Union Farmer November/December 2021

Volume CVI, No. 8 Huron, SD NOV/DEC 2021

A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

SERVING SOUTH DAKOTA’S FARM & RANCH FAMILIES SINCE 1915.

Industrial Hemp Farmer Shares All

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Medicaid Expansion ...

What’s Next

2022 Legislative Outlook

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Members Engage in Grassroots Policy Development and More During 2021 Farmers Union State Convention

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Insurance Agent Carrie Derschan Retires

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Farmers Union Celebrates Day County Farm Family

he 106th South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) Convention will be held in Huron, Dec. 16 and 17, at the Crossroads Hotel & Convention Center. The annual event is designed to engage members in grassroots policy development while at the same time provide family farmers and ranchers with resources and information on timely topics, explains Doug Sombke, SDFU President.

“This convention brings family farmers and ranchers together to establish policy that Farmer Paul Symens speaks durwill guide our organization,” ing 2018 Policy Discussion. says Sombke, a fourth-generation Brown County farmer. “During convention, Farmers Union leadership and state staff work to connect producers with valuable resources and information.”

In addition to grassroots policy, panelists and speakers will bring updates on agriculture topics, ranging from industrial hemp in South Dakota and the future of meat processing in the state, to

State Convention Continued on Page 6

106th Annual STATE CONVENTION Dec. 16-17

Crossroads Hotel and Convention Center Huron, S.D.

To register, send in coupon on page 10, or go online to www.sdfu.org under Membership

South Dakota Farmers Union has served South Dakota farm and ranch families for more than a century. Throughout the year, we share their stories in order to highlight the families who make up our state’s No. 1 industry and help feed the world. This month we highlight the Townsend family, pictured here: Jolene, Zach, Henry and Stephanie. In memory of her husband, Alan, Jolene holds his hat.

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t’s Oct. 26, 2021. Zach Townsend his wife, Stephanie, and their young son, Henry, are in a corn field southwest of Andover combining. Zach’s mom, Jolene, just delivered lunch.

“This is a blast, especially considering what we went through this year. With no rain, then too much rain, I’d pretty much written this crop off,” says Zach, eyes on the yield monitor. “There should be nothing out here. And sure, in some spots yields are zeros, but in other spots the yields are average. And in spots, it floors me! I am completely shocked.”

It’s not just the yields that have his spirits up. It’s the fact that the people he cares the most about are harvesting with him. “This is

Townsend Family Continued on Page 2

Union Farmer

“Farming was his joy. He loved the land and his cattle.”

– Jolene Townsend

Townsend Family

Continued from Page 1

something everyone dreams of. You always want to farm with your family and friends,” says the fourth-generation Day County crop and cattle producer.

Because Stephanie works full time on the farm with Zach, their son, 18-month-old Henry, spends his days in the combine too.

In fact, he just woke up from a nap at his dad’s feet, snuggled up with a crocheted blanket his mom made him. “He’s with us seven days a week. The other night Henry baled until 10 p.m. with Stephanie. She also takes him out to check cows. He has combined wheat, sunflowers, soybeans and

now corn. He’s not even 2 and he’s done it all.”

Grandma Jolene confirms this. “Even though I’m here, he doesn’t come often enough because he loves his mom and dad and he loves farming,” she says.

And Jolene knows this would make, her husband, Alan, happy. The only thing Grandpa Alan loved more than farming was his family. Alan passed away unexpectedly in the fall of 2020. He had a heart attack while fencing.

“Farming was his joy,” Jolene says. “He loved the land and his cattle.”After high school Alan continued to farm with his dad,

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November/December 2021

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Union Farmer

Russell. At 18, he bought his first tractor and piece of land.

Zach followed in his dad’s footsteps.

“We wanted him to go to vo-tech in Watertown,” Jolene says. “He was enrolled in agriculture classes, but when it got closer to the time, he said, ‘I can learn more from you and grandpa than I can in class. I am coming home every night and I’m not going to study, so you will be wasting your money.’”

From that conversation forward, Zach has been farming full time.

“He gave me a lot of free rein,” Zach says of Alan. “But, he would reel me in when I got a little out there and give me a reality check.”

“I always knew I wanted to farm,” he continues. “I just had the outdoors in me. I hunted and fished. I remember when I was 6 or 7 and we were combining, I took my fishing pole and would go down to the creek by Amsden Lake while dad filled trucks. And when the trucks got full, I would skedaddle up to the truck and ride along in the semi to the elevator.”

Stephanie has similar stories from growing up on her family’s farm near Leola. A second-generation cattle producer, by the time Stephanie left the farm to become a vet assistant, she already had a herd of her own. She manages the cattle side of the Townsend farming operation.

“I love cattle,” Stephanie says. And she explains that as long as they are docile and good mothers, she is not picky about their color. She refers to her cattle as a “rainbow herd.” “I have Shorthorns, buckskins, reds and speckled – there isn’t a bad one in the group,” she says. “If www.sdfu.org

I can’t go out and tag and check them by myself – I don’t keep anything bad around. If I don’t trust it, I don’t keep it. They are all pets – every single one of them.”

And it seems Henry shares his mom’s love. “He loves going out in the Ranger to feed them ears of corn. Before he was born, I told Zach that I was going to teach him how to feed.”

Stephanie manages her rainbow herd and the cattle Alan and Zach had before they married in two separate groups.

She rotates the cattle through pastures depending on grass height during the growing season.

In some pastures, the cattle share space with wind turbines.

“The wind turbine company came

“We’re fortunate. This is how we get to spend our days – farming together.”

– Zach Townsend

out and tested the wind speed in our pastures. It just happens the windiest spot in the area is on top of that hill,” Jolene says. “When Alan learned this, he said, ‘I could have told you that.’”

She adds that the cattle don’t mind sharing space with the turbines. “There were rumors the wind turbines bothered the cattle. But those rumors aren’t true.

We often see the cattle napping and grazing right under them.”

When the turbines went in, so did maintenance roads. Zach says the roads make checking water and cattle a much easier task.

Turbines are among the many changes this farm has witnessed.

In the early 2000s, Alan began implementing no-till farming practices.

Zach says this change was a bit tough for Grandpa Russell to accept. “Grandpa didn’t adjust to no-tilling well at all.You know farmers, they are pretty stubborn.

I’m stubborn and set in my ways and I’m not that old,” Zach says.

Zach credits no-till with helping the soil hold enough moisture to support this season’s crop during the drought.

He also credits no-till with allowing him to get into fields to harvest this fall.

“It didn’t rain all season and then we received 21 inches since August,” he says.

Rain is in the forecast for tomorrow.

He and Stephanie are nearly finished combining this field. They are going to try and get a few more wrapped up before the imminent rain.

“We’re fortunate and blessed,” Zach says. “This is how we get to spend our days – farming together.” ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU November/December 2021

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Union Farmer The Good. The Bad. The Ugly.

Industrial Hemp Grower Shares All

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hen asked about growing industrial hemp the first year it was legal in South Dakota, Wessington farmer BJ McNeil doesn’t sugar-coat his experience.

“You could not have asked for a worse experience than what we had this year. But we learned a lot.”

McNeil will share what he learned with farmers and ranchers during the South Dakota Farmers Union State Convention, held at the Crossroads Convention Center in Huron Dec. 16 at 1:30 p.m. CST. McNeil says because the economics of growing industrial hemp remain strong, he will raise it again in 2022. McNeil contracted his hemp with an organic food processor for $1.10 a pound. In some fields, he averaged 1,200 pounds per acre.

“It is by no means a losing deal. We knew this first year we didn’t know what we were doing. Now that the learning curve is over, I hope to increase efficiencies by 50 percent.”

So, what did McNeil learn?

Growing industrial hemp is the easy part.

Having recently converted his large farm over to organic management practices, McNeil was eager to add industrial hemp to the farm’s diverse crop rotation because of its ability to crowd out weeds.

“It is very competitive. This was the biggest reason I wanted to try it. And it worked where there was moisture for it to

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come up on time. It did not work where it had to wait five weeks for rain to come up.”

McNeil planted organic industrial hemp for food consumption into six fields. Other than waiting for seed emergence due to drought, after planting it into a clean seed bed, McNeil says growing industrial hemp was simple.

“Put it in the ground and walk away. We fertilized it like we do corn. It likes fertility and moisture.”

Although industrial hemp likes moisture, McNeil says compared to corn, it seemed to handle drought conditions better.

“It didn’t show stress like the corn. It never got droopy like corn.”

What industrial hemp did in response to lack of moisture was a larger percentage of male plants expressed themselves with pollen sacks, reducing overall seed production.

Don’t combine more than the first 2 to 3 feet.

Harvest was when the reality of just how little McNeil and his team knew about processing industrial hemp set in.

“We had a mess the first day we combined.”

When it was time to harvest, due to the fact that plant maturity varied greatly

throughout each field, some plants were 6-feet tall, and others were 12-feet tall.

Because the hemp seed/grain is found in the first 4-to-5-feet of the plant, the first day of harvest, they set the combine to harvest the first 6-feet of plant material.

“We had 6 feet of hemp rope wrapped everywhere you can imagine. The rotor was wrapped. The beater was wrapped. The feed accelerator was wrapped,” McNeil says.

Day one ended with McNeil and his team of nine employees spending four hours cutting hemp vines off the combines. “We didn’t know what we were doing. You can read, watch YouTube videos and research all you want, but until you do it yourself, you don’t know what you are getting into.”

Day two the combine heads were set to cut only the first 2-to-3 feet of plant material. And the team began conducting an 8-point inspection of their combines each time they emptied the hopper. “This only took five minutes. Once we got the system down, harvest went smoother.”

Dry down is the real issue.

Unlike corn, soybeans or other crops, industrial hemp does not mature evenly.

Seed on one plant can be at several stages of maturity. Because of this, drying the

BJ McNeil will share what he learned with farmers and ranchers during the South Dakota Farmers Union State Convention, held at the Crossroads Convention Center in Huron Dec. 16 at 1:30 p.m.

CST. Free registration for those who pre-register by Dec. 3.

BJ McNeil’s sons, Caden and Colton, stand in a field of industrial hemp that the family raised this year on their Wessington farm.

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer harvested seed is necessary. It also needs to be done quickly and with low heat, McNeil explained.

“Your hemp cannot get above 130 degrees, or you will damage the oil in the hemp seed,” he says.

To aid in dry down, prior to harvest 2021 McNeil had installed cone bins with rocket dryers.

They did not work.

“We ended up pulling the hemp out of all the cone bins, taking the grain to another farm with the old stirator drying systems and putting it on low heat.”

Harvesting such a high moisture grain,

also meant three to four hours were spent each evening cleaning the hemp. If it sits overnight, the heat generated from the wet crop could spoil the oil.

To make matters worse, McNeil thought cleaning the hemp before it was binned would aid in the drying process. This was also a disaster. “I will never clean wet hemp again. If we clean it in the future, we will clean it after it is dry.”

Another of the many changes McNeil is making in preparation for 2022 industrial hemp harvest, is setting up another low heat stirator drying system.

Now that he has a clear understanding of

what he will and will not do in 2022, McNeil is willing to share what he learned, and hopefully save other farmers and ranchers some time and reduce their learning curve.

“Remember, I have nine guys helping me do all this. It was not just me experiencing the pain. They were gracious enough and good enough to go through the pain with me and make it happen. They never want to go through this again and I would not ask them to do it again.”

To register to attend the Farmers Union State Convention panel discussion McNeil will participate in, visit www.sdfu.org. ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU

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

Andover Appreciation Days

www.sdfu.org

November/December 2021

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Union Farmer

State Convention Continued from Page 1

Farmer Kirk Schaunaman

rural advocacy and a conversation with the National Farm Service Agency Administrator, Zach Ducheneaux.

“When planning, we ask members what they want to learn more about and who they want to hear from,” says Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director. “Learning more about the work being done to bring fair prices to our state’s cattle producers topped the list. Members were also interested in hearing from farmers who actually grew industrial hemp this first season it was legal.”

To learn more about convention agenda, topics, speakers and policy sessions, and to register, visit www.sdfu.org. Registration is free to all who register by Dec. 3. Convention Agenda can also be found on page 9.

Grassroots Policy

As he reviews the policy book and 2021 Special Orders in preparation for the 2021 State Convention, Hank Wonnenberg is eager for discussions to begin.

“As a family farmer, I can sometimes feel overwhelmed by things like inflated inputs or low markets, but as a Farmers Union member, I do not feel helpless. Through our policy, we can make change to improve things,” explains the Dallas crop and cattle producer and SDFU Policy Committee member. “As a member, I feel like I can advocate on behalf of my farm family as well as my neighbors who are also farmers.”

For members who have not participated in policy discussion before, Wonnenberg said not to be intimidated. “This is a place where you can bring the issues impacting your family farm or ranch or your rural community and discuss them with others. I always feel a strong sense of camaraderie when I attend Farmers Union meetings or this convention because you are with other South Dakota producers who understand.”

To learn more, contact your District Board Member. A complete list can be found at www.sdfu.org under the About Us tab.

2021 Special Orders established by members during the 2021 State Policy Meeting

held July 22.

Special Order 1 – Addressing the Cattle and Beef Industry Crisis South Dakota Farmers Union recognizes the current crisis within the cattle and beef industries. We support the enforcement of present laws and regulations including and not limited to GIPSA and dealing with misinformation in truth in labeling.

We demand USDA and DOJ to take action to address unfair and manipulative contract marketing that has destroyed spot market pricing.

Farmers Union supports the six South Dakota ag groups that came together in June to create unified support to address: 1. Improved price transparency on cash and contract fed cattle 2. Better food security 3. Education of consumers and politicians on the challenges facing South Dakota cattle producers and the state’s beef industry as a whole We support the final directives of these actions to be formalized by codified law.

Special Order 2 – Medicaid Expansion in South Dakota South Dakota Farmers Union recognizes the economic importance of expanding Medicaid in South Dakota.

We support and encourage efforts that would contribute to a better well-being for our great family farmers and ranchers, rural communities and local hospitals that are at risk if we don’t act.

We believe all South Dakota farm and ranch families deserve access to healthcare.

We urge Farmers Union members and all South Dakota citizens to support the “South Dakotans Decide Healthcare” initiative to expand Medicaid in South Dakota.

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Farmers Hank Wonnenberg (left) and Scott Kolousek during State Convention policy.

Convention Highlight: Fair Prices for Livestock Producers

For many years, Farmers Union memberled policy has supported Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (MCOOL) and putting an end to price fixing among meatpacking. Because of these grassroots efforts, National Farmers Union (NFU) is among the organizations to urge the Department of Justice to investigate market manipulation by the meatpacking industry.

In October, a federal judge in Minnesota ordered a class-action lawsuit against JBS, Tyson, National Beef and Cargill to proceed.

NFU also urges congressional leadership to reinstate MCOOL. NFU says they have seen more interest following pandemicrelated food chain supply issues.

Members will hear an update from Rob Larew, NFU President, during Larew’s State of the Union address Dec. 17.

Local meat processing and the obstacles these small processors face will be the focus of State Veterinarian Dusty Oedekoven’s presentation also held on Dec. 17.

Convention Highlight: Industrial Hemp in South Dakota

2021 was the first growing season industrial hemp was legal to grow in South Dakota. A large-scale industrial hemp farmer joins with industry experts and president of the South Dakota Hemp Association to discuss the challenges and opportunities of South Dakota’s industrial hemp industry.

“This is going to be an informative panel because we are no longer discussing a hypothetical situation,” explains Oren Lesmeister, panel moderator, Parade rancher and District 28-A Legislator. “We have an actual grower, who actually grew industrial hemp in South Dakota, ready to share his experience.”

Panelists invited include Derrick Dohmann, Horizon Hemp Seeds; BJ McNeil, industrial hemp farmer, Rocking Z Acres; and Ken Meyer, President of the South Dakota Industrial Hemp Association. www.sdfu.org

State Board Candidate Q&A

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rue to our grassroots philosophy, as an organization focused on family farmers and ranchers, leaders of South Dakota Farmers Union are family farmers and ranchers.

During the 2021 State Convention held Dec. 16 and 17 in Huron, members vote for members to serve as President, Vice President and serve as board directors in districts 2, 4 and 6.

Read on to learn more about the candidates and the reasons they serve and desire to continue serving South Dakota Farmers Union.

Conde farmer Doug Sombke: Running unopposed for President Q: Why do you want to continue serving SDFU as President?

A: There is work yet to be done. I want to continue working for you – our state’s family farmers and ranchers.

Even though our organization has made great strides on issues like E30, and we believe we are close to a return of MCOOL because policymakers are beginning to agree that we need to hold packers accountable, now is not the time to relax.

We need to remain diligent and focused.

As a family farmer, I see my sons struggling with some of the same challenges I faced when I was a young farmer starting out. Like many of you, our family needs to have off-farm income to make it.

Although some of the struggles today’s young farmers and ranchers face are the same ones those of us who got our start in the ’80s experienced, the political climate within South Dakota has changed.

Today, there are fewer farmer/rancher legislators. This underscores the need for our organization to provide education and serve as a resource to leaders in Pierre and D.C. It takes time to build relationships and trust. During the years I have served you, I have worked hard to do this. If re-elected I will continue to work hard every day for you and the policy you put in place.

Union Farmer Lake Preston farmer Wayne Soren: Running unopposed for Vice President

Q: Why do you want to continue serving SDFU as Vice President?

A: There are many reasons.

Farmers Union’s continued involvement in cooperatives and cooperative education

is a big one.

I only need to think about the role cooperatives play in the rural communities we rely upon to appreciate the work our organization does to educate and provide leadership training to the next generation of co-op leaders. What would our communities be like without an rural electric cooperative or telephone/internet cooperative or rural water or the local elevator?

Q&A Continued on Page 8

OUTLOOK FOR 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

2022 Legislative Update

By Mitch Richter

Legislative Session 2022 begins in February. Our eyes and ears in Pierre, lobbyist Mitch Richter shares what he anticipates will be some highlights to follow this session.

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he budget will receive quite a bit of attention during Legislative Session 2022. Although the budget is always a topic of conversation and debate, it takes center stage this year because revenues are up every month over projections. South Dakota is also flush with funds from the CARES Act and due to receive $2.8 billion thanks to the recently passed Infrastructure Bill.

Due to the fact that much of the budget surplus is in one-time funds, fund allocation will require a bit of a balancing act.

Because the work I do for you in Pierre aligns 100 percent with the policy members set, some topics I expect to be working on are:

www.sdfu.org

Local meat processing Farmers Union will be asking for funds to go to programs which will help increase local meat sales, whether that means funds to increase the capacity and number of South Dakota-based meat lockers or policy changes to increase the ability of South Dakota livestock producers to export meat.

Fair farmland valuation Current real estate prices are up for property in all sectors, including agricultural land. We will be working to keep ag land taxes reasonable.

Medicaid expansion Now that the signatures have been collected, and the list of supporters includes all three of our state’s major medical providers, there is the possibility Medicaid expansion will come before the Legislative body.

What are your thoughts? I work for you, representing the policy you put in place. I am eager to hear from you and learn about any new policy introduced during State Convention. As always, I will be at State Convention. Please reach out and share with me your thoughts and concerns. I appreciate it when members share their stories with me so that I can share those same stories with legislators I visit with in Pierre. ■ November/December 2021

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Union Farmer Q&A Continued from Page 7

When private companies would not provide these goods and services to rural communities, Farmers Union helped citizens form cooperatives. Development of cooperatives was our way of saying, “instead of being at the mercy of the market, let’s do this ourselves.”

As vice president I have diligently worked to support and guide our organization in its support of cooperatives. I have also applied this same energy and worked closely with our president and board to carry out all policy put in place by our members.

It is because of our policy to work for fair prices for family farmers and ranchers, that our organization is leading the fight to re-introduce competitive prices into the livestock markets by encouraging lawmakers to enforce the law and put an end to packer price fixing.

Like cooperative development, I see this as yet another issue where Farmers Union is supporting rural citizens in pulling on our work boots to get things done.

Parade rancher Oren Lesmeister: Running for District 6 Director Q: Why do you want to continue serving on the SDFU Board of Directors?

A: Serving our members has been such a great learning experience.

And because I began my term right before the pandemic, I feel like I barely got my toes wet when it comes to understanding everything I can do to serve Farmers Union members.

I would like the opportunity to expand my level of service to our state’s family farmers and ranchers.

I also want to continue building strong relationships with our state’s policymakers.

Building relationships is something I focus on as District 28-A Representative, and I want

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to continue the work on building bridges for agriculture through my role as a Farmers Union Director.

Speaking of policy, I appreciate the grassroots nature of this organization.

Farmers Union members voted on policy to make growing industrial hemp legal in South Dakota. The support, education and research efforts of Farmers Union helped this bill pass. The organization continues to work to connect South Dakota producers with the information they need as they decide to try out this new crop for themselves.

Wessington Springs farmer/rancher Scott Kolousek: Running for District 2 Director Q: Why do you want to continue serving on the SDFU Board of Directors?

A: Ever since my wife, Amber and I attended our first Fly-In in 2014, I just love what the organization does for farmers and what they stand for. As a director I will continue to support growing the organization, supporting our county organizations, and encouraging member involvement in our grassroots policy.

As a Farmers Union member, it means a lot to me that my thoughts and actions at the county level can go directly to the policy meeting and if other members agree, the policy will go on to State Convention and from there, the National Convention. And if members across the nation agree, the policy we developed during a District 2 County Meeting can become policy the national organization lobbies for in D.C. Right now, what Farmers Union policy is doing to help the cattle industry means a lot.

And this policy originated at the producer level. It’s not the organization telling its

members what we stand for, it’s boots on the ground telling the organization what to fight for. Because of this, I believe Farmers Union is on the right side of most ag issues.

These are all reasons why I want to continue serving as a director.

Reliance rancher David Reis: Running for District 4 Director Q: Why do you want to continue serving on the SDFU Board of Directors?

A: I believe in the mission of South Dakota Farmers Union and the work that the board of directors does to fulfill its mission and guide our organization.

MCOOL is a policy issue I remain passionate about because as cattle producers we need to be able to differentiate our product from imported product. I appreciate the work Farmers Union has done historically and is doing to get it reinstated.

MCOOL is a step toward fair markets. Fair markets are not just a farmer/rancher issue.

I just read an article about consumers upset over high retail prices for meat cuts. Here we are as cattle producers, barely able to keep our head above water financially, and at the same time consumers are having a tough time paying the high rates demanded at the meat counter.

I enjoy working together with the state board of directors. I feel together with members and our state staff we have accomplished a lot, but there is more to do. Fair prices have been a focus of Farmers Union member-led grassroots policy since the beginning. I would like to keep serving so we can get to where we need to be so family ranchers and farmers can receive fair markets and prices. I hope to see this through to fruition. ■

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Union Farmer

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November/December 2021

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Union Farmer South Dakota Farmers Union 106th Annual State Convenon Dec. 16-17, 2021 Crossroads Hotel and Convenon Center, Huron—100 4th St. SW, Huron, SD

NOTE: The registration costs do not include hotel.

Call the CROSSROADS HOTEL & CONVENTION CENTER AT 605-352-3204 Rate is $87.99 plus tax, per night. Our block will be held until Nov. 24.

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

To receive FREE registration, you must be pre-registered. Registration form must be postmarked by Dec 3.

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

Last Name __________________________________

Spouse Name ________________________ Delegate: Yes ___ No ___ City ______________________________ County ______________________________ Phone ____________________________ Convenon package – Free ______ (After Dec. 3) – $50 PER PERSON _______

TOTAL PAYMENT _____________________

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

Check Enclosed _____ Credit Card _____

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

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

A Night on the Prairie Limited Seating

After Dec. 10

$50/Guest $75/Guest

M__________________________ ______Number of Guests Attending $________ Enclosed ______ I/We regretfully decline your invitation, but please accept the enclosed donation to the Foundation for $________ Please send this coupon to:

SDFU Foundation

PO Box 1388

Huron, SD 57350

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November/December 2021

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Union Farmer State’s Largest Farm Organization Helps Next Generation Build Up Their Herd

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hen she was 7, Swayze Ness’ dad, LeRoy, offered to sell she and her siblings each a bred heifer for $20.

“We were standing out in the pasture. I instantly wanted three. My brother wanted a red one and my sister didn’t want to hand over the $20,” Ness recalls.

The Kimball rancher has been building up her herd ever since. At 17 she now has 10 cows.

“I like being part of the entire process,” Ness says. “I like selecting the genetics, watching the calves being born and seeing them grow and develop into something really good and produce calves of their own.”

Ness’ herd genetics got a boost during the 2021 Western Jr. Livestock Show, when judges selected her as a winner of the South Dakota Farmers Union Herd Builder heifer. “She’s got really good genetics. I can’t wait to start using her to improve my herd.”

Helping youth get a start in the livestock industry is the reason South Dakota Farmers Union launched the Herd Builder program in 2019, explains Executive Director Karla Hofhenke.

“It is so challenging for young people to get a start in agriculture. Farmers Union thought a good way to support the next generation was to give a quality breeding heifer to a youth whose goal it is to remain involved in South Dakota’s livestock industry.”

Ness was one of two youth to win a breeding heifer. Purchased from a reputable South Dakota cattle producer, Farmers Union selected the heifers based on their maternal genetic traits. “This heifer was selected for breeding purposes. We anticipate the youth will also show them because they look pretty good in the show ring, but these are not club calves – they are quality breeding stock,” Hofhenke explains.

Reva Barnes, 10, does plan to show, Fancy, the name she gave to the Farmers Union heifer she won. “She will be the third heifer I have shown. I like going out into the show ring with them with a smile on my face.”

Last year, Barnes showed two heifers, Black Widow and Poison Ivy – named after superheroes. However, after the show season, when the heifers were turned out onto the open range with the rest of the family’s herd, Black Widow ended up causing problems. “So, my dad told me, ‘Next time, name your cows nice names.‘ This year, I’m naming them after songs.”

Barnes’ mom, Dottie, encouraged her www.sdfu.org

Reva Barnes, Lemmon, and Swayze Ness, Kimball, are the 2021 recipients of the South Dakota Farmers Union Herd Builder breeding heifers. Selected by a panel of judges, the youth received the breeding heifers during the 2021 Western Jr. Livestock Show. Pictured here: David Reis, SDFU board member; Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director; Reva Barnes; Swayze Ness; Dawn Cable, Kimball cattle producer; and Rocky Forman, SDFU Membership Coordinator.

daughters to apply for the Farmers Union Herd Builder because she knew the family would be showing at Western Jr. Applicants must be present to receive the animal and participate in the shows. Showing livestock in 4-H is a family tradition the fourth-generation rancher is happy to see her children continue.

“It is gratifying to see the next generation want to be part of a hands-on group of people who are working the land,” says Dottie, who raises cattle with her husband, Michael, on her family’s ranch near Lemmon. “Seeing Reva win this heifer is a really big honor. It is exciting that she can have a heifer to help build her herd.”

Showing the Farmers Union heifer is not a requirement. The fact that the Herd Builder program is designed to do just that – build up the genetics for the next generation of livestock producers is something Western Jr. Livestock Show manager Jackie Maude appreciates.

“It is so hard for kids to get started in the ag industry. This program gives those kids who want to stay in the livestock industry a leg up,” explains the Hermosa rancher. The show’s manager for 17 years, Maude has been actively involved in Western Jr. since her childhood. In fact, Western Jr. is where she met her husband, Marion.

2021 is the first year Farmers Union gave two heifers away. “When the judging was complete, we had a tie. So, I asked the kids if they wanted to do rock-paper-scissors or pick a number to see who would get the heifer. You should have seen their faces and heard the crowd when I suggested a third option, that we give a heifer to each of them,” Hofhenke recalls.

In 2022, Farmers Union will give away three heifers and three breeding lambs. In addition to the Herd Builder program, South Dakota Farmers Union also sponsors a home-cooked meal for the participants and their families. The meal is prepared by a Polo, S.D., cattle producer and caterer, Cheryl Schaefers, owner of Cheryl’s Catering.

“We are a family farmer and rancher organization. So, we like to be involved in events, like Western Jr., where we can provide support and encouragement to our state’s family farmers and ranchers,” Hofhenke explains.

Read this article on our website to listen to Swayze Ness talk about her passion for the cattle industry in a SDPB radio conversation, www.sdfu.org click on news releases under the News & Events tab. ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU November/December 2021 11

Union Farmer Farm & Ranch Families of South Dakota

South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) calls on South Dakota farm and ranch families to participate in the 2021 growing season photo contest, Farm & Ranch Families of South Dakota.

Running May 1 to Dec. 1, all who enter become eligible to win $250. To enter, simply visit www.sdfu.org and click on the News & Events tab. ■

Shelby Landmark Marissa Hofer

Emily Berndt

Caitlin Steffens

Dakotah Roth

Courtney Parker

Glen Gross Linda Rommereim Michelle Martinmaas

Marissa Hofer

Jodi Knutson Krysta Becker

Glen Gross Mindy Fuks Lexy Lynn

Linda Rommereim

Lexy Lynn

Nicole Frensko

Lexy Lynn

Glen Gross

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November/December 2021

Tiffany Weiszhaar

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

De Smet Farmer & Veteran Reflects on Time in Service

To listen to a conversa tion Rob Lee had with SDPB radio, read this article on ou r website, www.sdfu.org click on the news release link un der the News & Events tab.

J

ust over a decade ago, Rob Lee told his dad, Roger, that he would understand if Roger farmed the land he typically leased to Rob. After all, Lee was leaving for a year-long deployment to Afghanistan and wouldn’t be home to farm it.

“Dad said, ‘I will plant it for you and take care of it for you. When you get home, you will harvest it.’ And that’s what happened. I got back around Sept. 20 and because college classes had already started at SDSU, I spent that fall in the combine. It was great!’”

Today, 11 years later Lee continues to lease farmground from Roger.

He and his wife, Darcie, also own some acres of their own. In addition to farming, he works as a crop insurance adjuster.

As Lee reflects on the years he spent serving in the Army National Guard and the year he was deployed with the 211th Engineering Company, Madison and De Smet, he says the choice he made as a junior in high school to join the National Guard impacts his life even today.

“It was transformative. I am who I am today because of what I chose to do as a 17-year-old,” Lee says. “And Darcie and I, our relationship is what it is because of how we handled the deployment.”

Lee and his wife, Darcie, married just months before his first deployment. He said he first joined the National Guard because, “When

Rob and Darcie Lee and their children Everett, 6, and Rosene “Rosie,” 3.

www.sdfu.org

I was a kid, I always liked the idea of being a soldier and what it is that soldiers did.”

During the year Lee was deployed, September 2009 to September 2010, the company he served with did route clearance. “We were tasked with going out ahead of convoys to find and exploit IEDs (improvised explosive devices) that had been placed in roadways,” he explains. “It had its good days and its bad days – just like any job. Our truck hit an IED during our first mission we did on our own. I thought at the time, ‘Man, this is going to be a long year.’ We got better quickly. We had to.”

Lee said the company had soldiers on a mission outside the wire nearly every day. Fortunately, every soldier in Lee’s company returned home.

When asked what previous experience helped him and the others he worked with get better at their job and stay safe, he had this to say. “I would call it a ‘Midwest mentality.’ Kind of a ‘bootstraps, get the job done – if you have work to do, get it done.’ Combine that with attention to detail. That is huge. Noticing one little thing can really change how your day is going to turn out.”

Lee says when things did not go as planned, the company relied on each other and the strong friendships they formed to get them through.

“You do your best to spend time with the guys around you and try to laugh it off and joke about it with dark humor and try not to take it too seriously.”

Among the many leadership and character traits he credits to his time of service, Lee says it’s the friendships he made along the way that he values most.

“The friends that I made overseas, they are some of the best friends and most cherished relationships I have. These are guys you end up spending all your time with for a year – and watching each other’s backs.”

A decade later Lee retired in 2011 from the Army National Guard. “I got out before we had children. I had a lot of guys in my platoon that went overseas that had kids at home, and I just can’t imagine how tough it must have been for them, and what a sacrifice they made.”

He and his wife, Darcie, have two children, Everett, 6, and Rosene “Rosie,” 3. Reflecting on his experience and all he gained from service, he says if his children wanted to join he would encourage and support them.

“But I would also understand the hesitancy that my parents had.” ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU November/December 2021

13

Union Farmer

Signatures Are In: What’s Next for Medicaid Expansion?

T

their employees fall into this coverage gap. This is among the reasons South Dakota Farmers Union policy supports Medicaid expansion.

Farmers Union is among more than 40 organizations statewide to support the ballot measure – including the state’s healthcare systems: Sanford, Avera and Monument Health.

“Most family farmers and ranchers will list health insurance as one of their family’s biggest expenses,” explains Doug Sombke, Farmers Union President and a fourth-generation Brown

Photo by Denise Cameron

he Coverage Gap is real. If voters pass Medicaid expansion in South Dakota, experts believe more than 42,000 working South Dakotans will qualify for the insurance coverage.

So, who are these 42,000 South Dakotans?

They are folks who earn too much to currently receive Medicaid health insurance and too little to qualify for Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies.

Many South Dakota farmers, ranchers or

County farmer. “Health insurance and paying for health insurance is often the reason one or both spouses need an additional off-farm or ranch job.”

Next steps Voters will have an opportunity to vote for Medicaid expansion in 2022 thanks to the more than 50,000 signatures received. Funded by federal tax dollars, South Dakotans already contribute to Medicaid expansion in other states. If Medicaid expansion were to pass, families earning around $36,500 or individuals earning around $17,600 would qualify for Medicaid health insurance.

“Why should our dollars go to fund healthcare for individuals living in New York or California? If we are paying for it, I want South Dakotans to get the benefit,” says Jim Woster, agriculture columnist and former cattle buyer.

Woser adds, “We have gone through some tough times in recent years in agriculture. I know families who farm, who are paying $2,000 or more each month for their health insurance.

And when times are tough, they have to make difficult decisions which may mean going without health insurance. Insurance is not just about health emergencies. I am concerned about the preventative medicine that is not happening. We all know now how huge early detection is.”

Now that the signatures have been gathered, Zach Marcus says the Secretary of State will validate the petitions. Once validated, Marcus, who is the campaign manager for South Dakotans Decide Healthcare, says expanding Medicaid will go on the ballot.

So, what can you do to help get Medicaid expansion passed in South Dakota?

“Encourage your friends and neighbors to vote for it,” Marcus says. “We will be expanding our base of support as we work to provide information and education to voters.”

To learn more and receive answers to frequently asked questions visit https:// southdakotansdecide.org. ■

Q: How will Medicaid expansion help South Dakota’s economy?

A: Expanding Medicaid will bring hundreds of millions of our tax dollars back home to South Dakota every year. That money will go back into our local economy, keep families out of medical bankruptcy and benefit our small businesses. The less money families have to spend on medical debt, the more they can spend supporting our small businesses, and that benefits all of us.

Medicaid Expansion will help keep rural hospitals and clinics open. Right now, 11 rural healthcare facilities are at risk of closing.

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November/December 2021

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

Participants Say Rural POWER is Valuable Opportunity

S

ara Hento always knew cooperatives were behind her community’s electricity and water, but beyond the service they provided, the Avon School District business manager didn’t know much more. This all changed when she became involved in Rural POWER. “Until I was in this program, I didn’t really know how they operated or how they functioned to benefit rural communities like ours,” explains Hento, who also helps her husband, Tanner, on his family’s fifth-generation farm near Avon.

Rural POWER is a year-long leadership development program sponsored by South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) and hosted by the Billie Sutton Leadership Institute. As the POWER acronym suggests, the program is focused on “Powering Opportunities While Energizing Rural.”

Hento is one of six rural cooperative members sponsored by SDFU and selected to participate in the 2021 Rural POWER class.

Other members include Wayne Ducheneaux, Eagle Butte; Joshua Hofer, Parkston; Jordan Jones, Rapid City; Krecia Leddy, Stockholm; and Katy VanderPol, Platte.

“Cooperative education is among the focuses of our organization. We see Rural POWER as an excellent opportunity to provide this to thought leaders in our rural communities,” says Doug Sombke, SDFU President.

Rural POWER provides information and overall education into cooperatives by inviting cooperative staff and leadership to speak during in-person and virtual seminars.

“Getting the younger generation involved is a common challenge that comes up when we speak to cooperative leaders,” explains Billie Sutton, founder of the nonprofit Billie Sutton Leadership Institute which directs Rural POWER. “We want to expose our participants to a diverse set of cooperative leaders so they understand what cooperatives do and how they can play a role in their local co-op.”

In addition to learning more about cooperatives and personal leadership development, Hento is excited about the community project she is working on and the support she is receiving.

“I am a very large believer in the development and strength of rural communities, especially in South Dakota, where we have seen a population shift,” Hento says. “I think it is important to continue to focus on the growth and sustainability that rural communities have within South Dakota and the important role they play for our economy and social structure.”

All Rural POWER participants are expected to develop and implement a project to bolster their community. Hento’s project focuses on

www.sdfu.org

Sara Hento

Joshua Hofer

affordable housing.

“If I am looking for a resource to learn more about affordable housing, I know I have contacts throughout the state through the Rural POWER and Billie Sutton Leadership Institute network,” Hento says.

Connecting with rural leaders from across South Dakota is among the purposes of the program, Sutton explains. “A powerful thing of leadership is the connections we make. Through this program we are building a larger and larger network of change-makers who can impact positive change in their rural communities. Now that’s grassroots,” Sutton says.

Sutton said when selecting speakers, he seeks out individuals who exhibit an open, honest and engaging leadership style.

Some of the 2021 speakers include State Sen. Troy Heinert; Jolene Loetscher, former Sioux Falls Mayoral Candidate; Chris Studer, East River Electric; Adam Schwartz, The Cooperative Way; Paula Jenson, Dakota Resources; Ed Anderson, retired director of the South Dakota Rural Electric Association; Doug Sombke, President South Dakota Farmers Union; Mike Traxinger, Agtegra; and Kurt Pfeifle, South Dakota Rural

Water Association.

In addition to speakers, participants are paired with mentors to help advise them on their projects. Connecting with a diverse network of rural South Dakotans has been helpful to Joshua Hofer. The Rural POWER participant grew up on a multi-generational farm in the middle of rural Hutchinson County. After high school, he left the state to pursue his education and career.

After he and his wife, Lynelle, started a family, they decided to return to his hometown so that Hofer could help on the farm and they could be close to grandparents. Hofer works full time as a recruiter.

“This experience is helping me figure out my place and role in this very rural community,” Hofer says. “My first career began in the arts and culture sector. If we lived in a city right now, it would be the culture district, and I’d be running a theater. As it happens, I am very much not in New York City right now. So, Rural POWER has provided an opportunity for me to piece together what leadership looks like right here.”

Supporting rural leaders as they take their next steps is an over-arching theme of the Rural POWER program. “We know change does not happen in rural communities unless someone takes action. Action can be large scale or something others view as not very large – but every project has impact,” Sutton explains.

Mark Your Calendars to Apply for 2022 Rural POWER Applications for the 2022 Rural POWER class will open in January. To learn more, visit https:// suttonleadership.org/. ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU

November/December 2021

15

Union Farmer Rob Larew National Farmers Union President

NFU supports Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act In November, Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) announced a bill that would bring greater fairness to the beef marketplace: the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act. The bill would mandate minimum levels of cash trading in cattle marketing regions, create a contract library for independent producers to consider, require packers to report cattle weights and deliveries for slaughter two weeks in advance and strengthens the penalties for packers who violate these rules.

NFU, along with U.S. Cattlemen’s Association and American Farm Bureau Federation, supports the bill. NFU will work with these Senate leaders to press for swift passage of the bill.

NFU Joins with U.S. Farm & Biofuel Leaders Urging White House to Embrace Homegrown Solutions, Expand Access to Lower-Carbon, Lower-Cost Biofuels In a letter to the White House, NFU and rural leaders noted that biofuels hold the power to “insulate consumers from volatile oil markets by extending the fuel supply, much like releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, but with sustainable results.”

To promote competitive prices while reducing emissions, biofuel and farm advocates also urged regulators to act swiftly on long-awaited biofuel blending requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

NFU supports bill to Combat Hunger and Nutrition Insecurity in America NFU is proud to endorse a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would direct the convening of a national White House conference on food, nutrition, hunger and health. The bill, introduced earlier this week, is led by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), and cosponsored by Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) and Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN).

The first and only White House conference focused on hunger and nutrition was convened in 1969. It led to landmark legislation and nearly a decade of transformational progress in the fight to end hunger in America—spurring the creation and expansion of programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program.

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November/December 2021

NRCS Reminds Farmers to Consider Conservation and Climate-Smart Funding Opportunities for 2022 As fiscal year 2022 gets underway, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is reminding farmers and ranchers to consider conservation program assistance through programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) and Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program. NRCS accepts applications for these programs yearround, but producers and landowners need to apply by state-specific ranking deadlines to be considered for this year’s funding.

If applications are received after ranking deadlines, those applications are automatically deferred to the next funding period. Applications must be completed through local USDA Service Centers.

NRCS conservation programs provide technical and financial assistance to help farmers and ranchers make improvements on their land that conserve natural resources and help address climate change impacts.

NFU submits comments to USDA on new Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry (CSAF) Partnership Program On Nov. 1, NFU submitted comments in response to USDA’s request for information on its forthcoming Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry (CSAF) Partnership Program. The program is expected to create pilot projects that will expand the use of climate-smart farming practices and promote the marketing of climate-smart agricultural products.

In its comments, NFU expressed the important role family farmers and ranchers can play in addressing climate change. Regarding the new partnership program, NFU asked USDA to ensure the new program is farmer-focused and broadly inclusive of farmers from different geographies, scales of production, cropping systems and marketing approaches. While noting the important opportunity a program like this could present to farmers, NFU stressed that this effort must also be mindful not to undermine the need for fair and competitive agricultural markets.

Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections Underway The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots this week for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county and urban county committee elections to all eligible agricultural producers and private landowners across the country. Elections are occurring in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for these committee members who make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. To be counted, producers and landowners must return ballots to their local FSA county office or be postmarked by Dec. 6, 2021.

“Now is your opportunity to elect fellow farmers and ranchers in your community to serve on the local county committee,” says FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “These committees are a critical piece to the work we do by providing knowledge and judgment as decisions are made about the services we provide.

Your voice and vote matters.”

NFU Sends Letter to USDA in support of Canola Being Approved as a Pathway for Renewable Diesel “This administration should continue to support increased growth of biofuel production under the RFS program, which, in turn, will support increased investments in the rural economy and help mitigate climate change impacts…Where canola oil can provide a sustainable, alternative feedstock for biofuel production today, we urge USDA to encourage EPA to take prompt action on the pending petition to approve canola oil renewable diesel fuels as ‘advanced biofuels’ under the RFS program.”

Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP) FSA has started accepting applications for OTECP, a new (likely temporary) program designed to help certified organic and transitional operations offset certain costs. Those costs include eligible certification expenses, eligible transitional expenses, educational event registration fees, and soil testing for micronutrient deficiencies. The $20 million devoted to this program for fiscal years 2020, 2021 and 2022 is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers Initiative.

FSA will accept OTECP applications for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 from through Jan. 7, 2022. The application period for fiscal year 2022 applications will be announced later. ■ Current as of Nov. 16, 2021

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer From the President....

One Big Get Together

I

Doug Sombke, SDFU President

am counting down the days until State Convention 2021. It’s been too long since we all gathered together.

I look forward to sitting down with members, sharing meals together and catching up. You just can’t replicate inperson time together.

A lot of incredibly vital business takes place during Farmers Union State Convention. Convention is where the policy that guides our organization is set. It is where policy was put in place to support fair prices for livestock producers by holding packers accountable through laws currently in place.

Because of the work of South Dakota Farmers Union delegates putting this into the National Farmers Union policy, we can all celebrate a small milestone. A judge in Minnesota ordered a class-action lawsuit against JBS, Tyson, National Beef and Cargill to proceed.

During State Convention members will vote on a Special Order from our July Policy Meeting which addresses this same issue and SDFU’s eagerness to work with other agriculture organizations on a solution.

When we get together and unite around the things we have in common, great things can happen.

Perhaps a silver lining to come from the pandemic is today, more than agriculture organizations are concerned about concentration among food processors. The pandemic highlighted supply chain issues beyond processors. Consider the current input prices. I am hopeful that the recently passed Infrastructure Bill will help with this.

Many supplies depend upon U.S. roads, rail and waterways for transportation.

When it comes to waterways, I know

for decades there have been issues on the Mississippi River which have impacted transportation of agriculture commodities.

Hopefully these dollars will help resolve these and other issues.

National Farmers Union’s involvement in national talks surrounding the packer concentration issue is just one example that demonstrates the impact South Dakota family farmers and ranchers can have. We get a seat at the table.

A seat at the table is so important. I’ve heard it said before, “If you’re not seated at the table, you may be the main course.”

This is the reason I am grateful National Farmers Union is part of the many national conversations focused on climate change.

As national and international policy is being put into place, family farmers and ranchers need their voice heard. We cannot let others decide our future.

Farmers and ranchers deciding our future for ourselves is among the many reasons Farmers Union was established more than a century ago. It is the reason our organization supports cooperatives. It is the reason we get together each year to vote on policy. It’s the reason I work to serve you.

During this year’s convention, I am eager to listen to policy discussion and hear what new issues are on our members’ minds. And, learn what solutions we can come up with when we get together.

Sincerely,

Doug Sombke, President South Dakota Farmers Union

A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

South Dakota Union Farmer, ISSN 0745-8797, publishes 9 times per calendar year, with issues printed in January/February, March/April, May/June, July, August, September, October, November and December. Periodical postage paid at Madison, S.D. 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 • 605.352.6761 1410 Dakota Avenue South, PO Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350 www.sdfu.org

SDFU State Office Staff Karla Hofhenke............ext. 114 Executive Director Huron

Kelli Peterson...............ext. 116 Administrative Assistant Huron

Rachel Haigh-Blume.... ext. 125 Education Director Tulare

Doug Bruckner..............ext. 118 Controller Wessington Springs

Rocky Forman..............ext. 117 Member Services Coordinator Huron

Luke Reindl................... ext. 122 Comm. & Policy Specialist Wessington Springs

SDFU Board of Directors Doug Sombke.........President Groton Wayne Soren.. Vice President Lake Preston Mike Miller................ District I Freeman Scott Kolousek......... District II Wessington Springs Gail Temple............. District III Clark

Contact NFU

Congressional Leaders Contact information: Rep. Dusty Johnson 202-225-2801 / 855-225-2801 reid.rasmussen@mail.house.gov

www.sdfu.org

Sen. Mike Rounds 202-224-5842 / 844-875-5268 logan_penfield@rounds.senate.gov

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

sdfu@sdfu.org

David Reis................District IV Oacoma Dallis Basel...............District V Union Center Oren Lesmeister......District VI Parade Chad Johnson........District VII Groton

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

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

November/December 2021

17

Union Farmer A Tribute to Carrie Derschan

A

fter more than 20 years, Carrie Derschan will retire from serving as a Farmers Union Insurance Agent.

And in case you’re wondering, true to Carrie’s go-getter attitude, she’s not planning to slow down much.

Community-minded from the beginning, once they retire, Carrie and her husband, Brad, plan to become even more involved in many of the activities they were engaged with while working full time.

“We will have more time to run on the ambulance squad and volunteer for community events,” Carrie says.

The fact that Carrie and Brad are so active in the Lemmon community matters to longtime friend and Farmers Union Insurance customer Shawn Weishaar.

“Brad and Carrie have a real presence in the community, and it just adds to why I like to do business with them. And they are my good friends – good friends first and foremost,” explains Weishaar, who was in the same high school class as Brad.

“Whenever there’s something that needs to be taken care of in the community, they are usually one of the first ones to step up and do it.”

“There are things you cannot prevent, like this last windstorm, it was out of our hands. This is when you need insurance.”

– Shawn Weishaar A diversified rancher, Weishaar says friendship is not the only reason he does business with Farmers Union Insurance.

It’s Carrie’s ability to explain coverage and ensure he has the coverage he needs in place for the unexpected events life sometimes throws his way. “They have done a good job making sure there are no surprises. And whether it’s your car hitting a deer or a hailstorm and you need to get a roof patched, when something happens they are there right away to help get it fixed.”

“There are things you cannot prevent,

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November/December 2021

Carrie and Brad Derschan (center) are retiring. The couple looks forward to more time for community involvement and family.

like this last windstorm, it was out of our hands. This is when you need insurance,” Weishaar says.

Longtime client Aldene Powers agrees. “I have had insurance with different people and none are better than Carrie. She knows everything there is to know and explains everything to me in a way that I can understand.”

A retired rural mail carrier contractor, Powers says she also appreciates the fact that whenever she has a question, Carrie is available to answer them. Making sure her customers can reach her whenever she is needed has been important to Carrie. “There is a lot of flexibility with this job. But you can’t just punch out and go home. In many ways, it’s a 24-7 job like farming and ranching.”

Like Powers and Weishaar, because Carrie and Brad grew up in the Lemmon community, many of their clients are long-time friends. In fact, Carrie says it is the scheduled meetings with friends that she will miss most in retirement.

“It’s going to be a hard transition,” she explains.

Carrie began working for her dad, Francis “Franny” Hulm in 1998 and took over the agency from him in 2002. Brad joined her in the family business in 2003

when their agency started to grow and their children were old enough to help out on the farm and ranch.

For several months now, the couple has been training their replacement, Chris Goldsmith. Like Carrie and Brad, Chris grew up in Lemmon.

“Chris is going to do a great job and we will be here to help him for as long as he needs us,” Carrie says. “He grew up here and he is very involved in the community. That is a big thing – community involvement.”

Powers and Weishaar agree with Carrie. Both say they know Chris and think Carrie and Brad made a good choice in submitting his name to the management for their replacement to take care of their clients moving forward.

“I think they have a really good guy, who will do a good job for us.”

In addition to community involvement, Brad and Carrie are also excited to spend more time with their children, daughter and son-in-law, Britnai and Derek Schoon; and son and daughter-in-law, Adam and Tamara Derschan. The couple have four granddaughters.

“We are looking forward to be more involved, as ‘hired hands,’ on the farm/ ranch and in our family.” ■

www.sdfu.org

Thank You Thank you so much for bringing your safety trailer. The kids truly appreciated learning about the safety.

I could have not sat out there in that heat and taught more than 100 kids. The Ethan FFA was very thankful for your time.

Thanks again, Ethan FFA *** Thank you very much for coming to the Lake Preston school and presenting to our students. The ag safety trailer was a major hit and started off our 4-H week perfectly!

Hope to have you back in the future!

Superintendent Dana Felderman *** Thank you for being a presenter at the 2021 Tripp & Gregory County 4-H Progressive Agriculture Safety Day. We appreciate you taking the time to teach over 150 fourth & fifth grade students from Winner, Colome and Burke about ATV and farm safety!

Tripp/Gregory County 4-H *** Thank you for the opportunity to own such a great heifer! I can’t wait to show “Patty Cakes” this year and then put her into my cow herd! I also appreciate how much you have done for the youth in agriculture!

Thank you is not enough to express how truly grateful I am!

Sincerely, Swayze Ness

Departings Loren C. Heidenreich of Aberdeen passed away Sept. 29, 2021. He was a lifetime member of the South Dakota Farmers Union, served as Spink County Chairman for many years and was also the district vice chairman.

Loren was preceded in death by his wife Regina “Jeannie;” and is survived by his children, Denis Heidenreich and Barb (Wayne “Red”) Vetter.

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

The cost per sign is $5 or free with a five-year or greater membership to Farmers Union. To get yours today, contact Membership Specialist Rocky Forman at 605-352-6761 ext 116 or at rforman@sdfu.org.

Lasagna with cream cheese

Kecia Beranek, Miller, S.D.

1 (8 oz.) sour cream 1 (16 oz.) cottage cheese 1 (8 oz.) bag mozzarella shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Brown beef with onion. Drain fat. Add spaghetti sauce to meat mixture and let simmer while stirring regularly. Cook lasagna noodles according to instructions. Combine cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese and half shredded cheese in large mixing bowl. Spray 9x13 pan.

Layer noodles then cream cheese mixture followed by meat mixture. Repeat for 3 layers. End with remaining shredded cheese on top. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Note: I use Prego garden combo spaghetti sauce. www.sdfu.org

4 Ways to Connect With Us! SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION mail to: sdfu@sdfu.org Like us for updates, photos, news, and so much more. https://www.facebook.com/ South-Dakota-Farmers-Union277721538812/ Follow us for the latest legislative updates and news. https://twitter.com/sdfarmersunion View videos at the South Dakota Farmers Union Channel. https://www.youtube.com/ user/sdfarmersunion

ORDER YOUR OWN COPY OF THE FARMERS UNION CENTENNIAL COOKBOOK Cookbooks are $10 plus tax and shipping. Contact Kelli Peterson 605-352-6761, ext 116, to place your order today!

SDFU CLIP AND SAVE CALENDAR (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

COOK’S CORNER 1 lb. ground beef 1 medium onion, chopped 1 (26 oz.) jar of spaghetti sauce 9 lasagna noodles 1 (8 oz.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese

Union Farmer

November 2021 18 Hutchinson County Annual Meeting, Tripp 22 Spink County Annual meeting by Zoom 22-23 FUE Board Meeting 23 Distrct 6 & Dewey/Ziebach Annual Meeting, Isabel 25-26 Office closed – Thanksgiving 29 Corson/Perkins Meeting, Lemmon 30 Hand County Annual meeting, St Lawrence December 2021 2-3 CHS Annual Meeting, Minneapolis 16-17 State Convention, Huron 24 Office closed – Christmas 31 Office closed – New Years January 2022 7-8 Producers Conference, Deadwood 8 District 1 Meeting via Zoom 8 District 3 Meeting, Quality Inn, Watertown February 2022 7 Legislative Day, Pierre

November/December 2021

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P r o t e c t i n g W h a t ’s I m p o r t a n t i n L i f e

Simply Different | fumic.com J.R. Johnson ............ 725-3003 ABERDEEN Cameron Lux ............ 229-3945 BISON Alan Voller ................ 244-7431 BISON Karen Voller .............. 244-7431 BRITTON Tom Farber ............... 448-5150 BROOKINGS Gary Ray .................. 692-6735 BROOKINGS Beth Reams ............. 690-3018 BROOKINGS Heidi Fields .............. 881-2830 BUFFALO Jenn Wickstrom ........ 375-3311 CLARK Lon Reidburn ........... 532-3299 DOLAND Mark Rozell .............. 635-6511 FAULKTON Dawn Melius............. 598-6570

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