Blog-December 8, 2020—10-11—SDFU Show

   The South Dakota Farmers Union---even with COVID 19---celebrates its 105th Convention this week with a multi-hour virtual event on December 9th---

   Tom Daschle—long time South Dakota statesman will be among the speakers.

   With our monthly show running on December 8th----we cover a lot of ground that is important to those in South Dakota---in and out of agriculture----and to the thousands of SDFU Members.

   Luke Reindl---who works hard for SDFU---is my partner on the show---and our guests talk topics that make a lot of sense.

   Topping the show—Chris Studer---East River Coop and Tim McCarthy—CEO of Sioux Valley Energy.

    Center of conversation around Dakota Energies proposed exit from East River Electric Cooperative.

    We’ll talk about the cooperative model and how for 7 decades –this cooperative we are talking about today has worked together to benefit their customers.

    They have stood not for profit—and better serving members. Decisions are made by the board supplying nearly every county in Eastern South Dakota and even several in Western Minnesota Counties. They are based in Madison SD-made up of 24 local coops and one municipal electric system whose names you know—including Northern Electric, Dakota Energy, FEM Electric, Lake Region Electric, Central Electric and more.

     In the past 10 years East River has returned $2.3 million to Dakota Energy that’s something you wouldn’t see from a for-profit company.

     Dakota Energy is considering leaving East River Electric Power Coop and signing a contract with a Colorado energy broker named Guzman. The group was started in recent years by Florida investors promising cheap, green energy to replace local coops.

     10:18—we visit with Ann Steckle—National Farmers Union—with a mid-west heritage—who shares the energy  model updates for Glacial Lakes in Watertown.

    From Pierre—SDFU State Lobbyist shares the issues that has Governor Noem –doing a budget news conference on this day---looking at money to be spend in the 2021 Legislative Session---and perhaps have some ideas on the 200 million in federal funds that are yet to be spent.

    Also a backdrop is the a suit filed by State High Patrol Superintendent Rick Miller and Pennington County Sheriff Kevin Thorn-with documents filed by the State Attorney General’s Office asking that the court toss out the lawsuit over recreational marijuana which the voters passed in the November election. In essence---let the voters decision stand.

   In the second half of our SDFU Show—you’ll meet Dennis and Shari Evenson—SDFU Farm Family of the month. Quite the couple—and you’ll fall in love with what they do and how they do it for South Dakota.

    You’ll meet Brett Borkowski—who holds two world championship shooting and riding titles----how did he do it and where in South Dakota did he get started? He wants more to look at what he does---and do it themselves.

    South Dakota State Climatologist—Laura Edwards—gives us a short term and longer look at South Dakota by sections. How dry—what to expect—do we need or should we expect snow.

    The South Dakota Farmers Union Show plays live on 1320, 105.1, 107.9—use the KELO App, Streaming on line----or just ask Alexa.

    In addition Norm Anderson will post the show as a podcast—You can go to the SDFU Website---and look for this monthly show---or to the KELO-AM website and look for PODCAST ---It’s YOUR Business---for the December 8, 2020—SDFU Show.

    Questions about the show—email me at bill.zortman@mwcradio.com or call 728-BILL (2455)