Supporting Farmers Through Partnerships and New Opportunities

South Dakota agriculture has always been the backbone of our economy, but we cannot rely on

doing things the same way we did in the past and expect different results. We need to diversify

the crops and products we produce while expanding new markets for South Dakota farmers and

ranchers. That means investing in homegrown entrepreneurs who want to create value-added

opportunities here instead of watching those jobs leave the state. A perfect example is the

Wakonda farmer who wanted to build a hempcrete manufacturing plant in South Dakota, but

ultimately invested in Iowa because our state offered no meaningful partnership or economic

support. We should be helping innovators turn South Dakota-grown products into South Dakota-

made products. We also have an opportunity to strengthen connections between local farmers,

ranchers, producers, and local restaurants by helping create partnerships that give producers

confidence there will be buyers for their products and give restaurant owners confidence they

will have a reliable local supply. As governor, I will work with producers, local communities,

and Tribal governments to identify new opportunities to expand markets, support value-added

agriculture, and strengthen our rural economy. State government can be a catalyst in building

these relationships and supporting new markets that benefit producers, consumers, and

communities across South Dakota.

These kinds of investments do more than create new businesses, they create new opportunities

for the next generation of farmers. Diversified agriculture and value-added production provide

additional income streams that make it easier for young people to enter farming and help families

successfully transition operations from one generation to the next. We must also invest in the

future of agriculture by strengthening and expa

nding the dairy program at South Dakota State

University. Dairy is a vital and growing part of South Dakota's agricultural economy, and our

state's land-grant university should have a program that reflects its importance. I will also

support expanding South Dakota State University Extension so producers have greater access to

research, technical assistance, and educational programs that help them adopt new technologies, improve efficiency, develop value-added products, and remain competitive in a changing agricultural economy. As governor, I will also be a strong advocate with our federal partners to improve the agricultural worker visa program. Many South Dakota producers depend on seasonal and skilled agricultural workers, but the current system is too rigid and often fails to match the realities of our growing seasons. We need a visa program that is more flexible, allows

workers to remain when producers need them most, and provides farmers with the certainty they

need to plan and grow their operations. By embracing innovation, supporting new markets,

investing in agricultural education and Extension, and advocating for practical workforce

solutions, we can ensure South Dakota agriculture remains strong for generations to come.