Category Archives: News

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Memorial Day Program and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for South Dakota Veterans Cemetery

The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs will host a Memorial Day program and ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, May 31, 2021 at 2:00 pm (CT) at South Dakota’s first state veterans cemetery. The cemetery is located at 25965 477 th Avenue in Sioux Falls (just north of 1-229/1-90 Interchange off Slip Up Creek Road and 477 th Avenue).

Construction of the initial phase of the cemetery is completed, with interments scheduled to begin the first week of June 2021. The first-phase of the cemetery provides space for more than 2,300 interments including caskets, in-ground burial of cremains, columbaria space for cremains and a scattering garden. In the decades to come, it will provide burial options for more than 28,000 veterans and their eligible dependents.

“This new cemetery is an everlasting shrine to our veterans,” said Erin Brown, cemetery director. “It reminds us every day of the sacrifices that generations of men and women have made for all of us.”

The cemetery project was funded through a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, as well as general funds from the State of South Dakota. The cemetery will be owned by the State of South Dakota and operated by the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs.

“We are excited and honored to share this day with our partners and with South Dakota,” said Brown. “This facility was made possible by cooperation at the federal, state, local, and community levels.”

With all the earthwork and landscaping that has been done, parking is very limited at the Cemetery for the celebration. The Department is encouraging attendees to utilize transportation to and from the cemetery that will be provided by River Cities Public Transit. Bus rides to the event will originate at the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance (1600 W. Russell Street) starting at noon and will run until 1:45 pm.

Immediately following the ceremony, busses will begin transportation back to the Alliance Building. Upon arrival, guests are encouraged to continue the celebration with dinner and entertainment. The dinner will be provided from our partners  with Keystone Treatment Centers and entertainment will be courtesy of the El Riad Shrine Chanters.

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Producers Invited to Get Away & Connect with Information & Each Other

Connecting South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers with information, resources and each other is the focus of the South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) Young Producers Event held July 30-31 at Cedar Shores Resort, Oacoma.
“Farming and ranching is an around the clock job. We design this event to give producers an opportunity to get away and glean valuable information to help them improve their operations,” explains Rocky Forman, SDFU Member Services Coordinator.
The two-day event is sponsored by SDFU – free for members and $50 for non-members. Meals and hotel accommodations are covered by SDFU, the state’s largest agriculture organization.
In addition to information from speakers, connecting with other family farmers is the reason fifth-generation Frederick farmer, Chris Sumption recommends attending the SDFU Young Producers Event.
“The exchange of ideas with other producers was as beneficial as learning from experts, explains Sumption, who attended the event with his wife, Christina. “Our farms may be located in different regions of the state, and what we raise may not be the exact same, but it seems we all face similar problems. So, it was refreshing to learn from others and realize we are not alone.”
A weekend away with Christina was something else Sumption appreciated about the event.
“It was good for our relationship. I tend to get so concentrated and caught up in farm work that I don’t make time for life. You know, our generation doesn’t go to town on Saturday night and relax like our grandparents did,” Sumption says.
Experts discuss soil health, weaning tips and more
Austin Carlson, Soil Health Technician with South Dakota Soil Health Coalition and Warren Ruche, SDSU Extension SDSU Extension Beef Feedlot Management Associate are among the lineup of event speakers.
“Taking time away from their farm or ranch is no simple task, so we work to make sure this investment of their time is worthwhile,” Forman explains.
Evaluating the condition of your soil: Providing farmers and ranchers with hands-on demonstrations to help them effectively gauge the condition of their soil is the focus of Austin Carlson’s presentation.
“By the end of my presentation, participants should be able to accurately gauge the condition of their soils, have a greater understanding of the importance of soil health, and will be equipped with knowledge to improve soil health while meeting or exceeding their farm goals and needs,” says Carlson, Soil Health Technician with South Dakota Soil Health Coalition.
Transition from weaning to background or finishing: Warren Rusche, SDSU Extension Beef Feedlot Management Associate, will provide producers with management suggestions to transition their cattle from weaning to the backgrounding or finishing phase as well as discuss strategies for adding value to home-raised feedstuffs.
“As summer is winding down, it is time to begin thinking about weaning calves and lining up feed supplies for the fall and winter,” Rusche says.
Register at www.sdfu.org
To learn more about the 2021 Young Producer’s Event and register, visit www.sdfu.org and click on the Adult Programs link under the Education tab. Contact Rocky Forman, SDFU Member Services Coordinator with questions, rforman@sdfu.org or 605-350-3421.
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Governor Noem and Department of Tribal Relations to Host Governor’s Round Dance in Pierre

Governor Kristi Noem and the South Dakota Department of Tribal Relations will host the Governor’s Round Dance in Pierre on Thursday, May 20, 2021, from noon to 3:00 pm CT. The Round Dance will take place on the lawn of the South Dakota State Capitol.

Governor Noem will be joined by Robert Flying Hawk, Tribal Chairman of the Yankton Sioux Tribe, Mike Faith, Tribal Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux, and Dave Flute, South Dakota Secretary of Tribal Relations. Joe Circle Bear will be the Master of Ceremonies for the event. Information on the schedule for the event and other participants can be found here.