SDARL - South Dakota Agricultural & Rural Leadership, Inc.

06/23/2026

What an incredible time at the first-ever SDARL Summit!

A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who made this event such a tremendous success. We are grateful to our outstanding sponsors, engaging speakers, and all of the SDARL alumni, Summit committee members, and guests who joined us for learning, networking, and celebrating leadership in agriculture and rural South Dakota.

We are already looking forward to building on this year's success and making next year's SDARL Summit even bigger and better!

Thank you for being part of the SDARL family and for your continued commitment to strengthening agriculture, rural communities, and leadership across South Dakota.

See all the details in our blog post in the Comments!

06/15/2026

𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗟 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: A huge THANK YOU to these SDARL Summit sponsors! Your support is so important for making the Summit possible, and we appreciate you. This week is the last chance to register for the Summit - click the link in comments for more info.

05/26/2026

𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗟 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁! Join SDARL for the First Annual SDARL Summit, June 19-20, 2026. Saddle up for a Chuckwagon Cookout featuring great food, Missouri River hospitality, and South Dakota camaraderie. We can’t wait to see you around the chuckwagon!
See link in comments for Summit event info.

05/20/2026

𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗟 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁! Join SDARL for the First Annual SDARL Summit, June 19-20, 2026. We are excited to host two of South Dakota's foremost tech leaders, Sara Steever and Ashley Podhradsky, for an informational presentation and discussion about artificial intelligence technologies. Learn about AI and the implications for business, agriculture, and economic development! See links in comments for Summit event info. See less

05/18/2026

The Women’s Ag Network has exciting events happening across South Dakota this spring, including two new Hub launches: South Central (Winner) and East (Brookings)! Join them for networking, professional development, and community connection. Find details and register at www.womensagnetwork.org/hubevents.

🎉 We are gearing up for a NEW Hub launch! 🎉

Join us for the South Central Region Hub Launch in Winner, South Dakota, an evening designed to build connections, spark conversation, and introduce you to the Women’s Ag Network (WAN).

From the ranch to the office and everywhere in between, WAN is for women in agriculture, conservation, and related fields at every stage of their personal and professional journey. Whether you’re deeply rooted in agriculture, just getting started, or simply looking to connect with other women in the industry, this event is for you.

Come as you are, meet new faces, grow your network, and learn more about how WAN is creating meaningful connections and opportunities for women across South Dakota. We can’t wait to welcome those in the South Central region into the network!

RSVP on the website by May 26.

05/12/2026

𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗟 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁! Join SDARL for the First Annual SDARL Summit, June 19-20, 2026. Our lineup of professional development programming includes a leadership panel discussion with SDARL graduates and past South Dakota secretaries of agriculture, moderated by Hunter Roberts, current Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources. With a focus on leadership experiences in South Dakota, the panel discussion is sure to be a highlight of the Summit! See links in comments for Summit event info.

04/28/2026

Congratulations to Sarah Myers, member of current SDARL Class XIII, for her new role as Winner Hub Manager for the Women's Ag Network!

We have TWO new hubs to announce this week!
First up is the South Central Hub, located in the Winner area and surrounding communities. Meet Hub Manager Sarah Myers!

Sarah Myers is a fifth-generation cattle producer with a deep-rooted passion for agriculture in South Dakota. Alongside her husband and their two young sons, she operates Myers Grain and Livestock, a diversified farming and cattle feeding operation near Winner.

In addition to her work on the family operation, Sarah serves as a crop claims specialist with RCIS Crop Insurance, where she enjoys working directly with farmers and ranchers across the region.

When she’s not busy with work or family, you’ll likely find Sarah riding horses or in the field, whether that’s running a combine during harvest or on a windrower putting up hay.

A graduate of South Dakota Agricultural and Rural Leadership (SDARL) Class XIII, Sarah has a strong history of leadership and service. She previously served as president of the Winner Area Chamber of Commerce and remains active in both the South Dakota and Tripp County Farm Bureau organizations.
Sarah believes rural communities benefit greatly from programs like the Women’s Ag Network—especially when it comes to building connections, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another through education and networking opportunities.

Please join us in welcoming Sarah to the Women’s Ag Network!

04/16/2026

Congratulations to SDARL graduate and board member Tina Erickson (Class XII) as the new Executive Director of the South Dakota Pork Producers Council!

We’re excited to announce Tina Erickson as the new Executive Director of the South Dakota Pork Producers Council!

Tina brings a strong background in producer engagement, industry outreach, and relationship-building, as she currently serves our organization as our Director of Membership, Outreach, and Engagement. She will assume responsibilities on July 1, 2026.

"I’m honored to step into this role and continue serving South Dakota’s pork producers,” said Erickson. “I’m passionate about building upon the strong foundation of this organization, built in large part by retiring Executive Director Glenn Muller. I have learned so much from Glenn, and I sincerely appreciate his leadership and the impact his legacy has had on our producers, our organization, and the industry.”

Please join us in congratulating Tina on this new role—we’re proud to have her leading the way for South Dakota’s pork producers!

03/31/2026

More pics from the SDARL Class XIII national seminar!

03/31/2026

SDARL Class XIII traveled to Gettysburg, PA, and Washington, D.C., March 21-26, for the Edge, Agropur, and Valley Queen National Study Seminar. From the Civil War battlefield to today's important issues, the class explored the advocacy skills and leadership strategies that shape our nation.

Grab a cup of coffee and check out our website for a complete report on the seminar. You'll enjoy the read! Link in comments.
Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative
Valley Queen Cheese
Rural Leadership North Dakota
National Cattlemen's Beef Association
National Pork Producers Council
American Soybean Association
American Farm Bureau Federation
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Senator Mike Rounds
Leader John Thune
Rep. Dusty Johnson