Doug Sombke Reelected to Serve as S.D. Farmers Union President of During 102nd State Convention

Doug Sombke was reelected to serve as President of South Dakota Farmers Union during the organization’s 102nd State Convention held in Huron Nov. 30-Dec.1, 2017.

 “I love this organization because it gives a voice to family farmers and ranchers,” said Sombke who has served as President of the organization since 2005. “I am a farmer. Farming is all I ever wanted to do – it’s my passion. I have made it my lifelong goal to work to advance the future of family farmers and ranchers any way I can. I gave up my daily involvement in my family’s farm to serve this organization because I want to ensure the next generation of farm and ranch kids have the opportunity to farm and ranch.”

 Sombke has served as President of South Dakota Farmers Union since 2005. He is a fourth-generation crop and livestock farmer who continues to remain involved in his family’s Conde farm – although since he began serving as SDFU President, his three sons have taken over managing the day-to-day farm operations. His sons also operate value-added enterprises from the farm. He and his wife, Mel, have three grandchildren.

 In his role as President of S.D. Farmers Union, Sombke has served on the board of directors for Farmers Union Industries, an organization which is made up of several businesses – the dividends of which go to help fund Farmers Union organizations in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin as well as Farmers Union Enterprise programs and National Farmers Union. In 2017, Doug was named President of this organization.

 As President of South Dakota Farmers Union, Sombke leads the state-wide organization which works to enhance South Dakota’s number one industry of agriculture by developing policy to support the family farmers and ranchers who actively grow crops and raise livestock, their rural communities and protect future generations of farmers and ranchers.

 “As a father to three young farmers in their 20s, I have skin in game. Every day, our livelihoods are at risk from regulations, policies or markets,” Sombke said. “As the leader of this organization, I will continue to fight each day to ensure that those in control hear the voice of South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers. I am not afraid to be the mouthpiece of our family farmer and rancher members – even when what we have to say is not popular.”