South Dakota Governor-elect Kristi Noem is appointing a farmer and former state lawmaker as state Agriculture Secretary. Noem announced that Kim Vanneman will be appointed to the cabinet post. A spokeswoman for Noem says Vanneman will be the state’s first female Agriculture Secretary. South Dakota Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal says Vanneman is a good choice.
Vanneman is currently co-owner of Vanneman Farms in Ideal and is a director for Farm Credit Services of America. South Dakota Corn Growers Association President Troy Knecht says she’s a good pick in that she has experience not only on the farm but at the legislative level and with finances which farmers need help with at this time.
South Dakota Stock Growers Association President Gary Deering says he’s looking forward to working with Vanneman as Ag Secretary and says it’s positive to have someone with Vanneman’s agricultural experience in the job.
Vanneman was a state representative from 2007 to 2013 and served on the Education and Agriculture and Natural Resources committees.
