I was wandering through the SDASCOE History Books looking for something in particular (I don’t remember now
what it was) and I found them to be fascinating reading.  I was amazed at the work the SDASCOE members did
to help get the association started.  It is hard to imagine starting an organization like SDASCOE but it’s even
harder to imagine our jobs today without the work of this organization.  I am so proud to be a part of an
organization that has had so many dedicated and loyal members.  This has benefited not only the employees,
but also the farmers we serve.  Here are some highlights of the past 50 years of SDASCOE!

Before we start on SDASCOE’s history, we must touch on NASCOE.
The NASCOE organizational meeting was held May 23 & 24, 1959 in Memphis, Tennessee.  
36 employees were present form 15 states.
“Out of this meeting came a dream and today it is a dream come true.”



Organizational Meeting – July 11, 1959 at Pierre
Those attending that first meeting:  Robert Scales (Aurora), Donald Howe (Corson),
Eugene Quenser (Stanley-Hughes), Eldred Leonard (Codington), W R Slade (Bon Homme)
and Maynard Sweet (Beadle) – These office managers had been selected by the State
Administrative Officer to attend.
President – Robert Scales, Aurora County  
Sec-Treas – Maynard Sweet, Beadle County
Newsletter – Fall of 1960, issued by Maynard Sweet
Directors – Dist #1 - Eldred Leonard, Codington
     Dist #2 - Ray Kennedy, Lincoln (1959) - Gene Vognild, Minnehaha  (1960)
     Dist #3 - W R Slade, Bon Homme
     Dist #4 – Robert Scales, Aurora
     Dist #5 – Steve Opland, Spink
     Dist #6 – Eugene Quenzer, Stanley-Hughes
     Dist #7 – Donald Howe, Corson
     Dist #8 – Maynard Sweet, Beadle (1959) – Howard Millar, Bennet (1960)
     Dist #9 – Walter (Casey) Miller Jr, Meade County
Delegates – Robert Scales & Maynard Sweet (1960)
Gene Vognild & Maynard Sweet (1961)
State Convention (Annual Meeting) – May 1960 in Huron
Vice President – Donald Howe, Corson County – SDASOCE didn’t elect a VP until 1961
First’s for SDASCOE
Everything has to start somewhere
By someone
For some reason...


1962 - NASCOE and SDASCOE started the Professional Improvements and Awards Program.

1962-“Pay raises & benefits since NASCOE was organized, average over $1600 /year/person.”

SDASCOE’s first year membership was at 56%.   
The 6th year was its first at 100% membership.

Many SDASCOE members were at the NASCOE Convention in Iowa in 1965 to bid to host the NASCOE Convention
in Rapid City in 1967.  “History has it that we missed by one vote, but we will return some day to resume the
campaign”.

SDASCOE President Robert Scales urged all individuals to become Association members.
He said it may be necessary to increase dues to pay for the delegates to attend the
convention.
He warned members not to become complacent in their attitude toward the Association - that
they
must never use the Association relating to matter of policy,
must never forget that they are servants of agriculture
and be humble in their attitudes toward their work.
Notes from the 1960’s


1971 - SDASCOE board felt it would be good to meet with the State Committee once a year to discuss
common issues.

1971 Task Force – “Many of records that are now kept in the office will be put into a central computer
and any data needed in the county office will be received from the computer.  Maybe there will be no handbooks
kept in the county offices.”

1973 SDASCOE Convention had 110 attendees

1973 NASCOE Convention had 41 SDASCOE attendees

    Officer elections were held at SDASCOE Board Meetings not at Convention General Session

SDASCOE Benefits, Membership, Publicity and Ways and Means Committees were established

    Dues increased in 1973

Ways & Means sold chances on a TV or camera to be given away at the Convention
Notes from The 1970’s

- 1975 NASCOE Convention, Atlanta, Georgia -
The previous year SD had challenged Nebraska as to which state
would have the most representation attending in Georgia.
When both states were done counting noses,
Nebraska had one more than SD.
Gene said it was a tie,
but it was ruled that he was counting a nose that wasn’t from SD!!!
Good try, Gene!!

County Committees should limit their meeting time to one day a month due to budget
There’s a need for training county office employees

The SDASCOE board discussed splitting each category of the DSA’s into two groups, PA’s and CED’s.  
They unanimously defeated that motion.

South Dakota’s NAFEC organization is still active in SD

1977 SDASCOE recommendations to State Committee – PA’s in the same program area having meetings   
together for general discussion and to benefit new employees. Occasionally have a few CED’s and
maybe some PA’s attend the DD Conference at the State Office.

1977 SDASCOE President’s Report – Offices are busy with signup, grain reserve and acreage reports

1979 NASCOE Convention was the first year SD vests (white with dark trim) were worn for SD
recognition and holding state trading pins

Feb 1979 new employees are being hired

Someone in Washington did not just happen to think about us and add us to all those bills on
salary increases and fringe benefits.  It took a lot of NASCOE people talking to the right
people on the hill convincing them that we all should also receive these benefits.   
Wilmer Deibert, SDASCOE President

SD friends in DC – Ray Fitzgerald, Alan Durick and Grant Buntrock

The SDASCOE Room Raffle was started




SDASCOE Constitution and By-Laws were updated so that starting in 1980 officers will be elected by the
membership during general session of the convention

1980 - Gene Vognild retired as SDASCOE Sec-Treas after 20 years.

SDASCOE asked the State Committee to authorize pre-retirement counseling once a year for employees
considering retirement

New addressographs were ordered  
Notes from the 1980’s

1980 SDASCOE Board Meeting, “President Peterson (Harland) asked for nominations for
Sec-Treas.  Marjorie Miller then livened up the proceedings by clowning up the nomination of
Helen Douville.  Describing Marj — she suddenly appeared out of nowhere in old fashioned
rag hair, curlers, baggy pants and a tattered blue plaid shirt.  She tried to read her nomination
but somehow words did not come out right – balloons were erupting in the background.  To
say the least, the whole episode was hilarious and the Sec-Treas was very much surprised.”
(Helen was already the Sec-Treas at the time!)
1980 NASCOE Convention – SD announced their intention of hosting the 1983 NASCOE Convention

It takes one farmer to feed 77 people

May 1981SDASCOE Board Meeting, “President Peterson then asked for nominations for Vice President.  A tall,
slim, good looking, white bunny, came hopping down the convention aisle and hopped up to the podium to place
the name of Delores Fisher, Minnehaha County, in nomination for Vice President”.

    Insurance premiums increased by 30% and benefits were reduced







It was decided softball would be played at the 1982 State Convention rather than golf

November 23, 1981 all offices were told to close until further notice as appropriations had
not passed in DC.  They were back at work the next day, but were shocked to realize how
vulnerable they were.
“Even though we have experienced two RIF’s and have seen virtually every
employee benefit threatened, I am convinced that it
is not a time to despair.  No, quite the contrary.
If we ever need to present a united front it is during difficult times such as these.”
SDASCOE President, Paul Bishop, 1982
The 1983 Legislative Conference in DC was postponed two times because of “pressing PIK (“PIK” -   Payment-In-
Kind) developments”.  Oh, remember the PIK program?!  It’s something you can’t forget!

There were 87 temporary employees in the state

SDASCOE is concerned that PA’s in counties with large workload can’t qualify for a CO-6 as they only
have one program (you need two programs for a CO-6).  A letter regarding this will be written and
given to the NWA Executive to take to DC.

The first annual Fish N Fun tournament was held in 1984. “Fun made up for the lack of fish.”

In 1984 the SDASCOE Publicity Chair became a separate position, prior to that the newsletter editor
was the Sec-Treas

Leon Edlund was the only SDASCOE member to attend the NWA Rally in Idaho.  Only one
member, that was unheard of!
1986 - The “new” denim SDASCOE vests are used for the first time

1988  - NASCOE is still working on PA classification upgrades and shared management is being discussed

Are you noticing that so many of the same issues carry over from one year to the next and the next…

In 1989 NASCOE was pushing hard for FERS employees to receive the same benefit as federal employees of
unused sick leave credited toward their retirement annuity.  They were also working on using accrued sick leave
for illnesses of dependent children & for deaths of immediate family members

In 1989 NASCOE accomplished the Reclassification of CED’s & PA’s and authorization for Chief PA’s

SD said farewell to Dale Andersen as our SED and hello to Dean Anderson as our new SED




The compressed work schedule has been implemented and has been a morale booster
Leave Sharing became a reality

The 1990 SDASCOE Convention had 223 people in attendance!!

Gene Vognild now has the nickname “Cuffs” – Ask around to hear why

Charlie Donovan, retired CED from Yankton County, spoke to the 1991 convention
attendees about planning a happy retirement

SDASCOE published a cookbook (the thick white one with black writing and binder).  
1392 books were ordered and after all orders are filled, only 138 were left

1992 Issues - FERS sick leave credit – the consensus is that it is not a good time to press this issue
Increase the 240 hours carry over for annual leave
Expand health coverage beyond age 22 for dependent children
Provide a onetime transfer from CSRS to FERS

SDASCOE was considering if COT’s should be considered regular or associate members

There is a new computer system being looked at called a Geological Information System (GIS).
It is very sophisticated and also very expensive – May 1983

1994 - The ASCS Retirees Association was organized.






1994 NASCOE Convention – SD had 77 attendees, 22 of those were ‘first timers’!

October 1, 1995, the Farm Service Agency was created by combining FSA Ag Commodity and FmHA Ag Credit.  
This combination led to many questions and concerns from revised job descriptions to cross training to common
policies on work schedules, to supervisory levels to a common inventory.

1995-1996 was SDASCOE’s 7th year in a row with 100% membership





In 1998 SD was looking at 7 more RIF’s and 4 GS reassignments

NASCOE now has a website

SD NAFEC was active until the late 1990’s
Notes from the 1990’s
Two SD quilts were made
by SDASCOE in 1990 as
raffle items.  
60 different squares were
embroidered by ASCS
members or spouses.  
Bev Birkeland and friends
did the rest.
RASCOE of South Dakota was organized in
August 1994.  Rosie Melick was elected
President
Doris Stucky was elected
Secretary-Treasurer of the National RASCOE
Organization.
They now have 275 members.
RASCOE of SD has the most with 79.
Feb, 1997 – A proposal was announced to close 20 county offices in SD over the next two
years. Contacts with our representatives were quickly made by employees and producers.  
The Secretary of Ag then put a moratorium on office closures.



We are lucky in SD to have the support of our Senators and Congresswoman.  They agree we need adequate
staffing and budget.  Even though they are aware of it, let’s keep reminding them.

SDASCOE membership is at 91%









2002 SDASCOE Convention - The Convention Theme was “United We Stand”
Steve Morrison, NASCOE President was there with the following messages:
Producers do not always know what questions to ask in relationship to program areas.  Therefore    
Program Technicians have very important roles in the county offices
PT grade and classifications remain a major project and will be addressed in negotiations again
He stressed the importance of membership within the association and the weight membership     
carries in negotiations








2004 - We were forced, due to budget, to terminate all temporary employees












“GIS, when implemented, will revolutionize our agency.” Doug Frago, DAFO
Notes from the 2000’s

“Membership is the most visible way we have to show support to the SDASCOE
organization.
SDACOE will be strongest when we are able to return to 100%
Thanks to all of the members and associates who realize
that there is indeed strength in numbers and faithfully pay their dues.”
Mary Johnson, SDASCOE President, 2002
At the 2002 National Convention in St Paul,
SD started spreading the word
that we were bidding for the 2005 Convention
“The Black Hills are Alive in 2005!!”  
SD had 50 attendees present.
At the 2003 NASCOE Convention in Salt Lake
City,
SD’s bid at hosting the
2005 NASCOE Convention was a success.
We still didn’t fully realize
just what we were getting into!
“I believe that with the challenges of a new farm bill, budget constraints
and a workload that seems to only increase,
we must start thinking outside the box to approach these challenges.  
I truly believe that all of us (county office employees, CO, GS, state office and leadership)
must become team players.  
We must call on all of our teammates to work to their fullest potential for the good of our
agency
and the common goal of serving our farmers and ranchers of South Dakota.”  
Rich Rische, SDASCOE President
2005 NASCOE Convention Hosted by South Dakota
This was the best, most fun convention ever!!
(Just ask any SDASCOE member)
SDASCOE should be very proud of hosting such a Great Convention.  
It took a lot of hours, team work, discussions and planning
from a lot of members for over 3 years and I think all would agree it was worth it.
Yet another reason to be proud we’re from South Dakota!!
The tradition continues!




In 2006 the Midwest and Northwest Areas held a joint Rally at Excelsior Springs, Missouri

Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns visited a Stanley County Ranch

97 SDASCOE members have signed up for CapWiz

NASCOE has established their own Political Action Committee (PAC)

New Workload System - Plans are to have it fully in place by 2008

State Restructuring Plans are being submitted to consolidate & close offices

Our FSA Administrator was Teresa Lasseter, she had been a PT, CPT, COR, DD and SED

Erroneous and improper payment reviews came out and without the whole story FSA didn’t look so good, with the
whole story we were okay, but it created extra work for all of FSA

The SDASCOE Board approved the use of conference calls in special cases rather than paying the board
members for travel


From the 2007 Legislative Conference
Benefits at this time are about as fragile as they have ever been due to budget
There’s talk of increasing retirement benefits from high 3 to high 5
NASCOE is working to get sick leave credit for FERS employees at retirement
FSA (nationally) is only staffed at 72% of workload numbers









If the State Plans for County Office Consolidations aren’t completed, SD will have to
review Shared Management and Direct Reassignment option, SED Steve Cutler

We have to keep the employees in mind, but service to farmers is number one.  The customer is the whole reason
for FSA as an agency.   - Teresa Lasseter, FSA Administrator -

    2007 State Convention - Sixteen brave? souls took part in “Survivor” events.
They participated in steer roping and eating and drinking some very questionable concoctions!!

24 employees received awards for 20 years of service

       The 2007 National Convention was held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
    Dew points in the upper 80’s and heat indexes of 118.
    Some luggage arrived late, some didn’t arrive at all.
    Despite all that the 25 SDASCOE members and guests proudly represented SD.

    We cannot be working uncompensated overtime. It is hard to justify asking for more employees
    when it looks like the employees we do have are doing the work of many more.
    From Kris Stevens and Mary Jane West – Members of the Workload Task Force

NASCOE created a Do’s and Don’ts list when using a government computer for association purposes

SDASCOE membership is at 98%

SDASCOE members had 27+ relatives serving in the military

Senator Thune visited the Campbell County FSA Office two different times

NASCOE and SDASCOE began creating a database of home emails for association contact purposes

Attendance at the 2008 SDASCOE Convention was 106
Our NASCOE President, Bonnie Heinzman spoke.  She is the first PT and the first female to hold the highest
position in NASCOE in its 49 year history.

Benefits
Discount Sam’s Club membership
Dental insurance through JM Marketing
Discount theme park tickets including Valley Fair
Alltel phone discounts

The 25th Annual FSA Fish N Fun was held in Pierre.  Attendees remember brats, beverages, many many stories,
the awarding of the Traveling Trophy “Charlie the Tuna” and maybe even some fishing.


SDASCOE developed a website

Jim Anderson, EJ Goetz, Peggy Groen, Larry Olsen and Cindy Peterson attended the 2009 Legislative Conference
in DC

SDASCOE has 137 subscribers to CAPWIZ

NASCOE is working on 3 possible PT reclassification upgrade positions

Craig Schaunaman became South Dakota’s newest SED







    __________________________________________________
“I always compare NASCOE to that bright shining bulb that never dims no matter how low
the current goes.”  Jim Iverson
SDASCOE
Membership is at
97%,
with 119 associate
members
“You can’t believe
how dedicated the
NASCOE officers,
chairs and your
fellow employees are
to improving our
benefits.”
Lynda Steichen
reporting on the
Legislative
Conference

“What an awesome group of hardworking individuals involved in NASCOE and
SDASCOE.  I never realized the passion and dedication these people have.  
When you see the hard work that goes into this legislative conference and the
benefits that all of us receive it makes you appreciate these people tremendously.”
- E J Goetz reporting on her first NASCOE Legislative Conference -
SDASCOE received $500 from Cheri Johnke
in memory of Leroy.  
She requested the money be used for
scholarships.  Two scholarships were
awarded.

NASCOE celebrated its 50th Year at the convention in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
609 attendees answered roll call, SD proudly claimed 19 of them
Our own, Gene Vognild, was recognized for attending all 50 National Conventions!!


The NASCOE emblem shows Loyalty, Service, Effort and Courtesy
As you can see, since its beginning, SDASCOE has been an organization
supporting those four words.
It has done so for the betterment of the members and the farmers we serve.
It has done so with fortitude, professionalism and humor.
I have great admiration and respect for the individuals
that started this organization and have kept it strong for 50 years.
And that includes every member that has paid their dues over the years.
Your dedication and strong belief in what SDASCOE stands for makes it a powerful force.

Be a SDASCOE member and be proud of it.

This history lesson turned out to be much more than I had planned. Once I started on the History Books, it
was hard to stop.  Thank You to everyone that has helped with the history books over the years.  They have a
wealth of information, I encourage you all to take a look.

For those of you that are not SDASCOE members, please reconsider being a part of this inspiring group of
coworkers and friends.

Peggy Groen
A Proud SDASCOE Member

__________________________________________________
One Final Note
Copyright 2010 SDASCOE. All rights reserved.
Web Hosting by Yahoo!
SDASCOE
History