South Dakota Family Farmers & Ranchers Meet to Set Policy During Farmers Union 109th State Convention

By Lura Roti

Supporting South Dakota's family farmers and ranchers is the reason many South Dakota producers gathered together in Huron to set policy and learn from agriculture experts during South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) 109^th State Convention held Dec. 11 and 12, 2024.

"Farmers Union is a place where I know I have a voice," explained Carleyn Petersen, an Eagle Butte rancher. "My husband and I are not able to be in D.C. or in Pierre, but we know Farmers Union is there, working to support policy to keep our family ranch going."

Policy like mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) and transparency in the cattle markets. "From the beginning Famers Union was a champion of MCOOL. This is the reason I became an active member," explained David Reis a Reliance rancher and SDFU board member for the Southwest District 4. "MCOOL is important because consumers need to know the difference between buying meat born, raised and harvested in the U.S. and foreign imports."

Re-establishing MCOOL is important to all food products, explained Cheryl Schaefers during State Policy discussion. Schaefers is a Polo farmer who also owns a catering business. "More than meat needs MCOOL. As a caterer, I have noticed a change in labeling, where distribution, not source, is listed on labels. Customers want to know where their food comes from, as not all countries have the same food safety standards."

SDFU is working with congressional leaders and the national organization to get MCOOL into the upcoming Farm Bill.

The current Farm Bill was established in 2018 and is outdated. The need to pass a Farm Bill was among the policy topics discussed during convention. "As we gather at convention this year, commodity markets are 25 percent down from last year. And unfortunately, leadership in D.C. has drug their feet on a Farm Bill," said Jeff Kippley, an Aberdeen farmer and Vice President of SDFU and National Farmers Union. "Looking ahead to 2025, there are more than 50 new House and Senate leaders to educate on the importance of passing a Farm Bill."

Kippley is among the National Farmers Union team who meets with D.C. policymakers, advocating for policy developed by family farmers and ranchers. "The reason we come together to discuss issues and establish policy, is out of problems, solutions are developed. We need to hear from family farmers and ranchers to understand needs and together, we will find solutions."

Policy voted on by South Dakota producers during this State Convention will be taken to the National Farmers Union (NFU) Convention March 2025 by elected delegates. The South Dakota producers elected to serve as delegates during NFU convention are: Tonner Bowman, Davison County; Jason Latham, Harding County; Sarah Perrion, Edmunds County; Rob Lee, Kingsbury County; John Kippley, Brown County; Gerri Eide, Potter County; Brenda Reis, Lyman County; Kaeloni Latham, Harding County; Mike Miller, Hutchinson County; Lance Perrion, Edmunds County; Rachel Kippley, Brown County; Terry Sestak, Clay/Lincoln Counties and Lorrie Hanson, Marshall County.

True to the grassroots nature of Farmers Union, all NFU delegates are farmers and ranchers.

"As a farmer, I enjoy discussing policy with farmers and ranchers because we represent all aspects of agriculture and come from all walks of life within agriculture," explained David Cap, a Yankton County farmer and member of the State Policy Committee.

Policy Committee members help guide members through the policy meeting.

2024 is the first year Sarah Perrion has served on the Policy Committee. An Ipswich farmer, Perrion has served as a delegate to the State and National Conventions. She said she enjoyed serving on the Policy Committee. "Serving on the Policy Committee was interesting. I enjoy hearing everyone else's thoughts on issues," Perrion said.

Among the issues discussed was a Special Order focused on the need for more access to childcare. It's an issue most young families face.

"One of the challenges we have in rural South Dakota is finding day care," explained Rob Lee, a Kingsbury County farmer and father of three young children. "It's no secret to most people who have young children. I work both, on and off the farm, my wife works off the farm, and having kids at home is a challenge to make sure we have daycare that is consistent, available and affordable."

Rural youth were actively involved in convention. Several youth who serve in leadership roles as Junior Advisory Council members and National Youth Advisory Council members gave speeches focused on experiences and education they have gained in the areas of leadership, communication, cooperatives and team work while participating in SDFU Youth Leadership Camp.

During convention, Madi Raymond of Ethan and Cadence Konechne of Kimball were recognized with the Torchbearer Award, the organization's highest youth award. In addition to the Torchbearer Award, several scholarship recipients were recognized during Convention. Learn about the more than $15,000 in scholarships awarded by visiting www.sdfu.org.

During the Torchbearer ceremony, SDFU President Doug Sombke gave a challenge to Raymond, Konechne and the other youth present.

"Not just words - action. Not just speeches but truth in action," Sombke said.

Sombke's challenge was heard.

"I enjoyed seeing how policy discussion worked," explained T.F. Riggs senior, Liz Beth Crosby. "I have heard so much about policy during Farmers Union Leadership Camp that it was amazing to actually see it happen."

Brooke LaMont, a Junior Advisory Council member from Meade County, took on a leadership role, and was elected by her county organization to serve as a delegate during State Convention. "It is really cool to know that in Farmers Union, even though I am a young rancher, I have a voice and I get to be heard and part of the conversation."

Through policy, all members have a voice, explained Oren Lesmeister, a Ziebach/Dewey County rancher and Northwest District 8 board member. "Policy is what drives our grassroots organization. It is the members' voice that guides our board discussions. It is the policy our members put in place that our staff advocates for in Pierre and D.C."

Sombke reiterated the challenge of actions over words to all members in his Keynote address.

Farmers Union members were recognized for their actions of service to youth and South Dakota's farm and ranch families: Minnie Lovinger Youth Education Award was awarded to Carol Oberbroekling, Charles Mix County. President's Award for Excellence was awarded to Dallis Basel, Meade County; Craig Schaunaman, Brown County and Ed Fischbach, Spink County. And H. Paul Dennert and Don Schaunaman (posthumously) were recognized as the 2024 Ag Ambassadors.

During convention attendees also heard from several agriculture experts including State Veterinarian, Beth Thompson; Vice President of Innovation for AgSpire, Jared Knock; Meteorologist, Eric Snodgrass; Market Analyst, Matt Roberts and National Farmers Union President, Rob Larew.

"Each time I am in South Dakota, my understanding of the reach of the grassroots nature of South Dakota Farmers Union policy deepens," said Larew, who traveled to Harding County this fall to meet with ranchers to discuss MCOOL and NFU efforts to hold meat packers accountable.

During Convention SDFU members also heard from a panel of experts as they discussed ideas for tax reform.

To learn more about these speakers, award recipients, SDFU policy and the work South Dakota Farmers Union does to support South Dakota family farmers and ranchers, visit www.sdfu.org.

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