United in Tough Times 2019 State Convention

By Lura Roti for SDFU

Standing before members carrying a homeplate, S.D. Farmers Union President Doug Sombke explained that before he was passionate about his family and farming, he was passionate about baseball.

“Baseball has been a part of my life since I was young. I’ve learned a lot from the sport,” explains the fourth-generation Conde crop and cattle farmer who was re-elected to serve during the 2019 State Convention held in Aberdeen Dec. 10 and 11.

Of the skills he gained, the most valuable he says is holding oneself accountable to a higher standard. “How large is homeplate in the Major League?” he asked the crowd. “17-inches,” a member yelled out. “How large is homeplate in the Minor League?” he asked. “17-inches,” several attendees replied. “Homeplate is always 17-inches,” Sombke says.

He goes on to explain that a pitcher who can’t throw a ball over the 17-inch homeplate will lose their position. “Homeplate doesn’t change size to accommodate the pitcher.” Sombke uses this analogy to make the point that although many challenges face them, they can rely on S.D. Farmers Union. “Farmers Union is still about what is impacting your life, what is happening on your farm and working to make things better for you, your farm and your community. SDFU is accountable for the standards our members employ. While at the same time, we hold our government leaders accountable to live up to our standards.”

Wayne Soren echoed Sombke’s comments. “Farmers Union has been fighting for farmers for more than a hundred years. Back then, it was so that farmers could be fairly compensated for their goods. One hundred years later, we are fighting for similar things…and we will continue to fight for equitable pay for what we grow,” says Soren, who was re-elected to serve as SDFU Vice President during convention.

How does the organization know what farm and ranch families need? It all begins with the grassroots policy developed by members during this annual convention. “Policy is why we got involved,” explains Wessington Springs farmer, Scott Kolousek, 44. “You can bring issues that impact you and the members will do something about it.”

Kolousek serves as President of Jerauld County Farmers Union and was recently elected to serve on the state board of directors representing District 2. During state convention, he also served on the policy committee.

Policy committee is a group of members who listen to members’ concerns, and if there is not a current policy addressing a specific concern, the committee helps draft new policy that is then voted on by delegates during convention.

The policy that is approved by membership, which addresses national issues, is then brought to the national organization by delegates. If it is passed during the national convention, it is the policy that National Farmers Union uses to lobby for in D.C. “In Farmers Union, our national organization doesn’t tell members what we support. The state organizations tell NFU what we need them to work on for us,” Kolousek says.

Kolousek was among the seven SDFU members elected to serve as NFU delegates. The other delegates include Gerri Eide, Gettysburg; Jeff Kippley, Aberdeen; Terry Sestak, Tabor; Brian Cain, Miller; Rachel Kippley, Aberdeen; and Amber Kolousek, Wessington Springs.

“This is a critical time for trade and other issues impacting agriculture,” says Hank Wonnenberg, 35, Dallas farmer and loan officer. Joined by his wife, Melissa, 35, the couple say they make time for State Convention each year because they have seen how policy put in place by South Dakota farmers impacts positive change. “SDFU drives positive momentum. We see a direct correlation between SDFU policy and things that happen to help agriculture, for example, the governor’s decision to run the state fleet on E30.”

In addition to policy, several relevant topics were addressed by speakers and panelists during convention. “S.D. Farmers Union relied on input from a portion of our more than 18,000 members when we developed the line-up for our 2019 State Convention. The speakers and panels you see on our agenda came from discussions with South Dakota family farmers, ranchers and ag supporters,” says Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director.

Expanding his knowledge base is one of many reasons, Aberdeen farmer, Kirk Schaunaman, 59, makes time for convention. “It’s good to always keep learning. In this industry, nothing is the same year-to-year. We are always working in an environment of change and selling into an environment of change. The minute you think you have things figured out; Mother Nature throws a curve ball – like this year.”

And convention is a good place to discover you’re not the only producer facing challenges, says Oacoma rancher, David Reis. “We all get together during convention and realize we all face the same challenges this growing season,” says the cow/calf producer. “When times are challenging, convention is an encouragement because you see, together we do have a bigger voice and someone might be listening.”

Getting together with old friends is Franklin Olson’s incentive for attending convention. The 86-year-old Pierpont farmer has been attending convention since 1958. “I enjoy seeing good friends and keeping up with what is going on in the ag world.”

Spending our time with a purpose, was among many positive messages shared by speaker Mike Oster. Today a speaker, trainer, author and Brigadier General with the Army National Guard, Oster grew up on a South Dakota farm. “We can always make more money, but we cannot make more time. So, we want to spend it on purpose – budget our time, figure out where we spend our time and commit to it.”

His message resonated with Beresford farmer, Larry Birgen. “A year like this, with so many things out of our hands, shows you that the little things matter.”

Election results
Five South Dakota farmers were elected to serve S.D. Farmers Union (SDFU) members during State Convention. Conde farmer Doug Sombke was re-elected to serve as SDFU President and Lake Preston farmer Wayne Soren was re-elected to serve as SDFU Vice President. Wessington Springs farmer Scott Kolousek was newly elected to serve on the board of directors representing District 2, Oacoma rancher, David Reis was elected to serve on the board of directors representing District 4 and Parade rancher Oren Lesmeister was newly elected to serve on the board of directors representing District 6.

Delegates elected to represent South Dakota Farmers Union during the National Farmers Union Convention held March 2020 include Gerri Eide, Gettysburg; Jeff Kippley, Aberdeen; Terry Sestak, Tabor; Scott Kolousek, Wessington Springs; Brian Cain, Miller; Rachel Kippley, Aberdeen and Amber Kolousek, Wessington Springs.