Twenty-five High School Seniors to Share $25,000 in Scholarships

South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation, along with Farmers Union Insurance, have announced the recipients of the 3rd 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.

“We’re so proud to help these outstanding young people achieve their educational goals,” said SDFU Foundation Executive Director Julie Bartling. “It’s an investment in the future of our state. These young people will be tomorrow’s leaders, and we’re lucky to have them in South Dakota.”

Each of the recipients will receive $1,000 toward their post-secondary education in South Dakota. They were chosen from a large pool of applicants 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.

“It was a difficult process to choose these 25 recipients because we received applications from so many deserving young people,” said Wayne Bartscher, Regional Manager of Farmers Union Insurance. “We’re excited to see what these young people become, and we’re confident that these dollars will go to develop tomorrow’s leaders here in South Dakota.”
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Are you ready for some FUN?  The 8th annual SDFU Foundation golf tournament, “Dakota Prairie Open”, is planned for July 6, 2010 at the Madison Country Club near Madison, South Dakota.  Golfers will play for fantastic individual hole prizes, team prizes, and super hole-in-one and putting prizes on this beautiful golf course located in eastern South Dakota.  Amateurs and pros, alike, will be gathering for a day of competitive golf, delicious food, great company and abundant prizes, all in support of the youth cooperative and leadership programs administered by the South Dakota Farmers Union and funded through the Farmers Union Foundation.

Sponsors of this annual fundraising event include POET Bio-Energy, East River Electric Cooperative, Farm Credit Services of America, Sioux Valley Electric, SD Corn Council, SDN Communications, Mid-America Credit Union Association, Scheel’s, Cabela’s, Heartland Consumers Power District, SDSU Foundation, Growth Energy, SD Farmers Union, SD Farmers Union Insurance, and SD Farmers Union Foundation.  Updates of sponsors will be added as they are confirmed.  The SDFU Foundation is so very grateful for the generosity of all of sponsors who make the Dakota Prairie Golf Tournament possible.  We look forward to seeing representatives at the tournament to thank them personally.  Please join us for a fun-filled day all in support of the youth of South Dakota.

Please contact Julie Bartling, Executive Director of the SDFU Foundation for more details about this great fundraising event.  Julie may be reached at 605-222-3378 or via email at jbartling@sdfu.org.  We look forward to hosting you and your teams and enjoying a great day with everyone!

It was another record setting night for the 5th annual ‘A Night on the Prairie’ extravaganza benefiting the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation. The event, held February 13, 2010 in Huron, SD, raised over $110,000 for the Foundation, which supports the youth education programs of South Dakota Farmers Union.

Even though Mother Nature dealt a round of nasty weather, over 150 guests enjoyed a fantastic evening filled with good food, great company, wonderful games and prizes, and of course, the silent and live auctions. 

Auction items for 'A Night on the Prairie'

Some incredible items were up for auction at this year’s event. Everything from fishing excursions on the beautiful Missouri River to a signed basketball from NSU Coach Don Meyer (now retired and record holder of the most wins in NCAA men’s basketball), to skydiving and balloon rides over the beautiful South Dakota landscapes, were bid upon by those enjoying the fun-filled evening. Everyone who attended the auction had their pick of some truly extraordinary items.

Gene Hammond was the host for the evening, and encouraged everyone to bid from the heart. A truly inspirational auction item, that will now become a branded event for the SD Farmers Union Foundation, is ‘The Hunt for the Cure’  pheasant hunt, donated this year by Marshall and Colleen Springer of Buffalo Butte Ranch, Inc. of Gregory, South Dakota.  Suzy Adams and Wayne Bartcher were the generous bidders of this extraordinary item, and will be featured on ‘The Hunt for the Cure’ website coming soon.  This hunt and the generous sponsors of the annual hunt, will help raise funds and awareness about the ongoing search to find a cure for cancer.  Marshall and Colleen spoke of personal experiences with the dreaded disease and were so very positive about their personal goals to help fight for a cure for their loved ones and for everyone afflicted with cancer.  The SD Farmers Union Foundation and the American Cancer Society have partnered to promote the hunts and to work diligently to raise funds for the cause.

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