Financing for South Dakota Agriculture

SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 28, 2012
Media Contact: Terri LaBrie, 605.773.4026

Financing for South Dakota Agriculture

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) has financial programs available for agricultural producers and agricultural related businesses.

SDDA’s financial programs partner with lenders across the state to provide borrowers with lower interest rates. Programs are available for livestock purchases, facility expansions, grain storage, and value added projects just to name a few.

“We have seen a lot of interest across the state in livestock development lately and our financial programs can assist in these projects,” said SD Secretary of Agriculture Walt Bones. “What a great way to diversify your farming operation or allow for a son or daughter to come back to the farm.”

SDDA staff will be available at the Annual Pork Congress in Sioux Falls in January and the Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City for anyone wanting to discuss livestock development and financing options.

For additional information on any of the financial programs offered through SDDA, call 605-773-5436. All program summaries and application forms are available at http://sdda.sd.gov

Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating nearly $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 80,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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SDDA Ag News 12-27-12

SDDA Ag News 12-27-12
http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=0584b83ba4a1ff6210abbaca5&id=f84f25bf23

SD Dept. of Ag and SDSU Extension To Hold “The Next Generation of Livestock Production” Forums

SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 26, 2012

Media Contact: Sarah Caslin, 605-773-3649

SD Dept. of Ag and SDSU Extension To Hold “The Next Generation of Livestock Production” Forums

PIERRE, S.D.-The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) and South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension will hold forums across the state to discuss South Dakota’s vision for livestock production this January through March.

“South Dakota has progressive, forward-thinking entrepreneurs who understand the exciting potential of today’s agri-business marketplace,” said SD Secretary of Agriculture Walt Bones. “We’re starting the conversation about the challenges and advantages South Dakota has to increase the number of livestock in our state.”

All forums are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. local time but are subject to change.

Dates and places are as follows:

Jan. 14-Aberdeen Livestock

Jan. 15-Mobridge Livestock

Jan. 21-Ft. Pierre Livestock

Jan. 22-Herried Livestock

Jan. 23-Martin Livestock

Jan. 24-Philip Livestock

Feb. 4-Hub City Livestock

Feb. 6-Bales Continental

Feb. 8-Glacial Lakes Livestock

Feb. 25-Platte Livestock

Feb. 26-Magness Livestock

Feb. 27-Madison Livestock

Feb. 28-Kimball Livestock

March 5-Mitchell Livestock

March 6-Yankton Livestock

March 7-Sioux Falls Regional

March 11-Belle Fourche Livestock

March 12-St. Onge Livestock

March 13-Faith Livestock

March 14-Lemmon Livestock

March 18-Miller Livestock

March 19-Presho Livestock
March 20-Winner Livestock

March 21-Chamberlain Livestock

For more information, contact Sarah Caslin, SDDA Livestock Development Specialist at 605-773-3649 or visit http://sdda.sd.gov

Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating nearly $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 80,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 26, 2012

Media Contact: Brad Berven, 605-773-4432

SD Dept. of Ag Hosts Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification Meetings

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) is hosting Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification meetings this January and February.

The goal of these meetings is to insure the safe and effective storage, handling, distribution, use and disposal of pesticide products. Pesticide applicators must take a test to become initially certified, but can re-certify by attending one of these meetings.

Once certified, commercial applicators must obtain a license, which is also valid for two years.

A commercial applicator license is $25 and a re-certification class is $50. Applicator and dealer licenses must be renewed by Feb. 28, 2013 or a $50 late fee will be assessed.

For times, dates and places of the commercial applicator meetings, visit https://apps.sd.gov/doa/ecat3/ApplicatorMeetingPrograms.htm Please bring a government issued photo ID and your applicator license to the meeting for check-in.

For more information on SDDA’s Pesticide Program, visit http://sdda.sd.gov/legacydocs/Ag_Services/Agronomy_Services_Programs/Pesticide_Program/2011-07pesticide_program_brochurewebopt.pdf

Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating nearly $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 80,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve, and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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SDDA Education and Youth Committee Minutes

SDDA Education and Youth Committee Agenda

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

GF & P Conference Room, 2^nd floor Joe Foss Building, Pierre

Members in attendance:  Michelle Nelson, Ann Schwader, Taylor Leonhardt, Lyle Stewart, Chris Studer, Ann Price, Nora Kohlenberg, Keith Ferguson, Steve Clements, Randy Englund. 

SDDA Facilitators present:  Jamie Crew, Sue Zilverberg. 

Members absent:  Yvonne Yoder, Ric Moreen, Greg Vonwald, Peter Nielson.

The meeting began by each committee member introducing themselves and explaining their backgrounds and experience.  Ann Price was selected to serve as chairman of the group and Michelle Nelson was selected to serve as secretary.  Facilitators Jamie Crew and Sue Zilverberg explained the purpose of the committee and the overall goals and intent of the meeting.  Members reviewed the answers provided for the pre-questionnaire and brainstormed concerns ways to address them. 

Four objectives were developed and a plan of action for each:

1.      Increase awareness of current statewide education resources and efforts

2.      Increase awareness of current financial resources

3.      Connecting social media/marketing efforts

4.      Increase awareness of community/regional/ag, food and natural resources events

Plan of action for Objectives 1, 2, and 4: 

·        Ann Price, Jamie Crew, and Taylor Leonhardt will work on drafting a letter to be sent out to all SD ag industry groups by January 15, 2013.  The letter will request contact information and a summary of education and financial resources available through their group and their social media efforts.

·        Recipients of the letter will be asked to return the requested information by February 8, 2013.

·        The information received from each group will be compiled by Jamie Crew by March 8, 2013. 

·        A reminder will be sent to the groups quarterly to update the information.

Plan of action for Objective 3: 

·        Ann Schwader and Taylor Leonhardt will create a Facebook page for the group by February 1, 2013.  The page will be titled “South Dakota Ag Partners in Action (Youth and Education).”

The committee created a Mission Statement:  Collaboration among all South Dakota ag industry groups to promote the introduction, education, and retention of youth in agriculture. 

The next meeting was set for Tuesday, March 26, 2013 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm.  Location will be determined at a later date. 

Respectfully submitted,

 Michelle Nelson, committee secretary



SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 21, 2012

Media Contact: Ann Price, 605-853-6040

Consider A Donation To S.D. Ag In The Classroom This Holiday Season

MILLER, S.D. – For individuals or businesses looking to make a year-end donation, consider giving to South Dakota Ag in the Classroom.


“Our goal is to provide educators with a curriculum that helps their students learn about agriculture while meeting the state’s education standards,” said Ann Price, South Dakota Ag in the Classroom Executive Director. “By making a donation to the program, we can continue to reach people about the importance of agriculture in their day-to-day lives.”


In the past year, the state’s Ag in the Classroom program has reached about 170 students and teachers through in-service training. Price has also traveled to numerous festivals and conventions spreading the message about the importance of agriculture in the classroom.


South Dakota Ag in the Classroom is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. The donation can be deducted from your income taxes. To make a monetary donation, send to South Dakota Ag in the Classroom, P.O. Box 402, Miller, SD, 57362, e-mail sdagclassroom@yahoo.com or call 605-853-6040.


Donations will be used to deliver curriculum to teachers and continue programs to further educate current and future consumers about the importance of agriculture.


For more information about South Dakota Ag in the Classroom, visit www.agclassroom.org/sd


The mission of South Dakota Ag in the Classroom is to be the premier educator training organization that increases student awareness of agriculture.


Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating nearly $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 80,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Over-Width Baled Livestock Feed Hauling Extended 60 Days In South Dakota

SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 20, 2012

Media Contact: Jamie Crew, 605-773-4073

Over-Width Baled Livestock Feed Hauling Extended 60 Days In South Dakota

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard has extended an Executive Order to haul over-width baled livestock feed until Feb. 21, 2013, in South Dakota.


The Executive Order states that, upon receipt of a permit, permission is granted to move over-width baled livestock feed not exceeding 12-feet-wide or 15-feet-high for two hours after sunset and two hours before sunrise. The order allows movement of over-width baled livestock feed until cessation of the drought emergency, or no later than Feb. 21.


Over-width vehicles must be equipped with flashing or rotating white or amber warning lights on each side of the load’s widest extremity. The warning lights must be clearly visible to motorists approaching from the front and rear. Movement under the Executive Order is valid only for baled livestock feed.


“This year’s persistent drought conditions have left livestock producers across South Dakota with inadequate feed supplies,” said South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Walt Bones. “Increasing hauling height and width restrictions for baled hay will allow producers to move feed in a more efficient manner.”


The normal size restriction on South Dakota highway loads is 14-feet, 3-inches high and 8-feet, 6-inches wide.


Although height and width restrictions for baled livestock feed have been temporarily increased by Executive Order, several highways in the state have width and height restrictions in place because of construction or permanent structures that cannot accommodate such large loads. Truckers are encouraged to check their routes ahead of time for those restrictions.


For information on permits, contact a South Dakota port of entry or call 800-637-3255.


Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating nearly $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 80,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Infrastructure & Zoning Committee

Infrastructure & Zoning Committee

December 17, 2012  -  10:00 AM

SD State University Extension Regional Center, Mitchell, SD

Members Present	Members Absent
Katie Konda, SDDA	Dusty Anderson
Ty Eschenbaum, SDDA	Steve Rommereim
David Skaggs, SDDA	Bob Wilcox
Todd Kayes	Bob Thaler
Mitch Fargen
Steve Pohl
Paul Brandt
Cory Eich
Karl Jensen
Lester Mueller

The meeting began by each committee member introducing themselves and explaining their backgrounds and experience.  After explaining the purpose, intent, and overall goals of this meeting, the agenda was accomplished in three main steps:

First:  The committee discussed in roundtable fashion the Positives & the Challenges regarding the infrastructure and zoning issues facing our state as a whole.  During this brainstorming session, all of these identified items were listed as either a POSITIVE or a CHALLENGE.

Positives	Challenges
Strong  agriculture community	Some zoning ordinances are restrictive in nature (not see as ‘guiding’ progress)
Clear/concise regulations are a net positive for  county and all involved	Some zoning ordinances need updating
Some townships have used haul agreements	Townships don’t receive funds for infrastructure
New operations are building to high environmental standards	Infrastructure in townships can’t handle the large loads
Some counties (i.e. Minnehaha) have used agricultural easements	Inconsistency in applying zoning ordinances  & permits
	Discretion allows for subjectivity
	Some counties don’t follow formalized meeting processes (i.e. Robert’s Rules, structured meetings, etc.)
	Bad actors are hard to account for
	Clear Communication & Education

Second:  The committee viewed these Positives & Challenges lists and used them to formulate Ideas as listed below.  These ideas were all listed without throwing any out.

Ideas

Educate regarding zoning, public & county commission/zoning, planning boards           -SDSU Extension has training opportunities           -Dept. of Environment & Natural Resources           -SD Dept. of Ag           -SD Association of County Commissioners

List of pre-certified/ “ag friendly” sites in counties

Get funding to townships/State

List of Resources for counties who want to update zoning           -Template for zoning with customization           -Agricultural easement/CAFO easement for new properties: housing

Example of process/procedure for counties when dealing with permits           -Categories in decision making process           -Checklists/Flowcharts

Use planning districts’ expertise to help counties

How to fund infrastructure?

Last:  The committee used the list of potential Ideas to develop specific action steps that we identified as our Objectives.  By summarizing and grouping the related Ideas into clear & concise goals, the following steps were identified:

Objectives

1)     Define & Determine what infrastructure is essential for agricultural development

2)     Establish funding mechanism to support necessary infrastructure

3)     Education and Resources

a.      Develop a standard list of available resources  and contact information for involved agencies  and organizations

b.     Develop training module for interested counties

i.     Customizable templates for decision making/flow charts

ii.     How to run a formal meeting

iii.     Updating comprehensive plans to include agricultural friendly  policies

Water, Natural Resources & Energy Minutes

Key Leaders Roundtable (KLR)  Subcommittee Meeting

Group 3: Water, Natural Resources, Energy

Minutes of 12/17/12

Members Present: Courtney De La Rosa, Paula Gregg, Richard Vasgaard, Mark Tubbs, Myron Williams, Wayne Smith, Michael Schmidt, Jeff Zimprich, Jim Faulstich, David Niemi , Marlee Cordell, Angela Ehlers, Mike Traxinger, Peter Bauman, Silvia Christensen.

Members Absent: Duane Schneider, Laron Krause, Kathy Zander.

Courtney De La Rosa and Paula Gregg, SDDA, began the meeting by explaining the role and purpose of the KLR subcommittee. Discussion was held on the 2011 & 2012 KLR pertaining to water, natural resources, and energy.  Following introductions by committee members, a committee chairperson and secretary were selected. Jim Faulstich nominated Angela Ehlers as the Committee Chairperson. Wayne Smith moved for nominations to cease. Myron Williams seconded. Nomination prevailed by unanimous voice vote. Paula Gregg, SDDA, was asked to be the Secretary.

Angela Ehlers reviewed the agenda. The committee discussed a needs assessment and critical issues pertaining to South Dakota water, natural resources, and energy. (see attached)

The committee, at the direction of SDDA, is asked to identify objectives to work on as a committee and report back to the KLR in June 2013.  Action steps, responsibilities, timeline, resources, and potential barriers were discussed for each objective. The objectives are:

1.      Producers understand policies & procedures involved with surface use and damage for any energy/water development.

2.      Review State Water Laws.

3.      SD landowners/operators understand the emerging farming and ranching practices that improve their use of their natural resources for the long term.

4.      SD has permanent adequate funding source for natural resource improvement and sustainability of our natural resources.

5.      Monitor, Encourage, & Develop Mechanisms to address the loss of native sod & loss of land to non-agricultural uses.

Angela Ehlers volunteered to talk with DENR staff to arrange a tutorial meeting with the committee about the State’s water rights laws and water monitoring systems.

Pete Bauman volunteered to talk with SDSU Ag Extension about adding a clearinghouse of information for land owners and sub-surface agreements to their website.

Courtney De La Rosa will visit with Dianne Best, Attorney General Office, on subsurface agreements.

All committee members are asked to continue to work on the objectives and come up with ideas for following through. The next meeting will be February 14, 2013, 3:00 p.m. CST, via video teleconference.

Meeting Adjourned.

Respectfully submitted by Paula Gregg, Finance Program Specialist, SDDA.

Livestock Development Key Leader Roundtable Committee Minutes

Minutes of 12/18/2012 KLR Group 2: Livestock Development

Members Present: Lyle Perman, Ron Fredrick, Jerry Vogeler, Brad Greenway, Dave Uttecht, Garrett Bischoff, Scott VanderWal (via phone), Lowell Mesman, Jeanne Goodman, Warren Rushe, Robin Salverson, Ed Blair, Brad Bunker, Gary Deering, Dr. Dan Little, Sarah Caslin, Jodi Bechard.

Sarah Caslin, SDDA, began the meeting by explaining what we are hoping to get out of the committee. Had the committee members do a short ice breaker exercise to get the conversation going. We also went around the room and everyone explained what they hoped to get from the committee. 

Walt made a short speech explaining a little more as to what these committees would hopefully get achieved.

The members were asked to bring in 5-10 objectives to the meeting that they felt they wanted to accomplish. Those objectives were typed and projected. Members participated in discussion about what objectives were most important to Livestock Development and which were being discussed by other committee groups. The objectives that the members brought are attached. These objectives were narrowed down to the seven remaining.

·        Try to identify expansion plans and areas of expansion for each species and livestock friendly counties, identify possible CAFO sites.

·        Identify a timeline to have an increase in 10%, 20% of each livestock group.

·        Include livestock processing plant capacity and what % of SD livestock is meeting that capcity.

·        Timeline for SDCEC program numbers to meet plant capacity and or future- 10 yr demand.

·        Improve Marketing profitability-adding value to our industry.

·        SD Dept of Ag publicly support new projects and endeavors

·        Properly staff our livestock operations.                                                              

It was discussed that the group would like to look further into numbers for each industry. Dave & Brad will be getting Hog, Jeanne getting DENR, Dan getting Dairy, Ron getting beef, and Warren will be getting feed supply numbers.

The group nominated Jerry Vogeler to be the chairman and he accepted. Jerry discussed when we wanted to meet and how we wanted to meet. It was agreed a pone that even though January 21^st is a holiday, we will find a place to meet that day from 1-4 in Pierre.

Meeting Adjourned

Secretary Bones spoke about the "Next Generation of Livestock Development In South Dakota" in Mobridge today.

What is Critical to Value Added Processing (potential for return or vision for what SD needs)

At the first Key Leader Roundtable Value-Added Committee Meeting this Tuesday, the members found these points to be critical to value-added processing. You will also find the minutes below. What do you think is critical to value-added processing in South Dakota?

________________________________________________________________________

What is Critical to Value Added Processing (potential for return or vision for what SD needs)

-        High quality livestock (beef and pork)

-        Developing smaller niche food processors

-        Local food markets

-        Positive zoning regulations (example of ideal regulations)

-        Need for education about LLCs

-        Importance of finding end market for product (good feasibility studies)

-        Financial feasibility of processing

-        Finding the right market for our products outside of South Dakota

-        Create long-term businesses that are diversified in their markets

-        International marketing opportunities

-        Transportation gaps (bringing in empty trucks)

-        Finding the right consultants and other resources

-        Supporting Entrepreneurship

-        Finding funding/banks to lend to value added projects

-        Why do we need value added processing in the state/what are the benefits/what is the advantage (community development, rate of return)

-        Education about new ideas

-        Livestock zoning vs. water zoning

-        Additional processing for our commodities

-        Livestock production as a value added opportunity to our commodities

-        Address the scale of the projects

 

__________________________________________________________________________________

Minutes of 12/11/12 KLR Group 5: Value Added Processing Committee

 

Members Present: Alison Kiesz, Terri LaBrie, Bob Weyrich, Carolyn Rudebusch, Lester Moeller, Keith Underwood, Brad Bonhorst, and Cheri Rath.

Members Absent: Alicia Degeest and Fran Fritz.

Alison Kiesz, SDDA, began the meeting by explaining why the committee was here and the purpose of the committee.  A short exercise to get acquainted with the members took place. Bob Weyrich was asked to be the Chairman of the Committee and Terri LaBrie, SDDA, was asked to be the Secretary.

Weyrich reviewed the agenda and copies of the KLR report pertaining to Value Added for 2011 and 2012 was distributed to the committee members.  A great discussion took place on the Critical issues to Value Added Processing in SD (potential for return or vision for what SD needs).  This document is attached.

The committee, at the direction of SDDA, is asked to come up with 4-5 objectives to work on as a committee and report back to the KLR in June 2013.  The objectives are:

1.       Identify resources and gaps in resources for market development of value added projects.

-        Initial listing by Feb 2013.

-        Comprehensive listing by April 2013.

2.      Express support for friendly zoning of production agriculture to provide feedstock for value added processing.

3.      Identify funding options for all phases of value added agriculture.

4.      Invest in agricultural research and facilities.

5.      Develop and communicate a common and consistent message for SD agriculture.

Bonhorst volunteered to take the lead on identifying resources and gaps in resources for market development.  All committee members will work on these as well and report back at the next meeting.

Future meetings were discussed and it was decided that they would be held via conference call the beginning of February and again in March.

All committee members should be thinking of these objectives and coming up with ideas for following through.

Meeting Adjourned.