Call to the grassroots farmers of South Dakota to join the South Dakota Farmers Union. Tony Dechant, president of the National Farmers Union thanks volunteers the a membership campaign. He speaks of how the union protects farmers rights and its cooperative work.

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South Dakota Farmers Union Agricultural in Review radio program. Communications director, Dick Ricci, interviews South Dakota Farmers Union President, Ben Radcliffe. They discuss farmers being blamed by politicians for inflation of farm prices, supermarket prices of food, and the influence of politics on farm prices, the Commodity Reserve Bill, and the Food for Freedom Bill.

Radio advertisement promoting the 1983 Co-op Month for the South Dakota Farmers Union encouraging farmers to market their products to local co-operatives and be active consumers of the electricity proved by co-operatives.

Glenn Martz from Washington, D.C., publisher of 'The Lowdown on Farm Affairs' interview at KOTA radio station in Rapid City, South Dakota. Martz revisits a speech he gave in Rapid City, South Dakota about socialism and communism in the United States. Martz discusses the Farmers Union and cooperatives connections to communism. He claims the Farmers Union has been infiltrated by communists.

Senator George McGovern speaks to the South Dakota Farmers Union about proposed legislation to help farmers get a fair price for wheat. McGovern also talks about the movement of young people from rural areas to cities.

South Dakota Farmers Union Douglas County Local chapter Christmas program featuring singing by the audience, readings by children, and various solos. Roy Gruber and Eugene Gohring discuss taxation.

WNAX radio station in Yankton, South Dakota presents the Layman's Hour Christmas program presented by the American Baptists with choral singing and man speaking, telling the Christmas story.

Man speaking about taxation and farm loans. He also discusses about farm price support programs and the benefits to all Americans.

Radio program talking about the challenges the agriculture faces. The farm crisis, the decline of farming, and parity and discussed. Ben Radcliffe comments on a Farm Income Farm Credit meeting. Comments from Ben Radcliffe on in come and standard of living for farmers. Women's Action Conference held in Sioux Falls participant shared concerns and ideas with consumers and businessmen and looked at ways for women to become involved politically, cooperatively, and through community organizations to strengthen relationships with agriculture and rural community allies. Comments from Erma Stuart, Jeanie Hetland, and Laurie Daschle about business, farm credit, and involvement in the government process. Theme music for the radio program is heard at the beginning and end of the recording.

Panel of experts speaking to members of the South Dakota Farmers Union about energy conservation. Panel members are George Peterson of Northwestern Public Service, Lloyd Turnwall, superintendent of Huron Public Schools, John Feldeman of South Dakota State University, and Jim Valeer of the South Dakota Farmer's Home Administration. The recording cuts off in the middle of Jim Valeer speaking and is continued on South Dakota Farmers Union Energy Conservation Panel, Part 2 (MA012-AV-105_02).

Continuation of South Dakota Farmers Union Energy Conservation Panel, Part 1 (MA012-AV-0105_01). Panel of experts speaking to members of the South Dakota Farmers Union about energy conservation. Panel members are George Peterson of Northwestern Public Service, Lloyd Turnwall, superintendent of Huron Public Schools, John Feldeman of South Dakota State University, and Jim Valeer of the South Dakota Farmer's Home Administration. Recording includes remarks by Dr. J. O. Storry, Dean of Engineering and Dr. Bert Eno, Mechanical Engineering, South Dakota State University speaks about alternative energy. Roger Price and Kurt Johnson of Huron, South Dakota talk about solar energy. A question and answer session follows.

National Farmers Union Weekly Radio program reports on the South Dakota Farmers Union report on Ladies Fly-In to Washington, D.C. Mrs. Howie Howard of Mellette, South Dakota is interviewed about issues she will be discussing with congressmen and senators. Topics include the federal state tax reform and full employment and growth act of 1976.

National Farmers Union Weekly Radio program reports on the South Dakota Farmers Union report on Ladies Fly-In to Washington, D.C. Mrs. Don Tisher of Amherst, South Dakota is interviewed about her visits with congressmen and senators about problems that farmers are facing and helping them to better understand how these things work in the government.

Allan Burke, South Dakota Farmers Union communications director, announces the upcoming Farmers Union Legislative Action Conference that will be held in Chamberlain, South Dakota. The conference will feature a discussion of state and national issues including tax reform, corporate farming, constitutional revision, probate and transportation. National Farmers Union Legislative Director Reuben Johnson will cover current legislative development and projections in Congress. State Senator Grace Mickelson will address the noon luncheon.

Allan Burke, South Dakota Farmers Union communications director, announces the upcoming Farmers Union Legislative Action Conference that will be held in Watertown, South Dakota. The conference will feature a discussion of state and national issues including tax reform, corporate farming, constitutional revision, probate and transportation. National Farmers Union Legislative Director Reuben Johnson will cover current legislative development and projections in Congress. State Representative Burt Ellingson will address the noon luncheon.

National Farmers Union Weekly Radio program reports on the South Dakota Farmers Union report on Ladies Fly-In to Washington, D.C. Joe O'Neill interviews Maxine Peterson and Mrs. Earl Larson, about the coalition farm bill, erosion, the school lunch milk program, interest rates, and Medicare Part B.

Glenn Talbot, Vice President of the National Farmers Union, speaking at the dedication of the new building for the state headquarters of the South Dakota Farmers Union in Huron, South Dakota. He speaks about price support legislation, the need for increases in agricultural production to support the population growth in the United States and the 1949 Farm Act.

Gladys Talbott Edwards, representing the Department of Education in the National Farmers Union, speaking at the dedication of the new building for the state headquarters of the South Dakota Farmers Union in Huron, South Dakota. She speaks about the Junior Farmers Union program. Emil Syftestad, manager of Farmers Union Central exchange, speaks about the pioneers of the Farmers Union in South Dakota.

Farmers Union delegates interviewed in the lobby of the Dodge Hotel in Washington before they go to Capitol Hill for the day. They are there to encourage passage of the farm bill. They are for the Brannan plan, the REA, the MVA, and 100% parity.

Various footage of travel through Montana, American Indian dancers, picnics, the Co-op elevator in Viborg, South Dakota, laying of a cornerstone or time capsule. Color film. No sound.

Footage of what appears to be a Farmers Union meeting. Black-and-white film. No sound.

South Dakota Farmers Union camp activities,women holding hands and walking in a circle, men and women shaking hands, children playing games. Color film. No sound.

Interview South Dakota Farmers Union convention of Mr. Birch about the reduction in expenditures in the Department of Agriculture. He was questioned about the Food For Peace Program, the parity concept for farmers, and F.H.A. loan opportunities.

Continuation of South Dakota Farmers Union 1972 Convention, Part 1. South Dakota Farmers Union convention speakers. The end of Erik Roth's, president of the Colorado AFL-CIO, speech. The Executive director of Midwest Electric Consumers Association talks about South Dakota resources, monopolies, and the Department of Interior.

Senator George McGovern speaks at the South Dakota Farmers Union convention via telephone. McGovern talks about his plans for the Department of Agriculture if he becomes President. McGovern also speaks about the Vietnam War.

Snippets of speeches about the balance of trade and government spending, tax reform, property tax relief, the war in Vietnam, and foreign policy.

Drought panel at the 1976 South Dakota Farmers Union convention in Huron, South Dakota. Panelists discussed the drought in South Dakota and federal farm policies. Panelists were Senator James Abourezk, Owen Donley, staff assistant to Senator George McGovern, George Brandsma, state Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, Maurice McLinn, state Farmers Home Administration, and Jim Eichstadt, South Dakota Farmers Union Young Farmer Activities Director. Lt. Governor Harvey Wollman was the moderator.

Roland Olson, communications director, reporting on the 1958 South Dakota Farmers Convention Junior Program and banquet. Berdyne Halse education director reports on the banquet and the Torchbearer award ceremony. Vincent Plenchard, member of Junior Advisory Board talks about the Junior Advisory Council.

South Dakota Farmers Union annual convention speakers. Robert Chamberlain from Hecla, South Dakota, minority leader in the South Dakota House of Representatives, acting as substitute speaker for Senator George McGovern speaks about the Farm Bill, the history of agriculture in the U.S., and agricultural legislation. Alec Olson, Congressman from Minnesota and member of the Rural Development Subcommittee of the House Agriculture Committee speaks about the Johnson Administration, legislation, drought, and reads a statement about the Omnibus Farm Bill from the October 8 Congressional Record. National Farmers Union President James G. Patton speaks about U.S. Vice President Hubert Humphrey, Senator McGovern, the Pick-Sloan Program, the Taft-Hartley Act, the Farm Bill, parity, family farms, Food Stamps, rural poverty, inflated value of land, the New Deal, community development, corporate farms, cooperatives, and commodity groups.

Bob Duxbury, South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture, speaks about the importance of agriculture to the prosperity of South Dakota, family farms, cooperatives, marketing, agricultural exports, the world food supply, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Jerry Tvedt, president of Cenex, reads quotations from U.S. President Ford's speech at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa. Tvedt speaks about the role of agriculture internationally, world peace, balance of trade, oil imports, and grain sales to Russia. B. J. Malusky, a speaker representing the Grain Terminal Association (GTA), talks about grain marketing, government embargos, the 1974 drought and flood, lower livestock prices, winter storms, livestock losses, rendering services, Capper-Volstead Act, price setting, and anti-trust legislation.

Woman speaking at the 1956 South Dakota Farmers Union convention about labor unions and the functions of C.O.P.E. (?) , a nonpartisan organization. She talks about voter registration, their educational program, bringing into the union, and other aspects of the organization.

Darrel Hodne, Delwin Bratland, and LaVern Aisenbrey participate in a Young Farmer Panel discussion at the South Dakota Farmers Union convention. They discuss the influence of the farming industry, the importance of farmer representatives in Washington D.C., and how the open market has changed due to large corporations and inflation. They also discuss the difficulty of starting a small family farm by young farmers and how the Farmers Union assists young farmers in their ability to compete against the larger corporations. Concern is expressed about urban development encroaching on important Darrel Hodne, Delwin Bratland, and LaVern Aisenbrey participate in a Young Farmer Panel discussion at the South Dakota Farmers Union convention. They discuss the influence of the farming industry, the importance of farmer representatives in Washington D.C., and how the open market has changed due to large corporations and inflation. They also discuss the difficulty of starting a small family farm by young farmers and how the Farmers Union assists young farmers in their ability to compete against the larger corporations. Concern is expressed about urban development encroaching on important farmland and a lack of respect for nature that needs to be addressed by a land use policy. and a lack of respect for nature that needs to be addressed by a land use policy.

South Dakota Farmers Union 1963 convention speakers. Arlo Swanson, state Director of the Farmers Home Administration giving a report of agricultural agencies in South Dakota including insurance, farm education, and water conservation. Judd Hudson speaks about rural area development. Robert A. Kudrna talks about Farmers Union insurance and how it has grown over the years.

South Dakota Farmers Union president Paul Opsahl introduces Al Johnson and Dick Joyce of the North Dakota Farmers Union who speaks about their experiences and observations regarding membership at the annual convention. A question and answer session follows.

Chuck Groth gives a report on the South Dakota Farmers Union convention. National Farmers Union Secretary Robert Lewis talks about better prices for agricultural commodities including wheat, and a cooperative arrangement with Canada that Senator George McGovern and other senators are working on.

South Dakota Farmers Union convention speakers discuss the Central Exchange and how to get educational funding increasing the volume of business. Some of the audio is very quiet and difficult to hear.

South Dakota Farmers Union Communications Director, Chuck Groth, Cooperative Legacy Project interview with Grace Bubbers, former Corson County and District 6 Farmers Union Education Director.

South Dakota Farmers Union Communications Director, Chuck Groth, Cooperative Legacy Project interview with Stanley Cross, former Howard Farmers Union Oil Company director

South Dakota Farmers Union Communications Director, Chuck Groth, Cooperative Legacy Project interview with Warren Grebner, former general manager of the South Dakota Wheat Growers and 1989 South Dakota Association of Cooperative Hall of Fame inductee.

South Dakota Farmers Union Communications Director, Chuck Groth, Cooperative Legacy Project interview with LeRoy Hardy, former South Dakota Farmers Union board member, lobbyist, and field representative.

South Dakota Farmers Union Communications Director, Chuck Groth, Cooperative Legacy Project interview with Darrell Henderson, former Grand Electric and West River Cooperative Telephone manager and 2005 South Dakota Association of Cooperative Hall of Fame inductee.

South Dakota Farmers Union Communications Director, Chuck Groth, Cooperative Legacy Project interview with Joseph Hieb, former Lyman County Cooperative leader and 2000 South Dakota Association of Cooperative Hall of Fame inductee.

South Dakota Farmers Union Communications Director, Chuck Groth, Cooperative Legacy Project interview with Robert Johnson, 2001 South Dakota Association of Cooperative Hall of Fame inductee.

South Dakota Farmers Union Communications Director, Chuck Groth, Cooperative Legacy Project interview with Quentin Louden, Rural Electric Cooperative leader and 1995 South Dakota Association of Cooperative Hall of Fame inductee.

South Dakota Farmers Union Communications Director, Chuck Groth, Cooperative Legacy Project interview with Robert Martin, former East River Electric Power Cooperative staff member and Rushmore Electric Cooperative general manager.