SDFU Union Farmer Jan/Feb 2022

Volume CVII, No. 1 Huron, SD JAN/FEB 2022

A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

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

Panelists Discuss Industrial Hemp’s Future in S.D.

Meet 2021 Torchbearers

2022 National Convention

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Family Farmers & Ranchers Put Policy in Place for A Better Future for South Dakota Agriculture

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uring his keynote address, South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke challenged family farmers and ranchers to take a moment to reflect and ask themselves: “What am I doing to help mankind?”

Of course, the answer is unique for each of the many South Dakota family farmers and ranchers gathered in Huron Dec. 16-17 for the 2021 South Dakota Farmers Union State Convention.

But, a common thread of Doug Sombke advocacy for grassroots policy to support fair prices for farmers, ranchers and consumers could be found among convention-goers.

“Farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our state’s economy and its rural communities. If our family farmers and ranchers cannot see stable profits, we cannot expect that they will stay on the farm,” said Sombke, a fourth-generation Conde farmer who

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MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

2022 Farmers Union Legislative Day is Feb. 7 at the Capitol in Pierre Begins at 10 a.m.

Noon Meal

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Photo Contest Winner

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Farmers Union Celebrates Hand County Farm Family

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 Johnson family, pictured here: Brooks, Alexis, Kelly, Curtis, Nikki, Linda, Terry and Ava. Brooks and Nikki hold photos of greatgreat-grandpa Thomas Cawood and great-grandpa William Walter Johnson. Both men served as South Dakota Legislators in the late 1800s.

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he Johnson family is deeply rooted in Hand County and South Dakota’s agriculture tradition.

Six of Curtis Johnson’s great-grandparents homesteaded in Hand County. Both his great-great-grandpa Thomas Cawood and great-grandpa William Walter Johnson served in the South Dakota Legislature in 1885 and 1889. The home he and his wife, Kelly, live in with their children, was built atop the same land as his greatgrandpa Johnson’s sod house. And each growing season, Curtis Johnson plants and harvests in the same fields that his dad, Terry, Grandpa Walter, Great-Grandpa Thomas and Great-Great Grandpa William Walter planted and harvested.

“Farming land that has been farmed by four generations before me, makes me feel like I am the next in line to care for the land.

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Union Farmer

Johnson Family

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It’s not quite like going out and buying something,” Curtis explained.

Curtis and Kelly returned to the family farm 20 miles south of Miller in 2015. The couple had been working in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho: Curtis as a mechanical engineer and Kelly as an occupational therapist. Together the couple owned an occupational therapy clinic.

“We wanted to raise our kids on the farm,” Curtis said of their four children: Alexis, Brooks, Ava and Nikki.

Kelly, who grew up on a small Washington horse farm, agreed. “There is a big sense of freedom out here. Our kids can run around and do what they want to do. If they want to go ride their ATV, they can ride it. Or if they want to go shoot, they can.”

“And I can teach my kids skills out here,” Curtis added. “Like how to drive a stick shift and they have the opportunity to figure out how to fix things when they break.”

A mechanical engineering graduate of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Curtis explained how the hands-on experiences from his childhood on the farm came in handy.

“The engineering side of things was very second-hand to me. The math was very hard. It made me a unique engineer in a way,” Curtis said.

In addition to the farming lifestyle, Kelly appreciates the fact that her children are attending school and growing up in the rural community of Miller. “There is a

Curtis and Kelly Johnson

sense of accountability in this small town.

We know almost everyone who lives here.

They know us and our kids. If the kids do something they should not be, I appreciate the fact that someone will step in and let me know or my kids know.”

To Kelly’s point, Curtis shared a story of

when he was 18 years old. A farmer loaned him a pickup and trailer to haul some cattle home from a sale.

“When I dropped off the trailer, his wife said, ‘Wow, he let you drive his pickup.

He does not even let me drive his pickup.’

And the farmer said to me, ‘I knew your grandpa. If I cannot trust you, I cannot trust anyone.’”

After the couple returned to the farm with their children, Kelly began working as an occupational therapist for Avera in Miller and Curtis began farming alongside his dad, Terry. Together they raise alfalfa, wheat, corn, soybeans and cattle. In addition to Curtis, Terry and his wife, Linda, raised

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As he sits by his great-great-grandpa Thomas Cawood’s grave marker, Curtis Johnson reflects on the legacy he continues on the land homesteaded by his ancestors. Cawood is among several early settlers buried in a small cemetery on the family’s farm.

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January/February 2022

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daughters, Robin Musch and Jennifer Haring, on the family farm.

Terry says he was happy when he learned Curtis wanted to return home to continue the family farming legacy.

“I was tickeled to death when I learned he wanted to return home to farm. I had kind of run out of steam so to speak,” Terry shared. “It is neat in the overall scheme of things, we have our name written in the dirt here.”

Since returning home, Curtis has slowly expanded the herd and pastureland. Most of the acres he purchases from neighbors at one time belonged to a great-grandpa, uncle or distant cousin.

Terry said he had a similar experience when he bought some quarters of land shortly after returning to the family farm as a Vietnam veteran.

“In June of 1976 I bought four quarters that had belonged to dad’s brother, Royal.

We paid entirely way too much for the four quarters – especially looking at the year,” Terry said.

He shared that reclaiming this land for his family farm meant a lot to him.

Unlike so many of the farm families who

homesteaded in South Dakota in the late 1880s, his family was able to hang on to some of their farm ground through the Dirty Thirties. But it wasn’t easy.

“My dad, Walter, was a very young man.

And his dad, William Walter Johnson, had died fairly young. So, Dad and Grandma Minnie had to work to keep the farm together, but they lost some quarters of land because they couldn’t pay the taxes.”

Terry and Curtis take extra steps when caring for the land that has been in their family for more than a century. Since the early 1990s, they have implemented no-till farming practices. And, when he can, Curtis implements rotationally grazing. Although he says the drought in the summer 2021 made it tough to implement the practice.

“I had to choose to either sell calves or over graze. I did not sell cattle. Thankfully it started to rain and now the grasses are really coming back,” Curtis said.

In addition to expanding grazing acres and cattle numbers, Curtis has worked to update the farm’s equipment and technology. “By adding autosteer, I am able to get 12 more rows into one quarter.”

He has also changed the way he markets commodities.

“I am working to get a better analysis on breakeven numbers, and I hired a marketing firm to help me,” Curtis explained. “This has given me the ability to market grain before harvest to cover breakevens.”

On average, Curtis markets about 60 to 70 percent of his crop prior to harvest.

“It gives me the confidence when planting that I will turn a profit,” said Curtis, explaining that the farm’s risk management

strategy includes a bailout plan if weather extremes don’t allow him to harvest the pre-marketed bushels.

“Before I started marketing this way, there was so much stress associated with the markets. I still watch the markets, but it is not as critical when 60 percent of the corn is sold before harvest,” Curtis said.

Curtis added that he relies on the marketing firm he works with for guidance.

He looks to them as a coach of sorts as he and Kelly navigate the ins and outs of farming his family’s land for the next generation.

“Who knows, maybe one day, one of our kids will want to take over the farm for the next generation,” Kelly said. ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU

“Farming land that has been farmed by four generations before me, makes me feel like I am the next in line to care for the land. It’s not quite like going out and buying something.”

– Curtis Johnson

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January/February 2022

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Union Farmer State Convention

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was re-elected during convention to serve another term as President.

Ipswich farmer and small business owner Lance Perrion agreed.

“We need to get some fair prices for livestock, not just beef, but all sides of livestock,” said Perrion, 30. “If you want these small towns to stay together and young people to be Rob Larew around, we need to have value in these animals, and it needs to get back to the farm to keep towns alive and keep ag alive.”

Perrion and his wife, Sarah, 27, have three young daughters. Together the couple raise crops and manage a cow/calf and feedlot operation. They also own and operate several agriculture businesses on their farm near Ipswich. The 2021 State Convention was the first the couple has attended.

“This was the first meeting I have attended Lance Perrion where there were positivethinking people who are putting policy in place to make a difference in Pierre and D.C.,” Perrion said. “I have attended too many meetings where people whine and complain about what is going on. And when the meeting is over, nothing has been done to change things. At this convention, people came together to set policy to take action and be a positive voice for South Dakota and South Dakota agriculture.”

Fair prices for livestock producers is the focus of a Special Order that supports the enforcement of present laws and regulations including and not limited to GIPSA and dealing with misinformation in truth in labeling. The grassroots policy written by members and voted on during convention, will guide the organization’s lobbying efforts in Pierre and Washington,

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D.C. “There are three things that keep me in Farmers Union – support for MCOOL, research and support of ethanol and IMSET (Inventory Management Soil Enhancement Tool),” explained Polo farmer Cheryl Schaefers. “These are all programs that don’t need government checks to help farmers. If the law is made and upheld, farmers would receive fair prices.”

Establishing policy to support fair prices for farmers and ranchers not only protects producers, but it also helps consumers, explained Aberdeen farmer Kirk Schaunaman. “Consolidation of the packing industry is not only a food security issue, it is a national security and consumer issue,” Schaunaman said. “Consumers care where their food comes from, and countryof-origin labeling (COOL) does just that.”

Along with agriculture-specific policy, 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 of 2021 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

another Special Order passed by membership supports Medicaid expansion in South Dakota. “As someone who falls in the donut hole, I am pro-Medicaid expansion because it is tough to have young children and be a young adult ranching and not have options for affordable health insurance,” explained Shilo LaMont, a Union Center rancher.

“I like to pride myself and my family for being hard workers.

We work hard for everything we have, but Cheryl Schaefers

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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.

Special Order 3: RESOLUTION FOR CO-OP BYLAW CHANGE South Dakota Farmers Union has a long and extensive history of supporting co-ops in all their forms. The fact is most of the co-ops in South Dakota were started by Farmers Union and their members.

As voting is the bedrock of our republic, it is also the fundamental right and obligation in the co-op system.

Voting is one of the seven principals of the co-op system that is recognized around the world, to be in place for the co-op to work effectively. The owners/members are the sole proprietors of the co-op, the board is just an extension of its members.

With that basic principal the South Dakota Farmers Union recommends that all co-ops add to their bylaws that “all major change in direction, consolidation, liquidations, mergers, regionalization or wholesale power suppliers have a vote of the membership with a two-thirds voting in favor of said action.” This will allow all member/owners their one vote in the direction of their co-op and to uphold the integrity of the co-op system for future generations.

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having affordable health insurance is still an issue.”

Farmers Union joined with more than 40 other South Dakota organizations, including Avera Health and Sanford to support Medicaid expansion which will be on the South Dakota ballot in 2022.

Ensuring the organization’s policy is relevant and clearly represents issues facing family farmers and ranchers is the primary purpose of this annual meeting of the state’s largest agriculture organization.

But it is not the only reason many South Dakotans turned out for the event. After a year of virtual workshops, meetings and conventions, 89-year-old Webster farmer Franklin Olson said he was eager to see his friends again.

“I enjoy Farmers Union and I want to see my friends – some I have not seen in two years now,” he said.

His sentiment was echoed by former North Dakota Senator and convention speaker Heidi Heitkamp. “Aren’t we sick of doing Zoom meetings?” she asked. “Talking about rural voices, many times you read national articles about what is happening in rural America, and you think, ‘that is not what I think is happening, or this is not my perspective.‘” Heitkamp’s message was one of setting aside politics and making a point as farmers, ranchers and rural citizens to speak up for rural America and agriculture. “We need to ask the question, who gets to talk for rural America?”

“Farmers know the way to do the right thing themselves.

They don’t need corporations to tell them how or what to do.” – Rob Larew Heitkamp encouraged farmers, ranchers and rural citizens to ignite conversations.

This was also a focus of Wayne Soren’s talk. The Lake Preston farmer and SDFU Vice President said, “If you have an idea that could help, share it. Some things work, and some don’t but you need to at least try them. And that is what our policy discussion is for.”

Grassroots representation of farmers and ranchers was also the focus of National Farmers Union President Rob Larew’s State of the Union address. “This is an organization dedicated to success of family www.sdfu.org

2021 SDFU Policy Committee: Rob Lee, De Smet; Paul Hotchkiss, Humboldt; Hank Wonnenberg, Dallas; Mary Ellen Cammack, Sturgis; Jenae Hansen, Redfield; Jerry Petik, Meadow; and David Cap, Yankton.

farmers, ranchers and communities. It is an organization that recognizes a bigger theme that is bigger than my farm, bigger than my neighbors’ farms, it is all of us trying to make a situation better,” Larew said. “Farmers know the way to do the right thing themselves. They don’t need corporations to tell them how or what to do.”

Larew shared that because of Farmers Union’s efforts to support fair prices for livestock producers and enforce laws that prohibit price fixing, not only has the new administration asked the Department of Justice to look into the issue, but there may be an opportunity for MCOOL. “If you asked me what the chances were of reinstating MCOOL before, I would say it was a long haul. In short, the pandemic helped us on this. Consumers are now on this. They want to know where their food comes from.

They understand the food system has huge problems,” said Larew, Kirk Schaunaman explaining that because of Farmers Union’s dedication to fair prices, the organization has been called upon to provide insight for Congressional leaders.

To provide a roadmap for federal

lobbying efforts, South Dakota Farmers Union will send 13 delegates to the National Farmers Union Convention held in Denver, Feb. 27 through March 1.

National Farmers Union lobbies on behalf of policy that comes from state organizations, like South Dakota Farmers Union.

This policy is then voted into national policy during the National Farmers Union Convention. The 2022 South Dakota national convention delegates are: Jeff and Rachel Kippley, Aberdeen; Lance and Sarah Perrion, Ipswich; Tammy Basel, Union Center; Shilo LaMont, Union Center; Lorrie Hanson, Britton; Hank and Melissa Wonnenberg, Dallas; Taylor and Cassie Sumption, Frederick; and Rob and Darcie Lee, De Smet.

“Our delegates understand the issues and challenges facing family farmers and ranchers because they are family farmers and ranchers,” Sombke said. “It’s powerful to see what can be accomplished for South Dakota agriculture when a group of producers unite to have their voices heard.”

In addition to National Convention delegates, elections were held for state board leadership. Results are as follows: Doug Sombke, President; Wayne Soren, Vice President; Scott Kolousek, District 2 Director; David Reis, District 4 Director; and Oren Lesmeister, District 6 Director.

To learn more about South Dakota Farmers Union and the work the organization does to support family farmers, ranchers and rural communities, visit www.sdfu.org. ■ January/February 2022

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Union Farmer

South Dakota Farmers Union Elects Leadership During 2021 State Convention

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

During the 2021 State Convention held Dec. 16 and 17 in Huron, an election was held and members re-elected Conde farmer Doug Sombke to serve as President; Lake Preston farmer Wayne Soren to serve as Vice President; Wessington Springs farmer/rancher Scott Kolousek to serve as District 2 Director; Reliance rancher David Reis to serve as District 4 Director; and Parade rancher Oren Lesmeister to serve as District 6 Director.

“I am honored to serve the family farmers and ranchers who make up this organization,” Sombke said.

To learn more about why these leaders want to serve, visit www.sdfu.org to read an article featured in the November/December 2021 Union Farmer which highlights the elected board members. The newsletter can be found in the Union Farmer archives, under the Union Farmer link which can be found under the News & Events tab. ■

David Sombke

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Wayne Soren

Scott Kolousek

David Reis

Oren Lesmeister

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer Farmers Union Looks to Bring More Fairness to Farmers

By Erik Kaufman, Originally published in the Mitchell Republic

Rob Larew, president of the National Farmers Union organization, addressed the audience Dec. 17 at the 106th annual convention of the South Dakota Farmers Union. (Erik Kaufman / Mitchell Republic)

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he National Farmers Union organization will continue to fight against unfair market and pricing practices in the agriculture industry, and will call upon farmers and ranchers to tell their stories to reach out and influence state and national policymakers.

That was one of the messages from Rob Larew, president of the National Farmers Union organization at the 106th Annual Convention of the South Dakota Farmers Union in Huron.

“Beyond education, legislation and cooperation, Farmers Union is an organization dedicated to the success of family farmers and ranchers and their communities,” Larew told the audience during the state of the union address at the Crossroads Hotel and Convention Center. “It’s not (just) about my farm, it’s about all of us trying to make the situation better. That really sets Farmers Union apart from other organizations.”

Larew talked about the importance of the Fairness For Farmers program. Fairness For Farmers is a nationwide campaign run by National Farmers Union. The organization is fighting for stronger enforcement of antitrust laws and breaking up the corporate monopolies that use their size to unfairly take advantage of farmers

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and ranchers while forcing consumers to pay higher prices at the grocery store.

The program is set up to combat a problem that has existed for generations, Larew said. Many companies controlling markets for farm inputs, like fertilizer and commodities, are vertically integrated, which means they control multiple stages of the supply chain. One particular example is the chicken industry, where farmers must sign a contract with a company – known as an integrator – that provides the birds, feed, medication and processing. Integrators can suppress wages, force expensive upgrades and even sabotage a farmer by providing poorer quality inputs, according to the Farmers Union website.

The problem also extends to farm equipment manufacturers, which Larew said have monopolized the market on equipment repairs. These companies unfairly force farmers to do some key repairs by restricting access to certain parts or software solely through their dealership networks.

Organizations like Farmers Union have fought that unfairness for years, and despite often bipartisan promises, progress has been slower than anyone would like.

“We often talk about bipartisanship. I think it’s going to be the key to getting these things through. We need more bipartisanship, but that alone is not the answer, because that’s what we’ve had over the last several decades. It started with changes Reagan put in place. That then played out through the Clinton years, through Bush and Bush again, and played out in the Obama administration and Trump administration,” Larew said. “We’ll see what happens in the current administration. What we have had (in the past) is a bipartisan lack of enforcement against antitrust.”

Signs coming out of the Biden administration seem to indicate a willingness to tackle some of the issues Farmers Union is concerned about. The White House in July issued an executive order promoting competition in the American economy. Larew said the National Farmers Union believes that order provides a chance to keep momentum built toward achieving fairness across the agriculture industry.

“I’ve directed my administration to crack down on what some major players are doing in the economy that are keeping prices higher than they need be,” Biden stated in August. “Take your groceries bill: When big agriculture operations consolidate, they put a squeeze on small and family farms, making them pay more for seed, paying them less for what they produce and raising prices on what your groceries — what you pay for your groceries at the grocery store.”

Larew said the Fairness For Farmers program is attacking the problem on many fronts, but one of the most effective methods of getting the message across to lawmakers and those in power is having real farmers and ranchers affected by these issues to speak up, tell their stories and speak truth to power.

“We’ve had some really good paid lobbyists over the years, and they continue to be good,” Larew said. “But the best lobbyists we ever had are the farmers and ranchers who tell their story. That

Rob Larew

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Union Farmer Clark County Farmer Recognized With Minnie Lovinger Award

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ven before she had children of her own, Gail Temple volunteered her time to organize youth programming for Clark County as a South Dakota Farmers Union County Education Director.

“I saw a need. Clark County did not have an education director and I had friends with kids,” explained Temple, who grew up attending Farmers Union camps. “I first attended camp when I was 3 because the organizers asked my mom to stay and help.”

Temple was recognized for 30 years of dedicated service to South Dakota’s rural youth and Farmers Union educational programming with the 2021 Minnie Lovinger Award Dec. 16, during the South Dakota Farmers Union Convention held in Huron.

“I think back on all the educatioanl directors I grew up with and didn’t think I was the same caliber. They touched my life in a positive way and I hope I have touched someone else’s life in the same way for their future,” said Temple, who grew up actively involved in Farmers Union youth programming, achieving the organization’s highest youth honor, the Torchbearer Award in 1983.

Farmers Union educational programming focuses on providing rural youth with education on farm safety, cooperatives and policy. The programming also incorporates opportunities for leadership development and personal growth. Fun games and music are also woven through the curiculum.

Reflecting on what she gained from attending Farmers Union camp as a child, Temple says although she still remembers the words to many of the camp songs, it’s the friends she made as a camper that she values most.

“It’s about the connections I made with other campers and Farmers Union families.

I still have friends who I met at camp, who continue to be active in Farmers Union,” Temple said.

And her now-grown children, Jordyn and Jessica, agree. “When I ask them about their Farmers Union camp experience, they say that camp was always a place where they could be themselves.”

Temple and her husband, Brad, raise cattle and crops on their farm near Clark.

Growing up, Temple’s parents, Dee and

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2021 Education Awards 1st Year Awards: Kelcey Butler: Haakon County Tyler Hanson: Marshall County Elle Hoops: Beadle County 5 Year Award: Ione Cap: Yankton County Kayla Konechne: Brule County April Reis: Lyman County Lacey Rippentrop: Clay/Lincoln County 15 Year Award: Ed Artz: Minnehaha County Teresa Reidburn: Clark County

Rachel Haigh-Blume and 2021 Minnie Lovinger Award Recipient, Gail Temple.

Lloyd Battest, were active members of South Dakota Farmers Union.

In addition to youth programming, Temple has been active in supporting grassroots policy developed by Farmers Union members. She has served as a delegate to the organization’s national convention and advocated for policy during the annual Washington, D.C., Fly-In. Temple serves on the State Board of Directors representing District 3.

More about Minnie Lovinger Award Established in 2004, the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation instituted the Minnie Lovinger Award in recognition of the founder of all Farmers Union education programs.

Minnie Lovinger passed away more than 70 years ago, but not before she laid the foundation for all subsequent Farmers Union education efforts. As historian Lyn Oyos wrote in his history of South Dakota Farmers Union, Minnie Lovinger “snatched the thorny chance and broke the trail that others followed. Her soul has never left them in their sowing and reaping.”

This award is given to individuals who have made great contributions to the success and the longevity of South Dakota Farmers Union youth educational programming. ■

25 Year Award: Retta Mansheim: Tripp County Marsha Schelske: Hutchinson County Brenda Warnke: Gregory County 30 Year Award: Gail Temple: Clark County 35 Year Award: Nancy Mueller: Davison County Largest Camp: Sanborn County – Pat Carsrud Largest Increase: Beadle County – Rachel Haigh-Blume Largest % Members: Shilo Lamont – Meade/Pennington Torchbearers: Victoria Havermann – Union County District I Rachel Gerlach – Aurora County District II Levi Nightingale – Aurora County District II Casey Tolsma – Aurora County District II Hailey Monson – Brown County District VII Faith Schulte – Faulk County District VII www.sdfu.org

Together Again

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2021 STATE CONVENTION

Union Farmer

January/February 2022

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Union Farmer S.D. Farmers Union Honors Jim Woster and Joel Keierleber as 2021 Ag Ambassadors

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outh Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) recognizes Jim Woster and Joel Keierleber for their dedicated service to South Dakota agriculture. The state’s largest agriculture organization named them the 2021 Ag Ambassadors during an awards ceremony held December 16 and 17 in Huron during the organizations 106th State Convention.

“South Dakota’s agriculture depends on strong leadership. And for decades, Jim Woster and Joel Keierleber have provided wisdom, advocacy and support for South Dakota’s family farmers, ranchers and the organizations that serve them,” said SDFU President Doug Sombke.

Jim Woster grew up on his family’s Reliance crop and cattle operation. He is a 1962 graduate of South Dakota State University. Woster went on to become a cattle buyer, agriculture columnist, Associate Editor of Tri-State Neighbor and an enthusiastic advocate for South Dakota agriculture.

Joel Keierleber fought all odds to follow his passion for farming when as a young

Joel Keierleber and SDFU President Doug Sombke

man, the third-generation Tripp County farmer endured a devastating farm accident.

A conservation-minded and progressive crop and cattle producer, Keierleber saw the need to step away from his farm from time to time to advocate for policy to support

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family farmers and ranchers in Pierre and Washington, D.C. Keierleber is a lifetime Farmers Union member, serving seven years on the SDFU board of directors.

To learn more about Woster and Keierleber’s passion for South Dakota Agriculture, its people and what they see for the future of agriculture, SDFU recently interviewed the 2021 Ag Ambassadors.

Below is the Q&A from this interview.

Q: Tell us about how you got your start in your career?

Jim Woster: My dad, Henry, like a hundred other dads of his generation, was not able to go to college. He insisted that the Woster and McManus clan would go to college. As the oldest, I was the first to attend. And there was never any discussion about where I was going. I was going to South Dakota State University.

He also insisted that no matter what we did after college, we did something that would get us out and off the farm to see what the world has to offer.

From my first trip to the stockyards as a 10 or 11-year-old with my dad and Uncle Frank, I have always been intrigued with the stockyards. I was able to get a job at the Sioux Falls Stockyards working for the Farmers Union Livestock Exchange and never had any urge to go any other place.

Joel Keierleber: I knew I wanted to farm from the time I was 5. I grew up on a dairy farm near Clearfield. The fifth of nine children, I was driving the pickup to help dad feed small bales before I started kindergarten. After high school, I took a course in diesel mechanics and returned home to help dad. Audrey and I began saving money to buy a place of our own before our wedding. A few months before the wedding I was in a serious farm accident.

My arm was caught in a silo unloader.

When I was in the hospital, they told me that I would never lift my arm above my head again. They recommended I go back to school so I could get a desk job. I did not listen to them. I figured I had not failed yet.

It’s my belief that you have to fail two or three times to see if you can succeed. And Audrey stuck by me.

In 1978 we found our farm, 320 acres, three and some odd miles from Colome. It was a less than ideal time to get started. The Farm Crisis was underway, but somehow,

Jim Woster and SDFU President Doug Sombke

with Audrey’s small teacher’s salary and a lot of pencil to paper, we made the payments. And we’re still here.

Q: What did you enjoy about this career in agriculture?

Joel Keierleber: Caring for the land and livestock. And I get to be creative because I have to be creative. I never stick to one plan.

I sit down and pencil it out to see what the most cost-effective way will be to farm and that is what I go with.

Frugal farming led me to no-till management practices. I could not afford tillage. When I started in 1980 the fields were only at 0.8 percent organic matter, and they did not hold moisture. Today, my fields are between 4 and 6 percent organic matter. I also plant cover crops.

In addition to improving soil health, Audrey and I have planted thousands of trees.

Today, I enjoy sharing what I have learned with the next generation. We are helping a young man who wants to make a career of farming, take over our farm.

Jim Woster: The people. In my work, I represented farmers in the sale of their cattle, hogs and sheep. In the mornings, I’d be at the sale barn and in the afternoons, I’d be out in the country driving up and down the side roads, meeting with farmers

Ag Ambassadors

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Union Farmer 2021 Farmers Union State Convention: Members Share Their Thoughts As chair of the Policy Committee, Jenae Hansen spent hours reviewing South Dakota Farmers Union Policy book. She enjoys hearing members’ comments during state policy discussion. “Our committee started working on the policy book, making suggestions that would make it easier to read and ensure the policy remains relevant. During convention, members discuss and vote on changes. I am eager to hear the different perspectives that come up during discussion.”

Hank and Melissa Wonnenberg are family farmers and Farmers Union members from Dallas.

During convention, Hank served as a member of the Policy Committee. He appreciates the policy discussion. “This is our opportunity to set the priorities for the coming year, and to hear input on the topics that impact all of us in the ag world.”

Beresford farmer Larry Birgen says along with policy, he attended the SDFU Convention because of the speakers. “I am eager to listen to the industrial hemp panelists because hemp is a new avenue for farmers to add diversity to our corn, soybean and wheat rotation.

I am also eager to hear from National Farmers Union President, Rob Larew as we work to get back to ‘normal.’” www.sdfu.org

Oren Lesmeister, a Parade rancher, State Legislator and SDFU board member says he values the opportunity convention policy discussion provides.

“This is the time when Farmers Union leadership gets to hear from the full body of members on what their hopes, concerns and wishes for the future are.”

Taylor and Cassie Sumption are Farmers Union members and family farmers from Frederick. In 2021 they launched Anthem Oats as a way to add value to the oats they raise. They attended convention to share their story and enjoyed catching up with friends.

“Farmers Union becomes like a family and convention is one of the few places you get to see each other each year,” Cassie explained.

To learn more about their family farm and Anthem Oats, visit https:// www.anthemoats.com/.

When asked why she attended the 2021 convention, Tammy Basil, a Union Center rancher, had this to say: “I was asked to serve on the Credentials Committee. And because I believe in safe and secure elections, it was important to me to make the time to be here.”

When asked why he attended state convention, Sisseton farmer, Steve McCleerey had this to say: “I felt it was necessary to get into the groove of meeting with people again. Also, after serving in the state Legislature, I miss being involved in policy and look forward to the policy discussion here. I also look forward to hearing from the industrial hemp panelists. I was a sponsor of the bill and I am happy it passed because now farmers have another avenue of income.”

Franklin Olson is an 89-year-young Webster farmer, and he’s attended Farmers Union Conventions most of his farming career.

This year he is especially happy to be here because, “I enjoy Farmers Union and I want to see my friends. I missed seeing my Farmers Union friends.”

John and Margaret Sumption enjoyed reconnecting with friends during the 2021 convention and appreciated the industrial hemp panel discussion. “I just wanted to understand more about this crop,” John said. “In elementary school, we learned a lot about how it was used during World War II. It was interesting to learn about all the uses for industrial hemp today.”

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Union Farmer Industrial Hemp Won’t Save Family Farms but it has A Future In South Dakota

And Other Insights Gleaned from Expert Panel During 2021 Farmers Union State Convention

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xperts on industrial hemp drew a crowd of farmers and ranchers for a panel discussion hosted by South Dakota Farmers Union during the organization’s 106th Convention held in Huron Dec. 16-17.

“Industrial hemp is a crop I do not know a lot about, so I wanted to learn,” explained Kurt Bindenagel, a Frankfort cow/calf producer. “It appears there is a big learning curve, and it is quite labor intensive.”

Bindenagel does not plan on planting industrial hemp in 2022, but that’s not to say he is not considering it for the future. “After this panel discussion, I want to learn more,” he said.

Connecting South Dakota farmers and ranchers with information is the reason South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) hosted the panel.

A few years ago, members of the state’s largest agriculture organization made advocating for the state to legalize the growing of this commodity part of their policy. Since that time, the organization has worked to ensure once industrial hemp was legal to raise, family farmers and ranchers had the information they needed.

“Industrial hemp has been a passion of mine for six District 28-A Legislator Oren Lesmeister served years,” explains Oren as panel moderator.

Lesmeister, SDFU director, Parade rancher and District 28-A legislator. “It’s not going to save the family farm or make you a billionaire, but it can be added to rotations and be planted on marginal acres. It is good for soil health and it provides one more revenue stream for producers.”

Profit potential and weed control motivated panelist and Wessington farmer BJ McNeil to plant 1,300 acres of industrial hemp in 2021. An organic food processor contacted McNeil and he was able to contract the hemp grain before he planted it. In some fields, he averaged 1,200 pounds per acre.

But this was not easy money. “Planting and growing this crop is simple. Combining was not easy. But the real challenge is when we brought the grain back to the farm,” McNeil said.

He explained that the grain needs to be on air within hours of harvest. 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 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,” McNeil said.

In preparation for 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,” McNeil said.

In preparation for 2022 industrial hemp harvest, McNeil is setting up another low heat stirator drying system.

Learning from a farmer who grew industrial hemp and having the opportunity to ask questions during the panel discussion was valuable, said Frederick farmer Taylor Sumption.

“Asking questions and learning from the lessons of another farmer is a lot cheaper than learning the lessons yourself,” Sumption said.

Panelist Ken Meyer agrees. Meyer is the president of the South Dakota Hemp Association and owner of A.H. Meyer and Sons, a Winfred honey rendering plant, that began processing hemp for CBD oil in 2021.

“There is strength in numbers and in an emerging industry we need to help each other. If you want to get into raising hemp, make sure you connect yourself with people who have grown it,” Meyer said.

Providing farmers and ranchers with information and guidance is just one part of Meyer’s mission. As the association president, he works with the South Dakota Legislature to streamline the regulatory process.

He said legislators are listening.

Among the changes Meyer noted for 2022 – there will no longer be an application deadline. He added that growers should not procrastinate. “It can take up to three months to wrap up the background check process,” Meyer said.

Planning ahead Ken Meyer, President of the South Dakota Induswas a theme among trial Hemp Association and owner of A.H. Meyer the panelists. and Sons, a Winfred honey rendering plant, that McNeil said if a began processing hemp for CBD oil in 2021.

Glen Gross

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Industrial Hemp

Tiffany Weiszhaar

Continued on Page 30

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer Brown County Farmer Runs for Vice President of National Farmers Union

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ifth-generation crop and cattle producer and small business owner, Jeff Kippley announces his candidacy for Vice President of National Farmers Union.

“It is my hope to serve Farmers Union through this role because ultimately it is my goal to see my children, and the children of other family farmers and ranchers, be able to return to their family operations without needing off-farm income. And I believe Farmers Union, with its grassroots policy, is the organization that will help Congress understand the importance of family farms and ranches,” explained Kippley, who together with his wife, Rachel, have four children on their Aberdeen, South Dakota, farm.

Kippley sees policy change as key to improving agriculture crop and cattle markets.

“Farmers Union is working on policy to impact three areas that will encourage fair markets for agriculture producers,” Kippley said. “First, break up corporate monopolies, which impact the cost of inputs when we are buying seed, chemical and fertilizer or our markets when we sell crops, cattle and other livestock. Second, country-of-origin labeling (COOL). Farmers Union is working to allow

consumers to know where food comes from.

And third, higher ethanol blends, like E30. We see value in implementing policy to support this clean fuel drivers can use today, rather than focus all clean energy efforts on electric cars of the future.”

In addition to the Aberdeen cow/calf and crop operation he and his wife, Rachel run, the couple own and operate a tax preparation business, The Kippley Group. As a tax adviser, Kippley has a unique perspective when he discusses the importance of improving farm profits.

“I see the numbers from a lot of family farms,” he explained. “And it’s not just our family farm that needs off-farm income to stay afloat financially, it is the majority of family farms.”

Kippley says in addition to the grassroots policy, he values the family-run farm and ranch focus of Farmers Union.

“Family farms and ranches may not be the most cost-effective way to raise food.

Corporate farming may be the cheapest way to feed our country. But family farms and ranches do more than help to feed the nation.

They keep our small towns alive. When family

Jeff Kippley is an Aberdeen crop and cattle farmer and small business owner. Pictured here with his wife, Rachel, during a NFU Washington, D.C. Fly-In.

farms can’t survive, small towns die,” Kippley said.

Kippley currently serves on the National Farmers Union board of directors as a Next Generation Leader. Since becoming actively involved in Farmers Union, Kippley has also participated in the National Farmers Union Fly-In. He and Rachel served as members of the 2018 Farmers Union Enterprises Couples Leadership Program. ■

National FSA & RMA Administrators Speak to Members

L

ike most family farmers and ranchers Zach Ducheneaux understands what it’s like when profits are tight. To emphasize this point, the Farm Service Agency Administrator and fourth-generation South Dakota rancher shared this story with Farmers Union members during his State Convention talk.

“Growing up a child of the farm financial crisis, I remember one Zach Ducheneaux day, walking through the old junk pile and seeing Dad picking up a tire and looking at it and picking up another one and comparing them. We were trying to find the best, worst tire so we could put it on the pickup and go to town to see if we could get Mr. Butler to extend credit.”

Ducheneaux went on to share that he remains concerned about ag finance and from the day he accepted the appointment,

www.sdfu.org

he has worked for change. “Ag finance is broken. We will not have different outcomes if we keep doing the same as we have,” Ducheneaux said. “We did not fix anything, just duct tape and baling wire. It’s getting ready to unravel.”

Although there are no simple solutions, Ducheneaux said under his leadership, farmers and ranchers should know that he is working for change. “The crux of all FSA programs should boil down to, ‘are we empowering our producers to have a choice at the end of a production year?’”

Following his talk, Ducheneaux opened the floor up to questions. More than one member asked him about taking a more proactive approach to disaster funding. Ducheneaux responded, “We are looking toward that and streamlining access to funds.”

Throughout his talk, Ducheneaux emphasized more than once that if a program does not work for members, they need to let him know. He answers his own email: zach. ducheneaux@usda.gov.

Ducheneaux’s talk was followed by another South Dakotan, Risk Management Agency Administrator Marcia Bunger.

Only a month into her new position, Marcia Bunger Bunger said she has a lot to learn, but she is up to the task. She made a point to let members know she is working to ensure field staff take the time to explain all options to farmers and ranchers.

“The task I am going to place upon agents is that no one should be left behind. Not only does crop insurance mitigate losses, but crop insurance is a tool to market grain.”

Bunger also made it clear that when farmers and ranchers seek U.S. Department of Agriculture assistance, “It is for everyone.

This is not a farm subsidy; this is a consumer subsidy. Nowhere in the world can you find as cheap, as safe, as plentiful food as in the U.S.” ■ January/February 2022

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Union Farmer

Rob Larew

Continued from Page 7

is how we are most effective and we continue to push that in everything we do. Sharing your story, telling the tale and connecting to those who can make change is critically important.”

Infrastructure upgrades As the work continues on the Fairness For Farmers program, Larew noted a few recent positive developments at the national level, including the recent passage of the national infrastructure bill.

“The passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a momentous achievement in boosting our rural communities and the economy as a whole. The bill strengthens our food supply chain as it makes tremendous, much-needed investments in the roads, bridges, dams and waterways that family farmers and ranchers depend on,” Larew said in a statement after the bill was passed in November. “The bill also updates hours-of-service regulations for agriculture and livestock haulers, which will keep our crops, inputs and livestock moving.”

Larew said the new funding for infrastructure is long overdue, and some obvious needs – such as the lack of widespread broadband internet access in rural areas – affects farmers and ranchers as much as everyone else.

“A lot of times we see these bills with massive price tags, it can be overwhelming. But the way I like to think about this package is that this is money that we have failed to invest over the last several decades,” Larew said. “So when you look at the damage we’ve done to infrastructure over the years, this was long overdue.

“Farmers know the way to do the right thing themselves. They don’t need corporations to tell them how or what to do.”

– Rob Larew

It wasn’t that many years ago broadband internet was seen as a luxury. Any time you leave rural America without (good internet) access, it puts them at a huge disadvantage.”

There is a lot of work left to do, and Larew, a West Virginia native, said farmers and ranchers from all 50 states will be critical to helping solve issues facing the agriculture industry in 2021 and beyond. He said he has seen people across the country working on affecting change, including people in South Dakota, and he believes change is truly possible when those individuals work together for the common good. “(As a candidate for the National Farmers Union presidency), the meeting I had with your South Dakota delegates really stood out. They were so seriously and fiercely focused on making sure whatever we were doing at the national level was focused on the heart of who we are, and making sure farmers and ranchers have that opportunity,” Larew said. “I will continue to do everything in my power to leverage your work to make that happen.” ■

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January/February 2022

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Ag Ambassadors

Union Farmer Continued from Page 10

to let them know the value of their cattle.

These customers were people like my own family and the neighbors I’d grown up with. I’d pull into a place, walk through their 80 or 90 or 100 head of cattle, tell them what they were worth and then they’d say it was coffee time or lunch time. (It got to where I knew who would invite me in for lunch, so I’d purposefully plan to be at their place around noon.) So, we would sit and visit. I got to be really close with these families.

Like I said before, Stockyard customers were just like the families I grew up with. I always say how blessed I was to have been born and raised where I was, when I was, with whom I was. It may sound hokey, but neighbors helped neighbors. They shared farm equipment and labor. Everybody worked together.

Q: Joel, tell us what you enjoyed about raising your daughters on the farm?

Because Audrey worked full time as a teacher, I was always involved with raising our now grown daughters, Brecky Cwach and Christine Wood. I got up in the night to feed them bottles just as much as Audrey did.

When they were old enough, they worked right alongside us. I have always said that our two daughters can push cows through a chute faster than any of the help, who were all boys. When I was in the hospital last fall* the girls worked all the cattle – they got them DNA tested and helped wean. *Trauma from the farm accident left Joel a Type-1 diabetic at 23. In 2020, he received a kidney transplant. While he was recovering from the transplant, he contracted COVID-19 and suffered multiple strokes. He spent 100 days in the hospital, and away from his beloved farm. Today,

he is not fully recovered, but he is farming once again.

Q: Jim, tell us how you became a columnist?

It went back to my work at the Stockyards. As secretary of the Exchange, I would do the markets for radio and TV. And because of this visibility, I would get asked to volunteer to MC different events – SDSU basketball games, FFA banquets, community fundraisers, well one day, I get this call from a Sioux Falls businessman who told me he was starting a farm paper. He was up front with me. He said, “everybody knows who you are, and I need someone everyone knows to be a part of my paper.”

I was up front with him and said, “I am not a journalist or writer.” He told me to just write how I talk.

Q: Tell us about your passion for agriculture advocacy?

Joel Keierleber: Well, somebody needs to stand up for the family farm and individual farmers. I grew up watching my dad’s involvement in farm organizations. He was part of the National Farm Organization.

As a child I would go to meetings with him.

I know that as farmers we are busy trying to make money. And some say they do not have time to get involved. But if we do not take time away from the farm to stand up for better prices, we will not be able to make money on the farm.

I have seen what involvement in organizations can do. Farmers Union advocated for country-of-origin labeling (COOL). And it was good for cattle producers during the short time that we had it.

Jim Woster: The importance of agriculture and family operations really started hitting home to me with the struggles of the 1980s. We lost a lot of good farmers. And I knew a lot of farm families

who lost their farms. The ’80s were tough, not only economically, but socially for our state.

Q: What are your thoughts about South Dakota agriculture today and into the future?

Jim Woster: For many years, to help solve problems, farmers and ranchers formed groups – whether it be co-ops or commodity organizations. And not all these organizations may have been on the same page when it came to ways to solve these problems. Well, it appears to me, that today, when it comes to working to fix this cattle market issue, everyone is back on the same page. We are one group working together.

This is encouraging.

Another thing that we are all on the same about is sustainability. You can’t attend an ag conference without at least one session focusing on sustainability. To ag people, sustainability of the environment makes sense. The land is our life and livelihood.

Joel Keierleber: I hope to see more young people get involved in farming. But it’s tough to get started in agriculture if you do not inherit land from your family. I encourage farmers looking to retire, to seek out a young farmer trying to get started and work with them to take over. I think this is a better plan than selling land to the big farmer buying up all the land in the county.

To help the next generation of small farmers, I feel they need more rural access to non-agricultural income. Since the early ’90s I have worked to get wind development started. Our area is a Class 4 wind area, one of the best in South Dakota. But we do not have the large power lines to move the electricity to areas that need it. There have been numerous groups interested. It has not happened yet. ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU

Thank You to our State Convention Sponsors:

www.sdfu.org

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Union Farmer

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January/February 2022

2021 A Night on the Prairie: Fun & Fundraising for Rural Youth Educational Programming

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

South Dakota Farmers Union 2021 Awards

South Dakota Farmers Union recognizes South Dakotans and organizations who give of their time and talents to support family farmers and ranchers throughout the state. In 2021 we recognize and thank these individuals.

Farm & Ranch News Award, South Dakota Public Broadcasting Accepted by Cara Hetland, Director of Radio and Journalism Content

Outstanding County, Gregory County Accepted by Hank Wonnenberg

Insurance Award, Carrie Derschan

Ag Ambassador, Jim Woster

Ag Ambassador, Joel Keierleber

Co-op Partner, Rosebud Farmers Union Oil Company Accepted by Clayton Whitney, General Manager

Not pictured: Dale Christensen was recognized with the President’s Award for Excellence, but due to illness he was unable to attend the recognition banquet. Gene Hammond was recognized with the Star of Education Award. www.sdfu.org

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Union Farmer 2021 Torchbearers Honored

2021 Torchbearers: Faith Schulte, Hailey Monson, Casey Tolsma, Rachel Gerlach, Victoria Havermann. Although not pictured, Levi Nightingale also received the honor.

S

outh Dakota Farmers Union honored a group of devoted youth for their commitment to community, involvement and leadership development during the 2021 S.D. Farmers Union State Convention held in Huron Dec. 16-17.

The Torchbearer Award is the highest achievement in the S.D. Farmers Union Education Program. To receive the award, a camper must complete five years of service.

The award showcases the commitment campers have put toward education and the time they dedicated to serving rural communities.

True to the name of the award, continuing the traditions of the S.D. Farmers Union educational programming is often a priority for those eligible to receive the Torchbearer Award.

The 2021 Torchbearers include Victoria

Havermann, Union County; Rachel Gerlach, Aurora County; Levi Nightingale, Aurora County; Casey Tolsma, Aurora County; Hailey Monson, Brown County; and Faith Schulte, Faulk County.

What does being a Torchbearer mean? Recipients elaborate on what the achievement means to them.

Torchbearers 2021: Victoria Havermann:

Union County – District 1 Parents: Patrick & Cheryl Havermann Future Plans: Attend Chadron State College majoring in secondary English/language arts Thoughts on Farmers Union Experience: “My favorite thing about Farmers Union has been meeting new people. Now that I am Torchbearer it means that I have grown up and am ready to help make decisions and teach others about what I love the most. The program has taught me great people skills and has helped me grow as a person, as well as other skills I will use in life later. My favorite memories include being elected a Junior Advisory Council member as this is something I have strived for since my first year of camp. I have made a second family and this camp is like nowhere else on earth. I love everyone at camp and they are near and dear to my heart.”

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January/February 2022

Rachel Gerlach:

Aurora County – District 2 Parents: Laron & Roxann Gerlach Future Plans: Attend Mitchell Technical College majoring in architectural design and building construction Thoughts on Farmers Union Experience: “My favorite thing about Farmers Union has been all the new people I have met. Receiving the Torchbearer award is an exciting and honorable experience.

Camp has given me social and leadership opportunities to build a strong foundation to use later in life. My favorite memories include arriving my first year at camp and being selected as Junior Advisory Council member.”

Torchbearers

Continued on Page 19

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Torchbearers

Union Farmer Continued from Page 18

Levi Nightingale:

Aurora County – District 2 Parents: Craig & Sandy Nightingale Future Plans: Attend South Dakota State University major undecided Thoughts on Farmers Union Experience: “My favorite thing about Farmers Union has been the learning experiences that I have had with it. We get to learn about cooperatives and many life lessons as well. Achieving Torchbearer means graduating from the youth program and giving me the opportunity to go out and use the skills I have learned in the real-world including leadership, teamwork and cooperative skills. My favorite memories come from the trips we have gone on over the years and the people I have met and the fun we have had.”

Casey Tolsma:

Aurora County – District 2 Parents: Shannon & Paula Tolsma Future Plans: Attend SDSU majoring in nursing Thoughts on Farmers Union Experience: “My favorite thing about Farmers Union has been the lifelong friends I have made. This followed by the leadership skills and learning new things have helped me become a better leader. The speakers we hear help me see the world in a different way and make me a more rounded person. Achieving Torchbearer means that I can commit myself to something positive and stay with it. My favorite memories include the hikes and swimming in the pond, the speakers at camp and the tour days all were fun and educational.

Faith Schulte:

Faulk County – District 7 Parents: Mark & Jil Schulte Future Plans: Attending Northern State University majoring in art education Thoughts on Farmers Union Experience: “My favorite thing about Farmers Union is the new experiences and opportunities it provides for the younger generation and the mini vacations for the older campers. The program has taught me all about new places, people and different types of cooperatives. Being a Torchbearer means that I have completed something I spent a lot of time and effort on. My favorite moments include my very first year when I met some of my greatest friends. “

Hailey Monson:

Brown County – District 7 Parents: Nicholas & Lyncee Monson Future Plans: Attend SDSU majoring in nursing Thoughts on Farmers Union Experience: “My favorite things about the Farmers Union Program are meeting new friends and learning www.sdfu.org

about the different cooperatives in our community. Throughout camp I learned to cooperate and be respectful of others. I really tried to make sure everyone felt they fit in and if they were feeling down or upset had someone to talk to. At state camp, I have met so many different types of people from the entire state, including great speakers. Achieving Torchbearer means that I have put in the years of work in the Farmers Union Program to get to where I am now and is truly an honor. It is a very big milestone in my life. I have worked hard for this award. I have been going to Farmers Union camps since I was about 8 years old. My favorite moments include that this program has given me second family. I know that if I need to talk to someone it is OK to do so. Farmers Union made me feel like I belong to something at a time when I felt that I didn’t.

I have made so many friends and love Rachel Haigh-Blume being our director!”

Hailey Monson will serve as Senior Advisory Council for Farmers Union Youth Programming. Monson is from Brown County and is the daughter of Nicholas and Lyncee Monson. She is a student at South Dakota State University and is studying nursing.

To learn more about Monson, read the Q&A below.

Q. What does being selected a Senior Advisory Council member mean to you and why are you applying?

A. Being selected a Senior Advisory Council member is very important to me. I have gone to Farmers Union Camp for a long time. Going to camp each year is something I look forward to. I am applying because I do not want to leave camp just yet.

I want to go back and continue my Farmers Union journey. I want to help out at State Camp and be a good influence on the first-year campers.

Q. Describe how Farmers Union has impacted your leadership skills. What does a leader look like to you?

A. Farmers Union has taught me how to act and be nice to the people around me. When things go wrong, I like to take action and steer everything back on track. A leader looks like someone who cares about the people around them. They keep things in order while being a nice person and making sure everyone is fitting in and OK. Q. Describe three skills that would make you a great asset to the Education Council and students.

A. I am very organized and can keep everything on track. I really love to make sure everyone is fitting in. By this, I am very friendly and will get those first years and those that are still in their shell to open up. I am also very creative! If an activity doesn’t work out, I am sure to come up with something fun to fill in the time.

Q. Describe the top two things you have learned at State Leadership Camp and how they will aid you in the Senior Advisory Role.

A. I have learned both leadership and teamwork skills at State Leadership Camp. They will aid me in the Senior Advisory role because when working with the people around me I know how to cooperate and make sure everyone gets a say. Making sure people are fitting in is one of my biggest goals by the end of the second day at camp.

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Union Farmer Make Time for Legislative Day 2022 Feb. 7

M

embers are encouraged to attend South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) Legislative Day in Pierre, Feb. 7.

“This is the one day during session that Farmers Union is the focus,” explained Doug Sombke, SDFU President and fourth-generation Brown County farmer. “It provides family farmers and ranchers with the opportunity to discuss issues and share suggestions with our state’s policymakers. It is also a valuable opportunity to educate.”

The policy Sombke references is the policy members vote into place during the organization’s annual state convention.

This policy serves as a guide for leadership and the lobbying efforts in Pierre and Washington, D.C. To Sombke’s second point of education, in South Dakota, where agriculture is the state’s No. 1 industry, is there a need to educate legislators on ag issues?

“Yes,” said Oren Lesmeister, Parade rancher and District 28-A Legislator. “There are not many of us who serve as legislators, who actually earn our income from production agriculture. So, many policymakers need a better understanding of how decisions in Pierre actually impact the lives of farmers and ranchers.”

Dallis Basel, a Union Center rancher and SDFU board member agrees.

“Legislative day is an opportunity for legislators to get to know a person in agriculture; someone they can call or refer to if they have questions,” said Basel, who makes a point during the noon meal to sit with legislators he did not see in the Senate Ag Committee.

“Legislators on the Sentate Ag Committee probably know about agriculture. It’s the ones who are not on that committee that I try to get to know. And sharing a meal together, everyone is more relaxed – not so much in ‘legislator-mode.’”

Your personal story about life on your family’s farm or ranch and how influencers like the recent drought, packer concentration or healthcare costs impact you is what legislators want to hear, explains Lesmeister.

“Face-to-face conversations make a difference. As a legislator, visiting in person allows us to get more than the gist of the situation. We can ask questions and hear how decisions will actually impact the voter.”

To ensure members have plenty of time to visit with legislators, Farmers Union hosts a luncheon in the Capitol Rotunda.

“There’s just something about sharing a meal together tha makes discussing tough issues a bit easier,” explained Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director.

“Remember, we’re a family farmer and rancher organization. And if your family is like mine, most conversations take place around a meal.”

To learn more about 2022 Legislative Day, reach out to Luke Reindl, Communications & Legislative Specialist, 605-352-6761 Ext. 122 or email him at LReindl@sdfu.org. ■

LEGISLATIVE DAY: LOBBYING TIPS Nervous about visiting with your legislator about issues important to you?

Remember, they are South Dakotans, just like you. However, we understand that when you’re passionate about an issue, it can sometimes be difficult to effectively visit about it.

Here are a few tips to consider: If you have a concern, what is the best way to bring it up to a legislator?

When visiting with a legislator and discussing issues that are important to you, remember to use personal stories to convey your message and address your concerns.

It is very important to know who is representing you and your home district in the South Dakota Legislature.

You should also know which legislative committees your legislator serves on and how you can contact them during the legislative session. For this information, visit www.sdlegislature.gov/ Legislators.

A few more items to consider when visiting with legislators: 1. It is important to show respect and address your senator or representative with their elected title.

2. Do not assume your legislators know everything about every issue. They will look to you, their constituent, as an expert on the issue you are bringing to their attention.

3. Use personal examples and stories to help make your point.

“Face-to-face conversations make a difference. As a legislator, visiting in person allows us to get more than the gist of the situation. We can ask questions and hear how decisions will actually impact the voter.”

– Oren Lesmeister, Dist. 28-A Legislator

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Union Farmer

2022 Legislative Update

By Mitch Richter

Legislative Session 2022 begins in February. Our eyes and ears in Pierre, lobbyist Mitch Richter shares an update following Gov. Kristi Noem’s Budget Address.

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ov. Kristi Noem’s Budget Address was optimistic. Due to the $12 billion in federal COVID dollars and the overall state economy, there is a lot of money to be allocated for one-time projects such as infrastructure development and water projects.

Specifically, how these funds will be spent is up to the Legislature to decide. With this in mind, if you see a need in your township, county or community, 2022 session would be a good time to share these needs with your representative or senator.

In addition to infrastructure, the governor also mentioned that there is about $15 million available to address mental health needs of South Dakotans. Mental health of rural citizens has been a longtime focus of South Dakota Farmers Union. Again, if you have ideas or see

areas of need, please share them with me and your legislators.

Stronger support for education is another area addressed in the governor’s budget address that is also top of members’ minds and SDFU policy. The Governor proposed a 6 percent across the board increase to teachers’ salaries. She proposed a similar salary increase to state employees and healthcare providers.

Special Session Update Legislators met for two special sessions ahead of the 2022 session.

The first session was to discuss redistricting of legislative districts. This is a focus every 10 years following our state’s population shift revealed by the census each decade.

The new districts received bipartisan support and are thought by many to provide rural citizens with better representation.

The second session focused on impeachment of Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg. This session was rather short and sweet – concluding with the establishment of a committee to investigate and determine whether Ravnsborg should be impeached or not. This committee will report their findings and provide a recommendation to the general assembly sometime during the 2022 session.

As we move into the 2022 legislative session, I look forward to seeing you all during SDFU Legislative Day, Feb. 7. The work you do sharing your story and how policy impacts your life and livelihood as family farmers and ranchers is valuable.

If you have any questions ahead of Legislative Day, please do not hesitate to reach out: 605-360-1370 or mitchell.richter@gmail.com. ■

2021 Scholarship Winners

In an effort to support rural youth and their communities today and into the future, South Dakota Farmers Union awards scholarships:

The Edison Memorial Scholarship is awarded to Levi Nighingale, son of Craig and Sandy Nightingale of White Lake.

Nightingale plans to attend South Dakota State University and will pursue a degree in agriculture.

www.sdfu.org

The Memorial Scholarship is awarded to Casey Tolsma, daughter of Shannon and Paula Tolsma of Stickney. She plans to attend South Dakota State University and major in nursing.

The Cooperative Scholarship is awarded to Matea Gordon, daughter of Bruce and Kindra Gordon of Whitewood.

She plans to attend South Dakota State University and major in sgricultural business and marketing.

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Union Farmer S.D. Farmers Union Recognizes Dist. 16 & 19 Legislators for Support of Agriculture

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outh Dakota’s largest agriculture organization recognizes legislators David Anderson and Marty Overweg for their dedicated support of South Dakota’s No. 1 industry of agriculture. South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) will present the awards at noon, Feb. 7 in the Capitol Rotunda during Farmers Union Legislative Day. “Agriculture is the backbone of our state’s economy and yet in Pierre only a handful of legislators are actively engaged in production agriculture,” said Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union. “We appreciate David and Marty’s dedication to the family farmers and ranchers who raise the crops and livestock which fuels this industry.”

During the 2022 SDFU Legislative Day, Sombke will join with many South Dakota family farmers and ranchers who will take the opportunity to visit with legislators about the issues and policy that impact family farmers and ranchers. Farmers Union policy is developed and voted on by its more than 20,000 members.

“Yes, our organization has a lobbyist who represents our policy in Pierre. But it’s the personal stories that legislators want to hear.

How exactly does this bill impact my family’s life on our farm?” explained Sombke. “But Farmers Union Legislative Day is only one day of session. This is the reason we appreciate David and Marty and all the other representatives who understand agriculture and the concerns family farmers and ranchers have.”

More about District 16 Representative David L. Anderson

More about District 19 Representative Marty Overweg

When Gov. Dennis Daugaard called David L. Anderson in 2013 and asked if he would serve District 16, Anderson said, “yes.” He also shared his philosophy on serving with Daugaard.

“I told him, ‘I don’t have any axes to grind. I think the state is run extremely well. What I do enjoy and hope to do through service, is work to find solutions to problems,’” Anderson said.

Eight years later, Anderson says when it comes to solving problems in Pierre, he calls on his experience as a fifthgeneration farmer and small business owner. He also owns and operates Canton Insurance Agency.

“Farmers do not do the same thing every day,” Anderson said.

“Farmers have to figure out how to do all the different things that they do. And their success is due to time management and knowledge of many different aspects of farming.”

Anderson raises crops on his family’s farm which is located between Beresford and Canton. “Farming is my passion. It is what I grew up doing and I love it.”

Growing up, in addition to farming, Anderson’s dad, O.L. “Larry” Anderson, also served as a legislator. “I would go to Pierre and visit him from time to time and I found myself following the legislative process.”

Because of his agriculture background, Anderson says other legislators come to him with questions. “This is what makes a citizen legislature work. We are able to call on our career backgrounds to make decisions and answer questions for other legislators.”

He adds that legislators are always seeking more information so they can make the best decisions for South Dakotans. He encourages citizens to make time to visit with their legislators and share their story.

“When someone takes the time to come to Pierre, that tells me they have invested themselves in the issue,” Anderson explained.

“In-person is much more effective than email. I get hundreds of

Every decision Marty Overweg makes as a legislator, he first asks himself this question. “How will this impact the next generation of agriculture?”

“It is all about working for the next generation involved in our No. 1 industry,” he said.

Overweg grew up in New Holland working for area farmers and helping out in his family’s livestock feed business.

Today, he lives only three miles from where he was raised. He raised cattle for more than 20 years, and stayed involved in the family feed business, expanding its nutritional focus and locations. Today, Overweg Feed also serves livestock producers in the Wagner area as Wagner Feed Supply. Until recent years, Overweg also cared for a cow/calf herd.

He says that when he is in Pierre, before making decisions, he relies heavily on his daily interaction with livestock producers as well as his first-hand knowledge.

“There are just certain things you cannot understand unless you calved out a bunch of calves in a snowstorm,” he said. “And I am not alone. When it comes to those of us who have a production agriculture background, we work together – it doesn’t matter if we are Democrat or Republican – our focus is what is best for agriculture.”

Overweg brings up the fact that what many citizens do not know is the fact that many times the Ag Committee is quite busy stopping bills that are brought in from outside interests and would be detrimental to South Dakota agriculture.

David Anderson Continued on Page 27

Marty Overweg Continued on Page 27

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“I want our children and grandchildren to be able to farm our family’s land when we are gone. When you make decisions this way, it does not matter what political party you are. You just do what is good for South Dakota.” – Marty Overweg

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer South Dakota Farmers & Ranchers Take State Farmers Union Policy to National Convention

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outh Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) delegates will take policy voted on by members during the 106th State Convention to the policy floor of the 2022 National Farmers Union Convention in Denver, Colorado, Feb. 27 through March 1.

“This is how grassroots policy in a national organization works. We establish it here in South Dakota and then we advocate on its behalf at the National Convention,” explained Doug Sombke, fourth generation Brown County farmer and President of SDFU. It’s the policy put in place by family farmers and ranchers that guides SDFU leadership and staff here in South Dakota. And it’s the policy put in place by family farmers and ranchers at the National Farmers Union Convention that guides national leadership and staff.

“The fact that the policy that guides Farmers Union policy is developed and voted on by our family farmers and ranchers is the No. 1 reason I became involved in this organization nearly 40 years ago,” Sombke added.

Aberdeen farmer and small business owner Jeff Kippley shares Sombke’s sentiment for grassroots policy put in place by farmers and ranchers. In 2021, Kippley was among the national convention Jeff Kippley delegates to vote on policy that would ensure this tradition of farmer/rancher-led policy would continue.

Kippley was elected to serve as an NFU delegate again in 2022.

“When you take South Dakota’s policy and blend it with other state’s policy, it becomes a bigger voice for our leaders to take to D.C.” – Gail Temple, Clark farmer & District 3 Board Member “I feel better about the organization as a whole,” Kippley said. “That is my No. 1 thing when I speak with someone about joining Farmers Union. It is a grassroots organization made up of farmers and ranchers, rather than an ag organization anyone can belong to.” www.sdfu.org

National Farmers Union lobbies on behalf of policy that comes from state organizations, like South Dakota Farmers Union. This policy is then voted into national policy during the National Farmers Union Convention. The 2022 South Dakota national convention delegates are: Lorrie Hanson, Britton; Cassie Sumption; Frederick; Taylor Sumption; Frederick; Shilo LaMont, Union Center; Jeff Kippley, Aberdeen; Tammy Basel, Union Center; Hank Wonnenberg, Dallas; Melissa Wonnenberg, Dallas; Rob Lee, De Smet; Sarah Perrion, Ipswich; and Lance Perrion, Ipswich. Not pictured: Rachel Kippley, Aberdeen; Darcie Lee, De Smet.

And even though Kippley and his wife, Rachel, are extremely busy with farm work, their four children and tax preparation business, the couple made time to serve as National Convention delegates more than once.

“It is important for people from South Dakota to keep the national organization’s focus on South Dakota-type agriculture, not the small garden-type farming,” Kippley explained.

All Farmers Union members are invited to attend the National Convention and although only qualified members, voted to serve as delegates during South Dakota’s State Convention have a vote, all members have a voice.

“When you take South Dakota’s policy and blend it with other state’s policy, it becomes a bigger voice for our leaders to take to D.C.,” explained Gail Temple, Clark farmer and District 3 board member.

Temple served as a delegate in 2020 during the National Convention held in Savannah, Georgia. For the 2022 Convention, the delegates who will represent South Dakota include Lorrie Hanson, Britton; Cassie and Taylor Sumption, Frederick; Shilo LaMont, Union Center; Jeff and Rachel Kippley, Aberdeen; Tammy Basel, Union Center; Hank and Melissa Wonnenberg, Dallas; Rob and Darcie Lee, De Smet; Sarah and Lance Perrion, Ipswich.

“It is important that the delegates we send to National Convention are willing to speak up. South Dakota values are definitely different than other states’ values. This is true in NFU as well.

One thing we got accomplished last year was a bylaw change to make sure all delegates will be a current or previous/retired farmer. There are plenty of special interests’ pressure outside our organization. We don’t need them inside our organization.”

– Jeff Kippley, Aberdeen farmer In addition to policy discussions, National Farmers Union Convention is a great opportunity for members to glean information as the convention hosts national policy and thought leaders as well as experts in the agricultural field.

“We want as many South Dakota members as possible to attend. Not only is it exciting to see state policy discussed and

Policy Committee Continued on Page 29 January/February 2022

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Union Farmer SDSU Veterinary Student Wins Farmers Union Graduate Scholarship

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outh Dakota Farmers Union Foundation awarded $2,500 graduate scholarship to South Dakota State University (SDSU) Veterinary Medicine student Ana (Schweer) Ruiz.

Growing up on a 90-cow dairy near Watertown, Ruiz said becoming a veterinarian has been her dream since childhood.

“I remember writing about becoming a veterinarian when I was only 5 or 6-years-old in my piano lessons book,” Ruiz explained.

“I grew up milking and doing other chores on our family’s farm. Every time the veterinarian was there, I wanted to be right there helping.”

Well on her way to achieving a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, Ruiz said she is eager to help not only animals, but their owners as well.

“As a young person working alongside my family on our farm, I developed a heart for the people of agriculture,” Ruiz said. “I was put on this earth to help and serve my fellow man and animal. This passion drives me.”

Ruiz is pursuing dual degrees through the South Dakota State University 2+2 Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine in collaboration with the University of Minnesota. Along with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from UMN, she is also studying for a master’s degree in veterinary medicine and biological sciences from SDSU. Juggling a heavy class load as well as family responsibilities, Ruiz said she finds herself relying on skills she developed working on her family’s dairy farm. Because Ruiz and her husband, Salvador have a 5-year-old daughter, Prudence, Ruiz said she will often wake early to get studying done before it is time to help her daughter get ready for school.

“There are many transferable skills, one of which is discipline, like when my dad asked me to feed the baby calves,” Ruiz said.

“I approach my schoolwork as a task that needs my complete focus, and I need selfdiscipline to stick with it until it is complete.

I work hard during the school day so I can have time with my family in the evenings.”

Once she graduates, Ruiz plans to practice veterinary medicine in rural South Dakota.

Providing support to the next generation of South Dakota agriculture professionals is

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“I was put on this earth to help and serve my fellow man and animal.

This passion drives me.”

– Ana (Schweer) Ruiz

the purpose of the Farmers Union Graduate Scholarship, explained Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director.

“Agriculture is South Dakota’s No. 1 economic driver and industry. Encouraging the next generation of agriculture researchers and professionals with financial support is one of many ways our organization

works hard to ensure our state’s agriculture industry has a bright future,” Hofhenke said.

In addition to educational scholarships, South Dakota Farmers Union connects family farmers and ranchers to timely information, industry experts and thought leaders throughout the year. To learn more, visit www.sdfu.org. ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU www.sdfu.org

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Union Farmer Past FFA State Officer & Future Rural Physician Reflects

n 2020, Hunter Eide was elected to serve as the South Dakota State FFA Secretary. Together with his teammates, Eide represented and served more than 4,800 FFA members from 99 schools across South Dakota.

In celebration of FFA week, Feb. 19-26, South Dakota Farmers Union sat down with Eide, who is also a Farmers Union member and a fifth-generation Gettysburg cattle producer to learn about his year of service and how FFA prepared him for the next chapters in his life.

Q: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 was a unique year for most.

How did your State FFA Officer year go?

Hunter Eide: Overall it was a fantastic experience. I encourage any young person looking to grow as an individual and pay it forward to the next generation of agriculturalists, to consider applying to serve as a state FFA officer.

It was different than most years due to COVID-19. Typically, our team would have met in person with all 99 FFA chapters across the state, hosted State Leadership Retreat, and attended National Convention. We did do some in-person visits, but in most cases, we had to adapt and do virtual events. We were fortunate enough to advocate at the South Dakota State Fair and lead district officer trainings in-person.

We also had a one-of-a-kind experience for State Convention. We made history by hosting it in Rapid City, instead at South Dakota State University, breaking a 92-year tradition. Many states were not as fortunate to be in person and it was an opportunity to make history!

Q: Tell us more about the Rapid City State FFA Convention.

Hunter Eide: I want to start off by saying, South Dakota FFA truly values South Dakota State University and the long tradition of hosting convention on campus and is headed back there in 2022. Due to the pandemic, SDSU restricted outside events in the spring of 2021. The FFA board of directors looked for alternatives to best suit the needs of members and provide an in-person learning experience. Thinking outside the norm, Rapid City provided a solution to having a safe experience.

Thanks to the efforts of many longtime volunteers and organizations as well as new ones with the changed location, the 2021 State FFA Convention held in Rapid City in April 2021 was truly a one-of-a-kind

www.sdfu.org

experience.

We worked with Western Dakota Tech and the Central States Fairgrounds to host all the events.

Hosting in Rapid City also provided a unique experience for members in western South Dakota who typically must travel great distances to attend convention, and gave many eastern South Dakota chapters an opportunity to travel

Q: Tell us about your career goals and how FFA helped prepare you for college.

Hunter Eide: My goal is to become a family practice physician and practice in a rural community. Rural healthcare became my career goal one summer when I was working on my grandpa Eugene Nagel’s farm. That summer Grandpa had some severe health issues. Through the many appointments he had with our local doctor, I realized the important role rural healthcare providers have. It was extremely valuable and comforting that my grandpa could receive some of his care in Gettysburg and then go back to the farm later that afternoon.

The experiences I had through FFA have helped me grow as a leader and develop strong communication skills. For example, my agriscience project sparked my passion

for sciences and improved my ability to interview and share my knowledge. Knowing how to convey scientific information to someone without that background will be incredibly useful as a physician. This is just one specific way FFA’s impact is long lasting and can happen in unexpected ways.

Although my career path is not directly an ag-related career, I have grown in appreciation of all agriculture careers and will advocate for them in my personal and professional life. In addition, balancing the duties of a state FFA officer with the work of a full-time college student taught me a lot about time management. And time management is key to success in college and so many areas of life.

Q: After serving as a state FFA officer, is your FFA career over?

Hunter Eide: This past October, I received my American Degree and ran for National FFA Office. It was a great experience to learn more about agriculture, leadership and myself, but I was not selected. I continue to push myself and am open to the opportunity of running again in 2022. No matter what, I want to stay involved by continuing to give back by volunteering as a judge, coach or mentor, helping FFA members reach their full potential. ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU

Hunter Eide (second from right) with the 2020-2021 South Dakota State FFA Officer Team.

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Union Farmer

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Farm & Ranch Families of South Dakota

ore than 100 family farmers and ranchers contributed to the 2021 growing season photo contest, Farm & Ranch Families of South Dakota. Enjoy more photos on our website, www.sdfu.org and click on the News & Events tab.■

Jenna Heylens

Jenna Heylens

Brecky Cwach

Amanda Konechne

Leah Fanning

Emily Struck Coltin Brandenburger

Ashlee Jensen

Renae Blume

Katee Olinger

Brett Stevens

Ryan LaMont

Ashlee Jensen Glen Gross

Renae Blume

Glen Gross Darci Martinmaas Glenn Gross Renae Blume

Melissa Wonne

nberg

Glenn Gross

Glen Gross Jenna Heylens Ryder Siemonsma

Jenna Heylens

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www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer Harrold Rancher Wins Farm & Ranch Families of South Dakota Photo Contest

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enda Carroll loves it when her son’s godmother, Darcy Krick, comes out to help on their family’s ranch.

“She is loud and upbeat. She is one of those people that if you are having a bad day, she will put a smile on your face. And her camera is attached to her hip. She always has it,” Carroll said.

Carroll entered a photo Krick took in the South Dakota Farmers Union Farm & Ranch Families of South Dakota Photo Contest.

Carroll’s name was drawn as a winner of a $250 prize.

The winning photo features Carroll and her oldest son, Tilden, during a branding on their family’s ranch. “The photo speaks for itself.

When you look at it, you can tell the reality of raising children and ranching along with teaching the next generation the importance of hard work.”

“Photos are a wonderful way to preserve memories. Some day when my son, Tilden, is a dad, he will have this photo to share with his kids about what life was like on his family’s ranch. This photo keeps this memory living on,” Carroll explained.

Sharing what life is like on South Dakota’s family farms and ranches is the mission behind this photo contest, explains Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director of South Dakota Farmers Union.

“Agriculture is South Dakota’s No. 1 economic driver. As an organization that supports and promotes family farmers and ranchers, this contest is a fun way to help tell their story,” Hofhenke explained.

Carroll’s sons Tilden, 5, and Bridger, 1, are the sixth generation to grow up ranching

Photo by Darcy Krick

in South Dakota. Carroll and her husband, Austin raise cattle, sheep and a few Quarter Horses on Austin’s family’s ranch. Carroll says she’s happy she’s able to raise their sons on the ranch.

“Our sons get to live the lifestyle we both grew up in. It’s hands-on. Our boys are outside

helping us or playing, they are not in the housing sitting on the iPad – they are actually working and learning something they can take with them throughout life,” Carroll said.

More than 100 South Dakotans submitted photos in the contest. To view photos, visit www.sdfu.org. ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU

David Anderson Continued from Page 22

Marty Overweg Continued from Page 22

emails. And many are the same.”

Throughout his years of legislative service, Anderson has had the opportunity to be involved in projects he sees as instrumental in helping move South Dakota agriculture forward.

“Agriculture is the lifeblood of our small communities. And farming has certainly changed over time. I was very actively involved in the Raven Precision Ag facility at South Dakota State University and also the Poet Bioproducts Institute which is currently under construction” said Anderson, who is a 1978 graduate of SDSU. “The Bioproducts Institute will bring together students, industry experts and scientists from SDSU as well as the School of Mines and Technology to work together to come up with new opportunities for agriculture.”

“Agriculture is under attack every day. Often someone will say, ‘introduce a bill that will help agriculture.’ To me, most of the time it is stopping a bill that will hurt agriculture,” Overweg said. He goes on to explain. “It’s not that anyone will ever throw a monstrous bill out that says, ‘outlaw cows.’ But they will try to pass a series of bills that start nit picking at livestock producers’ rights.”

With so few legislators connected to agriculture, Overweg says he and the others who are, spend quite a bit of time providing information and answering questions. And again, every time, he says he is thinking about the future.

“I have five kids and 13 grandkids. All our children live in South Dakota. I want our children and grandchildren to be able to farm our family’s land when we are gone. When you make decisions this way, it does not matter what political party you are. You just do what is good for South Dakota.”

To learn more about South Dakota Farmers Union Legislative Day, visit www.sdfu.org. ■

www.sdfu.org

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Union Farmer

Rob Larew National Farmers Union President

Tribute to Sen. Bob Dole On Dec. 5, former Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas, who at times served as Senate Majority Leader, ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and the 1996 Republican nominee for the presidency, died at the age of 98. Dole was a leader, along with Sen. George McGovern of South Dakota, in fighting hunger in the U.S. and around the world. While they were in the Senate, Sens.

Dole and McGovern led the effort to reform the food stamp program (now known as SNAP), expanded the domestic school lunch program and established the WIC program.

Even after retiring from public office, the two former senators were instrumental in the creation of the Food for Peace program. Now called the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, the effort provides donations of U.S. agricultural products and technical assistance for school feeding programs in the developing world.

In 2010, NFU presented Dole with an Award for Meritorious Service to Humanity for his work in advancing nutrition assistance around the world.

NFU Encouraged by Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Renewable Volume Obligation’s (RVOs) focus on future growth for biofuels On Dec. 7, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its 2020, 2021 and 2022 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). As released, the new standards raise volumes moving forward; unfortunately, they also, retroactively lower the already finalized 2020 volumes.

A strong proponent of biofuels for their

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economic and environment benefits, NFU is calling the standards for future years a way to move the program forward and urges EPA to rethink the retroactive cut on 2020 volumes.

NFU continues to urge the administration to establish a high-octane low carbon fuel standard and provide a path forward on higher blends like E30.

NFU Expresses Support for Provisions in the Build Back Better Act Along with Growth Energy, National Biodiesel Board, National Corn Growers, Renewable Fuels Association, NFU sent a letter on Dec. 2 in support of the $1 billion in biofuel infrastructure investment and the voluntary conservation initiatives in the Build Back Better (BBB) Act. The letter, sent to Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Stabenow and Chairman Scott, expressed appreciation for provisions included in the agriculture portion of the BBB Act that will build new markets for farmers and biofuel producers and help lower the carbon intensity of agriculture.

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Signed Into Law President Joe Biden signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in mid-November. NFU President Rob Larew was in attendance at the White House signing ceremony along with congressional leaders and cabinet secretaries.

“Today is a great day for American agriculture. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will provide a much-needed boost to our rural economy and will help keep family farmers, ranchers and our communities linked and connected with the rest of the country,” said Larew on Nov. 15. “We thank President Biden for his strong leadership in passing this legislation, and offer special thanks to the congressional leaders who crafted and negotiated the bill.”

The newly enacted law will invest $550 billion over 10 years and directs $110 billion for roads and bridges, $55 billion for water infrastructure, $66 billion for rail and a historic

$65 billion for broadband infrastructure. An additional approximately $6.5 million will be appropriated for USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) watershed programs to help address climate related disasters.

NFU Supports New Cattle Markets Legislation On Nov. 12, the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act was officially introduced by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Deb Fischer (RNE), Jon Tester (D-MT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Companion legislation was also announced in the U.S. House of Representatives, cosponsored by Reps. Cindy Axne (D-IA) and Randy Feenstra (R-IA). NFU supports this bill and urges Congress to act quickly to pass this critically important legislation.

“Corporate consolidation in the cattle industry has given multinational meatpackers undue control over cattle markets,” said Larew. “Uncompetitive markets hurt family farmers and ranchers and undermine our food security. NFU has been—and will continue to be—steadfast in our support for legislation that ensures a fair market for family farmers and combats the monopoly power of multinational meatpacking corporations.”

USDA Opens 2022 Signup for Dairy Margin Coverage On Dec. 8, USDA announced plans for Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) signup to be open for two months, starting Dec. 13.

The opportunity to participate in DMC also includes the chance for small- to mid-sized dairy farms to enroll additional production in the program that may have been added to a farm since 2019. The announcement also included a revision to the DMC feed cost formula that reflects the costs of high-quality alfalfa. USDA also made an amendment to the Dairy Indemnity Payment Program to offer assistance to farmers who may have had cows impacted by PFAS and similar pollutants. ■ Current as of Dec. 15, 2021 www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer From the President....

Happy New Year!

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Doug Sombke, SDFU President

armers Union members are driving positive change as we move into 2022.

This is evident by the policy established and voted on by members during the 2021 Convention.

Speaking of convention, it was so great seeing so many members during the 2021 State Convention. This convention was one of the best we have had. Members were upbeat, and happy to be together. The speaker line-up was informative and policy engagement was impressive.

In just a few weeks, members will advocate on behalf of South Dakota Farmers Union policy in Pierre during Legislative Day, Feb. 7.

Legislative Day is a powerful opportunity to share your story. When a family farmer or rancher shares examples that actually show how current issues, like packer concentration or health insurance prices, impact their family and their farming or ranching operation, it makes a real difference.

Although Farmers Union lobbies in Pierre throughout the entire session, it’s your stories that put a face to statistics and data. Your stories are what legislators want to hear.

And your story is especially important today because, so few legislators actually earn a living in agriculture.

Medicaid expansion will be among the many issues we will be advocating for during Legislative Day. In 2022, Medicaid expansion is on the ballot because of the efforts of Farmers Union and more than 40 other South Dakota organizations including the state’s three largest healthcare organizations. Expanding Medicaid would provide health insurance to more than 42,000 working South Dakotans and help keep rural clinics, nursing homes and hospitals open.

As a Farmers Union member your voice is heard beyond South Dakota. During State Convention, 13 members were elected to serve as delegates to the 2022 National Farmers Union Convention held in Denver, Colorado

Feb. 27-March 1. The 2022 delegates are an impressive mix of experienced producers from across the state. These farmers and ranchers will take South Dakota policy and advocate for it to become part of the national policy lobbied for in Washington, D.C. After the 2021 National Convention was virtual, I am eager to participate in 2022 National Farmers Union policy discussions in person.

As a side note, a few NFU events were recently cancelled due to the pandemic. As NFU Treasurer, I serve on the Executive Committee, and I was opposed to these cancellations. I believe with the proper precautions in place, in-person events can be safely held. I am optimistic and hopeful that the 2022 National Convention plans for an in-person event will not change.

In addition to policy, South Dakota delegates will have an opportunity to vote for one of our own to serve as Vice President of National Farmers Union. Jeff Kippley is an exceptional candidate.

He is a good farmer – a grounded and caring individual, a good family man. Jeff is well educated and well-rounded. As a crop and cattle producer, Jeff will always do what is best for agriculture and family farmers and ranchers. In addition to his farm, he and his wife, Rachel, also own another business.

Because we both live in Brown County, I have seen Jeff serve on other boards and in other capacities in our community. He is involved and understands how to lead the charge for what needs to be done.

I am eager to cast my vote for him.

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@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

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

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

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

Policy Committee Continued from Page 23 voted on at the National Convention, but because of the caliber of speakers, members always come home with new information,” said Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director.

To learn more about the 2022 National Farmers Union Convention, visit www.nfu.org. ■ www.sdfu.org

Contact NFU

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

January/February 2022

29

Union Farmer Farmers Union Insurance Welcomes New Agents David Schelske, Mitchell Farmers Union Insurance welcomes David Schelske to lead the Mitchell Farmers Union Insurance office. Although new to the Mitchell office, Schelske grew up helping his parents, Gary and Marsha in the Menno Farmers Union Insurance office.

But when it came time to decide on a career, his passion for music led him to a degree in music education. After a few years of teaching however, Schelske realized it was not a perfect fit. He returned to Menno to help out the family business and Schelske found that the skills he developed teaching also prove useful as an insurance agent.

About the same time Schelske discovered his true calling, there was a need for a Farmers Union Insurance Agent to help lead the Mitchell office. The location could not be better because Schelske and his wife, Paige, have called Mitchell home since 2019.

To learn more about David Schelske, he can be reached at David.Schelske@fumic.com or 605-660-2743.

Industrial Hemp

Continued from Page 12

grower is planning to raise industrial hemp, they should make sure they have it sold prior to purchasing seed. “Make sure you have it contracted. Don’t speculate,” he said. “I may expand my acres in ’22, but it all depends on the markets.”

The weather also plays an important role. And if it does not cooperate, panelist, Dennie Stratton said although it is not easy to find, there are insurance options for industrial hemp. Stratton is the crop insurance production manager for Farmers Union Insurance. “I had to turn over quite a few rocks, but I did find out that hemp is listed in RMA coverage.”

When it comes to selecting the right seed variety, Derrick Dohmann, Sales and Marketing Manager with Horizon Hemp Seeds, Willow Lake, encouraged growers to select and plant multiple varieties. “This way you know what will grow best on your farm.”

Dohmann added that success of industrial hemp in South Dakota depends on producers asking questions and learning from each other.

“This is the reason we are all sitting here.

I am not just here to sell seed. I am here as a

30

Jake Lewis, Rapid City Farmers Union Insurance welcomes Jake Lewis to continue the legacy of the Lewis Agency in Rapid City.

Lewis’ Grandpa Elmer started the agency more than 40 years ago. Today, his dad, Dan, leads the Farmers Union Insurance Agency and now Lewis is ready to take over leadership when his dad is ready to retire.

A 2016 graduate of South Dakota State University, Lewis became licensed shortly after graduation.

In addition to insurance, Lewis is also actively involved in the family ranch. Together with his dad and brother, Jamie, he helps manage the family’s registered Angus herd. “Because most of our clients are ranchers, it helps that we understand what they do and the coverage they need,” Lewis said.

Lewis is eager to continue the tradition his grandpa began and says he enjoys working with his dad and the Lewis Agency team of agents who have become his second family: Lisa Bader, Lawonza Montague and Carol Meier.

To learn more, Jake Lewis can be reached at Jake.Lewis@fumic. com or 605-430-3312.

January/February 2022

Panelists BJ McNeil, a Wessington industrial hemp producer,and Derrick Dohmann, Sales and Marketing Manager with Horizon Hemp Seeds, Willow Lake.

resource. If I do not have an answer for you, I will find the answer for you,” Dohmann said.

When discussing the future success of industrial hemp, all the panelists were optimistic. “There are so many uses for this product, and more are discovered all the time. I toured a home in Idaho that except for the windows, it was constructed 100 percent out of industrial hemp and

its byproducts,” Lesmeister said. “When it comes to the future of industrial hemp in South Dakota, the sky’s the limit. We are just at the beginning.”

To learn more, connect with panelists and read another article featuring Wessington farmer, BJ McNeil, visit www.sdfu.org and click on this article under the News & Events tab. ■ By Lura Roti for SDFU www.sdfu.org

Thank You Thank you very much for the financial and other support you gave the 2021 show!

I enjoyed showing my sheep and the event was a great success.

Caleb, Trevor, Dara & Logan – Hub City Livestock Show *** Thank you so much for your support of the South Dakota 4-H legislative program.

With your help, we were able to deliver a high quality program for our 4-H members.

We greatly appreciate all you do to support South Dakota 4-H! Caroline, Cally, Tyrel, Harlee, Jenae, Eric, Amber – S.D. 4-H Legislature Planning Committee

Departings

Kathy Marie (Gillen) Thorson of Mellette, SD, passed away on December 7, 2021.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Doug; and her two sons, Ryan and Aaron.

Union Farmer 4 Ways to Connect With Us! SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION mail to: sdfu@sdfu.org

Farmers Union signs available

Like us for updates, photos, news, and so much more. https://www.facebook.com/ South-Dakota-Farmers-Union277721538812/

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.

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

COOK’S CORNER

Cinnamon Buns 3 c. flour ¼ c. sugar ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. grated lemon peel 1 pkg. dry yeast

Janice Schelske, Reliance, S.D.

¾ c. milk 6 T. margarine 1 egg, room temp. ¾ c. sugar 1 tsp. cinnamon

Mix 1 cup flour, sugar, salt, lemon peel and yeast. Combine milk and 2 tablespoons margarine; heat to warm. Add milk to flour mixture; beat 2 minutes. Add egg and 1/3 cup flour; beat 2 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead. Cover with plastic and let rest 20 minutes.

Combine sugar and cinnamon and melt remaining margarine. Punch dough down; roll to 9 x 18 inches. Brush with margarine and sprinkle sugar mixture on rectangle. Make rolls by rolling jelly roll fashion (about 18). Place in baking pans, cover and refrigerate 2 to 24 hours. Remove from refrigerator and let stand 10 minutes. Bake at 375 degrees F. approximately 20 minutes. Drizzle with glaze of powdered sugar and milk.

Cinnamon Roll Topping 2 c. brown sugar 4 T. milk 1 T. white vinegar ½ tsp. vanilla

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)

January 2022 7-8

Producers Conference, Deadwood

8

District 3 Meeting, Quality Inn, Watertown

10

Clay-Lincoln County Annual Meeting – Beresford

11

District 1 Meeting via Zoom

14-17 Board Retreat 17

Office Closed – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

4 T. white syrup 8 T. butter or ole 1/8 tsp. salt

Cook for 1 minute. Pour in bottom of sweet roll pan and put rolls on top.

Note: This never gets hard and freezes great. www.sdfu.org

ORDER YOUR OWN COPY OF THE FARMERS UNION CENTENNIAL COOKBOOK

28-Feb. 6 Black Hills Stock Show, Rapid City February 2022 7 21

Legislative Day, Pierre Office Closed – President’s Day

27-Mar. 1 NFU Convention, Denver, Colo.

May 2022 17-19 FUSA Statewide Meetings, Huron 30

Office Closed – Memorial Day

January/February 2022

31

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 Johnson...............725-3003 J.R.J.R. Johnson ............ 725-3003 Cameron Lux............. 229-3945 Cameron Lux ............ 229-3945 Alan Voller................... 244-7431 Alan Voller ................ 244-7431 Karen Voller................ 244-7431 Karen Voller .............. 244-7431 Tom Farber.................448-5150 Tom Farber ............... 448-5150 Gary Ray.....................692-6735 Gary Ray .................. 692-6735 Beth Reams................690-3018 Beth Reams ............. 690-3018 Heidi Fields................. 881-2830 Heidi Fields .............. 881-2830 Jenn Wickstrom.......... 375-3311 JennLon Wickstrom ........ 375-3311 Reidburn..............532-3299 Lon Mark Reidburn ........... 532-3299 Rozell.................

635-6511 DOLAND Mark Rozell ..............

635-6511 FAULKTON Dawn Melius...............598-6570 FAULKTON Dawn Melius.............

598-6570 GROTON J.R. Johnson...............

397-8155

Anderson.........

352-2130 J.R.Blaine Johnson ............ 397-8155 Brendon Hansen......... 263-2121 Blaine Anderson ....... 352-2130 Brian Hansen..............263-3342 Brendon Hansen ...... 263-2121 Donna Enders............. 837-2144 Brian Hansen ........... 263-3342 Carrie Derschan..........374-3462 Donna Enders........... 837-2144 Chris Goldsmith..........374-3462 Carrie Derschan........ 374-3462 Kevin Albrecht.............941-0650 Chris Goldsmith ........ 374-3462 Brendon Hansen.........387-5555 Kevin Albrecht .......... 941-0650 David Schelske...........660-2743 Brendon Hansen ...... 387-5555 Ce Faulkner................737-0463 Ryan Leischner ......... 996-9651 Andrew Mefferd..........

224-4123 Ce Faulkner ..............

737-0463 Kasey Keller................343-4213 PIERRECITY Andrew Mefferd ........ 224-4123 RAPID Dan Lewis...................342-3585

ABERDEEN ABERDEEN ABERDEEN ABERDEEN BISON BISON BISON BISON BRITTON BRITTON BROOKINGS BROOKINGS BROOKINGS BROOKINGS BROOKINGS BROOKINGS BUFFALO BUFFALO CLARK CLARK DOLAND

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RAPID CITY Jake Lewis..................342-3585 RAPID CITY Kasey Keller.............. 343-4213 SIOUX FALLS Jeff Nord.................... 338-5302 RAPID CITY Dan Lewis................. 342-3585 SIOUX FALLS Stacy Mongar............. 338-5302 SIOUX FALLS Jeff Nord .................. 338-5302

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Erica Steiner............... 698-7316

SIOUX FALLS Stacy Mongar ........... 338-5302 SPEARFISH Scott Sabers...............642-8870 SISSETON Erica Steiner ............. 698-7316 STURGIS Scott Sabers.............. 347-4507 SPEARFISH Scott Sabers ............. 642-8870 WATERTOWN Todd Nichols.............. 886-9683 STURGIS Scott Sabers ............. 347-4507

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Debbie Baumgarn.......345-2640

Todd Nichols ............ 886-9683 Larry Baumgarn..........345-2640 Debbie Baumgarn .... 345-2640 Jeremy Clay............... 842-1556 Larry Baumgarn........

345-2640 James Murphy...........

664-2121 Jeremy Clay .............. 842-1556 James Murphy.......... 664-2121

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