Scott VanderWal of Volga was re-elected President of South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) during the SDFB 106th Annual Convention held recently in Sioux Falls. 

VanderWal will begin his 20th year as president of the organization. He also serves as Vice President of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). 

In addition to the SDFB President re-election, three state board members were also re-elected, appointments were made filling out the SDFB board of directors and a SDFB member from Platte was honored as the winner of the Richard Kjerstad Friend of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee. 

Reid Jensen of Burbank, Nick Ihnen of Tulare and Clay Conry of Mud Butte were re-elected to the SDFB state board. Jensen represents SDFB district 1; Ihnen, district 4 and Conry, district 5. 

Tony Farmen of Ft. Pierre was appointed to serve on the state board representing agri-business members. Farmen is a senior risk manager with First National Bank. Matt Smith of Hitchcock was honored for his service on the state board representing agri-business members.

Caleb McGregor of Newell was appointed to the SDFB board representing student members. He is a student at South Dakota State University majoring in agricultural engineering and agronomy. John Piroutek of Milesville, S.D. was recognized for his past service as a student board member.

Jay and Sarah Myers of Winner were elected as the new chairs of the SDFB Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) committee and will now serve on the state board. Tyrel and Kassidy Eisenbraun of Wall were recognized as retiring YF&R committee chairs.

The SDFB YF&R committee honored Lyle Nepodahl of Platte, as the recipient of the Richard Kjerstad Friend of YF&R Award. This award is named after former SDFB President Richard Kjerstad of Wall. 

More information on SDFB can be found at www.sdfbf.org.

Photos and videos are available on the SDFB Facebook page or by contacting brenda@sdfbf.org or 605-290-8223.