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The South Dakota Farmers Union Records document the organization’s history, advocacy and contributions to agricultural policy and rural development from the early 20th century to the early 2000s. The collection includes organizational records, correspondence, meeting minutes, financial statements, legal documents, photographs, audiovisual recordings and publications. These materials highlight the Union’s role in supporting family farmers, promoting cooperative enterprises, and shaping legislative initiatives at both the state and national levels. Significant topics include agricultural legislation, cooperative movements, rural electrification, political campaigns and economic policies affecting South Dakota farmers. 

The collection’s audiovisual materials include recorded speeches, radio programs, interviews and films featuring key figures such as Ben Radcliffe, George McGovern, Hubert Humphrey and Eleanor Roosevelt. The Cooperative Legacy Project provides an oral history of the cooperative movement through over 110 hours of interviews with Farmers Union leaders and grassroots activists. Additionally, local union records, educational initiatives and extensive photographic documentation capture the Union’s grassroots organizing and impact on rural communities. The South Dakota Farmers Union Records serve as a valuable resource for researchers studying agricultural policy, rural advocacy and cooperative enterprises in South Dakota.