Why Farmers & Ranchers Opposes Governor’s Proposal to Merge Department of Agriculture with Department of Environment and Natural Resources

On Jan. 19, Gov. Kristi Noem issued an Executive Order merging the Department of Agriculture with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The new department will be called the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Hunter Roberts will serve as its secretary.

South Dakota Farmers Union members voted unanimously to oppose this merger during the 2020 Convention. SDFU was the only agriculture organization to pose opposition to this merger. January 7, Doug Sombke, our organization’s president, publicly expressed members’ views in a letter. Read on to hear why South Dakota farmers and ranchers don’t support the merger of the Department of Agriculture with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Craig Schaunaman, Brown County Crop and Cattle Farmer

I see the position of Secretary of Agriculture important to our state’s No. 1 industry. Combining the two under one secretary sends a cautionary flag.

I think back to 2013’s Winter Storm Atlas and the important role Secretary Lentsch fulfilled communicating with producers, state senators and USDA officials.

I see this role being even more important today as we have more and more of our population move away from agriculture.

In addition to farming full time with his family, Schaunaman served as District 3 Representative from 1989-1998 and former director of Farm Service Agency.

Tammy Basel, Union Center Rancher

Our state’s No. 1 industry is worthy of a focused state department and secretary. To help me explain why I believe this, let me share the missions of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources:

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s mission is, “To promote, protect and preserve South Dakota Agriculture for today and tomorrow.” While the mission of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is, “To protect public health and the environment by providing environmental monitoring and natural resource assessment, technical and financial assistance for environmental projects, and environmental regulatory services; all done with reduced red tape, expanded e-government functions, and exceptional customer service to promote a prosperous economy while protecting South Dakota’s environment and natural resources for today and tomorrow.”

In addition to fulfilling these missions, the office of the Secretary of Agriculture is responsible for overseeing agriculture services, conservation and forestry, wildland fire, state parks’ system and the State Fair.

Agriculture is a $32 billion industry. The Department of Agriculture needs to focus on its mission. 

Tammy and her husband, Dallis, raise sheep and cattle. Tammy has served on the board of directors of CBH Cooperative, S.D. Sheep Growers and Cattlemen’s Beef Board.

Jeff Kippley, Aberdeen Farmer

These are two independent agencies that have completely different focuses and goals. No matter who you put in charge, it will skew one way or another. I can see this merger taking decisions out of farmers’ hands and putting into the hands of environmentalists.

Today, the secretary may favor agriculture, but the next person in charge may not and it could go the other way.

Initially, I don’t think the merger will hurt agriculture. But its like toothpaste, once you take it out of the tube there is no putting it back.

Jeff and his wife, Rachel, raise crops and livestock near Aberdeen. Together they also operate The Kippley Group, specializing in tax preparation and business services for farms, businesses and individuals.

Jerry Petik, Corson County Rancher

All the farmers and ranchers I know are active environmentalists, while others are environmental activists. The land is our property and our livelihood. I am reminded of that twice a year when paying my property taxes.

We in S.D. agriculture need our own Secretary of Ag to truly represent us. Some may trust the governor and her administration but they will be gone in four years. The Ag/Environment arrangement will be forever! Department heads are short-term employment at best. Before now, when have we ever had both the governor and lieutenant governor with an ag background?!!!! The next administration will short suit agriculture and there will be nothing we can do about it. As far as efficiencies, can’t staff walk across the hall and discuss common issues and find common solutions?

South Dakota ag producers and rural communities need a department head that can go head-to-head with others whether environmentalists or the Chamber of Commerce.

Jerry and his wife, Carolyn, raise cattle 40 miles southeast of Lemmon. Currently, Jerry serves on the board of the Grand River Co-op Grazing Association, the organization responsible for helping to manage National Grasslands permits.