Blog-January 12, 2021—10-11—SD Farmers Union Show

   Once a month---on the  2nd Tuesday of the month 10-11—we work with the South Dakota Farmers Union –to help produce and facilitate an hour with topics in agriculture---topics that affect not only those on the land ---but the people they serve---and you name it we work to cover it.

   Doug Sombke—President South Dakota Farmers Union will help me host the show today---it has been several months since I’ve had anything but written and voice communication---but it didn’t keep us for sharing questions and thoughts.

   Today the show runs—just a few hours before the 2021 Legislative Session opens in Pierre. Governor Kristi Noem will share her plans for the session ----and even though COVID is still a “5-letter” word we use a lot---there were a number of questions from lawmakers about being virtual or eye to eye.

    Mitch Richtor—is the Legislative -Lobbyist for South Dakota Farmers Union---he’ll join us early in the show as well as in the last quarter hour.

    Rob Larew—is President of the National Farmers Union---he will weigh in on what he sees in DC—in the troubled times—during the last 8 years before the Inauguration of Joe Biden.

    With Mr. Richtor—keep discussion has been around the plan Governor Noem has for consolidating the Department of Agriculture with Environment and Natural Resources. Richtor will share what he is seeing on the ground in the capital—and taken questions from President Sombke—as well.

     The Governor last week in a lengthy interview with me –pointed out that there are very few farmers in the South Dakota House and Senate. Kent Peterson---Majority Leader from the House—shared Monday---he has counted 15 – as the number in agriculture representing the state’s residents.

     While South Dakota Farmers Union and South Dakota Farm Bureau agree that the new Ag Secretary---Tom Vilsack will be good for Agriculture---with his history as being Iowa’s Governor---the two organizations differ on the merger of agriculture with Environment-Natural Resources.

      We’ll find out more from Mitch and Doug in our segment.

       With COVID 19---there are a lot of dollars to be earmarked----we’ll find out what the SDFU priorities are.

       Medicaid Expansion is important---we’ll find out what South Dakota needs to know about the federal funding, who benefits from the expansion, what needs to be done to get this moving forward, surrounding states have expansion—why not South Dakota?

       10:20---President Larew—National Farmers Union joins us to discuss what some of the national priorities should be under the Biden-Harris administration.

       What difference will the change at the White House—and Democrats controlling the House and the tie-breaker in the Senate?

        What can be done to help those in agriculture----with hopefully more unity than we have seen in the past few years?

         There are only two states that combine Agriculture with another department. Not exactly fly-over zones when it is Alaska and Rhode Island.

         What about the fear in DC after the attack on the Capital last week? More fears that January 17th or inauguration day January 20th----or even all 50 State Capitals could be targeted?

          Is this just the beginning of fear—and attacks for days, weeks, months and years to come?

         10:40—you’ll meet our South Dakota Farm Family of the Month.

         Stephanie and John Jung—ranch near Ipswitch. They raise registered Red Angus cattle and registered Boer goats. The focus their efforts on raising the best genetics for their customers who buy livestock from their Lazy J Bar Ranch for commercial cow/calf herds, club calves and show goats.

         John and Stephanie both grew up raising livestock and were heavily involved in 4-H. A blended family, they appreciate the fact that their own children  have had the opportunity to actively involved in 4-H as well. John’s children are grown. Stephanie’s sons are still at home.

         We’ll hear their take on these troubling times----and what they hope to see this week in the Legislature and beyond---and in 2021 in South Dakota—and our whole way of doing business.

          Mitch Richtor—will rejoin us from Pierre as the clock ticks closer to the Governor’s Address early afternoon----and talk more about the proposed merger of the Dept of Ag with Environmental and Natural Resources.

          Each week---lobbyists –the farm organizations meet in Pierre to talk about their thoughts on the movement in the Capital – and what the thought are on issues. We’ll ask Mitch what he thinks will be the discussion from the organizations –this week and every week during the legislative session.

         We close the show with Laura Edwards—South Dakota State Climatologist. We’ll see what we should expect—this week, this month and beyond---for all those in the State and in particular for those in agriculture.

          Our South Dakota Farmers Union show will be available as a PODCAST—same day that it airs live. On the KELO-AM website –go to It’s YOUR Business---10-11—January 12, 2021----

          In addition—South Dakota Farmers Union will post the show as well –for all their followers----feel free to use these notes, this roadmap—as to what was scheduled to be in the show---and where.

           Questions about the show—visit with Leadership of South Dakota Farmers Union-or feel free to call me at 728-BILL (2455) or email me at bill.zortman@mwcradio.com.