"We strive to build grassroots leadership through community organizing by giving people a strong voice in decisions affecting their quality of life."

Local Investment Incentive For Wind Energy Rejected By House Committee [January 30, 2008]
The House Taxation committee, on Tuesday, killed a bill that would create tax incentives for companies that allow local investors in the state’s wind farms. House Bill 1296, sponsored by Representative Dan Ahlers, District 25 from Dell Rapids, was killed by a committee vote of 3-11.

Dakota Rural Action Declares “Economic Benefits of Renewable Energy Should be Legislature’s, Governor’s Top Priority” [January 11, 2007]
January 9, 2008 - (Brookings, SD) South Dakota faces a variety of important issues during the 2008 legislative session. Yesterday, Governor Mike Rounds addressed many of them in his State of the State address. Dakota Rural Action Chairperson Jacob Limmer of Lake Norden believes the emphasis Rounds gave to oil projects in South Dakota is ill-advised and misplaced.

DRA Disappointed in Herseth Sandlin’s Vote on Peru FTA [November 12, 2007]
Dakota Rural Action members were frustrated to learn that Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin voted in favor of the Peru Free Trade Agreement on Wednesday. The agreement passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 285-132.

Ranchers One Step Closer to Fair Markets [October 25, 2007]
The Senate Agriculture Committee today took a step toward returning competition to the livestock market by including a ban on packer ownership of livestock in the Farm Bill. “It’s great to see livestock issues finally included in a farm bill,” said Shane Kolb a Dakota Rural Action member and rancher from Meadow, SD. “We owe a lot to Senator Johnson for all of his leadership on this issue for so many years. We also appreciate Senator Thune’s support for this vital provision,” said Kolb.

South Dakotan Testifies for Senate Committee [Sept. 6, 2007]
Washington, D.C. – A South Dakota farmer/rancher told a Senate Committee today that factory farms should not be exempt from laws protecting clean air and water and regulating toxic wastes.
Click here to view the hearing Webcast.

RANCHERS SEND MESSAGE TO SENATOR THUNE - WE NEED MARKET REFORM [July 9, 2007]
Rapid City, SD – Members of Dakota Rural Action delivered 135 letters to Senator John Thune’s office on Monday, July 9th. Ranchers from across the state sent the letters urging the Senator to support critical market reforms. As a member of the Senate Ag and Natural Resources Committee, Senator Thune will cast his vote on these market reforms including S. 1017, the Captive Supply Reform Act. So far, the Senator has not taken a position on this bill.

Local Food Producers Sought [June 12, 2007]
Dakota Rural Action is planning a truly beautiful 2007 Locally Grown Foods directory of producers and retailers who market local foods. The directory will also include recipes, tips for buying locally grown foods, and original local artwork. The purpose of the directory is threefold and will increase support for local producers, increase consumption of SD products by South Dakotans, and increase the number of small-scale producers.

Herseth Sandlin Sponsors Bill to Restore Competitive Livestock Markets [May 10, 2007]
South Dakota ranchers are commending Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-S.D.) and Representative Barbara Cubin (R-Wyo.) for introducing legislation today to return competition and fairness to cattle markets.

Earth Day Festival being Held in Brookings [April 13, 2007]
Brookings, S.D. - In honor of Earth Day, Sunday, April 22, Dakota Rural Action will host a celebration for the whole family to enjoy at Hillcrest Park in Brookings. The festival is free to the public beginning at noon and will feature a variety of educational and fun activities for all ages.

South Dakota Ranchers Applaud Market Reform Plan [March 29, 2007]
South Dakota ranchers joined their counterparts in Wyoming and throughout the West today in applauding Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., for reintroducing a measure aimed at restoring competition and fairness to the nation’s cattle markets. Senators Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., and Kent Conrad, D-N.D are co-sponsoring the bill.

Farmers Take Part in DC Fly-in [March 17, 2007]
South Dakota farmers and Dakota Rural Action members Jacob Limmer and Sarah Trone, along with organic grassfed beef marketing specialist Angela Jackson, traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to talk with their members of Congress about the upcoming 2007 Farm Bill. The South Dakotans joined a 70- farmer fly-in organized by the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition March 6-9. Participants attended a day of trainings and then conducted visits with members of Congress.

Film to Highlight the True Cost of Shopping at Wal-Mart [March 16, 2007]
The film Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price will be shown during the KBJM Farm and Home Show in Lemmon on Friday, March 16. The film is being sponsored by the Western Plains Action Group and will show at 4:30pm in the Kindergarten classroom at the Armory.

Legislature Approves Brand Board Districts[March 1, 2007]
The South Dakota Legislature gave final approval on Tuesday to SB 103, creating three districts from which brand board members must be appointed. The bill, which was sponsored by Senator Ryan Maher of Isabel, and Representative Betty Olson of Prairie City, passed the legislature with a vote of 45 to 25 in the House, and 24 to 11 in the Senate. The bill is awaiting final approval by Governor Rounds.

District 28 Legislative Crackerbarrels to be Held [February 2, 2007]
The public is invited to attend a series of Crackerbarrels on Saturday, February 17 hosted by the Western Plains Action Group of Dakota Rural Action and the Perkins County Farmers Union. Senator Ryan Maher of Isabel, and Representatives Betty Olson of Prairie City and Thomas Van Norman of Eagle Butte have been invited to participate in the events and answer questions from the audience.

Thune Supports Labeling Date Change [February 2, 2007]
Dakota Rural Action members applaud Senator John Thune for co-sponsoring legislation that would move the date for implementing COOL to September 2007. Senator Thune joins Senators Thomas (R-Wyo), Baucus (D-MT), Grassley (R-IA), Tester (D-MT), Bingaman (D-NM), Dorgan (D-ND), Enzi (R-Wyo), and Conrad (D-ND) in introducing Senate bill 404.

DRA Applauds Herseth’s Support for COOL [January 16, 2007]
Dakota Rural Action applauds Representative Stephanie Herseth for co-sponsoring legislation that would move the date for implementing COOL to September 2007. Rep. Rehberg (R-MT) introduced the bill, H.R. 357, on Tuesday with Rep. Herseth and Rep. Cubin (R-WY) as co-sponsors.