PIERRE, S.D. – Passing a South Dakota ranch or farm along to the next generation might become a little easier because of a newly formed collaboration between three different entities.
During her State of the State Address Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, Governor Kristi Noem said the partnership involves the “Keep Farmers Farming” program.
This plan features an agreement between the State of South Dakota, the South Dakota Agriculture Foundation, and First Dakota National Bank, Yankton, S.D., to transfer First Dakota’s Keep Farmers Farming program to the South Dakota Agriculture Foundation. The partnership provides additional resources to the program and makes critical estate and transition planning assistance available to South Dakota ag producers.
“We need a robust, diverse food supply, and our family farms are one of the most crucial parts of that,” said Governor Kristi Noem in her State of the State Address. “Family farms and ranches have a special connection to the land that has been in their family for generations. The partnership works with farm and ranch families on estate and transition planning. It helps our producers pass along their land and legacy to their kids and grandkids. It’s about transferring not just assets – but experience, work ethic, morals, and history to the next generation.”
As part of the agreement, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) will provide the South Dakota Agriculture Foundation with a one-year $200,000 grant to administer, market, and grow the program. First Dakota’s Legacy Consultant Alan Hojer, along with his existing clientele, will transfer to the Ag Foundation. There will be no loss of service for existing program participants.
“First Dakota is proud of the Keep Farmers Farming program and the success it has had helping South Dakota producers,” said Nate Franzén, President of First Dakota’s Ag Banking Division. “As we approach the largest transfer of wealth in American history, now is the time to position the Keep Farmers Farming program for long-term success.”
The South Dakota Ag Foundation was formed in 2015 as an independent, industry-led nonprofit comprised of South Dakota leaders dedicated to enriching agriculture for generations to come.
“The Ag Foundation is excited about the opportunity to manage the “Keep Farmers Farming Program,”” said Kyle Holt, South Dakota Ag Foundation CEO. “We appreciate the state’s support as we work build on First Dakota’s success.”
The partnership is a result of the work of an informal emerging farmer workgroup led by Governor Noem to brainstorm ideas on how the state and the ag industry can more actively support the next generation of ag producers. The group, which included young producers, ag industry representatives, state and federal agencies, ag lenders, and ag educators, met twice of over the last year. During the meetings, one need continued to rise to the surface: access to estate and transition planning technical assistance.
“Far too often, I see family farms sold due to lack of proper estate and transition planning,” said Tyrel Eisenbraun, emerging farmer workgroup member. “Those planning decisions are complicated, and our producers need help navigating them. I look forward to the additional support the State of South Dakota will be able to provide to the Keep Farmers Farming program as it will continue to help our producers for years to come.”
The South Dakota Agricultural Foundation was formed in 2015 as an independent, industry-led nonprofit organization. With more than $3 million in endowed funds, the Ag Foundation has awarded grants to a variety of youth education and leadership development programs as well as to various community organizations throughout the state.
