Charles Mix County Volunteer Receives Esteemed Award for Youth Education

by Lura Roti

Carol Oberbroekling was recognized for more than 25 years of volunteer efforts to provide farm safety, cooperative and leadership education to rural youth with the Minnie Lovinger Award. The award was presented to Oberbroekling during the South Dakota Farmers Union State Convention, held in Huron December 11 and 12.

“It is through Carol’s volunteer efforts and enthusiasm for recruitment that ensured hundreds of Geddes youth attended Farmers Union Day Camps over the years,” explained Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union. “These youth are the future of rural communities, so it is important that they have access to the education, information and resources they need to succeed.”

Oberbroekling became involved in Farmers Union in the early 1990s when she and her husband, Dennis farmed.

“We enjoyed everything about Farmers Union,” Oberbroekling said. “The issues Farmers Union fought for, were issues impacting us.”

Times were tough because they raised hogs, and the markets bottomed out. So, Carol and Dennis made the difficult decision to sell the farm. Dennis went to work for Geddes Farmers Coop Elevator and Carol began working as Secretary for the Platte-Geddes School.

Even though they were not farming, the couple remained actively involved in Farmers Union. When she saw the need for an education director, Oberbroekling volunteered.

“I just love kids. And because I worked at the school and knew all the kids and families, it made sense,” Oberbroekling said.

Oberbroekling said she appreciates the fact that Farmers Union Day Camps teach kids about cooperatives and farm safety – two relevant topics for rural youth that outside of Farmers Union they would not typically learn about.

“Farm safety education is a must and kids need to learn about cooperatives because they are such a big part of our community. They keep our community strong,” Oberbroekling said. “Cooperatives are how we get our electricity and so many other essential services. The co-op is where farmers take their crops – I think I belong to 10 cooperatives.”

Oberbroekling’s now grown children, Renee, Brian and Tyler, all attended Farmers Union Camp, and today her grandchildren continue the tradition.

In addition to volunteering as a Farmers Union Education Director, Oberbroekling has served as a Geddes City Councilor for more than 20 years.