The 11th annual 'Dakota Prairie Open' golf tournament to benefit the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation and the many youth and adult education programs it supports will be held Wednesday, June 19, 2013, at Broadland Creek National Golf Course in Huron. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9:00 a.m. The golf tournament will feature teams of four in a scramble format. Single golfers are welcome; the foundation will place you on a team. The top prize at this year's tournament is a golf destination package at The Prairie Club near Valentine, Neb. It includes two rounds of golf for four, one night's stay for four, breakfast for four, and golf carts for both rounds. The prize package was generously sponsored by Travelers Motor Club. DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE AND REGISTRATION FORM HERE. Participants can download the brochure and registration form above and send to: SDFU Foundation PO Box 1388 Huron, SD 57350 Please send in your registration form by Friday, June 14, 2013. You can also call SDFU Foundation Executive Director Leslie Rupiper Morrow at 605-940-9070 or email her at lrupiper@sdfu.org to register or for more information. We're excited to see you on the links!

The South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation is offering a $2,500 scholarship to a continuing full-time student pursuing their graduate degree in an accredited agriculture-related field (i.e. research, animal science, ag business, ag eduction, etc.) and who shows a strong interest in working in South Dakota upon completion of their degree. Eligible graduate students include on-campus and distance education students pursuing any master's or doctoral program, agriculture teacher certification program (CERT/FCSC), or graduate certificate program (GCERT). To apply for the scholarship, DOWNLOAD THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM and return it to the address listed below. Applicants must also supply the following documents: -A resume or personal statement/essay outlining personal activities in college, including field of study and future plans. -Two letters of recommendation from faculty members of the university you currently attend. -A transcript of your grades. -Information on any other scholarship or grant aid you are now receiving. DOWNLOAD THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM Completed applications can be emailed to lrupiper@sdfu.org or mailed to: South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation PO Box 1388 Huron, SD 57350

For the sixth year in a row, Farmers Union Insurance Agency, in cooperation with the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation, is offering $25,000 in scholarships to eligible high school seniors in South Dakota through the “Insuring a Brighter Tomorrow” scholarship program. DOWNLOAD THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION Twenty-five high school seniors from across the state who plan to continue post-secondary education at a college, university, or technical school in the state of South Dakota will each receive $1,000. The scholarships are funded with support from Farmers Union Insurance agents in South Dakota and the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation. The application deadline is April 15, 2013. Scholarship recipients will be selected based on the applicant’s academic records, school and community involvement, and financial need. The applicant will also be required to submit a written essay entitled, “How do you hope to impact a Brighter Tomorrow in South Dakota?” Applicants Must Meet One of the Following Requirements:

• South Dakota high school senior whose parent or parents are current policyholders of Farmers Union Insurance
• Member of South Dakota Farmers Union
• A “Friend of the Farmers Union Foundation” (Defined as those who have contributed $25 or more to the Foundation in the past year)
• Participant in any South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA) sanctioned event

Applicants Must:

• Complete Application Form DOWNLOAD THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
• Provide Copy of High School Transcript and ACT/SAT Score
• Provide a Letter of Recommendation
• Submit Written Essay (Less than 500 Words)
• Provide Billfold Sized Portrait Picture

APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 15, 2013 (Postmark Date) Return Materials to:    Farmers Union Insurance Attn: Wayne Bartscher P.O. Box1388 Huron,SD 57350 For more information call Farmers Union Insurance: 1-800-933-2841. DOWNLOAD THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

The South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation invites you to experience 'A Night on the Prairie,' South Dakota's premier fundraising event. It's an evening featuring games, prizes, live and silent auctions and a banquet all to raise funds for the youth and adult education programs funded by the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation. The event will be held the evening of Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, at the Ramkota Hotel & Convention Center in Aberdeen. The doors will open at 5:00 p.m. after the conclusion of the South Dakota Farmers Union state convention. The evening begins with games where attendees will win chances at some great prizes including an iPad, Kindle Fire, a smart TV and much more! The event includes a banquet dinner and live and silent auctions. Attendees can bid for chance to win a dream vacation to their choice of an Alaskan cruise, a trip to Napa Valley wine country or a trip to Hawaii. Tickets are $50 per person. You can reserve your ticket by calling the Farmers Union state office at 605-352-6761 ext. 111.

The 25 recipients will split $25,000 in scholarships funded by Farmers Union Insurance agents in South Dakota through the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation. [caption id="attachment_701" align="alignleft" width="380" caption="Scholarship winners are honored during Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair. Pictured in back from left, Back Lacey Quail, White, Deubrook High School; Emily Meyer, White, Deubrook High School; Allison Landmark, Britton, Britton-Hecla High School; Danielle Knox, Highmore, Highmore High School; Kelli Garry, Lake Preston, Lake Preston High School; Wayne Bartscher, Regional Manager, Farmers Union Insurance Agency. Front: Leslie Rupiper Morrow, Executive Director, SD Farmers Union Foundation; Tyler Swan, Newell, Newell High School; Taylor Steiger, Kimball, Kimball High School; Michelle Holbeck, Armour, Armour High School; Ali Haines, White Lake, White Lake High School; Tristen Simons, White Owl, Faith High School"][/caption] The students are all going to get their post-secondary education right here in South Dakota. They were chosen from a large pool of applicants based on financial need, community involvement, academic achievement, and a written essay on how they will "Insure a Brighter Tomorrow" in South Dakota. Over the past five years, South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation has awarded $125,000 in scholarships as part of the Insuring a Brighter Tomorrow scholarship program.

The South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) Foundation, in cooperation with Farmers Union Insurance, have announced the recipients of the fifth annual “Insuring a Brighter Tomorrow” scholarships. Twenty-five high school seniors from across South Dakota will share $25,000 in scholarships to be used to further their education at a South Dakota post-secondary school. Over the past five years, the Foundation has awarded $125,000 in scholarships to students attending South Dakota post-secondary schools. “It's an incredible investment in the future of our state," said Foundation Executive Director Leslie Rupiper Morrow. "We had a great group of young people apply for this year’s scholarships, and we couldn't be more excited that these students will be staying right here in South Dakota to further their education.” Each of the 25 scholarship recipients will receive $1,000 to put toward their post-secondary education at a South Dakota college, university or technical school. The recipients were chosen from among a large pool of applicants. They were scored based on a combination of academic record, activities and awards, financial need, and an essay relating to how they will, “Insure a Brighter Tomorrow,” in South Dakota. Farmers Union Insurance agents throughout the state fund this scholarship program administered by the Farmers Union Foundation. “Every year it gets more difficult to choose from the great students who apply," said Wayne Bartscher, Regional Manager of Farmers Union Insurance Agency. “It's a way that our insurance agents can give back and invest in the future leaders of our state. Based on this year's recipients, I'm confident that the future of South Dakota is bright.”         Tanna Becker - Pierre - T.F. Riggs High School         Breanna Cuka -Wagner - Wagner High School         Nicole Ellis - Watertown - Watertown High School         Adam Fendrich - Salem - McCook Central High School         Laken Frericks - Northville - Northwestern Area High School         Jenna Frink - Beresford - Beresford High School         Kelli Garry - Lake Preston - Lake Preston High School         Ali Haines - White Lake - White Lake High School         Michelle Holbeck, Armour - Armour High School         Danielle Knox - Highmore - Highmore High School         Jordan Lamb - Onida - Sully Buttes High School         Allison Landmark - Britton - Britton-Hecla High School         Kelli Mammenga - Webster - Webster Area High School         Emily Meyer - White - Deubrook High School         Tanner Odegaard - Brookings - Brookings High School         Mahalia Olson - Kimball - Kimball High School         Lacey Quail - White - Deubrook High School         Tristen Simons - White Owl - Faith High School         Taylor Steiger - Kimball - Kimball High School         Tyler Swan - Newell - Newell High School         Mariah Taylor - Northville - Northwestern Area High School         Katherine Van Gerpen - Pierre - T.F. Riggs High School         Alexa Volesky - Webster - Webster Area High School         Kenton Welbig - Dell Rapids - Tri-Valley High School         Jacquelyn Wilson - Lemmon - Lemmon High School    

A total of 20 teams competed June 19 in the 10th annual Dakota Prairie Open golf tournament to benefit the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation. The tournament was held at Lakeview Municipal Golf Course in Mitchell in a four-person scramble format. The four-person teams competed for pin prizes and overall prizes during the tournament. One of the most exciting moments of the day was when Farmers Union Insurance Agency District Manager Jon Knott hit a hole-in-one!  

You're invited to join South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation for the 10th annual Dakota Prairie Open golf tournament June 19, 2012, at Lakeview Golf Course in Mitchell. It'll be a great time to connect with old friends or meet new ones while playing on a beautiful course. You'll have the chance to win prizes, including a $25,000 prize for a hole in one. It will be a four-person, best-ball format with a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start.

The deadline to apply for the 5th annual 'Insuring a Brighter Tomorrow' scholarship program is APRIL 15, 2012. Applications MUST be postmarked by April 15 to be eligible. A total of $25,000 in scholarships will be shared by 25 young people from across the state. To learn more about the scholarship program and to find the downloadable application form CLICK HERE.

The South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation’s signature fundraising event, ‘A Night on the Prairie,’ held Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at the Huron Event Center, raised tens of thousands of dollars to support the youth education and leadership programs of the South Dakota Farmers Union. “We're supporting the next generation of leaders in South Dakota, and the funds raised at this event will have a major impact on the future of our state,” said South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation Executive Director Leslie Rupiper Morrow. “So many people gave so generously, and the funds will ensure that the education and leadership programs the Foundation supports will continue build our future leaders who will have an impact on their local communities.” About 150 people attended the 7th annual ‘A Night on the Prairie’ event. They played games and won prizes while also participating in silent and live auctions. The proceeds from the event support Farmers Union summer youth camps which teach the next generation about the power and importance of cooperatives and agriculture, along with other life skills that they’ll use far into the future; the Rural Economics and Leadership (REAL) Development Program which teaches leadership, public speaking, and other skills to adults; the Junior REAL Program which brings leadership and financial training to high school juniors and seniors in rural South Dakota; and the ‘Insuring a Brighter Tomorrow’ Scholarship Program which has awarded $100,000 in scholarships to high school seniors in South Dakota over the past four years. Kathy Sigle, of Spearfish, was the featured artist. She donated a painting called As Good as Gold which was auctioned off during the event. Chris Studer, of Huron, served as the master of ceremonies for the event. Ben Meyer was the auctioneer, and reigning Miss South Dakota Anna Simpson, of Rapid City, was also an honored guest at the event.