Dakota Rural Action
@dakotarural.bsky.social
We build community power in promoting & protecting natural resources & resilient food & energy systems for future generations in South Dakota. ORGANIZE!
Likes & reposts are not endorsements.
www.dakotarural.org
Likes & reposts are not endorsements.
www.dakotarural.org
Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
Why we signed on: “The rapid, largely unregulated rise of #datacenters to fuel the #AI and crypto frenzy is disrupting communities across the country and threatening Americans’ economic, environmental, climate and water security." www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025... #rural #ruralcommunities
More than 200 environmental groups demand halt to new US datacenters
Exclusive: Congress urged to act against energy-hungry facilities blamed for increasing bills and worsening climate crisis
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Why we signed on: “The rapid, largely unregulated rise of #datacenters to fuel the #AI and crypto frenzy is disrupting communities across the country and threatening Americans’ economic, environmental, climate and water security." www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025... #rural #ruralcommunities
It seems as though #datacenters want to come to #SouthDakota because of the cooler climate & abundant water but then they say "not without #taxbreaks" so which is it? States should not be in a race to the bottom. www.keloland.com/keloland-com...
www.keloland.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:14 PM
It seems as though #datacenters want to come to #SouthDakota because of the cooler climate & abundant water but then they say "not without #taxbreaks" so which is it? States should not be in a race to the bottom. www.keloland.com/keloland-com...
Let's hope the investigation actually leads to action that dismantles the #monopoly held by the #meatpacking industry. #breakupthepackers
President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Saturday directing the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate anticompetitive behavior in “food-related industries.”
Trump Directs Agencies to Investigate Anticompetitive Practices in Food
The executive order seeks to investigate anticompetitive practices from meat and other consolidated food companies, but the administration has also rolled back Biden-era efforts to address the same…
civileats.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Let's hope the investigation actually leads to action that dismantles the #monopoly held by the #meatpacking industry. #breakupthepackers
Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
We're happy to announce that this year, we distributed more than $1.3 million in grant funding to support family farmers.
Learn more and see the list of organizations we supported:
www.farmaid.org/pres...
Learn more and see the list of organizations we supported:
www.farmaid.org/pres...
December 8, 2025 at 11:34 PM
We're happy to announce that this year, we distributed more than $1.3 million in grant funding to support family farmers.
Learn more and see the list of organizations we supported:
www.farmaid.org/pres...
Learn more and see the list of organizations we supported:
www.farmaid.org/pres...
What Xcel says is all well & good, but communities & utility customers need to have this guaranteed in writing. If they're being honest, that shouldn't be a problem. Transparency & enforceability are important www.keloland.com/keloland-com... #rural #datacenters
Xcel Energy: Data centers won't increase energy rates
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)– With the largest potential data center in the state seeking to build in Sioux Falls, city councilors heard from Xcel Energy regarding data centers and their energy r…
www.keloland.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:24 PM
What Xcel says is all well & good, but communities & utility customers need to have this guaranteed in writing. If they're being honest, that shouldn't be a problem. Transparency & enforceability are important www.keloland.com/keloland-com... #rural #datacenters
Why we signed on: “The rapid, largely unregulated rise of #datacenters to fuel the #AI and crypto frenzy is disrupting communities across the country and threatening Americans’ economic, environmental, climate and water security." www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025... #rural #ruralcommunities
More than 200 environmental groups demand halt to new US datacenters
Exclusive: Congress urged to act against energy-hungry facilities blamed for increasing bills and worsening climate crisis
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Why we signed on: “The rapid, largely unregulated rise of #datacenters to fuel the #AI and crypto frenzy is disrupting communities across the country and threatening Americans’ economic, environmental, climate and water security." www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025... #rural #ruralcommunities
We are proud to sign onto this letter. #Datacenters consumer large amounts of #electricity & #water and driving up power costs for #ratepayers.
BREAKING: We're proud to join 230+ groups to call on Congress to stop the approval and construction of new data centers. With huge impacts on water, climate, electricity bills and more, it's time to put the brakes on the unregulated data center frenzy: https://fwwat.ch/44bzr1R
December 8, 2025 at 4:33 PM
We are proud to sign onto this letter. #Datacenters consumer large amounts of #electricity & #water and driving up power costs for #ratepayers.
So #CCS & #datacenters are now teaming up. So big tech is figuring out how to get those 45Q tax credits too www.utilitydive.com/news/google-... #rural #subsidies
Google just backed carbon capture tech for data center energy providers. Will other tech giants follow?
The fast-growing electricity demands of data centers could be a game-changer for carbon capture technology in the U.S. power sector, say experts from the Payne Institute at the Colorado School of Mine...
www.utilitydive.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:59 PM
So #CCS & #datacenters are now teaming up. So big tech is figuring out how to get those 45Q tax credits too www.utilitydive.com/news/google-... #rural #subsidies
Yes investigate but also do something. This is not encouraging: "Trump’s Securities and Exchange Commission also cleared JBS, the largest foreign-owned meat company in the U.S. and the biggest donor to Trump’s inauguration, for listing on the New York Stock Exchange." #breakupthepackers #monopolies
Trump calls for a DOJ probe into foreign-owned meat companies over alleged price fixing.
But critics say his administration rolled back key antitrust measures, cleared JBS for NYSE listing, and ended programs that helped states fight monopolies: moves that hurt ranchers.
Collab with @civileats.com.
But critics say his administration rolled back key antitrust measures, cleared JBS for NYSE listing, and ended programs that helped states fight monopolies: moves that hurt ranchers.
Collab with @civileats.com.
TX cattle ranchers support investigation into foreign meat companies
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
app.publicnewsservice.org
December 3, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Yes investigate but also do something. This is not encouraging: "Trump’s Securities and Exchange Commission also cleared JBS, the largest foreign-owned meat company in the U.S. and the biggest donor to Trump’s inauguration, for listing on the New York Stock Exchange." #breakupthepackers #monopolies
An astonishing story of how having corporate, industrial-style ag dominate your economy creates fertile ground for backroom deals, self-enrichment with public dollars, and poisoned #drinkingwater. An unholy alliance of #BigAg & #datacenters 😳
This is a case study in how powerful interests and self-dealing public officials can use secrecy and corporate power to create public health nightmares. #protectwater #cleanwater
'The Precedent Is Flint': How Oregon's Data Center Boom Is Supercharging a Water Crisis
Amazon data centers constructed in eastern Oregon's farmland have worsened a water pollution problem that’s been linked to cancer and miscarriages.
www.rollingstone.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:24 PM
An astonishing story of how having corporate, industrial-style ag dominate your economy creates fertile ground for backroom deals, self-enrichment with public dollars, and poisoned #drinkingwater. An unholy alliance of #BigAg & #datacenters 😳
Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
Reminder. Join BHCWA and the Coup Council tomorrow for Dinner & Info. 5:30 pm - &:00 pm.
November 30, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Reminder. Join BHCWA and the Coup Council tomorrow for Dinner & Info. 5:30 pm - &:00 pm.
Excellent commentary from Travis Entenman, Friends of the Big Sioux, on EPA rule rollback: "less water gets filtered and more pollution goes straight into our streams and lakes, risking algal blooms and drinking water problems." #EPA #waterpollution #wetlands
With a proposed EPA rule that slashes protections for #wetlands, writes Travis Entenman, "we’re putting our water, wildlife and future growth on the line."
Commentary:
Commentary:
South Dakota wetlands are under threat from the EPA's rollback • South Dakota Searchlight
The EPA just finalized a decision that slashes federal protections for wetlands, especially those without a “continuous surface connection” to rivers and streams.
buff.ly
December 1, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Excellent commentary from Travis Entenman, Friends of the Big Sioux, on EPA rule rollback: "less water gets filtered and more pollution goes straight into our streams and lakes, risking algal blooms and drinking water problems." #EPA #waterpollution #wetlands
Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
MYTH: Data centers don’t strain the power grid.
FACT: These facilities consume power at an industrial scale, creating new demand pressures that strains grids. The IEA projects their global electricity demand could exceed 1,000 TWh by 2026 - enough to power South Dakota for 85 years! #datacenters
FACT: These facilities consume power at an industrial scale, creating new demand pressures that strains grids. The IEA projects their global electricity demand could exceed 1,000 TWh by 2026 - enough to power South Dakota for 85 years! #datacenters
November 25, 2025 at 3:41 PM
MYTH: Data centers don’t strain the power grid.
FACT: These facilities consume power at an industrial scale, creating new demand pressures that strains grids. The IEA projects their global electricity demand could exceed 1,000 TWh by 2026 - enough to power South Dakota for 85 years! #datacenters
FACT: These facilities consume power at an industrial scale, creating new demand pressures that strains grids. The IEA projects their global electricity demand could exceed 1,000 TWh by 2026 - enough to power South Dakota for 85 years! #datacenters
MYTH: Data centers don’t strain the power grid.
FACT: These facilities consume power at an industrial scale, creating new demand pressures that strains grids. The IEA projects their global electricity demand could exceed 1,000 TWh by 2026 - enough to power South Dakota for 85 years! #datacenters
FACT: These facilities consume power at an industrial scale, creating new demand pressures that strains grids. The IEA projects their global electricity demand could exceed 1,000 TWh by 2026 - enough to power South Dakota for 85 years! #datacenters
November 25, 2025 at 3:41 PM
MYTH: Data centers don’t strain the power grid.
FACT: These facilities consume power at an industrial scale, creating new demand pressures that strains grids. The IEA projects their global electricity demand could exceed 1,000 TWh by 2026 - enough to power South Dakota for 85 years! #datacenters
FACT: These facilities consume power at an industrial scale, creating new demand pressures that strains grids. The IEA projects their global electricity demand could exceed 1,000 TWh by 2026 - enough to power South Dakota for 85 years! #datacenters
The earlier we combat runoff into our waters, the less expensive it is to clean up. Once it gets downstream, the clean-up efforts required of communities to provide clean water are much more expensive. #waterpollution #CAFOs
South Dakota’s water quality debate reflects a bigger US issue:
✅ 80% of tested river stretches fail standards
✅ Ag runoff & animal waste drive E. coli spikes
✅ Downstream communities pay the price
Clean water vs. ag economics—how do we strike the balance?
#CleanWater #AgRunoff #EnvironmentalPolicy
✅ 80% of tested river stretches fail standards
✅ Ag runoff & animal waste drive E. coli spikes
✅ Downstream communities pay the price
Clean water vs. ag economics—how do we strike the balance?
#CleanWater #AgRunoff #EnvironmentalPolicy
SD's water protecters encouraged by farm regulation chatter
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
app.publicnewsservice.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:04 PM
The earlier we combat runoff into our waters, the less expensive it is to clean up. Once it gets downstream, the clean-up efforts required of communities to provide clean water are much more expensive. #waterpollution #CAFOs
South Dakota needs to pay attention because : "Now approximately 27 percent of farmers rely on healthcare from the marketplace, which is about triple the national average for the rest of the population." This will ripple through our communities #rural #healthcare #ruralhealthcare
More than a quarter of U.S. farmers rely on the Affordable Care Act, but Biden-era tax credits expire at the end of the year. civileats.com/2025/11/19/f...
Farmers Face Prospect of Skyrocketing Healthcare Premiums
More than a quarter of U.S. farmers rely on the Affordable Care Act, but despite the government shutdown, tax credits are set to expire.
civileats.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:30 PM
South Dakota needs to pay attention because : "Now approximately 27 percent of farmers rely on healthcare from the marketplace, which is about triple the national average for the rest of the population." This will ripple through our communities #rural #healthcare #ruralhealthcare
One has to wonder if this all engineered by the #meatpackers. If you wanted to drive down live #cattle prices, this scenario could have been created in a lab for that purpose. Are #beef prices lower at the grocery story? No. Are ranchers bearing the brunt of market drop? Yes. #breakupthepackers
Livestock futures react to sentiment, not just policy. When Trump said he would lift beef tariffs and open U.S. markets to more foreign beef, traders interpreted that as more supply coming and lower demand for U.S. cattle.
Ranchers hit hard as Trump lifts beef tariffs, calls for more foreign beef during market season
After President Trump moved to lift beef tariffs and spoke about foreign beef, prices fell for ranchers—but not for consumers—right as many are marketing their cattle for the year.
www.dakotanewsnow.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:56 PM
One has to wonder if this all engineered by the #meatpackers. If you wanted to drive down live #cattle prices, this scenario could have been created in a lab for that purpose. Are #beef prices lower at the grocery story? No. Are ranchers bearing the brunt of market drop? Yes. #breakupthepackers
Pretty eye-popping numbers here. The state is helping a handful of companies with a great deal of #taxdollars. Worth noting that one of the industrial dairies that has receiving over $20 million in less than 2 years is based in Minnesota. #CAFO #industrialag
As some South Dakota dairy farmers struggle to find workers and as the state’s unemployment rate remains the lowest in the nation at 1.9%, South Dakota’s economic development office continues to approve incentives for the industry.
State continues to incentivize dairies as industry struggles to find workers • South Dakota Searchlight
Two boards affiliated with the state approved $17 million of aid for businesses this month. Most of it was for dairy operations.
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Pretty eye-popping numbers here. The state is helping a handful of companies with a great deal of #taxdollars. Worth noting that one of the industrial dairies that has receiving over $20 million in less than 2 years is based in Minnesota. #CAFO #industrialag
Refreshing to see #SouthDakota leadership with a realistic look at #waterpollution: "I think you can have some incentives, but we’re going to have to look at some restrictions as well, and regulate.” Water is a growing concern on both sides of the river.
One of South Dakota’s top lawmakers said it may be time to move beyond financial incentives and consider new regulations on #agriculture to address the state’s polluted rivers and lakes: “I think it takes more than the carrot to address this."
With so much polluted water, SD lawmaker says state can no longer ‘dance around’ ag regulations • South Dakota Searchlight
A top lawmaker said it may be time to move beyond financial incentives and consider regulations on agriculture for water pollution.
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Refreshing to see #SouthDakota leadership with a realistic look at #waterpollution: "I think you can have some incentives, but we’re going to have to look at some restrictions as well, and regulate.” Water is a growing concern on both sides of the river.
Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
People do not want to live near data centers, and for good reason: they're expensive and polluting! We need Congress to oppose the forcing of data centers onto communities. Let your Reps know your thoughts: https://fwwat.ch/47P7izN
Study shows state and local opposition to new data centers is gaining steam
“As political resistance builds and local organizing becomes more coordinated, this is now a sustained and intensifying
www.nbcnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:51 PM
People do not want to live near data centers, and for good reason: they're expensive and polluting! We need Congress to oppose the forcing of data centers onto communities. Let your Reps know your thoughts: https://fwwat.ch/47P7izN
No surprise that giant meatpacker JBS is raking in profits no matter grocery store prices, cattle prices, tariffs, or Argentine beef imports. Pretty easy to move the pieces around on the board when you control most of them. #breakupthepackers #monopoly
JBS seems to be doing very well with high beef prices: "Our multi-protein and multi-geographic model is the foundation..." www.nationalhogfarmer.com/market-news/...
JBS Beef North America breaks record with $7.2B Q3
JBS USA Pork also achieved record revenue, driven by strong domestic demand and the expansion of branded and prepared products.
www.nationalhogfarmer.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:32 PM
No surprise that giant meatpacker JBS is raking in profits no matter grocery store prices, cattle prices, tariffs, or Argentine beef imports. Pretty easy to move the pieces around on the board when you control most of them. #breakupthepackers #monopoly
Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
"Bankruptcies will likely grow as farmers talk with lenders in the weeks ahead about this year's returns and how to finance next year's crops, farm and bankruptcy experts say. Crop prices are projected to be below or at the costs to grow the crops."
www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/...
www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/...
November 20, 2025 at 5:01 PM
"Bankruptcies will likely grow as farmers talk with lenders in the weeks ahead about this year's returns and how to finance next year's crops, farm and bankruptcy experts say. Crop prices are projected to be below or at the costs to grow the crops."
www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/...
www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/...
We love to see good news about #solarpower & #agricutlure from the good folks at @ieefa-northamerica.bsky.social !
www.wxpr.org/food-and-agr... #renewables #solarenergy
www.wxpr.org/food-and-agr... #renewables #solarenergy
Solar meets soil: Report says agrivoltaics could redefine rural prosperity
A new report shows how a developing system called Agrivoltaics has the potential to offer what supporters call a much needed economic option for Wisconsin farmers, while redefining solar development a...
www.wxpr.org
November 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM
We love to see good news about #solarpower & #agricutlure from the good folks at @ieefa-northamerica.bsky.social !
www.wxpr.org/food-and-agr... #renewables #solarenergy
www.wxpr.org/food-and-agr... #renewables #solarenergy
JBS taking a bigger slice of the egg market is not where we should be headed. More corporate domination of our #foodsupply hurts #farmers & #consumers. This is a good example of why we need resilient #localfood systems.
Global meat giant JBS, following its pattern of buying up smaller firms, expands its position in the US egg market - www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
JBS Venture Agrees to Buy Hickman’s in Push for US Egg Market
Mantiqueira USA Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the joint venture between JBS and the founders of Mantiqueira Alimentos, entered into a binding agreement to acquire Hickman’s Egg Ranch, expanding t...
www.bloomberg.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:54 PM
JBS taking a bigger slice of the egg market is not where we should be headed. More corporate domination of our #foodsupply hurts #farmers & #consumers. This is a good example of why we need resilient #localfood systems.
Communities around the country are feeling the same pressures as #SouthDakota is with #datacenters - will they raise #electricity rates? How much water will they use? How many permanent #jobs will they create? And communities are demanding answers & accountability. #localcontrol #grassroots
Even as some state lawmakers are rushing to pass legislation that would accelerate the development of data center infrastructure, communities across the country are taking steps to ensure they have a say in where and how #DataCenters are built.
Via @stateline.org
Via @stateline.org
Data center growth drives locals to fight for more say • South Dakota Searchlight
Even as some state lawmakers are rushing to pass legislation that would accelerate the development of data center infrastructure, communities across the country are taking steps to ensure they have a…
buff.ly
November 18, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Communities around the country are feeling the same pressures as #SouthDakota is with #datacenters - will they raise #electricity rates? How much water will they use? How many permanent #jobs will they create? And communities are demanding answers & accountability. #localcontrol #grassroots