The South Dakota Legislature opens their 2021 session today and the State Farm Bureau is outlining the measures they’ll be backing. Lobbyist Mike Held says two of their priorities include measures being brought forth by the Governor. He says they support her plan to merge the State Agriculture Department with DENR and also back her plan to provide grant funding for smaller meat processing.

He says Farm Bureau also will support legislation to improve the state’s buffer program.

Held says they’re also supporting the Governor’s plan to expand broadband access.

Held says the pandemic’s effects have brought about the need for both expansion of broadband access and for funding local meat processing projects.