Blog-April 12, 2022—10-11—South Dakota Farmers Union Show

   On the 2nd Tuesday of the month---we work with South Dakota Farmers Union—to originate and produce an hour long show dealing with the issues---the people and the future for those in agriculture in South Dakota.

  The Farmers Union is the OLDEST South Dakota Farm Organization----and the issues we worked on leading up to the show---changes significantly over night.

  #1 Topic---Ethanol---E-15 gasoline sales. Friday we ran a story with our South Dakota Senior Senator John Thune—asking about the President’s Trip to Iowa this week---and the importance of the administration changing the restrictions which would help ease the burden at the pump.

  You’ll hear the Thune interview---as well as share a visit with Jim Seurer—Glacial Lakes Energy---who returns to Watertown day after a conference in Phoenix. We’ll ask the importance of what is being done----and what kind of information he was hearing in his circles.

  We start the show with Steve Dick---a long time friend---who today is spending part of his 2nd day on the job as the new South Dakota Field Service Agent.

   He’ll be able to share the mid-April report in the middle of the drought—with some expecting many inches of show in the west and north part of the state.

   We’ll talk about livestock disaster assistance, emergency livestock relief programs, 75% payment to producers 2021 Livestock Forage Program Payment

   And his take as well on other emergency Program Payments.

   From there you’ll hear the Thune visit we did anticipating the Presidential Iowa visit---and his take on why this kind of action really needed done---even though the Trump Administration never did push the same envelope during his 4 years.

   Mike Stranz is the Senior Policy Advisor for National Farmers Union in Washington DC—we’ll talk his view on the Biden statement---and how it is a start to help those from POET and other agencies working ethanol as raised by corn stalks in our states.

    Stranz will be able to share what else can be done as well – and what is needed to help those on the roads----and those that work for the POET’s---Glacial Lakes and other institutions---that are willing and certainly able to do their part.

    In the second half of our show today—we’ll hear from SBA’s Jaime Wood—here are some of here preparation notes for our South Dakota Farmers Union Show interview:

• COVID-19 Emergency Injury Disaster Loan –
• Application window closed on 31 December; however, there are still funds remaining for existing borrowers to come back and ask for an increase.
• Request an increase directly through EIDL portal account (each borrower has one), or send a request to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
• An updated 4506T form, along with additional updated documentation will be required (copy of i.d., bank account verification, tax information, etc.) – an increase is an extension of the original loan, and all documentation must be updated as the request goes back through processing to determine need and eligibility
• Don’t wait to request an increase – funds are projected to run out in the next few weeks
• If already applied for an increase and still waiting:
• SBA is still processing a high volume of loans
• Any requests that are in the queue are being processed
• If you haven’t heard from SBA, feel free to reach out to Disaster Customer Service or the local SBA SD District Office to check status.  NOTE:  most often when our office receives an inquiry on status, there’s an outstanding request for information that was sent to the borrower by SBA.  Be sure to check your emails – including spam folder – often for emails from SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance --- it will only come from an sba.gov email; not any other email.
• Collateral - 
• Was required for EIDLs over $25,000
• We’re receiving several requests, including from ag producers to release collateral for various reasons (equipment replacements, farm sales, etc.)
• Payments –
• Deferred for 30 mos (an additional 6 mos was added recently), from time of loan origination (first EIDL)
• SBA wants payments made digitally – to get started on creating a payment account, please see instructions at sba.gov/eidl – there’s a big red banner at top of page, click on it to get started on creating a payment account. Set up automatic payments to protect and build your business credit.

• Other programs that ag producers are eligible for:
• SBA traditional lending:
• 7a, 504, export financing – all go up to $5M and are facilitated by SBA partner lenders.  Most of these lenders are also USDA lenders.  
• We get the question a lot – can SBA do ag loans?  Answer is YES, however, typically ag production loans are done through USDA. SBA loans are best used for equipment purchases and business operational expenses.   We offer a business line of credit that may be conducive to farm and non-farm small businesses
• We also provide SBA microloans through GROW South Dakota – loans of $50K or less

• Technical business assistance through SBA resource partners:
• Free and confidential business support is available through Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, SD CEO Women’s Business Centers, and Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Dakotas,  SD International Trade Center
• Turning a hobby, skillset, or interest into a revenue making entity is possible – we see many ag producers who also have side businesses including trucking, vehicle repair/maintenance, value added food products, fishing and hunting guide services, agri-tourism entities, bakeries, welding, childcare facilities, etc.   SBA can assist with starting and growing a business.

• CONTACT:   605-330-4243;  www.sba.gov/sd

     Busy day in Pierre today---but it is outside the circle of what we will talk with Mitch Richter---South Dakota Farmers Union Lobbyist. Richter has spend 2 decades working the Capital in one form or another

     Among our topics:

• Implementation of enacted legislations for the 2022 session
• Rural development
• Medicaid expansion
• And what it was like at a time that we had COVID funds to spend---everyone had a project---and it was as easy as can be imagined to say yes to so many projects---how well did those in agriculture fare with that kind of backing?

     We’ll close the show with Anthony Bly---SDSU Extension –Soils Field Specialist

      With snow predicted in the northwest by the foot---and perhaps severe weather in other corners of the state---how do we all come together after the Easter Holiday---and be truly ready for the 2022 season.

        Bly will handle the important ingredient of the weather for our farmers and ranchers---and set an interesting stage.

     Our It’s YOUR Agri Business Show –loves to be a part of the South Dakota Farmers Union.

     You can listen live at 1320, 105.1, 107.9—use the KELO App—Streaming on line or just ask Alexa.

     The show is available by PODCAST by noon thanks to the work of Norm Anderson. You can find the PODCAST in two locations. It will be on our KELO-AM Website—look for PODCAST—It’s YOUR Business—and in this case the April 12, 2022—10-11 show.

     South Dakota Farmers Union—posts the show on their Website as well. We enjoy our partnership—and often take up SDFU issues in many other shows during the month.

     Questions for me? Feel free to call/text 605-728-2455 (Bill) or email me at bill.zortman@mwcradio.com. Happy to talk with you about our topics—a specific question—or perhaps being part of our Business Shows.