“Once you learn to read you cannot unlearn it. Once you learn to read Soil Health, your eyes open

to what we really need to focus on.”

Ray Covino, NRCS, CT

Building Connections

The South Dakota Mentor Network is available to agricultural producers across the state. The free service is available to anyone. Contact your local conservation district, NRCS staff, the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, or the South Dakota Grassland Coalition to get started!

South Dakota Soil Health Coalition Cindy Zenk at (605) 280-4190 or cindy.soilhealth@sdconservation.net

South Dakota Grassland Coalition Judge Jessop at (605) 280-0127 or judge.jessop@sdconservation.net

Why the Mentor Network was StartedA need was identified for an organized network to help producers interested in land management practices. Mentor–mentee roles are a relationship where people share knowledge, advice and resources and provide a stable supportive relationship. Mentors will help guide producers through their specific topics.

South Dakota Conservation Mentor Network

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Areas of Mentoring• Crop Rotations

• Crop Diversity

• Cover Crops

• Grazing of Cover Crops

• No-Till Cropping Systems

• Nutrient Management

• Pest Management

• Equipment Selection and Modification

• Livestock Management

• Nutritional Benefits

• Management for Native Grasses

• Water on Agricultural Lands

• Economics

• Soil Biology

The goals for the Mentor Network are to connect experienced producers with those who are new to management practices. By providing credible sources for questions and advice, we hope to encourage more people to use these management practices with their operations, and experience the added benefit of cultivating long lasting relationships between producers.

Goals for the Mentor Network

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Building ConnectionsThe following is a list of people with knowledge of grassland and soil health management practices. The first section is Mentors for cropland, grassland or small acreages–farmers, ranchers and gardeners who have volunteered their time to help others. The next sections are conservation professionals from several entities with special interest or expertise with grassland or soil health.

Soil Health MentorsDennis Hoyle 13473 349th Ave. Roscoe, SD 57471 Local Field Office: Valeree DeVine, Ipswich, Edmunds Co Areas of Mentoring: conservation/diverse cover crop rotation, cover crops, tillage methods (no till), pest management, livestock uses, and soil science Contact: 605-216-8738

Holly & J.P. Heber 17320 373rd Ave. Zell, SD 57469 Local Field Office: Redfield,Spink Co Areas of Mentoring: conservation/diverse cover crop rotation, cover crops, tillage methods, pest management, equipment selection & modification, livestock uses, and economics Contact: 605-280-7724 (text okay, early morning)

Pat Guptill 23502 Big Foote Rd Quinn, SD Local Field Office: Areas of Mentoring: livestock uses (grazing rotation) and nutritional benefits Contact: 605-513-3890, 605-386-2323 pcguptill@gmail.com

Lewis Bainbridge 26355 406th Ave Ethan, SD 57334 Local Field Office: Heidi Rients, DC Mitchell, Davison Co Areas of Mentoring: cover crop, tillage methods (no till), nutrient management, equipment selection and modification, livestock uses, nutritional benefits, economics, and soil science Contact: 605-999-4640 (early morning some text)

Rod Huisman 37284 SD Hwy 34, Wessington Springs SD 57382 Local Field Office: Donna Tiede Wessington Springs, Jerauld Co Areas of Mentoring: conservation/diverse cover crop rotation, cover crop, certain area of equipment selection and modification, livestock uses, nutritional benefits, economics, and soil science Contact: rhhuisman@mncomm.com

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Brian & Jamie Johnson 17457 396th Ave.Frankfort, SD 57440Local Field Office: Spink County Areas of Mentoring: no till, precision nutrient management, cover crops, and CRP Contact: 605-472-0316

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Dan Forgey 30431 167th St. Gettysburg, SD 57442 Local Field Office: Gettysburg, Potter Co Areas of Mentoring: conservation/diverse crop rotations, cover crops, no till methods, nutrient management, pest management, equipment selection and modifications, livestock uses, nutritional benefits, economics, and soil science Contact: 605-769-0277 dcforgey@venturecomm.net

Doug Sieck 30940 138th St. Selby SD. 57472 Local Field Office: Denis Bachman, Selby, Walworth Co Areas of Mentoring: conservation/diverse cover crop rotation, cover crop, tillage methods, nutrient management, pest management, equipment selection and modifications, livestock uses, nutritional benefits, economics, and soil science Contact: 605-848-7325 (text okay)

Bryan Jorgensen 31250 265th St. Ideal, SD 57574 Local field office: Winner, Tripp Co Areas of Mentoring: conservation, diverse crop rotations, cover crops, no-till methods, planting methods, nutrient management, pest management, equipment selection and modifications, livestock uses, nutritional benefits, economics, and soil science Contact: 605-840-9005 bryan@jorgensenfarms.com

Dean Lockner Thousand Hills Ranch 19921 349th Ave. Ree Heights, SD 57371 Local Field Office: Miller, Hand Co Areas of Mentoring: nutrient management, pest management, livestock uses, nutritional benefits, economics, and soil science Contact: 605-870-3978 (evenings)

Darin Michalski 18468 424th Ave. Willow Lake, SD 57278 Local Field Office: Shane Jordan Redfield, Clark Co Areas of Mentoring: conservation/diverse cover crop rotation, cover crop, tillage methods, pest management, equipment selection and modifications, livestock uses, and economics Contact: 605-881-6451 (8am- 4pm)

Patricia Jenkins & Jeremy Smith 287 Evans Lane, Spearfish, SD 57783 Local Field Office: Area of Mentoring: Crop Rotations, Crop Diversity, Cover Crops, No-till mixed vegetables, Nutrient Management, Pest Management, Water on agricultural lands, and Soil Biology Contact: 605-559-3276

Jim Kopriva 41577 169th St. Raymond, SD 57258 Local Field Office: Areas of Mentoring: conservation/diverse cover crop rotation, cover crop, tillage methods, pest management, livestock uses, economics, and soil science Contact: 605-468-0003

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The South Dakota Grassland Coalition, a non-profit organization, was formed in 1998 to promote land stewardship throughout the state. The Coalition is dedicated to improving and maintaining the State’s grasslands by informing and guiding grassland managers to make cost-effective and environmentally sound management decisions.

Donna Adrian 224 East 12th Street White River, SD 57579 Local Field Office: White River, Mellette Co Areas of mentoring: ranch wife, lifetime gardener, South Dakota Master Gardner, teaches gardening and food preservation classes in the Rosebud area; her theme is “gardening with less work, less water and less weeds!” Contact: 605-685-8104 adrians@gwtc.net

South Dakota Grassland Coalition Mentors

Bill Aeschlimann 45190 282nd St Hurley, SD 57306 Areas of Mentoring: goal setting/decision making, fencing, cropland aftermath grazing, grazing management/rotations, low stress livestock handling,water development/placement, cover crops, and sheep rotational grazing/fencing Contact: 605-238-5869, 605-351-4064 daklamb@iw.net

Ed Blair 19599 Bear Butte Rd Vale, SD 57788 Areas of Mentoring: goal setting/decision making, economics of grazing management, grazing management/rotation, low stress livestock handling, water development/placement, cross-fencing weaning, drought planning, and generational transfer of ranch Contact: 605-347-1180 blairbrosangus@gmail.com

Dallas Anderson 11149 318th Ave Eureka, SD 57437 Areas of Mentoring: winter grazing strategies, cross-fence weaning, and ranch economics Contact: 605-437-2285 blackbull@valleytel.net

Neil Bien 10770 436th Ave Veblen, SD 57270 Areas of Mentoring: fencing, water development/placement, using livestock as a management tool, and wildlife considerations Contact: 605-448-2173, 605-448-8542 neilbien@venturecomm.net

Rick Doud 23766 SD Hwy 34 Midland, SD 57552 Areas of Mentoring: fencing, grazing management/rotations,water development/placement, drought planning, and calving in-sync with nature. Contact: 605-843-2262, 605-441-1813 doudranch@wildblue.net

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Jim Faulstich 33795 186th St Highmore, SD 57345 Areas of Mentoring: goal setting/decision making, cropland aftermath grazing, grazing management/rotation, low stress livestock handling, using livestock as a management tool, wildlife considerations, grazing management for expired CRP, cover crops, winter grazing strategies, soil health/hydrology, cross-fence weaning, drought planning, generational transfer of ranch, and enterprise diversification (hunting, recreation) Contact: 605-852-2622, 605-871-3606 faulstich@venturecomm.net

Jim Kopriva 41577 169th St Raymond, SD 57258 Areas of Mentoring: economics of grazing management, cropland aftermath grazing, grazing management/rotations, prescribed burning, cross-fence weaning Contact: 605-532-5689, 605-468-0003 koprivaangus@itctel.com

Dale Paulson 21757 375th Ave Wessington, SD 57381 Areas of Mentoring: monitoring & record keeping, fencing, grazing management/rotations, water development/placement, pest management, and cross-fence weaning Contact: 605-458-2376, 605-354-0441 DRPaulson@venturecomm.net

Lyle Perman 30872 143rd St Lowry, SD 57422-6804 Areas of Mentoring: goal setting/decision making, fencing, water development/placement, generational transfer of ranch, enterprise diversification (hunting, recreation),and biological control of noxious weeds Contact: 605-649-7629,605-845-6464 lyle@rockhillsranch.com

Dan Rasmussen 26151 Cedar Butte Rd. Belvidere, SD 57521 Areas of Mentoring: goal setting/decision making, monitoring & record keeping, economics of grazing management, grazing management/rotations, low stress livestock handling, water development/placement, using livestock as a management tool, wildlife considerations, pest management, grazing management for expiring CRP, grass finishing, winter grazing strategies, soil health/hydrology, cross-fence weaning, drought planning, generational transfer of ranch, enterprise diversification (hunting, recreation),biological control of noxious weeds, and calving in-sync with nature Contact: 605-344-2250, 605-685-3315 the33ranch@gmail.com

Ellen Reddick 11611 Reddick Lane St. Onge, SD 57779 Areas of Mentoring: grazing management/rotations, low stress livestock handling, prescribed burning, cross-fence weaning, and biological control of noxious weeds Contact: 605-642-3272, 605-569-1598

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Bill Slovek 20925 Slovek Rd Philip, SD 57567 Areas of Mentoring: prescribed burning Contact: 605-457-2311 slovek@gwtc.net Jeff Smeenk 12771 Orman Rd. Newell, SD 57760 Areas of Mentoring: monitoring & record keeping, wildlife considerations, Contact: 605-456-0200 cn_ranch@sdplains.com

David Steffen 34110 294th St Burke, SD 57523 Areas of Mentoring: goal setting/decision making, fencing, economics of grazing management, grazing management/rotations, water development/placement, using livestock as a management tool, wildlife considerations, pest management, prescribed burning, drought planning, and enterprise diversification (hunting, recreation) Contact: 605-775-9112, 605-830-9112 dsteffen@threeriverwb.net Charlie Totton 34655 240th St. Chamberlain, SD 57325 Areas of Mentoring: grazing management/rotations, low stress livestock handling, using livestock as a management tool, grass finishing, winter strategies, cross-fence weaning, and drought planning Contact: 605-234-0349 tottonranch@midstatesd.net

Jeff Zimprich State Conservationist NRCS State Office 200 Fourth Street SW Huron, SD 57350 605-352-1200 jeffrey.zimprich@sd.usda.gov

Nathan Jones State Soil Scientist NRCS State Office 200 Fourth Street SW Huron, SD 57350 605-350-5639 nathan.jones@sd.usda.gov

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Conservation Technical Contacts Serving South Dakota

State office: 200 Fourth Street SW, Room 203, Huron, SD 57350

Larry Wagner 26314 350th Ave Chamberlain, SD 57325 Areas of Mentoring: goal setting/decision making, monitoring & record keeping, fencing, economics of grazing management, cropland aftermath grazing, grazing management/rotations, low stress livestock handling, water development/placement, multi-species grazing, using livestock as a management tool, wildlife considerations, cover crops, grass finishing, winter grazing strategies, soil health/hydrology, cross-fence weaning, enterprise diversification (hunting, recreation), and calving in-sync with nature Contact: 605-894-4448 605-894-4363 (Dr. Jullie) wagner@midstatesd.net

Find a local field office at http://bit.ly/2zvdCO0

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Jason Miller Conservation Agronomist NRCS Pierre Area Office 1717 North Lincoln Ave., Suite 104 Pierre, SD 57501 605-224-2476, ext. 5 Jason.miller@sd.usda.gov

Kent Cooley Soil Scientist 414 E. Stumer Road, Suite 700 Rapid City, SD 57701 605-343-1643 kent.cooley@sd.usda.gov

Colette Kessler State Public Affairs Officer NRCS State Office 200 Fourth Street SW Huron, SD 57350 605-220-1765 colette.kessler@sd.usda.gov

Stan Boltz NRCS Regional Soil Health Specialist serving North Dakota and South Dakota 200 Fourth Street SW Huron, SD 57350 stanley.boltz@sd.usda.gov Office: 605-352-1236 Mobile: 605-350-3250

Pete Bauman Range Field Specialist SDSU Extension 1910 West Kemp Ave, Watertown, SD 57201 Business: 605-882-5142 Mobile: 605-880-6542 peter.bauman@sdstate.edu Anthony Bly SDSU Extension Soils Field Specialist Sioux Falls Regional Center 2001 E. Eighth St. Sioux Falls, SD 57103 Business Phone: 605-782-3290 Mobile Phone: 605-690-4563 anthony.bly@sdstate.edu Sara Berg Agronomy Field Specialist SDSU Extension SDSU Extension Sioux Falls Regional Center 2001 E. Eighth St. Sioux Falls, SD 57103 Business Phone: 605-782-3290 Mobile Phone: 605-321-4224 sara.berg@sdstate.edu

Ruth Beck Agronomy Field Specialist SDSU Extension Pierre Regional Center 412 West Missouri Ave. Pierre, SD 57501 Business Phone: 605-773-8122 Mobile Phone: 605-280-7917 ruth.beck@sdstate.edu

South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension

Christopher Graham SDSU Extension Agronomist SDSU Extension Business: 605-394-2236 christopher.graham@sdstate.edu

Location: 1015 Campanile Ave. Brookings, S.D. 57007Contact: 1-605-688-4121

Marcia Deneke State Conservation Agronomist NRCS State Office 200 Fourth Street SW Huron, SD 57350 605-352-1200 marcia.deneke@sd.usda.gov

Eric Barsness Conservation Agronomist NRCS Brookings Area Office 520 3rd Ave. Brookings, SD 57006-1910 605-692-2344 ext. 103 eric.barsness@sd.usda.gov

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Sean Kelly Range Management Field Specialist Winner Regional Center 325 S. Monroe St., P.O. Box 270, Winner, SD 57580 Contact: 605-842-1267

Dave Ollila Sheep Field Specialist SDSU Extension Rapid City Regional Ext. Center 711 N. Creek Drive Rapid City, SD 57703 Contact: 605-394-1722 david.ollila@sdstate.edu

Dwayne Beck Dakota Lakes Research Center Manager, Dakota Lakes Research Center PO Box 2 Pierre, SD 57501 Business: 605-224-6357 Mobile: 605-224-6114 beck@dakotalakes.com

David Karki Ph. D. Agronomy Field Specialist Watertown Regional Ext. Center SDSU Extension 1910 West Kemp Ave, Watertown, SD 57201 Business: 605-882-5140 David.Karki@sdstate.edu

Peter Sexton Associate Professor SDSU Department of Plant Science Plant Science Box 2207A Brookings, SD 57007 Business: 605-688-6179 peter.sexton@sdstate.edu

Michael Lehman Research Microbiologist USDA Agricultural Research Service 2923 Medary Ave. Brookings, SD 57006 Business: 605-693-5205 michael.lehman@ars.usda.gov

Shannon Osborne Research Agronomist USDA Agricultural Research Service 2923 Medary Ave. Brookings, SD 57006 Business: 605-693-5234 Shannon.Osborne@ars.usda.gov

Sharon Papiernik Research Leader North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory USDA Agricultural Research Service PA-3080 2923 Medary Ave. Brookings, SD 57006 Business: 605-693-5201 Sharon.Papiernik@ars.usda.gov

Jimmy Doyle Natural Resource Management Field Specialist Winner Regional Center 325 S. Monroe St., P.O. Box 270 Winner, SD 57580 Contact: 605-842-1267

Chandra Engel SDSU Extension Cow Calf Field Specialist Watertown Regional Extension Center1910 West Kemp Ave Watertown, SD 57201 Contact: 605-882-5140 Chanda.Engel@sdstate.edu

USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS)Location: 2923 Medary AvenueBrookings, SD 57006

Gared Shaffer Weeds Field Specialist SDSU Extension Business: 605- 626-2870 Mobile: 605-290-6164 gared.shaffer@sdstate.edu

Notes and Names

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The Mentor Network was established through the collective efforts of the South Dakota Grassland Coalition, South Dakota Soil Health Coalition (SDSHC), South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts (SDACD), Voices for Soil Health Earth Team Volunteers, and the South Dakota USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It is supported by many entities including the South Dakota Grassland Coalition, South Dakota Soil Health Coalition (SDSHC), South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts (SDACD) and local conservation districts, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension, and the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

November 2017 | Photos courtesy USDA NRCS South Dakota.

The USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider, Employer and Lender.

Want to share your knowledge about soil health, cropland or grassland management, sustainability and agriculture?Join our mentor network! Mentors can volunteer a little or much of their time and talents. It’s fun to connect with like-minded people. Contact any of the partnering organizations to let them know your interest area for improving the health of our soil resource on either cropland or grassland!

Natural Resources Conservation Service Agricultural Research Service