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Farmers Staying Positive Despite Covid-19 Concerns

Farmers Staying Positive

For many South Dakota businesses, things are far from normal. But despite the coronavirus pandemic, many of the state’s farmers and ranchers are making plans for the upcoming season.

Charles Baron is the co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer for the Farmers Business Network. He’s had dozens of conversations recently with farmers all over the nation. So far, the virus hasn’t introduced many new factors into the business decisions farmers make.

"The challenges that they face, that the corona epidemic has created in the business environment have been manageable or typical business risks for farmers," explained Baron. "So lower prices on the corn, hog prices going down, so it’s pricing pressure thus far – it hasn’t been fundamental supply change disruption."

Baron makes light of the fact that the farming lifestyle already includes social distancing. Most farmers he’s talked with aren’t making major personal adjustments. However, Baron stated that farmers are still very concerned about the health crisis and its potential affect on the global food supply.

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Nate Wek is currently the sports content producer and sports and rec beat reporter for South Dakota Public Broadcasting. He is a graduate of South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism Broadcasting and a minor in Leadership. From 2010-2013 Nate was the Director of Gameday Media for the Sioux Falls Storm (Indoor Football League) football team. He also spent 2012 and 2013 as the News and Sports Director of KSDJ Radio in Brookings, SD. Nate, his wife Sarah, and three sons, Braxan, Jordy, and Anders live in Canton, SD.