EAGAN, Minn., August 9, 2023 – Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) will give a farm bill update to Dakotafest attendees on Wed., Aug. 16 at 1:00 p.m. Central. Moderated by Mike Jaspers, former South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture, the session will address the issues that are critical in the new farm bill and how these changes could impact the state’s agriculture industry.
Dakotafest takes place Aug. 15-17 in Mitchell, South Dakota. Another education session scheduled at the event is “South Dakota Ag Forward – Top Priorities for State and National Commodities” featuring South Dakota farmers and ranchers who serve in national ag leadership organizations. Panelists include: Scott VanderWal, vice president, American Farm Bureau Federation; Jeff Kippley, vice president, National Farmers Union; Justin Tupper, president, U.S. Cattlemen’s Association; Craig Anderson, director, National Pork Producers Council; Brett Kenzy, president/district III director, R-CALF; Brandon Wipf, director, American Soybean Association; and Grant Rix, action team member, National Corn Growers Association. They will discuss top policy and organizational priorities at the national level. Panelists will also address how they are representing their members and working with each other to ensure South Dakota farmers and ranchers have a voice in national conversations. Dakotafest attendees can catch this session on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 12:00 p.m.
Dakotafest and American Ag Network have partnered to bring attendees an informative session called “Navigating Volatile Commodity and Livestock Markets.” Headlined by ag marketing experts Ross Nadgwick with Van Ahn & Co. and Mick Minor, commodity broker with Professional Ag Marketing, the session will cover ways to mitigate risk and make a profit in the volatile ag market.
On Thursday, Aug. 17, guests can attend the Women in Ag event to hear from Peggy Schlechter, SDSU Extension specialist, during her keynote “Agritourism: An Avenue to Advocate for Agriculture.” The Dakotafest Woman Farmer/Rancher of the Year award will be presented to the winner following the keynote address and a ceremony honoring the top five nominees.
Attendees can stream the events live, view them archived or learn more about the schedule of events by visiting Dakotafest.com.
