The first annual South Dakota Governor's Ag Development Summit was convened in June by Acting Secretary of Agriculture Jon Farris at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Agriculture remains the state's number one industry, creating more than $21 billion in economic activity each year in South Dakota. Agriculture employs more than 173,000 South Dakotans, 40 percent of our workforce, and generates half our state's total tax collections.

In his speech to those at the Summit, Governor Mike Rounds focused on taking advantage of agriculture's competitive and comparative advantages.

"In order to realize our potential, we need to discuss how to advance new opportunities in our agriculture economy through innovation, technology, financing and education," Rounds said. "So, my call to action today is to encourage all of you to use this meeting as a springboard to even greater development of our ag economy."

Despite the strength of the ag industry, South Dakota sees potential for growth. The purpose of the Summit was to share ideas for capitalizing on the competitive advantages for agricultural development in South Dakota. Emerging technologies and advanced research have created new opportunities for ag. Identifying those opportunities and harnessing the potential for growth will help to build economic strength across the state.

"This summit was an important forum for discussion and brainstorming ways to capitalize on agriculture's potential for rural economic development," Farris said. "We demonstrated that agriculture is a key economic engine in South Dakota and has been a significant factor in why the national economic downturn has not been as severe in our state, comparatively speaking."

The keynote speaker for the event was Judith Canales, administrator of Rural Business and Cooperative Programs for the US Department of Agriculture-Rural Development. Governor Rounds welcomed speakers and participants in the Summit, and David Chicoine, president of SDSU, gave the concluding comments.

The Summit included a strong educational component, and the Ag Department is working with the South Dakota Department of Education to develop classroom modules from Summit information to be used in our schools. These modules will highlight how our state's best and brightest can stay right here at home and find great career opportunities in agriculture.

Secretary Farris, vice-chair of the SD Rural Enterprise board of directors, has held leadership positions in the SD Department of Agriculture since 1994, serving as Deputy Secretary and Director of the Ag Development Division. He has overseen the development of several innovative programs, including South Dakota CertifiedTM Enrolled Cattle and South Dakota CertifiedTM Beef, dairy development, value-added agriculture, crop development and marketing, and mediation and finance consulting.

2010 SUMMER REPORT
	Entrepreneurs chosen as 2010 Dakota Rising Fellows
	New duties for Wagner
	Taking stock of your community's strengths
	Partner Spotlight: South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service
	Dakotas America announces Wheat Growers projects in both Dakotas
	VanHofwegen receives national certification
	YOU are the community leader of tomorrow
	Community development creates more than jobs
	Ag Summit focuses on development issues