Category Archives: News

Winner High School Student Council Looking for Nominations for Parade Marshall

The Winner High School Student Council is looking for nominations for the 2021 Parade Marshall for this year’s homecoming parade. Please send your nominations to Haley Barfuss with a detailed description of why you nominate this person. You can email them to Haley.Barfuss@K12.sd.us or send them to 431 East 7th St., Winner SD 57580. The deadline for the nominations is Wednesday, September 15th.

SDSU Extension Launches Women on the Range Program

South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension has unveiled a new ranching program for females — South Dakota Women on the Range (SDWR) — and will host a kickoff event Sept. 9 near Belle Fourche, South Dakota. Registration will start at 8:30 a.m. MT at the St. Onge Hall (198 First St., St. Onge, South Dakota).

The workshop will transition to field activities in the morning in a pasture near St. Onge, while the afternoon session will focus on classroom-based livestock production topics at The Branding Iron in Belle Fourche.

“We will start the day looking at rangeland and grazing management techniques. With the current drought conditions, healthy and productive rangeland is more imperative than ever,” says Jessalyn Bachler, SDSU Extension Range Field Specialist. “In the pasture, we will look at the importance of plant species diversity, especially as it relates to drought. Forage production, grazing utilization and sampling procedures will also be covered during the field portion of the workshop.”

According to Bachler, the target audience for this program are women that are main figures in ranching operations or leaders in the industry who are wanting to learn more about rangelands, conservation, grazing and overall livestock production. SDSU Extension also hopes to reach females new to the ranching community and help them make connections in the industry.

“The mission of South Dakota Women on the Range is to educate women across South Dakota about the importance of range management, while empowering them to become leaders and advocates in the agriculture industry,” says Krista Ehlert, Assistant Professor and SDSU Extension Range Specialist. “We want to create a community of like-minded women, who want to learn from and support other women.”

Registration for the SDWR kickoff workshop is $50, which includes meals. Registration and the workshop schedule will be available Monday, Aug. 23 on the SDSU Extension Events page (extension.sdstate.edu/events). Contact Bachler at 605-374-4177 or Jessalyn.Bachler@sdstate.edu with questions. Same day registrations will be accepted.

Governor Noem to Appeal District Court Decision in Planned Parenthood v. Noem

Following the District Court ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Noem, Governor Kristi Noem announced that the State of South Dakota will appeal the ruling to the United States 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.


“All life is precious. Mothers should have the opportunity to hear all relevant information before they are faced with the ‘choice’ of whether to end their unborn child’s life,” said Governor Kristi Noem.

“I look forward to the day when all life – born and unborn – is protected by law. Given that the US Supreme Court will soon decide on the constitutionality of prohibiting abortion before ‘viability,’ we are asking the 8th Circuit to recognize that the people’s legislators should have the ability to pass pro-life laws.”

The District Court had previously enjoined the provision in South Dakota state law requiring that a pregnant woman consult with a pregnancy help center, ensuring that she had all facts available, before deciding whether to abort her unborn child.

Today’s decision by the District Court refused to dissolve the injunction, so the law passed by the people’s representatives is suspended until a final court decision is rendered. In doing so, the Court rejected the will of the people when it comes to protecting unborn life.

The State of South Dakota will appeal to ensure that women considering an abortion have all of the facts regarding their unborn child and the potential risks of an abortion procedure.

SDSU Extension to Offer Pork Processing Short Course

South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension invites beginning meat processors and backyard butchers to learn new skills associated with the harvest, fabrication and processing of pigs. The Pork Processing Short Course will be held Sept. 15 – 17 at the SDSU Meat Laboratory in Brookings, South Dakota.

“This two-and-a-half-day program will provide participants with hands-on opportunities to learn how to humanely harvest pigs, cut carcasses for wholesale and retail and how to process bacon and brats,” says Christina Bakker, SDSU Extension Meat Science Field Specialist. “We will also cover food safety, processing ingredients and other exciting meat science topics.”

The Pork Processing Short Course will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CDT on Sept. 15 and 16 and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 17. The SDSU Meat Laboratory is located at the west end of the Animal Science Complex (1097 N. Campus Drive) on the SDSU campus.

The cost of the program is $800 and includes three lunches, as well as daily snacks. Participants will also take home the meat they process from half a hog, so bringing a large cooler is recommended.

Registration is limited and will close Sept. 3. For more information, visit the SDSU Extension Events page (extension.sdstate.edu/events) or contact Bakker at Christina.Bakker@sdstate.edu.

South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance to Unveil New Tourism Economic Development Plan at Tourism Forum, August 26, 2021

Efforts are on the way to ensure the inclusion of Native American communities in South Dakota tourism through the launch of the Native American Tourism Development and Management Plan, 2020-2025, South Dakota, which is one of the first initiatives of its kind under the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act. Under the new plan, the first alliance of its kind in the United States brings together nine federally recognized tribal nations in South Dakota to form the South Dakota Native Tourism (SDNTA) a network of more than 60 organizations, and local, state, and federal partners, working together to develop Native American tourism as a catalyst for economic growth.

This tourism development initiative has been steered by the George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies in partnership with its South Dakota and federal agency partners including the Office of Indian Economic Development, U.S. Department of the Interior, and will be unveiled at a launch event at the Journey Museum in Rapid City, South Dakota, on August 26, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. MT.

Tribal Nations in South Dakota are stewards of a diverse array of natural and cultural resources that offer untapped possibilities for tourism. However, these communities remain hidden gems despite the many recreational opportunities available—outdoor activities including hunting and fishing, rich cultural and sporting events such as wacipis, rodeos and fairs, and gaming opportunities.

“A focus on native tourism is a priority for the South Dakota Department of Tourism. SDNTA is committed to being a resource and laying the groundwork for development and promotion of tourism on tribal lands. We look forward to our work with the SDNTA to create more tourism opportunities for our tribes and we are proud to be a partner in this alliance,” said James Hagen, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism.

“The SDNTA is now working to implement priority initiative projects with support from Tribal Nation leaders, the George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies, the South Dakota Department of Tourism, and industry partners. Through this alliance, we hope to boost Oceti Sakowin’s (Seven Council Fires) Oyate economic development through responsible tourism that promotes and maintains Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota values,” said Secretary David Flute, South Dakota Department of Tribal Relations.

“The vision for Native American tourism in South Dakota is to provide long-lasting economic sustainability and empower communities to define the scope of tourism activities on tribal lands and tell their stories,” said Seleni Matus, Executive Director at the George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies.  “With the right support and effort, tourism can become a force for good, providing jobs and economic vitality, as well as providing opportunities to protect and preserve natural resources and cultural history for generations to come.”

“The Office of Indian Economic Development proudly funds the George Washington University tourism technical assistance efforts as part of the NATIVE Act implementation. As one of our technical assistance partners, the George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies is developing a tourism approach and toolkit that Native American communities can use in South Dakota and beyond. This work enables development of tourism efforts that effectively implement economic development strategies guided by tribally designed tourism approaches intended to support their communities.” said Denise Edwards, Acting Director of the Office of Indian Economic Development.  “This demonstration initiative will strengthen self-determination and self-governance capabilities in South Dakota Native American communities promoting greater self-sufficiency.”

While South Dakota welcomed 14.5 million visitors who contributed $2.75 billion to GDP in 2019, there is no meaningful connection occurring between those tourists and the Tribal Nations in South Dakota. The SDNTA aims to change this trajectory by developing tourism products that will attract domestic and international visitors from main tourism hubs throughout South Dakota to lesser-known tribal lands, indigenous homelands, and Native communities.

The event will showcase the current work of the SDNTA, host a panel of Native American tourism entrepreneurs and leaders, and showcase Native American cultural activities. The schedule will include:

●          Opening prayer and ceremony with Gerald Yellow Hawk and the Moreno Family Drum Group

●           Dynamic speakers including Tribal Chairmen and Presidents, Secretary Flute from Department of Tribal Relations and Secretary Hagen from Department of Tourism, representatives of South Dakota Congressional leaders that supported the NATIVE Act, and tribal tourism ambassadors and leaders

●           Presentations by SDNTA members about tourism development in Native American communities and project successes so far – including an educational campaign video and the new SDNTA website

●           A local Native lunch and presentation by Lisa and Arlo Iron Cloud and Linda and Luke Black Elk

●           Presentation by Lauren McNabb, Miss HeSapa Win of the Black Hills pow wow

Attendees can register for the event in person or virtually at the following link:  https://form.jotform.com/211866680965166. Media is invited.

Details for the live streaming of the event are at the SDNTA Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/South-Dakota-Native-Tourism-Alliance

Rep. Dusty Johnson Named Democracy Awards Winner

 The Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) today announced that Rep. Dusty Johnson is a winner of a Democracy Award, CMF’s honor recognizing non-legislative achievement and performance in congressional offices. Rep. Johnson was selected for outstanding achievement for the category of Transparency and Accountability. The Transparency and Accountability category recognizes offices that provide clear and relevant information on their work and publicly acknowledge metrics for that performance.

“As a Democracy Award winner, Rep. Johnson’s office is clearly one of the best in Congress,” said Bradford Fitch, President and CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation. “This designation demonstrates that Rep. Johnson has made a significant commitment to being the best public servant for his constituents in South Dakota. Rep. Johnson and his staff are to be congratulated for not only being a model for his colleagues in Congress, but for helping to restore trust and faith that our democratic institutions can work,” he said.

Eight House and Senate offices were honored as winners in four categories: Constituent Service; Innovation and Modernization; Transparency and Accountability; and “Life in Congress”-Workplace Environment. Representative and Senate personal offices nominated themselves using an online questionnaire for the four office categories. CMF followed up with offices as necessary to gather documentation and assess the office’s adherence to the established criteria. The winners were selected by a selection committee primarily comprised of former Members of Congress and congressional staff. The winners will be honored at a ceremony to be held in Washington, D.C. in the fall.

Details on the process and the history of the Democracy Awards can be found here: https://www.congressfoundation.org/projects/democracy-awards

CMF included the following reasons for selecting Rep. Johnson for an award:

“Priding itself as the “most accessible House office in South Dakota,” Rep. Dusty Johnson’s (R-SD) office responds to every inquiry from constituents, typically holds two telephone town halls per month and more than a dozen in person per year, and takes polls during town halls on issues and after tough votes, ensuring the results are published to constituents. During the pandemic, the office developed “Drive-Thru Dusty Town Halls” as a safe alternative to meet with constituents during COVID-19. After advertising in local newspapers that Rep. Johnson was going to be hosting a socially distanced town hall, constituents would “drive-thru” and talk to him in a parking lot for as long as they needed. The office was able to reach dozens of constituents in a safe manner during the pandemic.”

In addition to the eight offices selected for the 2021 awards, CMF this year is giving out a Special Democracy Award to the non-partisan floor staff of the US House and Senate for their courage and service to the Congress and the nation on January 6th. “These men and women were the stewards of democracy when we needed them most,” Fitch said. “Most Americans never even notice their work. And yet, on January 6, 2021 they played crucial roles well beyond what was expected of them, displaying professionalism, resolution, and patriotism to help maintain our system of government,” he said.

Founded in 1977, the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan nonprofit whose mission is to build trust and effectiveness in Congress. It advances its mission by enhancing the performance of the institution, legislators and their staffs through research-based education and training, and by strengthening the bridge and understanding between Congress and the People it serves.

2021 Draper Winter Wheat Meeting Set for August 26th

The Jones County Crop Improvement Association, along with South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension, will be hosting the 32nd annual Winter Wheat Meeting in Draper, South Dakota on Aug. 26. A long-standing and popular event among winter wheat producers, this meeting will offer the most-recent SDSU wheat variety trial results, as well as other information on winter wheat production in South Dakota for the past 32 years.

Speakers this year include Laura Edwards, SDSU Extension State Climatologist. Edwards has been with SDSU Extension since 2011 and has been the State Climatologist for the past five years. She will discuss the climate outlook for the 2021-2022 winter wheat growing season.

Other speakers include Jonathan Kleinjan, SDSU Extension Agronomist and Sunish Sehgal, SDSU Winter Wheat Breeder. Kleinjan and Sehgal will discuss the 2021 SDSU Winter Wheat Variety Trial Results and other ongoing wheat research and breeding efforts.

The South Dakota Wheat Commission and SD Wheat, Inc. will also be represented at this event.

The meeting will be held at the Draper City Auditorium and will begin at 6:30 p.m. CDT. Anyone interested in wheat production in South Dakota is welcome to attend. Registration is not required.

A meal, sponsored by numerous area businesses, will be served prior to the program.

For more information, contact Kleinjan at 605-688-4211 or Jonathan.Kleinjan@sdstate.edu.