South Dakota Farmers & Ranchers Set National Policy at 2026 National Farmers Union Convention

Delegates from across the state advocate for family farmers and ranchers at the annual gathering in New Orleans.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Nearly 50 family farmers and ranchers from across South Dakota are in New Orleans, Louisiana for the 2026 National Farmers Union Convention held March 7-9. The delegates are focused on establishing policy priorities to support and protect family farmers and ranchers in South Dakota and across the U.S.

Why it matters

As a grassroots organization, the National Farmers Union gives a voice to family farmers and ranchers to influence national agricultural policy. The policy decisions made at the annual convention directly impact the livelihoods of South Dakota's agricultural producers.

The details

The top policy priorities for the South Dakota Farmers Union delegates include keeping family farmers and ranchers on the land by reforming the farm safety net, restoring and expanding market opportunities, and supporting the health and wellbeing of rural communities. The delegates are elected during the annual South Dakota Farmers Union Convention to advocate for the state's policy interests at the national level.

  • The 2026 National Farmers Union Convention is being held from March 7-9, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • The annual South Dakota Farmers Union Convention elects delegates to represent the state's policy priorities at the national convention.

The players

Doug Sombke

President of South Dakota Farmers Union.

Rob Lee

A third-generation farmer from De Smet, South Dakota and delegate to the National Farmers Union Convention.

Jim Wahle

A fifth-generation farmer from Salem, South Dakota who served on the National Policy Committee when a bylaw was passed to establish that only farmers and ranchers can serve as Farmers Union delegates.

Rachel Kippley

An Aberdeen farmer and Brown County Fair Manager who enjoys participating in Farmers Union policy discussions.

Jeff Kippley

The current National Farmers Union Vice President and Vice President of South Dakota Farmers Union, running unopposed for a third term.

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What they’re saying

“As a grassroots organization, it is important for South Dakota's farmers and ranchers to help establish policy that works to support and protect family farmers and ranchers in our state and in states across the U.S.”

— Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union

“We as producers live this ag thing. We understand it, and we have to represent ourselves so that outside interests don't make decisions for us.”

— Jim Wahle, Fifth-generation farmer

“Policy is the highlight of the whole convention. As delegates, we get to put our heads together and discuss challenges, discuss solutions and discuss the vision and advocacy direction of our national organization.”

— Rachel Kippley, Aberdeen farmer and Brown County Fair Manager

“We are at the best place we've ever been at as far as getting Country of Origin Labeling back. At the same time, we're probably at the worst place we've been in a long time with commodity prices and input costs. So, it's really time that we get a new Farm Bill passed that can really give us a safety net that farmers across the state and country need.”

— Jeff Kippley, National Farmers Union Vice President and Vice President of South Dakota Farmers Union

What’s next

The delegates will continue to advocate for their policy priorities during the 2026 National Farmers Union Convention, with the goal of influencing the organization's national policy agenda.

The takeaway

The National Farmers Union gives a powerful voice to family farmers and ranchers in South Dakota and across the country, allowing them to directly shape the policies that impact their livelihoods and rural communities.