JUNE 28, 2023:
The Nef and Gonzenbach families of Milbank have been named the 2023 Governor’s Ag Ambassador Award recipients. They will be recognized on Tuesday, July 18, as part of the annual Governor’s Agricultural Summit (Ag Summit) in Watertown.
In 1929, Alfred Nef and Alfred Gonzenbach founded Valley Queen Cheese in Milbank, South Dakota. Today, their families continue to operate the company as a privately held enterprise, committed to growth and development in the state. The Nef and Gonzenbach families’ unwavering commitment to innovation and willingness to take calculated risks has spurred South Dakota’s dairy industry into a world-class destination for producers, one that many other states aspire to emulate. Over 90 years of commitment to South Dakota has paved the way for a thriving dairy industry, supporting the northeast corner of the state, providing jobs, and generating over 2.4 billion dollars in economic activity for the region.
Governor Noem highlighted Valley Queen’s success in her 2023 State of the State address, and you can find footage of those comments here.
“The Nef and Gonzebach families have been true leaders in South Dakota’s dairy industry,” said DANR secretary Hunter Roberts. “Their commitment to investing in the community continues to create jobs, grow dairy herds, and increase production.”
The 2023 Ag Summit is hosted by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) and is being held on the Lake Area Technical College campus on July 18 and 19. The event is free, and attendance is open to all, however pre-registration is required. To learn more, visit the Ag Summit website.
Past Governor’s Ag Ambassador recipients include Walt Bones, Jeff Lakner, Paul Casper, Roger Scheibe, Lake Area Tech, Michelle Rook, Dr. Bob Thaler, Brad Greenway, Mike Held, Jim Woster, and Dr. Dan Gee.
Alfred Gonzenbach.
Courtesy image.
Alfred Nef.
Courtesy image.
Max Gonzenbach.
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Rudy Nef.
Courtesy image.
JUNE 26, 2023:
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources is pleased to announce additional speakers and tour locations for the 2023 Governor’s Agricultural Summit. The event spans two days, with Tuesday, July 18, 2023, dedicated to engaging presentations, followed by industry tours on Wednesday, July 19.
Each year, the Governor’s Ag Summit brings together industry leaders, producers, policymakers, and prospective farmers from South Dakota’s farming and ranching communities to share their experiences and develop personal connections. This year’s agenda will include an ag-economic market outlook, policy updates, a dairy sustainability panel, producer recognition, and multiple perspectives on the 2023 Farm Bill.
Program highlights include:
- Josh Maxwell, Chairman Thompson’s Policy Director for the U.S. House Agriculture Committee participating virtually. His presentation will provide valuable insights into the inner workings of the Farm Bill.
- A Dairy Sustainability Panel featuring a diverse range of perspectives from producers and experts in the field.
- South Dakota economist, Elaine Kub, will delve into the financial dynamics directly impacting rural communities, including interest rates, inflation, and challenges within the global supply chain.
- Todd Wilkinson, President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, will share his insight and expertise, as well as highlighting the goals he aims to achieve at the national level.
- Luke Lindberg from South Dakota Trade will discuss the state’s trade industry and the resources available to South Dakota’s agricultural community.
- Recognition of the 2023 Governor’s Ag Ambassador Award recipient.
- Lastly, on Wednesday, July 19 we will host tours at Lake Area Tech and Valley Queen Cheese, providing attendees with firsthand exposure to agricultural programs and industry operations.
The event is free, and attendance is open to all; however, pre-registration is required. To learn more, visit the Ag Summit website.
APRIL 7, 2023:
Today (April 7, 2023) is the deadline to submit nominations for the 2023 Governor’s Ag Ambassador Award to be presented during the South Dakota Governor’s Agricultural Summit being held in July (July 18-19, 2023) at Lake Area Technical College in Watertown.
The Award will be presented to an individual or organization making a positive contribution to South Dakota’s agricultural industry. Nomination forms can be found on the Ag Summit website.
Key achievements of the Governor’s Ag Ambassador award recipient:
- Provides visionary leadership to South Dakota’s agricultural industry;
- Champions growth and prosperity of the state’s number one industry;
- Advocates for agriculture and the responsible stewardship of livestock and land;
- Highlights the significance of South Dakota agriculture to our global food system; and,
- Influences decision makers to develop and implement sound agricultural policies.
The agenda for this year’s Ag Summit, organized by the state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, includes an ag economic market outlook, policy updates, Farm Bill discussions and producer recognition. The event is free and attendance is open to all. Preregistration is required and may be completed using the Ag Summit website.
Information about the Ag Ambassador award and past winners can be found online at https://danr.sd.gov/AboutDANR/default.aspx under the “Ag Summit” heading.
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