It is truly a pleasure to welcome you to South Dakota and to Minnehaha County, where agriculture runs deep through the land — and through the hearts of the families who care for it.

I want to begin by sincerely thanking Ryan and Christina Larson — not only for opening their farm to host us today but for their continued stewardship of their land. The Larsons began working with NRCS in 2014 and after implementing conservation practices, they have seen an increase in organic matter and water infiltration, all while reducing the use of herbicides. Requiring less equipment and time needed, they have been able to increase the number of acres converted to no-till, cover crops and crop rotations. This is a special place, and it's an honor to gather here with so many who share a commitment to stewardship, innovation and the future of agriculture.

From the rolling prairies of the west to the fertile fields of the east, I have had the privilege of seeing firsthand the remarkable conservation work being done across our state by farmers and ranchers, who prove every day that productivity and sustainability are not mutually exclusive — they are fundamentally connected.

Our state’s economy is powered by agriculture. Cattle, corn, soybeans, wheat, and more —this land feeds families, fuels communities, and supports generations. But we also know that sustaining that legacy requires more than just production. It requires care, planning, and the willingness to ask: “What will this land look like in 50 years? In 100?”

So, what does conservation really mean?

  • Conservation is about saying “yes” to the long-term health of our soil, our water, and our communities.
  • Conservation is using data, technology, and experience to build resilience against storms, droughts, markets, and uncertainties of today and tomorrow.
  • Conservation is making the best long-term economic decisions for an operation.
  • Conservation is producers like Christina and Ryan who kept an open mind towards trying new practices and receiving technical support from NRCS in the field.
  • But most importantly, conservation is action: it’s planting cover crops, managing grazing, restoring wetlands, buffering streams, testing soils, and investing in practices that may not always offer an immediate return—but pay dividends for decades to come.

Too often, the word “conservation” is misunderstood or politicized. It gets reduced to regulations or abstract goals. It’s not about locking the land away — it’s about managing our resources wisely.

Education is the bridge to show producers, consumers, policymakers and the next generation what real conservation looks like, and that’s why the work of the Conservation Technology Information Center is so vital. When people see what’s possible — like what Ryan and Christina are doing here — they begin to understand that conservation isn’t a burden — it’s a way forward.

I also want to acknowledge that conservation doesn’t look the same on every farm. And it shouldn’t. That’s the beauty of it — it’s adaptable. It’s local. It’s rooted in relationships, in knowledge of the land, and in the trust between producers and the people who support them.

As we look to the future, I am filled with hope. Because I see young people stepping up.

I see farmers innovating. I see technology catching up to the vision we’ve always had—to leave the land better than we found it.

So today, as you tour this farm and hear stories of conservation in action, I encourage you to think not just about practices, but about people. About what it takes to make conservation real —not just in theory, but in fields, pastures, and communities across America.

Together, we can build a future where conservation and agriculture thrive hand in hand.

Thank you for being here and thank you for being part of that future.