ND Activates Hay Hotline to Aid Ranchers Affected Drought & Fires

North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has activated the Hay Hotline to support ranchers facing severe drought and wildfire conditions across the state. The initiative aims to provide relief to livestock producers struggling with feed shortages caused by the dry weather and fire damage.

“Several counties across North Dakota have experienced dry conditions this year, and some areas have also been impacted by wildfires,” said Commissioner Goehring. “The Department’s Hay Hotline is an additional resource for producers affected by these recent challenges. Anyone with hay or those in need can call the Department's special hotline number to get connected with assistance.”

Wildfires have also caused significant disruption in livestock management. According to the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, numerous animals have gone missing as they scattered during evacuation efforts. “Many livestock are missing because they became disoriented in the smoke or fire, or mixed together during evacuation,” the association said in a statement. Ranchers who have lost or found animals are urged to contact the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association at (701) 223-2522 or (701) 595-2421, or by email at cward@ndstockmen.org.

State Veterinarian Ethan Andress emphasized the importance of monitoring livestock closely after wildfires. “Cattle exposed to wildfire and smoke are at increased risk of complications like pneumonia,” said Andress. “Producers should work closely with their veterinarians and handle their livestock with caution to minimize stress.”

Marcy Svenningsen, State Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), urged affected producers to reach out to local FSA offices for support. “Our county offices stand ready to assist producers impacted by wildfires,” Svenningsen said.

NDSU Extension is coordinating with state and federal agencies to assess agricultural losses caused by the fires. Producers impacted by wildfires are encouraged to contact their local NDSU Extension office for further assistance.

Both the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association and the North Dakota Independent Beef Association (ND IBAND) are accepting donations to support the relief efforts.

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For more information or to access the Hay Hotline, call 701-328-5110 or visit www.ndda.nd.gov/hay-hotline-rancher-relief.

Diners, Drive-ins and Dives Guy Fieri Forgot to Visit in Sioux Falls

When Guy Fieri’s classic 1968 red Camaro rolled into town in 2020, it was the first time he visited South Dakota for his Food Network show “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.” The show had been airing for 13 years and 31 seasons before he finally showed up to visit the 50th state on his list. I guess he saved the best for last.

Since 2007, he’d been road tripping around the country, and beyond, looking for local, independent restaurants that used fresh ingredients, time-tested recipes, and unique approaches to preparing the food. While he was in Sioux Falls, he stopped by six local restaurants to shoot for his TV show.

Guy visited the Queen City and Garretson in June of 2020. January 1, 2021, Season 33 aired the first South Dakota episode in a show called ‘South Dakota Smorgasbord.’

The first episode featured Lalibela Restaurant, South Dakota’s first Ethiopian restaurant located at 200 South Kiwanis Avenue in Sioux Falls. He had glowing reviews of the Injera Bread, which he tried making, but was poured too thick and he called it “beefy” and unfortunately, it wasn’t cooked through. He also tried an Ethiopian chicken curry dish called Doro Wot, and Misir Wot which is made with lentils instead of meat.

The other two South Dakota restaurants featured in the episode have since closed.

Only seven months after the show aired, Chef Omar closed O So Good in Garretson, South Dakota. It featured southern-inspired dishes including collard greens, which Fieri called “lights out greens,” and jerk chicken.

Guy and Season 8 winner of “The Next Food Network Star” and Rapid City resident, Justin Warner, visited Urban Chislic, the first South Dakota restaurant dedicated to the “state nosh,” chislic, although mutton chislic, the South Dakota original, wasn’t even featured. Traditional chislic is cubed, fried mutton served on a stick with lots of garlic salt and saltine crackers. Since Urban Chislic wasn’t traditional with all of their chislic, the show included the BBQ Pork Chislic Sandwich and the Regret Lamburger. Urban Chislic closed August 30, 2024.

Three more episodes aired in Season 33 featuring Sioux Falls restaurants. In an episode called “Spicin’ Things Up,” Bread & Circus Sandwich Kitchen at 600 N. Main Avenue was featured. Guy tried the very popular Vietnamese fried chicken sandwich which he said “everything was done right.” Chef Jordan Taylor also prepared Roasted Curry Cauliflower on naan bread.

In the episode “Savory Meat and a Little Sweet” Guy and Justin Warner, stopped by Look’s Marketplace at 500 E. 69th Street. They tried the Motor City Pizza and Porcules sandwich. Guy liked the concept of the restaurant/brewery/meat market/grocery store and said it was “unique to the world.”

The gluten-free, vegan friendly restaurant, Daily Clean Food and Drink at 6215 S. Western Avenue was featured on the season 33 episode called “Rib-Stickers.” Guy had the veggie burger called the No Bull Burger and the Mightiest Mac, a mac and cheese made with chickpeas and butternut squash and topped with bison meatballs.

Guy Fieri, along with his son, Hunter, and celebrity chef, Antonia Lofaso, made a visit to South Dakota in 2023. This time, they explored the west side of the Mount Rushmore state. The restaurant they visited was Justin Warner’s. Justin was the winner of Season 8 of “The Next Food Network Star,” and ironically, joined Guy for the filming of the Sioux Falls restaurants that were shown on “DDD”. Justin, his wife and son live in Rapid City and own Bokujo Ramen at 518 Mt. Rushmore Rd.

All of the South Dakota restaurants previously visited were good choices, but we think there are many more Mr. Fieri needs to put on his list. Here are a few restaurants Guy Fieri needs to visit when he comes back to Sioux Falls, which hopefully, will be soon. We’ll welcome you anytime to our great state.

This list is only a small sampling of some exceptional Sioux Falls restaurants. We know there are more that need to be mentioned. That's where you come in.

If you want Guy Fieri to come back to South Dakota, you need to do some leg work and let him know which restaurants he needs to visit. E-mail storyideas@tripledinfo.com or https://www.guyfieri.com/contact#.

Remember, if it’s funky, he’ll find it. The show looks for restaurants with good food, a story, and those that have character.

Gallery Credit: Karla Brown / Townsquare Media