National Range and Land Competition Results
WANTED - Nominations for Excellence in Range Management Awards and Top Hand Awards
Names and qualifying information are needed for submission to the SD Section Awards Chair (Jessica Michalski) for individuals and entities that deserve state (and perhaps national recognition) for accomplishments in range management.
Excellence in Grazing Management - The SD Section Awards Chair is soliciting nominations for outstanding rangeland managers from throughout South Dakota. One award may be given for each of the four designated geographic areas of the state. In the case of a geographic area not being represented by an award winner, recipients may be selected from other geographic areas, with the total number of award winners not to exceed four (4). Judges for this award will be appointed by the current President. Awards will consist of a suitable engraved plaque and a yard sign. The engraved plaque will be presented at the section's annual meeting and the yard sign will be presented at the Award Winner’s tour the following summer. Please send these nominations in to Jessica Michalski by August 1st.
Top Hand Award - This award will be offered on an annual basis and is intended for special recognition of those who have had a major impact on South Dakota rangeland and associated resources. Nominees will be considered whose actions are above and beyond what is normally expected or because of lifetime contributions. Recipients need not be section members. The award will consist of a suitably engraved plaque and will be presented at the section's annual meeting. Please send these nominations into Jessica Michalski on the attached form by August 1st.
Excellence in Grazing Management - The SD Section Awards Chair is soliciting nominations for outstanding rangeland managers from throughout South Dakota. One award may be given for each of the four designated geographic areas of the state. In the case of a geographic area not being represented by an award winner, recipients may be selected from other geographic areas, with the total number of award winners not to exceed four (4). Judges for this award will be appointed by the current President. Awards will consist of a suitable engraved plaque and a yard sign. The engraved plaque will be presented at the section's annual meeting and the yard sign will be presented at the Award Winner’s tour the following summer. Please send these nominations in to Jessica Michalski by August 1st.
Top Hand Award - This award will be offered on an annual basis and is intended for special recognition of those who have had a major impact on South Dakota rangeland and associated resources. Nominees will be considered whose actions are above and beyond what is normally expected or because of lifetime contributions. Recipients need not be section members. The award will consist of a suitably engraved plaque and will be presented at the section's annual meeting. Please send these nominations into Jessica Michalski on the attached form by August 1st.
2019 Top Hand Award Winner
Ag Lenders
2019 SRM Excellence in Range Management Awards
Area I, Fagerland Ranch, Dennis and Jean Fagerland
Area III, Nix Ranch, Brett and Lori Nix, along with Pete Bauman (nominator, SDSU Extension)
Area IV, 777 Bison Ranch, Moritz Espy with Matt Odden (NRCS)
Area IV, Grubl Alkali Ranch, L to R: Karly (holding Ryder), Adam, Chris, Vera, Tanse Herrmann (nominator, NRCS), Lucas, and Kymber Grubl
Area IV, Slim Buttes Buffalo Ranch
2018 Top Hand Award Winners
2018 Top Hand Award winners Jeff Hemenway (NRCS ret.) and Stan Boltz (NRCS) not pictured.
2018 SRM Excellence in Range Management Awards
Area I Award winners, Namkin Ranch. Jared and Lacey Namkin, Dennis and Sandra Namkin
Area III Award winners Springer Family Ranch. Gene Springer, Isaac Full (Pheasants Forever), and Besime Springer.
Area IV Award Winner Soelzer Ranch. Rick Soelzer and Tanse Herrmann (NRCS), not pictured Coleen Soelzer.
Area IV Award winner and 2018 SD ERM winner, Conner Ranch. Carmen Drieling (BLM), Dan Conner, Cindi Conner, and Justin Boerboom (NRCS)
2017 SRM Excellence in Range Management Awards
Area III Award winner Reis Ranch, Pete Bauman (SDSU), Tanse Herrmann (NRCS), David Reis, Brenda Reis.
Area III Award Winners with Tanse Herrman (NRCS), Levi Neuharth, Crystal Neuharth
Area II Award Winners Tanya Totton, Charlie Totton, with Tanse Herrmann (NRCS)
Area IV Award Winners with Matt Odden (NRCS), Todd Trask, Jaymie Anderson & daughter Lyla, Tyler Trask, Evan Anderson, Samra Trask
2016 SRM Awards
Area IV Excellence in Range Management Award Winners. Pictured left to right: Kenneth (Buddy) Bolzer (nominator Bennett County Cons Dist Chairman), Steve Livermont, and Paula Livermont
Area IV Excellence in Range Management Award Winners. Pictured left to right: Elizabeth, Connie, Wayne, Luke McPherson, Tanse Herrmann (nominator NRCS).
Area IV Excellence in Range Management Award Winner. Pictured left to right: Pam Kieffer, Matt Odden (nominator NRCS), and Mark Kieffer
Area I Excellence in Range Management Award. Pictured left to right: Emily Helms (nominator NRCS), Barry Little, and Carolee Little
2015 SRM Awards
Area I Excellence in Range Management Award Winner. Pictured left to right (Sandy Smart, SD SRM President, Dean and Connie Hunt)
Area I Excellence in Range Management Award Winner. Pictured left to right (Sandy Smart, SD SRM President, Darin and Jessica Michalski)
Area III Excellence in Range Management Award Winner. Pictured left to right (Sandy Smart, SD SRM President, Doug Sieck)
Area IV Excellence in Range Management Award Winner. Pictured from left to right (Trina, Melvin, Bobbie Ann, and Danny Arneson)