Family farmers and ranchers from across South Dakota are in Scottsdale, Ariz., advocating for policy supporting agriculture and rural communities during the 122nd National Farmers Union Convention that began Sunday and ends today (Tuesday, March 12).
“These members care about policy because grassroots policy, voted on by farmers and ranchers, is what guides our organization’s lobbying efforts in South Dakota and Washington, D.C.,” said Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union and a fourth-generation Conde farmer.
Lobbying on behalf of policy put in place by family farmers and ranchers does make an impact, said NFU Vice President and Aberdeen farmer Jeff Kippley. “It speaks to our credibility as an organization because we are not controlled by any special interest groups,” Kippley said. “We are made up of more than 200,000 farmers and ranchers from across the U.S. These farmers and ranchers are the ones who set policy we can put into action.”
During the NFU Policy meeting, South Dakota’s delegates supported or defended policy as it comes before the delegates. Among the policy South Dakota delegates were prepared to discuss were:
• Opposing anti-competitive practices in livestock markets
• Property rights
• Government oversight of hazardous materials transported through pipelines
To keep up with delegates during the 2024 NFU Convention, visit www.sdfu.org and follow South Dakota Farmers Union on Facebook and Instagram.
