South Dakota Farmers & Ranchers in D.C. to Advocate for a Farm Bill that Works for Them

MITCHELL SD (Mitchell Now) Family farmers and ranchers from across South Dakota are in D.C. this week, September 14-16, advocating for a Farm Bill that works for them during the National Farmers Union D.C. Fly-In.

“The current Farm Bill was passed eight years ago. We need a Farm Bill that is up to date, with policy to address today’s challenges,” said Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union. “No one uses a newspaper from eight years ago to understand what is going on today. A Farm Bill needs to address the needs of farmers and ranchers as well as consumers. The Farm Bill is important to national security. As a country we cannot depend on other countries to feed us. Everything going on in the world today says that we need to do more domestically. The Farm Bill needs to address fuel issues, input costs, food safety, disaster and conservation programs. All important – but none of these policies have been updated in nearly a decade.”

A fourth-generation Brown County farmer, Sombke is among a large group of farmers and ranchers from across the state who will spend the next few days meeting one-on-one with congressional leaders and their staff.

During the meetings, South Dakota producers will discuss challenges facing them and their communities and potential solutions through policy.

“Farmers and ranchers are used to making things work when factors out of their control are working against them – they are creative problem solvers – this week we hope to share potential solutions to many of the issues we face,” explained Sombke.

Solutions like including Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) in the Farm Bill. “With recent removal of tariffs on foreign beef, MCOOL remains a top priority,” Sombke said. “U.S. beef producers invest in premiere genetics, and U.S. regulations ensure all meat that enters the food system is safe. Consumers need to know where their food comes from.”

With domestic fuel prices continuing to rise and petroleum reserves at record lows, Sombke said South Dakota farmers and ranchers will also be advocating for year-round E-15 (15-percent ethanol in gasoline) in the Farm Bill.

South Dakota rancher, Carleyn Petersen is eager to visit with Congressional leaders.

“Keeping our family’s ranch in the family is our goal. It is the reason we are Farmers Union members and it is the reason we are here for the Fly-In,” explained Petersen who raises cattle with her husband Cole and his family near Eagle Butte. “If we make a good impression on policy leaders while we are here, it may impact their decisions when it comes to the Farm Bill and what they include in the Farm Bill.”

Timing of Fly-In is important

The Senate Ag Committee is meeting to discuss passing the Farm Bill while South Dakota agriculture producers are in D.C. Aberdeen farmer Jeff Kippley serves as Vice President of National Farmers Union and South Dakota Farmers Union. He said having the individuals who do the work to raise our nation’s food supply in D.C. during this key moment is important.

“If congressional leaders need to be reminded about the impact of a program or mandate within the Farm Bill, real farmers and ranchers will be in their offices sharing how a specific disaster recovery program or conservation program helps them on their family’s farm or ranch,” explained Kippley, who spends a lot of time meeting with congressional leaders in his role as NFU Vice President. “I can share my family’s farm story – but when they get to hear from other producers and realize that we all share similar challenges – and a specific policy change could help multiple producers it can make a big difference.”

Some specific asks South Dakota farmers will make during their meetings are passage of a Farm Bill that:

–      Reinstates Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL)

–      Year-round E-15 (15-percent ethanol blended in gasoline)

–      Brings down input costs

–      Establishes IMSET (Inventory Management Soil Enhancement Tool) to respond to low prices and build soil health

–      Protects and enforces the Packers and Stockyards Act rules

–      Fully funds voluntary conservation programs

–      Improves farmers’ access to credit and provide debt relief

–      Fully staffs USDA Farm Service Agency

Family farmers and ranchers from your communities are in D.C.

A grassroots policy organization, South Dakota Farmers Union is sponsoring the South Dakota producers who attend this Fly-In. South Dakota family farmers and ranchers and South Dakota Farmers Union staff attending the Fly-In are: Doug Sombke, Brown County, President of SDFU; Jeff Kippley, Aberdeen, National Farmers Union Vice President and SDFU Vice President; Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director; Larry Birgen, Beresford; Dan Kapperman, Humboldt; Rachel Kapperman, Humboldt; Rachel Kippley, Aberdeen; Corwin Mohr-Eymer, Reliance; Paul Nielson, Sioux Falls; Carleyn Petersen, Eagle Butte; Cole Petersen, Eagle Butte; David Reis, Oacoma; Kirk Schaunaman, Aberdeen; Wayne Soren, Lake Preston; Gail Temple, Clark; Taylor Zeutenhorst, Valley Springs; Samantha Zeutenhorst, Valley Springs; Rocky Forman, SDFU Membership Coordinator; David Smith, SDFU Legislative Specialist and Lydia Hill, SDFU Digital Media.

To keep up with South Dakota agriculture producers during their time in D.C., follow South Dakota Farmers Union on Facebook, Instagram and Sd.Farmers.Union on TikTok. To learn more about how South Dakota Farmers Union supports family farmers and ranchers and rural communities, visit www.sdfu.org.