State Legislators Climb Aboard Combines During Harvest

Posted: 10/4/2011

SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

NEWS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release: October 3, 2011

Media Contact: Alison Kiesz, 605-626-3272

 PIERRE, S.D. - There will be some fresh faces in combines this fall across South Dakota when the state Department of Agriculture spearheads Harvesting With the Ag Stars.

The program invites state legislators to climb aboard a combine for a few hours this fall.

Eighteen willing state legislators have been paired up in their districts with farmers to ride along during harvest and hear directly from constituents about the challenges and opportunities in agriculture.

"This is a chance for farmers and legislators to develop relationships and heighten the awareness of agriculture," said Walt Bones, South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture. "Many of the legislators grew up on a farm, but things have changed so much during the last decade that it's great to show them the new technology we use in combines these days."

Harvesting With the Ag Stars will continue throughout the fall harvest season.

Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating nearly $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 143,000 South Dakotans.  The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow.  Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.