Water quality and the future of agriculture are expected to remain key policy issues in South Dakota. Matt Yost, executive director of public policy for the South Dakota Farm Bureau, says farmers have a strong conservation story to tell as lawmakers consider future regulations, both in terms of quantity and quality. “A year ago it was in the news that we had legislators who were talking about getting rid of the carrot, and let’s introduce the stick. That should concern farmers.” Yost believes it is important for farmers to tell their story. Yost says those discussions also need to focus on creating opportunities for the next generation of farmers and ranchers. “Politicians think about the next two years and my next election; statesmen think about the next generation. How do we make sure that South Dakota agriculture is not only going to be able to survive, but then thrive?”
