Tri-State Neighbor: South Dakota Farm Newspaper

Fantini North America announces the acquisition of its future North American headquarters and assembly plant.

The premises are located on Highway 99 between St. Peter and Le Center, Minn. There is a good road network from this location to major roads and the surrounding states.

The building comprises office space, training and conference rooms, an assembly section and ample storage for the headers that will be either delivered to or assembled by FNA.

The company expects to start assembly in 2009 for that harvest. For the 2008 harvest, their current base in Blue Earth, Minn., will not change.

Fantini North America LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fantini srl, Medole, Northern Italy.

Visit with Fantini representatives at Dakotafest in Mitchell, S.D.; Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, and Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island, Neb.

S.D. Soybean Association elects new officer team

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The South Dakota Soybean Association (SDSA) elected new officers during its board of directors meeting in July.

Kevin Scott, a soybean farmer from Valley Springs, S.D., was elected president. Scott formerly served as first vice president of SDSA.

The board also elected Ervin Krutzfeldt of Wolsey, S.D., as first vice president; Ron Gorder of Estelline, S.D., as second vice president; Darrell Davis of Ipswich, S.D., as secretary; and Dave Poppens of Lennox, S.D., as treasurer.

Former president Dan Feige of Wentworth, S.D., is chairman.

Poppens was also elected American Soybean Association (ASA) director. Poppens will represent SDSA at the national level for a three-year term. He joins Dennis Jaeger of Goodwin, S.D., who is also serving as ASA director from South Dakota.

New S.D. Beef Ambassador comes from Conde, S.D.

PIERRE, S.D. - Jessica Osterman of Conde, S.D., was selected 2008 South Dakota Beef Ambassador during the statewide contest July 25 in Huron, S.D.

Osterman, who will be a freshman majoring in animal science at South Dakota State University this fall, is the daughter of Todd and Sandy Osterman. As winner of the contest's senior division (age 17-20), she will be representing the state in the National Beef Ambassador Contest in Oklahoma City in October.

The Beef Ambassador Program strives to provide an opportunity for youth to educate consumers and students about beef nutrition, food safety and stewardship practices of the beef industry. Contestants on the state level were required to present a five- to eight-minute speech, be interviewed, and write a response to a negative news article concerning the beef industry.

Nicole Hamilton, daughter of Scott and Paula Hamilton of Hitchcock, S.D., won the Beef Ambassador junior division (age 12-14), and Kierra Leddy, daughter of Donnie and Krecia Leddy of Stockholm, S.D., won the junior-junior division (age 10-11).

The overall goal of the Beef Ambassador Program is to tell the beef production story to consumers and students through promotion, education, media and the online environment, says Ruth Farnsworth, one of the program's coordinators on the state level.

In addition to the all-expenses paid trip to the national contest, Osterman received cash prizes, South Dakota Beef Bucks, a fleece jacket and other prizes. Each contestant received a Beef Ambassador shirt, cash and other prizes.

Mycogen Seeds announces breeding station near Huron

INDIANAPOLIS - Dow AgroSciences LLC and Mycogen Seeds announced the signing of a lease agreement and purchase option for a new breeding station facility near Huron, S.D. This station will serve as a temporary facility while plans are secured for a permanent site.

The South Dakota field station will expand grain and silage corn testing and breeding, improve and expand sunflower testing and enable better mini-strip testing for both corn and sunflowers. The facility includes space for offices, seed labs and cold storage, as well as an equipment storage building with an equipment shop area.

“I am excited for the development of the new Dow AgroSciences research station,” said Richard Benda, secretary, South Dakota Department of Tourism and State Development. “Dow AgroSciences is currently hiring a Ph.D. corn breeder and in the future, will need bachelor-level researchers at their new facility that will specialize in drought-tolerant research. In addition to these professional positions, Dow AgroSciences will offer excellent internship opportunities for students interested in South Dakota's growing biotechnology industry.”

The new breeding station near Huron will conduct research in grain corn and silage corn breeding as well as sunflowers.

Plans are under way to hire a corn breeder at the Huron site along with other full-time and seasonal employees.

Ten named to South Dakota 4-H Volunteer Hall of Fame

BROOKINGS, S.D. - The South Dakota 4-H Volunteer Hall of Fame will induct 10 new members in 2008.

Those selected are Martha Flamming-Grimme, Bon Homme County; Gary and Gloria Haiwick, Hyde County; Vi and Gordon “Cobbie” Magness Jr., Beadle County; Larry D. Mattke, Beadle County; Roger Megard, Minnehaha County; Robert “Gus” Nelson, Sanborn County; and the late Richard and Leona Nussbaum, Minnehaha County.

They will be inducted into the South Dakota 4-H Volunteer Hall of Fame during a ceremony at 5:15 p.m. Aug. 31 on the 4-H Stage at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron, S.D.

The South Dakota 4-H Hall of Fame was created during the 4-H centennial in 2002.

“The Hall of Fame recognizes the significant and lengthy contributions of volunteers from across the state who have played key roles in 4-H youth development programs in their communities,” said Marilyn Rasmussen, a youth development/4-H specialist for the South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service. “The 4-H Hall of Fame ceremony is just one way that 4-H, the Cooperative Extension Service, and SDSU can honor a few of the many dedicated people who contribute their time and talents to help younger generations grow and develop important life skills as they become good citizens and leaders in their communities.”