The South Dakota Farmers Union Legislative Day 2024 focused on property rights. Many attendees, including first-time participant Clayton Rentschler, a property owner from Egan, expressed their concerns. The event took place on February 13 and was attended by members of the state’s largest agriculture organization.
Karla Hofhenke, the Executive Director for South Dakota Farmers Union, stated that the issue was not just about a pipeline but about eminent domain being used for private gain. The Farmers Union, representing nearly 19,000 farm and ranch families, was praised for its strength. Mike Miller, a Freeman farmer, agreed, emphasizing the power of unity in agriculture.
The Legislative Day allowed farmers and ranchers to engage directly with decision-makers. Joel Keierleber, a farmer from Colome, highlighted the need to protect property rights. He warned that landowners could lose their rights to entities wanting to control private land use.
Minority Leader and rancher Oren Lesmeister stressed the value of face-to-face conversations in protecting agriculture. The Farmers Union sponsored a meal in the Capitol Rotunda to facilitate these discussions.