Opportunities and Challenges

Kyle Holt

If you’re from South Dakota, agriculture has always had a unique impact on your life. Maybe you grew up on a family farm, just as I did, and understood that family vacations would be planned around planting season and harvest. Maybe it meant that Saturday was only a day off if it was raining. Even if you didn’t grow up directly involved with agriculture, you knew that slow moving farm equipment on the highway would regularly test your parents’ patience when they were already running late.  That’s part of living in our wonderful state. While we have grown used to those consistencies, agriculture is changing, right before our very eyes.

Advancements in technology have made agriculture look much different than what previous generations could have imagined. Autosteer and the use of drones are now commonplace on the farm. It’s just as important for an operator to be part tech support as it is to be part mechanic. These advancements have led to great opportunities in agriculture for the next generation. Families are finding ways to diversify their operations to ensure opportunities for one child, or possibly two or three, to be supported by the family farm or ranch. Much like advancements in technology, the trend of seeing operations transition from one generation to the next isn’t going to slow down in the coming years.  Over the next decade, a significant number of farms and ranches, along with billions of dollars in assets, will change hands.

Although change brings new opportunities, it also brings new challenges. These challenges mean growing pains for farms and ranches. The next generation will be tasked with taking advantage of new opportunities while navigating through a very different world than the one their parents and grandparents operated in. As the ag community’s trusted philanthropic partner in our state, the South Dakota Ag Foundation is committed to changing and evolving right along with the industry. Since forming in 2015, we’ve awarded over 100 grants totaling more than $165,000. With more than $3 million in endowed funds, we are looking to build on our momentum and expand our impact.

As agriculture continues to evolve in our state, so will the South Dakota Ag Foundation through renewed partnerships and creative initiatives.  We are excited to find new ways to make a difference, helping to preserve the way of life we all know and love, while ensuring success for generations to come.

 South Dakota Agricultural Foundation Appoints Kyle Holt as Inaugural CEO

PIERRE — The South Dakota Agricultural Foundation has announced the appointment of Kyle Holt as its first Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Holt, with his extensive background in agriculture, leadership, and advocacy, is poised to lead the Foundation into a new era of growth and impact.

Nate Franzen, president of the Agribusiness Division of First Dakota National Bank and Chairman of the Board for the SD Ag Foundation, expressed his excitement about Holt's appointment.

"Kyle's proven track record of leadership and his unwavering dedication to agriculture make him the ideal candidate to lead the South Dakota Agricultural Foundation,” Franzen said. “He has worked for three different South Dakota Secretaries of Agriculture, giving him unique perspective of the needs of our state’s No. 1 industry. His vision and expertise will undoubtedly propel the Foundation forward as we continue to support and strengthen South Dakota's agricultural industry."

Throughout his career, Holt has held key leadership positions, including Deputy Secretary at the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, Director at the South Dakota Secretary of State's office, and Senior Policy Advisor to the Commissioner of School and Public Lands. His roles have involved managing operations, fostering partnerships to advance the goals of the organizations, and coordinating legislative efforts for the organizations he has served.

Commenting on his appointment, Kyle Holt said, "I am deeply honored to join the South Dakota Agricultural Foundation as its first CEO. Agriculture is not just a profession; it's a way of life for many South Dakotans, and I am committed to ensuring that the Foundation continues to be a driving force in supporting our state's farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Together, we will work tirelessly to cultivate a thriving agricultural landscape for generations to come."

As CEO, Holt will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and overseeing all aspects of the Foundation's operations, including fundraising, program development, and stakeholder engagement. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the Foundation, as it seeks to expand its reach and impact across South Dakota.

The SD Ag Foundation was formed in 2015 as an independent, industry-led nonprofit comprised of South Dakota leaders dedicated to enriching agriculture for generations to come. With more than $3 million in endowed funds, the Foundation has awarded grants to a variety of community organizations throughout the state, as well as youth education and leadership development programs. The Foundation is committed to being the South Dakota ag community’s trusted philanthropic partner as we work to support rural communities and the development of the next generation of agricultural producers, employees, and leaders.

About the Foundation

The SD Ag Foundation was formed in 2015 as an independent, industry-led nonprofit comprised of South Dakota leaders dedicated to enriching agriculture for generations to come. The Foundation is committed to being the South Dakota ag community’s trusted philanthropic partner as we work to support rural communities and the development of the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Endowed funds are used to invest in projects and provide grants that will have a lasting impact on the future of South Dakota agriculture. Our partners are organizations and individuals who share a love of the land, a passion for the agricultural community, and a vision for the future of our state.

The South Dakota Ag Foundation currently has more than $3 million in endowed funds. Over the past six years, the Foundation has awarded grants to a variety of community organizations throughout the state, as well as youth education and leadership development programs.  

History

The South Dakota Ag Foundation was founded in 2015 to build a culture of philanthropy in agriculture and invest in the future of the industry. Initial support came from First Dakota Bank, Farm Credit Services of America, Dacotah Bank, Valley Queen Cheese, Legend Seeds, and others. To date, our funds at the South Dakota Community Foundation have grown to more than $3 million.

In the spring of 2018, Governor Dennis Daugaard and the South Dakota Community Foundation pledged a $1M match of new endowment dollars to help further the growth of the Ag Foundation. This sparked a partnership with South Dakota Ag and Rural Leadership and the Central Plains Dairy Foundation, who were able to begin their own endowment campaigns supporting the Ag Foundation’s fundraising goals and the ability to enhance the future of philanthropy in South Dakota agriculture.