Blog----May 8, 2024---It’s Your Agri Business------Show 44-71
   Our It’s YOUR Agri Business Show---always includes stories from multiple states—Wednesday—Minnesota Ag Commissioner—today—the Iowa Commissioner of Agriculture---along with Nikki Gronli—SD State Director of Rural Development.

   Mike Naig gave us a quick view of Iowa---the wet weather that has caused planting delays----the Cover Crop Cost-Sharing Announcement being made this week---GREET announcement involving sustainable aviation fuel---Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza---affecting dairy, milk and meat.

   And we wanted to know the kind of questions Secretary Naig was being asked by Iowans.

    Secretary Naig is an old friend---I’m older than he is---but we work well together and want our Hawkeye Friends to know what they do is important to us—just like those in Minnesota---know that Ag Commissioner Thom Peterson speaks for them from political stuff in DC and the Twin Cities---to the stress that is affecting so many on the farm.

    Nikki shared with us a few things they are working with in South Dakota-$48 million to help build new housing to provide housing for year-around and yes seasonal domestic farmworkers. 

    We discussed the REAP program---Rural Energy for America Program—providing guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to ag producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. 

     It could be grain dryers to help farmers better store their grain, geothermal heat pumps and solar panels to reduce energy costs or LD lighting and energy-efficient coolers.  For example a farmer near Flandreau installed new grain dryers and solar panels saving more than $7000 per year in energy costs---which would be enough to power  homes. 

    We vow to get Nikki and her team on our Ag radio show—more in the future.

    Nolan Clark—Plains Commerce Bank talked planning for those in ag, business, and that planning has to carry over to young couples, to those that are getting a little bit gray around the edges. 

   We updated the Fairs coming soon—Scott Wick talked about the Sioux Empire Fair---what they are doing---the fact that they are planning in May---for early August should let you know that 2024---will have some great music---food—energy---and even thank you day for those in Agriculture.
    Candi Briley—South Dakota State Fair shared that we are 111 days-20 hours and 32 minutes away from the Wednesday start to the Fair this year. The extra day is a big deal and will allow more to see—more to enjoy---and more come together as South Dakotans this year. Again free admission Monday-Friday—and we know the entertainment acts are being set—and other events will use the State Fair Grounds between now and the Start of the SD State Fair.

    Sarah Heinrich—Growing Harvest Network –gave us the Fargo farm facts for the day and Matt Swenson---shared the morning commodities with Swenson Commodities as well as the BIG BOARD on WALL STREET.
   Jackie Haggar Tuschen—co-chair Avera Race Against Cancer joined us to provide an invite to all for their 36th annual event this Saturday. In essence yes-Let’s Run This Town Saturday May 11th—we as a radio group that works together promotes this event----and from the Shuttle Buses running at 6AM to the start of the 10K at 8AM—5K at 8:10AM, 3 mile and 1.5 mile start at 8:20AM to the 8:30 Survivor door prize winners selected—and at 10AM the Food Expo Closing—it promises to be a big event to raise much needed money for cancer. We’ll feature Jackie and/or a guest in 9:00 show on Friday. 
    10:44 we talked with Mary Michaels AARP—a regular part of our Working on Wellness Wednesday Show that just had to be extended into the 10:00 hour this week.
   Each month AARP SD receives a package of content from AARP Fraud Watch Network---that is available for your use. Among the items this week the Digital Delivery Scams—that want your hard earned money. Those people falling for the scam had led to it being included in what to look out for.
   We closed the hour---by popular request to Mr. Tree—John Ball---part of the segment we included earlier this week on trees that have been hammered –the emerald ash borer that is still around---and what’s he’s doing with those students who want to help Mr. Tree work in the future.
   Our It’s YOUR Agri Business Show—collects data and experts to talk to you-and we know that AG is the #1 industry in South Dakota---and we keep the information coming.
   Listen live to the show at 1320,105.1---use the KELO App—Streaming on line or just ask Alexa. Norm Anderson will post this show by Friday May 10th---go to the KELO-AM Website—and look for the date—this blog provides pin-point information on what is in the show---and where to find it.

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