Neighbor helping neighbor takes on new dimension early October. In their meeting later that weekend, MFBF board members committed the funds raised for the state’s Foundation to the South Dakota fund, for a donation total of nearly $23,000. “We’re going to continue to work together with our responsibility to help out,” Paap said. The MFBF auction began more than 20 years ago. Stevens County Farm Bureau leaders help the auctioneer during the event since their county originated the fundraising idea on the local level. Dennis Wulf, Stevens County vice president, has been personally involved in the clean-up process in western South Dakota. “People in the area refer to the storm as a ‘biblical history event,’” Wulf said. “It’s something no one has ever experienced.” Contrary to some reports, 90 percent of the ranchers had moved their livestock to winter pasture, and they still lost them.” In a telephone conversation with The Land, South Dakota Farm Bureau president Scott VanderWal expressed appreciation on behalf of South Dakota farmers for the generosity of
their Minnesota neighbors. “It’s heartwarming to see how people are responding. Most of our state has been blessed with a good year,” he said. VanderWal shared how western cow-calf ranchers were “set up to hit a homerun this year.” Hay prices had moderated, corn and wheat prices were less than a year ago and they got rain for pastures and hay. Those positive circumstances were worthless when the early October blizzard hit. Ranchers lost two years of income. The Ranchers Relief Fund was established by South Dakota Cattlemen, Stock Growers and Sheep Growers Associations. The South Dakota Farm Bureau Cares Fund was set up in response to inquiries from other state Farm Bureaus wanting to donate relief funds. “We’re not competing with the other organizations,” VanderWal said. Donations can be made online at www.sdfbf.org with a link to “donate.” Checks can be made out to Farmers & Merchants Bank/South Dakota Farm Bureau Cares. Send checks to South Dakota Farm Bureau, P.O. Box 1426, Huron, SD 57350. ❖
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the floor, closer to the bidders. He requested that everyone interested in donating to South Dakota ranchers should raise the bidding number, and with the other hand indicate the amount. Donations were received in multiples of $25: one finger raised for $25, two for $50, etc. Before Schultz continued selling more auction items, bidders had raised approximately $5,000. A later break in the auction action provided an opportunity for more donations. Some wondered how much money a second round would produce. “County Farm Bureau leaders were the key drivers, “ Paap said. Mike Wojahn, Cottonwood County Farm Bureau president, said, “the outpouring of gifts from those assembled was like no other foundation donation session I have ever seen. It started out with individuals making donations. Then one county decided to make a donation, and another floodgate opened. ... The devastation could have been us.” When pledges were tallied, the auction had raised more than $13,000 to help South Dakota farmers suffering devastating losses from a blizzard in
THE LAND, DECEMBER 6, 2013
By CAROLYN VAN LOH The Land Correspondent “We’re all one big happy family in Farm Bureau and agriculture,” Minnesota Farm Bureau president Kevin Paap said on a recent Trent Loos broadcast. Kevin Paap Paap’s conversation with Loos concerned the fundraising auction at the 95th annual meeting of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation. Items donated by county Farm Bureaus and individuals raise funds for the Foundation, which supports FFA, 4-H and other agriculture entities. In addition to the usual farm toys, food baskets, quilts and home décor pieces, two new items appeared on this year’s auction list: South Dakota Farm Bureau Cares. For the auctioneer, Matthew Schultz of Kurt Johnson Auctioneering Inc., shifting from the fun and laughter of friendly bidding competition to a more sedate, hushed atmosphere was nothing new. His firm specializes in fundraising auctions. Part way through the auction, Schultz stepped from the platform to
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