. He met and married the love of his life, Ardis Pommer, on Feb. 14, 1948, at the Reformed Church in Willow Lake. He worked in the construction business his whole life and had a deep love for Catepillar Machinery.

Grateful for sharing in Lloyd’s life is his wife, Ardis of Willow Lake; daughter, Lorraine (Lyman) Nelson of Huron; six grandchildren; five greatgrandchildren and sister, Elaine Lamp of Canton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, LeRoy Anderson and one son in infancy; one infant daughter; sister and brother-in-law, Vesta (Tebbo) Harms and brother-in-law, Donald Lamp.

Theda I. Broer, 90, of Huron died Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, at the SunQuest Healthcare Center in Huron. Funeral services were held Friday, Sept.

20, 2013, at the Calvary Baptist Church in Huron.

Theda Irene Duncan, the daughter of Earl and Berniece (Ward) Duncan was born on Feb. 23, 1923, in Theodosha, Mo. She attended school and graduated from Wilson High School in Los Angeles. Theda was a homemaker and took great pride in caring for her family.

On December 29, 1945, Theda married Robert Broer at Los Angeles. They moved to the Beadle County area where they farmed for many years.

Theda was a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Huron. She also attended the Calvary Baptist Church in Huron. Theda was a member of the All Neighborhood Women’s Club (ANW club), the Christian Women’s Club, and the Farmers Union Local #654. She was a South Dakota Farmers Union education leader for 20 years.

Theda enjoyed baking, knitting, and embroidery.

She was an avid gardener and loved taking care of her flowers. Theda’s family was very important to her and she loved spending time with them, especially attending her grandchildren’s events and cheering for them.

Grateful for having shared in Theda’s life are her three sons, Gary (Janet) Broer of Phoenix, Ariz., Phillip (Lilly) Broer of St. Paul, Minn., and Steve Broer of Huron; one daughter, Linda (Vince) Wagner of Alpena; 11 grandchildren; nine greatgrandchildren, brother, Paul (Millie) Duncan of Los Angeles; and many nieces, nephews and special friends.

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J.D. Lynd, 80, of Huron, died at his home Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, surrounded by family. His funeral was held Thursday Sept. 5, 2013, at the First Baptist Church of Huron.

J.D. Lynd, son of Miles M. and Donna M. (Zink) Lynd, was born July 27, 1933, in Ellis, Kan. He graduated from Smith Center High School where he played football and basketball. He attended Kansas State University, Emporia State University, and Fort Hays State.

On May 31, 1953, J.D. married Beverly Thompson in Lebanon, Kan. They had four children: James, Connie, Dennis, and Darrin. J.D. devoted most of his adult life to advancing the cause of agricultural cooperation. He started his career as manager of the Osborne County Co-op in 1960. Four years later he joined the staff of the Kansas Cooperative Council as the assistant to the executive secretary of Kansas Cooperatives in Topeka. J.D. then came to South Dakota in 1968 where he was named as executive secretary of the South Dakota Association of Cooperatives. He was known for his highly visible leadership in the field of agri-business. J.D. served on 14 different agriculture-related committees and organizations in South Dakota. He became a founding member of the South Dakota Ag Unity Group, a coalition of farm organizations where he was instrumental in unifying the voice of organized agriculture in South Dakota.

As a co-op promoter, J.D. was instrumental in helping establish the first program in ag business at Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown. He coordinated scholarships with Vo-Ag Chapters to select winners and sponsor their expenses to the National Institute of Cooperative Education.

He was the recipient of numerous awards from a number of organizations and in 1998 was inducted into the Co-op Hall of Fame for his contributions.

In his retirement, J.D. continued to be active in his community serving in many leadership roles in a number of organizations.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly; four children, James (Wendy) Lynd of Vacaville, Calif.; Connie (Scott) Miller of Denver, Dennis Lynd of Huron; and Darrin (Danette) Lynd of Urbandale, Iowa; eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and four sisters, Fawn Kutnick of McPherson. Kan., Donna Weidler of Topeka, Sharron Morneau of Denver, and Sheila Latham of Stockton, Kan.

Clip & Save Calendar October 2013 3-4 7 8 9 9 10 11 14 15 16 22 23 24 29

Rural Women in Ag, Keystone Jr. REAL - Mobridge Jr. REAL - Woonsocket Jr. REAL - Wolsey Beresford Brown Bag Lunch Gregory Brown Bag Lunch Deuel Co. Brown Bag Lunch State Office Closed, Native Am. Day Ferney Brown Bag Lunch Elk Point Brown Bag Lunch Harvest Lunch - Alpena Harvest Lunch - Huron Harvest Lunch - Wolsey Ag Land Assess. Task Force Mtg

November 2013 9 Dist. IV Annual Mtg, Winner 13-14 Beef Industry Council Mtg, Pierre 14 SDFU Fall Conference, Huron 15-16 SD Local Foods Conf., Rapid City 19 Beginning F&R Symp., Brookings 22 NDFU Convention, Minot 28-29 State Office Closed, Thanksgiving

December 2013 4-5 24-26

CHS Annual Mtg., Minneapolis State Office Closed, Christmas

January 2014 1 14 20 20-21 21

State Office Closed, New Year’s Legislative Session Begins State Office Closed, MLK Day REAL Session Two, Pierre SDFU Legislative Day, Pierre

February 2014 11 13-16

Ag Fest, Pierre College Conf. on Coops, Mpls

Visit the Events section at www.sdfu.org for more details on upcoming events.

The South Dakota Union Farmer is published 10 times per calendar year with issues in January, February, March, April, May/June, July, Aug./Sept., October, November, and December. All information for publication must be submitted by the 15th of the month. You may submit items by mail to the State Office, P.O. Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350 or email items to: sdfu@sdfu.org

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