South Dakota State University Honored Four Ag Leaders
The state university recognized four individuals for their career-long contributions to local agriculture.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Agriculture
South Dakota State University recently named Patty DeZeeuw, Mary Duvall, Jerry Schmitz, and Kevin Scott as the 2026 recipients of the Eminent Leaders in Agriculture, Family and Community Award. The honor recognizes sustained impact on the regional agricultural industry over the program's 99-year history.
Why it matters
The awards highlight the career paths and regulatory engagement necessary to influence South Dakota's primary economic sector. Understanding these trajectories helps operators identify the types of legislative and industry association leadership that shape regional farming standards.
The Eminent Leaders in Agriculture, Family and Community Award has been conferred for 99 years. Recipients are selected for their contributions to agriculture and local community development.
The players
South Dakota State University
A land-grant institution in Brookings focused on agricultural research and education.
Kevin Scott
A farmer who served as president of both the South Dakota and American Soybean Associations.
Mary Duvall
A former South Dakota state legislator with a decade of service in public office.
Jerry Schmitz
A long-time farmer who served as the first president of the South Dakota Soybean Association.
Patty DeZeeuw
A professional with experience in microbiology, animal science, and the crop insurance sector.
The details
Selection for the award is determined through a confidential nomination process that evaluates candidates on their professional and community contributions. Honorees like Mary Duvall, who served 10 years in the South Dakota Legislature, and Jerry Schmitz, who farmed for 40 years near Vermillion, demonstrate the intersection of long-term operational farming and policy advocacy. Others, such as Patty DeZeeuw, leveraged expertise in animal science and crop insurance to support the industry infrastructure.
Timeline
1980: Jerry Schmitz helped establish a South Dakota soybean association.
1983: Kevin Scott began his farming operation.
2026: The four award recipients were officially named.
Market Landscape
This award recognizes careers that spanned major legislative shifts, including the era surrounding the 1985 Farm Bill. The honorees exemplify the trend of integrating on-farm operational success with long-term advocacy in commodity associations.
Operators should monitor the legislative and organizational roles these leaders maintained to identify key policy focus areas in South Dakota. Networking with recognized industry leaders often provides a roadmap for effective advocacy in state-level agricultural committees.
The takeaway
These awards emphasize that high-level industry impact requires a combination of sustained operational work and active participation in trade associations. Look to the specific policy portfolios of these honorees as a template for where your own advocacy efforts might yield the most significant results.
Further reading
For broader trends in regional industry leadership, visit Agriculture.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Agweek.
