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BON HOMME YANKTON ELECTRIC APRIL 2022 VOL. 22 NO. 12

ERATIVE CONNECTIONS

Katie Grott, field station manager at SDSU’s Cottonwood research facility near Philip, stays busy overseeing several ongoing projects designed to deliver practical and profitable solutions for producers.

Blazing new trails Ag research abounds at Cottonwood Pages 8-9 Line work courses through their veins Pages 12-13

MANAGER’S COLUMN

Cyber Security and Grid Vulnerabilities

Stephanie Horst horst@byelectric.com

Vulnerability of the U.S. electric grid has been a top news topic recently—from the Feb. 2021 energy emergency that brought widespread and costly power outages in Texas to the potential for cyber attacks linked to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. With this news coverage questioning the security of our country’s power systems, you might wonder what this means for you and the power you rely on from your local electric cooperative. B-Y Electric, in collaboration with our wholesale power supplier East River Electric Power Cooperative, places a high priority on keeping our information and assets safe from physical and cyber security breaches. We work together to manage growing threats, promote continuous improvement, and develop solutions that keep the grid secure. PROTECTING AGAINST CYBER SECURITY THREATS

Delivering on our promise to provide safe and reliable electricity encompasses more than maintaining our system’s physical infrastructure. Providing reliable power now requires building cyber-resilient energy delivery systems. B-Y Electric relies on East River Electric’s in-house experts that are focused on keeping our infrastructure safe from cyber security threats. East River’s team utilizes a maturity model for managing risks. This process is based on three iterative steps: security awareness and education, vulnerability management, and incident response. “When taken together, these maturity model steps make cyber security a continuous process rather than a set it and forget it task,” said East River Chief Information Officer Jeff May. “As cybersecurity threats and threat actors continue to evolve, so must the industry’s capability to defend against them. Maintaining the security and resilience of the grid requires a flexible approach that draws on a variety of tools, resources and options.” Information sharing, technology development and coordination among industry and government partners are essential for strengthening electric sector

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cyber defenses. Electric co-ops have frequent interaction with the Department of Energy and other government agencies to coordinate on actions to secure the electric grid. Our cooperative family routinely participates in tabletop exercises to ensure we are ready to enact our emergency response plans if a cyber breach occurs. We also provide our employees with on-going training so they can recognize phishing scams and other cyber threats. DELIVERING RELIABLE POWER

Our cooperative network works tirelessly to strengthen our infrastructure against the impacts of harsh weather and to restore power when outages occur. We’re proud to report that B-Y Electric’s current reliability rating is 99% including major events and planned outages. That means you can depend on our service. We can offer this level of reliability with our continual distribution system maintenance program and the close proximity of our line crews to the membership. Additionally, East River owns eight regional service centers across their territory so they can quickly and safely repair damages to their transmission infrastructure after outages. East River is currently in the middle of an aggressive transmission system upgrade plan that is designed to strengthen their system’s backbone, improve reliability, and provide for future load growth. “East River exists to enhance the value of our member systems and our upgrade plan is designed to ensure we are living out that mission by providing for new load growth, strengthening the backbone of our transmission system, and meeting the reliability expectations of our membership,” said East River Chief Operations Officer Mark Hoffman. With so much uncertainty and flux in the world, power grid vulnerability will no doubt remain a headline for some time. However, you can be certain that B-Y Electric and our power supply partners are working day and night to safeguard against threat actors as well as to restore power quickly after outages so that the power will be there when you need it.

For more information, call our office at (605) 463-2507 or email horst@byelectric.com

BOARD REPORT

ERATIVE

CONNECTIONS

BON HOMME YANKTON ELECTRIC (USPS No. 018-973) Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association, Inc PO 158 134 S. Lidice St. Tabor, SD 57063 Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm To pay by phone, call: 1-888-395-5315 To report an outage, call: Local call from Tabor, Tyndall, and Yankton: 605-463-2507 NOTICE: Electric bills must be paid by 10:00am on the 20th of each month to avoid a $10 late fee. Board President: Paul Voigt Board of Directors Dave Sykora - Vice President Dave Sternhagen - Secretary Robert Ruppelt - Treasurer Dean Sternhagen John Lillevold Rick Cheloha General Manager: Stephanie Horst Operations Manager: Ken Carda Office Manager: Nicole Einrem Marketing/Communications Coordinator & Editor: Jaclyn Arens Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections is the monthly publication for the members of Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association, Inc, PO Box 158, 134 S. Lidice St., Tabor, SD 57063-0158. Families subscribe to Cooperative Connections as part of their electric cooperative membership. The purpose of Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections is to provide reliable, helpful information to electric cooperative members on electric cooperative matters and better rural living. Subscription information: Cooperative members devote 50 cents from their monthly electric payments for a subscription.

FEBRUARY BOARD REPORT The February board meeting was held on February 23, at 8am. All board members were present except Bob Ruppelt and Rick Cheloha. Others present were Attorney Sheila Woodward, General Manager Stephanie Horst, Office Manager Nicole Einrem, Operations Manager Ken Carda, and Communications/Marketing Coordinator Jaclyn Arens. THE BOARD REVIEWED CONSENT AGENDA:

• • • •

• Minutes of the Previous Meeting • New Members & Cancellations • Capital Credits to Estates Discounted $11,417.22 • Closed Work Order Inventory $611,648.79 • Review Special Equipment purchases $3,800.19

OTHER BUSINESS ACTED ON: • • • • • •

2021 Audit Conducted by Eide Bailey 2022 CRC Voting Delegate 2022 Summit Utility Service Contract 2022 Ivan’s Boring Contract 2022 Larson’s Digging Contract Policy 80-51 Drug Free Workplace Revised • Territory Release Request Denied • Executive Session - Enter & Exit • Next Meeting date set for Wed, March 23, at 8am

THE BOARD REVIEWED AND APPROVED: • • • • •

General Manager Report East River Cyber Security/IT Report Director Reports Legal Report

Guest Employee - Travis Zomer Communication/Marketing Report Operations & Safety Report Oﬃce & Financial Reports 2021 Year End Final Financial Report Year-to-Date Comparison

January-21 January-22 Total Revenue ................................$1,012,802 ............................................... $1,095,757 Cost of Power....................................$566,574 .................................................. $377,001 Total Cost of Service ........................$886,270 .................................................. $749,220 KWH’s Purchased ............................9,810,782................................................ 11,050,994 Residential Average kWh .......................2,124.......................................................... 2,463 Residential Average Bill .......................... $220 .......................................................... $243

Non-member subscriptions are available for $12 annually. Periodicals postage paid at Tabor, SD 57063.

Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections, PO Box 158,

Tabor, SD 57063; telephone (605) 463-2507; fax (605) 463-2419

February 2022 Solar Stats

kWh

Postmaster: Please send address changes to Bon Homme

5 kW system

20 15 10 5 0

Day of the month

Welcome New Members Menno Daryle & Brenda Wiedmeier

Consumer Directly

Energy to Grid

Scotland

Tyndall

Scott Rothschadl

Jeremiah & Mary Bertschinger

Marilyn Kokesh

Yankton

Tabor

Cheryl Boeckman

Albert Paweltzki

Diana Shepherd

APRIL 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 3

SPRING SAVINGS

10 helpful tips for spring energy savings Every season of the year provides many unique energy-saving opportunities for you and your family. Here are some ideas particularly well suited for you to apply this spring. 1. Clear the air: Open windows to allow fresh air to circulate throughout your home. 2. Cook outside: Enjoy the sunshine by using your grill or smoker to add festive flavors to meals. 3. Search and seal: Cracks and spaces let conditioned air slip outdoors. Caulk and weatherstrip to seal leaks. 4. Natural light: Open blinds and curtains and turn off the lights to save energy and money. 5. Be fan friendly: Use ceiling fans to circulate air and keep cool. 6. Atmospheric adjustment: Remember to adjust your thermostat settings for the warmer months ahead. 7. Tune up: Schedule an appointment with a qualified heating, ventilating and air conditioning technician to identify any potential problems with your system. 8. Peak savings: Plan household chores that require electricity during off-peak hours (when energy demand is low). 9. Take charge: Consider disconnecting electrical devices you don’t use regularly until you need them. Plugged-in devices use energy even when not in use. 10. Move outdoors: Time spent outdoors offers opportunities to turn off lights, TVs, computers and appliances. You’ll be more active, have more fun and save more money.

DON’T TOY WITH PERSONAL SAFETY

When playing outdoors, keep a safe distance from power lines, substations and other equipment your electric co-op uses to send electricity to your home. Flying remote-controlled toys and drones is a great way to have fun, but accidentally making contact with a power line or other electrical equipment can be dangerous and, in some cases, even deadly. • Never fly kites or drones near power lines. • Stay away from power lines, meters, transformers and electrical boxes. • Never climb trees near power lines. • If you get something stuck in a power line, call your electric co-op.

Fire Prevention Jonie Smith Jonie Smith sends out an important safety message for campers to extinguish fires before leaving the area. Jonie is the daughter of Myles and Amber Smith of Castlewood. They are members of H-D Electric Cooperative. Kids, send your drawing with an electrical safety tip to your local electric cooperative (address found on Page 3). If your poster is published, you’ll receive a prize. All entries must include your name, age, mailing address and the names of your parents. Colored drawings are encouraged.

4 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | APRIL 2022

RECIPES

LIP-SMACKING BEVERAGES

FRUIT SLUSH

Ingredients: 4 cups sugar (granulated) 6 cups water 1 46 oz. can pineapple juice 2 12 oz. cans frozen orange juice 1 12 oz. can frozen lemonade (pink or yellow) 2 small bananas, mashed very fine (or other fruit)

FRENCH ICED COFFEE

BLUEBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE

Ingredients: 1 cup spinach 1/2 cup water 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar 1 tbsp. almond butter 1/2 cup bananas, frozen 1/2 cup blueberries, frozen 1 tbsp. chia seeds 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp. minced ginger 1/2 cup berry yogurt fresh blueberries, for garnish (optional) Ground black pepper to taste

METHOD In blender, blend spinach, water, apple cider vinegar, almond butter, frozen bananas, frozen blueberries, chia seeds, cinnamon, ginger and yogurt until smooth. Pour into two glasses and garnish with fresh blueberries, if desired. culinary.net

Ingredients: 3 cups strong coffee 2 cups sugar 1 pint cream or half & half 1 qt. milk or almond milk 2 tsp. (vanilla) flavoring (other flavorings also work)

METHOD Dissolve sugar in hot coffee. Cool. Add other ingredients. Pour into containers (I use the tall 2 c. Tupperware for individual drinks, but also use quarts.) Freeze. Take out and let thaw. Ruth Schilberg, Viborg

SWAMP WATER

Ingredients: 1 small package lime gelatin 1 cup hot water 1 (12-oz.) can frozen unsweetened pineapple juice concentrate 2 liters carbonated water

METHOD Mix lime gelatin with hot water to dissolve. Add frozen concentrate and carbonated water. Chill. Makes 10 servings. Lily Gums, Clear Lake

METHOD Mix and bring to a boil the sugar and water. When mixture is cool, add juices and fruit. Put in 5-quart pail and freeze. When frozen, use 2-3 scoops in a glass with 7-Up or ginger ale. Great drink for spring or summer. Alana Neville, Milesville

STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE Ingredients: 2 cup fresh strawberries, stemmed & halved 1 cup plain yogurt 1/2 cup ice cubes or chips 1/2 tsp. ground cardamom 1/4 tsp. ginger

METHOD In a blender, combine all ingredients. Blend on high speed until smoothie texture. Makes 2-12 oz. glasses. Jane Ham, Rapid City Please send your favorite casserole recipes to your local electric cooperative (address found on Page 3). Each recipe printed will be entered into a drawing for a prize in December 2022. All entries must include your name, mailing address, phone number and cooperative name.

APRIL 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 5

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

2022 Scholarship Winners

Zach Loest

$1,000 Basin Electric Scholarship Zach Loest will graduate from Yankton High School in May with a 4.08 GPA and a class rank of 28 out of 228. He plans to attend South Dakota Schools of Mines and Technology and study chemical or mechanical engineering. His career goal is to obtain an engineering position in South Dakota. Zach has been active throughout his high school career in soccer, math tutoring, and multiple volunteer programs. He has received many honors and awards including Academic All-State Honors, All-Conference Soccer team, All-State Soccer team, and member of the 2019 ESD and State AA Championship team. In addition to his extracurricular activities, Zach works at Yankton Hy-Vee. Zach’s parents are Greg and Cheri Loest.

Isabell Sees

$500 B-Y Electric Scholarship Isabell Sees will graduate from Irene-Wakonda High School with a 4.0 GPA and a class rank of 1 out of 23. She plans to attend University of Mary to study Psychology. Her future plans are to go to graduate school to receive a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. Isabell has been involved in many extracurriculars during her high school career including Yearbook Editor, All-State Choir, Student Body President, State Oral Interpretation, and Honor Society. Isabell has received many awards for her achievements in choir, oral interpretation, and school plays, and she was selected as the valedictorian of her graduating class. In addition to her extracurricular activities, Isabell has worked at Broom Tree Retreat and Conference Center since 2014. Isabell’s parents are Mike and Kris Sees.

$500 B-Y Electric Scholarship Elizabeth Elsen will graduate from Yankton High School this spring with a 4.05 GPA and a class rank of 13 out of 228. She plans to attend South Dakota State University and study data science. Her career goal is to become an Agricultural Data Scientist. Elizabeth has been active throughout her high school career with her involvement in cross country, track, band, Science Olympiad, Yankton High School Book Club, and National Honor Society. Her awards and honors include current section leader of the clarinets in YHS’s highest band, 10-time medal winner at state Science Olympiad, Class Officer Treasurer her junior year, band letter, and academic letter and bar. She has volunteered at St. Benedict’s Church and Yankton Community Library and tutored for Math is Fun. Elizabeth’s parents are Mary and Jim Elsen.

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Elizabeth Elsen

YOUTH NEWS

Above: Stewart School student gets a new hairdo styled by the Van De Graaf generator. Below right: Two Tyndall students demonstrate that electricity will always get to the ground - even if that means jumping through your friend with a shock. See more Co-ops in the Classroom photos on page 11

ELECTRIFYING EDUCATION: CO-OPS IN THE CLASSROOM Jaclyn Arens jarens@byelectric.com

Co-ops in the Classroom is a program offered by B-Y Electric’s wholesale power provider, East River Electric Power Cooperative. Jennifer Gross, Education/Outreach Specialist for East River, travels throughout East River’s service territory in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota to teach children about electrical safety, generation, conservation, and economics. In February, we brought this program to four elementary schools in our service territory: Scotland Elementary, Tyndall Elementary, Springfield Elementary, and Yankton Stewart Elementary. Co-ops in the Classroom is targeted to 5th grade students. Last year, we visited Avon and

Tabor elementary schools, and we are working on a rotating schedule to reach all the 5th graders in our service territory. During the course of the 60-minute presentation, Gross took the students on the journey of electricity at the atomic level, all the way to the hundreds of miles it travels from the power plant to our homes. A variety of hands-on demonstrations engaged the students. A Van de Graaff electrostatic generator demonstrated the movement of electrons with some hair-raising results. Another device that invokes a lot of excitement is the Pedal Power bicycle generator. Students are asked to become power plants as they provide the energy that produces electricity for lights and small household devices.

The Pedal Power turns the concept of electricity from something abstract into something tangible. By providing the energy needed to make a light bulb turn on, the students are able to quantify just how much more energy an incandescent light bulb requires than a compact fluorescent light (CFL). It takes four times more energy to power the incandescent bulbs with the same lighting output. Gross also hooked up a fan and heating element to the human powered generator. The students first assume the fan takes more power but the heating element makes the bicycle almost impossible to pedal. By the end of the presentation, students had developed a new understanding and appreciation for electricity. The Co-ops in the Classroom event is a nice complement to other available education programs offered by B-Y Electric. In addition to Co-ops in the Classroom, we have a Powertown display that is great for safety demonstrations at 4-H camps, fairs, and other youth events. We also have access to a hotline trailer that provides a powerful demonstration of what can happen when a human body comes into contact with electricity. Contact Jaclyn Arens our Marketing and Communications Coordinator at (605) 463-2507 or jarens@ byelectric.com for more information on energy education opportunities.

APRIL 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 7

PRECISION AG

ROBO RANCHING Cottonwood Field Station Manager Katie Grott and student Lily McFadden take a break from their work. Photos by Billy Gibson

Cottonwood Field Research Station is abuzz with studies designed to increase producer profitability Billy Gibson billy.gibson@sdrea.coop

There are robo-cops, robo-codes and robo-calls. But robo-cattle ranching? That futuristic phrase is part of the nomenclature surrounding a beef production movement called “precision ranching,” an offshoot of the “precision agriculture” approach that promotes the use of advanced technology to improve yields and profitability. This new wave of ag research evokes postmodern images of bovines grazing through the fields wearing high tech gadgets. Turns out, it’s a description not too far off the mark, according to Dr. Jamie Brennan, an assistant professor of research and extension specialist at South Dakota State University. Based out of the West River Research and Extension Center in Rapid City, Brennan is using SDSU’s Cottonwood Field Station near Philip to study the viability of using high-tech GPS tracking collars to deliver real-time information on steer activity and behavior.

“By monitoring animal movement we can identify changes in behavior that might indicate sickness, for example, which can be sent as an alert to producers,” Brennan said. He’s deploying the type of advanced accelerator technology commonly associated with Fitbit watches, vehicle trackers, smartphone map apps and other monitoring devices. “We’re working to develop the capability for producers to easily identify not only where animals are on the landscape but also where they are selecting for grazing and resting locations,” Brennan said. “The work we are doing at the station is designed to determine the potential benefits - and possible shortcomings - of precision ranching technology and to predict the return on investment for the producer.” Brennan’s project is just one of several intriguing studies currently in play at the Cottonwood Field Station. One of six field research centers in the SDSU Agriculture Experiment Station network, Cottonwood is among the

8 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | APRIL 2022

oldest facilities of its kind in the country. Covering more than 2,600 acres, Cottonwood was established in 1907 and has received regional and national acclaim with impactful results such as developing a new method of determining stocking rates for western regions and devising the Universal Soil Loss Equation now known as RUSLE2. These scientific forays into precision ranching include virtual fencing (VenceTM), Smart FeederTM systems, mobile app-based mineral consumption monitors, methane emissions measuring devices and soil moisture monitoring. The exploration into virtual fencing holds plenty of promise in helping producers manage their livestock and landscape more efficiently and effectively, according to Cottonwood Field Station manager Katie Grott. While it may be hard for an old-school rancher to envision a world without barbed wire, fence posts and cattle guards, moving this technology to market could result in substantial savings for farm families. Grott explained the technology is a much more sophisticated version of the kind of residential-grade invisible fence

PRECISION AG

Cross country skiers receive both the mental and physical health benefits of a

A cow at the Cottonwood Field Research Station waits patiently for a Smart Feeder to be loaded with hay.

designed to keep pets from wandering around the neighborhood streets. Virtual fencing is already being used to contain goat herds and other smaller animals with measurable success. The latest research testing involves combining an electrical pulse administered through a GPS-enabled collar, combined with an auditory stimulus to keep cattle confined within certain boundaries. A software program allows the rancher to define those boundaries as needed for successful grazing rotation and land management. “We’re looking at how virtual fencing affects animal behavior, performance and natural resources,” Grott said. Dr. Krista Ehlert, assistant professor and extension specialist, is also involved in the project and adds, “Virtual fencing turns physical labor into cognitive labor for producers, helping to reduce labor and potentially improve work-life balance for producers.” Other projects at Cottonwood include work being led by assistant professor Dr. Hector Menendez. The research uses technology developed by the Rapid City firm, C-Lock. C-Lock has a scale that collects daily weight records on animals every time they drink. The data provide

valuable information on stocking rates, forage quality and weather conditions on individual animal performance. “It’s an exciting time in the area of agricultural research,” Menendez said. “We have secured funds to proceed with a project on interdisciplinary engagement in animal systems and precision livestock water monitoring. And we’re excited about holding producer-oriented workshops, training classes and field days to educate producers on how these advancements can improve their profitability.” One rancher who keeps a close eye on the latest research results is Eric Jennings, president of the South Dakota Cattleman’s Association. “There are some interesting new concepts being explored through this facility and others,” Jennings said. “We’re watching to see which of these systems prove to become both practical and affordable for producers to implement in their daily operations. For instance, the idea of virtual fencing has been around for a while, but the research and application of new technology has emerged as a viable option.” Brennan, Ehlert, Menendez and others who work daily to blaze new pathways

Amount of acres researchers have

2,640

at their disposal at the Cottonwood Field Station

for cattle producers take gratification from knowing their labor and application of scientific methods could result in a farm family turning the corner toward profitability and sustaining a generational way of life. Plus, they enjoy drawing students into the process and inspiring the next generation of farmers. “They receive training in animal science, rangeland ecology, precision technology, modeling, computer programming and boots-on-the-ground ranching,” Menendez said. “One of our aims is to encourage the next generation of professionals that can merge precision technology to maximize rangeland livestock production while maintaining ranching culture.”

APRIL 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 9

CO-OP NEWS

Local Discounts with your Co-op Connections Cards Your cooperative membership earns you discounts at local participating businesses. Simply show your Co-op Connections Discount Card and save. • Linda’s Angel Crossing in Yankton 20% off 1 Regular Priced Item. • Royal Sport Shop in Yankton 10% discount on in-store purchases. Some exclusions apply. • Head2Heels in Yankton 10% off any regular-priced item. • Mead Cultural Education Center in Yankton $3.00 Off Admission • Olson’s Pest Technicians in Yankton 20% off for new customers. • Elwood Family Dental Care in Yankton Free whitening strips at recare (cleaning) appointments. • Haase’s Main Stop in Scotland $2 Cheese sticks with specialty pizza order and/or Free 32oz fountain drink with a $5 deli purchase • Loving Hands Gifts in Tabor Pay CASH and receive $10 off purchases of $100.

For a full list of ways to save, visit www.connections. coop. To request a card or become a participating business, call (605) 463-2507 or email jarens@ byelectric.com

Now Selling Generac Generators! Call us for more information (605) 463-2507

10 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | APRIL 2022

April 11th is National Lineworker Day You’ve likely noticed B-Y Electric’s crews out and about, working on power lines and other electrical equipment in our community. It’s no secret that a lineworker’s job is tough––but it’s a job that’s essential and must be done, often in challenging conditions. B-Y Electric’s lineworkers are committed to powering our local community. During severe weather events that bring major power outages, lineworkers are among the first ones called. They must be ready to leave the comfort of their home and families unexpectedly, and they don’t return until the job is done. That’s why the lineworker’s family is also dedicated to service. They understand the importance of the job to the community. Being a lineworker may not seem like a glamorous job, but it is essential to the life of our community. Without the exceptional dedication and commitment of these hardworking men and women, we simply would not have the reliable electricity that we need for everyday life. So, the next time you see a lineworker, please thank them for the work they do to keep power flowing, regardless of the time of day or weather conditions. Afterall, lineworkers are the people behind your power. Please join us as we recognize them on April 11! B-Y Electric lineworkers are: Alex Caba, Gunnar Dally, Travis Gause, Sean Kafka, Nathan Kloucek, Tyler Suess, and Travis Zomer. Our operations department also includes Operations Manager Ken Carda, electricians Kevin Meyer and Wes Kloucek, and Facilities Coordinator Aaron Melichar.

CO-OP NEWS Co-ops in the Classroom cont. Top left: Tyndall student tries the pedal power generator Top left: Springﬁeld student Lower left: Springﬁeld students Lower center: Scotland students Lower right: Stewart student

FREE Classiﬁed Ad Service

Members can submit classiﬁed ads for the following categories: Giveaway, For Sale, For Rent, and Wanted Ads. All ads must be received by the ﬁrst of the month to be included in the following month’s issue. Ads will run one time unless resubmitted. Bon Homme Yankton Electric reserves the right to edit content or exclude ads due to space restrictions. Email ads to Jaclyn Arens at jarens@ byelectric.com.

CLASSIFIEDS

May Issue Deadline: April 1, 2022. Email your classiﬁed ad to: jarens@byelectric. com. Members can post one free ad per year. Repeats or longer ads are $1/column inch. • FOR RENT: 1 bedroom apartment. Tabor Manor. Contact Gary at 605-463-2209 or Ron at 605-463-2256. • Beseda Hall, Tabor, SD for rent for any special occasion such as weddings, anniversaries, graduation or birthdays! For more information contact Linda Bares at 605-661-6220 or snlbares@gmail.com. • FOR RENT: Tabor Self Storage. Call 605-660-0274 or 605-660-3497.

Statement of non-discrimination

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www. ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.

APRIL 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 11

#THANKALINEMAN

VOLTAGE IN THEIR VEINS The Miller and Wingen men share a total of 177 years of experience in the electric utility industry. Pictured above are Joel Miller, Rollie Miller, Travis Miller, Corey Miller, Wes Wingen and Dustin Wingen.

Miller, Wingen utility workers represent a combined 177 years of faithful service Tara Miller taram@centralec.coop

Take a moment to imagine life without electricity. No household appliances, no electric heat, no air conditioning, no internet and no phone. In 1925, only half of homes in the U.S. had electricity. Fast forward to 2022, and electricity is a basic necessity. April is Lineworker Appreciation Month – a time to celebrate and honor the brave men and women who often work in hazardous conditions to power our world. The Miller family, originally from Canova, has 177 years of electric industry experience, and most of them started their careers as lineworkers. WHERE IT ALL STARTED Before attending school to become a lineworker, Joel Miller, better known as “Joe” or “Smokey” to some, graduated from Canova High School and began working at Overhead Door Company

in Sioux Falls. While he didn’t mind the work, he knew it wasn’t what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Joe then heard about an opportunity to attend school and become a lineworker. “I knew Ron Callies. He was an instructor,” Joe said. “He told us to look at the program, so Robert Zens and I checked it out and thought we would give it a try.” Joe graduated from what is now known as Mitchell Technical College (MTC) in 1978 and began the family’s legacy of life on the line when he joined East River Electric in Madison. He started on the construction crew and later worked in maintenance. His friend Robert Zens also worked at East River Electric, but passed away in a motorcycle accident in 1980. Joe worked at East River Electric for nearly 20 years before he moved to Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) in Pierre. WAPA is a federal organization that markets and delivers hydroelectric power and related services

12 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | APRIL 2022

across the 15-state region. Joe retired from his position of line foreman at WAPA in 2020 after 43 years. FOLLOWING THE LEADER Rollie was next in the Miller family line-up, a year younger than Joe. His mom talked him into going to Pipestone, MN, to work at Bayliner Boats with his older brother Ed. Rollie then worked at Feterl’s Manufacturing in Salem where he welded augers until he decided to enroll in line school at MTC at the age of 20. “The biggest reason I went to line school was because Joe had just done it, and I was friends with Robert Zens. I saw how they just did it, and I thought I could do it, too,” Rollie explained. Rollie now manages Vigilante Electric Cooperative in Dillon, MT. Before running the show, he worked for an electrical contractor and for West River Electric. He then attended SDSU and worked for Bob’s Electric in Flandreau with Reggie Gassman, who is manager of customer electrical services at Sioux

#THANKALINEMAN

Valley Energy. They both grew up in the Canova area. Rollie earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, allowing him to become a licensed professional engineer. “My education has greatly benefited me throughout my career,” Rollie said. Rollie’s boys are also following the family tradition. Cody Miller attended SDSU to become an electrical engineer and consults for electric utilities, and Logan “L.J.” Miller is enrolled in the power line construction and maintenance program at MTC. “It’s not a cake walk. I told them you really have to study and work hard,” he said. After Rollie, Cody Miller Corey was the next Miller brother to attend MTC. “The reason I went into it is because I had two older L.J. Miller brothers who were linemen. I knew when I was a freshman in high school that I was going to be a lineman,” Corey said. After graduating from MTC in 1987, Corey became an apprentice lineworker at Public Service of New Hampshire. He worked there for three years, then took a position at Missouri Public Service. Like his brothers, Corey worked his way up the ranks. He was hired as a lineworker and promoted to foreman, then supervisor, and now works in management. He is also on the board of directors for the International Lineman Rodeo Association, helping host the annual lineman rodeo event which promotes lineworker safety. Corey’s 15-year-old son Zach plans to become a lineworker after high school. Corey shares this advice for anybody

• Joel Miller, Retired Line Foreman at Western Area Power Administration (Pierre, SD) 43 Years, 6 months of industry experience • Rollie Miller, General Manager at Vigilante Electric Cooperative (Dillon, MT) 42 years, 6 months of industry experience • Corey Miller, Director of Regional Operations at Evergy (Lexington, MO) 35 years, 6 months of industry experience • Travis Miller, Foreman at Southeastern Electric (Salem, SD) 30 years of industry experience • Wes Wingen, Manager of Meter Services at Black Hills Power (Rapid City, SD) 15 years, 10 months of industry experience • Cody Miller, Electrical Engineer (Dillon, MT) 8 years, 6 months of industry experience • Dustin Wingen, Former Lineworker at Alaska Village Electric Co-op (Anchorage, AK) 2 years of industry experience • Logan (L.J.) Miller, Student in the power line program at Mitchell Technical College

considering a career in the field: “We need linemen. It is an awesome profession to get into. Linemen live to restore power – that’s their lifeblood. And, quite honestly, you will make a very good wage while doing that.” Travis was the last of the Miller brothers to attend line school. He decided milking cows wasn’t his calling, so in 1991 at age 26, Travis followed the path started by his big brother Joe. “I figured they all did it, so I could probably do it better,” Travis joked. He is now the foreman at Southeastern Electric in Salem. Wes and Dustin Wingen are the sons of Stacy (Miller) and Bob Wingen. They are nephews to the Miller brothers and have also been involved in the electric utility industry. Dustin was a lineworker in Anchorage, AK, before coming back home to farm. Wes is an engineer and manager of meter services at Black Hills Power in Rapid City. IT’S A MILLER THING The Miller family had nine children: Sandy, Duane, Ed, Joe, Rollie, Stacy, Derrin, Travis and Corey. Marcella, mother of the youngest eight children,

passed away in 2011, and Duane “Stub” Miller, the family patriarch, currently resides in Howard. Stub shared, “People don’t know it today, but having electricity is something we shouldn’t take for granted.” The four Miller brothers share a combined 151 years of electric industry experience. When you add it all up, the Miller and Wingen men boast an impressive 177 years of electric industry experience. They couldn’t have worked in this profession without the support of their families, which are too large to list. All the storm jobs, dangerous assignments and family moves were worth it when they think about the people they serve. They all agree, “It’s a Miller thing” and working with voltage is in their veins. THANK A LINEWORKER Please take time to thank lineworkers for all they do to brighten our lives. We thank the Miller family for their many years of service in the industry. Editor’s note: Writer Tara Miller is Travis Miller’s wife and works for Central Electric Cooperative near Mitchell.

APRIL 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 13

FORAGING FOR FUN

FORAGING FOR FUN Jayne Pfeifle of Timber Lake is fond of foraging for fruit, which she turns into delicious jellies and jams. Photo by Roger Lawien

Foraging for ‘found food’ can be fun and also good for your diet plan Billy Gibson billy.gibson@sdrea.coop

Back when Jayne Pfeifle was a little girl and ventured outdoors to gather chokeberries with her mother, her thoughts were fixed on the delicious jellies and jams she’d soon enjoy. She wasn’t aware she was engaging in an activity that would come to be known decades later as “foraging.” For all she knew, foraging for food was something wild animals did when they got hungry. With the steady lifting of pandemic restrictions, many people across the country are taking to the outdoors to avail themselves of what’s called “found

food” or “nature’s free grocery store.” As an indication of the rising popularity of foraging, one social media star from Ohio has amassed nearly 3.5 million TikTok followers, in addition to nearly a million more fans on Instagram. Alexis Nikole Nelson, 29, has been featured on National Public Radio, Fortune magazine, The New York Times and other news and entertainment outlets. During the pandemic, Nelson started posting videos from her forays into the forests to gather edible mushrooms, berries, weeds and other plants. She was floored by the response she received. Some subjects included “Where to find mushrooms that taste like shrimp,”

14 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | APRIL 2022

“How to make ‘bacon’ out of acorns,” and “How to make ‘danger bread’ using cow parsnip.” But Nelson struck social media gold when she posted a video that got the attention of people left financially strapped by the pandemic: “How to ‘stretch’ groceries by foraging.” Before long, a wider audience of outdoors enthusiasts were gravitating toward the notion that foraging can not only be enjoyed either solo or with others, but it can also be adventurous while saving money and promoting a more nutritious diet. For Pfeifle, much of the satisfaction she derives from foraging for chokeberries, plums, elderberries and other wild edibles is making sure her husband of 39 years has a tangy treat to spread on his breakfast toast. “Clyde likes his jelly and toast every

DAHL FOR SADDLES FORAGING FUN What to take • Bug spray • Sunscreen • Long pants (for prickly and/ or poisonous plants) • Gardening gloves • A basket or bag for storage • A GPS or phone for maps • Scissors or a hunting knife

Morel mushrooms are a favorite target for many foragers in search of free food and fun.

morning,” she said of her husband, her frequent foraging field companion. “I enjoy getting out and gathering the berries and he enjoys the jelly, so it makes everybody happy.” Just don’t ask her to deal with buffaloberries. That’s where Pfeifle draws the line. “It’s a tiny berry. They’re hard to pick, hard to clean and hard to process. The jelly is good, but it’s too much hard work and not worth the trouble,” said Pfeifle, who has served as an educator at Timber Lake Elementary for the past 48 years. Little Moreau Recreation Area is a prime public picking place for Pfeifle and other people in the Timber Lake area, but she stays close to the vest when asked to disclose some of her other favorite foraging sites. It so happens that holding secrets is a quality found in many foragers, akin to a fisherman’s reluctance to announce to the world where the fish are biting. Jaclyn Arens, communications and marketing coordinator at Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative, looks forward to foraging for morel mushrooms when the weather warms up in the spring. She’s learned over the past

few years since she began the hobby that there’s a limited window of time for the best hunting. “We start scouting at the end of March, but we don’t usually find anything until April and May,” she said. “The soil temperature is important, and the morels don’t pop up until it’s warm enough, about 50 degrees. They burn up or disappear when it gets too warm.” In keeping with the forager’s unspoken code of silence, she’ll say when and how, but she won’t say where. “I will say we look for places that have moist soil and deciduous trees like oak, elm, ash and cottonwood. Forests with big, old, decaying trees are best because morels grow from the root systems of dying trees. People have had luck in places where trees have been cut down or burned. There is plenty of public land in South Dakota to explore,” Arens said. One pro tip Arens offers is to bring along a mesh bag to store your morels. The mesh material allows the spores to spread while hunting for more mushrooms. Another pro tip: if you do find an elusive morel, freeze in your tracks…there are likely more close by, so it’s wise to stop before accidentally trampling over a perfectly fine ’shroom.

In addition to the lure of the hunt, the taste of morels and the quality time spent with her boyfriend, Arens really enjoys the annual ritual of getting out into the wild after a long winter. “My favorite thing is getting outside in the Jaclyn Arens spring after being cooped up in the winter,” she said. “Plus, morels are delicious, and they taste even better after a long day of mushroom hunting. My favorite way to cook morels is to lightly batter them in flour and fry them in a hot pan with butter. Yummy!” She encourages beginners to follow a few basic rules: • Avoid areas beneath or around electric power lines. • Avoid trespassing on private property. • Never eat anything unless you can identify it with 100 percent accuracy. • Take a companion along for fun and safety. • Try to avoid areas where chemicals or insecticides may have been applied.

APRIL 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 15

APRIL 23

Martina McBride Swiftel Center, Brookings, SD, swiftelcenter.com

APRIL 23

Tabor 150 Anniversary Celebration Tabor, SD, activities from 1:30 p.m. to midnight, 605-463-2507

APRIL 23

Winefest Renaissance 1121 1st Avenue SE, Aberdeen, SD, 605-225-8714

APRIL 23-24

46th Mobridge Area Art Show Scherr-Howe Arena, Mobridge, SD, 605-845-2060

APRIL 16 Easter Egg Hunt at Reclamation Ranch, Mitchell, SD

To have your event listed on this page, send complete information, including date, event, place and contact to your local electric cooperative. Include your name, address and daytime telephone number. Information must be submitted at least eight weeks prior to your event. Please call ahead to confirm date, time and location of event. To view the publication’s master event calendar, scan the QR code below:

MARCH 25-26

Schmeckfest 748 S Main Street, Freeman, SD, 605-925-4237

MARCH 26

Annual Ag Day Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD, 605-367-6000

MARCH 30

Elton John Tribute Concert Performing Arts Center, Mitchell, SD, 605-770-7813

APRIL 2

Watertown Coin and Currency Show Elks Lodge, Watertown, SD, 605-882-4663

APRIL 2-3

Youth & Family Services’ 25th Annual Kids Fair The Monument, Rapid City, SD, youthandfamilyservices. org/kids-fair/

APRIL 8-9

Or visit https://sdrea.coop/ cooperative-connectionsevent-calendar to view more upcoming events.

Forks, Corks & Kegs Festival Various Locations, Deadwood, SD, deadwood.com/event/ forks-corks-kegs

APRIL 8-9

Jackrabbit Stampede Rodeo Swiftel Center, Brookings, SD, swiftelcenter.com

APRIL 23-24 APRIL 8-10

CAHF Spring Fling Eggstravaganza Series Carroll Acres Hobby Farm, Rapid City, SD, carrollacres hobbyfarm.com

APRIL 8-16

The Passion and the Cross Orpheum Theater Center, Sioux Falls, SD, siouxfalls orpheum.com

APRIL 9

Keystone Spring Fling Vendor Fair 1101 Madill Street, Keystone, SD, 605-786-3035

APRIL 9-10

DGTCA Gun Show Rushmore Civic Center, Rapid City, SD, 605-270-0764

APRIL 16

Easter Egg Hunt Reclamation Ranch, Mitchell, SD, 605-770-2867

APRIL 22

River Rat ½ Marathon, 10K, and 5K Gavins Point Area, Yankton, SD, allsportscentral.com

APRIL 22-23

Junkin’ Market Days W. H. Lyon Fairgrounds, Sioux Falls, SD, 605-941-4958

Brookings Quilt Guild Show Swiftel Center, Brookings, SD, 605-690-3246

APRIL 27-30

45th Annual Kingswood Rummage Sales Southwest Sioux Falls, SD, kingswoodrummage.com

APRIL 28-30

26th Annual Black Hills Dance Festival The Monument, Rapid City, SD, blackhillsdancefestival.com

APRIL 29-MAY 1, 5-7

Ordinary Days Grand Opera House, Pierre, SD, pierreplayers.com

APRIL 30

SDSO Centennial Finale Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD, sdsymphony.org

MAY 7

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta 131 E Falls Park Drive, Sioux Falls, SD, 605-274-3735

MAY 14-15

Ellsworth Air and Space Show 1940 EP Howe Drive, Ellsworth AFB, SD, ellsworthairshow.com

Note: Please make sure to call ahead to verify the event is still being held.