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Categories:Tax Reform, Property Rights & Access to Childcare Policy Focus of 2024 Farmers Union State Convention
Family farmers and ranchers from across South Dakota will gather in Huron December 11-12 when South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) hosts its 109th State Convention. “Members prioritize State Convention because it is where we establish our organization’s policy,” explained Doug Sombke, President of SDFU and a fourth-generation crop and cattle farmer. “Grassroots policy is a […]
Read MoreAs Majority Leader Sen. John Thune Will Be Good for Agriculture Said South Dakota’s Largest Ag Organization
Today’s announcement that South Dakota Senator John Thune will be Majority Leader is good news for U.S. agriculture said South Dakota Farmers Union President, Doug Sombke. “Senator Thune understands the importance of agriculture to our state and America. He has always been a great advocate for agriculture and rural communities. We are hopeful, with his […]
Read MoreGet to Know the Dawn Melius Agency, Faulkton
by Lura Roti Insurance agent Dawn Melius always wanted to be a teacher. While she was completing her elementary education degree at Northern State University, she married Faulkton farmer Kelly Melius. Moving to the Melius family farm near Faulkton changed what Dawn’s classroom looked like, but it did not take away her opportunity to teach. […]
Read MoreCalifornia Dreamin’
Doug Durante, Clean Fuels Development Coalition The decades long hate-love-hate relationship between California and ethanol is trending the wrong way. With 29 million cars on the road and a nearly 14 billion gallon gasoline market, the state of California is a market unto itself. With 1.4 billion gallons of ethanol in the gasoline mix and […]
Read MoreTri-State Young Producer Conference Event Connects Producers with Ag Marketing & Transition Planning Experts
South Dakota Farmers Union invites family farmers and ranchers to the Tri-State Young Producer Conference held in Fargo, N.D. January 10 – 11. “Building a career on the family farm or ranch comes with its challenges. Through this conference, we seek to provide young producers with information and resources to help them succeed,” explained Karla […]
Read MoreCattle Producer & Veteran Says Time of Service Strengthened His Love For Country
By Lura Roti Two weeks after graduating from Southern State college with a associate of life science and electronic repair degree, Ray Martinmaas was drafted into the Army. It was 1970 and while many of his classmates went to Vietnam, the Army had other plans for Martinmaas. “I took airborne training and worked in explosives […]
Read MoreFarmers Union Herd Builder Awards Five Youth Breeding Stock During 2024 Western Jr. Livestock Show
By Lura Roti Five South Dakota youth exhibiting at the 2024 Western Jr. Livestock Show in Rapid City went home with more than ribbons and buckles this year. Winners of the South Dakota Farmers Union Herd Builder Award won breeding heifers and ewes. “Building up a livestock herd takes time because of the costs associated. […]
Read MoreSioux Valley Energy Invests in Member Communities to Help Them Thrive
For more than a decade when Keith Elbers drove down Main Street, the mayor of Hills, Minnesota, passed an empty commercial property. It was an eyesore, and it now belonged to the city because its previous owner long ago quit paying property taxes. Today, thanks to innovative collaboration between the city, Rock County, state agencies, […]
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