AgBIO COMMUNICATIONS UNIT

For release: Dec. 22, 2006

Contact: Dan Gee, (605) 688-5440

SD Ag & Rural Leadership Class IV under way

     BROOKINGS, S.D. – Thirty-two South Dakotans are beginning an intensive course of study as members of Class IV of South Dakota Agriculture & Rural Leadership (SDARL).

SDARL is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to identifying and developing leadership for agriculture and rural communities in order to enhance the quality of life in South Dakota. The program helps participants improve in their current leadership roles and helps prepare them to achieve their future goals.

The 32 members of Class IV are John Anderson, DeSmet; Craig Bieber, Leola; Bridget Blindert, Salem; Amy Blum, Reliance; Michelle Colestock, Groton; Michael Crinion, Brookings; Glen Davis, DeSmet; Kevin Deiter, Faulkton; Lisa Dorschner, Pierre; Jeremy Freking, Sioux Falls; James Gilkerson, Brookings; Russell Hazel, Hudson; Londa Hexum, Volga; Paul Iburg, Alexandria; Eric Iversen, Pierre; Kevin Jaspers, Madison; Mike Jaspers, Sioux Falls; Daniel Larson, Volin; Jesse Lewis, Black Hawk; Jason McAreavey, Montrose; Rachel Mehlhaf, Sioux Falls; Daniel Oedekoven, Sturgis; Anita Pepin, Belle Fourche; Steve Pohl, Brookings; John Rickertsen, Rapid City; Lura Roti, Sioux Falls; Lola Roseth, Midland; Curtis Samson, Lake City; Karl Schenk, Mission Hill; Bill Slovek, Philip; Dana Stapleton, Sisseton; and Julie Walker, Fort Pierre.

Executive Director Dan Gee said Class IV got under way in mid-November in Chamberlain with the first in a series of nine in-state seminars scheduled for different locations across the state. The class met for a seminar in Brookings in December and will meet in Pierre in January for a seminar that focuses on the political process in South Dakota state government.

A national study/travel seminar is scheduled for February, and will include various social, political, economic and agricultural issues in Washington, D.C.

Other seminars through calendar year 2007 and into 2008 will cover topics such as rural/urban economic development, national issues, tourism, natural resources and the environment; water quality, energy, forestry and mining; comparative cultural systems; the dairy industry; expanding agriculture in South Dakota; agriculture’s future; beyond value-added; investing in South Dakota agriculture; agricultural foreign policy, and import/export philosophy.

The course of study also includes an international study/travel seminar scheduled for February 2008. Class IV of South Dakota Agriculture & Rural Leadership will graduate in April 2008.

SDARL strives to enhance rural and agricultural representation, improve professionalism, increase community involvement, sharpen promotional skills, boost urban support and understanding, reduce isolationism and enrich the quality of life in the state of South Dakota. 

The SDARL program is a private / public partnership funded through tuition and donations. For more information about supporting the program, or becoming an SDARL participant in the future, visit the SDARL Web page, http://SDARL.sdstate.org. Or contact SDARL Executive Director Dan Gee for more information at (605) 688-5440. Reach him by e-mail at dan.gee@sdstate.edu.