Tariffs are Policy Focus as Family Farmers & Ranchers Travel to 2025 National Farmers Union Convention

During these uncertain times in agriculture, South Dakota family farmers and ranchers traveled to Oklahoma City to discuss policy they hope will help protect their farms and ranches during the 2025 National Farmers Union Convention held March 9-11.

“Unique to Farmers Union, only individuals who earn their income from farms and ranches can vote on our national policy,” explained Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union and a Brown County farmer. “When National Farmers Union advocates on members’ behalf, Congressional leaders know they are hearing from America’s family farmers and ranchers – not corporate interests.”

Trade Tariffs and passage of a Farm Bill top the list of policy topics South Dakota Farmers Union delegates will discuss with agriculture producers from across the U.S.

“Access to fair markets is essential to protecting family farms and ranches,” Sombke said. “American farmers and ranchers depend upon export markets. Extreme export tariffs will have extreme impacts on farmers and ranchers’ ability to earn an income. Our way of life is in jeopardy.”

Rachel Kippley, a crop and cattle farmer from Aberdeen agrees. “Farming and ranching is literally our livelihood and our way of life. And with our kids interested in taking over the farm someday, we are here to set policy to help make that possible. We are fighting for the future.”

Kippley is among 17 delegates elected during the South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) state convention held in December 2024.

Other delegates are: Tonner Bowman, Davison County; Jason Latham, Harding County; Kaeloni Latham, Harding County; Sarah Perrion, Edmunds County; Rob Lee, Kingsbury County; John Kippley, Brown County; Gerri Eide, Potter County; Brenda Reis, Lyman County; David Reis, Lyman County; Kaeloni Latham, Harding County; Mike Miller, Hutchinson County; Lance Perrion, Edmunds County; Terry Sestak, Clay/Lincoln Counties; Chad Johnson, Brown County; Oren Lesmeister, Dewey County; Gail Temple, Clark County and Lorrie Hanson, Marshall County.

South Dakota Farmers Union is the largest agriculture organization in the state. In addition to tariffs delegates will discuss policy focused on:

–        Fair and competitive markets

–        Passage of a Farm Bill

–        Right to repair farm equipment

–        Access to affordable childcare

Harding County ranchers receive national award

“We are members of several ag organizations, but we feel Farmers Union is the only organization that actually gives us the opportunity to talk for ourselves,” said Harding County rancher, Kaeloni Latham. “The other organizations ask us for our thoughts and then they take the thoughts to D.C. Farmers Union took us to D.C.”

Latham and her husband, Jason, were recognized by National Farmers Union for their leadership and recruitment efforts with the national Bruce Miller Membership award.

The couple say they are grateful for the opportunity to introduce their friends and neighbors in their rural ranching community to Farmers Union and they are eager to represent them as delegates during this week’s policy discussions.