Education News By Bonnie Geyer Education Director
Happy New Year 2013! We have great plans and expectations for the coming year and I look forward to sharing all the fun and excitement with all of you! The 2013 legislative session is about to begin and Jan. 29-31 you will find a group of your Farmers Union youth taking part in a valuable educational and fun activity in Pierre. We will spend our days in Pierre learning about the legislative process and also taking a tour of the Capitol, the National Guard Museum and the Science Museum. Twenty-two of our youth qualified for this special honor and we are excited for those who will participate. Make plans now to attend your Farmers Union state convention Feb. 15-16, 2013, at the Ramkota in Aberdeen. We will hold an Education Honor’s Luncheon that gives us a chance to thank all our volunteers and celebrate the successes we have had in 2012. We will also honor our 2012 Torchbearers at the Convention Banquet at noon Saturday the 16th and that evening we look forward to another fabulous and fun “Night on the Prairie” fundraiser. It will be an evening of fun and fellowship all with a goal of raising money for our education programs. Make plans now to attend! You won’t want to miss it! I hope that some of you are considering joining us for the National Farmers Union convention in Springfield, Mass., March 3-5, 2013. Some of our Torchbearers will attend and these young people will see how policy is set at the national level as well as meeting other Farmers Union members from throughout the United States. What an opportunity! We are offering an opportunity for individuals interested in a great summer job. People in these positions will travel across the state assisting with our youth camping program. Applicants must be 19 years of age or older and have completed at least one year of college or have been employed over the last year. This position is ideal for someone who loves to work with people of all ages and wants to have a very fun and rewarding summer. These summer staff positions will be filled as soon as possible, so if you know of anyone interested please give me a call at 1-888-734-8136, Ext. 125 for further information and/or an application. I hope that 2013 brings good health, much happiness and all good things to you and your families. Thank you for supporting Farmers Union and the Farmers Union Youth Program.
www.sdfu.org
Union Farmer
COUNTY COUNCILORS Continued from Page 1
during this year’s legislative session in Pierre after Minnesota-based Anderson Seed Co. stopped operations at their Redfield, S.D., warehouse, leaving many farmers who were not paid for grain that was delivered. The Public Utilities Commission has proposed legislation to help solve some of the problems. Other policy discussion at the County Councilors meeting dealt with the beef checkoff program, proposing some reforms to spend at least 75 percent of all collected checkoff funds each year. Another proposed addition to the polic program deals with an Animal Disease Traceability program which would identify specific animals and record their movements, to enable a 48-hour traceback of any disease or exposed animal. County Councilors approved a policy statement opposing a mandatory identification program and supporting local control of the South Dakota data by the South Dakota Animal Industry Board. The policy also proposed an exemption from the Freedom of Information Act and limiting
Sen. Jason Frerichs, D-Wilmot, listens to a question from SDFU board member Franklin Olson of Pierpont (left) during the County Councilors meeting.
in rural and underserved areas by locally-owned and/or locally-controlled financial institutions,” and recommends that Congress “create a mortgage law exemption for locally-controlled institutions serving rural and underserved areas from recently enacted laws and rules regarding mortgage escrow for high-priced Sen. Shantel Krebs of Renner, the chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture and loans, mortNatural Resources Committee, discusses gage insurance legislative issues at the beginning of County Councilors. requirements, appraisal requirements, mortgage licensing and registration, and ability to pay/qualifying mortgages.” Other special orders deal with animal damage control and wildlife damage management, and beaver management. All of the proposed changes will now move to the state convention where delegates will have the opportunity to propose more changes or additions and adopt the final policy which the organization will follow throughout the coming year. Gail Temple, who presided as chair of the County Councilors, was re-elected to serve in that capacity for 2014. DuWayne Bosse of Britton was elected to his first term as vice chair. He replaces Tyler Gerlach who declined nomination for a second term. Sandee Gittings of Philip was re-elected as the County Councilors secretary. The policy will again be considered at the state convention Feb. 15-16 at Aberdeen.
producer liability after an ownership change. Another proposed addition to the policy was on livestock production and animal welfare issues. The County Councilors approved language that would support industry-established standards for the management, care and treatment of animals in agriculture, commerce and research. Some special orders of business were passed by the County Councilors calling for regulation reform when it comes to local financial institutions. The special order says “rural financial institutions have been burdened with excessive regulations aimed at Wall Street banks but that have the unintended consequences County Councilors elected leadership. From left, Sandee Gittings of Philip, secretary, DuWayne Bosse of Britton, vice chair, and Gail Temple of Clark chair. of discouraging home lending
Union Farmer
January 2013
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