8 Broadcaster Press State Fair Numbers Continue To Climb Huron, SD – South Dakota State Fair numbers continue to climb as attendance at the 2018 South Dakota State Fair was 217,231, up 2.5 percent over last year, while gate revenue increased by 3.6 percent. “This was an exciting year for us. We invited people to come experience the fair’s magic and that they did! Our strong entertainment line-up, headlined by Toby Keith, set the mood for the fair and the rest just fell into place,” said Peggy Besch, South Dakota state fair manager. “Of course, the weather was on our side too! It was fun to see the crowds, especially on the weekend.” Other increases include a 13 percent increase in grandstand ticket sales, while grandstand ticket revenue was up 56 percent. Carnival revenue was up 7 percent. Gross sales from vendors were up 2.8 percent. The South Dakota State Fair hosted 1,984 campers, up 1.5 percent over last year. Participation in youth activities remained strong as 4-H livestock exhibits were up 3 percent, while 4-H Youth in Action increased by 24 percent. A 14 percent increase in FFA exhibitors led to a 32 percent increase in FFA entries. The 2018 South Dakota State Fair was held Thursday, Aug. 30, through Monday, Sept. 3. Channel Seeds Preview Day was Wednesday, Aug. 29. This year’s theme was “Experience the Magic.” For more information on State Fair events, contact the fair office at 800.529.0900, visit sdstatefair.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter. The 2019 South Dakota State Fair will be Thursday, Aug. 29, through Monday, Sept. 2, with preview day on Wednesday, Aug. 28. Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota’s economy, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 115,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect and preserve South Dakota agriculture for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Stories you missed this week because you’re not a Plain Talk subscriber An update to the story that published electronically on the Plain Talk web page about a a 42-foot, historically-accurate replica white pirogue used by Lewis & Clark during their 1804 to 1806 expedition from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean and back again that visited Clay County Park for a special program Oct. 4. Its visit in Clay County last week was one of nine stops originally planned. The crew began its journey south of Fort Randall Dam on Sunday, Sept. 30, and had to modify their plans before the journey’s conclusion Oct. 6 at Ponca State Park. This story features interactive video. Photo and editorial coverage of the Dakota Days Parade on Saturday, Oct. 6 and the Dakota Days football game in the DakotaDome later that day. Interactive video from the parade is featured with several photos. News that twin boys were delivered Sept. 27 at Sanford Vermillion Hospital. The last set of twins were born at the hospital in 2007. A story about the planning that’s currently underway for the fourth annual “She Said Yes To The Dress” wedding fashion show that will be held Oct. 20. This event, hosted by the Theta Omega Chapter of ESA, raises funds for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. And if you want to see: October 16, 2018 www.broadcasteronline.com Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives Hosting A Livestock Development Summit To Identify Regional Economic Growth Opportunities BROOKINGS, S.D. – The agricultural economy in South Dakota and southwestern Minnesota offers tremendous growth opportunities in the livestock sector. Farm families and community leaders who are interested in learning more about emerging livestock development opportunities are encouraged to attend a Livestock Development Summit being hosted by the region’s Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives on November 15, 2018, at the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Performing Arts Center in Brookings, S.D. “Attendees should leave the summit with a much better understanding of the opportunities and growth potential offered by livestock development in their own communities along with the tools and information they need to make decisions on their farm or in their communities,” said Mike Jaspers, business development director, East River Electric Power Cooperative. East River Electric is the wholesale power provider for our region’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives. The Livestock Development Summit will address key issues related to livestock development, discuss the most effective and responsible ways to move forward and will connect farmers, leaders and businesses in the industry. It will also present attendees with a better understanding of the challenges, opportunities and growth potential offered by livestock development across South Dakota and southwestern Minnesota. “We want to open the door for South Dakota and Minnesota livestock producers to seriously consider the opportunity to expand their operation,” said Jaspers. “Often, a livestock producer will mull around the idea to access the right capital for a new livestock operation to help ensure longterm viability and profitability. The panel will include lenders from various banking institutions in the region who have worked with livestock producers on expansions from a financial perspective. Networking and roundtable opportunities will follow the panel discussions. This portion of the event will help facilitate one-on-one and small group discussions with the panelists and other industry experts who will be available to talk through specific scenarios that individual attendees may have. To view the full agenda and RSVP for the Livestock Development Summit, please visit www.yourcooppower. com/livestocksummit. About Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Touchstone Energy Cooperatives are a network of local, member-owned electric cooperatives that serve more than 250,000 homes, businesses and farms in our region. Our family of rural electric cooperatives provide best in class service and are dedicated to providing member-owners with safe, reliable and affordable electricity. East River Electric Power Cooperative is a wholesale power provider based in Madison, S.D., that was organized in 1949. East River Electric serves 24 rural electric distribution cooperatives and one municipally-owned electric system in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota and is governed by a 22-member Board of Directors. For more information, visit www.yourcooppower.com. Gov. Daugaard’s Statement On E15 PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard on Oct. 9 issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s announcement on year-round E15: “I commend President Trump for directing the EPA to cut through the red tape and make E15 available year around. South Dakota produces more than a billion gallons of ethanol per year. Year-round E15 will mean 2 billion more bushels of corn will be used right here in America, making South Dakota farmers less dependent on foreign corn buyers. This is great news for the South Dakota farmer. E15 is also less expensive to the consumer, reduces our reliance on middle-east oil and burns cleaner than gas without ethanol. Expanding E15 availability to 12 months a year is a win for America.” South Dakota SNAP Program Earns Top Ranking PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota is among four states leading the nation in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program administration, according to a recently released USDA report. The Department of Social Services will receive over $1.2 million in bonuses for the recognition which is based on the state’s exceptionally low error rates. On Sept. 28, 2018, the U.S Department of Agriculture released the official Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control case and procedural error rates for federal fiscal years 2016 and 2017. South Dakota will receive $226,917 for FY16 and $978,090 for FY17. South Dakota’s er- ror rate for FY16 was 2.5 percent, compared to the national rate of 23.27 percent. The state’s error rate for FY17 was 2.32 percent, compared to the national rate of 28.55 percent. “We are very proud of the exceptional job DSS staff do to administer the program and help eligible low-income South Dakotans meet their food needs,” said Department of Social Services Secretary Lynne Valenti. The report measures the correctness of a state agency’s action to deny an application, suspend or terminate benefits. It also measures compliance with procedural requirements such as timeliness of the action and customer notification regarding the action. “This is the 34th consecutive year South Dakota has received federal award bonuses,” said Valenti. “The Tree Trimming, Removals & Transplanting award affirms South Dakota’s commitment to ensure program integrity.” According to federal rules, the state’s performance bonus must be reinvested in SNAP related activities such as technology, improvements in administration and distribution, fraud prevention or other eligible activities. The SNAP program helps low-income South Dakota families buy the food they need to stay healthy while they regain financial inde605-260-1490 For more 402-254-6710 pendence. the SNAP information about proServing Southeast SD & Northeast NE gram, please visit dss.sd.gov/ economicassistance/snap/. Hartington Tree LLC Photos, stories and interactive video coverage of Vermillion High School’s homecoming activities, including a Friday afternoon parade, a homecoming football game in the DakotaDome and a Saturday night dance in the high school parking lot. Trees for sale: A report about how Vermillion School District officials and teachers plan to cope with a growing number of second grade students at Jolley Elementary School. News about a new sculpture recently put in place near the First Baptist Church in downtown Vermillion. EvErgrEEn • ShadE ornamenTal A story about the life-saving actions of two officers of the Vermillion Police Department. The two men received recognition by Vermillion Police Chief Matt Betzen at a recent meeting of the Vermillion City Council. Pick up this Friday’s Plain Talk! Local news since 1884! FALL IS A GREAT TIME FOR PLANTING! Yankton Hartington Here for you yesterday, today and tomorrow. 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion, SD 57069 605-624-2695 Re-Elect expand for quite a while before taking action on it. We want the Livestock Development Summit to be a catalyst for taking the first steps toward that expansion.” South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard and SDSU President Barry Dunn will serve as featured speakers at the free event, which will also include panels and networking opportunities. An economic impact panel will discuss the potential economic impact of livestock development on local communities, including ancillary businesses, other farmers, utilities, workforce, schools and infrastructure. Panel participants will be able to provide economic data related to the production and processing of agricultural products to support their positions. A next generation farmer and agribusiness panel including Millennial farmers will discuss opportunities to come back to the farm and how young entrepreneurs face unique challenges as they try to meet capital and site requirements. Panel participants will share their personal experiences and vision for the next generation of farming in South Dakota and southwestern Minnesota. A panel on siting, zoning and permitting will focus on how local control is a fundamental tenet of agricultural production and processing. Navigating state and county regulations to get a site approved can be daunting for new livestock producers. The experts on this panel will offer a realistic view of what it takes to get a new livestock operation permitted. Financial capital is a major sticking point for many livestock operations looking to expand. With that in mind, a financial panel will discuss how to Kent & Kyle Hochstein • Licensed Arborists www.hartingtontree.com Art WORK WITH THE Decision Makers rusch State Senate Paid for by: Rusch for Senate Raise your expectations. 101 W Main St | 605.624.4461 | CorTrustBank.com ID 405612