Blog-May 20, 2024-10-11—It’s YOUR Agri Business
   Congressman Dusty Johnson -joined us as we talked agriculture---kids getting out of school---and some of the events that has Ole Dusty—representing us to start the show.
    South Dakota’s Only Congressman talked about it being Police week----engineers playing an outsized role in building and designing our infrastructure and his work with the Ag Committee on the bill that does get a little kicking around in an election year.
    Among the Dusty do—The SAVE Act to safeguard US exports from unfair trade practices, the Healthy Dog Importation Act to ensure dogs coming in to the country are in good health and have received proper vaccines and medical treatment.
    The A-Plus Act to increase investment in small meat packers as well as the Butch Block Act to assist new and expanding livestock or meat processors. 
     The Congressman’s crop and conservation priorities included—increasing support for the Price Loss Coverage and Ag Risk Coverage programs to account for persistent inflation and rising costs of production.
      It would clarify the treatment of losses to honeybees under the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees and Farm-raised Fish program to ensure beekeepers are properly compensated for losses.
      Importantly updates and modernizes USDA broadband programs, providing faster buildout speeds and strengthening connectivity to rural communities.
      Allows the Secretary to issue zero-interest loans and forgive principal for distressed water systems. 
      Reauthorizes the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program and permits awardees the ability to provide other forms of collateral to secure loans.

      Jaime Wood—SBA of South Dakota---shared the most recent SD Business Profile—with approximately 1100 small businesses registered where the owner is of Asian or Pacific Islander decent. Increasing numbers are being seen in the Huron area----the hope is to give all small businesses free counseling and resources that assist with business startup and growth. 
      Coming up in June---on the 4th—Tri-State Webinar—What, Why and How of Capability Statements. Small businesses like person career resumes have to be kept up-to-date. Understand how and why a capability statement should be used with government agencies. Some examples will be shown during the training and you can register for the free webinar at sba.gov/southdakota. 

      June 11th—Webinar on doing business with the US Air Force Bases in North and South Dakota. June 27th—Marketing Assistance/training on how to create social media content---
     Nolan Clarke—Plains Commerce Bank---waiting for the birth of his first child was slumming talking with us—about the planning---and we were happy to congratulate him on what will be coming later today.
     Sarah Heinrich---Growing Harvest Network—did their show update from Fargo---Matt Swenson had the morning commodities----and then from Ugly Deck—Shannon Juranek---Construction talked about what they are doing and how they are doing. It was an interesting scenario—and we’ll get another chapter soon.
   Daniel Crook---SD Business Consultant for SD Small Business Development Center joined the Rock Report this morning. 
   We heard how it got started in 1979—yes during the Jimmy Carter Days---and it was the SBA former SBDC to help small businesses---in universities in every state and about 100 centers----Some are under state organizations such as a State Dept of Commerce----They have officers in Sioux Falls, Vermillion, Brookings, Aberdeen, Pierre and Rapid City. 
   We gave away our first Canaries Tickets 4-pack for the game Tuesday night---we’ll giving away tickets next on May 31st and June 14th.
    John Ball—Mr. Tree joined us this morning---as we talked about the maples—emerald ash borer—McCrory Gardens event from Sunday—and the treatments that are ahead. John was in the Hills this morning when we did the interview—and he promises to keep us posted regardless of where he is---or what he is doing.
    We closed the show with Iowa Climatologist Justin Glisan---who talked about plenty of rain in the Hawkeye State----and what we might expect in this mid-west region in the days ahead. Always great to have Justin---from Iowa---and Laura Edwards from South Dakota—keep us straight with the weather and what it did or expects to do.
     Listen live to our show at 1320, 105.1, 107.9---use the KELO App---Streaming on line ---or just ask Alexa. Norm Anderson will post the podcast of this show for May 20th—on the 21st –early in the day-----
     If you need to reach me—call/text at 605-728-2455 (BILL) or email me at [email protected]. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.