In an unexpected yet celebrated appearance, South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden visited Stockmen’s Livestock Inc. in Yankton, a venue esteemed by East River cattlemen and a significant facet of South Dakota’s robust agricultural community. Introduced warmly by owner and auctioneer Greg Ryken as a “great man” and “great friend,” Rhoden took the opportunity to connect with local farmers and ranchers, marking his first visit to this acclaimed Southeast South Dakota sale barn. The visit was a testament to Rhoden’s enduring commitment to agriculture in South Dakota, a key focus throughout his career in public service.
Larry Rhoden
Rhoden, hailing from a ranch that lies 45 miles east of Sturgis in the western part of the state, greeted those gathered at Stockmen’s with a profound sense of familiarity and honor. “I’ve been a cattleman my whole life, so to get here in front of a bunch of East River cattlemen is my privilege,” he stated.
Greg Ryken, who facilitated Rhoden’s visit, expressed his intent in bringing the governor face-to-face with his constituents, “I just thought it’d be a good place to get him in front a lot of agricultural people,” Ryken said. The visit also coincided with Rhoden’s ongoing efforts to galvanize support for his upcoming gubernatorial election campaign.
Reflecting on his leadership, Rhoden emphasized the importance of agriculture, which he regards as South Dakota’s “king.” Agriculture remains the state’s preeminent industry, forming the backbone of South Dakota’s economy. Acknowledging this, Rhoden noted, “It’s our number-one industry by like five, six, sevenfold.” He underscored the need for economic diversification to buffer against fluctuations in commodity prices, which have a direct impact on the state’s financial health.
The South Dakota Legislature is set to begin its 2026 session on January 13, during which Rhoden will deliver the State of the State address. This legislative session promises to be dynamic, particularly concerning property tax discussions — a subject close to Rhoden’s heart. “There’s been a ton of conversation about property taxes,” he remarked, noting the significance of property rights in his political agenda.
Recently, Rhoden proposed an innovative plan to alleviate property tax burdens. This would authorize counties to levy an optional sales tax, with the revenue earmarked for property tax relief for homeowners. “We’ve been shopping that plan around to a lot of different organizations,” he mentioned, expressing confidence in the plan’s potential to offer tailored solutions to specific county-level challenges.
Furthering his connection with South Dakotans, Rhoden participated in a fundraiser for the Lewis and Clark — Larry Ness Chapter of the Friends of the National Rifle Association in Yankton. This event, held at the National Field Archery Association’s Easton Yankton Archery Center, provided Rhoden another platform to listen and engage with local stakeholders. Greg Ryken, too, acknowledged the value of Rhoden’s engagements, “It means a lot to me that he would take the time to jump down and talk to people in the cattle industry that probably don’t get the chance to meet the governor or see him at very many events,” he said.
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Having lived a life steeped in the traditions και ενδιλε φρος τιπ Table 1, την South Dakota. Furthermore, Governor Rhoden’s leadership is deeply informed by this grounding. His roots in the cattle industry provide a pragmatic perspective on the needs of South Dakota’s agricultural sector. As he embarks on his election campaign, his commitment to maintaining South Dakota’s status as one of the freest states remains unwavering. In his words, “As long as I am governor, we will keep it that way.”
For more information on Larry Rhoden’s campaign and policy proposals, visit his [official website].