Huron, S.D. (KELO AM) - More than two dozen South Dakotans will travel to the Nation's capital Sept. 6-10 to visit with lawmakers about issues important to South Dakota's farmers and ranchers.
South Dakota Farmers Union members will join with hundreds of agriculture producers from across the nation as part of the National Farmers Union 2014 Fly-In.
Throughout the Fly-In, Farmers Union members from across the country will visit the office of every member of Congress; meet with officials from the United States Department of Agriculture as well as with White House staff.
"This is a unique opportunity for South Dakota's farmers and ranchers to visit one-on-one with our state's representatives, their staff and USDA staff about issues that are important to us," said Doug Sombke, South Dakota Farmers Union President
This year Sombke said rail issues are top of mind for many South Dakotans. During the Fly-In, Sombke along with other Farmers Union presidents and members from Corn Belt states will meet with Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board (STB) as well as sharing their concerns on Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) with Environmental Protection Agency Chair, Gina McCarthy.
"With harvest around the corner, many local grain elevators need trains to load out last year's grain so they can take this year's grain - it's a real issue around farm country and one that our group will be discussing during this fly-in," said Sombke, who is part of a national taskforce focused on rail issues.