Agriculture

Supporting South Dakota Agriculture

Agriculture is the lifeblood and economic engine of South Dakota. That’s why I believe it’s critical that we have a seat at the table when it comes to negotiating and crafting policies that directly affect our state’s economy and our hardworking farmers and ranchers. I’m proud to be a longtime member of the Senate Agriculture Committee where I advocate for South Dakota agriculture as we craft farm bills and other important legislation. Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve fought to grow South Dakota’s agriculture economy and to protect its farming families by actively pursuing sound agriculture and land stewardship policies, and I’m thankful to have had the advice and support of South Dakota’s agriculture community along the way.  

Our farmers and ranchers work day in and day out, in heat and frost, to help feed billions of people across the world. Our grocery store shelves stay stocked because of the work farmers and ranchers do. On top of this burden, South Dakota agriculture producers often face unimaginable stress just keeping their operations going through unpredictable weather, trade uncertainties, challenging market conditions, burdensome government regulations, and much more. No matter the hardship, I’m always in their corner. I will keep doing everything I can to ensure their needs are met so they can continue to help feed our state, nation, and world.

Death Tax 

For many farmers and ranchers, their money is often tied up in their land – not the bank. The death tax can be devastating to family farms, ranches, and businesses and prevent them from being passed to the next generation. If the federal government demands a substantial portion of the estate and much of the farm’s money is tied up in the land, there’s a good chance that the family will not have enough money in the bank to pay the IRS. As a result, they may have to start selling off land – the literal foundation of their farming operation. The government should not be in the business of shuttering family farms and ranches and family businesses. That’s why I’ve been a strong advocate for permanently ending the death tax. I will continue to do everything I can to protect South Dakota’s family farms and ranches. 

Assistance with USDA 

As always, I stand ready to offer assistance to farmers, ranchers, and others in the agriculture community who encounter challenges with current laws and policies administered by USDA.

Please feel free to reach out to me or my staff with any issues or concerns you have with USDA or any other federal agency.