Leadership

SDARL is guided by a 17-member Board of Directors comprised of program graduates and non-graduates representing a wide spectrum of agricultural and rural thought leaders in South Dakota. Meet the leadership team that directs the development, goals, and financial security of the South Dakota Agricultural and Rural Leadership Foundation.

Board of Directors

  • Heather Niederwerder

    CHAIR

    Farm Credit Services of America

    New Underwood, SD

    SDARL Class X

    Bio

  • Krystil Smit

    VICE CHAIR

    SD Farm Bureau

    Huron, SD

    Bio

  • Terry Jaspers

    TREASURER

    Jaspers Farms

    Sisseton, SD

    SDARL Class III

    Bio

  • Jon Nelson

    SECRETARY

    Cattle Farmer

    Lake Preston, SD

    SDARL Class VI

    Bio

  • Corey Chicoine

    IMMEDIATE PAST CLASS PRESIDENT

    Farmer / Seed Dealer

    Elk Point, SD

    SDARL Class XI

    Bio

  • Todd Mortenson

    PAST CHAIR

    Mortenson Cattle Co.

    Hayes, SD

    SDARL Class VI

    Bio

  • Matt Dybedahl

    Croplan / WinField United

    Pierre, SD

    SDARL Class IX

    Bio

  • Ron Jeffries

    Black Hills Stock Show & Central States Fair

    Rapid City, SD

    Bio

  • Jonathan Kleinjan, Ph.D.

    South Dakota State University Extension Agronomist

    Brookings, SD

    SDARL Class IX

    Bio

  • John Melius

    Hurley & Associates

    Brookings, SD

    SDARL Class VI

    Bio

  • Kevin Moe

    FNBO

    Yankton, SD

    SDARL Class VII

    Bio

  • Tiffany Sanderson

    Lake Area Technical College

    Watertown, SD

    Bio

  • Sara Steever

    Paulsen

    Sioux Falls, SD

    Bio

  • Craig Schaunaman

    Schaunaman Farm

    Aberdeen, SD

    Bio

  • Ross Tschetter

    Tschetter Farms Partnership

    Bridgewater, SD

    SDARL Class VII

    Bio

  • Hunter Roberts

    EX OFFICIO

    Secretary, South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources

    Pierre, SD

    Bio

  • Joseph Cassady, Ph.D.

    EX OFFICIO

    SD Corn Endowed Dean, South Dakota State University College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences

    Brookings, SD

    Bio