Class XII Goes to Pierre for State Government Seminar
Day 1
Class XII made their way to Pierre on the foggy morning of January 23, 2024, to kick off Seminar 3. After some time of catching up and reflecting on the past month, we discussed our experiences with the Braver Angels assignment. This assignment got us out of our comfort zones and gave us new perspectives on how to communicate with people with different political points of view. The highlight of this discussion was class member Nick Passone sharing his one-on-one conversation with someone from an urban area in a different state who believed GMO foods were dangerous and unhealthy. Nick, being involved in crop research at SDSU, was able to politely explain that what they believed was not factual and the two had a productive conversation!
Over lunch Class XII worked on making great introductions of others for speaking engagements or social gatherings. We will put these techniques to use when it is our turn to be Seminar Team Leaders and in our professional lives.
Our first speaker of the day was Nathan Sanderson, Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association. Nathan has many years of experience in state government. He used that experience to give us a great overview of lawmaking in South Dakota. For many in the class, this was a great refresher on South Dakota government, and for others, myself included, it was the first time learning about South Dakota’s lawmaking processes.
Next, we learned about the process of bills going to committee hearings. Class member and Seminar Team Leader, Brian Walsh, used his experience as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources to help us understand and prepare for this process which we would get to see the following morning. Brian also showed us ways we can follow bills going through state legislature using the Legislative Research Council website.
The final event of the day was a SDARL Graduate Legislative Panel moderated by Seminar Team Leader Kiera Leddy. Legislators J.D. Wangsness (R-House District 23, SDARL Class VI), Gary Cammack (R-House District 29, SDARL Class I), and Mary Duvall (R-Senate District 24, 2021-2023, House District 24 2013-2012, SDARL Class II) joined Class XII for a discussion of their legislative experiences and how SDARL has made an impact on their lives. The theme that arose from this discussion was that our legislators are very available to us, and they want to hear from their constituents.
Day 2
On Wednesday morning Class XII attended committee meetings of their choice taking place in the State Capitol. The topics of the bills being discussed in these meetings included education, marijuana, healthcare, and appropriations. The class agreed that seeing this process was a highlight of the seminar.
Next, the class headed across the street to the Foss building to listen to guest speaker Secretary of State Monae Johnson. Secretary Johnson focused on what it takes to run a campaign for public office. She told stories of some of the challenges and successes she has had on the campaign trail. She also talked to Class XII about what ballot issues may be coming up in November’s statewide election.
Class XII then discussed the Pew Political Typology test we were assigned before the seminar. This test gave us an idea of where we landed on the political spectrum. We had a great discussion about the challenges of talking about political subjects with friends, families, and neighbors. In the end, we decided we could not fix the entirety of this problem, but we can start by being respectful on a personal level. SDARL program director Jennifer Henrie shared a quote that summed up this discussion well: “The American people are not divided into two groups, but their government is built as if they are.”
Our next speaker was Drew Peterson, House Representative from District 19. Drew told us the story of how he decided to run for office and was very open about the challenges of being a public servant. He is one of the few full-time agriculturalists currently serving in the legislature, and he challenged us as leaders in agriculture to consider running for office. Drew’s passion for public service in South Dakota was refreshing to see in our leadership.
Next, Secretary of Agriculture & Natural Resources Hunter Roberts stopped in to provide an update on the department. He discussed the combining of the Ag and Natural Resources departments and the changes that have come from that decision. We also spent time talking about the role his department plays in some current issues such as the carbon pipeline and foreign-owned agricultural land.
The final speakers of the day were registered lobbyists Rob Skjonsberg and Brenda Forman. They explained to the class the role that lobbyists play in educating our legislators. The trust they have in the systems and people that make up South Dakota’s state government was exciting to see. One takeaway from this discussion was the importance of honesty and integrity in Pierre, especially as lobbyists.
The final event of the day was a social with our legislators. This was a great opportunity for Class XII to meet the people who represent them in Pierre. Great one-on-one and group discussions were had during this social.
Day 3
On the final morning of Seminar 3 Class XII toured the Oahe Dam outside of Pierre. Our guide, Shane Carnahan, Park Ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Lake Oahe Project, was very knowledgeable and passionate. This tour opened our eyes to how much of a role the dam systems on the Missouri River play in our daily lives, especially in agriculture, such as flood management, irrigation, wildlife habitat, and energy production.
Afterwards, we made our way back into town for some department briefings. The first update was from Chris Nelson on the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Chris informed us on how communication must be public and how decisions are made judicially in the PUC. A lot of time was spent discussing the proposed carbon pipeline and the PUC’s role and decision-making process on this issue.
The next update came from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) with Travis Dovre. Travis filled us in on the purpose of the GOED and their efforts to grow business in South Dakota. We also discussed some of their current projects and recent successes the office has had.
Beth Thompson with the Animal Industry Board (AIB) was the next speaker of the afternoon. The AIB plays a role in monitoring high level diseases in the livestock of South Dakota, and the inspection and regulation enforcement of South Dakota’s small meat processors. There were two main takeaways from this update: the butcher shops in South Dakota are continuing to thrive, and Avian Influenza continues to be an issue for the poultry industry.
The final department briefing was from Scott Simpson (SDARL Class X) with Game Fish & Parks (GFP). Scott shared the department’s projects, priorities, costs and revenue in 2023; it was a successful year for the GFP. We discussed the projects happening in 2024 and where the funding for these projects comes from. Scott answered questions from Class XII ranging from topics of predator control to the recently changed deer license drawing system.
By Seminar Reporter Andrew Wiebenga
Photos courtesy of Melisa Goss and SDARL
Special thanks to Seminar Team Leaders Kiera Leddy and Brian Walsh
