Volume XCVI, NO. 3
Huron, SD
March 2013
South Dakota
Union Farmer A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION Smiles Abound at 8th annual SDFU Foundation Fundraiser
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Agnes Pavlin Receives Annual Minnie Lovinger Education Award
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Herseth Sandlin Addresses SDFU State Convention
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Farmers Union Celebrates 98th Convention Delegates and members gather to discuss how the organization continues ‘Building for the Future’ South Dakota Farmers Union celebrated its 98th state convention Feb. 15-16, 2013, at Aberdeen and discussed how the organization is ‘Building for the Future.’ The theme of this year’s convention is both literal and figurative, given the fact that the organization is constructing a new state office building at Huron. “We’re not only physically building for the future of Farmers Union, but we’re constantly working to build for a better future for the agriculture industry, building future leaders, and building the organization using our grassroots philosophy,” said SDFU President Doug Sombke. South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Walt Bones opened the convention with an address about the future of the agriculture industry in the state. Bones discussed the opening of new agriculture processing plants, and the market they will South Dakota Farmers Union members gathered in Aberdeen for the 98th annual state convention Feb. 15-16. provide for producers. “A project that’s especially important to the cheese factory under construction in Brookings. Aberdeen area is Northing to keep diseases that would affect livestock at “They’re going to need 15,000 more dairy ern Beef Packers,” bay. cows,” Bones said. “the economic Bones said. Paul Schumacher, a professional meteoroloimpact of just one dairy cow “They’re gist, discussed is about $14,000, so this taking how weather could have a huge impact. cattle and patterns are (Bel Brands) could have that’s changing as a gone anywhere, and there something result of cliwere a lot of states throwing a year ago mate change. a lot at them, and they chose we all Joy Smolsouth Dakota.” were still nisky from the National Farmers Union wondering. South Dakota President Roger Johnson was They’re Budget and in South Dakota for the state ramping up Policy Project Walt Bones Roger Johnson convention. He gave a presentation production, spoke about Medicaid detailing the farm bill discussions and other isso that’s really good to expansion and the South Dakota state budget that sues going on in Washington, D.C. see.” is being debated in the Legislature. State Veterinarian Dustin Oedekoven spoke Bones also discussed A number of awards were given out over the about how the Animal Industry Board is workthe new Bel Brands See CONVENTION Page 15