South Dakota Farm Bureau Leaders names new Executive Director

Posted: 4/4/2012

For Immediate Release - April 4, 2012

For more information, contact  Scott VanderWal - (605) 695-5479

                                                Michael Held – (605) 353-8051

Wayne Smith of Pipestone, MN, has been named as the new Executive Director for the South Dakota Farm Bureau Federation.  He will begin his duties on September 1.

"We are very excited to have Wayne stepping up to the Executive Director position," said SDFB President Scott VanderWal.  "His many years of experience and training will serve him well as he helps our leaders and staff take Farm Bureau into the future."

Wayne started his association with Farm Bureau as a member of the Moody County Farm Bureau, where he was the Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Chairman and later elected President of the Moody County Farm Bureau.  He also served as a District II SDFB Board member.  For the past 25 years, Wayne has been employed by the Farm Bureau as Field Staff/YF&R Coordinator and Director of Field Services/Women’s Leadership Team Coordinator. 

In addition to connecting with and supporting a network of county Farm Bureaus, Wayne has worked on drainage and wetlands issues, alternate technology for confined livestock feeding operations, and networking with ag groups and government agencies.

VanderWal added, "Wayne's dedication and loyalty to our organization is remarkable, and he already has tremendous respect among his peers around the state and nation."

As a self-employed farmer, Wayne experiences first hand many of the same issues other farmers and ranchers face.  He and his wife, Jane, raise corn, soybeans, and cattle on a farm near Flandreau, SD.

Wayne has four children and four grandchildren.  He serves as an elder at Christ the King Free Lutheran Church and as clerk on the Lone Rock Township Board of Directors.