The Best Job in South Dakota

Hot dog! Sadie Frey’s passion is electric. You might say we couldn’t ‘resist-her.’ In her ‘current’ position, Sadie is an ace Communication Specialist for Agtegra Cooperative. Fair warning, she will reawaken science experiment memories. Plus, find out why if not for Reeses, Sadie might have been in pieces.

Back from break, but did we have fun?  The answer lies within this season’s preview that reaches new heights and may eclipse your expectations.  We hope you enjoy eason-Say ee-Thray!

Our guest meteorologist aced her Christmas forecast.  Now, our Nation’s foremost weather prognosticator forecasts an early spring.  Whether you’re planting 5 sq. ft. or 500 acres, it’s seed selection time for your 2024 crop.  This season’s guests, with their inspiring career choices, seeded inspirational ideas for all of us.  Like the red, red robin, we’ll soon be bob, bob bobbin’ along with Season Three!  

“My pickup is my office.”  Amy Pravecek's position at global animal health company Zoetis comes with a front row seat of the stunning ranchland topography of South Dakota and Wyoming.  On the job, you’ll find her chute side with ranchers and their cattle.  At home, well, she’s raising cattle with her husband.  And, she's active in more ag groups than you can “cow”nt.

Q:  When is a loaner a keeper?
A:  When she’s Justine Rivard, Senior Ag Lender at the Black Hills Federal Credit Union. Bank on it.  Her expertise, compassion, and grit shine through in our conversation.  Saddle up and lend an ear.  Also, is chili soup?

Happy New Year!  Resolve to start garden planning with sage advice from SDSU horticulturalist Dr. Kristine Lang.  Borage?  Add that to the plan.   If you’re not ready to put the holidays behind, she’s an extension specialist with expert tips on extending your poinsettia’s life.  BTW, those aren’t flowers, they’re bracts.

Won’t be long before it’s time to hoe, hoe, hoe.

When it comes to dairy scientists, SDSU Associate Professor Dr. Maneesha Mohan is the cream of the crop.  Take her course and you’ll exercise better judgment…of dairy products.    Learn a technique used in dairy and soil judging.  Find out the answer to, “Why is milk white?”  It’s an episode like no udder.

Gwen McCausland’s cemetery walks with her history teacher grandmother were inspirational.  Now, as Director of the SD Agricultural Heritage Museum, Gwen inspires visitors with a passion for the diverse history, culture, and science of agriculture in South Dakota.  ‘Tis the season to visit the museum for great exhibits and seeds of ideas for holiday gifts.

Michelle Grosek and her husband are organic farmers and owners/operators of the community-oriented Bear Butte Gardens. She’ll have you seeing red – red tomatoes, red potatoes, red kuri squash, and Bourbon Red turkeys!  If red isn’t your color, Michelle has a cornucopia of produce spanning the spectrum for you.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Connie Johnson has a Purple Heart and a heart of gold.  As Coordinator for Veterans Affairs Resources at SDSU and purposeful flower farmer of Freedom Acres SD, she is a guardian angel to veterans and their families.  Deservedly, she has her own Angel.  Join us in saluting Connie and all veterans this Veterans Day week. 

Launching weather balloons sure is fun. Ask NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Kelly Serr. Her forecasts help keep us safe. They’re vital to farmers, firefighters, and trick-or-treaters.  Good news for the latter thanks to  El Niño. When it comes to explaining weather phenomena, Kelly is phenomenal!

Top quality produce and nursery needs? See Nicole Krautschun. Pure fun? Visit her Spearfish Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch. Pick from 40 pumpkin varieties, get lost in the stalks, frolic in 12 tons of corn, and spiral down a windmill.  A-MAZE-ING!

Summer break reports and what’s in store for the upcoming, holiday-filled season.  Ring the bell.  Round Two of popping podcast episodes are heading your way.

Phew!  Season One was a tsunami of tales and insight from a baker’s dozen of talented, gracious South Dakota women.  What an ocean of ag-related opportunities our guests identified and seized.  We are awash in admiration of their inner strength to follow a path to their Best Jobs.  So, give a listen, let’s gather our breath, and we’ll convene in October for Season Two.  Phew! 

You can’t go home again?  You can if you have the mustered confidence of Sentel Schreier aka Mr. Kolenkhov.  Just ask the 2500 Targhees she shepherds.  Remember, “Pressure and release.”  She’s never backed down whether loading bulls or taking on Rosie, the evil Shetland pony.  Belle Fourche is lucky to have Sentel back.

Dr. Beth Thompson wins the trifecta.
Best Job: SD State Veterinarian
Best Location:  Two blocks from Zesto
Best Aspiration:  Sled dog vet crew
Heads up, this episode is a bit of a scream.

Listen.  Do you want to know a secret?  Grasshoppers, they’re so interesting.  They really are.  Just ask Amy Mesman, USDA’s SD State Plant Health Director.  Thank you to Amy for dedicated service protecting agriculture, grasslands, trees, and all SD flora.  Plus, a nod to the Fab 4-H. 

On the job and in the boardroom, Kelsey Geraets earned her seat at the table. Managing JPJ Enterprises’ feedlot is just one of her talents. You won’t doubt her abilities after this meaty conversation. Don’t fill up on the tacos. Save room for the ribeye. Listen in and get on board(s). 

Naturally, it’s a wild visit with Silka Kempema, South Dakota Game Fish and Parks wildlife biologist.  At one point, she goes overboard.  You otter listen.