Blog-October 25, 2024—10-11—It’s YOUR Agri Business
   Last Friday of October—and it was a pretty darn good farm show. For instance Darren Hefty—Ag PHD---yes he talks with us, farms with his brother near Baltic, does a Sirius Farm Show—the only one they do nationwide. 
   Today we talked about the election---people still be confused with the initiated Measures on the Ballot. Even farmers are confused---you have trouble believing the commercials that only tell the side they want to-----and how could farm organizations be that far apart of what is good for the farm community?
    Darren is a good one to listen to---and I’d take his advise before many of the political officials who only walk on what side of the street that helps them—but maybe not you or your community.
    There was a Statewide Summit that I attended on Thursday----Michael Cartney—who is now  Ex Offico of Community Education center in Watertown---helped plan this one –and even invited a reporter like me to join them this week.
     I took it seriously----and stayed for nearly 6 hours---to listen to 40-50 experts that were –talking about best way to get Ukrainians into South Dakota. Many of those from Ukraine have found that South Dakota is perhaps closer to the way they do things then the west or east coasts---or other communities—that have a style of living that probably wouldn’t be able to attract those from Ukraine.
     As a reporter---and yes from a farm family too—it was interesting to listen to the stats which showed South Dakota was attractive to many—and that in our state—there are more and more openings. Big problem---finding housing in small towns that really need the help or being able to pay some of the expected tolls in Rapid City of Sioux Falls.
     Cartney and team was able to bring some of the Ukrainians to the event at the McCrossan’s Boys Ranch. We heard from those handling living sites that the Ukrainians for the most part are respectful and follow the rules. That may be the reason South Dakota is getting some serious looks.
      What a cross-section attended—lawmakers-educators-those that study stats that are important---a nun------and people from small town communities looking to compete with housing.
      We learned as well out what war in Ukraine does to families---if it doesn’t take their lives—it can divide them. The women and children can make the trip to the US—but they have to have funding. Often times the men have to stay and fight.
       We met 4 families ----Alla ---who is a part of our show each Friday—having brought her sisters, her mom and finally her dad to Salem, South Dakota in the last few years. 
        We heard from Costello Property Management—Ashley Bruske—Regional Manager ---about how respectful the Ukrainians are with the property. She was convinced---and it made me understand WHY Ukrainians are the target to come to South Dakota.
        We met two sisters—that baked unbelievable cakes---and even shared the afternoon snack---an unusual tomato soup---that had us all saying WOW.
        A good friend of ours Dwight Mogler Lyons County Iowa—brought some pork into the studio---and Kelly Stark from Chud’s Pub and Grub. They are in Larchwood and Dwight let it be know that they had just won a national award and we announced it on the air. He also shared that they little Pork Event they had a Chud’s was just a sample of what perhaps in the future—a Sioux Falls Restaurant could be serving.
    We’ll keep our eye on that one in the weeks ahead.
    Sarah Heinrich had the Growing Harvest Network from KFGO in Fargo---Matt Swenson---Swenson Commodities have the mid-day commodities. 
    Casey Crabtree---yes that Casey from Madison—shared what he was doing this week with the group talking the importance of Ellsworth and what they are putting out for the national grid. Today though he was helping promote the Governor’s Hunt in Humboldt. It’s a tradition—generally a week after the opening of the hunting season that the sitting Governor will lead ----Casey handles a lot of duties in his role in Pierre—but today he was collecting bottles and other stuff for the hunt which will include specially invited dignitaries across South Dakota.
     We’ve been following Gerri Eide’s work with her team of FFA members in Indianapolis. Josh Johnson---Brookings FFA talked to us about what they are accomplishing. South Dakota contingent in Indy this week finished 8th nationwide. 
     Obviously you’d like to do much better---but with all the winning communities we have talked to this week---Gerri and her team—and the schools and those that are students represented very well. We think it is great that we can feature them and encourage them---to keep doing what they are doing today, tomorrow and in the near and far future. Congratulations to all!!!
     Bryson Patterson—now SBA Director in South Dakota—talked with us a couple of times from Deadwood this week in the Women’s Conference. National officials took recommendations of so many of us---that said Bryson can carry on what Jaime Wood did for all of us over the last few years. 
     We closed the show with Iowa State Climatologist—Justin Glisin. She we were trying to look into the future. I probably could have gotten a meteorologist to take the bait---I know Laura Edwards would have done what Justin did today—stayed away from doing anything but being professional---looking ahead but not going too far. We are very fortunate to be able to work with both of them for our listening audience.
     Thank you!!!!!
      Our It’s YOUR Business and It’s YOUR Agri Business Shows are done from scratch. I put a few miles on my carcass by doing more than 5,000 TV newscasts and now am at 46-33 radio shows in Sioux Falls. It’s those people in our stories that we are featuring---and I always try to get information that the audience would enjoy.
      Listen live at 1320, 105.1, 107.9—use the KELO App—Streaming on line or just ask Alexa. Norm Anderson shares the podcast of the show---and I write the blog---you can reach we at 605-728-BILL (2455) or email me at bill.zortman@mwcradio.com.