Blog-March 15, 2024-10-11-It’s YOUR Agri Business
   Including in this Blog---its our regular show—just before St. Patrick’s Day ---and the presentation that the National Farmers Union made to me as The Milton Hakel Award for Excellence in Agricultural Journalism. The award was presented in Scottsdale, Arizona---before-400-500 or maybe more.

   SD Farmers Union President Doug Sombke introduced me----and then I shared 9 minutes of why this was important----and what we could do to take Agriculture reporting and sharing to the next level.

   I never had a national award in 55 years of Broadcasting which included farm reporting since the 1970’s as well as news and all other.

   Before my segment—the National President of Farmers Union Rob Larew took my questions----which shared how Farmers Union and Farm Bureau’s Zippy Duval do work together---and will be doing even more in the weeks and months ahead. I was the first to ask them to both join me on my Ag Shows---so we can help and be among the first to know about the progress.

   My stories including reporting for WGN in Wheat Fields in the Texas Panhandle---didn’t mention the tractor-cade to Washington—but I was part of that----but we did talk about a song my dad wrote---and later performed by Lawrence Welk’s Orchestra----“My Little Country Town”. I did a short version for the audience---and have been working now to find a way to let all those in agriculture—share stories of “My (Own) Little Country Town”.

   Can’t wait to do that in several states.

   For other stories—you’ll just need to listen how I was able to save Selma-Montgomery Alabama---with the Bloody Sunday March—now 60 years ago---and the thank you I got was not only from Mayor Joe Smitherman in Selma---but the Retirement System of Alabama—who asked me and I accepted to become one of the original share holders for Raycom Media’s purchase of 40 TV Stations—radio properties and newspapers. They sent me everywhere—and I was happy to help the teachers retirement plan.

   Darren Hefty—Ag PHD talked to us about the dry conditions the look to the future---and how he does his National Sirius 147 Radio Show that plays all over the country.

   Gerri Eide—FFA of South Dakota—that was a part of my address to the convention got to talk about what she does—how she helps to pass the torch to the next generation.

   Matt Swenson –Swenson Commodities had the morning farm numbers---Danita Murray—SD Corn talked about the dry conditions—and the need to keep pushing for Farm Bill—Farm Bill---etc.

   Jaime Wood SBA of South Dakota shared these notes with us having just came back from Kansas City

SBA HQ and Office of Field Operations leaders gathered in Kansas City this week to share ideas and information on how SBA resources and programs are implemented to support small businesses across the U.S. and territories.
68 district offices
Success of the SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program, started in May 2021, with the goal of bringing business support to underserved entrepreneurs. The program is part of the American Rescue Plan initiative and has aimed to provide assistance during economic recovery.
Startup Sioux Falls is one of 51 grantees to receive the funding and have done an amazing job of implementing the funds over the past couple of years.
Startup Sioux Falls as the hub partnered with many spoke organizations:
EmBe
GROW SD
Dakota Resources
LSS Center for New Americans
Thunder Valley CDC on Pine Ridge
All of these partners further partnered with organizations such as SD Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, several rural community Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development organizations in Aberdeen, Brookings, Mitchell, Watertown, and more to offer CO.STARTERS entrepreneurial training. It’s very exciting to see the depth of small business expertise increasing across the state. We’re reaching far and wide in urban and rural SD to make sure small business owners have the skills the business skills and knowledge needed to start and grow strong businesses.
All of the CO.STARTERS cohorts and application links are located on the Startup Sioux Falls Community Navigator site and on SBA South Dakota site – sba.gov/southdakota.
Flagging a couple of free trainings called CO.STARTERS Weekend Bootcamp coming up in Sioux Falls and in Aberdeen (20-21 April) and in Sioux Falls (27-28 April). Sign up now!
 
 
THRIVE – CEO leadership six month cohort coming to Sioux Falls, SD, in June. We have room for 20 small business owners/CEOs/Operations Managers in the free six-month course.  Sign up at sbathrive.com.
 
For small business assistance in starting or growing a business, please contact SBA South Dakota District Office at 605-330-4243, look us up online at www.sba.gov/southdakota, and follow us locally on LinkedIn and X at SBA South Dakota.
 
   Our Ukrainian contact Alla—updated us on the Ukrainians in our area---what she is doing and why it is so very important.

   Our It’s YOUR Agri Business Show as available live at 1320, 105.1, 107.9—use the KELO App—Streaming on Line—just ask Alexa.

    Norm Anderson posts it as a podcast---and I write the blog—questions for me—feel free to call/text at 605-728-BILL. 

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