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.