SD Corn

The South Dakota Corn Growers Association along with South Dakota State University will be sponsoring a congressional debate tomorrow, August 22nd at DakotaFest in Mitchell between Representative Kristi Noem and challenger Matt Varilek.

The one-hour debate starts at 2pm and will be held in the SDSU Pavilion Tent in the northwest corner of the DakotaFest grounds. The debate will focus solely on agricultural issues in South Dakota.

If you are unable to attend, tune into WNAX 570 AM either online or on your radio to hear a live broadcast of the debate.

Corn Comments Podcast with Jim Woster.

DakotaFest starts next week and runs August 21-23 in Mitchell, South Dakota. There will be a number of great speakers and educational opportunities, but you won’t want to miss the congressional debate. South Dakota Corn along with South Dakota State University will be co-sponsoring a debate on ag-related issues between United States Congresswoman Kristi Noem and challenger Matt Varilek on August 22 at 2pm in the SDSU Pavilion located in the Northwest area of DakotaFest.

Keith Alverson and Bill Chase visit with Senator Tim Johnson.

Corn Congress gets underway this week as directors from both the South Dakota Corn Growers Association and Corn Utilization Council will be meeting in Washington, DC to speak with our nation’s leaders and meet with corn farmers from other states to address current policy matters and elect leadership for the 2013 National Corn Growers Association board.

“Corn Congress is all about representing the South Dakota corn farmer on a national stage by establishing policies and expressing the concerns that our growers share,” said SDCGA President Mark Gross, a farmer and rancher from Bridgewater. “Our biggest issue this year is making sure that the House passes a Farm Bill Now, giving our farmers the certainty they need to make long-term decisions moving forward.”

Other pressing issues include biotechnology, ethanol, the Renewable Fuels Standard and the drought, which has impacted a majority of the Corn Belt.

The group will be touching on those topics as it meets with Senators Tim Johnson, and John Thune and Representative Kristi Noem this week.

“Our organizations (SDCGA & SDCUC) are truly fortunate to be so well represented during Corn Congress,” said Gross. “Our delegates take pride in representing the state’s farmers and appreciate the opportunity to spend time talking about their concerns directly with members of Congress.”

Representing the South Corn Growers this week are: Mark Gross, president; Keith Alverson, vice-president; Kurt Stiefvater, secretary/treasurer; Jim Burg; and Kevin Deiter.

Representing South Dakota Corn Council are: Chad Blindauer, president; Justin Davis; and Bill Chase.

South Dakota Congresswomen Kristi Noem hosted a Farm Bill Listening Session today for 17 different state agriculture and wildlife organizations at the South Dakota Corn office in Sioux Falls.

Representatives from each group were able to share their positions on the upcoming Farm Bill. The conversation lasted just over an hour, touching on a wide range of Farm Bill and agricultural topics including revenue protection, crop insurance, conservation programs, biofuels, research and livestock.

A number of South Dakota media outlets were on-hand for the event. The Argus Leader will be posting a video replay of the meeting on their website.