News Releases

Elk Point Rodeo Family Says They’re In This Together

By Lura Roti Qualifying for Junior High & High School National Finals Rodeo since she was 12, Riley Donnelly is a successful South Dakota rodeo athlete. But if you ask her the reason for her success, before she mentions the 40-plus hours a week she spends in the barn practicing – the 2020 graduate of […]

Urban Americans Reach Out to Say They Care About Farmers’ & Ranchers’ Plight

We do care. A simple yet powerful message. And one Jack Bilheimer, a retired L.A. County, California law enforcement officer wanted to convey to South Dakota family farmers after he learned of their plight watching the May 3 broadcast of 60-Minutes. “Farming and ranching goes way back to the beginning of our wonderful country. I […]

SD Farmers Union 2020 Rural Dakota Pride Nominations Open

South Dakota Farmers Union is asking South Dakotans to nominate a volunteer who makes a difference in their community for the Rural Dakota Pride Award. Each year, the state’s largest family farmer and rancher organization, recognizes citizens who make a positive impact in rural communities across the state. Citizens like Jeannie Hofer of Huron. When […]

SDFU Supports Rep. Johnson’s Work for Truth in Labeling

In a letter sent May 13, South Dakota Representative Dusty Johnson urges the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to find a meaningful solution to allow accurate labeling of U.S. beef. South Dakota Farmers Union applauds Representative Johnson for his work for truth in labeling. “Thank you. Your support […]

Farmers Unions Partner with National Breast Cancer Foundation to Spread Awareness with Pink Manure Spreader

As many know, cancer doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care how much your family, or your farm depends on you. For generations, Farmers Union has lent a hand to various causes through legislation, education, and philanthropy. Now it’s our turn to take on breast cancer. In collaboration with National Breast Cancer Foundation, Farmers Union is excited […]

SDFU Signs Letter Calling out EPA for Failure to Protect Americans

The South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) joined a broad group of ten energy and agriculture organizations in calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to condemn statements by its own Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) that dismissed the findings of a recent study by Harvard University linking air pollution to higher fatalities from […]

Farmers and Their Bankers Are Frustrated by Lack of Information Surrounding COVID-19 Relief Package

If any farmer can navigate disaster relief paperwork, you’d think it would be Craig Schaunaman. Why? Because the Aberdeen crop and cattle farmer is a former Farm Service Agency (FSA) Director for the state of South Dakota. But instead, like many other South Dakota producers and bankers, the fourth-generation farmer isn’t able to get clear […]

60 Minutes Visits with Doug Sombke