Releases

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Please give one final reach out to your Senator to encourage them to voice support for SB 157. It will be voted on today on the Senate Floor.

After more than two hours of debate, including testimony from Gov. Noem and SDFB President VanderWal, the Senate State Affairs committee narrowly passed SB 157 6-3. Senators raised several important questions about the process of livestock zoning in South Dakota.

March 15, 2020 is the deadline to apply for the 2020 South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) Scholarship. Awards are given to students whose parents or guardians are current members of SDFB and have been members for at least two years.

SDFB urges your action to contact your legislator in support of SB 157, a bill proposed by Governor Noem to clarify the livestock zoning process.

Take advantage of a free webinar on February 17, 2020 at 10 a.m. that will provide helpful information as you prepare for enrolling an entire Farm Service Agency (FSA) farm in Agricultural Risk Coverage at the individual level (ARC-IC) or choose between ARC at the county level (ARC-CO) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) for each program crop.

We just finished the 101st annual American Farm Bureau Convention in Austin, Texas. It was a great event again and the most important part is that our policy is in place again for the coming year.

Delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation's (AFBF) 2020 Annual Convention re-elected Scott VanderWal of Volga as Vice President of AFBF for another two-year term.

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) members from across the state will gather at the State Capitol in Pierre, S.D. on Feb. 11, 2020 for SDFB Day at the Capitol.

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) President Scott VanderWal of Volga, S.D., applauds the historic signing of the Phase One China Trade Agreement earlier today.

South Dakota Farm Bureau is honored that SDFB President Scott VanderWal of Volga, S.D., will join the President of the United States for the historic signing of the Phase One China Trade Agreement today.

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) will be part of the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo (BHSS) taking place at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center and Central States Fairgrounds Jan. 31 – Feb. 9, 2020 in Rapid City.

It is hard to believe we are in the final days of 2019. It has been a long difficult year for many of us, and unfortunately, we will be feeling the hangover from 2019 well into 2020.

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) held their 102nd Annual Convention in Sioux Falls, Nov. 22-23, 2019. Agricultural policy discussions, election of board leadership and special awards were part of the two-day event.

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) is accepting scholarship applications from high school seniors pursuing secondary education, as well as current college and technical school students.

Long before becoming a familiar face in our homes on KELO TV, Brian Karstens and his brother Christopher Karstens were two farm boys from Iowa. Today, both play critical roles in forecasting our weather. SDFB is excited to have Brian from KELO TV and his brother Christopher, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center with us on Saturday morning for a discussion on their background and a look at our recent weather trends.

South Dakota Farm Bureau will be collecting gently used or new winter coats at the SDFB Annual Convention, Nov. 22 & 23 in Sioux Falls. All coats will be donated to individuals in need following convention.

Leadership. Precision. Performance. is the theme of SDFB’s 102nd Annual Convention Nov. 22-23, 2019 in Sioux Falls, S.D. In addition to important policy decisions, a terrific line-up of thought-leader speakers are on tap!

I am sure this finds a lot of us in the same frustrating situation trying to work around the weather to get our harvest in. Between the mud, wet crops and even snow in some parts of the state, it is sometimes difficult to keep a positive attitude. We have been through hard times before, and we will get through this as well. I encourage you to keep talking to people and realize you are not alone.

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) is considering an increase in the feed tonnage fee from $0.02/ton to $0.10/ton. The SDDA believes the fee increase is necessary to continue running the Animal Feed and Remedy Program. The purpose of this program is to protect producers, the agriculture industry, and consumers from mislabeled or adulterated feed and remedy products.

Make plans to join South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) for their Annual Convention Nov. 22-23, 2019 at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls, S.D. “Leadership. Precision. Performance.” is the theme for the 102nd event.

A recent circuit court opinion is bringing light to concerns about a lack of due process for farmers and ranchers in the arbitrary enforcement of Swampbuster guidelines by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The American Farm Bureau Federation is calling on United States Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) Sec. Sonny Perdue to take action to heed the court’s reprimand and fix the agency’s broken appeals process.

Farm and ranch families who have owned their land for a century or more were honored at the 2019 South Dakota State Fair, receiving a Century, Quasquicentennial or Sesquicentennial Farm and Ranch award from South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) and South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA).

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) will donate another $600 to area food pantries thanks to its partnership with the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits for the 2019 football season.

Learn, Grow and Lead is the theme of the first ever Midwest Collegiate Farm Bureau Conference taking place Oct. 11-13, 2019 at South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D.

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) has entered an exciting partnership with the South Dakota State University Jacks for the 2019 Football Season that will benefit local food pantries throughout South Dakota. The first series of donations will benefit communities that have experienced difficulties due to recent storms.

A day of farm and ranch tours followed by a panel discussion are all part of a Sustainability on the Farm and Ranch event on Sept. 14, 2019, centered at Watertown, S.D. South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee is hosting the event.

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) is reaching out to the state’s agricultural business community through a program called the Agri-Partner Connection. This new offering provides agri-business professionals throughout the state with unique networking, learning and relationship building opportunities.

Flyboy Donuts, a chance to win a John Deere Gator and forums on industrial hemp, tariffs and trade are a few things South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) will be bringing to Dakotafest Aug. 20-22.

A second agriculture Wetland Mitigation Bank has released credits for purchase through the South Dakota Ag Wetland Exchange (SDAWE). South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) is the sponsor of the SDAWE, which provides ag wetland bank credits for sale to landowners to offset impacts from past or planned wetland conversions.

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) applauds the recent decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to move up the date producers can hay, graze and chop cover crops grown on prevent plant acres this year to Sept. 1 rather than the original date of Nov. 1.

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) has been taking a number of questions related to prevented planting. We have included a few resources that may you may find helpful.

South Dakota Farm Bureau was asked by South Dakota State University to distribute an academic survey on the political economy of South Dakota to our members for their input.

A day of farm and ranch tours followed by a timely topic panel discussion are all part of a Land, Livestock and Life bus tour event on June 29, 2019, centered at Wall, S.D. South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) and the SDFB Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee are hosting the event.

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) is pleased to announce seven winners of the 2019 SDFB Scholarship.

The South Dakota Ag Wetland Exchange will be featured at the National Mitigation & Ecosystem Banking Conference (NMEBC) later this week in Minneapolis, Minn. The conference brings together members of the environmental community to advance and protect the environment in a financially sustainable way.

Due to setbacks caused by a wet spring, USDA is pushing back the deadline for producers to certify 2018 crop production for payments through the Market Facilitation Program (MFP).

South Dakota Farm Bureau commends Johnson Farms of Frankfort, S.D., for being selected as the winner of the 2019 South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award.

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) officials recently returned from a trip to Washington, D.C. where they engaged with elected leaders, congressional staff members, and officials on priority issues important to the ag community in South Dakota.

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) recently announced the availability of credits in the Minnesota River Geographic Service Area (GSA), which were developed through SDFB’s administration of a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) and the South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) are again partnering to recognize South Dakota farms and ranches that have been in the same family for 100 years and more. The Century Farm celebration will take place at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron, August 29, 2019.

The South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) Women’s Leadership Team (WLT) will showcase agriculture to over 3,000 children March 22 & 23 in Sioux Falls at the Washington Pavilion.

On the recent South Dakota Farm Bureau Town & Country radio show a discussion took place by several guests who are using their skills and talents in agriculture to help families in poverty stricken areas across the globe.

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) members from across the state recently took part in SDFB Day at the South Dakota Capitol on Feb. 12, 2019.

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) is accepting scholarship applications from high school seniors pursuing secondary education, as well as current college and technical school students. Scholarships will be awarded to students whose parents or guardians are current members of SDFB, and have been members for at least two years.

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) will have a strong presence at the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo (BHSS) taking place at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center and Central States Fairgrounds Jan. 25 - Feb. 3, 2019 in Rapid City.

The first agriculture Wetland Mitigation Bank (WMB) credits have been released under the South Dakota Ag Wetland Exchange.

Young people involved in agriculture are invited to attend the South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Farm and Ranch Conference, February 1-2, 2019 at The Lodge in Deadwood, S.D. The theme for the conference is “Sustainability in Today’s Environment”.

Katy VanderWal of Brookings, S.D., will represent South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) at the national Discussion Meet contest that will take place during the AFBF Annual Convention, Jan. 11-16, 2019 in New Orleans, LA.

South Dakota Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal praised the announcement by South Dakota Governor-elect Kristi Noem on the selection of Kim Vanneman of Ideal, S.D. as the next Secretary of Agriculture.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army have released a pre-publication version of the new clean water rule and will be taking comments on a proposed new clean water rule for 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register. They are also planning to hold a public listening session in Kansas City, Kansas.

“Springtime at Grandpa & Grandma’s Farm” and “Seed, Sun & Soil” are two Accurate Ag books recently unveiled by the South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) Women’s Leadership Team (WLT) at the SDFB Annual Convention in Rapid City, S.D.

Jeffery Gatzke, of Hitchcock, S.D. was elected vice president of South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) during the SDFB 101st Convention held recently in Rapid City, S.D.

Yesterday, President Trump announced that gasoline mixed with 15 percent ethanol, E-15, will be sold year-round. Previously, sales of E-15 were banned in most states annually between June 1 and September 15, which includes the country’s busiest driving months.

Observing trade negotiations is not for those weak in spirit. For months, South Dakota farmers waited patiently for signs of progress from the Trump Administration on a new trade deal with Canada and Mexico. Admittedly, the talks to revise the North American Free Trade Agreement, in the shadow of a dismal farm economy, tested our wills.

Members of the South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) committee recently attended a National Affairs trip to Washington D.C. Sept. 29 through Oct. 3, 2018.

Celebrate the role of farmers in the Sioux Falls economy at the inaugural National Farmer's Day at the Stockyards Ag Experience Barn, 301 E. Falls Park Dr. in Sioux Falls on Friday, October 12 from 4-7 p.m.

Prepare for the November election by taking part in a free webinar about Constitutional Amendment W.

American Farm Bureau President (AFBF) Zippy Duvall today announced the appointment of Dale Moore as Executive Vice President of AFBF.

Make plans to attend the South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) 101st Annual Convention, Nov. 16-17, 2018 at the Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza, Rapid City, S.D. Registration for the event is now open and available at www.sdfbf.org.

Eighty-nine farm and ranch families who have owned their land for a century or more were honored at the 2018 South Dakota State Fair, receiving a Century Farm & Ranch or Quasquicentennial Farm & Ranch award from the South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) and the South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA).

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) President Scott VanderWal of Volga, S.D., met today with President Trump and Vice President Pence to share the financial impact of trade and tariffs on farmers and ranchers across the country and here in South Dakota.

SD Farm Bureau president Scott VanderWal will appear on a public roundtable regarding trade with American for Prosperity (AFP) August 30 in Sioux Falls.

Parades, great entertainment and free ice cold water are just a few of the ways South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) will be “Experiencing the Magic” at the 2018 South Dakota State Fair.

FMCSA is seeking public comment on revising current Hours of Service regulations.

Who: American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall What: Open Mic to Discuss Ag Issues Where: South Dakota Farm Bureau hoop building at Dakotafest – Lot 445 at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018

The South Dakota Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC) invites visitors to explore their newly launched website, www.sdnrec.og, designed to share information about important nutrient research projects.

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) President Scott VanderWal issued the following statement after the Trump Administration announced plans to extend billions of dollars in aid to farmers negatively affected by tariffs. The administration says the plan will offer much-needed support to farmers caught up in trade disputes.

The US Meat Export Federation prepared a white paper detailing the loss of beef and pork trade with China fro retailiatory tariffs and other barriers.

Planning for the next farming and ranching generation involves many challenges as well as emotional issues. To help, the South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) is hosting two succession planning seminars.

American Farm Bureau Federation Vice President Scott VanderWal and Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening today warned Congress that many farms will lose money and even go out of business entirely if the growing trade war continues. Each called for a resumption of talks and removal of tariffs that are undoing decades of progress in trade.

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) applauds a recent letter sent by the South Dakota congressional delegation to President Donald Trump urging him to make U.S. agriculture exports a priority with trading partners around the world.

Minnehaha County Farm Bureau is bringing back Farm Bureau Night at the Sioux Falls Canaries game on Monday, July 16 at the home of the Canaries, the Birdcage.

Celebrate summer with South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) at a Hawaiian Luau on Wednesday, July 18 from 6-9 p.m. at the Farm Bureau Building on the Turner County Fairgrounds in Parker, S.D. The SDFB Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) in that area are hosting the event along with local county Farm Bureaus.

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) urges agriculture producers and businesses to be in contact with South Dakota congressional representatives on the impact of escalating tariffs and potential trade wars on producers in South Dakota.

SDSU Extension is now accepting applications for beefSD Class 4. BeefSD is an intensive two-year educational program designed to take participants to the next level in beef production. Class 4 is scheduled to start in the fall of 2018. To date, 110 people from 62 South Dakota cattle operations have completed the program

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) Women’s Leadership Team (WLT) presented a $1,750 check recently to the Rapid City Regional Hospital Foundation. The funds will be used to provide meals to families that have pediatric patients staying in the hospital.

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) is pleased to announce six winners of the 2018 SDFB Scholarship.

Farmers and ranchers are urged to submit comments opposing a proposed import tariff by China on goods from the United States to China. U.S. goods affected in the tariff include beef, soybeans, sorghum and airplanes. The Chinese tariff is in response to a recommended tariff the Office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has posed to China.

Students from South Dakota State University Collegiate Farm Bureau will dig into the question of how our food is produced when they host a showing of the movie “Food Evolution” on Wednesday, March 28 at 7 p.m. at the Baily Rotunda Room D on the SDSU campus.

The South Dakota Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Team (WLT) will participate in showcasing agriculture to 3,500 children March 16 & 17 in Sioux Falls at the Washington Pavilion.

The South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) Women’s Leadership Team (WLT) shared the Farm Bureau story at the Women in Blue Jeans Conference held recently in Mitchell, S.D.

The American Farm Bureau Federation today presented Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) with AFBF’s Golden Plow award. The Golden Plow is the highest honor the organization gives to sitting members of Congress.

Members of the South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) and Collegiate Farm Bureau traveled to Reno, Nevada recently to participate in the National YF&R Leadership Conference.

South Dakota Farm Bureau member Jared Knock of Willow Lake will be the key-note speaker at the South Dakota 4-H Leaders Association Conference on Sat. Feb 24, 2018 in Huron.

South Dakota Farm Bureau and the South Dakota Department of Agriculture are again partnering to recognize South Dakota farms and ranches that have been in the same family for 100 years and more. The Century Farm celebration will take place at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron, August 30, 2018.

Applications are now being accepted for South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) scholarships for college-bound high school as well as current college and continuing students.

South Dakota Farm Bureau will be part of the 60th Anniversary Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo (BHSS) taking place at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center and Central States Fairgrounds Jan. 26 – Feb. 4 in Rapid City.

Reid Jensen, a Burbank, S.D. producer, was elected to serve on the South Dakota Farm Bureau Board of Directors at the organization’s recent Centennial Convention.

Jared Knock, of Carpenter, S.D., finished third in the nation at the Young Farmer and Rancher (YF&R) Discussion Meet at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Convention held recently in Nashville, Tenn.

Delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 2018 Annual Convention re-elected Zippy Duvall of Georgia as President and South Dakota farmer Scott VanderWal as Vice President of AFBF for another two-year term.

Tune in for LIVE coverage of the Finals of the AFBF Discussion Meet and Pres. Donald Trump.

The South Dakota Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers will host their annual Farm and Ranch Conference, January 19-20, 2018 at the Downtown Hilton Garden Inn, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Donald J. Trump, the 45th president of the United States, will address farm and ranch families from across the nation at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 99th Annual Convention in Nashville, Tenn.

The South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Committee recognized several individuals at the SDFB Centennial Convention held recently in Sioux Falls. An award of high esteem given by YF&R is in honor of former SDFB president and board member Richard Kjerstad of Wall, S.D.

Three agri-businesses were honored recently with the “Friend of Agriculture” award by South Dakota Farm Bureau at their Centennial Convention held recently in Sioux Falls.

Jared Knock of Willow Lake, S.D. was named the winner of the South Dakota Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet contest held recently at the SDFB Centennial Convention in Sioux Falls.

Attendees at the South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) Centennial Convention had the opportunity to watch artist John Green of Madison, S.D., create an original painting exclusively designed for the South Dakota Farm Bureau centennial.

South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) honored several volunteers and outstanding county Farm Bureaus during the SDFB Centennial Convention held recently in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Volunteers from across the state cut and tied 100 blankets during the recent South Dakota Farm Bureau Centennial Convention held in Sioux Falls and donated the tie-blankets to a local hospital. Members of the SDFB Women’s Leadership Team (WLT) and Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Committee made the fleece blankets to benefit others in honor the organization’s 100th year.

“Visiting Grandpa and Grandma’s Farm” is a self-published book that was unveiled at the South Dakota Farm Bureau Centennial Convention held in Sioux Falls Nov. 17-18. The book was written by members of the South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) Women’s Leadership Team.

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