Day 1

We kicked off Seminar 9 in true SDARL style, sharing updates from each class member. This time, we reflected on a recent “ride-along” alumni exchange assignment, where each of us shadowed a SDARL graduate. We learned firsthand how their SDARL experiences had shaped their lives, businesses, and influenced their commitment to leadership and community involvement. As we shared our stories, the room filled with laughter, inspiration, and a renewed sense of connection to SDARL’s mission.

Our leadership training for the day was led by former SDARL Executive Director Lori Cope, who provided insights on effective public speaking and proactive leadership. She emphasized “owning the room” by connecting with the audience through personal stories and keeping our presentation goals clear. Lori also highlighted the importance of attire, body language, and engaging in leadership as an active service, not just a title. In small groups, we applied her advice by tackling scenarios on rural topics like infrastructure, community growth, and welcoming new residents, honing skills in communication and teamwork.

The day continued with a “Rural Resources Roundup” featuring three speakers. Amy Eldridge from the SD Housing Development Authority shared programs for individuals and communities, illustrating her points with inspiring success stories. Beth Massa from the SD Community Foundation introduced us to their “Community Savings Account” program, explaining how communities can save and grow funds for impactful local projects. Lastly, Nikki Gronli from USDA Rural Development outlined her agency’s broad support for rural South Dakota, covering areas from business and broadband expansion to housing and water projects. Each speaker brought valuable resources and insights for strengthening rural areas.

The day concluded with speeches from the Class XII presidential candidates, with the election to be held at the end of the seminar. We wrapped up a productive day by enjoying a relaxed evening on the town building camaraderie and catching up after a busy fall season.

 Day 2

Our second day began with a tour of the Center of the Nation Wool, led by CEO Larry Prager. Belle Fourche’s wool industry has a strong reputation, with the U.S. military as a key consumer. Larry explained that the U.S. produces around 22-23 million pounds of wool annually, half of which is processed domestically, while the rest is exported. In this region, the shearing season begins in January or February and peaks in March. Larry also guided us through wool grading, market demands, and the journey from shearing to final product.

Lunch was a treat, with lamb gyros prepared by Gwendolyn Kitzan, her daughter-in-law Heather Kitzan, and Jaelyn Whaley. Gwendolyn, of Kitzan Sheep and Kitzan Family Farms, discussed her commitment to sheep genetics and the value of selective breeding for improved productivity. She emphasized the importance of succession planning for the farm’s long-term viability and shared the impact of the American Lamb Board’s checkoff program on industry promotion. Jaelyn, representing SDSU Extension, spoke about the benefits of multispecies grazing, integrating livestock on cropland, and predator control within sheep flocks.

In the afternoon, a panel on “Rural Retail and Community Development” featured speakers from Buffalo, SD: Sam Olson (SDARL Class X), Billy Clanton (SDARL Class IX), and Tom Johnson. Sam spoke about his experiences running the Buffalo Hardware store, Buffalo Ranch Supply, a propane business, and a fuel station, emphasizing that his motivation isn’t just to make a profit but also to address community needs. Billy highlighted the irreplaceable value of local support, saying, “I don’t know how you put a price tag on communities giving back,” and noted the importance of community contributions, such as volunteer-run fire departments. The speakers also underscored the challenges of keeping healthcare and schools accessible in rural areas, which are vital for sustaining community life. Tom, who spent his career in crop protection, emphasized the role of real estate development in attracting new residents. He and his fellow panelists discussed ways to welcome newcomers and show young people the career opportunities available locally. Sam noted the importance of introducing these options early to foster a stronger, self-sustaining community.

We ended the day with a tour of Sawyer Brewing, guided by the owners Ali and Lee Eddy. Named after “a person who saws timber,” Sawyer Brewing grew from a local business opportunity and now distributes across South Dakota and beyond. After touring the facility and learning about their brewing process, we enjoyed their brews and pizza in Spearfish—a perfect conclusion to our evening.

 Day 3

We began the day with discussions on upcoming seminar plans, including the international study seminar to Argentina, the upcoming SDARL Class XII auction and 25th anniversary celebration on March 29, 2025, and recruiting for future SDARL classes.

We enjoyed a set of small group presentations, each covering different aspects of Argentina, such as the country’s history, agricultural imports and exports, government structure, geography, and demographics. This provided a valuable foundation for our upcoming travel, with even more information to be shared at our next seminar in Chamberlain.

Next, we held a book club discussion on The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell. In small groups, we shared our personal connections to each “law” and explored ways to further develop our own leadership skills.

To close out the seminar, we elected our class president, Willie Hinker, and reflected on the key takeaways of the week. It was a refreshing opportunity to reinforce our learnings and gain new perspectives on rural community leadership.

By Seminar Reporter Mariah Kessler

Photos courtesy of Luke Henrich and SDARL

Special thanks to Seminar Team Leaders Dani Herring and Tyler Samuelson