Blog—10-11--August 12, 2025—South Dakota Farmers Union

   Fast Moving Train with the South Dakota Farmers Union Show today. We are just a week from Dakota Fest in Mitchell---and on the 29th—we’ll be doing the South Dakota Farmers Union Show at the South Dakota State Fair.

   So today we picked up the pace and the number of passengers that created great story lines.

   Karla Hofhenke –long-time Common Sense Administrator for SD Farmers Union

   Doug Sombke---President SD Farmers Union

   Roger Chase---State Executive Director USDA---

   Chris Studer—East River Co-op

   Samantha Bowman---Ag Expo Center at the Brown County Fair

   Tyler Strasser—SD FFA President—graduated from Lennox this year

   Rocky Forman---Planner for this Show and so much other SDFU

   John Ball---Mr. Tree in South Dakota

   They were all very well heard in the hour---prepping us for 2 farm road trips in the next 16 days.

    Karla started the show with us—something she has been doing with our audience and yes me for years. We set the stage—looked ahead to events—and the adults, the leaders, and the kids that will lead us in future generations.

    President Sombke--- and I go way back---we have worked together in Huron, Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Washington DC, Scottsdale, Arizona, and yes even Pierre South Dakota.

    We talked today about the basics---why no farm bill, crazy times in the Nation’s Capital, Tariffs, the value of our livestock producers—and yes how we are going to pass the torch to the next generation.

    Roger Chase joined us---relatively new South Dakota State Executive Director---yes a history in our state—and a solid understanding on what is an issue and what’s not. Other media swear by him---not at him---

    Sarah Heinrich—had the Growing Harvest Network and Matt Swenson the mid-morning commodities.

    Chris Studer talked to us –he’s tied to the East River Coop----and is a young face that helps us to follow along—and what to be along for the ride.

    Samantha Brown—Ag Expo Center at the Brown County Fair---talked us thru what she was seeing ---Tyler Strasser—South Dakota FFA President who just graduated from Lennox---now already with a jacks.sdstate.edu email address. We’ll be following along at the State Fair and other events each month.

   We closed the show with John Ball—Mr. Tree---he is one of those who teaches, travels to help trees in trouble in South Dakota and is called off to other spots in the USA---and around the globe. He’s smart at what he does---and I enjoy the chance to talk about the Emerald Ash Borer—and to those that ask—“What’s Tree Doing”

   Our It’s YOUR Agri Business Show is doing our best to cover the #1 industry in South Dakota. Even though I grew up a farm kid in Iowa—I still have an interest to help not only my birth state—but Minnesota and of course South Dakota.

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

   Norm Anderson posts the show as a podcast ---my job is to schedule the guests---do or help with the interviews---and try to set a standard that chronicles agriculture in useful way to all those who live in our borders.

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