Their Share: Farmers Feed 1,000 Fairgoers Lunch for 48 Cents

Fair food has a reputation for being fried and expensive. But if fairgoers only paid what the farmer and rancher received for the ingredients they raise, lunch would only cost about 48 cents or the “farmer’s share.”

The farmer’s share is the price South Dakota Farmers Union will charge 1,000 fairgoers Saturday, Aug. 31 during Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair.

“Farmer’s Share Lunch is an easy and tasty way to educate consumers about the profit challenges family farmers and ranchers face,” explained Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director of South Dakota Farmers Union.

The premiere sponsor of the South Dakota State Fair and the state’s largest agriculture organization, Farmers Union has hosted this meal since 2007. Reliance rancher David Reis appreciates the effort.

“I think the majority of consumers think most of the money they spend in the grocery store for food goes to farmers or ranchers and the truth is only a very small percentage does,” explained Reis, who together with his wife, Brenda, and their grown children raise cattle. “The Farmer’s Share Lunch helps explain the reason there are fewer and fewer family farmers and ranchers in South Dakota. Farm and ranch families need to be able to earn an income from the land to feed their own families.”

The Farmer’s Share Lunch also connects consumers with those who raise their food. Reis is among many South Dakota producers who will be at the fair to enjoy the meal – all proceeds of which go to Make-A-Wish.

“We go to the State Fair every year,” Reis said. “It’s a great place to connect with friends and watch our grandchildren who are showing livestock in 4-H and FFA shows and competing in rodeo events.”

Like Reis, Doug Sombke has been attending the South Dakota State Fair since he was 8-years-old. “The State Fair is like a family reunion,” explained the President of South Dakota Farmers Union and a fourth-generation Brown County farmer. “There are many friends we only get to see for the week of the fair. Because like many farm and ranch families, State Fair is our family vacation.”

Public Utilities Commission Forum

Sombke added that in addition to connecting with old friends, the State Fair is where many agriculture producers come to connect with information. As a grassroots policy organization, because property rights is a policy concern of members, during Farmers Union Day at the State Fair, the organization will provide agriculture producers and other property owners, with a chance to evaluate the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) candidates, during the PUC Forum at 1 p.m.

“PUC has always played an important role in state governance, but after passing Senate Bill 201, the PUC’s power over local government has dramatically increased – as a result, property owners need to be informed when they go to the polls this fall,” Sombke said.

Senate Bill 201 removed county control of property ordinances and gave it to the PUC.

“Now that County Commissioners are no longer in control, voters need to know if the PUC candidates will represent their property rights or special interests,” Sombke said.

PUC candidates invited to the forum are Kristi Fiegen, Gideon Oakes and Forrest Willson.

Farm Safety is a Year-round Priority

Farming and ranching are among the top three most dangerous careers. To help educate families on how to stay safe, throughout the fair South Dakota Farmers Union connects thousands of fairgoers with hands-on farm safety information with the help of their Farm Safety Trailer. Throughout the year, the Farm Safety Trailer visits schools and is available for other youth events.

The organization also hosts the Farm Safety Quiz Bowl Championships. The competition tests teens farm safety knowledge. The FFA teams to qualify for the Championships during the State FFA Convention are Canton, Milbank, Platte-Geddes and Wessington Springs.

“Farm safety is among the many ways Farmers Union supports South Dakotas farm and ranch families,” Hofhenke explained. “Agriculture is the backbone of our state’s economy. State Fair is an event that showcases the families who do the work.”

Enjoy Farmers Union events at the Freedom Stage. For Aug. 31 gate tickets, members can reach out to Farmers Union at 605-554-3023 or [email protected]. A limited number of tickets are available on a first come first serve basis. To learn more about how South Dakota Farmers Union supports farm and ranch families, visit www.sdfu.org.