Blog—September 20, 2022—10-11—SDFU Show—DC Fly-in Show

   It was an important trip!!!

   With the help of South Dakota Farmers Union---and the graciousness of my Midwest Communication Team in Sioux Falls---I had the chance to do something broadcasters and reporters don’t get that much chance to do.

    The Fly-in to Washington DC –carried a lot of very important PRIORITIES

FAIRNESS for FARMERS

• Establish a Special Investigator for Meat and Poultry at USDA
• Enact the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act
• Re-establish mandatory Country of Origin Labeling
• Strengthen the Packers and Stockyards Act
• Ensure farmers have the right to repair their equipment

INFLATION REDUCTION ACT

• Guide USDA in connecting farmers and ranchers with the resources put forward for conservation/climate programs
• Ensure swift and appropriate implementation of $500 million infrastructure investment in biofuel and new tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel

2023 FARM BILL PRIORITIES

• Maintain robust farm safety net through commodity programs, crop insurance and credit
• Expand and enhance permanent disaster programs
• Build upon conservation and climate priorities
• Foster a strong, resilient local  and regional food system
• Enact the Dairy Revitalization Plan

   44 people made the trip----from all over South Dakota---not only did they talk with each other in planning the trip---but included the National Farmer Union President Rob Larew--#2 guy at NFU---Jeff Kippley from South Dakota---and the chance to visit with the Ag Secretary---go to the White House---cross stories with Congressman and Senators offices from a number of states.

    We didn’t go live from the meetings----because of the time frame---of discussions---and as it turned out---the airlines aren’t always able to get us their when they promise.

     But we did interview 18-20 and  some of the interviews have already run---many are in this show----and we will either run the others later---or perhaps talk to those that were on the trip as to how the trip affected them not only in DC—but when they returned home

    Doug Sombke—long-time President South Dakota Farmers Union and media organizer Luke Reindl join me in the show.

    You’ll hear from National VP Kippley, Gregory’s Hank Wonnenberg, Buffalo’s Joe Painter, Long-time lawmaker Oren Lesmeister, Rachel Kippley who represented very-well (thank you) –the women on this trip, Josh Christianson---bringing Farmers Union to the Harrisburg Classrooms, Garrett Kruger---young man from Lake Preston—who was one of a half dozen students who made the trip---contributed—and accepted the torch for the future.

     The guests were interviewed---last Tuesday and Wednesday----after some careful planning about how those selected had been active in the trip---talked different topics---and helped us tell the story of this latest South Dakota Farmers Union Fly-in.

      Fly-ins are going on all the time to DC-----but I traveled with these good folks---talked with them over a sandwich, a steak, a beer or margarita or two----in cabs, on buses---on the plane----and waiting in airports.

       The energy of those on the trip was amazing----I did participate in meetings with law makers from Louisiana, Virginia----and visited with others from Farm Bureau—and Farmers Union from Iowa-North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Montana, Wyoming, Kansas, and Nebraska. It was a reporter’s or media host’s delight to listen---add to it—and see why in 2022---these fly-ins are so important.

       The show was live 10-11 on Tuesday—September 20th. The cross-section of people in agriculture---with different specialties gives me a chance to follow up with them—and let them report first hand to me---and to you our audience. Pretty special---eye-opening---and something I’ll never forget—but build on.

      Listen live to our It’s YOUR Business Show at KELO-AM –1320, 105.1, 107.9---use the KELO-App—Streaming on line –or just ask Alexa.

      Norm Anderson will have the show available as a PODCAST by NOON on the day that the show runs live.

      The Podcast can be found at the KELO-AM Website---look for the September 20, 2022—10-11 show---on It’s YOUR Business.

      Luke Reindl and SDFU Team will have it posted on the South Dakota Farmers Union Website.

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