HURON, S.D. – South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) Digital Media Intern, Lydia Hill said she credits who she is today to growing up near her family’s Sully County cattle ranch and being involved in her rural community of Onida.

“Where I grew up is the basis of everything I am today – from my faith and my commitment to family, to my work ethic and my passion for the agriculture industry,” said Hill, an agriculture communications and journalism student at South Dakota State University.

Even her communications career focus has roots in Sully County.

“I was competing in the ag broadcasting FFA contest my freshman year of high school and I ended up placing at the state contest and I and the other winners were interviewed by Jody Heemstra with Dakota Radio Group. Jody mentioned that she liked my radio voice and asked if I would like to do some radio interviews for her.”

This is how the Sully Buttes FFA Chapter Reporter fell in love with broadcast journalism.

“I love interviewing people because I am a very social person, so it gives me a chance to quite literally talk to people for a living,” Hill explained. “My favorite part is sitting down with farmers or ranchers who have been working in agriculture for a while – they have skin in the game. I love hearing their stories. And I think they are worth telling because they are about grit and resilience and perseverance, and I think that today, that’s what a lot of my generation, and society as a whole needs more of.”

A college senior, Hill recently filled the position of Farmers Union digital media intern after Cally Faulhaber accepted an out-of-state summer internship opportunity.

Day-two of her internship, Hill hit the road to interview Farmers Union members for podcast stories and social media videos.

“I have loved meeting all the members so far,” Hill said. “These are the exact type of people you want in your corner, and you want to call a friend. So, to be able to get to know people from across the state on a personal level has been a joy for me. And the work is fast paced, so I have been able to see some of my work published already, is a rewarding experience.”

Hill said through the internship she has enjoyed learning more about Farmers Union. “I am impressed at how devoted the organization is to producers. Before this internship, when I thought of Farmers Union, I thought of people attending a D.C. Fly-In, I did not realize how much Farmers Union pours into rural communities through scholarship opportunities and day camps and leadership camps,” Hill said. “What they are teaching youth about agriculture and farm safety is so important.”

You can enjoy Hill’s work by listening to the Our Way of Life Podcast or visiting South Dakota Farmers Union Facebook, Instagram and now TikTok.