Sioux Nation’s New Grain Cleaning Facility, the Largest of Its Kind in the Nation –
Chad Stoeser and Cody Hostler gave FPDC Office Manager Sunny Hannum a tour of the newest addition(s) to their facilities between Far West Road and Buffalo Road this week on their 15 acre complex. Most people think that Sioux Nation is a store on Deadwood Avenue, but this business has quietly expanded and grown right here in our small town without people realizing what they have done and what it means to the economy here.
Stoeser and Hostler also pointed out a large additional acreage along Buffalo Road that they have had cleaned up and hauled away 100 loads of junk. Everything in and around the buildings and storage bins is clean and tidy.
The equipment behind them in the photo is mainly for cleaning wheat. Stoeser said, “We have been working towards this goal for about five years to build the business and the demand for the product. It has been a passion of ours to get quality product out to area farmers not only in our area but statewide and beyond.”
Stoeser began working for Sioux Nation right out of college in 2000, left for a while and came back in 2010, and Hostler began working for Sioux Nation in 2008. They bought Sioux Nation from Reggie Nelson and his partner, Stephen Magadanz, in 2016.
In describing what Sioux Nation offers customers, Stoeser said, “On this side of Salebarn Road we have a feed mill and a Pioneer Seed warehouse where all the Pioneer Seed is stored. We have another indoor cleaner where we process oats, millet, flax, and different forage crops. Over here we have our new facility where we are going to process hard red winter wheat and spring wheat and ship it out, hopefully, beyond our normal trade area. Eventually we will move into the Hybrid wheats and that’s what we are gearing up for!”
The reason they build their new facility was because the customer wanted a quality product and they wanted to provide that quality product in a timely and efficient manner. This goal prompted the partners to build an indoor cleaning facility to avoid the setbacks and delays due to South Dakota weather.
The wheat is stored in storage bins initially or bagged but the majority is shipped in bulk semi loads mainly north and south to Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and even into Canada. Everything is certified and inspected by the State. Nothing is shipped abroad, yet!
When asked if there were any other facilities like their’s in the area, they said there were a few small operators. Probably the closest was the Pulse Plant in Harrold. Hostler said, “But for a facility like this, it’s the only one of its kind in South Dakota.”
Sioux Nation currently has 15 full time employees and seven part time employees. They envision hiring up to four more depending on demand at the new facility. They currently have five high school students employed that are 16 years of age or older. Both Stoeser and Hostler were willing to partner with Stanley County Schools CTE (Computer, Technology, and Engineering) Program when asked by CTE Instructor John Anders. Sioux Nation has been providing the students with materials to construct livestock panels with a successful outcome. Most of the panels have been sold and Hostler said, “The farmers and ranchers around like to support locally.”
Hostler said, “There will be a ribbon cutting right here at the new facility on June 20th at 4 p.m. and we will be releasing a new name (logo). We will be cooking up steaks to be served with trimmings and a beverage. Everyone is invited!