Farm Beginnings classes are held twice a month from November to March.  Students take part in sessions such as Whole Farm Planning, Financial Planning, Marketing, Business Planning, Connecting with Resources, and Connecting with Mentors.  On-farm education is offered in the spring and summer months through a variety of farm tours and skills sessions.  The course also includes the opportunity for students to further their skills by participating in mentorships/apprenticeships with local farmers.

Course graduates are engaged in a variety of enterprises, including livestock, grains, vegetable and fruit production, dairy, specialty products, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).  Participants can be of any age, do not need to own land, and include prospective, beginning, part-time, or full-time farmers.

“When we began the Farm Beginnings course we knew little more than that we wanted to start an apple orchard,” said Laura Clark, a Farm Beginnings graduate.  “The course gave us glimpses into the operations of many non-traditional farming operations and helped us define our goals and seek out additional training.  The course was really the springboard that took us from dreaming to doing.”

Aaron Johnson took the Farm Beginnings course in preparation for joining his family’s organic grains operation.  “Being able to hear first hand from the experiences of established farmers was incredible.  I feel so much more prepared and confident about becoming a partner at Johnson Farms and one day possibly taking over the farming operation.”

Farm Beginnings® is an established curriculum developed over a decade ago by the Minnesota-based Land Stewardship Project that is now replicated in several different states, including IL, NE, ND and NY.  Dakota Rural Action has adapted the curriculum to meet the needs of regional farmers. The project is supported by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, Grant #2010-03066.

Dakota Rural Action is a grassroots family agriculture and conservation group that organizes South Dakotans to protect our family farmers and ranchers, natural resources, and unique way of life.

There isn’t much in this world more exciting than being personally recognized by the living legend, Willie Nelson, and Frank James knows from experience. James, staff director of Dakota Rural Action, was recently presented with Farm Aid’s Certificate of Honor signed by Nelson who serves as Farm Aid’s president. Dakota Rural Action is a non-profit community organizing group in South Dakota which focuses on issues surrounding farmers and ranchers, such as land rights, local foods and renewable energy.

The certificate reads: This certificate is presented to Frank James in recognition of years of dedication and service to America’s family farmers and ranchers.

Farm Aid first started in 1985 when Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young organized a concert to benefit family farms and raise awareness regarding the increased loss of family farms across America. Dave Matthews joined the other rockers on the Farm Aid board in 2001. Farm Aid continues to host a benefit concert every year to bring attention to problems facing family farmers today.

It is no surprise that Farm Aid would choose to honor one of Dakota Rural Action’s own. As one of South Dakota’s leading organizations representing family farms, local foods, renewable energy, and land rights issues, DRA’s members are exactly the kind of people Farm Aid aims to support.

James, unaware he would receive this honor until being presented with the certificate, was greatly humbled.

“I’m really happy to receive this certificate. The real honor goes to Dakota Rural Action. It is the hard work done at this organization that deserves the credit,” he said.

Members of DRA are not at all surprised by Farm Aid’s choice to recognize James.

“It’s wonderful that Frank has received this recognition for his work,” said Meredith Redlin, chair of the DRA board. “He’s not only been a strong advocate for our family farmers and ranchers, but continues to lead our organization in addressing new issues around energy development, eminent domain, and in creating opportunities for the next generation of South Dakota farms.”

DRA continues to work hard supporting family farms, and members are proud to know that the work does not go unnoticed.

Join the Farmer Network!

Beginning or established farmers are invited to join the Farmer Network, a networking group that connects people to farm-related opportunities through resource-sharing and education.

Do you want to join in on opportunities at real farms to learn about things like high tunnel production, caring for lambs, milking goats, raising grass-fed cattle, running a CSA, or even processing chickens?  Are you an experienced farmer who would like to help mentor a beginning farmer?  Are you looking to work on a farm or hire a farm intern or employee?  Do you just want to connect more with other farmers in the region?  Join DRA’s Farmer Network!

The Farmer Network is a networking group that connects beginning and established farmers to farm-related opportunities through resource-sharing and education.

Opportunities within the Farmer Network:

*Connecting with regional farmers

*On-farm events such as tours, skills sessions, and other trainings

*Information about on-farm education opportunities, local farm internships and employment, and land and equipment linking resources.

*Access to the Farmer Network handbook and the Farmer Network list serve

*An opportunity to participate in the Farmer Network Committee

What does the Farmer Network Do?

The goal of the Farmer Network is to create a networked community of beginning and established farmers through resource sharing opportunities and education.

The Farmer Network will host 6-8  farm tours or skills sessions this summer and will present multiple Winter Workshops on farm-related topics such as production, financials/record-keeping, and enterprise profitability.

Additionally, the Farmer Network handbook is published once a year and spotlights mentor farmers along with any opportunities available on their farm. Beginning farmers are also listed with the resources they are seeking as they start their farm enterprise. The online list serve is active year round and circulates information about special events such as work days or short farm projects; farm opportunities like equipment or farm product sales; hiring of interns and employees; and even questions related to production.

The Farmer Network recently formed a member-led committee where beginning and established farmers come together to problem solve and connect with one another. This committee is currently pursuing campaigns for increasing land access for beginning farmers and boosting online resources for local farmers.

Who is part of the Farmer Network?

Currently there are over 60 members of the Farmer Network. Members come from all across South Dakota as well as neighboring regions. Here is a map showing how members of the Farmer Network are located across the region:

View Farmer Network in a larger map

Why has the Network been created?

Starting (and maintaining) a farm is a long and daunting task. DRA’s Farm Beginnings program offers a farmer-led training that assists beginning farmers in launching their own farm enterprise. But one year of classes only goes so far. We are looking for ways to support beginning farmers in years 2-5 of their farm enterprise by creating a network of experienced, knowledgeable farmer mentors who can help provide resources and learning opportunities. Additionally, this network serves as a way to connect like-minded established farmers to one another. We hope through the network to create a supportive community of regional farmers.

How can I become a part of the Farmer Network?

Established/Mentor Farmers: Established/Mentor Farmer membership form.

Beginnings Farmers: Beginning Farmer membership form.

To find out more contact Heidi Kolbeck-Urlacher at (605) 697-5204, heidiku@dakotarural.org

The documentary by Leslie Iwerks is the story of the greatest environmental battle in theU.S.Today – The Keystone XL Pipeline. Across the heartland ofAmerica, farmers and landowners are fighting to protect their land, their water, and their livelihood. The film is narrated by Daryl Hannah and features Dakota Rural Action member landowners.

Immediately following the screening, there will be a group discussion about the proposed tar sands pipeline and its impact on South Dakota. The discussion will feature several landowners affected by the proposed pipeline among others.

Come out and learn about how this project poses devastating consequences to human health, livestock, and agriculture and about current legislation that Dakota Rural Action is introducing to protectSouth Dakota’s interests.

The film is unrated and 39 minutes in length. For more information about the film, visit www.pipedreamsdoc.com.

“Hip! Hip! Hooray!” exclaims Zona Vig, a DRA member and landowner effected by the proposed pipeline.

The denial of the permit does not prohibit TransCanada from reapplying for subsequent applications or for similar projects.

Zona Vig questions how easily a time TransCanada will have getting landowners to sign on again. “There will be a lot more stringent conditions next time around,” states Zona Vig.

There are still outstanding questions remaining, including if TransCanada will give up the legal eminent domain proceedings against some landowners.

Dakota Rural Action has been working with farmers and ranchers impacted by the proposed project since 2008 to ensure that if the pipeline was built that it South Dakota land, water and resources are protected.

Dakota Rural Action members can be proud of the work they have done to stand up for the rights of South Dakota landowners.

Dakota Rural Action is co-sponsoring a film screening of Mad City Chickens with Homegrown Sioux Falls on Thursday, February 2nd at 6pm at the Sioux Fall’s Downtown Library. This film screening about urban chickens is also being brought to you by Ground Works and The Third Place. The screening is FREE and open to the public.

For more information on the film: http://www.tarazod.com/filmsmadchicks.html

For more information about the event: homegrownsiouxfalls@gmail.com

Counties crossed by the Keystone 1 pipeline were expecting to see much higher return rates in property taxes. This calls into question the claims made by TransCanada about the tax revenues for counties and school districts crossed by the proposed Keystone XL.

When pitching the Keystone 1 pipeline, TransCanada told state and local lawmakers that they should expect $9 million in increased property taxes. Instead, during its first year online the company paid $2.9 million in all the counties combined, according to KELOLAND. Only 32 percent of what they promised. Some counties, such as Clark, saw only 25 percent of what TransCanada promised.

“In Harding County a bond was passed and a new school was built on the premise that TransCanada’s pipeline taxes would help pay for it,” said Bret Clanton, a DRA member and a landowner crossed by Keystone XL near Buffalo, SD. “Now it would appear that the county is going to receive less than a third of what TransCanada initially promised? Did we put the cart before the horse here?”

Paul Seamans, a DRA member and landowner crossed by the Keystone XL pipeline near Draper, SD said, “TransCanada has been able to obtain support from state and local officials by promising huge tax windfalls. When TransCanada first started holding local meetings they promised that South Dakota counties along the XL path would share $18.5 million in new taxes. They have since lowered the promised amount to $10.3 million. It now appears the actual figure will be much lower.

TransCanada will tell people what they want to hear and unfortunately Gov. Daugaard and some of our state and county officials seem perfectly willing to accept what they say at face value. The inflated promises of jobs and increased tax revenues seem to be more important than protecting South Dakota landowners from the bullying tactics of a foreign corporation.”

In Nebraska, during the special legislative session, TransCanada voluntarily offered to post a $100 million bond. Over the past three years Dakota Rural Action has fought for a much smaller $30 million cleanup fund that would be used for both Keystone pipelines, but each year it failed due in part to opposition by TransCanada. Governor Daugaard’s position on better protections has been inconsistent over the past three weeks.

“It doesn’t appear to me that TransCanada when pressured had any qualms about offering Nebraska a 100 million dollar bond,” said Bret Clanton. “What I don’t understand is Governor Daugaard’s flip flop on this issue. What are you trying to tell us Governor?”

“The governor’s office has already rolled over and let TransCanada push around South Dakota landowners, now Daugaard would rather play dead than support proper protections,” said Paul Seamans.

“The Keystone XL and Keystone 1 are a liability to South Dakota’s major revenue sources, agriculture and tourism, and our fresh water resources. These two pipelines have an extremely high risk of endangering all three. The price our future generations are going to pay for our previous and current state administrations’ actions, or lack thereof, are too high,” said John Harter, a DRA member and landowner being crossed by the Keystone XL line near Winner, SD. “South Dakotans need to get involved, it’s almost too late.”

The tax shortfall story was first reported from KELOLAND by Ben Dunsmoor titled “Oil Pipeline Not Paying Out.”

Official announcement by State Dept.
Press release by the White House

Dakota Rural Action Applauds Decision to Delay Pipeline

Dakota Rural Action (DRA) applauds the decision by the Obama Administration to delay the Keystone XL Presidential Permit decision until 2013 to evaluate a better safer route around the Ogalalla Aquifer and Sand Hills. This delay will give officials the ability to offer this project the scrutiny it deserves. DRA urges the Administration to take this extra time to address other outstanding problems with its review of the project and proposed measures to ensure pipeline safety and protection of water, land and residents along the entire route.

“DRA has been trying to hold TransCanada accountable since they first announced the pipeline route,” says Paul Seamans, member of DRA and whose land is being crossed by the pipeline. “We organized South Dakotan landowners into a group forcing TransCanada to the negotiation table.”

“DRA had been working to get water quality concerns addressed for three years,” says Mr. Seamans, “it’s nice to know the Administration is listening.”

There are more issues that need to be addressed such as The Emergency Response Plan, the document used by local residents and first responders in the case of a spill, should be made available for public and local emergency personnel review. Currently, TransCanada must only provide a finalized ERP to emergency workers when construction has started, without any expert or third party input. The public should be able to review and comment on the plans prior to construction because they have intimate knowledge of the land and will likely be the first people to respond if something goes wrong.

Dakota Rural Action also urges that with this delay, TransCanada will hold off their aggressive pursuit to condemn South Dakotan land. With the extra time, we hope TransCanada will return to the negotiation table to address landowner’s concerns.

“The Administration’s decision to delay the Presidential Permit is an opportunity to take a step back and evaluate all aspects of this project,” says Mr. Seamans. “Many issues have not been addressed through the rush by TransCanada to get this pipeline built. Keystone 1 was rushed. Now there have been more than a dozen leaks and the pipeline has been shut down twice for safety and mechanical concerns. We don’t need the same mistake again.”

******

Dakota Rural Action is a grassroots family agriculture and conservation group that organizes South Dakotans to protect our family farmers and ranchers, natural resources, and unique way of life.

The eighth annual Empty Bowls soup supper benefiting Heifer International will be held from 6:00-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 17th, 2011 at the Brookings United Church of Christ. The goal is to raise funds for the purchase of Heifer International livestock for persons living in poverty, here in the United States and around the world, so that they will have the means to feed and support themselves.

As in past years, all ticketholders at the Empty Bowls event will select a beautiful pottery bowl handcrafted by Dave Huebner of Dakota Stoneware, Bushnell, then enjoy a simple but delicious meal of homemade soup, bread, and dessert. The food will be prepared by SDSU Food Science, Dietetics, and Hospitality Club with major donations by Aramark and Pegler-Sysco Foods.

Attendees will have multiple opportunities throughout the evening to contribute to Heifer International through the virtual purchase of a variety of livestock, from bees to llamas.

Featured Speaker – Bernie Hunhoff
Bernie

As editor, publisher, and founder of South Dakota Magazine, Bernie Hunhoff brings a deep understanding and appreciation for South Dakota history and culture, and of the virtues and challenges of life in our prairie state. He is also actively involved in agricultural, economic, conservation, and political issues affecting South Dakota. Bernie will present his unique perspective on the subject of hunger during Empty Bowls 2011.

Where will the Money Go?

All proceeds will benefit Heifer International, working to end world hunger by giving cows, goats, and other food- and income-producing livestock to impoverished families around the world. Heifer International currently provides 27 different kinds of livestock to families in 47 countries, including the United States. Since it began in 1944, Heifer has given direct aid to 4 million families and , through training and “passing on the gift”, indirectly affected the lives of more than 24 million people in 128 countries around the world. More information about this valuable effort can be found at www.heifer.org.

About Empty Bowls

In 1990 a high school art class had an idea to make ceramic bowls for a fund raising meal to support a food drive. Guests were served a simple meal of soup and bread, and were invited to keep the bowl as a reminder of hunger in the world. This concept developed into Empty Bowls, a project to provide support for food banks, soup kitchens, and other organizations that fight hunger. Empty Bowls events have since been held throughout the world, and millions of dollars have been raised to combat hunger. Visit the Empty Bowls website at www.emptybowls.net.

Taken from: http://www.brookingsucc.org/page2/page2.html

GOOD LUCK, everyone!