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S.D. Stockgrowers to host convention in Rapid City

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association is set to host the 122nd Annual Convention and Tradeshow and will be joined by the S.D. Cattlewomen on Sept. 27 and 28 at the Best Western Ramkota Convention Center in Rapid City. The two-day convention will feature a long line-up of speakers and panelists along with policy discussions, annual business meetings for both organizations and several other activities.

Headlining the convention this year will be Jolene Brown, a champion for family agriculture and a family business consultant that is sure to keep everyone’s attention. Jolene Brown understands the unique challenges facing parents, siblings, in-laws and “outlaws” who work together on multi-generational agriculture operations. She brings a humorous twist to the very serious business of estate planning and generational transfers on family operations. Her presentation will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Friday’s program will feature Margaret Byfield of the American Stewards of Liberty at 10:30 a.m., discussing the issues of private property rights and the federal government as well as her father, Wayne Hage’s legacy of private property rights. American National Cattlewomen President Barbara Jackson will speak at the Friday luncheon along with SDSU Dean of Agriculture Barry Dunn who will discuss the effort to build a new Cow/Calf research facility at their campus. Other topics and speakers on Friday include Mike Lees from S.D. DENR, Ty Eschenbaum – S.D. Dept of Ag Value-Added Ag division, Stockgrowers Executive Director Silvia Christen discussing 2014 legislative priorities, and a brand and theft committee meeting. R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard will address the Friday evening banquet.



Saturday’s events include a presentation by State Veterinarian Dr. Oedekoven and Courtney De La Rosa of the S.D. Dept of Ag discussing proposed Animal Welfare legislation, presentations by S.D. GF&P officials, and the annual business meeting of the S.D. Stockgrowers where members will vote on policy and board leadership. Featured speakers on Saturday will include S.D. Secretary of Agriculture Lucas Lentsch and United States Senator John Thune has been invited to address the evening banquet. The convention will wrap up on Saturday evening with an awards banquet, scholarship presentation and a live auction fundraiser to benefit the work of the Stockgrowers throughout the year.

Activities for children including a pool party, and babysitting will be available for children of any convention attendees. There is no charge for the youth activities.



“We have a great agenda of guests and information this year and I invite everyone to join us in Rapid City,” Shane Kolb, President of the SD Stockgrowers Association said. “Our annual convention is a great opportunity to celebrate the work we’ve done in the past year and plan toward the future of our organization.”

For a full agenda and details of the convention, please visit http://www.southdakotastockgrowers.org or call the S.D. Stockgrowers Office at 605-342-0429. Hotel Reservations can be made by calling the Ramkota at 605-343-8550 and asking for the S.D. Stockgrowers rate. Registration can be completed online or at the convention.

–S.D. Stockgrowers Assoc.