Friend of Agriculture Award Presented to Summit Contracting by South Dakota Farm Bureau

Friend of Agriculture Awards Presented by South Dakota Farm Bureau

Four South Dakota agri-businesses were honored with the "Friend of Agriculture" award by South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) at their 106th Convention held recently in Sioux Falls. The Friend of Agriculture Award is a high honor given by SDFB to strengthen relationships between ag producers and agri-business.

"Farmers and ranchers rely on local businesses that support them and understand the needs of agriculture today," said Krystil Smit, SDFB Executive Director. "It's our honor to recognize the people for what they do to sustain and grow agriculture in their communities."

The following agri-businesses were honored:

Buffalo Christian Homeschool Academy - Humboldt

Buffalo Christian is a non-profit, non-denomination, private school ministry. Minnehaha County Farm Bureau, who nominated the Academy, shared that Buffalo Christian provides students the opportunity to immerse themselves in what it means to be an agriculturalist as part of an agriculturally based curriculum.

Olson Sod Farms - Meckling

Olson Sod Farms specializes in providing the highest quality sod to Golf Courses and Athletic Fields. They were recognized as a business always looking to improve rural South Dakota.

Royalwood Dairy - Brandon

Royalwood Dairy is a 480-cow dairy and raises 1,150 acres of corn and alfalfa. Nominators stated that Royalwood hosts an on-the-farm breakfast event every June.

Summit Contracting – Platte

Summit Contracting is an industry leader in farm and commercial building construction. They were acknowledged for their ability to invest in local communities and provide services for farmers and ranchers of South Dakota.

Pictured are Jerad Hutchens and Tyler Samuelson of Summit Contracting and Scott VanderWal, President of SDFB.

Pictured(L-R) Summit Contracting’s Jerad Hutchens with his wife, Megan, and Tyler Samuelson with his wife Katy after receiving Friend of Ag Award nominated by SDFB representatives Josh Moret with wife Jill and Rocky Niewenhuis with his wife Melinda at the SDFB Convention in November 2023.

"What's important at Summit Contracting is supporting the communities we are in, throughout South Dakota and Nebraska, providing economic development and quality jobs for the people that work here." Tyler Samuelson, CEO Summit Contracting.

To learn more about the award recipients, visit the SDFB Facebook page for individual videos. More information about South Dakota Farm Bureau can be found at www.sdfbf.org.