MITCHELL, S.D. – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins will make her first official visit to South Dakota, joining Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Sen. Mike Rounds and Rep. Dusty Johnson, for a prominent Update from DC Forum at Dakotafest in Mitchell, S.D. 

The forum, hosted by South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB), will be held at *2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 20 in the Dakotafest Education Building. (*Please note: this time differs from the listing in the official program and online.)

Secretary Rollins’ visit alongside South Dakota’s Congressional delegation comes at a pivotal point for agriculture. From the timeline of the next Farm Bill to rising input costs, trade policy and workforce challenges, there’s no shortage of hot topics in agriculture — and Secretary Rollins’ stop sets the stage for timely conversations with South Dakota’s leaders.

In addition to the D.C. Update Forum, South Dakota Farm Bureau will host a separate program focused on one of the most pressing issues for South Dakotans: property taxes. The Property Taxes Forum will take place at Noon on Tuesday, August 19, in the Dakotafest Education Building. Panelists will include S.D. Revenue Secretary Michael Houdyshell, Nathan Sanderson of the South Dakota Retailers Association, and Mary Duvall, a property owner and former legislator.

“South Dakota Farm Bureau is proud to provide a platform for conversations that matter, whether it’s federal farm policy or the future of our state’s property taxes,” said SDFB President Scott VanderWal. “We’re honored to welcome Secretary Rollins and our Congressional leaders to Dakotafest and to continue elevating South Dakota’s role in shaping national ag policy.”

In addition to the forums, SDFB will offer free morning coffee and donuts in their booth #447, while supplies last. Live appearances by the Petersen Brothers, and a Meet and Greet with new FSA Director Roger Chase are also on the agenda in their booth. Enter to win one of two retro refrigerators with 25 pounds of hamburger, and there will also be a daily $500 grocery giveaway. Find details at www.sdfbf.org.

 

Contact: 

Krystil Smit, SDFB Executive Director

M: 605.261.2960   Email: k.smit@sdfbf.org