Farm Beginnings Scholarship Fund Update

We are humbled by the generosity so far and are only $41 away from 4 scholarships out of our total goal of 7 – $750 scholarships (as of Monday, July 29). Our letter campaign to Dakota Rural Action members has generated almost $1400 so far! That combined with fundraising by the Farm Beginnings leadership team and our online rally.org campaign is getting us closer and closer. Thank you again for all who have contributed and shared this rally with your friends and family!

Find out more about our farmer and rancher-led training program Farm Beginnings.

Also, our member and South Dakota State University professor, Kathleen Danker shares why she donated to our Farm Beginnings Scholarship Fund to help launch the next wave of new farmers and ranchers in the state.

Danker_quote

Donate today at rally.org/newSDfarmers and share with your friends and family!

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Dakota Rural Action

We organize and build community power in promoting and protecting natural resources & resilient food and energy systems for future generations in South Dakota.

Dakota Rural Action

2 days ago

🚨Take Action to keep electricity rates affordable!Black Hills Energy wants to raise electricity ⚡ rates for their South Dakota customers by 25% - tell the state Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to reject this request!💲In BHE’s filings to the PUC, the company said that this increase will add about $25 per month to residential bills (about $300 per year). On top of rising grocery prices, gas prices, and healthcare costs, many South Dakotans are already struggling. 📌BHE has to get approval from the SD PUC to increase their rates, and YOU can weigh in on this process. ⏰Submit your comment today! It doesn’t take long, and your comment becomes part of the public record. The PUC needs to hear from as many of BHE’s 75,000 South Dakota customers as possible. 🗒Comments must include: Black Hills Energy’s name, the docket number EL26-003, your full name, mailing address, e-mail address, and phone number. These comments should be emailed to puc@state.sd.us or mailed or hand-delivered to PUC, 500 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501. ... See MoreSee Less

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Dakota Rural Action

4 days ago

❓Did you know that nearly half (49%) of South Dakota's nursing home residents are enrolled in Medicaid? This provides essential coverage for elderly or disabled people who can't remain in their homes. 📌This fall, the ballot measure Amendment I could undermine this coverage for elderly and disabled South Dakotans. 📌South Dakotans approved Medicaid Expansion in 2022. Amendment I would automatically end Expansion if the federal match falls below 90%, leaving far fewer options for people faced with these tough decisions. #Medicaid #eldercare #RuralHealthcare ... See MoreSee Less

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Dakota Rural Action

5 days ago

⚠️While this project is across the border in Wyoming, it's still in the Black Hills National Forest. You have until Aug. 28 to submit your comments, which you can do either online or via the mail. 📌Comments may be sent electronically to cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=291093📌Written comments may also be submitted to: Black Hills National Forest Supervisor's Office, 1019 N 5th Street, Custer, SD 57730. Written comments will be accepted by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on August 28, 2026. Comments submitted after this date may not be included in the analysis. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered.📌Please remember to keep your comments civil and focused on the project itself. Thank you for your action!Bear Lodge Rare Earths Project – COMMENTS NEEDED!On July 29, 2026, the Black Hills National Forest announced a comment period for a rare earths mining project proposed by Rare Element Resources Inc (RER). This project is no longer on hold.DEADLINE TO SUBMIT COMMENT IS 8/28/2026 11:59:59 PM (MST).COMMENT ONLINE:cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=291093SEND WRITTEN COMMENT TO:Wendy Schuyler, Project Managerc/o Bearlodge Ranger District101 S 21st StP.O. Box 680Sundance, Wyoming 82729605-673-9361wendy.schuyler@usda.govREADING ROOM:cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/ReadingRoom?Project=291093To read more about this project, go to: bhcleanwateralliance.org/rare-earths/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Dakota Rural Action

6 days ago

📣Excting news to share! After an extensive search, we are pleased to announce Jason Schoch as our next Executive Director. Jason succeeds long-time director Frank James, who retired last year. Chase Jensen, DRA’s Organizing Director, has been the acting director in the interim. “Our search for an Executive Director has concluded as we welcome Jason Schoch to the role, who has a strong background with grassroots efforts and experience working with all residents of our state. Our staff’s deep commitment to South Dakota and grassroots organizing allowed DRA to move through this process with ease while maintaining a strong foundation. We are excited as we begin a new chapter in DRA’s story,” said Paula Antoine, DRA Board Chairwoman.Jason is joining DRA after 14 years leading South Dakota State University Extension’s Tribal Local Foods Program and six years as Project Director of Dr. Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots program on the Pine Ridge Reservation. With extensive experience in leading and developing teams, supporting new and beginning producers, revitalizing rural community development, and farm-to-school initiatives, he is a proven leader with a passion for all South Dakotans and sovereign Tribal Nations. Schoch has worked in impoverished communities, focusing on community food systems and leading wildlife- and biodiversity-friendly, nature-based, regenerative small farming programs. “One of my first formative memories when I was little was attending farm auctions with my grandfather during the 80s farm crisis. I remember him bidding on equipment he didn’t really need, just trying to help his neighbors out of a terrible situation. I also remember how hard he worked to keep our family farm afloat and profitable in a changing world that made sustaining agriculture and rural life increasingly difficult,” Jason said of his lifelong connections to the farming community.“In South Dakota, there’s a resilience in our farmers, our rural communities, and in the people from rural areas living in our cities. We have the grit, ingenuity, and pragmatism to face today’s challenges, just as my grandfather did decades ago. I am proud to join Dakota Rural Action in fighting to protect remaining small family farms, to organize those who call South Dakota home, and to give voice to a part of the country often ignored by today’s self-appointed power brokers.” Please join us in welcoming Jason to DRA! He will officially start in September so keep an eye out for opportunities to meet Jason in the upcoming months. ... See MoreSee Less

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Dakota Rural Action

6 days ago

🚨Check out this great opportunity to join with other folks around the region in a conversation about how data center development and the rapid growth of AI is impacting the region and how we can make sure our families, workers, and communities are protected during these rapidly changing times. ⏰Register today! ... See MoreSee Less

Siouxland Summit Registration Page – United Today, Stronger Tomorrow

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Join union, faith and rural community members in a conversation about how data center development and the rapid growth of AI is impacting the region and how we can make sure our families, workers, and...

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Farm Beginnings Scholarship Fund Update July 29, 2013

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