BROOKINGS, S.D. — April 7, 2026 — The Eminent Leaders in Agriculture, Family and Community Selection Committee is seeking nominations of individuals for South Dakota State University’s Eminent Leaders in Agriculture, Family and Community award program.
This year marks the 99th anniversary of the program, which was founded in 1927. The intent of this program is to recognize citizens for a lifetime of leadership and service for the betterment of the agriculture industry, families and South Dakota communities. The awards are presented by the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and the College of Education and Human Sciences.
The nominees should have made significant contributions to agriculture, family and/or their community; promoted agriculture best practices, family strengthening programs and/or community enhancement; made specific contributions to their county, state and/or nation; and should be known for giving unselfishly of their talent, time and leadership. There is no age requirement, but the nominees must be living at the time honorees are notified. Spouses may be nominated, but a separate nomination form is needed for each individual. Recipients must be residents of South Dakota. If nominees were previously employed by SDSU, employment cannot have been within the last five years. Three to five letters of support are required.
How to nominate
The official Eminent Leader nomination form with instructions is available online at sdstate.edu/eminent-leaders. Contact Angela Loftesness at 605-688-6732 or angela.loftesness@sdstate.edu to request a hard copy.
Deadline is May 1
All nominations must be received by May 1 to be considered for the award in the same calendar year. Nominations are accepted year-round. Please send nominations to: ELAFC Nominations; ATTN: Angela Loftesness, SDSU CAFES Dean’s Office, Box 2207, Brookings, SD 57007, or e-mail angela.loftesness@sdstate.edu.
The next Eminent Leaders in Agriculture, Family and Community award celebration is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 18, at McCrory Gardens in Brookings.
If you have questions, please contact Loftesness.
About South Dakota State University
Founded in 1881, South Dakota State University is the state’s Morrill Act land-grant institution as well as its largest, most comprehensive school of higher education. SDSU confers degrees from seven different colleges representing more than 230 majors, minors and specializations. The institution also offers 39 master’s degree programs, 17 Ph.D. and two professional programs.
The work of the university is carried out on a residential campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre and Rapid City, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across the state. SDSU’s research expenditures for the 2025 fiscal year were more than $94 million. SDSU has a Doctoral University: High Research Activity designation on The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
For more information: SDSU News • www.sdstate.edu
