january 2015 union farmer

UNION FARMERA PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

South DakotaVOLUME XCVII, NO. 10 HURON, SD JANUARY 2015

ScholarshipWinners

Page 6

Issues toConsider

Pages1 & 4

A s an initial preview, SDFU has selected two issues to highlightahead of the 2015 Legislative session. These issues will mostlikely be introduced as legislation during the upcoming

session. SDFU’s current policy is printed below each issue.Be sure to contact your Farmers Union county leadership and

board members to share your thoughts on these issues.Issue 1: Infrastructure Funding

Anyone who drives on a county or township road can tell you thatSouth Dakota roads and bridges are in serious need of attention. Inorder to fund improvements to the state’s infrastructure, a committeemade up of members from both the House and Senate suggested anumber of mechanisms in the form of a comprehensive revenue bill.These include: a 1% increase in the vehicle excise tax, a 10% increasein vehicle license plate fees, a 2 cent per year increase in the ethanoltax, a yearly increase in the motor fuel tax, a wholesale tax ongasoline, a new 7 cent tax on dyed diesel fuel, registering certainvehicles used for agricultural purposes as commercial vehicles, anincrease in potential wheel tax revenue and a tax on hybrid andelectric vehicles.

L ike all businessowners, farmers arealways crunching

numbers, so the fact thatJohn Kippley, 69, and hisson, Jeff, 35, both haveaccounting degrees workswell for the Aberdeenfarmers. “The two go hand-in-hand because you’realways trying to figure outwhat crop to plant based oncash flow,” John explains.

The oldest of eight boys,John grew up on adiversified farm in Iowa.Because his family’s farmcould not support more thanone family, his parentsencouraged him and hisyounger brothers to findcareers off the farm rightafter high school.

However, this didn’t detour John from dreaming of somedayowning a farm of his own. He attended a two-year business school inSioux Falls and graduated with a degree in tax preparation.

In 1975, only five years after H&R Block sent John and his wife,Geraldine, to open an office in Aberdeen, he purchased his first 40acres of land.

A few years later Jeff was born. “I never knew life without thefarm,” explains the second generation farmer, who followed a verysimilar career path to his father.

Today, Jeff and his wife, Rachel, own the H&R Block and farmwith John, who operates Kippley Tax Service. To learn more aboutthe Kippley’s operation, turn to page 8. � By Lura Roti, for SouthDakota Farmers Union; Photos by Kaylee Speck Photography,Faulkton

Issues Farmers Union MembersShould Consider for the 2015 Legislative Session

South Dakota Farmers UnionCelebrates Farm & Ranch FamiliesCelebrating a century of service to South Dakota’s farm and ranchfamilies, throughout 2015, South Dakota Farmers Union will highlighta South Dakota farm or ranch family each month. In January, SouthDakota Farmers Union features the Kippley family who farms nearAberdeen.

Continued on Page 4

SDFU CelebratesSD Farm andRanch Families

Pages 1 & 8

Jeff & Rachel Kippley with their children:Noah, 7; Titus, 6; Aaron, 2; and Moriah, 9months.

Mark Your Calendars for2015 Farmers Union

Legislative Day at the CapitolTuesday, February 3, 2015

Farmers Union members are invitedto travel to Pierre to participatein our annual Farmers UnionLegislative Day at the Capitol.

Time: 9:30 a.m. CSTLocation: Meet at the South Dakota

Education Association building(411 East Capitol, Pierre SD 57501.)R.S.V.P. Requested: Please contactLegislative Director, Matt Sibley, to let

him know that you’ll be attendingLegislative Day. Call him at

605-350-8410 or [email protected].

UNION FARMER

2 JANUARY 2015 UNION FARMER WWW.SDFU.ORG

Around the State with South Dakota Farmers Union

Thank you for awarding me the RuralDakota Pride Award at the South DakotaState Fair. It is an honor for me that will becherished for a long time! Thanks for allyou do for SD Farm Families. Keep up thegood work.

Thanks again,Alan J. Vedvei

Dear Doug Sombke,We would like to thank you and the

South Dakota Farmers Union forsponsoring the awards for the State FFAParliamentary Procedure CED in Pierre. Thiscontest has helped us grow in ourleadership and speaking skills. Knowinghow to properly conduct a meeting willbenefit us for when we become part ofdifferent organizations in society as webecome leaders in our communities. Wehave enjoyed all the memories madethrough FFA and Parliamentary Procedure.We hope our knowledge of agriculture willcontinue to expand through our learningexperiences in Ag classes and the FFA. Weappreciate your sponsorship of this contestand thank you for supporting the FFA.

Dear Doug Sombke and SDFU,Thank you to you and your organization

for sponsoring the award for South DakotaFFA’s Parliamentary Procedure CED. Manystudents benefit greatly from thiscompletion. Your continued support isgreatly appreciated.

Dear Doug Sombke,Thank you for sponsoring the

Parliamentary Procedure CED. Yoursupport and dedication for South DakotaFFA is greatly appreciated. We truly admireyou for the time and effort you have put into help make this event a success. It ispeople like you who make FFA such arewarding experience!

Sincerely,Viborg-Hurley FFA, Willow Lake FFA Sr.Parliamentary Procedure Team, ClarkFFA, Winner FFA, Flandreau FFA,Lennox FFA, Milbank FFA, Newell FFASr. Parliamentary Team, Harrisburg FFASr. Parli Pro Team, DeSmet Sr. Parli ProTeam, McCook Central Parli Pro Team,Highmore FFA

DepartingsSouth Dakota Farmers Union would

like to extend our deepest condolencesto the families and friends of thosewho have recently lost a loved one

FRANCIS HULMAge 78, of Lemmon, SD passed away

Thursday, December 25, 2014Father of Carrie Derschan, Farmers

Union Insurance agent.

EDWARD EVENSONAge 76, of Sisseton, SD passed away

Monday December 22, 2014Father-in-law of Pam Evenson,

SDFU Administrative Asst.

News, Events and more online now! www.SDFU.org

CLIP AND SAVE CALENDARJan. 17 District VI Meeting, Buffalo

17-21 2015 NFU Women’s Conference,Florida

19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day, State OfficeClosed

24 District III Meeting, Quality Inn @Watertown

30-31 Young Producers, Deadwood30-Feb. 7 Black Hills Stock Show®, Rapid City

Feb. 2-3 REAL (Session 2) Pierre3 SDFU Legislative Day, Pierre3-5 Two-Year Legislative Award Trip, Pierre6 Sale Barn Coffee, Magness Livestock,

Huron10-14 Watertown Stock Show16 President’s Day, State Office Closed19-22 College Conference on Cooperatives,

Minneapolis, MN20-21 Women in Blue Jeans, Mitchell24 Sale Barn Coffee, Huron Continental

Marketing (Bales), Huron

Sausage Potato SoupINGREDIENTS:1# Polish sausage, diced6 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed2 cups frozen corn1 ½ cups chicken broth1 stalk celery, diced¼ cup carrots, sliced½ tsp garlic powder½ tsp salt¼ tsp pepper1 ½ cups milk2/3 to 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded1 tsp parsley

DIRECTIONS:Brown sausage, drain andset aside. Combinepotatoes, corn, broth,celery, carrots andseasonings. Bring to aboil, reduce heat andsimmer for 15 minutes oruntil tender. Add milk,cheese, parsley andsausage. Cook until thecheese melts. Makes 6 serviings.

COOK’SCORNER

Submitted by: Vicki Soren, Kingsbury County

Thank You South Dakota Farmers Union

��

For the Cowboy In All of Us

Farmers Union Members get

20% OFF*their entire purchase!

Present this coupon with your purchase*Excludes all boots, men’s jeans and tack

DDDouble D

Western Wear & Tack800 21st St., Huron, SD

605.352.5792www.ddwesternhuron.com

To celebrate Farmers Union’s Centennial, we will be releasing a cookbook andwe’re calling on Farmers Union members to contribute.

Please send your favorite recipes to [email protected] or submit themthrough our website, www.sdfu.org. Each month we’ll select one recipe tofeature in the Union Farmer’s Cook’s Corner.

UNION FARMER

WWW.SDFU.ORG UNION FARMER JANUARY 2015 3

P olitics were a welcome topic around Lloyd and Dee Battest’skitchen table. “Dad taught us that you have to advocate forwhat you believe in. The farmer’s plight is one of the things

we always stood up for,” explains Gail Temple, who farms near Clarkwith her husband, Brad.

Today, the 1983 Torchbearer follows her dad’s philosophy andserves as the chair of Farmers Union County Councilors. “It’s excitingto be involved in an organization that listens to you; their causes comefrom you – from us – the farmers and ranchers.”

County Councilors is the group which reviews and updates stateFarmers Union policyeach year. Duringstate convention, thegroup ensures themembership is awareof current issues andleads the policydiscussion wheremembers weigh inand vote on policychanges.

“I enjoy seeinghow issues change,and it is exciting tosee membersbecome involved in policy development,” Temple says. “I rememberattending Farmers Union conventions as a kid where the policydiscussions would go on for hours, sometimes days, because everyonewas so involved. I thought the involvement during the 2014convention was exciting.”

Not one to sit on the sidelines, Temple has been hands-on, activelyparticipating in her family’s farm since childhood. “I was the boy of thefamily. I was always outside helping dad with all the chores andfieldwork. I even hunted with him – basically, everything a son woulddo with their father, I did,” she says. “My mom says she was the sameway because her older brother was away fighting in World War II.”

After high school, Temple moved to Aberdeen to take businessmanagement classes at Northern State University. Living in townconfirmed her desire to return to farm life. “I hated living in town. Itwas too noisy. I couldn’t hear the birds sing.”

In 1991 she married Brad Temple and became his farming partner.They started with a section of land Brad purchased right out of high

school and the home quarter he purchased from his parents. They alsolease some ground from Brad’s dad. “We each have our own thingsthat we like to do.He will mow and Ilike to rake. I like tocombine and he likesto truck. Wecomplement whatthe other likes to do– we work welltogether. That’s notto say we don’t haveour disagreements.”

Along withsharing a similarwork ethic, thecouple shares a similar take on finances. “I knew my parents wentthrough tough times when I was growing up; there was never a lot ofmoney. Brad grew up in a household where you didn’t buy it unlessyou could pay cash for it.”

Although it wasn’t always easy and there were lean times, bykeeping a close eye on their bottom line and expanding slowly, thecouple has paid off their farm. “We didn’t buy new machinery or goon big vacations; we just stuck to work and kept the bills paid. Today,our farm is the same size … but it’s paid for! This philosophy hasserved us well, especially in a year like this when prices are down. Wefeel it, but it doesn’t hurt us as much because the payments are beingmet.”

Together they raise corn, soybeans, wheat and have a commercialcow/calf operation. “I just enjoy planting the crops and watching themgrow and harvesting them at the end of the year. Sure, there are trialsand struggles every year, but I enjoy getting to watch the cycle of life,”Temple says. “Same goes for the cattle. I love watching those calvesin the spring and see how much they have grown by sale time in thefall.”

The Temples have two children: Jordyn, 16, and Jessica, 11. Bothkids are involved in the Farmers Union Youth Programming andJordyn is on track to receive his Torchbearer award in 2015.

“When it comes to Farmers Union, the members are like anextension of my family. I’ve known these people and their kids for somany years that I would feel like I was missing out on a family reunionif I wasn’t involved,” Temple says. � By Lura Roti, for SDFU

Farmer Gail Temple Believes in Farm Advocacy

Gail stands with the Allis-Chalmers tractor she firstlearned to drive. She used it this summer for baling.

Gail with her husband Brad and children, Jordyn, 16,and Jessica, 11.

“I enjoy seeing how issues change, and itis exciting to see members becomeinvolved in policy development.”

Gail Temple, Chair of County Councilors

UNION FARMER


Recently, SDFU members took the following position on infrastructurefunding.Special Order of Business: Infrastructure Funding

WHEREAS, South Dakota Farmers Union supports theimprovement and maintenance of South Dakota infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, SDFU believes that anyone who resides in, or visits thegreat state of South Dakota, benefits from the improvements andregular maintenance of infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, SDFU supports all of the benefits of the use of ethanolas an alternative to gasoline; and

WHEREAS, SDFU believes that funding mechanisms must be fairand proper; and

WHEREAS, SDFU believes any revenue collected must bespecifically designated for infrastructure purposes

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, SDFU supports the following forms ofinfrastructure funding

-An increase in the vehicle excise tax-An increase in the motor fuel tax-A fair and proper increase in vehicle license fees; and-A road access fee to be placed on hunting and fishing licenses.

Issue 2: RedistrictingThe partisanship in politics is a major contributor to the

disenchanted feeling many voters have today. This is evident as SouthDakota experienced a mere 54% voter turnout, with two countiesbelow 40% turnout. One issue that may be proposed in the upcomingsession is that of legislative redistricting. Currently, as per Article III,Section 5 of the South Dakota Constitution, it is the responsibility ofthe legislature to reapportion its members every 10 years. This canpotentially be used as a political tool used to redraw districts forpolitical gain, a practice known as gerrymandering.

SDFU members also took a position on this issue at the 99th annualconvention. Special Order of Business: South Dakota Legislative Redistrictingand Single-Member House Districts

WHEREAS, the South Dakota Legislature reapportions itsmembership by dividing the state into as many single-member,legislative districts as there are state senators; and

WHEREAS, House districts shall be established wholly withinsenatorial districts and shall be either single-member or dual-member

2015 Legislative Session Continued from Page 1

Women in Blue Jeans 2015 ConferenceFriday, February 20th &

Saturday, February 21st, 2015

Highland Conference CenterMitchell, South Dakota

From Denim to DiamondsAnd Everything in Between – All Women Shine

Registration is $45. S.D. Farmers Union will cover the fee forany members who wish to attend. To register, contact SDFU

Executive Director, Karla Hofhenke at 605-352-6761 ext. 114Registration deadline is Feb. 1, 2015

To learn more about WIBJ visit www.womeninbluejeans.org

5% - 20% OFFMERCHANDISE!

10% OFF GIFT CARDS!

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districts as the Legislature shall determine; and WHEREAS, reapportionment was last completed in 2010 and is

currently done every ten years; and WHEREAS, party politics largely dictate the way in which the

legislative district lines are drawn and state legislative districts arecurrently being determined by current legislators, allowing forlegislators to protect their own interests; and

WHEREAS, because House districts are dual-member districts,South Dakota’s rural voice in the state Legislature continues todiminish as the population centers further shift to the urban areas.Fewer farmers and ranchers have been elected to the Legislature inrecent years and fewer legislators with direct or indirect agricultureties have been elected, further diluting rural representation in ourstate;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, South Dakota Farmers Unionsupports amending Article III, Section 5 of the Constitution of theState of South Dakota to establish a bipartisan redistrictingcommission, composed of seven state citizens, one appointed by theHouse majority leader, one appointed by the House minority leader,one appointed by the Senate majority leader and one appointed bythe Senate minority leader. The first four appointees shall jointlyselect three other state citizens. No member of this commission maybe a current state legislator; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, South Dakota Farmers Union supportsdividing the state into as many single-member, legislative districts asthere are to be state senators. House districts shall be establishedwholly within senatorial districts and shall be single-member districts;and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, South Dakota Farmers Union supportskeeping counties and cities whole in a district whenever possible.More to come: Keep in mind this is simply a preview of the issues

we will be addressing in Pierre in the upcoming session. As otherissues arise and bills are presented, we will keep you informedthrough multiple channels including Facebook, Twitter, the GO SDFUapp and the Rural Lobbyist e-newsletter. Make sure to email Sibley [email protected] if you would like to receive updates through theRural Lobbyist. � by Matt Sibley, SDFU Legislative Specialist

UNION FARMER


Q: Tell us about your farming operation:A: I farm with my three sons: Brett, Bryan and

Bryce. My sons are fifth-generation Brown Countyfarmers.

We raise 3,000 acres of corn and soybeans.Along with farming, my sons operate three sidebusinesses to supplement our farm income. Brettmanages a soil sampling business, No Limits SoilServices, LLC; Bryan manages a hunting lodge,Coteau View Lodge, LLC ; and Bryce manages a hunting dog breedingand training business, Coteau View Hunts & Kennels.

Today our farming operation looks much different than it didwhen I started out in the early 1980s. I decided to farm full-time a fewweeks into my freshman year of college. Every dollar I spent on booksand tuition, I realized I could use to purchase livestock or land andthat realization didn’t sit well with me since farming was all I everwanted to do.

So, I came home. I worked for my dad as free labor in exchangefor using his equipment. I had 38 acres of land and a flock of 150-head registered Suffolk sheep that I started as a 4-H member.

It was a tough start. I tell people that when Mel and I got married,we were so broke we didn’t even have an oven. We cooked on ahotplate. She worked as a lab tech and her salary paid for groceriesand what the farm brought in paid for land.

Over time, I was able to lease and buy more land from retiringneighbors. I also expanded the livestock operation to include a 1,000-head feedlot operation. Interestingly enough, this is what led me toFarmers Union. A while back, we made the decision to manage ourmarginal acres for hunting purposes, and we now lease our cow/calfherd to a beginning farmer.Q: All three of your sons farm with you. How do you make it

work?A: It was always a goal of mine that if my sons wanted to farm

full-time, they would have the opportunity. So I’ve helped my sonsstart the side businesses that supplement the farm income.

These side businesses mean our farm can support four families.

They also mean that our sons are doing what they truly enjoy and arepassionate about – instead of them feeling like they have to run thefarm exactly how I did.

Isn’t that what living the American dream is all about? Being inthe business you love.Q: Tell us how you were introduced to Farmers Union:A: Like I alluded to earlier, at one time I operated a cattle feedlot.

When the packers began to consolidate and manipulate the market,it didn’t take long to recognize the negative impact that had on myoperation. This was about the same time that Sen. Johnson firstintroduced COOL.

I learned that Farmers Union was taking a stand for family farmerslike me, so I started getting involved.Q: What about Farmers Union hooked you? A: With Farmers Union, it’s not about politics, it’s about policy.I was captivated by the fact that Farmers Union provides family

farmers with a voice. As an individual member, I have always beenable to take a position, and with Farmers Union’s backing, it carriesweight.

This point struck home when I attended my first Fly-In and I sawfirsthand the clout this organization carried in D.C.Q: What do you enjoy most about your role as President of

Farmers Union?A: Really, it comes down to being able to help people. I also enjoy

being a voice for South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers andhelping rural communities succeed. �

Getting to Know Board President: Doug Sombke 4th Generation Farmer

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REQUIREMENTSMust be at least 19 years old

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Position runs mid-May throughlate August

Farmers Union is willing to work with Colleges & Universities for internship credit

*Company Vehicle Provided*Road Expenses Covered

For more information contact:Bonnie Geyer, Education DirectorPO Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350888.734.8136 ext. 125 [email protected]

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888.734.8136 ext. 125 [email protected] ext. 125 [email protected] ext. 125 [email protected] Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350PO Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350PO Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350Bonnie Geyer, Education DirectorBonnie Geyer, Education DirectorFor more information contact:For more information contact:

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Bonnie Geyer, Education Director

888.734.8136 ext. 125 [email protected] ext. 125 [email protected] Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350Bonnie Geyer, Education Director

888.734.8136 ext. 125 [email protected]

888.734.8136 ext. 125 [email protected] ext. 125 [email protected] ext. 125 [email protected] Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350PO Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350Bonnie Geyer, Education DirectorBonnie Geyer, Education Director

UNION FARMER


SDFU Strengthens Rural Communities through Scholarships

T he South Dakota Farmers UnionFoundation announces the 2015Foundation Scholarship recipients.

The students include: Alexandra Farber,Britton; Jonathan Linke, Woonsocket; andTyana Gottsleben, Philip. These students willbe attending post-secondary education inSouth Dakota in fall 2015.

Since 1961, the S.D. Farmers UnionFoundation has invested in the lives of ruralyouth because the organization believeseducation is crucial to the future of SouthDakota’s rural communities and the state’sfamily farms and ranches.

“Part of our mission is to help our youngpeople as they pursue education and to aidthem in their future careers,” said BonnieGeyer, S.D. Farmers Union EducationDirector. “We hope that by attending SouthDakota schools, more students will return totheir rural communities to help make thesecommunities stronger.”

As the Education Director for more than17 years, Geyer works with Farmers UnionYouth Programming which reaches morethan 3,000 rural youth (kindergartenthrough high school) each year through asummer camp program and in-schoolleadership programming.

The three scholarships awarded include:the Memorial Scholarship, presented onbehalf of the families of the late Emil Loriks,Les Saboe and other Farmers Unionmembers; the Cooperative Scholarship,which is awarded on behalf of the late Benand Dorothy Radcliffe and the families of

the late Clifford Ott, Richard Pastian andAdam Seidel; and the LeadershipScholarship, which is presented on behalf ofthe family of the late Frank Butler.

Applications, which include severalessays, as well as letters of recommendationand transcripts, were submitted betweenSept. 2014 and Dec. 1, 2014. A committeemade of Geyer, S.D. Farmers UnionPresident, Doug Sombke, and two members(rotating), review the applications and selectscholarship recipients on the basis oforganizational and community involvement,academic achievement, leadership activitiesand financial need.

Each year when she reviews thescholarship applications, Geyer says she isoptimistic for the future. “These youngpeople are the cream of the crop. They areinvolved in their communities, have goalsand are looking at how they can benefittheir state through their future careers,” shesaid.

Doug Sombke echoes Geyer’s statement.As President of S.D. Farmers Union, heexplained that although academic standingis important, community outreach andinvolvement plays a large role in whichstudents are selected for the scholarships.

“Students who receive these scholarshipsare leaders in their communities. They areinvolved in organizations like Farmers Union,FFA or 4-H,” Sombke said. “Thesescholarships are one of the many ways ourorganization works to empower the nextgeneration of South Dakotans.”

MEET THE RECIPIENTS

Alexandra Farber of Britton has beenawarded a $500 Farmers Union MemorialScholarship on behalf ofthe families of EmilLoriks, Les Saboe andother Farmers Unionmembers who havedonated to thememorial scholarshipfund. Farber is thedaughter of Tom andLori Farber and is a senior at Britton HighSchool. She plans to attend South DakotaState University Honors College to major inmarketing and theatre, with a minor inEnglish. In 2014, Farber received the S. D.Farmers Union Torchbearer award. Inaddition to Farmers Union YouthProgramming, Farber is involved in oralinterpretation, drama, choir and volleyball,and serves on the Britton Public LibraryYouth Advisory Board, as well as many othercommunity and scholastic activities.Jonathan Linke of

Woonsocket has beenawarded a $500 FarmersUnion CooperativeScholarship on behalf ofBen and DorothyRadcliffe and the familiesof Cliff Ott, Dick Pastianand Adam Seidel. Linke

Continued on Page 7

UNION FARMER


Trade with Cuba Good News for South Dakota Purebred Livestock Producers

South Dakota Farmers Union President,Doug Sombke, says trade with Cubaprovides new opportunities to South

Dakota’s purebred livestock producers. “Cuban livestock producers will be

eager to access the quality genetics SouthDakota cattle, sheep and hog seedstockproducers have to sell,” explained Sombke,a fourth-generation Conde farmer.

Sombke stands with National FarmersUnion (NFU) President, Roger Johnson, inapplauding the Obama administration onthe important steps announced Dec. 17,2014, to normalize relations between theUnited States and Cuba.

“NFU has worked hard over the last fiveyears to push for a normalization of relationswith Cuba,” said Johnson. “Acknowledgingthat Cuba is one of our closest neighbors

and a potentially valuable trading partner,and allowing the relationships between thetwo nations and its citizens to renew andblossom, is good for both nations.”

The administration’s announcementnoted that decades of isolation have failedto accomplish the U.S. goals of promoting ademocratic and prosperous Cuba. Under the

agreement, the U.S. Commerce Departmentwill ease the financial regulations on U.S.agricultural sales to Cuba as part of anormalization of U.S.-Cuban relations.

“The embargo against Cuba had beengoing on longer than 40 years with little toshow for it,” Sombke said. “It’s time tomake changes that will not only help thepeople of Cuba, but will also open newmarkets for family farmers here in SouthDakota and across the United States, whoare always interested in new tradeopportunities.”

Over the last five years, NFU has sent atleast 20 letters addressing normalized traveland trade with Cuba. “The Cuban embargohas made no sense for a long time,” saidJohnson. �

“It’s time to make changes that will notonly help the people of Cuba, but will alsoopen new markets for family farmers herein South Dakota and across the UnitedStates, who are always interested in new

trade opportunities.”

Doug Sombke

In the market for a vehicle?Farmers Union members get

$250 OFFTHE PURCHASE OF A NEW VEHICLE

$100 OFFTHE PURCHASE OF A USED VEHICLE

Prostrollo’s in HuronSchoenhard’s Ford, Huron

Call 605-352-6761 ext. 116 for more details

is the son of Henry and Paula Linke and is asenior at Woonsocket High School. Aftergraduation, Jonathan plans to attend SouthDakota State University and is considering amajor in Ag Journalism. In 2014, Linkereceived the S. D. Farmers Union Torchbeareraward. In addition to Farmers Union YouthProgramming, Linke is involved in band, FFA,4-H, All State Chorus, VFW Baseball and St.Wilfred’s Youth Group, as well as many othercommunity and scholastic activities.Tyana Gottsleben of

Philip has been awarded a$500 Farmers UnionLeadership Scholarship onbehalf of the family ofFrank Butler. She is thedaughter of Bill and JayneGottsleben and is a seniorat Philip High School.Tyana plans to pursue adegree in education. In 2014, Gottslebenreceived the S. D. Farmers Union Torchbeareraward and was selected to serve on the 2015Farmers Union Senior Advisory Council. Inaddition to Farmers Union YouthProgramming, Gottsleben is involved in FamilyCareer & Community Leaders of America(FCCLA), track, band, choir, class treasurer andSacred Heart Catholic Youth Group, as well asmany other community and scholasticactivities. �

Scholarships Continued from Page 6

Send Us YourEmail [email protected]

COLLEGE BOUND

UNION FARMER


W ith his eighth-grade graduationjust a few weeks away, JohnKippley told his dad that he was

not going on to high school. Like many of hisfriends, he was resigned to stay home andfarm full-time.

“My dad said, ‘That’s great! Now I don’thave to clean out the chicken house and hogbarns anymore.’ That gave me pause. Ithought about how much better it would beto sit in class than to clean out the barns. Youknow in those days it was all done by hand,”explains John, now 69, of the decision thatled him to the high school bookkeeping classwhere he decided to pursue a post secondarydegree in tax preparation and eventually adegree in accounting. “Following an incometax form assignment, our high school teacherasked us to raise our hands if we planned ondoing our own taxes in the future. Only myhand and one other went up. I thought,‘hmm, there would be demand foraccounting if I decided to make that myoccupation.’”

He and his wife, Geraldine, worked for

H&R Block as tax preparers. In 1970, thecompany transferred the couple toAberdeen. Five years later, John beganpursuing his farming aspirations andpurchased 40 acres of land. He knew itwouldn’t be easy to start up on his own, butbecause he was only tied to his desk less thanfour months a year, John figured he couldfarm the rest of the year.

At first acquiring farmland was difficult.John didn’t qualify for an FHA loan becausehe owned a business in town. When hetransferred the business into Geraldine’sname, he still didn’t qualify because then, itdidn’t cash flow.

John credits a semi-retired farmer andneighbor, Sam Feidler for giving him his startin farming. “I wouldn’t be farming today if itwouldn’t have been for Sam Feidler. He hadenough faith in me that he sold me land ona contract for deed.” I also had anotherneighbor sell land on contract to me.

The family farm grew steadily. When hisson, Jeff, returned home from college, hefarmed with John and worked at H&R Blockwith his mom. When Rachel and Jeff gotmarried, she became actively involved in day-to-day farm work while working as theNorthern State University Foundation AlumniDirector.

Today, the men farm 2,000 acres raisingcorn and soybeans. They also operate acow/calf herd on another 2,000 acres ofpastureland.

“I feel farming is the most honest way to

make a living,” Jeff says. “If you go out anddo your work, you have a chance to make aliving.”

Like his dad, Jeff has a degree inaccounting. And like his parents, he and hiswife, Rachel, work off the farm. The coupletook over the H&R Block business whenGeraldine passed away in 2012 from lungdisease.

The couple met in college when they bothserved on their respective studentassociations; Jeff as a senator at Black HillsState University and Rachel as president atNorthern State University. They reconnecteda few years later. Today they have fourchildren: Noah, 7; Titus, 6; Aaron, 2; andMoriah, 9 months.

“I don’t know a better way to grow upthan on the farm. You have a work ethicinstilled in you. You learn that things are outof your control – even when you do thingsright,” Jeff says. “I also believe that if youcan’t have faith growing up as a farmer, youwon’t have faith.”

Juggling two full-time businesses can be achallenge at times, but Jeff credits their H&RBlock employee team and the fact thatneither he nor Rachel know of any other way.“I don’t know any other way of life than tobe busy,” Jeff says.

Rachel adds, “It’s about keeping yourhead above water. Like everyone, there aredays we do better than others. But we try tokeep our focus on what matters and makesure we make it to church every Sunday. Itmay sound cheesy, but if you put faith and

family first, everything else falls into place.”When they are working on the farm, the

kids tag along with their parents andGrandpa John. This last harvest John recalls aday when he had his two-year-old grandsonin the combine with him. “I was driving thecombine my son usually drives and Titus said,‘Daddy pushes this button now.’ We drove alittle further, and he piped up again, ‘Daddypushes this button now.’ I feel that if theyride along with you, they learn and farming

Bottom Line: Farming is a Good Way of Life

Continued on Page 9

Jeff Kippley and John Kippley

Three generations of Kippleys on their Aberdeen farm.

“I feel farming is the most honestway to make a living. If you go out

and do your work, you have achance to make a living.”

Jeff Kippley

UNION FARMER


either gets in their blood or it doesn’t,” Johnsays.

Along with Jeff, John has threedaughters: Michelle Olson, who works withhim at Kippley Tax Service; Jan (Mike) Kluisand Paula (Jason) Boike, who farm with theirhusbands in Minnesota.

Ag advocacyJeff and Rachel carve out time to give

back to South Dakota’s agriculture industry.Currently Rachel serves as a Brown CountyCommissioner. “I work to be a voice for thefarmers in this county to ensure that thefarm-to-market roads are what they need tobe,” Rachel says.

The couple is also actively involved inFarmers Union. “As farmers, we arebecoming more the minority voice as farmsget bigger and the people who operate themare fewer – so our voice needs to get louder.Farmers Union helps get our voice heard inlocal, state and national government,” Jeffsays.

In 2013 the couple flew to WashingtonD.C. to participate in the organization’snational Fly-In, where producers, like theKippleys, visit with Congressionalrepresentatives about topics that impactfamily farmers in South Dakota and across theU.S. “The experience really piqued myinterest in the organization and showed us agood way to give back to the agricultureindustry was to become more involved,”Rachel says.Celebrating a century of service to South

Dakota’s farm and ranch families, throughout2015, South Dakota Farmers Union willhighlight a South Dakota farm or ranchfamily each month. In January, South DakotaFarmers Union features the Kippley familywho farms near Aberdeen. To view a photogallery, visit www.sdfu.org. � By Lura Roti,for SDFU

Strengthen Your Democracy by Participating in the 2015 Legislative Session

Continued from Page 8

“Democracy cannot succeed unless thosewho express their choice choose wisely.”

– Franklin D. Roosevelt

This quote from the 32nd President of the United Statesreinforces the importance of being involved with the issuesand policy which impact you.

South Dakota Farmers Union strives to defend and promotethe interests of South Dakota farmers and ranchers. Yet, oursuccess hinges on your involvement. The louderthe voice - the stronger we are as anorganization.

“Democracy is powered by the people, not the politics or politicians forthat matter,” says Doug Sombke, SDFU President. “Farmers Union is heldin high regard as a lobbying organization in Pierre, and that is because ourmembers are both passionate and vocal about the issues affecting them.”

Throughout the 2015 Legislative Session, SDFU will take policy, draftedat its 99th Annual State Convention, to Pierre to advocate for its members.

Our members give us the tools we need to succeed when they adoptpolicy and resolutions each year at convention. As a grassrootsorganization, we depend on the passions, knowledge and experiences ofour members to guide us in the tumultuous atmosphere of South Dakota politics.

As your Legislative Specialist, I will be your resource throughout the 2015 session. Feelfree to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns.

You have a voiceWhen it comes to making change in Pierre, Sombke says, YOU are one

of the strongest advocacy tools.“It’s one thing to have our legislative specialist, myself or our board

members show up in Pierre to discuss policy, but what really getslegislators’ attention is when members show up to provide testimony orfill a committee room,” Sombke says.

Showing up doesn’t have to mean a trip to Pierre. Sombke says thatletters and e-mails to legislators make an impact too.

To learn more about how Farmers Union works for you this LegislativeSession, Sombke encourages you to attend the SDFU Legislative Day inPierre on Feb 3rd.

Members can also visit with their County President or give Sibley a call, 605-350-8410.You can find contact information for your County President by contacting the state office, 605-352-6761. � by Matt Sibley, SDFU Legislative Specialist

Agenda: 9:30 a.m. Legislative Update presented by Matt Sibley,

Legislative Specialist

10 a.m. Attend Committee Meetings in the Capitol

Noon Luncheon at the SDEA building. Lunch is free

and all are invited to attend

1 p.m. Caucus Meetings in the Senate or House

2 p.m. Attend General Session of the House & Senate

Matt Sibley, SDFU LegislativeSpecialist

Doug Sombke,SDFU President

Share YourThoughts

Matt Sibley, Farmers UnionLegislative Specialist, worksfor YOU. Call or e-mail himanytime with questions,thoughts or concerns.

Cell: 605-350-8410E-mail: [email protected]

UNION FARMER


Through South DakotaFarmers Union Jr. REAL(Junior Rural Economic and

Leadership) program, high schooljuniors and seniors in rural schoolsacross the state have been learningabout community service,leadership and personal financefor the past nine years.

The program gets kids to startthinking about the choices theyare making with money.

Karla Hofhenke, S.D. FarmersUnion Executive Director, says theytry to bring Jr. REAL to 10 locationseach fall and winter to deliver theirdaylong program. Britton-Heclawas one of those locations this fall.

“We gained great real life andpractical things that kids couldapply to their own lives and thefuture. All four of the presentations werevery pertinent to juniors and seniors andthings that are happening in their lives rightnow, plus the things that are happening inthe next couple of years as they transition tocollege,” says Carrie James, principal atBritton-Hecla High School.

James appreciates the effort thatFarmers Union puts into bringing such agreat program to rural schools. Theorganization comes well prepared, leavinglittle additional work for the school district.

“As a rural school, sometimes we don’thave all the different opportunities thatmaybe a more urban school might have,”James says. “I knew it would be a qualityexperience. I know that Farmers Union is avery big supporter of our schools.”

For the second year, SDFU sponsored apublic service announcement (PSA) contestafter the Jr. REAL program.

Hofhenke says the PSA contest gives thestudents a chance to show what theylearned from the program in a fun way. Shesays the PSAs appeal to students becausethey can use modern technology to createsomething fun and educational.

Pat Renner, elementary physicaleducation teacher and high schoolmultimedia teacher at Britton-Hecla, hadthree teams complete a PSA. However, onlyone can be submitted to the contest. Theirteam made up of junior, Toni Symens, and

sophomores, Ben Boyko, Tyler Bush andLaken Olson, won the contest.

For their video, they put together a re-enactment where two students graduatefrom high school and go out and get creditcards. One makes good choices and theother makes poor choices and ends up livingon the street.

The team hopes viewers will learn howto make better decisions financially.

“I hope they’ll see the gravity of thesituation if you make bad choices,” Boykosays.

Renner says the PSA contest was a goodavenue for his students to research moreabout credit cards and credit scores.

“I think it’s always good for the kids tolearn about their finances at an early agebecause sometimes they don’t get that athome,” Renner says.

Symens says the Jr. REAL program waseducational and helped them learn aboutcredit scores. She says it will help prepareher for decisions she will need to makeheading into college.

Hofhenke feels the PSAs do a great jobin helping students to understand financialsituations. She hopes the Jr. REAL programwill help South Dakota’s young people makewiser decisions as they become adults.

“The choices today equal youropportunities tomorrow,” Hofhenke says. �by Wendy Sweeter for SDFU

Junior REAL: South Dakota FarmersUnion Continues to Cultivate Leadersin South Dakota’s Youth

Laken Olson, Ben Boyko, Tyler Bush and Toni Symens ofBritton-Hecla High School won the South Dakota FarmersUnion PSA contest.

USDA announced in November it wasseeking input from the public toguide its development of a new

industry-funded promotion, research andinformation order, or “checkoff program,”for beef. This came after over three and ahalf years of talks between major beefindustry stakeholders could not come to aconsensus on appropriate reform for thebroken and inflexible current program.

In early December, NFU kicked off amedia push to set the record straight onissues with the current beef checkoff andappropriate reforms. NFU President RogerJohnson made the case for a new directionfor the beef checkoff, outlining principles toguide the creation of a new beef checkoffprogram provided the old one was repealedby Congress. The principles were as follows:

The modernized beef checkoff should bea single program, modeled after the 1996Act, which would ensure the program is amore effective tool for increasing beefdemand both domestically andinternationally.

The new beef checkoff would have aclear separation of the policy organizationfrom the non-political, promotional checkoffentity patterned after other checkoffs. Thiswould ensure that checkoff funds are notworking against the economic interests ofits members.

The modernized checkoff programshould exclude processors and importersfrom positions of leadership, ensuring thatbeef producers are always at the helm witha clear vision of the industry’s North Star.

The new checkoff should be able toreview referendums every five years by U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) that offerthe option of a program recall by a simplemajority vote.

The new checkoff should be precludedfrom allocating a single dime to anyorganization engaged in lobbying. Theimportant research, promotion andmarketing functions of the checkoff must bedivorced from politics.

Language in the 2015 AppropriationsAct directs the secretary of agriculture torefrain from implementing a reformed beefcheckoff program despite the USDA’s noticeof inquiry for public comment on theprogram. � Provided by NFU & Current as ofDecember 16, 2014

NFU Outlines aNew Direction for the Beef Checkoff


P lans are underway for the 113thAnniversary National Farmers UnionConvention to be held March 14-17,

2015, in Wichita, Kansas. The convention isthe cornerstone event for the Farmers Unionfamily.

South Dakota Farmers Union will berepresented at National Convention by thefollowing delegates: Garret Bischoff, Huron;Lorrie Hanson, Britton; Steve Harwood,Union Center; and Taylor Sumption,Frederick.

During the convention, attendees areafforded the opportunity to hear from awide variety of speakers, tour the local area,attend educational sessions and have theirvoices heard on official NFU policy, as wellas spend time with their fellow FarmersUnion members.

The convention convenes Saturday,March 14, with the opening banquet – ahighlight of the agenda. President RogerJohnson will give his annual State of theFarmers Union address; reviewing the year’saccomplishments, obstacles and focus forthe coming year.

On Sunday evening attendees canpurchase a ticket to support the NFUFoundation and NFU’s education programsand attend the Education Gala.

More information and registration isavailable on NFU’s website atwww.NFU.org/convention. You can alsocontact Karla Hofhenke, Executive Directorfor S.D. Farmers Union for moreinformation, 605-352-6761 ext: 114. �

National Farmers Union Convention Set for March 14-17, 2015

Garret Bischoff,Huron

Lorrie Hanson,Britton

Steve Harwood,Union Center

Taylor Sumption,Frederick

YoungProducersGroup

January 30-31 held at

Space is LimitedContact Karla Hofhenke at

605-352-6761 ext. 114 or [email protected]

UNION FARMER

UNION FARMER


Matt Sibley, Farmers Union Legislative Specialist, recentlyasked some of our state’s leaders to share with ourmembers the issues we can expect to play a major role in

the 2015 session. Below, you will read their responses.

Julie Bartling, Assistant Democratic LeaderWith the presentation of the Governor’s

budget address, the stage has been set for the2015 legislative session. The Governor highlightedareas of the revenue forecast that will fall short inexpectations and how expenditures will bereduced to offset those losses without hinderingvital services to the public.

The FY16 budget will provide a 2% increase tostate aid for education, which will finally get theK-12 system back to where they were funded at

the 2010 level. This budget does not address the shortage ofteachers and the needs that school districts have in providingcompetitive salaries to attract and retain teachers in this state. Isuspect legislation will be forthcoming to address this critical issuebut uncertain as to the funding dynamics of such.

An item the Governor touched on at the end of his address wasthe need for funding for county and township roads and bridges indesperate need of repair. An omnibus funding bill will beintroduced by the summer study committee, which will have severalfunding proposals. I envision that this bill will see several revisionsas attempts will need to be made to ensure that all sectors of the‘payers’ are treated fairly and equally.

Bills will also come from the various other summer studycommittees addressing agriculture land assessment, juvenile justicereform and autism spectrum disorder, along with others. Each ofthese summer study groups spent significant time to address theirdefined tasks – it is hopeful that equity, fairness and the public’sinterest will be served with the pieces of legislation introduced.

Billie Sutton, Senate Minority Leader & District 21 SenatorThe 2015 Legislative Session is upon us, and it

should be a session jam packed with severalimportant issues. A few of the biggest issues thatwe will address include Education funding (morespecifically teacher pay), Medicaid Expansion,Juvenile Justice Reform, Funding for Roads andBridges, and passing legislation to study theActual Use Tax.

Teacher pay will be a hot topic this session.South Dakota faces a serious teacher shortage,

which boils down to low teacher pay. The reality is that SouthDakota is last in the nation in teacher pay. More relevant to theconversation though, is that South Dakota is last amongst allsurrounding states by anywhere from $8,500 to $18,000 in averagepay. It is a serious issue that we have to correct.

Medicaid Expansion is another serious issue. It will be one of ourtop priorities, and our hope is that it will become a priority for theentire legislature. If South Dakota doesn’t expand Medicaid, folksbelow 100% of poverty ($11,490 for an individual) won’t have accessto subsidized coverage on the federal health care exchanges. Byexpanding coverage, we would not only save our hospitalsmoney by decreasing charity and uncompensated care costs, butour state would also stand to gain $9 million per year in General

Fund revenues after the expansion costs are paid for. In otherwords, it’s a win-win: the state will make money and more peoplewill have health insurance. Medicaid expansion just plain makessense for South Dakota.

Funding for Roads and Bridges will be a huge topic for theupcoming session. There will be proposals to raise an additional $100million per year to address South Dakota’s roads and bridges thatare most in need. Many of South Dakota’s roads and bridges arein rough shape, and with the shortage of Federal Highway TrustFund dollars, something needs to be done. Amongst theseproposals are many tax increases and new tax proposals to come upwith the needed funding, including a new tax on Dyed Diesel Fuel.There definitely needs to be a long-term plan put in place to addressthis issue, but the question will be what is the most sustainable wayto fund our infrastructure. This will be an issue that those involvedwith the Ag industry will want to keep an eye on.

There will also be a bill introduced by the Ag Land AssessmentTask Force that would look to appropriate $151,000 to SDSU for aresearch project focused on the impact of Actual Use on Ag LandAssessments. This should also be something the Ag community willwant to pay attention to.

These are just a few of the big issues that we will be looking atfor the upcoming session, and as always, there will be many moreduring our short session. We are all looking forward to the challengethat this 39-day process will bring.

Note:We did not receive a response from the following: SenatePresident Pro Tempore, Corey Brown; Senate Minority Whip, ScottParsley; House Speaker Pro Tempore, G. Mark Mickelson; andMajority Leader, Brian Gosch. �

China Approves Syngenta’s Corn SeedTrait After Months of Resistance

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2014 -Chinese officials informed awide variety of U.S. seed industry officials that theyapproved Syngenta's seed trait Viptera, according to

sources contacted by Agri-Pulse. However, industry officials werereluctant to officially announce the agreement until they receivedformal notification of the approval.

The Asian giant blocked imports of U.S. corn for over a year dueto trace amounts of the disputed seed found in some U.S. shipments.As a result of the trade disruptions U.S. companies filed dozens oflawsuits over the damages to the industry.

How this presumed adoption by the Chinese government willimpact those companies, farmers and organizations filing thelawsuits remains to be seen. Lawsuits filed against Syngenta havebeen consolidated in the United States District Court in Kansas as amultidistrict litigation, according to attorneys handling the case.

In mid-November 2013, China began rejecting shipments of U.S.grain after finding the presence of Syngenta's Agrisure Viptera (MIR162) seed trait mixed in other corn shipments. Syngenta firstsubmitted MIR 162 to the Chinese for regulatory review in 2010.

A study by the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA)estimated that U.S. exporters and farmers lost up to $2.9 billionbecause of the uncertain trade environment.

[Did you know Agri-Pulse subscribers get our Daily Harvest email

Leaders Share Insights for South Dakota’s 2015 Legislative Session

Continued on Page 13


UNION FARMERIN CASE YOU MISSED IT

For your reading enjoyment, we’ve pulled some highlights from South Dakota-based agriculture newspapers and websites. If the lead intriguesyou, visit our website, www.sdfu.org for the rest of the story.

� CONSERVATIONCongress sides with Ranchers -Passes Key Provisions that BenefitWestern CommunitiesCongress showed their support ofproductive western rangelands bypassing necessary provisions of theGrazing Improvement Act,amending the grazing section ofthe Federal Land Policy andManagement Act for the first timein many years. Championed by Sen.Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Rep.Labrador (R-Idaho), the provisionswere passed as part of the NationalDefense Authorization Act with astrong bipartisan majority vote, 89to 11. Public Lands Council, Dec. 12,2014.

� MARKETSTough Markets Steer Talk of Whereto Cut and Where to SpendTop Producer columnist Jerry Gulketalked about managing margins tomake better decisions, and FarmJournal Media associate fieldagronomist Missy Bauer spoke onways to maximize yields. Gulke saythat the futures markets might notbe as bad as some think. Farmers

did a masterful job of storing theirgrain, Gulke said, and if they sell atthe right time, there's still a chanceto make some money with it.Originally published in the Dec. 12,2014 edition of Tri-State Neighbor;Janelle Atyeo, Reporter.

� POLITICSBUDGET WATCH: Federal budgetwill affect agricultureAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsackcould encounter more stumblingblocks with his proposed enhancedsecond beef checkoff and the sagegrouse will be kept off theEndangered Species Act for a yearunder the Agriculture section of anomnibus appropriations billapproved in the house last week.Originally published in the Dec. 13,2014 Tri-State Livestock News;Carrie Stadheim, Editor.

� TAXESTaxing SituationSouth Dakota property taxes arehigh. Frustrations amonglandowners might be higher. Alegislative task force has met towork out details that they hope willhelp get them headed down a road

that will work for more taxpayers.Originally published in the Nov. 29,2014 Tri-State Livestock News;Carrie Stadheim, Editor.

Year-end tax planning“You only have a few weeks tomake a difference in how you’retaxed for 2014,” began RichardReimann, partner at Lenhart, Mason& Associates LLC of Casper, Wyo. atthe 2014 Wyoming StockgrowersAssociation (WSGA) meeting inCasper on Dec. 2 He continued witha variety of short term tax planningideas producers should discussamongst themselves and with theiraccountant by year-end in order tooffset the potential tax situationmany are facing. Originallypublished in the Dec. 13, 2014 Tri-State Livestock News; HeatherHamilton-Maude, for Tri-StateLivestock News.

� TRANSPORTATION$11.5M rail project to yield $40Mgrain terminalThe ways in which goods travelthrough Britton are set to improvedrastically, community leaders said.That’s thanks to a Tuesdayannouncement by Gov. Dennis

Daugaard. During a special meetingof the state Railroad Board in SiouxFalls, the Republican governor saidhis administration will put millionsof dollars into four major upgradesof railroads in South Dakota,including the so-called Britton Linethat runs 78 miles from Aberdeento Geneseo, N.D. Originallypublished in the Dec.19, 2014 issueof Farm Forum; Bob Mercer & BryanHorwath, American NewsCorrespondent & American NewsReporter.

� WEATHER

Climate Outlook for January 2015Review of the new long rangeclimate outlooks released Dec. 18,2014 from the National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration's(NOAA) Climate Prediction Centerindicate that the wide variability intemperature swings of fall andwinter are likely to continue; andthe potential for a weak El Niñolingers, explained Dennis Todey,South Dakota State Climatologist &SDSU Extension Climate Specialist.Released Dec. 18, 2014 byiGrow.org/SDSU Extension.

China Approves Seed Trait Continued from Page 12Monday through Friday mornings, a 16-page newsletter on Wednesdays, and accessto premium content on our ag and rural policy website? Sign up for your four-weekfree trial Agri-Pulse subscription NOW.]

Cargill Inc. and Archer Daniels Midland Co. filed lawsuits against Syngenta seekingdamages for commercializing Agrisure Viptera before the product obtained importapproval in China. Dozens of U.S. farmers also filed suits against the company,claiming that China's rejections depressed the price of corn.

Agrisure Viptera, which prevents damage from more than a dozen insects,including rootworm, was approved for cultivation in the U.S. in 2010. Syngentaemphasized that it commercialized the trait in full compliance with regulatory andlegal requirements, and also obtained import approval from several major cornimporting countries.

Earlier this year, despite resistance from grain traders, Syngenta released itsDuracade corn seed trait, which China has also been slow to approve.

For its U.S. launch, Syngenta required producers who buy and plant its AgrisureDuracade seed to sign a “Syngenta Stewardship Agreement.” The agreement saysproducers must feed the corn to livestock or poultry on their farm or deliver it to agrain handling facility, feed mill, feedlot or ethanol plant not exporting corn to Chinaor the European Union-nations that have not granted approval for the product. � BySarah Gonzalez © Copyright Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc.

The information featured in this article is verygood news for corn producers and ag exportmarkets. However, it should not delay producersfrom seeking legal counsel pursuing litigationagainst Syngenta for loss of revenue since Chinaimposed the embargo on U.S. corn and DDGpurchases to China. As noted in lawsuits filed by multinational

corporations like Cargill and ADM, losses toagriculture economy well exceed $2.9 billion; lossesof which corn producers and others shared loss. South Dakota Farmers Union has contacts with

legal counsel who has a strong reputation inlitigation cases such as this. We encourage producers to obtain counsel

ASAP so they can be included in litigation. Time isof the essence in this matter. You can findinformation to legal counsel on the SDFU Blog atSDFU.org. Doug Sombke, President SDFU

If you read an article you’d like to share with fellow Farmers Union members, please send the headline, byline, publication and issue date to [email protected] and we’ll include it in next month’s In Case You Missed It section.


Roger JohnsonNational Farmers Union President

D ecember brought a bevy oflegislative and regulatory actions,including a spending bill to avoid

another government shutdown. Importanttax breaks for family farmers were extendedand important programs attacked. Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL), beef checkoffreform and U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers andStockyard Administration (GIPSA) all wereaffected by anti-family farmer provisions inthe recent appropriations bill passed byCongress. The U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) has yet to set a deadline forsetting Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)volume obligation; though it should releasethe 2014-2016 target levels at the same timein 2015.November WTO COOL Ruling Appealed;COOL Attacked Again

In late October, a ruling from the WorldTrade Organization (WTO) on the popularCountry-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) law saidthat COOL compliance with internationaltrade agreements demonstrated thelegitimate nature of COOL’s objective andfound that the 2013 labels provided better,more accurate information to consumers.Nonetheless, the ruling also found that theamounts of information consumers werereceiving and the production costs wereunbalanced. The decision, as it has beenissued, was appealed in late November bythe U.S. Trade Representative and will bedecided in 2015.

Since the decision to appeal, Congress

passed an appropriations bill, the 2015Consolidated and Further ContinuingAppropriations Act, which directs thesecretary of agriculture to propose changesto the COOL law. NFU and the United StatesCattlemen’s Association sent a letter toleadership in the House and the Senatedetailing a strong objection to this languagein the bill. Both are concerned that thereport language included on COOL could beused as an opportunity to stop the appealsprocess at the WTO or re-open thelegislation that mandated COOL, both ofwhich are unacceptable.

NFU contends that U.S. trade negotiatorsshould pursue all options available to ensurethat COOL remains in effect. NFU has alsourged Congress not to react prematurely toamend the rule and to stay the course onCOOL.House Agriculture Panels Reorganized

Michael Conaway, R-Texas, the incomingHouse Agriculture Committee Chairman,has reorganized the subcommittee structureto include six subcommittees compared tothe previous total of five.

The new subcommittees include:• General Farm Commodities and RiskManagement

• Commodity Exchanges, Energy, andCredit

• Conservation and Forestry• Nutrition• Biotechnology, Horticulture, andResearch

• Livestock and Foreign Agriculture

Stay tuned to next month’s edition ofWashington Corner for a full update on theHouse and Senate Agriculture Committeesof the 114th Congress.Renewable Fuel Standard 2014 TargetsStill Not Set

In November 2013, the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)proposed to reduce the 2014 blendingtargets for the RFS. Yet, observers are stillwaiting on the administration to finalizetargets that were supposed to be completedin June. NFU’s hope is that the delay is dueto EPA efforts to get the numbers right, as ithas been particularly painful for therenewable fuels industry, making planningdifficult and attracting new investmentvirtually impossible.

In December, Janet McCabe, actingassistant administrator for the EPA’s Officeof Air and Radiation, spoke on behalf of theadministration in front of the HouseOversight and Government ReformSubcommittee, saying that the agency iscurrently working on scheduling thetimetable for 2014-2016 targets, and at thesame time failing to provide a deadline forfinalizing the 2014. � Provided by NFU &Current as of December 16, 2014

Stop in and see us at the Black Hills Stock Show®

Jan. 30-Feb. 7, 2015!

UNION FARMER


UNION FARMERFrom the President....

This year South Dakota Farmers Unioncelebrates 100 years working for familyfarmers. Not many organizations can saythat.

I could give you a number of reasons whywe have been a leader for family farms for solong. But the best one that I witness everyday is because we NEVER eat our corn seed!Farmers Union has never followed the “birdin the hand is better than two in the bush”philosophy. We have always based ourphilosophy on education for tomorrow.

Everything we have today as familyfarmers, ranchers and rural communities isbecause those who have gone before uswere attentive to the needs of rural America.They were not just focused on the currentday, but looked to the future.

We have strong cooperatives for ruralelectricity, rural communications, rural water,energy, feed and agronomy because ofmembers of SDFU who had the foresight toleave their part of the world better than theyfound it. It is up to us to carry that mission onto the next generation.

One of the messages we need to instill inthe future generation is to plan for the futurenow! The song “100 years” by Five ForFighting contains that message. Check it outon the YouTube channel.

100 years is a fitting theme song for 2015in our organization. In a way the lyrics relateto what we do at SDFU through education ofour youth. It also should remind us educationis not only for the young; rather we shouldlook to educate and be educated throughoutour lives with every triumph and challengewe face - making ourselves, our families, ourorganization, our state and our nation betterthan we found it.

With the beginning ofany new year comes newresolutions. With thisbeing South DakotaFarmers Union’s 100th birthday, we will beemphasizing new positive involvement tomake our communities, state and nationbetter than we know them today.

This means we need YOU to get involvedto make it happen. There are a number ofways to help make a positive impact in ourworld today. They all begin the same way, bygetting involved.

In his commencement speech atPhiladelphia University in 2011, entrepreneurSteve Blank said, "80 percent of success inyour career will come from just showing up.The world is run by those who show up…notthose who wait to be asked."

If the 54 percent of voter turnout forSouth Dakota’s Midterm Elections this pastyear isn’t an indication of how people feeltoward government today, I don’t knowwhat is. It says that voters feel the challengesin government today are insurmountable andthat their vote doesn't make a difference.Therefore they don't show up.

I look at the challenges in governmentcompared to the challenge of a footballteam. It takes the whole team doing theirpart to win the game. A lone individualcannot move the ball, but everyone doingtheir part can make a difference.TOGETHER, we can make a difference,

and with 100 years of experience, we canhelp you. Whatever your passion, SDFU canhelp you move in that direction. Join with us,and together you and SDFU can make yourpart of the world better for futuregenerations.

Have a Happy New Year and God Bless All You Do!

Doug SombkePresident South Dakota Farmers Union

A Century Strong!Doug SombkeSDFU President

UNION FARMERA PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

South Dakota

South Dakota Union Farmer, ISSN 0745-8797, publishes tentimes per calendar year, with issues printed in January,February, March, April, May/June, July/August, September,October, November and December. Copies are available for$3.00 per year (included with membership dues), and non-members annual subscription is $7.50. Advertising rate is$6.00/column inch. Periodical postage paid at Madison, S.D.

POSTMASTER: Address changes to: SDFU, PO Box 1388,Huron, S.D. 57350-1388

Contact SDFU 888.734.8136 • 605.352.67611410 Dakota Avenue South, PO Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350

www.sdfu.org [email protected]

SDFU State Office StaffKarla Hofhenke.......ext. 114

Executive DirectorHuron

SDFU Board of Directors

Doug Sombke.........PresidentGroton

Contact NFU National Farmers Union20 F Street NW Suite 300Washington, DC 20001

Roger Johnson, President ~ Donn Teske, Vice PresidentDoug Peterson, Secretary ~ John Hansen, Treasurer

202.554.1600 www.nfu.org

The South Dakota Union Farmer is published10 times per calendar year.

Karla Hofhenke, PublisherLura Roti, Editor ~ Jodie Fenske, Copy Editor Tri-State Graphics, Layout and Design

All information for publication must be submittedby the 15th of the month. You may submit itemsby mail to the State Office, P.O. Box 1388, Huron,

SD 57350 or email items to: [email protected]

Matt Sibley .............ext. 122Legislative SpecialistHuron

Bonnie Geyer..........ext. 125Education DirectorHuron

Pam Evenson ..........ext. 116Administrative AssistantDoland

Kecia Beranek...............ext. 113Communications SpecialistMiller

Luanne Thompson.......ext. 111Administrative AssistantVirgil

Erin Wilcox ...................ext. 118Rural Development CoordinatorAlpena

Wayne Soren..........Vice Pres.Lake PrestonTerry Sestak..............District ITaborJim Wahle ................District IISalemFranklin Olson........District IIIPierpont

Joel Keierleber.......District IVColomeDallis Basel ..............District VUnion CenterLynn Frey................District VILemmonChad Johnson .......District VIIGroton

“We have strong cooperatives for ruralelectricity, rural communications, rural

water, energy, feed and agronomybecause of members of SDFU who hadthe foresight to leave their part of the

world better than they found it. It is up to us to carry that mission

on to the next generation.”

Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union

january 2015 union farmer

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