South Dakota Farmers & Ranchers Take State Farmers Union Policy to National Convention

South Dakota family farmers and ranchers are in Denver today through March 1 to support grassroots policy during the 2022 National Farmers Union Convention.

“This is how grassroots policy in a national organization works. We establish it here in South Dakota and then we advocate on its behalf at the National Convention,” explained Doug Sombke, fourth generation Brown County farmer and President of South Dakota Farmers Union.

It’s the policy put in place by family farmers and ranchers that guides SDFU leadership and staff here in South Dakota. And it’s the policy put in place by family farmers and ranchers at the National Farmers Union Convention that guides national leadership and staff.

 “The fact that the policy that guides Farmers Union policy is developed and voted on by our family farmers and ranchers is the No. 1 reason I became involved in this organization nearly 40 years ago,” Sombke added.

South Dakota also has a member running to serve as National Farmers Union Vice President – Aberdeen farmer and small business owner Jeff Kippley.

“I am running to serve because like many of South Dakota’s farmers and ranchers, I also work fulltime off the farm to sustain our family’s agriculture operation,” Kippley explains.

Kippley shares Sombke’s sentiment for grassroots policy put in place by farmers and ranchers. And he sees NFU policy helping to bring fair prices to family farmers and ranchers.

“I firmly believe Farmers Union is the organization to bring about necessary policy changes,” Kippley said.

In 2021, Kippley was among the national convention delegates to vote on policy that would ensure this tradition of farmer/rancher-led policy would continue. Kippley was elected to serve as an NFU delegate again in 2022.

“I feel better about the organization as a whole,” Kippley said. “That is my No. 1 thing when I speak with someone about joining Farmers Union. It is a grassroots organization made up of farmers and ranchers, rather than an ag organization anyone can belong to.”

And even though Kippley and his wife, Rachel, are extremely busy with farm work, their four children and tax preparation business, the couple made time to serve as National Convention delegates more than once.

“It is important for people from South Dakota to keep the national organization’s focus on South Dakota-type agriculture, not the small garden-type farming,” Kippley explained.

All Farmers Union members are invited to attend the National Convention and although only qualified members, voted to serve as delegates during South Dakota’s State Convention have a vote, all members have a voice.

“When you take South Dakota’s policy and blend it with other state’s policy, it becomes a bigger voice for our leaders to take to D.C.,” explained Gail Temple, Clark farmer and District 3 board member.

Temple served as a delegate in 2020 during the National Convention held in Savannah, Georgia. For the 2022 Convention, the delegates who will represent South Dakota include Lorrie Hanson, Britton; Cassie and Taylor Sumption, Frederick; Shilo LaMont, Union Center; Jeff and Rachel Kippley, Aberdeen; Hank and Melissa Wonnenberg, Dallas; Rob and Darcie Lee, De Smet; Kirk Schaunaman, Aberdeen; David Reis, Oacoma; Sarah and Lance Perrion, Ipswich.

In addition to policy discussions, National Farmers Union Convention is a great opportunity for members to glean information as the convention hosts national policy and thought leaders as well as experts in the agricultural field.

“We want as many South Dakota members as possible to attend. Not only is it exciting to see state policy discussed and voted on at the National Convention, but because of the caliber of speakers, members always come home with new information,” said Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director.

South Dakota family farmers and ranchers attending the 2022 NFU Convention include Doug Sombke, Conde; Hank and Melissa Wonnenberg, Dallas; Taylor and Cassie Sumption, Frederick; Rob and Darcie Lee, De Smet; Oren and Tracy Lesmeister, Parade; Lance and Sarah Perrion, Ipswich; Wayne and Vicki Soren, Lake Preston; Ryan and Shilo LaMont, Union Center; Jeff and Rachel Kippley, Aberdeen; Lorrie    Hanson, Britton; Kirk Schaunaman, Aberdeen; Gail Temple, Clark; David Reis, Oacoma; Larry Birgen, Sioux Falls; Luke Reindl, Huron and Rocky Forman, Huron.

To learn more about South Dakota Farmers Union, visit www.sdfu.org.