Bon Homme Yankton Electric September 2019 Vol. 20 No. 5
Ready for the Classroom Page 8
SD Truckers Keep on Truckin’ Page 12
MANAGER’S COLUMN
Electric co-ops are continually learning to improve service for members:
Back to School It’s a new school year and kids of all ages are getting ready for a fresh year of learning! From kindergarten through college, students attend school to gain knowledge about a broad variety of subjects and learn new skills that will prepare them for the future. In a similar vein, Bon Homme Yankton Electric is continually learning in order to advance technology that improves electric service, reliability, safety and in turn, enhances quality of life for the members we serve in our local communities.
Stephanie Horst horst@byelectric.com
Bon Homme Yankton Electric keeps abreast of industry trends because the energy sector is rapidly changing. Innovations in technology and energy types are fueling demand for more options. On the consumer front, people are looking for more ways to manage their energy use with smart technologies. Consumers expect more convenient payment methods – whether through automatic bill pay, pre-pay, online or in person. We have recently added a SecurePay toll-free phone number to pay by phone 24/7. We’re working to help sift through the options for our members in ways that benefit the greater community. At the same time, we never lose sight of the top priority––providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity.
Bon Homme Yankton Electric keeps abreast of industry trends because the energy sector is rapidly changing.
Technology improves operational efficiency. For example, automated meter reading (AMR) is the technology of automatically collecting energy consumption data and transferring it from the electric meter to the co-op. Similar to AMR, there is another technology called advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). This is an integrated system of smart meters, communications networks and data management systems that enables two-way communication between utilities and consumers. The two-way communication is integral to AMI because it provides a means to verify that power has been restored after an outage. However, one of the biggest benefits from improved technologies, especially for outages caused by extreme weather is pinpointing the outage location, which helps to reduce risk for crews out on the road during severe weather events. In addition to providing essential information during major outages, Bon Homme Yankton Electric analyzes AMI data for voltage issues, blinks and overloading conditions. Detecting these problems early helps our cooperative save money and improve reliability for the whole community. Energy for the future. Consumer interest in green energy sources and renewables is at an all-time high. Nationally, the increasing use of solar energy is paving the way for new methods of generating and using electricity. In our region, community solar programs allow co-op members to share in a remote solar array that generates electricity from the sun. U.S. energy experts say we will not be able to meet national energy goals unless we increase our solar energy capacity. Whether it’s examining green energy options or exploring how emerging technologies can better serve our members, for Bon Homme Yankton Electric, our “school year” is never over. We will continue to learn from our members about their priorities for the future, and we will continue to study and research the issues so that we can better serve you, now and in the future.
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Cooperative Connections | September 2019
Bon Homme Yankton Electric
YOUTH PROGRAMS
ND Trip Unique Youth Experience
Forty-eight teens from 15 electric cooperatives in South Dakota and southwestern Minnesota traveled to North Dakota July 22-25 to explore energy production, cooperatives and careers in related industries. (USPS No. 018-973)
Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association, Inc PO Box 158 134 S Lidice St Tabor, SD 57063 Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30am - 4:30pm To pay by phone, call: 1-888-395-5315 To report an outage, call: Local call from Tabor, Tyndall and Yankton: 605-463-2507 Toll Free in South Dakota: 1-800-925-2929
Brooke Davis, daughter of Sonja and Bruce Baker of Scotland and Alexandra Corbit, daughter of Lance Corbit and Shelly Larsen-Corbit of Yankton represented Bon Homme Yankton Electric on the trip. Time spent at the National Energy Center of Excellence on the Bismarck State College campus included hands-on science and energy-based activities, including information about energy-related careers. Students also visited Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s headquarters to see how their energy production is managed and BisMan Food Cooperative to see how the cooperative business model works in a community grocery store setting. The third day of the excursion was spent in Beulah, N.D., where they toured a coal mine, visited the Antelope Valley Station coal-based power plant, learned about how the electricity produced in North Dakota enters the electric grid to be used in their homes and toured the Dakota Gasification Plant. Each stop showed how electricity is produced – beginning to end. Students relaxed between the tours and learning with bean bag toss, trips to a water park and amusement park and a riverboat cruise.
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.
Brooke Davis (l) and Alexandra Corbit (r) represented their local co-op. Go to our Facebook page for more photos of the fun trip.
Design assistance by TDG Communications, Deadwood, S.D.
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. September 2019 | Cooperative Connections
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SAFETY TIPS
Back to School Safety As many prepare for this upcoming school year, we want to share some electrical safety tips that are useful for students of all ages.
Elementary School Students Never throw shoes onto power lines and definitely don’t try to get them off of the lines. Writing utensils and other supplies like paper clips should never be placed in or near electrical outlets, even if you think the outlet isn’t working. Make sure your hands and the area around you are dry before plugging something in. This is especially important in science labs where there are usually several sets of sinks, an eye wash, chemicals, etc. When unplugging things from an electrical outlet, always hold the plastic base to pull the plug out.
Middle/High School Students If you’ve just received the privilege of driving to school with your newly obtained driver’s license, pay close to attention on those morning and afternoon drives for utility crews at work. Should you be involved in an accident involving a power line or pole, assume live electricity is outside of the car and use extreme caution. Always steer clear of pad-mount transformers – the big green metal boxes. All electrical equipment on school property should be avoided due to the possible dangers of electrical shock. Always be cautious in science classes, specifically the ones with labs. Sinks, eye washes, chemicals – it’s likely your hands or the area near you will be wet. Keep everything dry and use caution when plugging in equipment.
KIDS CORNER SAFETY POSTER
College Students Get in the habit of unplugging what’s not in use. Use only approved electrical products with the mark of a recognized certification agency. Choose a power strip with a heavy-gauge cord that is approved by a recognized certification agency. Replace frayed or damaged extension cords with new ones. Keep extension cords out from under carpet, rugs or furniture as this could damage the cord and also present a fire hazard. Keep flammable materials such as books, paper and clothing away from heaters, stoves and other heating sources. Never leave cooking appliances unattended. Plug portable heaters and air conditioners directly into the outlet. If an extension cord is needed, to prevent overheating and risk of fire, use only one that is rated for this purpose to ensure that the cord can handle the electrical current. Never remove the third prong from an electrical product. The third prong is the grounding device and is a critical safety feature. Keep gadgets and cords away from bedding and curtains. The heat from a laptop charger or mini-fridge can start an electrical fire if left in contact with flammable material for too long. Avoid overloading outlets or circuits as this can cause overheating that may lead to fire. Source: twielectric.com 4
Cooperative Connections | September 2019
“If you drive into an electric line, call 911 for help! Sawyer Nelson, 12 years old
Sawyer is the son of Wes and Chris Nelson, Wolsey, S.D. They are members of Dakota Energy Cooperative, Huron, SD. 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.
RECIPES Recipe and photo courtesy mccormick.com/recipes
Garden Goodness Roasted Vegetables 1 tsp. garlic salt 1 tsp. Italian seasoning 1/2 tsp. fennel seed 1 small green bell pepper, cut into chunks
1 small red onion, cut into thin wedges 1 small zucchini, sliced 1 cup asparagus pieces 1 cup red potato chunks
1 small yellow squash, sliced 2 T. oil Mix seasonings in small bowl. Toss vegetables and oil in large bowl. Add seasonings; toss to coat well. Spread vegetables in single layer on foil-lined 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Bake at 450°F. for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Makes 6 Servings. Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories 93, Total Fat 5g, Sodium 342mg, Cholesterol 0mg, Carbohydrates 10g, Protein 2g, Fiber 2g Pictured, Cooperative Connections
Microwave Tomato Dish 2 large, firm ripe tomatoes 1/2 lb. ground beef 4 T. chopped onion 1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 cup seasoned stuffing mix
1 cup cornstarch
3 T. lemon juice
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 to 3 drops yellow food coloring
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg, optional
5-1/2 to 6 lbs. tart apples, peeled and sliced
In a large saucepan, blend sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add salt and stir in 10 cups water. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Add lemon juice and food coloring. Pack raw apples into hot jars, leaving 1-inch head space. Use spatula to help distribute syrup. Adjust lids. Process in boiling water bath – pints 15 minutes and quarts 20 minutes. Makes 6 to 8 quarts. Before serving, prepare pastry for a double crust 8- or 9-inch pie. Line pie plate with pastry, add 1 quart apple pie fulling. Adjust top crust, cutting slits for escape of steam; seal edges. Bake at 400°F. for 50 minutes. Linda Goulet, Tea, SD
Kohlrabi Au Gratin 3/4 cup shredded American cheese
Dash of pepper
3 T. flour
1/2 cup milk
3 T. margarine, melted and divided
2 T. sliced green onion
Zucchini Chips 2 T. white balsamic vinegar 2 tsp. coarse sea salt
Use a mandolin or slice zucchini as thin as possible. In a small bowl, whisk olive oil and vinegar together. Place zucchini in a large bowl and toss with oil and vinegar. Add zucchini in even layers to dehydrator then sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Depending on how thin you sliced the zucchini and on your dehydrator, the drying time will vary, anywhere from 8 to 14 hours. To make in the oven, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Layer zucchini evenly. Bake at 200°F. for 2 to 3 hours. Rotate half way during cooking time. Store in an airtight container. Becki Hauser, Tripp, SD
1 tsp. salt
6 med. kohlrabi, peeled and sliced
Elaine Rowett, Sturgis, SD
2 T. extra virgin olive oil
4-1/2 cups sugar
2 beaten eggs
Cut a slice off the stem end of tomato. Scoop out pulp; place into a small glass baking dish. Combine remaining ingredients to fill tomato shell. Place filled tomatoes in dish of pulp. Cover with waxed paper. Microwave 5 to 8 minutes. Let set covered 2 minutes.
4 cups thinly sliced zucchini (about 2-3 medium)
Apple Pie Filling
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup soft bread crumbs (1 slice)
Cook kohlrabi, covered, in small amount of boiling salt water 25 minutes, drain. Blend flour into 2 T. melted margarine. Stir in sour cream, cheese, milk and onion. Cook and stir until cheese melts. Combine kohlrabi and sauce; turn into 1.5-quart casserole. Toss crumbs and remaining margarine; sprinkle over top. Bake, covered, at 350°F. for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake and additional 15 to 20 minutes. Serves 6 to 8. Shirley Thedorff, Centerville, SD
Please send your favorite pasta, slow cooker and holiday 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 2019. All entries must include your name, mailing address, telephone number and cooperative name. September 2019 | Cooperative Connections
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YOUTH PROGRAMS
Bon Homme 4-H Farm Safety Day Presentation Member Service Advisor Bob Felber and Staking Technician Ken Carda presented the electrical safety demonstration at the recent Bon Homme County 4-H Farm Safety Day Camp. Linemen wear quite a bit of equipment such as safety glasses, hard hats and rubber gloves. The kids were able to try on heavy rubber gloves that are used to protect lineworkers from electric contact. These gloves are tested everyday since a pinhole in the rubber can lead to disaster. The next demonstration involved a kite string touching both lines at the same time
that caused the breaker to trip, but then the breaker is set to automatically reset so the power can come back on and then trip again if a fault is still present. This type of equipment is why you may see power blinks from time to time. They demonstrated the effects of electrical contact by simulating the burns to a person’s heart and internal organs by zapping a grapefruit and a hot dog. As Ken showed these items to the onlookers, they appeared fine on the outside, but they could see the burn path inside and feel the heat from the electricity. If you are in an accident with any electric equipment, the best thing to do is stay put. If
you have a phone, call 911. Do not try to get out of the vehicle unless it is more dangerous to stay in. If it is necessary to exit, Bob demonstrated the proper way to jump as far away from the vehicle as possible and hop away with both feet together until reaching a safe distance. You never want to be touching the vehicle and the ground at the same time. The participants learned that electricity is invisible and is always looking for a path to ground. Bon Homme Yankton Electric employees are available for safety demonstrations for any group of any age in our area using the Safety Town display or the larger outdoor safety trailer. Contact the office at 605-463-2507 for more information.
Bob Felber demonstrates how to jump away from a vehicle in contact with power lines. Photo courtesy of Tyndall Tribune and Register. Ken Carda touches the figure with a live wire and demonstrates the effect of electricity running through the hot dog in the path to ground. Photo courtesy of Tyndall Tribune and Register.
Ken Carda listens to an interesting question while showing the burned hot dog to the group. 6
Cooperative Connections | September 2019
CO-OP NEWS
Power Supply Tour Success Bon Homme Yankton Electric sponsors the power supply tour to educate cooperative members about what it takes to provide electricity to our area. Bon Homme Yankton Electric is a member of East River Electric Power Cooperative and Basin Electric Power Cooperative. The tour takes members on a fact finding electrical journey from the origins of the fuel to the flip of the light switch. This year’s power supply excursion was led by Member Service Advisor Bob Felber along with Clay Union Electric’s Jackie Williams and Matt Klein from Union County Electric. The first stop was at East River Electric Power Cooperative in Madison, SD to discover how power supply sources and transmission lines are managed and maintained. At the coal mine in North Dakota,
members learned about the layer of lignite coal that is first exposed, blasted, scooped, hauled, crushed and incinerated. The remaining fly ash is recycled into building products while the land is reclaimed to its original state. The bus was able to go all the way into the mine and see the equipment up close. The group saw two huge 450 megawatt generators at the Antelope Valley Power Plant that rely on steam generated by the coal burned in boilers that are several stories tall. Electricity travels over high voltage power lines mixing with other Basin Electric power sources such as wind, nuclear and natural gas to our wholesale power supplier, East River Electric Power Cooperative. East River also purchases about 20% of our power from the Missouri River dams via the Western Area Power Administration.
The group also toured a model of the Great Plains Synfuels Plant where they use coal and other additives to make a variety of by-products including natural gas. The last stop of the tour was at Central Electric near Mitchell, SD where the group listened to a presentation about the cooperative’s 36 panel solar installation. The 8,000 watt equipment is expected to produce about 1,400 kwh per month which is about the average usage for a modest home. This tour comes highly recommended by all past participants. They are amazed at the process involved in bringing electricity into their homes. Watch this newsmagazine for announcements regarding the next tour tentatively scheduled for 2021. See our Facebook page at http://facebook. com/BonHommeYanktonElectric for more photos!
The group poses in front of the South Dakota State Capitol after their lunch break and information on the role South Dakota Rural Electric Association plays in our cooperative family. September 2019 | Cooperative Connections
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EDUCATION
Patricia DeMers of Colome, S.D., takes part in activity demonstrating the mining and reclamation process.
TEACHERS HIT ENERGY CLASSROOMS Annual Seminar Equips Educators with First-hand Experience Brenda Kleinjan editor@sdrea.coop
When Craig Shryock’s vocational agriculture students at Wessington Springs High School return to the classroom this fall, they will eventually cover a section on electricity and Shryock can provide some first-hand lessons to his students thanks to a summer course he took. Several years ago, Shryock was one of dozens of teachers to attend the Lignite Energy Council’s Teacher Seminar held each June since 1986. Since the first seminar was offered, more than 3,300 teachers have attended, giving each an insight into not only coal’s role in energy production, but also into electricity in general. At a meeting of fellow ag teachers this summer, Shryock spoke about the seminar and its value. 8
Cooperative Connections | September 2019
Participants in the 2019 Lignite Energy Council’s Teacher seminar descend the 300-foot boom on the Missouri Quest dragline at Freedom Mine near Beulah, N.D. A bucket attached to the boom removes overburden to expose the lignite coal seam for mining.
EDUCATION
“Being able to hold up that vial of coal and let the students see it is important,” Shryock said. Having that tangible piece of coal to serve as a learning tool helps students understand that electricity is more than just flipping on a switch in the morning. The piece of coal was just one take away that seminar attendees like Shryock benefit from. At the conclusion of the seminar, teachers take home handouts, videos, coal samples, and activities that can be used in the classroom, as well as two professional graduate credits. The goal of the seminar is to provide teachers with the information and educational materials they need to teach their students about how lignite is mined and used to produce electricity for homes, farms and businesses in the Upper Midwest. In addition, the seminar covers lignite’s economic impact on the region, as well as important environmental issues affecting the lignite industry. Educators attending the seminar are eligible to earn two professional development graduate credits from three North Dakota universities: North Dakota State University (teaching and learning),
Students in Craig Shryock’s vocational agriculture courses at Wessington Springs High School benefit lessons he learned at the Lignite Energy Council’s Teacher Seminar.
University of North Dakota (education), Minot State University (science). All teachers and faculty are encouraged to apply for the seminar with preference given to fourth grade through 12th grade teachers,those with science, math or social studies as a primary subject matter and career counselors. The seminar is a no-cost seminar for K-12 teachers in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Iowa, but they may incur travel expenses. Sponsorships may available for transportation reimbursement to and from the seminar for eligible teachers in Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. Those sponsorships will be arranged by the
utilities and cooperatives serving those states. Housing and most meals during the seminar are paid for as are graduate credit hours. Handouts and classroom activities made available to the teachers go beyond lignite coal and lignite mining and reclamation. Teachers also dive into light bulb efficiencies and types, electricity transmission systems, energy use, carbon capture and storage, workforce issues, geology and environmental compliance. For more information on the seminar, visit https://lignite.com/events/teachers-seminar/ or contact the Lignite Energy Council at 701-258-7117.
Teachers get an up-close view of equipment used in the mining process at Coteau Properties’ Freedom Mine at Beulah, N.D. September 2019 | Cooperative Connections
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CO-OP NEWS
CLASSIFIEDS October Issue Deadline: September 1, 2019. 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 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 605-6603497.
Gross KWH Taxes Paid to Schools South Dakota law requires that rural electric cooperatives pay a tax based on the number of KWHs sold in each local school district. This tax replaces the former 2% Gross Revenue Tax. School districts in our service area have received $293,845 in gross KWH tax as a result of electric sales to members of Bon Homme Yankton Electric in 2018.
Taxes From Providers
The table breaks down the gross KWH taxes paid by Bon Homme Yankton Electric, East River Electric on our purchases of electricity and Basin Electric’s tax based on KWH sales to East River on behalf of our members.
Bon Homme 4-2
68,064
Scotland 4-3
25,822
Menno 33-2
11,861
FOR SALE: 2 year old Angus bulls from Rito blood lines. Some are good for heifers. Call Allen Bierema at 605-661-5624..
Bon Homme Yankton Electric $150,074 East River Electric Co-op
78,529
Basin Electric Power Co-op
65,242
Total Taxes To Schools Avon 4-1
Tripp-Delmont 33-4 Viborg 60-5 Irene 63-2 Yankton 63-3 Total
WELCOME MEMBERS Avon
Utica
Keith & Julie Dykstra Scotland Nina Ring Tabor Jennifer Pechous Tripp Duane & Aleyda Leone Jake Kalkbrenner
Lucas & Ashlyn Stoddard Volin Kyle R Hansen David Aune Yankton Jay Dring Jessica E Wolles
SOLAR STATS Month Solar Production Solar used by office
July 833 KWH 817/98%
Solar put back on grid
16/2%
Main office KWH used
4,937
From grid
4,120
From solar
817
Solar % of KWH used
16%
Max solar production/day 10
34 KWH
Cooperative Connections | September 2019
Mathew Heimes Larinda Kostal Lloyd Jenkins Seth Klentz Darrell Kortan Elizabeth Groetken Mark Eckerman Sheldon Brunick Linsy Tice Yankton Wireless
Main Meter
$293,845
Solar Meter
$13,678
2,985 941 17,849 152,645 $293,845
MARKETPLACE HEATING & COOLING
2401 Broadway Suite #3 Yankton, SD 57078
60 5- 665- 9 4 61 800-491-9461
Warm Air, Air to Air, Geothermal Heat Pumps
GT Repair & Autobody Glenn Tycz Tyndall, SD 57066
605-589-3018 Marine Boat Repair Aluminum & Fiberglass We Repair and Install Windshields
BOHEMIAN FARMERS R. Martin Koch, Secretary PO Box 206 Tabor, SD 57063
Koranda Well Company LLC Tabor, SD 57063
605-463-2244 Well drilling, repairing and cleaning Water Systems – Artesian Wells Sales and Installation Earth-Coupled Heat Pump
Emergency Service Free Estimates
MUTUAL
605-463-2558 605-589-3572
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.
Sanders Heating & Cooling 300 W 17th Tyndall, SD 57066
Yankton, Tabor, Tyndall, Menno
605-665-9679
Preplanning will give you peace of mind and may save money
K CONSTRUCTION AND PAINTING New Construction Remodel - Roofing Flooring
Jason Finck Tabor, SD 57063
605-589-3228 1-800-894-3228 Furnaces, Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners Free Estimates
Ready to buy or sell a home? I can help! Dean Sternhagen, Broker Associate 605-661-5828 dean@igotvision.com
Feel the power of data in your hands with SmartHub mobile and web apps. SmartHub allows you to view your usage data and manage your account right from your mobile device in a secure environment. Go to www.byelectric.coop and follow the link to the SmartHub site or download the free app on Google Play or iTunes.
605-660-3204 September 2019 | Cooperative Connections
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ECONOMY
Trucking Along Future Driver Shortage May Tap the Brakes Brenda Kleinjan editor@sdrea.coop
Our industry could be short just over 100,000 drivers in five years and 160,000 drivers in 2028.
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Travel down any major highway in the region and chances are you’ll encounter dozens of semi trucks. Some are hauling agriculture equipment or products, others may be hauling specialized loads such as wind turbine components. Yet others contain items destined for your local grocery store’s shelves. Even your electric cooperative relies on timely deliveries of poles and materials hauled in by trucks. There’s no doubt about it, we’re all connected by this nationwide trucking industry network. This summer, the American Trucking Associations released its latest examination of the driver shortage, finding the industry needed 60,800 more drivers at the end of 2018 to meet the country’s demands for freight services. “Over the past 15 years, we’ve watched the shortage rise and fall with economic trends, but it ballooned last year to the highest level we’ve seen to date,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “The combination of a surging freight economy and carriers’ need for qualified drivers could severely disrupt the supply chain. 12
I s d t e The increase in the driver shortage should be a warning to carriers, shippers and policymakers because if conditions don’t change substantively, our industry could be short just over 100,000 drivers in five years and 160,000 drivers in 2028.” The report details the factors that contribute to the shortage, including an aging driver population, increases in freight volumes and competition from other blue-collar careers. It also outlines potential market and policy solutions. While the report covers the entire trucking industry, the bulk of the shortage is in the over-the-road for-hire truckload market. “The trucking industry needs to find ways to attract more and younger drivers,” Costello said. “Right now, the average age of an over-the-road driver is
Cooperative Connections | September 2019
Sept. 8-14 is National Truck Driving Appreciation Week National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is a week recognizing the 3.5 million professional truck drivers that are an important part of our economy. Every day these dedicated professional men and women transport goods and services safely, protected and on time, while keeping highways safe.
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46 years old, and almost as alarming is that the average age of a new driver being trained is 35 years old. “Whether by removing barriers for younger drivers to begin careers as drivers, attracting more demographic diversity into the industry, or easing the transition for veterans, we need to do more to recruit and retain drivers,” he said. “That includes increasing pay, which happened at a brisk pace last year, to keep pace with demand, addressing lifestyle factors like getting drivers more time at home, and improving conditions on the job like reducing wait times at shipper facilities.” In order to meet the nation’s freight demand, the report says the trucking industry will need to hire 1.1 million new drivers over the next decade – an average of 110,000 per year to replace retiring drivers and keep up with growth in the economy. Myron Rau, president of the South Dakota Trucking Association in Sioux Falls, recently commented on the shortage in the SDTA Trucking News. “It is probably not new news to anyone but it is reported that the U.S. trucker shortage is expected to double over the next decade. The driver deficit swelled by more than 10,000 to 60,800 in 2018 from a year earlier. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) estimates that 160,000 driver positions will go unfilled a decade from now. A possible solution has been proposed to regulators by the ATA. That solution is to lower the age for commercial drivers who can cross state lines by three years to 18. This proposal included increased training and supervision. Over 40 states now allow 18 year old drivers to get a commercial driver license to operate within the borders of their license issuing state. I believe there is a chance, if all parties come to the table, to implement this proposal that will bring some relief to predicted driver shortages,” Rau wrote.
A semi travels along U.S. Highway 281 north of Plankinton, S.D.
Facts About Trucking Professional truck drivers drove over 287.9 billion miles in 2016, more than double 25 years ago. Those miles accounted for 14.2 percent of all motor vehicle miles and 29.8 percent of all truck miles. The trucking industry paid $41.8 billion in federal and state highway taxes in 2016, and represented 13.3 percent of vehicles on the road. The trucking industry paid $17.6 billion in federal highway-user taxes and $24.2 billion in state highway-user taxes in 2016. The trucking industry consumed 54.9 billion gallons of diesel fuel and gasoline in 2016. Based on consumption and price, ATA reported that motor carriers spent $142.9 billion in 2015. The federal fuel tax for diesel in 2018 is 24.4 cents per gallon; the average state tax for diesel fuel was 25.2 cents per gallon. There are 3.68 million class 8 trucks on the road in the United States and 11.7 million commercial trailers were registered in 2016. There are 7.7 million truck drivers in the United States. Total industry employment is 3.5 million or one out of every 16 people working in the United States. There are 777,240 for-hire carriers and 700,591 private carriers in the United States; 97.3 percent of them have fewer than 20 trucks and 91 percent are operating six trucks or less. In 2016, the trucking industry hauled 10.77 billion tons of freight, or 70.1 percent of total U.S. freight tonnage. Rail was the next busiest mode, moving 13.8 percent of the nation’s freight tonnage. In 2017, the trucking industry was a $700.18 billion industry, representing 79.3 percent of the nation’s freight bill. More than 80 percent of U.S. communities depend solely on trucking for delivery of their goods and commodities. Source: Professional Truck Drivers and The Trucking Industry, October 2018
The SDTA holds its annual convention Sept. 4-6 in Sioux Falls, S.D. September 2019 | Cooperative Connections
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OUR COMMUNITY
International Vinegar Museum volunteer Dick Snaza extols the virtues of seven types of vinegar available for sampling at the museum’s tasting bar.
ALL THINGS VINEGAR Roslyn Attraction Celebrates International Vinegars Brenda Kleinjan editor@sdrea.coop
As county fair and state fair season rolls around, it’s easy to think of prize-winning jars of pickles preserved in vinegar-based solutions.
But, there’s so much more to the world of vinegar than the basic white vinegar or apple cider vinegar sold by the gallon in grocery stores. And, the folks of Roslyn, S.D., want to tell you that story. Enter the International Vinegar Museum located on the north edge of Roslyn’s business district. Housed in a historic auditorium built by the community and Public Works Administration employees during the Depression, the museum seeks to inform and educate about vinegar. Twenty years ago, Lawrence Diggs, also known as 14
Cooperative Connections | September 2019
The International Vinegar Museum is located in the Roslyn Auditorium, a building built by the Town of Roslyn and the Works Progress Administration in 1936.
OUR COMMUNITY
The Vinegar Man, moved from California to Roslyn. Discussions soon began on ways to improve the quality of life and future of the towns of Roslyn and Eden. The museum opened in 1999 in the historic Roslyn Auditorium. Once home to the Roslyn Vikings, the building’s wood floors would become the foundation to showcase all things vinegar. Community volunteers oversee the museum’s daily operations and provide tours to guests. The first stop on entering the museum is a display explaining the process of making vinegar. According to eight yellow signs on the wall, one starts with a starch from either grains or root crops which becomes sugar by malting, molds, enzymes and hydrolysis. The sugar is converted to alcohol by yeast and then the alcohol is converted to vinegar by Acetobacter Aceti. The vinegar is then aged to improve flavor and mouth feel before finally being packaged and shipped. (The museum’s own brand of balsamic vinegar is aged 18 years.) The museum’s north wall is lined with 200-plus different bottles of various vinegars from around the world. Explanatory panels describe different types of world vinegars. Fruit vinegars include wine vinegars
and cider vinegars, while grain vinegars include malt, corn and rice vinegars. The displays further explain differences between balsamic vinegar, Chinese vinegar, Japanese vinegar, Korean vinegar and vinegar uses in the Bible. The displays also explain different health-related uses for vinegar as well as household and farm uses. A corner of the museum features artwork made from vinegar, including paper made from vinegar. (The paper is formed from vinegar bacteria to produce a sheet of cellulose. The cellulose is pressed and dried to produce paper.) From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. During th rest of the year, it may be open by appointment by contacting museum volunteers. If you’re planning adventures for 2020, be sure to mark the International Vinegar Festival down on your June calendar. For more information on the museum, contact them at PO Box 201, Roslyn, SD 57261 or online at museum@internationalvinegarmuseum.com. They also have a Facebook page @internationalvinegarmuseum.
A corner of the museum features items for sale, including several varieties of vinegar as well as Roslyn community items. The museum has its own labeled balsamic vinegar for sale. (Pictured above, right.) The vinegar, which is aged 18 years, is a product of Italy and is bottled for the museum in North Dakota. September 2019 | Cooperative Connections
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DATELINE
May-September
Last Thursday of the Month Bragging Rights, 5:30 p.m. to Dusk, East of the Meridian Bridge, Yankton, SD 57078 https://www.facebook.com/ missouririverassoc/
August 24-25: Fourth Annual Fall River Balloon Fest, 6 a.m., Airport, Hot Springs, SD, 605-745-4140
August 21-25
Corn Palace Festival, Mitchell, SD, 605-995-8430
August 22-24
Photo courtesy: travelsouthdakota.com
Senior Games, Watertown, Contact Andrew Magedanz at 605-949-0028
August 22-25
Prairie Village Annual Steam Threshing Jamboree, Madison, SD, 605-256-3644
August 22-25
Kool Deadwood Nites, Deadwood, SD, 605-578-1876
August 22-25
Hugh Glass Rendezvous, Lemmon, SD, 605-393-5832
August 24-25
Great Dakota Wine Festival, Vermillion, SD, 605-624-4500
August 26-September 1 Mustang Rally, Sturgis, SD, 605-490-1663
August 29
South Dakota State Fair Value Added Ag Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT, Huron, SD
August 29-September 2 South Dakota State Fair, Huron, SD, 605-353-7340
August 30-September 2
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Powwow, Fair and Rodeo, Eagle Butte, SD, 605-964-2447
August 30-September 1
Studebaker Car Show, Custer, SD, 605-673-2244
September 1
Mount Rushmore Rodeo at Palmer Gulch, Hill City, SD, 605-574-2525
September 6-7
Supermoto, Sturgis, SD, 605-720-0800
September 6-7
Ribs, Rods & Rock n’ Roll, Vermillion, SD, 605-624-2021
September 7
Sidewalk Arts Festival, Sioux Falls, SD
September 7
Geothermal Greenhouse & High Tunnel Tours, Mission, SD, 605-430-4699, SDSPAmembers@gmail.com
September 7-8
September 8
September 28
Homesteader Day Celebration, Valley Springs, SD, 605-367-4210
September 13
September 7
September 13-14
September 7
Foothills Bud Light Bull Bash, Wessington Springs, SD, 605-770-4370
September 14-15
Twin Rivers Old Iron Harvest Festival, Delmont, SD, 605-505-0535
Insect Festival at McCrory Gardens, Brookings, SD, 605-688-6707 Germanfest, 1 to 10 p.m., Fawick Park, Sioux Falls, SD
Stirling Family Memorial Ranch Rodeo, Fort Pierre, SD, 605-870-2472
Quilt Show, Hill City, SD, 605-574-2810
Organic Grains and Pumpkin Patch Agritourism Tours, Milbank, SD, 605-430-4699, SDSPAmembers@gmail.com
September 7
September 14-15
Deadwood Jam, Deadwood, SD, 605-578-1876
September 13-15
Dakota Western Heritage Festival, Fort Pierre, SD, 605-222-0079
Ninth Annual ROCS (Springfield Dakota Senior Meals) Fall Festival, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Community Center, Springfield, SD, 605-464-7379, DSMFallFest2018@yahoo.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.