Nominations now open for Agribusiness Citizen of the Year and Farm Family of the Year
Help Recognize Excellence in Agriculture
Agriculture is a driving force in the Greater Sioux Falls region, helping fuel our economy and strengthen our communities. The individuals and families behind this vital industry play an important role in shaping our region’s success.
Nominations are now open for two annual honors recognizing excellence in agriculture: Farm Family of the Year and Agribusiness Citizen of the Year. Farm Family of the Year recognizes a family that exemplifies leadership, service and impact within agriculture while helping strengthen the connection between agriculture and the Greater Sioux Falls community. Agribusiness Citizen of the Year recognizes an individual whose leadership and contributions have advanced agriculture and agribusiness while strengthening its impact on the region.
New this year, the nomination process is open to all Chamber members, expanding the opportunity to recognize the individuals and families making a difference in agriculture.
Recipients reflect the values that continue to strengthen the connection between agriculture and the broader community while advancing innovation and collaboration across the region.
Nominations are open through noon on July 13, 2026.
A Long Legacy of Honoring Agriculture
1982 Art Ramse Family, Canton, SD
1983 Roger Megard Family, Sherman, SD
1984 Stuart Jacobson Family, Brandon, SD
1985 Ordell Rogen Family, Sherman, SD
1986 Don Benson Family, Hurley, SD
1987 Burton Ode Family, Brandon, SD
1988 Duane Bly Family, Valley Springs, SD
1989 Smith Family Farms, Montrose, SD
1990 Norman & Merlyn Smeenk, Harrisburg, SD
1991 Bill Boadwine Family, Baltic, SD
1992 Duane Albers Family, Harrisburg, SD
1993 Bob Ode Family, Brandon, SD
1994 Bob P. Larson Family, Sioux Falls, SD
1995 Walt Bones Family, Parker, SD
1996 Roger Knochenmus, Sioux Falls, SD
1997 Charles Olsen, Irene, SD
1998 Leo Heggen, Brandon, SD
1999 Mel Fiegen, Dell Rapids, SD
2000 Paul & Doug Van Duyn Families, Colton, SD
2001 Jerry & Mary TerWee Family, Larchwood, IA
2002 Mike & Becky Randall Family, Dell Rapids, SD
2003 Ron & Susan Alverson Family, Chester, SD
2004 Darrin & Becky Ihnen Family, Hurley, SD
2005 Bob & Sandy Johnson Family, Corson, SD
2006 The Bartmann Family, Montrose, SD
2007 Dennis & Heidi Steineke Family, Hartford, SD
2008 Rod & Lois VanderVliet Family, Colton, SD
2009 Marlow & Donna Christensen Family, Beresford, SD
2010 Jeff & Linda Oyen Family, Crooks, SD
2011 Mike & Kathy Geraets Family, Dell Rapids, SD
2012 Glenn & Gaylin Scott Family, Valley Springs, SD
2013 The Willard Family, Colton, SD
2014 The Stahl Family, Bridgewater, SD
2015 The Jason & Alicia Knutson Family, Viborg, SD
2016 The Brad & Monica Nussbaum Family, Garretson, SD
2017 The Sweeter Family, Worthing, SD
2018 The Loewe Family, Lennox, South Dakota
2019 The Schmeichel Family, Hurley, South Dakota
2020 The Eggers Family, Renner, South Dakota
2021 The Stensland Family, Larchwood, Iowa
2022 The Poppens Family, Lennox, South Dakota
2023 The Jordan Scott Family, Valley Springs, SD
2024 The Good Earth Farm, Lennox, SD
2025 The McAreavey Family, Crooks, SD
2025 The Wirt Family, Lennox, SD
1982 Frank Lingo & Al Farmer
1983 Cliff Gaumer
1984 Darwin Britzman
1985 Gordon Wilkerson
1986 Tom Batcheller
1987 Jim Woster
1988 Vern Fritz
1989 Jack Rentschler
1990 Ken Tschetter
1991 Vernell Johnson
1992 Bob Pfeifer
1993 Donald C. Anderson
1994 Dave Campbell
1995 Tom Steever
1996 Larry Wright
1997 Tom Long
1998 Darry Pearson
1999 Jerry Beckler
2000 Randy Ahrendt
2001 Dr. Al Miron
2002 Curt Alberty
2003 Curt Cutler
2004 Arnie Wulf
2005 Bonnie Glass
2006 Shawn Cleary
2007 Evan Ingebrigtson
2008 Larry Healy
2009 Carol Ackerman
2010 Cynthia Knudsen
2011 Mike Begeman
2012 Scott Wick & Jo Beal
2013 Joel Westra
2014 Mike Miller
2015 Glenn Muller
2016 Bill Evans
2017 Evan Nolte
2018 Sylvia Wolters
2019 Jim Woster
2020 Brian Gilbert
2021 Lynn Boadwine
2022 Dana J. Dykhouse
2023 Julie Hammer
2024 Phil DeGroot
2025 Glenn Muller
2026 Jerry Schmitz