Blog—August 1, 2025—10-11—It’s YOUR Agri Business

  Our It’s YOUR Agri Business show with the start of the Sioux Empire Fair at 5PM today--- the biggest AG DAY in South Dakota each year—in Baltic at the Hefty Home---two special companies working with the storm damage this week talking back to back---Alla updated us on the Watertown scenario---that allowed those from Ukraine to stay and work with the help from leaders there—the family telling their story---and so many others saying—we need to keep the hard-working Ukrainians in our state—are staying for at least 10 years. Mr. Tree John Ball updated the storm damage and what to do with downed trees.

  Special show---and it’s what we are suppose to do bringing people together.

  It was fun to talk to Darren as he planned for the 10,000 or so that were expected at the Hefty Home on July 31st. Then to hear from him this morning—on how well it went—how energized they walked away with. Yes free breakfast first thing in the morning---and then sessions that followed---the Hefty’s were so busy we had to pre-record just before 9:00 for use in the 10:00 show. We should be in awe for what they have done for a full generation---and how people from all over the country and yes a few places around the world attend---learn---and leave knowing South Dakota and agriculture a whole lot better. Wow!! They were already planning the 2026 show—and then brings a round of applause as well.

  Julie Hammer—turned the calendar in her home to August 1st and that meant the opening of the Sioux Empire Fair. It starts at 5PM today—and we know it brings multi-generations, families, visitors from many sites—to see animals born, youngsters opening their mouths—and yes a better understanding of what day to day life is all about on the farm.

   Mary Michaels—AARP brought along quite the guest today Kieun Oh—is the Director of Turnkey Program Operations in the AARP National Office.

   Both Kieun and Mary talked about some of the events they are  doing—yes a Wide Array of Educational Experiences—whether in-person or virtually thru webinars and Tele-town Halls, AARP has engaging and interactive programs on a number of topics. The goal is to deliver best-in-class education and programming—reliably and without bias. The topics range from Social Security and Medicare to Caregiving, Fraud, Savings, and Planning, Livable Communities and yes much more. The presentations are delivered in person by AARP staff or volunteers, or you can also find many webinars available on demand online at aarp.org.

  On this day—the final Open Streets event of the summer with AARP South Dakota, Downtown Sioux Falls and the City of Sioux Falls.

  Social Security turns 90 on August 14th—AARP is celebrating the 90th Anniversary. AARP is hosting three open house celebrations in Rapid City, Aberdeen and Sioux Falls that day. Each one takes place from 2-4 local time.

  You can learn to play pickleball—at a free clinic on August 0th at the Remedy Pickleball Pub. It is limited to the first 100 registrants include an on-court instructional clinic followed by open play. Get details at local.aarp,org/siouxfalls.

   We heard from Sarah Heinrich—the Growing Harvest Network from KFGO in Fargo—yip –our Sister Station.

   Matt Swenson had the morning Swenson Commodities---and wall street update.

   In a week that was full of storm damage—Kristi Merfield—Blackburn Foundation Repair talked to us about the 1000 calls they have received—and yes more are calling. On the first day they were booked out for 2 weeks—they have been scrambling to take care of as many people as possible affected by this storm we won’t forget.

   Chris Bartman-Gingerich Structures—has been working the damage this week as well. He had an 11:00 appointment this morning as they were working repairs as well. They were busy—we have visited before and our commitment to them as it to help tell the story whether storm or sun. We are continuing to do that.

   Alla -part of the reporting we have been doing from Watertown--- on a family that was circled to leave South Dakota and the USA. After plenty of work by Alla, leaders in Watertown—and hopefully the former Governor from South Dakota—2 Senators and the Congressman—they now have a 10 year reprieve from having to leave South Dakota. Talk about making a difference.

   We closed the show with Mr. Tree John Ball---telling us the horror stories on all the tree damage in a good portion of a full week of storms. Tree ---was saying he was getting all kinds of communications –people asking for help----and we did his professional read out for our listeners in our Agri Business Show. Wow!!!

   Our It’s YOUR Agri Business Show—is so important to the #1 industry in South Dakota--- Norm Anderson posts the podcast of the show on our KELO-AM website. My job is to schedule the guests, prepare to know the topic we are covering for our audience—and then do the interview in what is approaching 10,000 TV Newscasts and Radio Shows. 5,000 were in TV from South Dakota, Iowa, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and a few more states.

   Listen live to the show at 1320, 105.1---use the KELO App—Streaming on Line or just ask Alexa. Questions for me—feel free to call/text at 605-728-BILL (2455) or email me at bill.zortman@mwcradio.com.