HURON, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – A major industry for South Dakota is agriculture. One part of the Farmer’s Union’s mission is to prepare youth to carry on the agricultural heritage of the state.

Early morning is very quiet at the Farmer’s Union Agricultural Industry Camp, but not for long. Nearly 30 children, up to age 12, start their day with a gathering around the flag pole for songs and a flag raising.

Education Specialist Samantha Bowman, who is the lead, shares the mission of this Farmer’s Union-backed camp.

“We’re hoping that it leads them down a path within the agriculture industry especially, but just leadership in general. It’s important for them to realize that even at such a young age that they do have a voice and that their voice has room at the table as we see the generations continue on,” said Bowman.

Much of the time at the camp is spent on education slanted toward the ag industry.

“There’s a lot of education behind what we do, but we try to do it all hands-on. So, kids are learning, but they’re having fun at the same time. So when they go home to tell their parents how much fun they had, they’re really telling their parents everything that they learned,” said Bowman.

Among other things, campers learn about co-ops, retail, handling money and animal science. Cadence Konechna, one of the current counselors, started as a camper herself. We asked what the most rewarding part of her position is.

“Watching kids go from being like, socially, they don’t want to participate in anything, they’re hiding in the corner, to having a large friend group and being in the center of everything and then having a huge smile on their face,” said Konechna.

The program has been going on since the 1930s.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The 85th Sioux Empire Fair starts on Friday, August 2 at 5 p.m. and officials say they’re excited to kick start the festivities with an event that’s the first of its kind for the fair.

CEO and President of the Sioux Empire Fair and W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, Scott Wick, met with officials from the South Dakota Hispanic Chamber of Commerce with the question, “How about if we did a Hispanic night, a Latino night, a family festival type experience?”

Now Fiesta Latina is bringing live Hispanic music and cultural performances to the fair on the first night.

Wick exclaimed, “We’ve had a huge response from the local community and I think it’ll probably be one of our bigger nights!”

Another new addition to the fair this year is an additional night of rodeo to replace their motocross thrill show.

“We produce Bulls and Broncs in February every year and it’s very well attended, standing room only this last year on Saturday so on Friday we’ll have Bulls and Broncs the last Saturday we’ll have two performances of the rodeo,” Wick said.

With the new events and concerts featuring artists from varying genres, the big question is admission costs. officials say they’re bringing back a measure from the past. Going back to free admission Monday through Friday from opening till 1 p.m. Outside that timeframe, fair admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 12.

“We always hope for the best, but you got to plan for the weather. It is South Dakota it can be a beautiful cloud-free evening and something will put up west and move out this way so you always have to be aware of that.” Wick said.

Wick said the best way to stay up to date with everything related to the Sioux Empire Fair is to stay up to date through their website and social channels.

Copyright 2024 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota Government Operations and Audit Committee is likely to address the $1.78 million stolen from the Department of Social Services in its upcoming meetings. That’s according to two state senators on the committee who are responding to last week’s announcement of Attorney General Marty Jackley.

MORE: Former DSS employee indicted for stealing $1.78 million from state

Members of the GOAC reacted by indicating they would be taking a closer look into how the Department of Social Services audits itself, as well as how the external audits the department faces work.

Those calling for a review include Sen. David Wheeler (R-Huron), who said Tuesday that they need to get to the bottom of how that much money could be stolen over more than 13 years.

“Anytime you have a theft of that magnitude of state funds raises serious issues regarding the controls that were in place, how did it happen, how’s it allowed to go on for that amount,” Wheeler said.

Joining him in that sentiment is Sen. Tim Reed (R-Brookings), who said in a post on X Friday, “As a member of Government Operations and Audit Committee I will be asking that we investigate this specific issue and review auditing procedures.”

Department of Social Services Cabinet Secretary Matt Althoff meanwhile said they’re working through their own guardrails.

“We need to review this. This is something that GOAC is supposed to be looking at, should be looking at to ensure that we are providing proper legislative oversight for the executive branch,” Wheeler said.

As the Attorney General said, employees at the Department of Social Services discovered suspicious financial activity and reported it to the Division of Criminal Investigation. DSS staff cooperated completely with the investigation.

DSS utilizes both internal and external audits, reconciliations, and internal controls to safeguard public funds – additional safeguards have already been implemented, and we continue working to identify further prevention and detection methods.

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As this is an ongoing criminal case, DSS cannot comment further.

Wheeler said they’re going to be looking at all of the procedures that were in place, see if they were being followed, and if the right restraints were there at all.

“So it’s going to be an important issue for the legislature to take up to ensure that the appropriate controls are in place. We don’t want something like this happening again,” Wheeler said.

Wheeler also added that it’s one of the duties of the Legislature to act as oversight for the executive branch, and this is within their scope of operation.

“We need to review this. This is something that GOAC is supposed to be looking at, should be looking at to ensure that we are providing proper legislative oversight for the Executive branch,” Wheeler said.

The GOAC next meets July 31 in Pierre.

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