This collection contains a variety of materials documenting historical, personal, and professional narratives. It includes biographical sketches, photographs, clippings, collected scripts, writings spanning several decades, and an M.S. thesis. A significant portion is dedicated to a World War II trip, featuring correspondence, diaries, interviews, maps, speeches, research notes, and collected materials. Other highlights include tributes, miscellaneous items, and materials related to agriculture and economic studies. The collection offers a comprehensive view of various topics and periods, emphasizing key historical events and personal experiences.
Biggar, George C. (George Cecil) 1899-1989The South Dakota Farmers Union Records provide a comprehensive account of the organization’s history, advocacy, and role in shaping agricultural policy from the early 20th century to the early 2000s. The collection documents the Union’s efforts to support family farmers, promote cooperative enterprises, and influence state and national agricultural legislation. Materials include organizational records, correspondence, meeting minutes, financial statements, educational materials, photographs, audiovisual recordings, and publications.
A significant portion of the collection pertains to the Union’s legislative and political engagement, featuring records from state and national conventions, speeches, campaign materials, and lobbying efforts. These materials illustrate the Union’s role in advocating agricultural policy reforms, rural economic development, and cooperative business models. Key figures such as Ben Radcliffe, George McGovern, Hubert Humphrey, and Eleanor Roosevelt are represented in convention proceedings, recorded speeches, and radio broadcasts. The 1972 Supreme Court case on public school funding through property tax is also documented through clippings, correspondence, and legal evidence.
The audiovisual materials consist of 13 audiocassettes, 156 open reel tapes, 6 wire recordings, and 34 16mm motion picture films, spanning from 1948 to 1992. These recordings capture state and national conventions, radio programs, speeches, and advertisements, along with footage of state camp activities, tours, picnics, and parades. Many of the materials promote legislative initiatives and endorse political candidates. In 2018, the South Dakota Farmers Union audiovisual collection was digitized with the support of a Recordings at Risk grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources. Due to the fragile state of many recordings, the Archives partnered with George Blood L.P. to ensure high-quality digital preservation in sustainable formats.
The Cooperative Legacy Project, spearheaded by Chuck Groth, communications director for the South Dakota Farmers Union from 1972 to 2008, provides an in-depth oral history of the cooperative movement in South Dakota. This project includes over 110 hours of digital audio interviews with Farmers Union members, cooperative managers, and farm organization leaders. The interviews, recorded in MP3 and WAV formats, are supplemented by documents, scanned photographs, and rough transcriptions, offering insight into the history and impact of the cooperative movement.
The collection also includes publications from the National Farmers Union and various state organizations, as well as South Dakota Farmers Union-produced materials such as convention programs (1938-1983), policy statements (1954-1988), handbooks, and brochures. The photographic collection, comprising over 33,000 photographs and negatives, documents youth programs, conventions, picnics, tours, and key moments in the organization’s history, as well as images published in the South Dakota Union Farmer.
Records from local unions throughout South Dakota provide insight into grassroots organizing efforts, consisting of charter records, attendance logs, minutes, and correspondence, with some materials accompanied by photographs. This material includes essential governance documents such as constitutions, by-laws, speeches, scrapbooks, and advertising materials, with Farmers Union annual convention minutes spanning from 1926 to 1946.
This collection serves as an invaluable resource for researchers studying agricultural policy, rural advocacy, cooperative movements, and the political and economic history of farming in South Dakota and the United States. Through its extensive documentation of legislative efforts, community programs, and cooperative business models, the South Dakota Farmers Union Records provide a unique perspective on the evolving landscape of American agriculture.
South Dakota Farmers UnionScript
South Dakota Humanities Councilby Lakota Audubon Society and South Dakota Resources Coalition
South Dakota Resources Coalitionincludes audiocassettes and correspondence
3 audiocassettes
unabridged read by Sandra Burr for Brilliance Audio; 5 audiocassettes
Holmspun Medicine show is a 30-minute weekly call-in medical radio show hosted by Dr. Richard Holm and Joan Holm. The show features expert interviews with various medical professionals and addresses health-related topics. This collection includes audio cassettes and compact discs of the show, spanning from 1994 to 2006.
The collection consists of various audiocassettes and compact discs from the Holmspun Medicine Show that aired between 1994 and 2001. The shows feature a mix of health-related topics, guest interviews, and discussions. They cover a wide range of subjects such as health care reform, medical conditions, diet, exercise, and wellness, with occasional guest experts like doctors, nutritionists, and other medical professionals.
Key programs include interviews with public figures and discussions on health issues like flu shots, heart health, aging, and mental health. Several episodes also address medical topics like diabetes, arthritis, and maternity care, as well as social issues such as child protection. There are multiple programs with updates on seasonal health issues, including cold weather tips and health challenges in extreme temperatures.
The majority of programs span from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, providing a historical record of discussions on medical concerns and public health topics during that time. Additionally, the tapes contain interviews and medical demos, including a few specials on various health topics like nutrition, weight loss, and chronic conditions.
Hogan Creations Incorporated- Program 2, February 16, 1994
- Program 3, February 23, 1994
- Program 4, March 2, 1994
- Program 5, March 16, 1994
- Program 7, March 23, 1994
- Program 9, April 6, 1994
- Program 14, May 10, 1994
- Program 16, May 25, 1994, Dave Johnson Hospital Administration Health Care Reform
- Program 17, June 1, 1994, Recruit M.D.s $1000 Finder's fee, Placebo effect, Summer Colds
- Program 19, June 15, 1994, Rick Late, Guest Angela Meyer (student), South Dakota American Medical Association Meeting in Rapid City, Health Care Reform
- Program 21, June 29, 1994, Dr. Richard Wake guest, nurse practitioner, pharmacy convention
- Program 22, July 6, 1994, Heat [prerecorded aired July 6, 1994]
- Program 25, July 27, 1994, Dr. Tom Johnson guest, quality of care in Brookings, Foot fungus, Tim Johnson
- Program 26, August 3, 1994 Prerecorded study on aging and exercise, movie review Shadow lands
- Program 28, August 17, 1994, BRAT Diet
- Program 30, August 31, 1994 Famine and overpopulation, Birth control, Thyroid
- Program 32, September 9-14-94, guest, Carol Pitts, Extension Nutritionist, Nutrition Basic 5 VLCERS Exercise and Diet
- Program 34, September 28, 1994, Many questions weight, vinegar, health care reform, teething
- Program 36, October 12, 1994 Entire program on the heart
- Program 38, October 26, 1994
- Program 40, November 9, 1994, Discuss Flu Shots
- Program 42, November 23, 1994, Saunas, Triglycerides, colds virus, Ore
- Program 44, 1994 December 7, Winter depression, maternity new baby ob. care, babies after 40
- Program 46: December 21, 1994, Christmas, radioactive isotopes, Dr. Peek and Croup, Vitamin E what does it do? Diabetic cold feet, chapped lips
- Program 50, January 18, 1995, Cold weather tips
- Program 52, February 1, 1995 Rick Holm's Birthday, Encephalitis in Mankato
- Program 54, February 15,1995, 2 guests resident Dr. Mathew Owens, Pharmacist Kathy Lynch, Attention Deficit, Diabetes
- Program 56, February 22, 1995
- Program 58, March: 15, 1995, Talk about St. Patrick's day TV program ER, Doctor held liable for decisions
- Jim Reynolds
- Barbara Smith
- Program to public radio
- Program 2, April 12, 1996, topics death and dying, attitudes, laws, Supreme Court decisions, night fright and children awakening
- Program 60, March 29, 1995
- Program 62, April 12, 1995
- Program 64, April 26, 1995
- Program 66, May 10, 1995
- Program 69, May 31, 1995
- Program 71, June 14, 1994
- Program 73, June 28, 1995
- Program 75, July 12, 1995
- Program 77, July 26, 1995
- Program 80, August 16, 1995
- Program, 82, August 30, 1995, Arthritis and medications, many questions answered
- Program 84, September 13, 1995, Blisters treatment
- Program 86, September 27, 1995, pretaped
- Program 88: October 11, 1995
- Program 90, October 25, 1995 Vitamin Supplements
- Program 92, November 8, 1995, Rick and Joanie Holm discuss daughters adoption
- Program 96, December 6, 1995, Scotty Roberts guest
- Program 97: December 13, 1995
- Program 100, January 3, 1996
- Program 101, 1996 Ice Storm; January 17, 1996 Joanie Holm was sick, Rick Holm and Carrie Appino did show
- Program 105, January 31, 1996
- Program 113, March 27, 1996, Interview from Florida
- Program 118, May 1, 1996, varied questions, weight reduction, thyroid, Hashimoto disease
- Program 122, May 29, 1996
- Program 124, June 12, 1996 Remedy for rabies
- Program 129, July 17, 1996, Dr. Komud Saxena (guest), pain management