JUNE 2015
VOL. 16 NO. 2
Co-op
News
The Power Supply Tour is Back! The Board of Directors at Bon Homme Yankton Electric would like to invite you to participate in the 2015 Power Supply Tour. This is a unique opportunity to learn more about the story behind the switch and how important coal-fired generation is to you and your cooperative.
We will be joining members from Clay-Union Electric and Union County Electric. The bus will depart from ClayUnion’s office in Vermillion. A secure parking area will be provided. The tour is a three day event. On the first day, we will tour the facilities of East River Electric in Madison, SD. From there, we will travel to the motel accommodations. On day two, we will tour the Great Plains Synfuels Plant, the Antelope Valley Station power plant and
the Coteau Freedom coal mine. We will stop by the Capitol in Pierre on the way home and visit a wind farm. If you would like to participate in the 2015 Basin Tour, please complete the registration form and return it to Bon Homme Yankton Electric by June 12th. The motel room, meals, and bus transportation are all provided by Bon Homme Yankton Electric. We only ask for a nominal amount of $12.50 for single or $25 per couple to reserve your spot on the tour. This deposit will be refunded if you are not selected to attend. Please be aware that these tours
include walking short distances and climbing stairs. Only seven lucky couples will be selected for the tour so make sure you return your registration before the June 12th cutoff. If you have any questions, please contact the office at 605-463-2507.
TOUR D AT E S July 20-22
Time is of the essence! If you have not attended the tour in the past, turn in your registration as soon as possible as the first 7 sign-ups WILL be booked on the trip.
REGISTRATION FORM 2015 BASIN TOUR Name______________________________________________________
(If registering as a couple/double, include both your names)
Address____________________________________________________ Phone Number______________________________________________ Check one: ____ single $12.50 or ____ couple/double occupancy $25.00 Tour Date: July 20th through July 22nd, 2015 Registration must be returned by June 12, 2015 to be eligible for the trip. 2 June 2015 • Cooperative Connections
Board
Report
Annual Audit Presented (USPS No. 018-973)
Bon Homme Yankton Electric Assn, Inc. PO Box 158 134 S Lidice Tabor, SD 57063 Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30am to 4:30pm
To Report an Outage or For Internet Tech Support, Call: Local From Tabor, Tyndall and Yankton 605-463-2507 or Toll Free in South Dakota 1-800-925-2929 NOTICE: Electric bills must be paid by 10:00am on the 20th of each month to avoid a $10 late fee. Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections is published monthly by Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association, Inc., PO Box 158, 134 S. Lidice St., Tabor, SD 57063-0158 for its members. Families subscribe to Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections as part of their electric cooperative membership. Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connection’s purpose is to provide reliable, helpful information to electric cooperative members on matters pertaining to rural electrification and better rural living. Subscription information: Electric cooperative members devote $6.00 from their electric payments annually for a subscription. Nonmember subscriptions are available for $12 annually. Periodicals Postage Paid at Tabor, SD 57063 and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections, Bon Homme Yankton Electric, PO Box 158, Tabor, S.D. 57063 TELEPHONE (605)463-2507: FAX (605) 463-2419. Design assistance by TDG Communications, Deadwood, S.D.
Derrick Larson from the accounting firm Eide Bailly LLC presented the results of the annual audit. Eide Bailly performed a review of the generally accepted accounting practices as well as specific procedures required by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS). The cooperative received a clean report with no adjustments recommended. The audited financial statements will be presented in the August issue of the Cooperative Connections and at the Annual meeting August 18, 2015. Capital Credit Retirement The board discussed options for performing the next capital credit refund. The board approved a general retirement of 5% of the total amount allocated. This will allow us to refund all of the capital credits allocated in 1993 and 1994 and a partial amount from 1995. The board also set a minimum check amount at $25.00. A specific date has not been set for the refund as we are still waiting on computer programming to finish the allocation notices.
Checks will not be sent out to members who do not have a current valid mailing address nor to estates where no one has filed the proper paperwork to claim the funds. Policy Updates The board passed a new policy 50-21 Off-Peak Coincidental Billing. This rate will be available for services that are between 75kva and 349kva in size and agree to be under industrial load control. Policy 80-36 Safety was updated to address new fall protection standards. Policy 50-05 Irrigation was updated so that pivot services would receive a facility charge of the normal rate for their type of service or $1 per kva of their transformer size whichever is greater.
Welcome New Members Springfield Casey A Luke Tyndall Robert Shutt Yankton Doug Kazemba Craig Gartner Kaili Devries Wendell Martin Douglas Marshall Marina Bar & Grill Lewis & Clark Marina
Download the SmartHub App for your Mobile Device Today!
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.
Cooperative Connections • June 2015 3
SafetyTips
Drowning: It Can Happen In An Instant Most parents think water safety is first and foremost on their minds whenever they are enjoying summer activities with their kids. But when the unthinkable happens and a child drowns, parents and caregivers have been known to say, “I only looked away for a second.”
IF IT’S NOT INSULATED, NEITHER ARE YOU.
The Younger the Child, the Greater the Risk Not including boating incidents, about 10 people die from drowning every day in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. While drowning is a risk for every age group, National Safety Council statistics point to drowning being the No. 1 cause of death for children ages 1 to 4. Deaths in this age group are mostly due to a child falling into a pool or being left alone in the bathtub. Distractions Make for Tragedies Parents are cautioned all the time about water safety, but drownings still occur. Always be aware and be in the present moment with your children. Following are a few water safety precautions: • Never leave your child alone; if you have to leave, take your child with you. • Enroll children 3 and older in swimming lessons, but remember that lessons don’t make your child “drown-proof.” • Lifeguards aren’t babysitters; always keep your eyes on your child. • Don’t let children play around drains and suction fittings. • Never consume alcohol when operating a boat and always make sure everyone is wearing approved life jackets. • Don’t underestimate the power of water; even rivers and lakes can have undertows. • Always have a first aid kit and emergency contacts handy. • Get training in CPR. • If a child is missing, check the water first. The following rules apply to all swimmers: • Never swim alone. • Don’t dive into unknown bodies of water. • Don’t push or jump on others. • Be prepared for an emergency. Every pool, every lake and every warm summer day holds the possibility of new, fun summer experiences. All you need to add is your undivided attention. Source: nsc.org 4 June 2015
•
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
REPLACE, NEVER REPAIR DAMAGED EXTENSION CORDS. Helping members use electricity safely, that’s the power of your co-op membership. Learn more from the experts themselves at TogetherWeSave.com. Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives The power of human connections.®
Kids’ Corner Safety Poster
“Don’t play with electricity.”
Hayden McNinch, Fourth-grader at Menno School District Hayden is the daughter of Steve and Katie Huber, Olivet, S.D. They are members of Southeastern Electric Cooperative, Marion, S.D. 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.
Reader Recipes
Dairy Delights Ice Cream in a Bag 2 T. sugar 1 cup half and half or milk 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Powerhouse Green Smoothie 1/2 cup rock salt (regular, rock or kosher works) Ice cubes
Put first three ingredients in a quart-size ziplock bag and seal. Put rock salt and ice in a gallon-size bag. Add the smaller bag to the larger bag and seal. Squeeze the bag for 10 to 15 minutes. Mary Ellen Luikens, Tea
7 eggs 1 cup milk 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
Place hashbrown patties in a single layer in a greased 10x9-inch glass dish. Sprinkle with cheese and ham. In a bowl, beat eggs, milk, salt and mustard. Pour over ham and cheese. Cover and bake at 350°F. for 1 hour. Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes until edges are golden brown and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Mary Jessen, Holabird
Tutmaj (Armenian) Yogurt Soup 1 egg, beaten 3 cups plain or Greek yogurt 1 tsp. salt 2 cups water
1 cup flat egg noodles 4 T. butter 2 T. crushed dry mint 1 small onion, diced
In a 2-quart saucepan, beat egg, yogurt and salt for 3 minutes. Add water. Cook on high, stirring constantly, until boiling. Add noodles. Lower heat and cook until noodles are tender. In fry pan, saute onions in butter until light brown. Add mint. Pour into soup. Cook for 5 minutes. When reheating soup, if too thick, add some boiling water. Rose Tucker, Hot Springs
Rapid Ruby Rhubarb 1-1/4 cups flour, divided 1/3 cup powdered sugar 1/2 cup butter
2 eggs, beaten 3/4 cup sugar 2 cups finely chopped rhubarb
Mix together 1 cup flour, powdered sugar and butter. Press into 8x8-inch pan. Bake at 350°F. for 15 minutes. Combine eggs, sugar, remaining flour and rhubarb. Spread over hot crust. Bake 30 minutes or until set. Let cool 15 minutes before serving. Jan Nelson, Belle Fourche
2/3 cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt 1-1/2 tsp. canola oil 1/2 cup ice cubes
In blender, combine all ingredients. Blend for about 30 seconds to 1 minute or until desired smoothness is achieved. Yield: 1 serving Nutritional information per serving: 290 calories; 7 g total fat (0.5 g saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 42 g carbohydrates; 3 g fiber; 31 g sugars; 17 g protein; 75 mg sodium; 502 mg potassium Pictured, Cooperative Connections
Wake-up Casserole 8 frozen hashbrown patties 4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese 2 cups cubed ham
3/4 cup seedless green grapes 1/2 cup ripe banana slices 1/4 cup chopped kale
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup sugar 1 egg
1/2 cup coconut, if desired 1 (16.5 oz.) roll Pillsbury® refrigerated chocolate chip cookies
In small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and egg until smooth. Stir in coconut. In ungreased, 8- or 9-inch square pan, break up half of cookie dough. With floured fingers, press dough evenly in bottom of pan to form crust. Spread cream cheese mixture over dough. Crumble and sprinkle remaining half of dough over cream cheese mixture. Bake at 350°F. for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch. Cool 30 minutes. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until chilled. Store in refrigerator. Paula Vogel, Ethan
Crunchy Potato Balls 2 cups very stiff mashed potatoes 2 cups finely chopped ham 1 cup shredded Cheddar or Swiss cheese 1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 egg, beaten 1 tsp. mustard 1/4 tsp. pepper 2 to 4 T. flour 1-3/4 cups crushed corn flakes
Please send your favorite dessert, salad and garden produce 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 2015. All entries must include your name, mailing address, telephone number and cooperative name.
Combine first 7 ingredients; mix well. Add enough flour to make mixture stiff. Chill. Shape into 1-inch balls. Roll in corn flakes. Place on greased baking sheet. Bake at 350°F. for 25 minutes.. Mary Truman, Kimball
At about 25 cents per 8-ounce serving, milk is a bargain,
especially when you consider all the liquid assets inside – protein, calcium, potassium, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and more. Source: www.dairymakessense.com COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
• J une 2015
5
Energy Cents
Ideas
Stay Comfortable with Less AC Dear Jim: My family is trying to use less air-conditioning this summer to save electricity. Do you have any good tips for us so that we are not terribly uncomfortable in our home? – Ron H.
During the summer, use countertop-cooking appliances, such as a slow cooker, in the garage or outdoors to reduce indoor heat and humidity generation. Remember to unplug phone and computer chargers and other electrical items when they are not being used. Even though each device uses a small amount of electricity, they generate heat, which can add up quickly. Wash dishes and clothes at night; avoid washing in the afternoons during peak heat. The heat given off from the hot water and electricity used by the motors will stress your air conditioner less at night. This also reduces the peak electricity demand for your utility provider. Keeping air moving inside your home increases evaporative cooling from your skin to keep you comfortable at a higher indoor temperature. Running a ceiling paddle fan is very effective for this. Keep in mind the electric motor in the fan actually heats the room air, so turn it off when the room is unoccupied. Set the ceiling fan on medium to high speed and the rotation switch so it blows the air downward. During winter, change the switch setting so the air blows upward and set it on slower speed.
Dear Ron: There are quite a few free, low-cost improvements and simple lifestyle changes you can make to reduce the amount of air-conditioning needed. However, it’s important to keep in mind that initially your family will likely be a bit less com-fortable but should become accustomed to the changes quickly. The simplest method to run the air-conditioner less is to set your thermostat a few degrees higher. The savings should be from 1 percent to 3 percent for each degree you raise it. This lessens the amount of outdoor heat that transfers into your home, which your air conditioner has to remove. There is a limit to how high you can raise your thermostat without becoming too uncomfortable – and instigating a rebel- There are quite a few free, low-cost lion by your family. Other methods to minimize air-condition- improvements and simple lifestyle changes ing are to reduce the amount of heat that leaks into your home, reduce the amount of heat generated inside your house, control you can make to reduce the amount of humidity levels, increase indoor air movement and use natural air-conditioning needed. ventilation when possible. On a breezy, not excessively hot day, try opening some winAvoid sitting near a sun-exposed wall or window during sunny afternoons. Wall insulation is effective for blocking con- dows. Widely open several windows on the downwind side of your home and slightly open windows on the windward side. ductive heat gain, but not for radiant heat. When the outside Due to the pressure difference, this causes the air to blow in wall gets hot in the sun, particularly a brick or masonry wall, the partially opened windows much faster, creating a breeze in the radiant heat comes right through the wall to your skin. that room using no electricity. It can make you feel a couple degrees warmer than the actual Another option for staying cool is building a solar chimney, room air temperature. Window and door awnings can be helpwhich uses the sun’s heat to ventilate your house for free. This ful in blocking direct sunlight. is a tall wooden chimney with two clear sides from the ceiling Most energy efficiency improvements, such as caulking, to above the roof. When the sun shines into the clear sides, it weather stripping and insulation, are made to reduce heat loss heats the air. Since hot air rises, it naturally exhausts air from during winter. They also reduce heat gain during summer. your house. This works well when using natural ventilation on Check the insulation in your attic to make sure there are no voids or thin areas where it may have loosened or blown around, a still day. Block the ceiling opening with an insulated panel when air-conditioning or heating. and ensure all attic vents are not blocked by the insulation. A whole-house ventilation fan, often located in a hall ceilA great deal of heat is generated inside a home from cooking, can draw huge amounts of air through your house. For ing, bathing and running electric appliances, causing the air times when the air is not excessively humid, run the fan at conditioner to work harder to remove the additional heat. When cooking or bathing, run the range hood or bath exhaust night. This can cool down the entire house and delay the time in the morning when the air conditioner has to come back on. fan to remove the extra heat and moisture. Have a question for Jim? Send inquiries to: James Dulley, Cooperative Connections, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.
Jim Dulley www.dulley.com
6 June 2015 • Cooperative Connections
News
Briefs
Water Heater Law Signed by President President Barack Obama recently signed an energy efficiency bill that will preserve production of large gridenabled water heaters that hundreds of electric cooperatives, including many cooperatives in South Dakota and western Minnesota, rely on for demand-response programs. The law will allow the continued manufacturing of water heaters above 75 gallons for specific use in demand-response programs. The law supersedes a ban on the production of these water heaters set by the U.S. Department of Energy in 2010, which took effect April 16, 2015. The signed legislation is welcome news to electric cooperatives nationwide. “Co-ops have been in the business of saving members money for decades and this new standard keeps important programs going at more than 250 electric cooperatives. We sincerely thank the President for signing this legislation. It allows important demand response programs to continue saving consumers hundreds of millions of dollars,” said National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) CEO Jo Ann Emerson. “Demand response and energy efficiency programs – ones that reduce energy consumption, save money and help integrate renewable energy into the grid – should find easy agreement on Capitol Hill. This type of legislation makes a difference to the folks at the end of the power lines, the ones who pay the bills and most importantly, the ones who keep our economy going. Please help them save money and energy.” More than 250 co-ops in 35 states use large-capacity electric resistance water heaters to reduce demand during peak hours by an estimated 500 megawatts. Large, super-insulated water heaters can store low-cost, offpeak power as hot water, enabling coops to cut their fuel use and optimize operation of the electric grid.
Students Honored at Touchstone Energy® Scholar of the Year Banquet and Recognition Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota honored some of the area’s most impressive high school seniors Saturday, April 25, during the annual Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Year banquet and recognition on the campus of Lake Area Technical Institute. The event honored the 36 high school students who were chosen each week throughout the school year as the Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week. It’s a program which recognizes students for academic achievement, co-curricular involvement and community service. The students are featured in weekly segments which air on KSFY Television and each student receives a $100 scholarship for being chosen as the Scholar of the Week. Hope Knedler, a senior at Vermillion High School who is from the Clay-Union Electric Cooperative service territory, was selected during the banquet as the Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Year. Knedler, who plans to attend the University of South Dakota in the fall, received a $1,000 scholarship from Touchstone Energy Cooperatives. Colton Hageman, a senior at Lake Preston High School who lives in the Kingsbury Electric Cooperative service territory and Chesney Arend, a senior at Bridgewater Emery High School and lives in the Central Electric Cooperative service territory, were both chosen to receive $500 scholarships. Hageman plans to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Arend plans to attend the University of South Dakota. The Pictured are the 2015 Touchstone Energy® Scholars, Front row, from left: Calla Harper, names were drawn Irene-Wakonda High School, Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association; Patrick Reiter, Florfrom among the ence High School, Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative; Rawson Yost, Clark High School, banquet attendees. Codington-Clark Electric; Jessica Triebwasser, Colman-Egan High School, Sioux Valley Lake Area Energy; Jordyne Schultz, Agar-Blunt-Onida High School, Oahe Electric Cooperative; Karee Wicks, Rutland High School, Sioux Valley Energy. Second row: Bailey Zerfoss, WolseyTechnical InstiWessington High School, Dakota Energy Cooperative; Sharon Folk, Milbank High School, tute’s President Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative; Hope Knedler, Vermillion High School, Clay-Union Michael Cartney Electric Corporation; Lindsey Vogl, Webster Area High School, Lake Region Electric Aswas the keynote sociation; Mikayla Prouty, Willow Lake High School, H-D Electric Cooperative; Chesney speaker for the Arend, Bridgewater-Emery High School, Central Electric Cooperative. Back row: Jayden Scholar of the Year Mikkonen, Frederick Area High School, Northern Electric Cooperative; Jacob Milbrandt, banquet. KSFY Groton Area High School, Northern Electric; Colton Hageman, Lake Preston High School, News anchor Kingsbury Electric Cooperative; Joshua Thurow, Oldham-Ramona High School, Sioux Brian Allen served Valley Energy; Nathan Herrold, Andes Central High School, Charles Mix Electric Cooperaas the master of tive; Devin Tolsma, Avon High School, Bon Homme Yankton Electric; Brandon VanOsdel, ceremonies. Gayville-Volin High School, Clay-Union Electric; Caleb Preszler, Menno High School, Southeastern Electric Cooperative; and Levi Olson, Waubay High School, Lake Region Electric.
Cooperative Connections • June 2015 7
To the Moon Gee-Aye Dairy Puts Astronauts to Work
A
By Brenda Kleinjan
stronauts Steve, Princess, Quincey and Vanna began doing the daily milking at the Gee-Aye Dairy west of Ethan, S.D., in June 2012. The four are not space cowboys but rather a team of robots that milk cows in Gary and Amy Blase’s 160-head herd of Holsteins round the clock. Adapting to the robots was a learning process for both the Blases and the cattle. “Every cow reacts in her own way,” said Gary. “It wasn’t hard to get them to use the robots.” Each cow is equipped with a special collar and activity monitor that tells the robots when she was last milked and if it is time to milk again. (The cow can choose to be milked up to six times a day, depending on her lactation and milk production.) A special pellet feed is in a trough at the milking station. As the cow feeds, an overhead 3-D camera records the cow’s position in the milker. The robot’s
8 June 2015 • Cooperative Connections
arm slides into place and lasers locate each quarter of the cow’s udder, attaching the milker. (The cow’s first milking is mapped and stored in the computer, making subsequent milkings a bit quicker.) One could argue the cows are part of the fitness craze and have their own version of a Fitbit. Just like the exercise monitor worn on millions of humans’ wrists, the dairy cattle have activity monitors hanging from their numbered collars. From those monitors, the Blases can track how many times a given cow went to milk, what the cow’s temperature and weight were while being milked and how many minutes a day the cow spends in rumination. (Dairy cattle spend about 450 to 500 minutes a day chewing their cud. Departures from that range may indicate a variety of issues that may need to be addressed.) The data collected by the robots also includes the amount of time each of
the cow’s quarters was milked, how much milk was produced and other pieces of data. “We probably didn’t realize how hard it was to put it all together,” said Gary, explaining the data being recorded and displayed on the robot. “When you see this, that means what?” But, armed with the data collected, the Blases can make adjustments in their management of their herd. As the Blases’ explain “Quincey,” the robot that serves as the primary training station for the cattle, one cow in particular seems to believe that the robot will forget her previous approaches to the milking station that morning. Cow No. 1881 has been known to attempt milking 50 times a day on her quest for the pellets that are only fed while a cow is being milked. She approaches the milking station and Quincey quickly analyzes her data and immediately swings the exit gate – and attached feeding
trough – out of 1881’s reach. In a roughly 45 minute window, that cow has approached and been rejected by Quincey three times. The robots also know which cattle are being treated – or doctored – for various ailments and diverts those cows’ milk to a dump tank, which is used on farm and does not enter the farm’s sellable milk supply. The robot then commences a complete wash down before the next healthy cow is milked. Three times a day, the robots automatically shut down for a whole-system wash down. While investigating the robots, the Blases, who married in 1972 and have been dairying ever since, visited 10 dairies in Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota. Ultimately, they decided to invest in the robots and retrofitted their existing operation. “Dairying is always going to be labor-intensive and time-consuming,” said Amy, noting that while the robots handle the collection of milk, they don’t feed the cattle, scoop out the barn alleyways or change the animals’ bedding.” The robots have given the Blases freedom from the clock and the parlor, though. “It’s opened an opportunity to follow our grandkids a bit more,” noted Amy.
Meet the Robots Steve: Named in honor of an employee of the dairy who died of a heart attack on his way to work. Princess: Named for the Gee-Aye Dairy’s record-producing cow, who was declared a Gold Medal Dam in August 2000. Her daughter, Princette, is set to break her production record. Quincey: Named for one of the family’s top show cows, Quincey is the robot that all cows are trained on. Vanna: Named for the head of one of the dairy’s top show cow families.
Opposite page: Gary Blase analyzes screens of data collected about his herd through the Gee-Aye Dairy’s Lely Astronaut robotic milking machines. Among the data Gary is monitoring closely is the output of one cow – Princette – who is about to break her mother’s milk production record. One of the robots is named for the mother – Princess – who produce 328,000 pounds of milk (roughly 6.5 semi tankers full) in her lifetime. Above: The data is used to adjust feed rations and other factors in the herd’s health. Right: Gary shows the milk collection area of astronaut Quincy. The monitor on the door shows realtime data collected by the robot and also allows the Blases to make adjustments. Top: Amy demonstrates how the touch-screen is used to guide the milker’s lasers in place for a cow’s initial milking. The process is then automatic, unless a problem occurs. Cooperative Connections • June 2015 9
Co-op
News
Sam Caba Wins DC Trip
Sam Caba was selected to participate in the annual Washington, DC Youth Tour. Sam is a sophomore at Bon Homme High School. He has been involved in many school activities and aspires to go to chiropractic school after earning a Bachelor's degree at the University of South Dakota. Sam is the son of Jason and Kathleen Caba of Tabor.
Petition Deadline
Bon Homme Yankton Electric is making plans for its annual meeting. The meeting will be held August 18, 2015 in the Beseda Hall in Tabor. The director positions with three year terms expiring this year are districts three and five. Any person wishing to run for a directorship of Bon Homme Yankton Electric will need to file a nominating petition. The petition must have at least 15 signatures of district members of Bon Homme Yankton Electric. Petitioners must reside in the district and have an active membership in the cooperative. The petitions are available now and must be filed at the Bon Homme Yankton Electric office by 4:30 p.m. June 18, 2015.
PAY ONLINE @ WWW.BYELECTRIC.COOP Classifieds July Issue Deadline: June 1, 2015. Email your classified ad to: by@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 John at 605-463-2478 or Gary at 605-463-2209.r Thinking about building a home? Don’t pick a floor plan or a builder until you’ve talked with the area’s ONLY Certified Aging-in-Place specialist, Certified Green Professional Builder and ENERGY STAR Partner Builder. Call 4 Life Homes today. 605-661-4488.r 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 SALE: Registered Angus Bulls bred for calving ease & growth. Performance tested, guaranteed. Out of top bloodlines in the Angus Breed. Call Steven at Hauger's Stock Farms, Irene, South Dakota 605-2633774.
1 0 June 2015 • Cooperative Connections
Circulate savings! Ceiling fans are a great way to keep cool during summer months and can even allow you to raise your thermostat setting about 4 degrees without affecting your comfort. Source: energy.gov
Haase Heating & Cooling
Dan Haase
Heating, Cooling, Heat Pumps We sell the best and service the rest
Bohemian Farmers Mutual
GT Repair & Autobody
R. Martin Koch, Secretary PO Box 206 Tabor, SD 57063 605-463-2558 1-800-868-1756
Glenn Tycz Tyndall, SD 57066
605-589-3018
If only the future was predictable. Farming is always a gamble. You never know when bad weather or other problems will strike. The only thing you can be sure of—you need quality insurance protection. Call our office today for a competitive quote.
Scotland, SD 57059 605-583-4490
We Repair and Install Windshields
Don Wynia’s Shop
Koranda Well Company LLC Tabor, SD 57063 605 - 463- 2244
Jonsered Mowers - Raven Electric Mowers - Kohler - Briggs & Stratton Small Engine Repair & Major Welding & Pick Up Service
Well drilling, repairing and cleaning Water Systems – Artesian Wells Sales and Installation
Call Don, 2 miles south of Tyndall
41566 306th St Tyndall, SD 57066
Earth-Coupled Heat Pump
Emergency Service Free Estimates
605-661-1960 Art & Antique Gallery Custom Matting & Framing Original Art/Gifts/Cards Handmade Glass Beads & Jewelry
1610 Main St
Tyndall, SD
605-589-4050
Open Wednesday through Saturday
Construction And Painting New Construction Remodel - Roofing Flooring
Jason Finck
Furnaces, Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners Free Estimates
Tabor, SD 57063
605-660-3204
Handicap and Accessible Home Modifications • Ramps • Grab Bars • Stair Lifts • Walk-in Showers www.4lifehomes.net • Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels
Yankton, Tabor, Tyndall, Menno
605-665-9679
Preplanning will give you peace of mind and may save money
CALL TODAY to learn more.
Cameron Insurance
Brad Cameron Tyndall, SD 57066
605-589-4176
An Authorized Independent Agent For
300 W 17th Tyndall, SD 57066
605- 589-3228 1- 800-894-3228
Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home
Wellmark Has You Covered, No Matter What Your Stage of Life.
Sanders Heating & Cooling
605-463-2786
FREE HOME DAMAGE ASSESSMENT following a storm
INSURANCE CLAIM SPECIALIST GENERAL CONTRACTOR • Roofing • Gutters • Siding • Painting • Windows • Doors
Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ©2012 Wellmark, Inc. SD-20-P-12
HEATING & COOLING 920 Broadway Yankton, SD 57078
60 5 -6 6 5 -9 4 6 1
800-491-9461
HOME REPAIR HOTLINE
605-661-4488
Warm Air, Air to Air, Geothermal Heat Pumps WE DO EMERGENCY HOME REPAIRS Cooperative Connections • June 2015 1 1
Helping Community
Gardens Grow M
istress mary might have been contrary in
By Brenda Kleinjan
getting her garden to grow, but community gardens are bringing young and old together to develop local foods and provide training to upcoming gardeners. “Community gardens keep popping up all over the state. I maintain a list, but I’m sure it’s just a small portion of what’s out there,” said Chris Zdorovtsov, South Dakota State University Extension community development field specialist with the SDSU Consumer Sciences Department. “I have about 70 on my list, but I think that’s only a portion – probably only half to a third of what’s out there,” said Zdorovtsov. “Community gardens are creating a place for people to grow food for themselves when they may not otherwise have the land to do so or if they don’t have the equipment to till up a space,” she said,
12 June 2015 • Cooperative Connections
noting that the garden spaces can be an ideal setting for older South Dakotans to continue gardening. SDSU Extension has four key programs designed to foster community and youth-oriented gardening. First is the Community and Family Extension Leaders Children’s Gardening $150 Mini Grants. Available each spring, the grants help educational garden projects fund seeds, plants, small garden equipment or other programming materials. The grant is offered to any school-age group, K-12, with preference given to after-school and out-ofschool time programs. Participants must partner with SDSU Extension through a Master Gardener, a county 4-H youth program advisor, FNP/EFNEP assistant or other connection. Next up is the SDSU Extension Seed Bank which offers educational gardens across the state of South Dakota 20 vegetable seed packets. The
donated seeds are intended for newly starting and established educational gardens for youth or adults. The South Dakota School Garden Grant provided by SDSU Extension is available to help newly starting school gardens launch programs focused on growing and consuming fruits and vegetables. This program provides K-12 schools with funding and development support to help them launch successful garden projects. Award winners will receive project development coaching from SDSU Extension staff, 20 seed packets and $1,000 for purchasing construction supplies, tools/equipment, plants and programming materials. Kids Gardening Grants and Fundraising is a comprehensive list of national grants and deadlines related to youth and community gardening. Zdorovtsov noted that communities of all sizes are taking advantage of the various programs. “Some of the smallest towns are providing some of these sites.” Interest in community gardening goes back generations. “The whole era of the World War II-era Victory Garden brought gardening back as an important means for food production,” said Zdorovtsov. While many people had backyard gardens, gardens were also tilled up in some public places to “plant, plant, plant.” While the Victory Gardens may be first to come to mind, Zdorovtsov noted that in the early 1890s, vacant lots in Detroit, Mich., were used for the unemployed to grow food to feed their families and create income. “School gardens extended from then until the 1920s and there was a movement during World War I for a war garden campaign,” she said. The Depression also brought relief and sustenance gardening for food and income, followed by the more well-known Victory Gardens. “Then it drifted away, but then in the 1970s, community gardens started to happen again with interest in starting urban gardens,” she said. In 1978, the Community Garden Association was formed. “I’ve seen interest every year; it’s been consistent since I started in this position in 2008. There are one to three new ones each year in Sioux Falls, S.D., and Rapid City, S.D., but also in smaller communities like Wakonda, S.D., and Arlington, S.D.,” Zdorovtsov said. “In general there are probably more than there were 15 years; probably the newer trend is incorporating them into schools and curriculum.” The South Dakota Discovery Center in Pierre has gardens that have benefited from the grants, including the center’s model square-foot gardens. “The purpose of the gardens is to demonstrate that a lot of produce can be grown in a small space, for little expense and provide family’s access to fresh vegetables,” said Kristie Maher, SDDC executive director. “Each spring students help plant gardens. Often they make seed starter mats, paper towels upon which they glue the proper number of seeds properly spaced out. Two of the gardens feature hoop greenhouse roofs to help the seeds get started. During the growing season, SDDC guests are welcome to help weed, water and harvest and to use their senses to explore the various plants. “Gardening goes hand-in-hand with the South Dakota Harvest of the Month (www.sdharvestofthemonth.org) program that shares tasting opportunities and health benefits in order to encourage kids and families to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Maher. Interested in starting a community garden? SDSU Extension provides coaching to teams interested in starting successful community gardens. The teams can assist local planners with guidance on garden models, site selection, overcoming challenges, budgeting, applications and guidelines. A development workbook: Diggin’ the Dirt, Community, is also available. Communities are also welcome to request online webinars on community garden topics. More info at: http://igrow. org/community-development/local-foods/community-gardens
CFEL Children’s Garden Grants Ten youth and school gardens received funding this spring to launch or enhance garden programs across the South Dakota. SDSU Extension and the Community and Family Extension Leaders (CFEL) provided funding for the $150 mini-grants. The gardens can use the funds to purchase seeds, plants or small garden equipment or utilize the award to purchase programming materials. Garden programs must have an SDSU Extension partner, such as a Master Gardner, a county 4-H youth program advisor, or FNP/ EFNEP assistant. They must provide programming to a school-age group, K-12, incorporate handson learning experiences for a six- to 12-week period and incorporate plant science and nutrition education topics.
2015 Awardees: • Bad Nation Rustlers 4-H, Ft. Thompson • Bon Homme 4-H Jr. Garden Club, Tyndall • Centerville FFA, Centerville • EmBe, Sioux Falls • Kennebec Women’s Club-Community Garden, Kennebec • Lutheran Social Services of S.D. – New Beginnings Center, Aberdeen • North Rapid Community Schools, Rapid City • Oahe YMCA, Pierre • St. Elizabeth Seton Elementary School, Rapid City • Youth and Family Services, Inc., Rapid City 2014 Awardees: • 4-H Youth Community Garden, Meade County 4-H, Sturgis • Andes Central Afterschool Program and Charles Mix Co. 4-H, Lake Andes • Christian Center Daycare, Sioux Falls • Harding County School District and Harding County 4-H, Buffalo • Lemmon Jr. Master Gardeners, Lemmon • Lutheran Social Services of S.D. – New Beginnings Center, Aberdeen • M&M Day Care and Jungle After School Program, Huron • North Rapid Community Schools, Rapid City • Rosebud Juvenile Detention Center, White River • South Dakota Discovery Center, Pierre • Wall Afterschool Program-WASP, Wall • Wounded Knee School District, Manderson Cooperative Connections • June 2015 13
Promoting Employee Wellness C By Brenda Kleinjan
o-op employees are lacing up their walking shoes – and the ocassional pair of ice skates – and donning their activity monitors as they step forward to wellness. June 2015 is National Employee Wellness/Employee Wellbeing Month, a month set aside to promote improved wellness among America’s workers. According to a 2008 report by a division of the U.S. Center for Disease Control, health care costs are a significant and growing element of overall employment costs for businesses offering benefits and companies of all sizes are affected by absenteeism and lost productivity from employee illness, injury, obesity or chronic conditions. One study reports that obesity alone has been estimated to cost employers almost $2,500 per employee per year, including direct medical expenditures and absenteeism. “Steps to Wellness: A Guide to Implementing the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans in the Workplace,” a report by the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, said that regular physical activity
14 June 2015 • Cooperative Connections
reduces the risk of premature death as well as coronary heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis and certain types of cancerous diseases that affect nearly half of all American adults. The Physical Activity Guidelines recommend at least 2-1/2 hours per week of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity or 1-1/4 hours per week of vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity, in bouts of at least 10 minutes at a time or an equivalent combination of both. They also recommend moderate or high intensity muscle strengthening activities that involve all major muscle groups at least two days per week. And, since Americans – including electric cooperative employees – spend much of their week at work, implementing employee wellness committees and business-wide wellness programs may make a difference. With offices in Wall and Rapid City in western South Dakota, West River Electric Association has had an active Employee Wellness Committee in place since 2009. The committee is tasked with developing innovative ways to get employees and their families
moving in physical activities. biking on the Mickelson trail.” “We try to put together a couple big Each quarter the committee throws wellness activities each year as a family out a challenge to the Fitbit participants activity,” said Jenny Patterson, the coop- that coincides with regional activities like erative’s manager of office services who the Crazy Horse Volksmarch held each works with the committee. June. The cooperative has started a Fit“Our week for the 100,000 step bit program using the popular activity challenge is during the Volksmarch and monitor. In 2014, participating employ- Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon, ees signed a contract and received their both set for the first weekend in June. monitor. If they don’t meet the miniPatterson said the co-op’s Wellness mum number of steps in a month, then Committee meets four times a year meet the employee and gets input has to pay for a from employportion of the ees for ways of monitor’s costs. improving the But, for program. employees “The first • Support and promote physical activity breaks durmeeting step Wednesday of ing the workday, such as stretching or walking. goals, rewards every month • Display key messages to encourage physical are offered. is Wellness activity on signs or display boards. “If they Wednesday and • Participate in online challenges hosted on the reach goal of the committee HealthySD.gov website. 300,000 steps provides fruits • Provide articles in employee newsletters a month, then and veggies for promoting physical activity and current they get a $25 the employees,” opportunities to participate. contribution Patterson said. • Provide healthy choices in vending machines. into their HSA Across the • Provide lunch and learns: Offer healthful food (health savstate at South alternatives at meetings, company functions and ings account) eastern Electric health education events. for each month Cooperative in • Make all areas of the workplace tobacco-free they meet that,” Marion, S.D., (indoor & outdoor) said Patterson. incentive pro“We also do a grams are also quarterly – if they meet 900,000 steps in offered to promote employee wellness. a quarter, they get a $25 gift card. If they Like WREA, Southeastern Electric meet the steps goal in the full year, then offers health screenings and surveys and an additional $200 goes into the HSA.” incentives for completing various prevenHealth screenings and health surveys tive activities such as tobacco cessation are other wellness activities offered by and weight loss. the cooperative and some of these benAccording to the CDC report, the efits are also extended to their spouses. return-on-investment for wellness Other benefits include reimbursement programs has increased over the years. A for fitness center fees and professional 2008 study of 192 companies of varying weight loss program fees, interest-free sizes using the same workplace wellloans for fitness equipment and the coness program, which includes physical op maintains fitness rooms/areas at the activity promotion, found program costs Wall and Rapid City offices. of around $300 per employee per year. Large group activities for employees After a year, seven of 10 targeted risk facand their families are also offered. tors had improved, resulting in medical “The last three or four years we’ve savings of 59 percent and productivity been ice skating – WREA rents it for gains of 41 percent. two hours as a family-oriented activity The report went on to cite a 2010 centered around wellness,” said Patterstudy that showed that for every dollar son. “We’re also looking at bowling and spent on wellness programs, medical
Healthy Tips For a Healthy Workplace
Family-oriented activities such as mountain walks in the Black Hills (above) and ice skating are part of West River Electric Association’s employee wellness programs.
costs fell by approximately $3.27 and costs associated with absenteeism fell by approximately $2.73. Cooperative Connections • June 2015 15
May 31 Buffalo Ridge Chorale Spring Concert with guest musicians “Friends of Jazz” Christ Lutheran Church Hendricks, MN, 605-479-3438
June 3-4 Shrine Circus, Pierre, SD 605-225-4841 June 5 Shrine Circus, Mobridge, SD 605-225-4841 June 5-7 Fort Sisseton Historical Festival Fort Sisseton State Park Lake City, SD, 605-448-5474 June 5-7 Black Hills Quilt Show & Sale Rapid City, SD, bhquilters.org June 5-7 Wheel Jam, Huron, SD 605-353-7340 June 6 Car and Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet Sisseton, SD, 605-698-3401 June 6 Gold Rush Gravel Grinder Spearfish, SD, 605-641-4963 June 6-7 Spring Volksmarch at Crazy Horse Memorial Crazy Horse, SD, 605-673-4681 www.crazyhorsememorial.org
June 13 Outdoor Purple Martin Festival 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Columbia, SD, 605-396-2381 Pre-registration at www.purplemartindakotas.org
PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL MAMMENGA
June 1 Shrine Circus, Watertown, SD 605-225-4841
Events of Special Note
June 19-20 Czech Days, Tabor, SD www.taborczechdays.com 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.
June 6-7 Siouxland Renaissance Festival Sioux Falls, SD, 866-489-9241
June 12 Northern Bull Riding Tour Madison, SD, 605-256-3844
June 20-21 Kite and Bike Festival Brookings, SD, 605-688-5423
June 6-7 SDQG Quilt Show Aberdeen, SD, 605-228-3545
June 12-14 Hills and Valley Riding Club Annual Trail Ride Sica Hollow State Park Sisseton, SD, 605-742-3077
June 20-21 Arts in the Park Aberdeen, SD, 605-226-1557
June 6-August 9 The 47th Annual Red Cloud Indian Art Show Heritage Center at Red Cloud Indian School Pine Ridge, SD, 605-867-8257 June 7 Miss Prairie Village & Prairie Princess Pageant Madison, SD, 605-256-3644 June 7 Mickelson Trail Marathon Deadwood, SD, 605-584-3896 June 7-13 RASDAK – Ride Across South Dakota Bike Tour Spearfish, SD, rasdak.com
June 13 Art & Wine Festival Rapid City, SD, 605-716-7979 June 19-20 Wild Bill Days, Main Street Deadwood, SD, 605-578-1876 June 19-20 Prairie Hills Art Show Wessington Springs, SD 605-539-1963 June 19-21 Crazy Horse Stampede Rodeo and Gift from Mother Earth Crazy Horse, SD 605-673-4681
June 21 Prairie Village Variety Show Madison, SD, 605-256-3644 June 26-28 Motongator Joe’s Country Music Festival, Madison, SD 605-256-3644 June 27 Uptown Summer Festival Watertown, SD, 605-886-3040 August 21-23 Riverboat Days, Yankton, SD www.riverboatdays.com August 22 Riverboat Days Extreme Bull Riding Tour, Rodeo Arena Yankton, SD, 605-760-2153