Day 1

We began the seminar in the Oacoma Community Center, where we had the opportunity to share our personal updates and thoughts on the recent seminar assignments, including The Danger of the Single Story. It was a great way to kick off the day and set the tone for our focus on understanding cultural awareness. Following this, we dove into a series of international presentations about Argentina. Each team presented their research: one team covered Argentina's currency, exchange rates, and tipping practices, while another discussed sustainability and environmental practices. A third team explored the educational and healthcare systems, while another presented on Argentina’s food traditions and culturally significant events. The final group discussed advancements in agricultural technology, mechanization, and robotics.

Then we had the privilege of hearing from Jennifer Renner-Meyer, the Executive Director of Child Services at St. Joseph Indian School. She shared the school’s mission to bring hope and opportunity to Native American students through educational and residential programs. This was followed by a thought-provoking presentation on farmer mental health by Dr. Andrea Bjornestad, SDSU Associate Professor/Extension Specialist. Dr. Bjornestad discussed the growing need for mental health support in South Dakota's farming communities, and introduced QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention training with Leacey Brown of SDSU Extension to give participants actionable tools to help those in crisis.

Later, we gathered for Tribal Agricultural and Cultural Connections, where Darrel DuVall and Shane Reis (SDARL Class VIII) with the National Resources Conservation Service provided an overview of tribal relations and underserved populations in South Dakota. Their insights were critical for understanding the historical context of tribal agriculture and how these communities are navigating cultural and agricultural challenges today.

We concluded the evening with dinner on our own, reflecting on the day's discussions and preparing for the visits ahead.

Day 2

The next day, we boarded the bus bound for the Lower Brule reservation, accompanied by Darrel DuVall and Shane Reis. Our first stop was at Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Council Chambers where Chairman Boyd Gorneau explained the tribe’s governance, structure, and relationship with agribusinesses and non-tribal entities. Next, we heard from Russell Felicia and Waylon Black Crow with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), who helped clarify the complexities of tribal land management and leasing practices. He outlined the differences in how BIA manages allotted versus tribal land and the nuances involved in agricultural activities on those lands.This was followed by a presentation from Lee Rowse, manager of Lower Brule Farm Corporation, who shared insights into the corporation’s farm management and the tribe’s involvement in agriculture. We also learned about the Lower Brule Rural Water system.

We had a break for lunch, then continued our tour with the Lower Brule Department of Wildlife, Fish & Recreation. Wildlife biologist Joel Bich discussed the tribe’s efforts to conserve and restore wildlife habitats on the reservation. He also shared the tribe’s income-generating hunting programs and shoreline restoration efforts. In the afternoon, we toured the Lower Brule Grassrope Unit, a 7,000-acre river bend area intensively managed for both agriculture and wildlife production. We learned about farming practices, irrigation techniques, and conservation efforts, all part of the tribe's unique approach to land stewardship. 

Later we visited Bill Long Turkey, a rancher and hunting guide, who shared his experience in accessing capital (loans) for his ranching operation. Bill provided valuable insights into how he navigated the challenges of ranching, including his efforts to manage the loss of grassland due to cedar tree invasion on tribal-leased land while implementing rotational grazing to his program. He also discussed his relationships with the Tribe and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) concerning land leasing. In addition to his work as a rancher, Bill leads a youth operation where he mentors kids from the reservation and provides learning and travel opportunities on his Indian Relay Racing team. His dedication to youth development and his multifaceted approach to ranching made for an inspiring and thought-provoking session.

We wrapped up the day with a social and holiday fiesta at Mi Pueblo restaurant, where we enjoyed a festive evening with SDARL alumni and fellow class members.

Day 3

On the final day, we visited the Grass Ranch Hutterian Colony. The tour, led by Secretary/Treasurer Leonard Waldner and Minister Alvin Waldner, provided a glimpse into their farming, turkey production, and truss manufacturing operations. They also invited us into their church where they explained to us the leadership role within the colony and how their religion guides their decisions. The community's commitment to sustainability and productivity was evident, and their approach to collaboration within their colony was truly inspiring.

The seminar concluded with a reflection on the week’s experiences and discussions. We learned valuable lessons about cultural connection, the importance of empathy, and how diverse perspectives shape agricultural and rural communities. It was a rewarding experience, and we are grateful for the opportunity to learn from each other and connect with these unique South Dakota communities.

By Seminar Reporter Frank Kralicek Jr.

Photos courtesy of Eric Roskens and SDARL

Special thanks to Seminar Team Leaders Sienna Mayer and Carson Stange