Blog—April 8, 2025-10-11—South Dakota Farmers Union Show

  Once a month we bring together South Dakota Farmers Union members and leaders across South Dakota---to talk agriculture.

  This is the oldest of the farm organizations---and right now with the trouble we are seeing with tariffs---families hit by income problems---and even health care—this show is important once a month or whenever we talk about what happening today and passing the torch for the future.

   Doug Sombke—is President of the South Dakota Farmers Union –he was in studio along with Rocky Foreman----and National Youth Advisor Chaz Blotsky.

   Lots of concerns about DC—the Tariffs, no farm bill, tough times for those in agriculture----and just where agriculture is going today, tomorrow and beyond.

   One big concern we have is how farmers and their families will pass the torch to the next generation---and will that generation want to take the challenge and help.

   Rocky Forman has helped us so have Mitch Richter—who works the legislature and joined us to talk about what was done during this session---and how Governor Rhoden was received with all the challenges in agriculture.

   Brady Duxbury joined Chaz talking about how they would accept the torch for the next generation. It was interesting to see how President Sombke---and others talked about the excitement we all have if we can keep the farm family with our relatives.

   It’s easy to complain about the Tariffs---no farm bill—but this show identified the trouble—and at the same time found people who want to encourage others to pass the torch.

   Also joining us was South Dakota Farmers Union Scholarship winner Madelyn Caulfeld----she too looked to the next generation---why it is so important that we public talk about passing the torch—and keeping the family farm land in the family.

   We plan to do more of this in future monthly shows.

   Geri Eide—FFA of South Dakota has quick to join us this morning after all the work that she did to encourage—hundreds if not more than a thousand about what Future Farmers can do---and how we can grease the wheel to make it work.

   Laura Edwards---South Dakota State Climatologist helped us to understand the moisture we have received-what we should see ahead of us---and why 2025 could still be an outstanding year.

   Our South Dakota Farmers Union show has had me with them in Washington DC, receiving the national farmers union national award for agriculture in Scottsdale, Arizona.

   Having grown up on an Iowa Family Farm---we include national leadership with Farmers Union with President Rob Larew----and ag leaders in Iowa and Minnesota as well. Yes our family still has a family farm in northwest Iowa—my mom is 99 and we are looking to keep it in the family or provide the option for a family that will do the best they can with the Monona County acres.

    Listen live to the show at 1320, 105.1, 107.9---use the KELO App—Streaming on Line or just ask Alexa.

    Norm Anderson posts the podcast of the show---my job is to work with the guests, interview them, allow them to tell their stories, and at the same time look to the future for what is best for agriculture in a state where agriculture is the number one industry.

    The blog—gives you a look at what was in the show---and it goes very well with the podcast.

     Questions for me—feel free to call/text at 605-728-2455 BILL—or email me at bill.zortman@mwcradio.com.