What Farmers Union Day Is
South Dakota Farmers Union Day is a themed day at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron, hosted by South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU), the state's family farm and ranch organization and a premier sponsor of the fair. The day is built to let fairgoers meet the families who raise the crops and livestock, and to explain what those families face. The most recent edition was Saturday, September 5, 2026, the same day as the Timed Event Championship Rodeo. The 2027 State Fair runs September 1 to 6, 2027, and the day's date for that year has not been announced.
What Happens During the Day
Farmer's Share Luncheon
The signature event is the annual Farmer's Share Luncheon, held in the tent near the Freedom Stage from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in 2026. A limited number of meals is available. The retail price of the meal was $16, and attendees paid just $0.47, the portion that goes to the farmer, to show how small a share of the retail food dollar reaches producers. In 2025 the lunch (a pulled pork sandwich, chips and milk) fed 1,000 fairgoers for 52 cents each, and in 2022 the price was 35 cents on a $13 meal.
Farm Bill panel
At 1 p.m. on the NorthWestern Energy Freedom Stage, SDFU hosted a panel of local producers, agricultural leaders, policymakers and industry experts on the current Farm Bill and the future of agricultural policy. Topics included crop insurance, conservation programs, nutrition assistance and rural development, and the panel asked what changes are needed and where the gaps are. In other years the day has featured different panels, such as a property tax forum in 2025 and a beef industry discussion in 2022.
Farm Safety Quiz Bowl
At 2 p.m., four FFA quiz bowl teams compete for the championship title in the Farm Safety Quiz Bowl, a contest designed to teach high school students about safety on the farm or ranch. In 2025 the winning team received cash prizes, and teams that year came from Brandon Valley, Canton, Howard and Wessington Springs, with Wessington Springs FFA the 2024 champion.
Farm Safety Trailer and ATV simulator
SDFU's interactive Farm Safety Trailer sits on Third Street in front of the Heritage Museum. It lets visitors learn farm safety around power take-offs, grain bins and down power lines, and it hosts ATV simulator demonstrations at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Meet the farmers
Farmers Union members spend time with fairgoers during the day, handing out stickers and backpacks with farm-friendly messages.
Who It Is For
The day is aimed at fairgoers who want to understand farm and ranch economics, at FFA students and teachers interested in the quiz bowl, and at farm families who want to talk policy. It takes place on the fairgrounds, so fair gate admission applies.
Other Things Going On the Same Day (2026)
- SD Timed Event Championship Rodeo, 10 a.m., North Arena
- 4-H swine show and market beef show, 8:30 a.m.
- FFA sheep and meat goat shows, 8 a.m.
- Miss SD State Fair Scholarship Pageant, 2 p.m.
- State 4-H Leaders' Association Ice Cream Social, 3 p.m., free and open to all
- 4-H Leaders' Association Dance, 8:30 p.m. to midnight
Where
South Dakota State Fairgrounds, 1060 3rd St. SW, Huron, SD 57350. State Fair office: 605-353-7340. Gate admission prices are posted at sdstatefair.com.
Questions
What does the lunch cost?
$0.47 in 2026, but meals are limited, so go early.
Can a school team enter the quiz bowl?
In 2026 four FFA teams competed. The fair guide does not list an open entry process, so teams should contact SDFU.
Official Links
- 2026 State Fair event guide: Farmers Union Day program
- 2025 Farmers Union Day report
- 2022 Farmers Share Lunch report
- South Dakota State Fair
Major South Dakota Stock Shows and Rodeos: The Essentials
South Dakota's three marquee events are the State Fair in Huron, the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo in Rapid City, and the Days of '76 Rodeo in Deadwood.
State Fair
Held in Huron over Labor Day weekend: September 2-7 in 2026 and September 1-6 listed for 2027. 4-H and FFA members show beef, sheep, swine, goats, dairy, rabbits and poultry. 4-H deadlines are firm: enrollment May 31, ID and DNA June 1, YLL July 1, FairEntry August 1.
Black Hills Stock Show
Established in 1959 in Rapid City, listed for January 29 to February 6, 2027, with about 120 livestock, horse and rodeo events. Youth Day on February 6, 2027 offers judging, Skillathon, Hippology and a Beef Cook-Off.
Days of '76
A PRCA rodeo in Deadwood in late July, with free parades on Main Street Friday and Saturday.
Read the full guide: Major South Dakota Stock Shows and Rodeos
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- South Dakota Farmers Union State Convention
Held each year; the most recent dates were Dec. 10-11, 2025, the 110th convention. Family farmers and ranchers gather in Huron for policy sessions that guide the organization.
Huron, SD | Organizer: South Dakota Farmers Union Official event details - South Dakota 4-H State Horse Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were July 13-15, 2026. Youth compete in showmanship, equitation, reining, barrel racing and pole bending, plus hippology and horse judging contests.
- Beadle County 4-H Achievement Days
Huron hosted Beadle County 4-H Achievement Days July 27-29, 2026, where clubs such as the Wolsey Cardinal Clovers earned awards for project and livestock exhibits.
Huron, SD | Organizer: SDSU Extension Beadle County 4-H Official event details - South Dakota State Fair
South Dakota State Fair in Huron ran September 2 to 7, 2026, with livestock shows, 4-H state competitions, ranch rodeo and timed event rodeo. Held each year around Labor Day.
- South Dakota State Fair FFA Livestock Shows
Held each year; the most recent dates were Sept. 5-7, 2026. FFA members exhibit breeding and market sheep, meat goats, rabbits, swine, dairy cattle and dairy goats in the State Fair barns at Huron.
All South Dakota events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.