Highlighting Inductees in Agriculture
As spring slowly begins to bloom, planting season has arrived in South Dakota. Agriculture is a driving force in the state of South Dakota, generating nearly 9 billion dollars of revenue annually. We know the importance of farmers and ranchers in our state. They are our neighbors, friends, parents, and siblings. A farmer and rancher’s job is never over, and they are true innovators. The ripple effect of industries that support farming, and in turn support communities around South Dakota is truly a Culture of Excellence. In the month of April, we wanted to highlight some amazing Hall of Fame Inductees who have made positive impacts on the many different aspects of the Agriculture Industry in South Dakota.
Patricia Adrien
For over 27 years, Patricia (Pat) Adrian served as an ambassador for the cattle industry on the state, national and international levels through her work as Executive Vice President of the South Dakota Beef Industry Council. Through her work and dedication, she was instrumental in promoting and marketing the beef industry to consumers with priority given to building the check-off system to finance beef promotion programs. Pat’s work in the agricultural arena has also been felt in the South Dakota Livestock Association (known today as the S.D. Cattleman’s Association) where she served as part-time Executive Director from 1980 to 1985. In 1982, Governor Janklow appointed her as Agriculture Marketing and Development Director for the South Dakota Department of Economic Development. She served on a number of United States Department of Agriculture and state commissions. Plenty of the positions which Pat held, broke new ground with a woman at the head of the table. Throughout her career, Pat served South Dakota’s strong agricultural community and beef education, research, and promotions. Today, these areas prosper from the work and dedication of Pat Adrian. You can learn more about this Inductee on their Legacy page.
Dr. Dwayne Beck
Dr. Dwayne L. Beck has served as assistant, associate, and full professor at SDSU since 1983. His impact on South Dakota stems from work done at the James Valley Research Center between 1983 and 1990, and at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm at Pierre following its establishment in 1990. His work on developing and promoting diverse no-till cropping systems played an important role in allowing producers in South Dakota to dramatically improve their profitability while also doing a better job of protecting soil and water resources; enhancing wildlife habitat; reducing net carbon dioxide emissions; improving air quality and having other positive impacts. Between 1990 and 2005 crop production in the Central and North Central crop production regions (the area served by the James Valley and Dakota Lakes farms) increased by over $600 million annually (based on 2007 crop prices). Most of this increase can be traced to the use of more water-efficient and diverse cropping techniques, predominately no-till. His love of farming developed as a youngster growing up on a diverse family farm operation that included beef and dairy cattle, hogs, chickens, and crops. You can learn more about this Inductee on their Legacy page.
Jeff Broin
Jeff Broin, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of POET, is a recognized innovator, entrepreneur, and global advocate for the biofuels industry. Over the last 30 years, Broin has played a vital role in championing an industry that creates jobs and grows prosperity by bringing cleaner-burning, homegrown biofuels to markets across the globe, forging POET as a world leader in biofuels. His vision extends beyond business. He formed the POET Foundation to improve the lives of rural communities across the United States. Broin’s driving passion in life is to change the world through the sun, seed, and soil for future generations. When Broin was a teenager during the early 1980s, the United States was in the middle of an Ag Crisis. Corn prices were below the cost of production, farmers were being paid to set aside land and store surplus grain for the government, and farm income and land values plummeted. Watching his own family struggle during this time and risk losing their own family farm, inspired Jeff to make sure he put the land and the farmer first in his life’s work, and he has done just that. You can learn more about this Inductee on their Legacy page.
Denny Everson
Denny Everson originated the idea and was a founder of the South Dakota Ag and Rural Leadership (SDARL) program. SDARL is a two-year agriculture leadership training program that identifies and trains emerging Ag leaders in South Dakota. Over 200 future leaders have graduated from the program. Initially, the program was sponsored by the South Dakota Livestock Foundation Board of Directors. Since that time many organizations and industries have joined as sponsors. Denny went on to become the Chairman of the SDARL Board of Directors for eight years and served as the Executive Director for two years. SDARL has been recognized as one of the best leadership programs of its kind in South Dakota and the nation. Denny also served for 26 years as the President of the Ag Finance Division of First Dakota National Bank. During this time he grew First Dakota’s agricultural loan portfolio from approximately $750,000, in 1984, to the second-largest community agricultural lending bank in the United States. Born and raised in Mitchell, Denny spent thirty-seven years in Ag Banking. Twenty-nine of those years were at First Dakota National Bank. You can learn more about this Inductee on their Legacy page.
Christine Hamilton
Christine’s life journey has taken her many places, but she ultimately returned to South Dakota and built a life that she loves. She is the owner and managing partner of Christiansen Land and Cattle, Ltd. The fourth-generation farm and ranch business includes several thousand acres of farm and ranchland dispersed throughout south-central South Dakota east and west of the Missouri River. The company is consistently at the forefront of innovation, embracing new technologies and participating in developing opportunities such as a wholesale meat business in Las Vegas and a livestock biotech venture in Sioux Falls. Christine knows that none of this would be possible without her deliberate efforts to surround herself with like-minded people who share her values and passion for growing people in leadership development activities, as well as growing cattle, crops, and businesses. Christine Hamilton grew up as an only child in Kimball, South Dakota, garnering curiosity and work ethic like only a kid growing up in farming and ranching can. Her family settled the ground in the 1880s and dreamed across generations to see it grow. You can learn more about this Inductee on their Legacy page.
Dr. Sam Holland
Dr. Sam D. Holland, South Dakota State Veterinarian has dedicated his life to animal health and the state’s livestock industry. A 1971 graduate of the University Of Minnesota College Of Veterinary Medicine, he spent his entire practice life in South Dakota, limiting his practice to beef cattle and horses. He began his veterinary career in Mobridge South Dakota within days after graduating from veterinary school. In a short time, he gained the respect and admiration of the producers who entrusted their livestock to his care. Dr. Holland brought a practical, yet professional approach to the livestock industry. Known for his honesty and breadth of knowledge regarding current issues facing animal agriculture, Dr. Holland has been instrumental in bringing practical common sense approaches to complex problems. Perhaps he was best known for his ability to work with industry, national groups, and the legislature to reach a consensus on issues enhancing animal agriculture. South Dakota is truly Dr. Holland’s home, despite his Minnesota origins. He continues to live in Pierre with his wife, LaVer. You can learn more about this Inductee on their Legacy page.
Richard Kjerstad
Richard Kjerstad, known by family and friends as "Dick" was born March 21, 1943, on the family ranch near Quinn, South Dakota. After graduating from Wall High School, he remained on the family ranch. Dick married Patricia Ann Crown in 1961, and the couple had four sons, Kem, Jem, Kent, and Kevin. Dick was truly a gentleman; he treated others with courtesy and dignity. His commitment to his family, community, and the land, led him to become involved in many organizations that would contribute to all three. In addition to serving on numerous local volunteer boards, Dick was president of the South Dakota Farm Bureau from 1995 until his death in 2004. Respected for his integrity and admired for his vision, Dick Kjerstad devoted his life to improving South Dakota’s agriculture and was grateful for the opportunity to see his sons and grandchildren continue the family's legacy of working for the future of agriculture in South Dakota. In 2004, the Kjerstad family was presented with the Wall Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their continued support. You can learn more about this Inductee on their Legacy page.
Lyndell Petersen
Lyndell had dreams of being a rancher and spending hours at a time on horseback, but his father had a different dream, so Lyndell went to South Dakota State University and graduated with a degree in Animal Science. Lyndell worked for South Dakota State University’s Extension Service and over the next 23 years gaining insight into the reality of agricultural economics and the culture of those born to an earth-bound way of life. In 1976, Lyndell had a growing frustration with the inequities and inadequacies of state law related to agricultural producers and was prompted to seek public office. With the approval, but not an endorsement, of both the Brookings administration and the local extension board, Lyndell took leave from his job to serve as a state senator. After retiring from the Extension Service, Lyndell bought a ranch, some commercial cattle, and was finally able to live his dream. The ranch was on Lower Spring Creek where its headquarters, an 1885 house that was slated for demolition. Lyndell and his wife restored the house which is now their home and is also listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. You can learn more about this Inductee on their Legacy page.
We are so inspired by how these dream chasers have impacted the agriculture industry, and the state of South Dakota through their work. To learn more about these and many more Inductees in the South Dakota Hall of Fame, visit our Inductee Directory.