May 2024 Union Farmer

It’s Camp Season

Rural youth from across South Dakota have been attending South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) Camp for 90 years. And although the programming looks a bit different today than it did in 1934, Farmers Union Camp remains relevant because over the years it has evolved to meet the agriculture, cooperative and leadership education needs of South Dakota’s youth.

The Spurrell family farms near Irene. Nicole and Brian, are pictured here with two of their three children, Gavin, 21, and Lara, 14 and soon to be daughter-in-law, McKenna Mohr. Son, Dashel, 18, is a student at SDSU.

A1998 conversation in Dave Hansen’s milking parlor changed the trajectory of Dave’s family’s farming operation.

“I remember I was planning a trip for us and I was going to ask Nicole to marry me,” recalled Brian Spurrell. “But I did not have any money, and I had worked quite a bit, but Dave still needed to pay me. So, after milking that morning, I said, ‘Dave, before I go on this trip, I need two things: I need to get paid, and I need permission to marry your daughter.’ Dave’s a joker and he said, “You have my permission.”

This is how Dave and Jerilyn Hansen’s daughter, Nicole, came to marry Brian Spurrell. It is also the reason this nearly a century-old Turner County family farm was given a future beyond the third generation.

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Spurrell Family Continued from Page 1

“The opportunity does not always exist for families who have girls.” Dave said. “The assumption is most times that the boys will take over. Our two sons did not want to farm. Nicole picked a husband who wanted to be a farmer, so it worked out really well.”

Brian started working with Dave on the farm when he was 11.

Spurrell

Only a fifth-grader, he hitched a ride from his family’s Wakonda home to the farm with another employee, Daniel Krause.

Brian and Nicole started dating when they were sophomores in high school. She attended Irene High School and Brian attended Wakonda High School. In 2007, the schools merged, so their children attended Irene-Wakonda High School: Gavin, 21, is a recent Dakota Wesleyan University graduate; Dashel, 18, is wrapping up his freshman year at South Dakota State University; and Lara, 14, will be a freshman at Irene-Wakonda fall 2024.

About the time Brian and Nicole began making wedding plans, a small farmstead came up for sale almost next door to Dave

and Jerilyn.

“I graduated from USD, we bought this small farm and we got married in June –1999 was a big year for us,” Nicole explained.

To make room for the next generation, Dave and Brian expanded the dairy herd from 60 to 120. They put in a new parlor system and Brian began doing custom farming for neighbors. Brian and Nicole also expanded the family’s beef herd.

Over the years they added crop acres when it made sense – but Turner County farm ground is competitive. “Any time a piece of land comes up for sale, we look at different strategies to try and acquire it,” Brian said. “Over the years it has gotten a lot tougher because you are not just bidding against other farmers. Anymore, you are bidding against land investors from town who buy the land and then rent it back to farmers for big bucks.”

To help expand family income, Nicole and her mom, Jerilyn, started an organizing business, The Neat Freaks, in 2010. They kept busy until 2020 when Nicole had an opportunity to work with her aunt at a a preorder clothing boutique – Charis Clothing By Tammy. Nicole really enjoyed her job and last fall purchased the business.

Dashel Spurrell attends SDSU where he studies ag systems technology.

Jerilyn and Dave Hansen

Brian sings in a band he owns with a friend, the BS Band, nearly every summer weekend. He also expanded the custom farming business to include land rolling. Brian and neighbor, Kevin Gale, operate the business together. Land rolling protects harvest equipment because the 46-foot wide rollers flatten any rocks brought to the surface during planting.

“We are always late getting our own crops in because we are so busy planting and land rolling for our customers. And there are a lot of times when we are too busy – one day it seemed like I had a 1,000 calls just lining up fields,” Brian said.

So why are Dave, Brian and Nicole willing to take so much on and postpone their own farmwork? Gavin, Dashel and Lara.

In 2024, their son, Gavin, and his fiancé, McKenna, returned to the farm. And after college, Dashel plans to return as well. At this time, Lara isn’t sure what she

wants to do after college.

“Our strategy has always been, we don’t turn away jobs. We work to make as much profit on and off the farm as possible so we can support our kids if they want to return to farm too,” Brian said. “It seems like in today’s farming industry, you have to get big or get out. We want to keep this family farm going.”

Dec. 7, 1941

The determination of the current generation making decisions on the family’s farm could not make Dave happier.

His grandpa, Jens Peter or “JP” Hansen, was sponsored by a local Danish farmer to emigrate to America in 1902. JP met Dave’s grandma, Hanne Marie “Mary,” because she was also a recent immigrant from Denmark and was working on the same farm. After they paid the farmer back, the couple purchased a small farm near Irene.

JP and Mary had nine children. Dave’s dad, Earl, was born in 1917 and like his parents, wanted to farm.

“Dad looked at this farm on Dec. 7, 1941. We always remember the date because that was the day Pearl Harbor was bombed,” Dave said.

Dave is also one of nine. “We were poor. But that does not mean unhappy, or that we did not eat regular – it just meant there were limited things you could do and have. We did not have a television, but I had an extremely happy childhood,” Dave said.

After high school, Dave paid his way to attend South Dakota State University. He had plans to return to farm with his parents, Earl and Edith. “I never had any desire to do anything but farm. But there were also other opportunities in life, so this is the reason I wanted an education.”

Although he wanted to return to the farm right after college, the

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military had other plans. He was drafted during the Vietnam War and served as an Army Chaplin Assistant in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Working as a Chaplin’s Assistant was a good fit for Dave.

“As a 12-year-old I heard a missionary speak in church and I thought, someday that will be me,” Dave said.

Fast-forward 30 years and Dave is a fulltime dairyman and farmer. “The Methodist Church of the Dakotas was sending a mission team to Haiti, I thought, ‘this is my chance.’”

Dave and Jerilyn spent two weeks helping build a school in Haiti.

“It was life changing. I did not realize that so many people live in such poverty. I vowed that I would return.”

Dave has returned to Haiti 60 times. In 1989 he started what became a non-profit, Helping Hands for Haiti. The organization works with local leaders in Haiti to help fund churches, send children to school and drive economic

Spurrell Family Continued on Page 7

Custom land rolling is one of many ways the Spurrell family earns off-farm income.

Dave’s dad, Earl, and Grandpa “JP”

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By Lura Roti

Gerri Eide, Gettysburg Farm Mom

Parenting in such a way that children know they have the freedom to follow their own goals has always been important to Gerri Eide. And it’s a philosophy that she and her husband, Shon, implement when it comes to parenting their three children: Hunter, 21, Tanner, 18, and Bobbi, 16.

“I feel it is my job to push my kids to think outside the box and try something new. I’m always working to help them discover experiences that will help them be successful and the best versions of themselves,” Gerri explained.

It’s a similar philosophy used by her parents, Stella and Eugene Nagel.

“Knowing that we had the freedom to follow our own goals was important for myself and my sister. We knew the farm was our legacy, but we knew we were not tied to the farm,” Gerri said.

The farm Gerri references, has been in her family since 1907. Gerri and Dawn grew up working alongside their dad, uncles and cousins on the Gettysburg crop and livestock farm.

“Today, my cousins and my sister and I are the ones running the operation. Mostly my cousins and my sister – I help out as an extra hand. But when we make big decisions, we meet and make them together.”

After graduating from South Dakota State University, Gerri became an agriculture education teacher. Two-and-a-half years into teaching, she began serving as the Executive Secretary for the South Dakota FFA Association.

“I am passionate about educating youth about the opportunities in agriculture, getting them to give their best effort in what they do and giving them confidence to pursue their dreams,” Gerri said. “Kind of like the saying, if you love someone, set them free. I believe that philosophy applies to agriculture. We do not need to clip our kid’s wings and keep them from experiencing all that’s out there. If we love them, we give them opportunities. If they love agriculture and it was meant to be, they will come back with great passion to succeed.”

While living in Renner and working in Brookings at SDSU, Gerri and Shon started their family. Becoming a mom made her want to return

Celebrate Farm & Ranch Moms

As we reflect on the women who raised us this Mother’s Day, South Dakota Farmers Union would like to celebrate the many women who support the state’s No. 1 industry – farm and ranch moms!

Read on to learn about Gettysburg farm mom, Gerri Eide and Hidden Timber ranch mom, Kodi Blotsky.

the family farm. Renner is a three-hour drive from Gettysburg.

“Every time we came home to the farm, the kids loved being around the pigs and calves,” Gerri said. “We wanted our kids to grow up not just hearing about agriculture but experiencing it.”

In 2006, she and Shon made the decision to return to Gettysburg. Career-wise, this move meant quite a bit of driving for both of them. Shon drives an hour each way to his job working for the South Dakota Law Enforcement Training Center in Pierre.

And Gerri needed to be in Brookings one day a week as well as facilitating FFA activities throughout the state.

“Here I am, I value educating, and I thought, ‘how can I educate my kids if I am traveling all over educating others?’”

Today, Gerri works as the Executive Director of the FFA Foundation and does leadership and communication training through her personal business, GANE Leadership Consulting.

As she reflects today on her children’s connection to their family farm, Gerri knows she and Shon made the right move 18 years ago.

Son, Hunter, is passionate about livestock. He loved working with the farm’s cattle and showing pigs in 4-H and FFA. A senior at South Dakota State University, even though he isn’t home to do calving checks, he keeps his cell phone connected to the calving barn monitors. Hunter will start medical school this fall and hopes to return to work in the Gettysburg hospital.

Crops and cropping systems have always captivated their son, Tanner. In addition to

Gerri Eide

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to

Gerri Eide with her husband, Shon, and children (left to right) Bobbi, Hunter and Tanner.

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Kodi Blotsky, Hidden Timber Ranch Mom

As a young girl, Kodi Abbott would hop on Polly, her favorite pony, and ride the 2 miles to her Grandma Inez’s house.

“My Grandma Inez was probably one of my best friends. I would go down there to play cards and drink coffee. I can remember begging and pleading to stay overnight with Grandma,” recalled Kodi Blotsky.

When Kodi and her husband, Chad, became parents, Kodi wanted this life for her own children. Moving back to the ranch came with a need for a career change after her firstborn, Chaz, was born.

“I was teaching high school computers. It was rewarding but I could not find a daycare I was comfortable with and there were so many papers I had to take home each day and grade that I knew I wanted a more flexible job,” Kodi explained.

About this time, the ranch employee quit. So, Kodi asked her dad, Bill, and brother, Bryan, if they would consider hiring her to fill the role.

“Ranch work does not feel like work to me, and it allowed me and Chad to have the dual income we needed for our family,” said Kodi, who added that over time she and Chad began to build up their own cow herd.

room there are older kids learning something new and different.”

Today, Chord, 12, attends Winner Middle School. His brother, Chaz, is 19 and attends Mitchell Technical College and his brother Chase, 15, is a high school freshman attending Winner High School.

And although she grew up working on the ranch, she said as a mom, she thinks about the cows she feeds and cares for a bit differently than before she had kids.

“I always say, ‘if you don’t have patience, don’t work cows with me.’ Cows are not meant to be running all over the place. And I tell the boys not to rev their four-wheelers because the cows need things quiet enough that they can talk to their babies. They communicate with one another all the time,” Kodi explained. “And if I ever hear a smart remark that a cow should be able to get up right after calving, I am quick to remind the man who made the remark to think about what the cow just did –she just had a baby.”

When it came to her babies, most of the time, her sons, Chaz, Chase and Chord, were able to be with Kodi while she did chores. But if the job was not safe, her mom, Kay, stepped in and the boys got to stay with Grandma.

“My mom was a life saver,” Kodi said. “I

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planting and harvesting the farm’s crops, Tanner developed a business plan for his and his siblings’ pumpkin patch.

Taking advantage of the fact that the family’s home sits on Highway 212, for years the Eide siblings have raised and sold pumpkins out of a trailer along the side of the road. To this day, the Eide Acre pickle jar that holds the cash operates on the honor system.

have been blessed with many good mom mentors – my sisters, sisterin-law and the Cattlewomen.”

Kodi’s mom introduced her to the South Dakota Cattlewomen.

“Mom was a member and she needed someone to drive her to meetings. I would take her to meetings and then, I could not just sit there and not get involved,” said Kodi, who served as State President 2013-2015 and on the Beef Industry Council.

Like on the ranch, the boys went with Kodi.

“The ladies were amazing. They loved having the boys there and they would often ask if they could hold them.”

Raising the boys on the ranch in rural Todd County came with another benefit – country school. All three boys got to attend Klein School. It’s the same school Kodi attended kindergarten through eighth grade.

“I have always been a strong believer in country school. Because there are at least three grades together, the kids learn from each other. And if they pick up on something quickly, they don’t get bored because in the same

Daughter, Bobbi, loves raising and showing pigs. She leads the Gettysburg FFA Pig Project. This is a program developed to give fourth- through eighth-graders living in town an opportunity to raise and show a pig. Bobbi provides swine and showmanship education to participants. And she brings them with her to help with the twice-a-day pig chores.

“The connection to the farm has made

Involvement in 4-H is yet another benefit to ranch life, Kodi added.

“I did 4-H when I was growing up and because I did demonstrations and special foods contests in public, I am not too shy to speak in front of people,” Kodi said. “As a teacher, I could always tell which students were in 4-H or FFA. Those students seemed like the stronger leaders.”

So, even though 4-H demonstrations may not have been her sons’ first choice, from the time they were cloverbuds, she made sure that along with all the projects they were excited about, her sons also gave demonstrations and signed up for at least one community project.

“Sometimes I had to force my kids. But I wanted to make sure my kids have the confidence to speak in front of anyone,” Kodi said. “And they do.”

Kodi also made sure her sons attended Farmers Union Camp. Her son, Chaz, currently serves on the Senior Advisory Council and was selected to participate in the Farmers Union Enterprise Leadership program. n

them very well-rounded individuals,” Gerri said. “They are confident because they have learned to deal with struggles and understand that everything will not always go their way. They understand where their food comes from, and they know how to wade through information they hear in public and advocate for the truth.” n

Gerri Eide

Kodi and her husband, Chad, with their sons (left to right): Chase, Chaz and Chord.

Kodi as a young girl with her Grandma Inez.

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Get to know the 2024 Intern Team

Each summer, South Dakota Farmers Union welcomes three college-age students to serve as Education Program interns. These young adults assist Education Program Specialist Samantha Olson with curriculum development, county camp eacilitation and serve as mentors to the junior leaders who plan and facilitate state camps. This year all three interns are Jackrabbits. Read on to get to know them!

Aeriel Eitreim, studying history at SDSU with a specialization in teaching

Question: How do you see this internship helping you in your future?

Answer: Because education will be my career, this internship will help prepare me because as an intern I will spend the summer working with youth and educating them about cooperatives, leadership and farm safety.

I hope to gain skills that will help me teach students who are a different personality than me, so that I can become an effective educator for all students.

Also, I am eager to learn more from working with Samantha. I like her fresh ideas and what she has done to improve the education programs, while still keeping our traditions.

Question: Tell us about your connection to South Dakota Farmers Union?

Answer: My roots in SDFU run deep. My mom, Melanie Raap-Eitreim, served on the Junior Advisory Council and she enrolled me in day camps as soon as I was old enough. I loved camp!

I served on the Junior Advisory Council (JAC) and received my Torchbearer Award in 2023. I currently serve on the Senior Advisory Council. I credit my leadership and ability to speak in front of groups to my involvement in Farmers Union. Through serving in these Farmers Union leadership roles, there have been many times I needed to stand in front of a roomful of campers and speak.

Cally Faulhaber, studying agriculture education and agriculture leadership at SDSU

Question: Why were you eager to apply for this internship?

Answer: I grew up on a farm near Plankinton. My family has a cow/calf herd, we finish our own cattle and custom feed cattle for others. I and my brother also raise sheep.

Because of my agriculture roots, I was actively involved in 4-H. I did everything I could do in 4-H – static exhibits, showing livestock and I served on leadership teams as a 4-H Ambassador. I always wanted to be a teacher, and realized that I could combine my love of agriculture and 4-H and work as a 4-H Youth Program Adviser for SDSU Extension. This is my dream career.

When I learned that this internship would allow me to educate youth about agriculture AND work for the state’s largest agriculture organization, I thought it would be an amazing opportunity to put everything I want to do together.

Question: Why are you looking forward to working with the Junior and Senior Advisory Council members?

Answer: Two 4-H Youth Program Advisers, Hilary Risner and Audra Scheel, are my mentors. They have worked to help me connect with others in the agriculture industry and they spend time helping me whenever I need it. I want to serve as a mentor to the JACs and SACs. I look forward to supporting them as they facilitate camps. I hope to be able to provide them advice to help them be their best.

Groth, studying ag leadership at SDSU

Question: Why were you eager to apply for this internship?

Answer: Well first of all, my cousin, Hannah Groth, served as a Farmers Union intern and had a really positive experience. She is now an agriculture education teacher and FFA adviser. Based on what my cousin said, and that fact that if there was such a career as an elementary age, agriculture education teacher, it would be my dream career, I decided to apply.

The internship’s agriculture focus is another reason. I grew up on a cow/calf and sheep operation in Nebraska. I was actively involved in 4-H and FFA. So, I am very passionate about agriculture and want to continue working in the agriculture industry after college because of the people who are involved in the agriculture industry. Ag people are always willing to lend a helping hand – like our neighbors helping us pull a calf during calving season when the vet was not available.

Why are you eager to teach youth about agriculture?

Answer: I enjoy working with youth because I like the fact that they are always eager to learn. I have put on a few Ag in the Classroom Days for local daycares in my community and I enjoyed the great questions that young kids ask. I see a big disconnect between kids raised like me on the farm and kids who grow up urban. Helping bridge this gap through education drives me – it is a passion of mine.

Rachel

Around the State with Farmers Union

South Dakota Farmers Union members and staff are making a difference in rural communities across South Dakota.

On March 22, area producers gathered for a Know Your Farm Carbon Score meeting held by Prairie Ag Partners Co-op in Lake Preston and Kingsbury Farmers Union. SDSU Extension Soils Field Specialist Anthony Bly presented.

development.

“It is my belief that God is where my hope is and that He has allowed me, a farmer, to help in Haiti,” Dave said.

J-DEE Dairy

In 2015, the family decided it was time to sell the dairy herd.

“We saw how much free time we did not have. We all wanted to go to the kids’ ball games and that is just not possible when you need to be home at 4 p.m. to milk every day,” Brian explained.

Dave said although the decision was a tough one, the timing was right. Through careful genetic selection, he had achieved he and Earl’s lifelong dream to have one of the top producing herds in the state. In 1982, the South Dakota Dairy Herd Improvement Association recognized J-DEE Dairy as the highest producing herd in South Dakota. J-DEE stands for Jerilyn-Dave, Earl, Edith.

“I worried that when the time came I might be depressed. It was something my dad and I had built up and I was walking away,” Dave said.

In the end it was the buyer who put Dave’s mind at ease. He knew the dairy producer who bought the herd would take good care of his cows. The price was right. “And as he was walking through the herd, he stopped and looked at me, and he was sincere when he said, ‘this is the best-looking herd of cattle

I have ever seen.’ For some reason, that gave me the satisfaction of knowing we had accomplished what we were trying to do.”

Planning for the future

When Brian and Nicole decided they wanted to build their life and raise their family on the farm, Dave made it clear that Brian was welcome.

“You cannot find a more open-minded guy. He was always open to me trying different things. Now that my sons are returning, I need to remind myself of that because some of the stuff I came up with – it had to be difficult for him, but he said, ‘let’s try it.’”

Dave said he had a good mentor in Earl. “My dad said, ‘you are going to eventually run this operation,’ so he encouraged me to do things my way. Of course, it is tempting to tell someone that it will not work and the reason they will fail. But sometimes, people need to have that experience for themselves.”

Because his sons, Travis and Ross have off-farm careers – Travis is a child psychiatrist and Ross works in IT for AgTegra – Dave and Jerilyn put together an estate plan that works for keeping the farm in the family.

Brian and Nicole said this foresight means a lot not only to them, but to their sons.

“Farming is all I’ve ever wanted to do,” Gavin explained. “It goes back to when my brother, Dashel, and I would lay on the grass and play with our farm toys while watching our dad tilling a field or planting trees.”

Farming was top of mind when Gavin attended college. “I thought about my classes and chose ones that would teach me things that would allow me to bring value back to the farm.”

An ag systems technology major, Dashel said he feels the same way. “I am constantly thinking about how I would use what I am learning in my classes on my farm. I want to bring something home to the farm. I am minoring in accounting for this reason, so that I can maybe help out in this area.”

Like his brother, becoming a farmer has been a goal of Dashel’s since he was a child playing with toy tractors. “Operating equipment and being outside on the farm, this is what I enjoy.”

Understanding their sons’ passion for farming continues to drive Brian and Nicole. Because it is the family’s goal to have the farm support four families, they are working on some new business ideas.

“I did not want this farm to fail before. But now that my kids are hoping to take over, I really don’t want it to fail,” Brian said. “I think a lot about sustainability, and I am taking knowledge from the previous generation and applying it to the future.”

To view more photos and video of the Spurrell family, visit www.sdfu.org. To learn more about Helping Hands for Haiti visit, helpinghandsforhaiti.com and to view Nicole’s clothing boutique, visit www. charisclothingbytammy.com n By Lura Roti

Spurrell Family Continued from Page 3

Union Farmer

FFA Farm Safety Teams Qualify for State Fair Championship

Farm Safety FFA teams from Canton, Milbank, Platte-Geddes and Wessington Springs qualified during the FFA State Convention for the 2024 South Dakota Farmers Union Farm Safety Quiz Bowl Championship.

Held Aug. 31, during Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair, the state’s largest agriculture organization holds the annual competition to keep farm safety top of mind for teens.

“Most farm and ranch families have been impacted by an accident. Farmers Union works to educate South Dakota youth so they can make safe decisions,” explained Doug Sombke, SDFU President and fourth-generation Conde farmer.

Due to the rural nature of the state, PlatteGeddes FFA Adviser Cayla Graves said farm safety education is important for all youth. “Because we live in a very ag-based community, whether they live on a farm or not, most youth spend time on farms or ranches – maybe they work for a farmer or they visit a friend’s farm.”

Graves said because of its design, Farmers Union Team Up for Safety Quiz Bowl is a great way for students to learn more about farm safety. “Kids are competitive,” Graves explained. “Anytime you add that element of competition in, they seem to buy-in more.”

Canton FFA member JJ Rupe agreed. “The contest made me think about some new aspects of farm safety – like weight limits of an ATV,” said Rupe, who will be a senior fall 2024.

Rupe grew up working on his grandparents’ farm and said most of what he knows about

Canton, Milbank, Platte-Geddes & Wessington Springs FFA Farm Safety Teams Qualify for State Fair Championship Quiz Bowl

farm safety he learned from his Grandpa Denny. “My grandpa got his hand caught in a combine. After that he got really big into farm safety and telling us what we need to do to be safe.”

The accident happened when Rupe’s mom, Laurie, was a teen. Fortunately, doctors were able to save Denny’s hand.

Like Rupe, Sutton Stluka grew up hearing about farm safety because the Platte-Geddes FFA member’s uncle lost a finger in a farm accident. Stluka’s uncle was a teen when the accident happened. “My dad is always preaching about farm safety. Between PTOs, chains, belts, grain bins and cattle, my dad reminds me that it only takes a second for an accident to happen, so I need to always be aware.”

Stluka said although he already knew quite a bit about farm safety before the quiz bowl, he did gain additional safety knowledge during the event. “If you miss a question and the other team gets it right, you learn from their answer. So, we were not only competing, but also learning.”

The 2024 State Convention was the second time Avery VanOverbeke and his teammates competed in the Quiz Bowl. In 2023 they did not qualify for the State Fair Championship. The high school senior said qualifying for the championship means a lot to him and his three friends.

“State Fair Quiz Bowl will be a good opportunity for us to unite and see each other again, because we are going all over for college

after high school,” VanOverbeke said of the friends he grew up with since kindergarten.

In addition to FFA, he and another teammate are also Eagle Scouts. “As an Eagle Scout, we believe everyone should know First Aid because you never know when an emergency will happen, and you may be the person who needs to act.”

With summer break just weeks away, Wessington Springs FFA member Mariah Messmer, said she will be busy working on her family’s farm, but she does plan to make time to study up a bit ahead of the competition. “I will take some farm safety quizlets,” Messmer said. “Farm safety is something I will be thinking about more now that I know I will be competing. And really everyone should think about it because in the future not everyone goes back to their farm, but you could use your farm safety knowledge to help out in any situation whether you live on farm or not.”

Teams qualifying for the State Fair Championship Farm Safety Quiz Bowl and their members are: Canton FFA – Jacob Rupe, Conley Winquist, Owen Gard and Alyssa Richmond; Platte-Geddes FFA Chapter – Sutton Stluka, Garret Varilek, Harper Kirsch and Hannah Kirsch; Wessington Springs FFA Chapter –Holden Jackson, Haiden Boschee, Mariah Messmer and Addyson Orth; Milbank FFA Chapter – Landon Novy, Avery VanOverbeke, Kaden Schweer and Nick Fonder.

To learn more about how South Dakota Farmers Union educates rural youth, visit www. sdfu.org. n By Lura Roti for SDFU

Canton FFA – (back row) Jacob Rupe, Conley Winquist, (front row) Owen Gard and Alyssa Richmond Platte-Geddes FFA Chapter – Sutton Stluka, Garret Varilek, Harper Kirsch and Hannah Kirsch

Milbank FFA Chapter – (back row) Landon Novy, Avery VanOverbeke, (front row) Kaden Schweer and Nick Fonder Wessington Springs FFA Chapter – (back row) Addyson Orth and Holden Jackson, (front row) Mariah Messmer and Haiden Boschee

2024 Camp Dates

May 15

May 16

May 22

May 23

May 24

May 28

May 29

May 30

May 31

May 31

June 3

June 4

June 5

June 6

June 6

June 7

June 9-14 ...................................

June 17

June 18

June 19

June 20

June 21

June 25

June 26

June 27

June 28

July 1

July 1

July 2

July 8

July 9

July 10

July 11

July 17

July 18

July 21-24

July 30

July 31

Aug. 1

Haakon/Jackson County

Faulk County

Hanson County

Clark County

Meade/Pennington County

Deuel County

Edmunds County

Day County

State Sr. Camp Registration Deadline

Lyman County

Hutchinson County

Charles Mix County

Hand County

Gregory County

Tripp County

Yankton County

State Camp

Perkins County

Corson County

Campbell/Potter/Walworth County

Kingsbury County

Clay/Lincoln County

Beadle County

Minnehaha County

Harding County

Dewey/Ziebach County

Marshall County

Jr. State Camp Registration Deadline

Roberts County

Spink County

Brule County

Hughes/Sully/Stanley County

Brown County

McCook County

Davison County

Jr. State Camp

Turner County

Brookings County

Jerauld/Buffalo County

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“Educating rural youth is among the ways we support South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers,” explained Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director. “Farm and ranch youth understand agriculture. Through our camps, we provide them with hands-on leadership training so they are empowered with the skills they need to be ag advocates and future leaders of our state’s No. 1 industry.”

In addition to leadership training, during 2024 Farmers Union camps, rural youth of all backgrounds receive an inside look at agriculture careers and animal science.

“There are a lot of careers within agriculture that are not on a farm or ranch,” said Samantha Olson, SDFU Education Program Specialist. “We will introduce campers to several agriculture professionals so they can learn about day-to-day activities and ask questions.”

Youth will get to learn about ag careers from an agronomist, meat processor, ag journalist and a food scientist. During the State Leadership Camp held in the Black Hills June 9-14, teens will have an opportunity to tour Sturgis Meats, a local meat locker and the home of Sturgis Jerky.

“Learning at camp is much different than learning in a classroom at school – we keep all the activities fun and hands-on,” Olson explained.

Creating a cooperative business is among the hands-on activities. Together with their camp counselors, youth elect officers and run one of five cooperatives as a team: newspaper, housing, insurance, store and credit union.

Farmers Union Camp Celebrates 90 Years of Leadership, Farm Safety & Cooperative Education

Campers will also delve into veterinary science, exploring the different digestive systems of animals. Youth ages 9 to 12 will have an opportunity to tour a veterinary clinic during the State Youth Camp held near Huron at Camp Byron, July 21-24.

“Campers learn about the different roles on a board of directors, but they also learn that even if you are not an elected officer, in a cooperative all members have a voice and a vote,” Olson explained.

Running a cooperative has been a part of camp curriculum since the beginning and it’s where Beresford farmer Larry Birgen first learned about the cooperative business model. “Everyone wanted to be in the Camp Store Co-op because then you got to run the store that sold candy to

campers,” said Birgen, who serves as SDFU District 1 Director.

Gail Temple with son, Jordan, with his Torchbearer Award.

A fourthgeneration farmer, Birgen recently retired after 24 years serving on the Southeast Farmers Co-op board of directors.

The fifth of seven kids, Birgen said he and all his siblings went to Farmers Union Camp because their parents, Matt and Maureen, were actively involved in Farmers Union.

“Camp ingrained in us from a young age to be a leader.”

– Larry Birgen, District 1 Board Member

“Camp ingrained in us from a young age to be a leader,” Birgen said. “I got involved in FFA in high school and became Chapter President and then District Vice President.”

And in 1979, Birgen followed in his older siblings’ footsteps and was awarded the Torchbearer Award. It is the highest award youth can receive in the organization. “I remember it was a big deal. I drove

myself to Huron to receive the award at the State Convention.”

In addition to gaining leadership skills and learning about cooperatives and agriculture, since its inception, Farmers Union Camp provides campers with an opportunity to participate in traditional camp activities, like archery, hiking, campfires, dances and talent night. And of course there are the camp traditions like songs.

“Serving as a JAC was really the first chance I got to work with a team and develop ideas and organize an event and make a plan.”

– Gail Temple, District 3 Board Member

“I really enjoyed seeing my own children attend camp and have similar experiences – making friends and singing the camp songs as I did,” said Clark farmer Gail Temple.

Temple serves as SDFU District 3 Director. She received the Torchbearer Award in 1983. Her children Jordyn and Jay also received the award.

“Growing up, it was either work on the farm or go to camp,” Temple said. “We always looked forward to Farmers Union Camp. In those days, you could write or call your friends, so camp was also a time to catch up with the friends we made the year before.”

Camps Continued on Page 12

Vintage Camp photo

Union Farmer

As a teen, Temple served on the Junior Advisory Council. Junior and Senior Advisory Councils are made up of youth who plan the theme and activities of Farmers Union State Camps. Today, in addition to these responsibilities, the youth leaders’ role has expanded to include facilitation of all camp activities. Youth also serve as camp counselors.

“Serving as a JAC (Junior Advisory Councilor) was really the first chance I got to work with a team and develop ideas and organize an event and make a plan,” Temple said.

In addition to serving on the state board for Farmers Union and as the president of Clark County Farmers Union, Temple also serves on the Darlington Township Board, St. Paul Church Board and is the Education Director for Clark County Farmers Union.

While Olson develops the day-camp curriculum, education

directors help organize the nearly 40 day camps across the state that SDFU youth education interns help lead.

“We are so grateful for our dedicated team of education directors. They are invested and truly care about educating the future,” Olson said. “Education directors know their community, so they volunteer their time to help us set a date, find a location and we collaborate with them to connect local youth with agriculture professionals from their local cooperative or other agriculture businesses.”

Each year more than 600 rural youth attend a Farmers Union Camp. Kelcy Schaunaman, 30, is among the thousands of South Dakota youth to attend Farmers Union camps over the last 90 years.

“Farmers Union Camp gave me the building blocks of advocacy.”

– Kelcy Schaunaman

Growing up, she lived on her family’s fourth-generation crop and livestock farm near Aberdeen. Today, she lives in D.C. where she works as a senior policy adviser for the administrator of the Farm Service Agency at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Farmers Union Camp gave me the building blocks of advocacy,” Schaunaman explained. “As people get further and further removed from the generation who grew up on farms, we need more of us with boots on the ground experience to work to help shape policy.

Camps Continued from Page 11

Kelcy Schaunaman

Continued from Page 12

I see every day how the work I do here in D.C. impacts producers like my dad and my uncle on our family farm.”

As a South Dakota State University student, in 2015 Schaunaman traveled with her dad, Kirk, and other South Dakota family farmers to attend a National Farmers Union D.C. Fly-In.

“It was the first time I had been to D.C. During the Fly-In, I realized how exciting D.C. was,” said Schaunaman, who made a connection during the Fly-In that led to an internship working for a North Dakota senator. This internship led Schaunaman to law school.

“In law school I fell in love with agricultural policy,” Schaunaman said. “That is when I knew I wanted to get back to D.C. and work for producers like my dad and uncle because I knew I brought a needed perspective because I grew up on a farm and had seen the day-today activities.”

Alumni Celebrate 90 Years of Farmers Union Camp

Schaunaman and all Farmers Union Camp alumni are invited to be our guest at the 90th Anniversary Reunion June 13 from 6-8 p.m., with the banquet starting at 6:30 p.m. during State Leadership Camp held in the Black Hills at Storm Mountain Retreat Center. To attend the alumni event, email Samantha Olson at SOlson@sdfu.org or call 605-554-3022. n By Lura Roti

Camps

Union Farmer

2024 Top Producer Of The Year Christine Hamilton: Driven For Excellence

By Michelle Rook, originally published by Farm Journal Feb. 8, 2024

At Christiansen Land and Cattle, they’re committed to excellence and continuous improvement, a mindset that started when Christine Hamilton’s family homesteaded in South Dakota in 1891.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to grow,” says Christine, co-owner, Christiansen Land and Cattle, Ltd. (CLC). “However, we can respect what the land can produce for us and work in tandem with that to create opportunities as we go along. I think it’s an honor.”

Christine came back to help transition the operation in 1993. Today, she serves as coowner with her husband, Eddie, and enjoys her role of overseeing CLC’s vision, but she attributes their success to a management team of nine full-time employees who run the day-to-day activities.

Their accomplishments have led Christine and the team to be named the 2024 Top Producer of the Year, sponsored by BASF, Case IH and Rabo AgriFinance.

This diversified operation is comprised of nearly 26,000 acres of range and cropland.

“We farm 14,000 acres and with a diversified rotation, mainly corn beans,” says Matt Huizenga, crops manager at CLC.

They use cutting-edge technology to push yield potential, while protecting the land. They have an intensive precision ag system that involves strip-till, and satellite imagery to help variable rate their fertilizer, Huizenga explains.

CLC also has 11,000 acres of rangeland and runs 1,100 head of cattle, managed by Shawn Reis, with a holistic approach.

“We are cow/calf mainly to offset the markets,” Reis says. “We background two different times a year, we have run stalkers, we’ve even finished some cattle just trying to use our resources to the full advantage –rotating pastures, staying away from seasonlong grazing, we rotate our cows probably monthly and try not to be on the same pasture two years in a row.”

CLC uses activity-based accounting, which they adopted in 2001 following the Hamiltons’ involvement with the Farm

Financial Standard’s Council. The intensive approach helps them know their costs and understand their business progress.

“One of the things that’s really unique to the accounting side of this operation is our cost accounting and managerial accounting,” says Christy Rasmussen, CLC’s accounting manager. “We have a very extensive system for that that really helps the whole management team know where their costs are at any given time.”

“Christine has always led the organization into taking a look at opportunities both traditional and non-traditional,” says Steve Hofing, CLC’s chief financial officer, “and not afraid to examine things that might be a little bit riskier as long as they have the opportunity to provide returns, and the organization has had good success in doing that over the years.”

One of those opportunities is their wholesale beef business.

“We have a business in Las Vegas called Dakota Packing, and we provide spec meat to casinos and restaurants in Nevada,” Christine says.

The Hamiltons are also part owners in SAB Biotherapeutics, which is now publicly traded.

“SAB Biotherapeutics is technology that is one of a kind, that is unique,” says Edward

Hamilton, co-owner of CLC. “It’s a source of human polyclonal antibodies outside of the human.”

It’s through CLC’s business innovation that ensures all these companies as well as the farm are financially sound.

“So, we are always looking at measuring costs and analyzing our performance,” Christine says.

In 2015, they also started a sustainability management plan, creating a living document representing the goals of the stakeholders and the community, part of the legacy Hamilton hopes CLC will be remembered for in years to come.

“I think first and foremost, we care,” she says. “We care a lot about each other and about the land, and about our communities.”

Congratulations to Christiansen Land and Cattle, the 2024 Farm Journal Top Producer of the Year. n

Scan this QR code to enjoy this video about SDFU member Christine Hamilton.

NEVER STOP EDUCATING

Doug Durante, Clean Fuels Development Coalition

For all of us long-time ethanol supporters, we share the frustration that American agriculture and the ethanol we produce is so often misunderstood. We were reminded of this after participating in the annual convention of the Society of Environmental Journalists this month.

This gathering of more than 750 journalists who cover the environment and related issues was a great opportunity to reach these influencers and share the message of the health, climate, energy, economic and national security we provide.

Thanks to a grant from SDFU and funds provided by the Hallberg Family of South Dakota, we were able to have an exhibit space and distribute many of our highly successful issue briefs and publications. Burl Haigwood, CFDC Director of Program Development & Outreach, led this effort and importantly, personally engaged many of these journalists before and during the event. For anyone who knows Burl, he is not shy about telling the ethanol story and was recognized during the event as one of the most active participants at the conference. In addition to our CFDC publications, Burl and I co-authored the book Gasolinegate, which SDFU also supported as we have and continue to distribute it to congress, federal agencies and the media. The book is the basis for an educational campaign we have launched.

Gasolinegate chronicles the decades-long effort by the petroleum industry and EPA to impede the development of ethanol. The story we tell in the book of the 40 years of fighting an uphill battle is well documented and sourced and should leave little doubt that our dependence on petroleum has had a negative impact on our health, climate and economy.

As we engaged with these journalists, however, many of the age-old myths that have surrounded ethanol surfaced with questions as to subsidies, cost, energy balance, land use, water usage, etc., etc. And most disturbing is what we seem to find wherever we go: everyone seems to be at least pass-

ingly familiar with the problems of ethanol but know nothing about what is in our gasoline. In fact, Burl designed a “Do You Know What’s in Your Gasoline” quiz that is a fun but revealing exercise: Gasolinegate: What’s in Your Gasoline Quiz Survey (surveymonkey. com)

The economic, energy, and other issues aside – as important as they are – our core argument is that gasoline is loaded with known carcinogens and clean, renewable ethanol from American agriculture can replace these compounds and in fact, is required. So this brings us back to the oil industry and EPA which have collaborated to skew emission, cost and performance data to maintain the status quo.

While in the Senate, South Dakota’s Tom Daschle led the bipartisan efforts to replace toxic compounds with ethanol and he authored critical legislative initiatives to do so. More than 30 years later the congressional directives have largely been ignored.

So you might ask what does all of this have to do with environmental journalists and I would say everything! If they were engaged in our clean fuel issues they can have a huge impact on public policy. Politicians and bureaucrats who make decisions read newspapers and watch talk shows. It is their job to respond to public opinion. Our problem is the story they have been told by the petroleum industry and the lack of support from EPA is one sided.

Our work at the conference revealed that 99 percent of the many writers we engaged did not know benzene and its derivatives were so prevalent in gasoline, despite that fact that benzene is classified as a known carcinogen and its aromatic partners (toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene, collectively called BTEX) are suspected carcinogens and form airborne benzene when combusted. These emissions – in the form of ultrafine particulates that can directly enter the blood stream – have been linked to everything from asthma to low birthweight to autism. The statistics don’t lie – inner cities with high concentra-

tions of particulate emissions have off-thecharts illness and morbidity rates.

How is it that journalists are not screaming out these dangers yet cannot stop writing about climate change, how the world will be saved with electric vehicles and more recently, the so-called forever chemicals? How is it the lead in water issues impacting several cities have resulted in cries of outrage but cancer at the pump is ignored? Several years ago there was a massive tanker spill in the Houston Harbor when ungodly amounts of what refiners call “reformate” poured into the harbor waters. Reformate is, by definition, a high-octane blending agent containing high volumes of aromatics, which are the BTEX compounds. Yet, there was little hue and cry over this because the media and environmental journalists probably did not understand that reformate was in effect a code word covering up the carcinogens.

Someone should have been asking why are these terrible compounds in gasoline and do we have any alternatives. We know the answer, but this brings us full circle back to the need for education and accurate, credible information. This extends to agriculture and ethanol. So many of the media types we encounter have a negative view of ethanol. Simple lessons could include explaining how modern ag practices dramatically increased yield per acre using less energy inputs than ever before, or that the corn used for ethanol is feed grain not fit for human consumption yet is converted to a high protein feed that multiplies its value.

When engaged, some can be turned and appreciate new information. So we will continue to inform, educate and work with journalists to ensure ethanol and agriculture are understood and appreciated for the crucial role it can play in protecting public health and meeting a range of societal goals. Thanks to SDFU for your leadership on these issues. n

Union Farmer

Farm bills are wide-reaching and important pieces of legislation – that rarely are passed on schedule. Keeping with that pattern, Congress extended the 2018 Farm Bill for another year, so the new expiration date is Sept. 30, 2024.

Inside the beltway, the lengthy annual appropriations process for fiscal year 2024 (FY24) has finally ended. Congress reached a major breakthrough in early March and has passed all 12 appropriations bills to fund the government through September. Right to Repair has also been gaining new momentum, and Farmers Union members stepped up to make their voices heard.

Now one-third of the way through 2024, it appears Farm Bill language may be on the horizon, as recent signals from key lawmakers suggest there will be legislative action in May. The timing has been ideal, as various groups of Farmers Union members and state leaders have been in Washington for spring fly-ins and NFU’s annual advocacy training workshop.

2024 ADVOCACY TRAINING RECAP

On April 15-16, NFU hosted 14 Farmers Union members from across the country for NFU’s 2024 Spring Advocacy Training. This annual event brings in members to learn about NFU’s extensive advocacy work in Washington, in hopes to foster the next generation of family farmer and rancher advocates.

Throughout the event, members had the chance to discuss their farming operations, share their roles within Farmers Union and better understand how they can use their experiences to advocate for their communities. The first day of programming focused on how members can become strong and effective leaders in their communities, which included a series of workshops focused on enhancing public speaking skills, working effectively with the media and serving on boards of directors.

On day 2, participants met with the NFU Government Relations Team to discover tips and tricks for lobbying and learn more about NFU’s spring policy priorities. Equipped with their new and enhanced skills from the previous day and a slate of policy proposals, members split into teams and walked to Capitol Hill for an afternoon of congressional meetings. Twenty House and Senate offices heard from Farmers Union’s newest advocates on NFU’s priorities for the 2024 (hopefully) Farm Bill, including Fairness for Farmers, strengthening the farm safety net, supporting the next generation of farmers and preserving a broad and unified farm bill coalition.

Members also advocated for ensuring farmers and ranchers have the tools and resources needed to confront climate change; supporting the growth and development of biofuels; maintaining a strong nutrition title; better supporting the next generation of farmers; and funding the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN).

Participants left Washington with a better understanding of the federal legislative process and equipped with new skills and confidence to engage

with elected officials at the local, state and federal levels.

FARM BILL SOON

After several weeks of conjecture about when or if the next steps would be taken to pass a Farm Bill, it now appears likely that a draft will soon be released. In early April, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) stated “without a doubt, we will mark up a Farm Bill before Memorial Day.”

On April 15, several prominent Republican members of the House Agriculture Committee took to the House floor to speak on the need for a Farm Bill, suggesting the House majority has developed plans to proceed with consideration of a new farm bill. But what that legislation looks like, and who will support it, remains an open question.

In a series of short remarks from the floor, members of the majority called on Congress to pass a Farm Bill that better supports farmers, citing high inflation, increased input costs and decreasing farm income as major challenges, while stressing the importance of a Farm Bill that protects food and national security. Speeches also highlighted the need for strong farm safety net programs, increased reference prices, and robust crop insurance, along with expanded agricultural market access.

The signals from the House majority are clear – the farm bill is coming soon. However, several Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee have expressed skepticism on Republican proposals they expect will be released. On April 19, Ranking Member David Scott (D-GA) released an op-ed criticizing Republicans for abandoning bipartisanship and proceeding with proposals he claims will jeopardize House Democratic support for the Farm Bill, such as cuts to nutrition programs.

The ranking member also cast doubt on GOP’s ability to pass a Farm Bill on party lines and reiterated support for investing in farm safety net programs without cutting SNAP benefits or restricting the Secretary of Agriculture’s use of Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds, both of which Chairman Thompson seems poised to pursue. Ranking Member Scott’s remarks were echoed by fellow Democrats, including Rep. Greg Casar and Rep. Jasmine Crockett, both of Texas, who told reporters they would like to work with Republicans on the committee to pass a Farm Bill but raised concerns over spending priorities.

In the Senate, Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) and Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) have introduced the FARMER Act, which increases premium support for the highest levels of crop insurance coverage and reduces producer deductibles. This bill follows a January letter from Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) that outlined her priorities for improving crop insurance and other Farm Bill programs. These proposals are a sign of progress toward substantive negotiations on improvements to the farm safety net.

Even with substantial progress, Chairman Thomp-

Rob Larew

National Farmers Union President

son’s move to proceed with a Farm Bill does not mean other disagreements – including Title I commodity payment levels and conservation funds from the Inflation Reduction Act – have been resolved. NFU will continue to monitor developments and urge Congress to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill. But not just any Farm Bill – Farmers Union members know we need the right Farm Bill.

BIOFUELS UPDATE: RECENT WINS

Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an emergency waiver permitting the sale of E15 (gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol) during the summer months. This marks the third consecutive year EPA has issued the waiver, following major spikes in energy costs and market volatility as a result of various conflicts across the globe. NFU joined a group letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan urging the agency to implement emergency fuel waivers and authorize the sale of E15 for the summer 2024 driving season.

Back in February, EPA issued a final rule approving the permanent year-round sale of E15 in eight states, effective April 28, 2025. While this was a good step forward toward permanent year-round E15, the 2025 effective date has created a “coverage gap,” which would have prevented the sale of E15 this summer, had EPA not issued the waiver.

Though EPA’s decision to issue the waiver represents an important win for family farmers, much more remains to be done to promote the development and use of renewable, low-carbon fuels. NFU supports the Consumer Fuel and Retailer Choice Act, which will enable the year-round, nationwide sale of E15 and permanently extend the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) volatility waiver to ethanol blends above 10 percent, providing nationwide uniformity across U.S. fuel markets.

NFU has also endorsed the Next Generation Fuels Act, which establishes a minimum research octane number (RON) standard of 98 for gasoline, requires the added octane value to reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline, and incentivizes vehicle technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase fuel economy. By requiring high-octane fuel to use low-carbon sources, the Next Generation Fuels Act will decarbonize liquid fuels as vehicle technologies advance. This requirement, coupled with a new limit on harmful aromatics content, ensures the progress already made to expand the use of ethanol while lowering emissions will continue, and will lead to the usage of higher-level blends, such as E30.

Additionally, the Year-Round E15 Act will allow year-round E15 sales to begin this year, addressing the aforementioned coverage gap from EPA’s February rulemaking. NFU will continue advocating for usage of higher-level blends of ethanol, which will add further benefits to the economy, air quality, the environment and America’s farmers. n Current as of April 25, 2024

Union Farmer

From the President.... Leadership Boils Down to the Golden Rule

As the South Dakota Farmers Union state staff, interns and youth leaders prepare for our 90th Camp Season, I want to thank you, our members, for your strong investment in leadership education for the next generation.

Agriculture needs strong leaders.

SDFU camps provide farm and ranch youth with the leadership and communication skills they need to stand up and advocate for what they believe in.

Farmers Union Camps also connect rural youth with peer mentors who make up the Junior and Senior Advisory Councils. These young leaders demonstrate that leadership is not only having the confidence to speak in front of a group – but the heart to listen to what others have to say, because a good leader is someone who cares for others. Strong leaders put others first and lend a hand when needed.

In my mind, it all boils down to the Golden Rule, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” That ancient phrase from the Bible remains true today.

As a grassroots policy organization, read through our policybook and it becomes obvious that Farmers Union members do care for others. In 2022, we supported South Dakota’s healthcare providers and 57 percent of voters who passed Medicaid expansion. Today, we are meeting with the same healthcare organizations to better understand our position on Constitutional Amendment F.

Data shows that the majority of South Dakotans who fall within the healthcare gap and benefit from Medicaid expansion do work because they earn too much for traditional Medicaid, but too little to secure insurance through the Marketplace. How do you know if your legislator is a leader who cares? Primary season is upon us. After Legislative Session 2024, I encourage all members to make time to evaluate your current legislative leadership to understand if they truly care about the

Rep. Dusty Johnson

202-225-2801 / 855-225-2801 reid.rasmussen@mail.house.gov

needs of you and your family’s agriculture operation.

Now that the session is over, many legislators will have some time to spare for a phone call or coffee. I know with calving and planting, you do not have time, but if our fight for property rights taught us anything, it is this: We need to be more connected to those who represent us in Pierre. We need to make sure that they understand they are elected by individuals, not corporations.

Good Leaders are Like Good Neighbors

They are there for you when you need them most. From our family’s Conde farm, one of our closest neighbors lives 5 miles away. And for decades, if we needed an extra hand moving cattle, I’d call Mike Harry. It’s the same for the Harry family. If they need help, my sons Brett, Bryan and Bryce are the first calls Mike’s sons, Chris and Jeff, make.

Being a good neighbor is not reserved for those who geographically live the closest, it’s an attitude of respect and care we should consider applying to all.

Sincerely,

Doug Sombke, President South Dakota Farmers Union

Congressional Leaders Contact information:

Sen. Mike Rounds Michael Brooks – 202-570-1558 Michael_Brooks@Rounds.Senate.gov

Sen. John Thune

202-224-2321 / 866-850-3855 ryan_donnelly@thune.senate.gov

South Dakota Union Farmer, ISSN 0745-8797, publishes eight times per calendar year, with issues printed in January, February, March/April, May, June/July, August, September/ October and November/December. Periodical postage paid at Madison, S.D.

Karla Hofhenke, Publisher Lura Roti, Editor Wendy Sweeter, Copy Editor Diane Martinson, Layout & Design

All information for publication must be submitted by the 15th of the month. You may submit items to address below or email items to: sdfu@sdfu.org

POSTMASTER: Address changes to: SDFU, PO Box 1388, Huron, S.D. 57350-1388

Contact SDFU • 605-554-3028 1410 Dakota Avenue South, PO Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350 www.sdfu.org sdfu@sdfu.org

Doug Sombke ext. 1240

President Groton Direct Line 605-554-3027

Doug Bruckner ext. 1180

Controller Wessington Springs Direct Line 605-554-3026

Rocky Forman. ext. 1170

Member Services Coordinator Cavour Direct Line 605-554-3025

Samantha Olerud.....ext 1160

Executive Administrative Asst. Direct line -605-554-3023

Karla Hofhenke ext. 1140

Executive Director Huron

Direct Line 605-554-3028

Samantha Olson ....... ext. 1250

Education Specialist

Mitchell Direct Line 605-554-3022

Shelby Landmark ext. 1220

Communication Specialist Iroquois Direct Line 605-554-3024

David Smith

Legislative/Farm Specialist Pierre Direct Line 605-350-8857

SDFU Board of Directors

Doug Sombke.........President Groton

Jeff Kippley Vice President

Aberdeen

Larry Birgen

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

Rob Larew, President ~ Jeff Kippley, Vice President Darin Von Ruden, Secretary ~ Doug Sombke, Treasurer 202.554.1600 www.nfu.org

Doug Sombke, SDFU President

Union Farmer

IGet to Know Farmers Union Insurance

Jenn Wickstrom, Buffalo Agency

n 2013 Jenn and David Wickstrom welcomed their daughter, Joey, into the world. Their hearts were overflowing with love and joy. Joey also came with a couple surprises – she was blessed with Down Syndrome, but also a heart defect that would soon need to be repaired.

This is when the community they loved gathered to show them support. “The community supported us financially and emotionally,” explained Jenn. “This is the reason I fell in love with Buffalo when I moved here 28 years ago. I knew it was a special community then because I quickly learned the people will do anything for each other. We all have each other’s back and I have seen these people rally behind each other time after time.”

Today, Joey is a healthy, happy 11-year-old. And one way Jenn is able to give backto her community is through her work as a Farmers Union Insurance agent and the livestock feed store she operates with her husband, David, son, Harley Mollman, and his wife, Jenny. David is also a middle school math and special education teacher at Harding County School. Jenn is also mom to Lincoln, Shawnee and Peyton.

Jenn shared an example of being able to help ranchers recoup some funds for cattle lost during a blizzard.

“Being able to take care of a neighbor in a situation where they experience a disaster – and because we worked together before the disaster to make sure their risk is covered, they end up being OK – this is what I enjoy about the work I get to do,”

Jenn said.

Jenn is supported in the insurance work she does by her mentor and recently retired insurance agent, Jim Erk.

“Jim is still very much a part of what we do. He is available when we have questions and is a wonderful mentor and friend,” explained Jenn, who began working for Erk as a Customer Service Representative a few years before Joey was born.

After Joey’s birth, Jenn felt she needed to take some time away from work to focus on Joey. “Jim was amazing. He said, ‘you need to be home.’”

Once Joey was school-age, Jim asked Jenn to return to insurance. When he was ready to retire, Jenn took over the insurance business and Jim’s other business, WM Feed. And she asked her son and daughter-in-law to help her out.

“Because this is ranch country, working in the same building as our small feed store is another way to help our customers out,” Jenn explained. She added that she values the opportunity to work with her family. “We are all licensed and we all have our strengths. Jenny is an accountant, Harley is so great with learning about customers’ needs. Most importantly, we all want to do what is best for our customers and community.” n

Contact: Jenn Wickstrom 605-373-3311

Jenn.wickstrom@fumic.com

Jenn Wickstrom with husband, David, and son and daughter-inlaw, Harley and Jenny Mollman.

Doug, Karla and SDFU,

THAN K YOU

Thank you for so generously supporting Rural POWER leaders again this year! The new cohort will begin in April, but it’s already clear they are an impressive group. Thank you for being an essential part of this effort to strengthen rural South Dakota!

– Billie, Suzie and the Sutton Leadership Institute

DEPARTED

James “Jim” Burg, age 82, of Wessington Springs, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, after a courageous cancer battle. Burial was Monday, April 22, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wessington Springs.

Jim Burg was born April 22, 1941, to Albert and Pearl (Linafelter) Burg. He was the oldest of seven children and grew up on the family farm in Jerauld County.

Jim and Bernice were married July 22, 1967, and the couple moved back to Wessington Springs to farm where they raised their family.

At the age of 33, he entered politics by serving in the state Legislature for 12 years. In 1987, Jim won the state-wide election to the Public Utilities Commission, where he served for 18 years.

Jim served 27 distinguished years in the South Dakota Army National Guard, retiring honorably as a Lt. Colonel. While with the Guard, he served as a Company Commander with the 153rd Engineer Battalion and leadership positions at the state level.

Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years, Bernice; children Jeff (Kim) Burg; Cory Burg; Julie (Doug) Bruckner; Casey (Beena) Burg; and Lisa (Andreas) Heiss. He is also survived by his farm family made up of his honorary children, JP and Holly Heber and Scott Vaske.

Zesty Italian Casserole

1 ½ lb. hamburger

1 onion, chopped

1 envelope spaghetti sauce mix

8 oz. can tomato sauce

Union Farmer

FARMERS UNION SIGNS

Show your Farmers Union spirit with a special Farmers Union sign. The cost per sign is $10 or free with a fiveyear or greater membership to Farmers Union.

To get yours today, call 605-352-6761 or email sdfu@sdfu.org.

S.D.

1 ½ c. mozzarella cheese ½ c. sour cream

8 oz. can crescent rolls Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Brown hamburger and onion. Stir in spaghetti sauce packet and tomato sauce. Put in 9 x 13 pan. Combine mozzarella cheese, sour cream and spoon this over meat mixture. Place crescent rolls over entire pan, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake 25 minutes.