South Dakota Farmers & Ranchers Share Their Plight in D.C.

This week, 26 South Dakota farmers and ranchers left their fields and cattle in trusted hands and traveled to D.C. to visit with Congressional leaders and their staff about the challenges and opportunities they face as they work to feed our nation.

They are among more than 200 farmers and ranchers from across the nation who met in D.C. for the annual National Farmers Union Fly-In.

 “Times are tough. Not only is there a drought, but crop and cattle prices are so low that many South Dakota farmers and ranchers need take off-farm jobs so they can feed their own families – while they work hard day in and day out to feed the nation and the world,” explained Doug Sombke, South Dakota Farmers Union President.

 Today, the South Dakota group met with United States Department of Agriculture Officials. Tomorrow and Wednesday they will have sit-down meetings with more than 30 members of Congressional Leadership and their staff to share their personal stories.

“It’s important to take the time to tell law makers how we feel about decisions they are making because they impact our lives,” explained Scott Kolousek, fifth-generation cattle producer from Wessington Springs.

 These face-to-face meetings make a difference.

“When staffers get to sit down with those of us who plant the crops and feed the cattle, they actually listen when we say we need their support,” Sombke said. “It’s tough to ignore someone when you hear the passion in their voice – and yes, this year there have been a few tears – when we talk about the challenges we work through to as we work to provide a safe and abundant food supply.”

 To learn more about the D.C. Fly-In, visit www.nfu.org. You can also follow the South Dakota delegation on Facebook, search South Dakota Farmers Union.

South Dakotans attending the National Farmers Union D.C. Fly-In include; Doug Sombke, SDFU President, Conde; Wayne Soren, Lake Preston, SDFU Vice President; Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director, Huron; Christina Dexter, SDFU Communications Specialist, Huron; Kirk Schaunaman, Aberdeen; Hank Wonnenberg, Dallas; Melissa Wonnenberg, Dallas; Joe and Cynthia Painter, Buffalo; Jason and Corliss Lee, Cresbard; Jessica and Andrew Mefferd, Mitchell; George, Michelle, Tyler, Nicholas and Brooklynn Kenzy,Gregory; Amber, Scott and Isaac Kolousek, Wessington Springs; Marissa Holinka, Watertown; Kayla Foreman, SDFU Controller, Miller; Kathy and Bill Chase, Wolsey; Craig Blindert, Salem; Jack Eble, Sioux Falls and Adam Huntimer, Sioux Falls