South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has issued an executive order to merge the State Agriculture Department with the State Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Some South Dakota Agriculture groups have voiced opposition to that merger but the State Farm Bureau backs it. President Scott VanderWal says while putting those two departments together is good, they oppose any legislation calling for electing the State Agriculture Secretary.
He says having the State Ag Secretary elected also could create problems with those who don’t understand agriculture helping decide who fills that position.
VanderWal says there are several advantages in merging DENR with the Agriculture Department.
While the State Farm Bureau supports the merger, the South Dakota Farmers Union is opposed to it and is backing the measure to elect the State Agriculture Secretary. Other South Dakota Ag groups have taken a neutral position on the merger.
