News Releases

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

S.D. Farmers Union Applauds S.D. Attorney General for Supporting Cattle Producers

On behalf of the state’s cattle producers, S.D. Farmers Union President, Doug Sombke, thanks S.D. Attorney General, Jason Ravnsborg for joining with other states in signing a letter urging U.S. Attorney General William Barr to move forward on a federal investigation into national price fixing by meat packers. “We appreciate our Attorney General exhibiting leadership […]

Farmers Union Enterprises Donates 150,000 Pounds of Pork Ribs to Five States

Farmers Union Enterprises teamed up with South Dakota Farmers Union to donate 30,000 pounds of pork ribs to Feeding South Dakota. “Because of COVID-19, many families have seen their grocery budget shrink. We saw a way to help not only feed families, but keep our employees working,” explains Doug Sombke, President of Farmers Union Enterprises […]

COVID-19 Further Stresses South Dakota’s Ethanol Industry

This February, Glacial Lakes Energy’s balance sheet showed positive cash flow. Then COVID-19 brought morning commutes to a screeching halt as workers across the country were told to shelter in place. “Ethanol was not in a good situation before. But then COVID came along and changed everything,” explains Jim Seurer, the ethanol cooperative’s CEO. “In […]

Honoring Farm and Ranch Moms

As we reflect on the women who raised us this Mother’s Day, SDFU would like to celebrate the many women who support the state’s No. 1 industry – farm and ranch moms! To learn more about the farm and ranch moms featured in this article, click here. by Lura Roti for SDFU Samantha Miller, Aberdeen […]

Food Security Depends on Protecting the People of our Food System

By Lura Roti for South Dakota Farmers Union Food security isn’t something many thought about prior to COVID-19. But that’s changed. “Empty grocery store shelves in Brookings or Sioux Falls speak to the fragility of even this sophisticated food system we are so proud of,” explained Barry Dunn, President of the state’s land grant, South […]