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美國南達科他州
美國南達科他州於1856年開始殖民。1889年12月2日與北達科他州同時成為美國第39州和第40州。以麟鳳蘭花Pasque Flower為州花。本州別名叫做「小野狼之州」Coyote
State（草原區內產小野狼）或「晴朗之州」Sunshine
State。本州箴言：「在上帝之下，由人民自治」Under
God, the People rule。
州府是皮爾Pierre，位於本州中部，人口約有一萬。大都市蘇瀑布Sioux
Falls在本州東境，人口只有六萬。州內高等學府有16所。其中最著名的是南達科他大學，創於1882年，地點在本州東南角之佛米良Vermillion，學生約五千。
本州特徵有兩點：第一，本州之印地安人保留地Indian
Reservations面積最大，有21,840平方公里（8,400平方哩）相當於麻塞諸塞州。本州內也是蘇族人口最多之州，有三萬多人。第二，由北向南流，橫貫本州的密蘇里河截成四段，建立水壩，形成四條狹而長的大湖，用以發展水電，便利灌溉，美化風景。
除上述兩點外，本州也有其他特徵。例如︰它是美國最大產金之州（金礦在本州西境羅倫斯縣）。它也是美國黑麥產量第一，春小麥產量第二之州。畜牧業也很發達。
本州東部平坦，西部較有起伏。最著名的是黑丘Black
Hills，接近本州西境。這是一塊孤立的花崗岩丘，屬於前寒武紀，中部高峰海拔為2,177公尺，周圍是平原。花崗岩層之外，有傾斜的古生代石灰岩層。石灰岩通過溶蝕作用之後，出現大洞。地面氣壓較高之時，地面之風吹洞內。地面氣壓較低之時，洞內之風，又吹出洞外。因此，成為著名的風洞。此地已設立風洞國家公園Wind
Cave National Park，這風洞公園位於黑丘之東南側。公園之北，又有一小山，叫做魯什摩山，也是花岡岩山，在山的上半部高度二千公尺左右，刻有四位總統巨像（華盛頓、傑佛遜、林肯、羅斯福）。
2003年農訪團與南達科他州州長Mike
Rounds及州務卿Chris Nelson合影
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Contact: S.D Wheat Commission, 605-773-4645
TAIWAN MILLS PLEDGE WHEAT PURCHASES
(Pierre, SD) ---The wheat industry will welcome some of the most
loyal customers of American wheat when the Taiwan Goodwill Mission
arrives in South Dakota on September 29 to sign a Joint Communiqué
regarding their intent to purchase wheat.
"The
industry looks forward to these biannual visits," says Steve
Halverson, chairman of the South Dakota Wheat Commission.
Representatives of the Taiwan Flour Mills Association (TFMA) have
historically signed letters of intent on U.S. wheat purchases for
several years.
The
2003 Goodwill Mission is good news for American farmers. The millers
will indicate their intent to purchase at least 1.7 million metric
tons (MMT) of U.S. wheat in 2004 and 2005. "It is significant that
the Taiwan millers will make a commitment to buy at least 0.85 MMT
each year as purchases actually made each year during 1999-2002 all
exceeded the numbers on previous agreements," explains K.H. Lu, US
Wheat Associate's (USW) country director in Taipei. Taiwan was
America's seventh largest wheat importer in the marketing year that
ended May 31, purchasing 957 thousand metric tons
Before
coming to South Dakota the Taiwan millers' group will perform a
signing ceremony in the nation's capital and visit with industry
officials. While in South Dakota they will review the quality of
this year's wheat crop and meet with representatives of the South
Dakota Wheat Commission and other wheat producers, as well as
government officials.
Taiwan's
flour mills have given U.S. wheat over 90 percent of its market
share in each of the last seven years and in nearly every single one
of the previous 43 years. "It is the longest unbroken record of
customer loyalty," says Halverson. "A cash paying market that the
U.S. wheat industry can be extremely grateful for".
Beyond
Taiwan's recognition of the intrinsic value of U.S. wheat, the
strong ties between Taiwan and U.S. wheat producers go back to the
years when America provided food aid to a hungry country. An
official from one of Taiwan's largest mills, on a trade mission to
the U.S. two years ago, explained why there was a special bond,
beyond good business relations, between our industries. "I remember
years ago, when Taiwan was still very poor, being very grateful when
our family received flour donated from the United States," he said.
"When Canadians and Australians ask why Taiwan doesn't buy more of
their wheat I ask them: 'What have you invested in our country?'"
Participants in the Goodwill Mission include: C.H. Ho, Chairman, Ta
Fong Flour Mill, Taichung; Rocky W. Chen, President, Universal Flour
Mill, Kaohsiung; C.H. Huang, Secretary General, TFMA. The team will
be guided by USW's K.H. Lu. U.S. Wheat Associates develops export
markets on behalf of American wheat farmers. Working in more than
100 countries, USW offers information, education and assistance to
buyers, millers, bakers, traders, and government officials in all
export markets. The South Dakota Wheat Commission is one of 17
states that use check off dollars to operate USW.
The
signing ceremony will be held 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 30 in
Governor's Large Conference Room at the Capitol building. Governor
Rounds is tentatively scheduled to witness the signing of the Joint
Communiqué which will be signed by Halverson on behalf of the South
Dakota wheat industry.
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