SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: September 9, 2014

Media Contact: Jerome Hertel, 605-353-7340

Foundation of Major Farmer-Owned Cooperative Provides $50,000
toward State Fairgrounds New Exhibit Hall

HURON, S.D. - Recognition was given Monday for a gift provided by the CHS Foundation. A check for $50,000 was presented to the South Dakota State Fair Foundation at the Watertown CHS location.  The funds will go toward the capital campaign for a new exhibit hall.   

“We are excited about the opportunity to contribute to our young people for the benefit of agriculture. They are our future leaders. We also enjoy the opportunity to be good stewards of the communities we serve,” commented Ed Mallett, vice president of Midwest Region – Country Operations, CHS, Inc. 

When built, the 49,000-square-foot Nordby Exhibit Hall for 4-H, Youth and Community will feature more than 30,000 square feet of exhibit space, multiple classrooms, a large kitchen for 4-H Special Foods competitions and a performance stage for the many 4-H activities that will take place year-round.  

The Foundation has raised $3.15 million of its $4 million goal. Those interested in supporting the Capital Campaign should contact the State Fair office at 605-274-3370 or visit www.sdstatefairfoundation.com.

“The State Fair Foundation thanks the CHS Foundation for their generous giving. Their gift puts us one big step closer to our goal,” said Jerome Hertel, state fair manager. 

CHS is a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States. Diversified in energy, grains and foods, CHS is committed to helping its customers, farmer-owners and other stakeholders grow their businesses through its domestic and global operations. CHS, a Fortune 100 company, supplies energy, crop nutrients, grain marketing services, animal feed, food and food ingredients, along with business solutions including insurance, financial and risk management services. The company operates petroleum refineries/pipelines and manufactures, markets and distributes Cenex® brand refined fuels, lubricants, propane and renewable energy products.

The CHS Foundation is the major giving entity of CHS Inc. As a part of the CHS stewardship focus, the CHS Foundation is committed to investing in the future of rural America, agriculture and cooperative business through education and leadership development.

Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing 115,651 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Photo Caption

Back row:  Mike and Barb Bergh, state fair campaign volunteers; Marcy Kohl, secretary, Codington County 4-H Leaders Assn; Ed Mallett, vice president, Midwest Region - Country Operations, CHS, Inc.

Middle row:  Kathryn Henning, State Fair Foundation; Sandy Matejek, president, Codington County 4-H Leaders Assn; Jodi Loehrer, Codington County 4-H youth program advisor; Wyatt Sprouse, Codington County 4-H member

Front row: Mallory Kohl and Riley Sprouse, Codington County 4-H members