shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com January 15, 2019 • Page 3 Farm Credit Services Of America 2019 Legislative Reports Slight Softening Of Farmland Session Events Values In Last Half Of 2018 Scheduled For OMAHA, Nebraska – Farmland values in areas of the grain belt states served by Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) softened slightly in the last half of 2018, but remained stable overall. Benchmark farmland values in Iowa, which generally is on the leading edge of changes in the real estate market, declined 1.4 percent in the last six months of 2018. For the year, farmland values were largely unchanged. Nebraska and South Dakota each saw modest declines for the year. Only Wyoming experienced an uptick in benchmark farmland values, although the few number of farm sales in that state make it challenging to analyze its real estate trends. “The softening of the market in the latter half of 2018 wasn’t unexpected and, in fact, it better aligns farmland values to profitability in the grain sector,” said Tim Koch, chief credit officer for FCSAmerica. “While producers in many areas of our territory benefitted from strong yields in 2018, the industry continues to be challenged by compressed margins. For producers who rent farmland, softening in the market will help their bottom line.” Compared to the market’s peak, farmland values are down 19.5 percent in Nebraska, 18.1 percent in Iowa and 12.0 percent in South Dakota. Continued pressure on profit margins could lead to additional softening in 2019. However, the same factors that have helped to stabilize the market for the past three years remain in place, including interest rates near historic lows and strong demand for quality land that is in tighter supply. Fourteen of Iowa’s 21 benchmark farms decreased in value in the last six months of 2018, while two increased and five showed no change. In Nebraska, eight farms declined in value, six increased and four showed no change. Twelve benchmark farms in South Dakota showed no change in value, four increased and seven decreased in value. Wyoming’s cropland benchmark farm experienced a 4.2 percent increase in value and its pasture unit improved 2.0 percent. FCSAmerica appraises its benchmark farms twice a year, in January and July. In addition, the cooperative compiles records from farmland sales in its four states. The cooperative’s objective in using the benchmark farms is to track real estate values without the influence of changes in land quality on sale prices. South Dakota Celebrates “State Of Great” With 2019 Governor’s Conference On Tourism PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Tourism is encouraging anyone interested in tourism, marketing and hospitality to join the 2019 Governor’s Conference on Tourism Jan. 15-17 in Pierre. “This year’s theme, State of Great, celebrates the tourism industry’s remarkable accomplishments, what we strive to be year in and year out, and our excitement to build upon our success into the coming year,” said James Hagen, Secretary of the Department of Tourism. “This conference is an excellent opportunity to gain inspiration and prepare for another monumental year of tourism in the state. The annual conference brings nearly 600 people from across South Dakota and the United States together in Pierre to celebrate successes, network with peers and educate themselves on trends in the travel and hospitality business. “Our upcoming conference features an impressive lineup of nationally known travel and tourism leaders, hospitality speakers and industry experts,” said Hagen. “Speakers will touch on topics such as marketing trends, customer service and pressing issues in the tourism industry.” The closing banquet, held Thursday, Jan. 17, honors and recognizes industry members for their contributions to tourism in the state. The following awards will be presented: •The Ben Black Elk Award recognizes an individual or group whose hard work, passion and enthusiasm have greatly influenced South Dakota’s visitor industry. •The A.H. Pankow Award recognizes a member of the media whose coverage and promotion of the state’s visitor industry is unparalleled. •The George S. Mickelson Great Service Award honors two businesses/organizations that show an outstanding dedication to excellence in customer service. •The Excellence in Tourism Innovation Award honors an industry member or business for thinking “outside the box” when it comes to promoting their business and elevating the visitor experience. •The Rooster Rush Cacklin’ Community Award honors a community for fostering support of the Department of Tourism’s fall Rooster Rush campaign. •The Ruth Ziolkowski Outstanding Hospitality & Customer Service Awards recognize individuals who provide remarkable customer service and demonstrate an outstanding spirit of hospitality, warmth and genuine kindness to visitors. For more information about the conference or to register, visit www. SouthDakotaTourismConference. com. The South Dakota Department of Tourism is comprised of Tourism and the South Dakota Arts Council. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen. Job Openings At Interstate Information Centers PIERRE, S.D. – The lent communication skills. South Dakota DepartThe Welcome Centers ment of Tourism is now are open seven days a accepting applications to week from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., fill seasonal positions for and are located along Travel Counselors and Suinterstates 29 and 90 pervisors at five Welcome near Wilmot, Vermillion, Center locations along Chamberlain and Spearinterstates 29 and 90. fish. Travel Counselors will Travel Counselors are also be stationed within needed from May through the Minuteman Missile October (or September, National Historic Site Visidepending on location) to tor Center at I-90 Exit 131, assist visitors with travel which is located about 20 needs, answer questions miles east of Wall, S.D. and promote South DaThe centers near kota’s travel opportunities. Vermillion, Chamberlain Applicants must be high and Spearfish will remain school graduates, possess open until mid-October to knowledge of South Daaccommodate out-of-state rd December 2nd history th & 10th, 16th & hunters and increased 17th • 1-3:00PM kota’s & 3 , 9 and visitor Bring Your Cameras! have basic numbers of travelers attractions, and computer skills and excelduring the fall season. The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site Visitor Center will also be staffed with Travel Counselors through mid-October. The Wilmot Welcome Center will close in mid-September. Seasonal applications may be obtained from South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation offices, or by visiting www. SDVisit.com. The application deadline is Friday, Feb. 1, 2019. Contact Nate Johnson with the South Dakota Department of Tourism at 1-800952-3625 with questions. The South Dakota Department of Tourism is comprised of Tourism and the South Dakota Arts Council. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen. Find What You’re Looking For! The Vermillion Area Chamber of Commerce and Development Company’s Governmental Affairs Committee is pleased to share the 2019 dates for Legislative Session events in Vermillion. These ever-popular Cracker Barrel sessions will bring your District 17 Legislators, Senator Art Rusch, and House Representatives Nancy Rasmussen and Ray Ring in for a review of what is being discussed during the 94th Legislative Session. This year the Governmental Affairs Committee is partnering with the League of Women Voters, the Clay County Republicans and the Clay County Democrats to host these two Legislative Cracker Barrels on Saturday, Feb. 2 and Saturday, March 2. Both of these sessions will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and will be held at the Vermillion City Hall Council Chambers, 25 Center Street. “Our community and region is lucky to have engaged leaders and citizens, and this is strengthened by opportunities such as local Cracker Barrels,” said Nate Welch, president and CEO of the Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company. “We take very seriously the opportunity to help elevate any discussion that will help folks in the community make informed decisions about where they live and work, as well as to communicate with their elected officials. We look forward each legislative session to assist in providing access to fruitful discussion with our local legislators and sincerely hope folks will come out to hear what’s happening in Pierre this session.” These sessions are open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided by partners of the Governmental Affairs Committee. For those individuals who are unable to physically attend, the sessions will be livestreamed, and further information will be released in the weeks leading up to the event. For more information on these events, please contact Katherine Heine, Chamber director, at the VCDC offices at 605-624-5571. Public Comment Period Opens On Draft Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan PIERRE, S.D. – A 30-day public comment period is now open to take input regarding South Dakota’s state Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan is a federal requirement and is updated every five years. The document details how the state would use federal funding to mitigate hazards stemming from natural disasters such as tornadoes or floods. Tyler Steen, the recovery and mitigation manager of the state Office of Emergency Management, says the plan is reviewed and updated by the state Hazard Mitigation Team, which consists of individuals from various state agencies and who are designated by the Governor. Steen says the team uses the plan to establish statewide hazard mitigation goals, objectives and categories. “Our top priority is to protect people and property, including infrastructure, from all types of hazards,” says Steen. “We also want to be able to support efforts involving local agencies and tribes.” The draft plan can found at: https://dps.sd.gov/download_ file/1655/0. Comment period on the draft plan is open now until Feb. 7, 2019. Comments can be directed to the Office of Emergency Management at 605-773-3231 or OEMInfo@state.sd.us. The Office of Emergency Management is part of the Department of Public Safety. Let Our Family Business Keep Yours In The Go With: in the Classifieds. • Farm Filters • Hydraulic Hoses • Bearings & Seals In Print and Online! 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