December 4-5, 2025
Legacy in the Land: Building Strong Families and Profitable Ranches
The Box Events Center | Box Elder, SD
Legacy in the Land:
Building Strong Families
and Profitable Ranches
The South Dakota Grassland Coalition’s Annual Conference brings together ranching families, ag professionals, and land stewards from across the region for two days of learning, networking, and inspiration. This year’s theme, “Legacy in the Land: Building Strong Families and Profitable Ranches,” highlights the heart of ranching: healthy families, thriving businesses, and resilient grasslands.
Whether you’re a multi-generational rancher or just getting started, this event is designed to give you the tools, connections, and confidence to grow a profitable operation and build a lasting legacy.
Legacy in the Land: Building Strong Families and Profitable Ranches
The South Dakota Grassland Coalition’s Annual Conference brings together ranching families, ag professionals, and land stewards from across the region for two days of learning, networking, and inspiration. This year’s theme, “Legacy in the Land: Building Strong Families and Profitable Ranches,” highlights the heart of ranching: healthy families, thriving businesses, and resilient grasslands.
Whether you’re a multi-generational rancher or just getting started, this event is designed to give you the tools, connections, and confidence to grow a profitable operation and build a lasting legacy.
Get to know the Speakers
This annual meeting is a must-attend event for anyone serious about the future of our grasslands. Whether you’re a seasoned land manager or just starting out, you’ll leave with practical strategies and inspiration to ensure the profitability and longevity of your operation.
Burke Teichert
Regenerative Ranching Expert & Speaker
Burke Teichert was raised on a Wyoming ranch where he learned the value of low-cost, low-input agriculture. With degrees in Agricultural Economics from BYU and the University of Wyoming, he went on to manage and consult for ranches across the U.S., Canada, and beyond. As Vice President and General Manager of AgReserves Inc. (Deseret Ranches), he became known for improving profitability through efficient management and adaptive grazing. Now retired from full-time management, Burke continues to work as a consultant and speaker, sharing practical insights on ranch profitability and sustainability.
Jerry Doan
Rancher & Holistic Range Manager
Jerry and his wife Renae, along with their family, operate Black Leg Ranch, homesteaded in 1882 in Dakota Territory. Using holistic and regenerative practices, they’ve restored soil health, improved profitability, and created opportunities for the next generation. Their family business includes a cow-calf and yearling operation, bison, Audubon-certified grass-finished beef, agri-tourism ventures, and Black Leg Brewery. The ranch serves as a living classroom for soil health and grazing education, and their work has been recognized with numerous state and national awards. Jerry has served on many boards and leadership roles in agriculture and conservation, and was inducted into the N.D. Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2023.
Jolene Brown
Professional Speaker, Author, & Family Business Consultant
Farm-born and raised, Jolene Brown is a champion for the people and industry of agriculture. A farmer, speaker, author, and columnist, she dedicates her work to helping grassroots farmers, growers, and ranchers—along with the organizations that support them—build stronger businesses and lasting legacies. Known for her humor, real-world wisdom, and deep respect for agriculture, Jolene has shared her insights through national farm publications, podcasts, major ag conferences, and from the seat of her family’s Iowa farm tractor. Her mission is simple: to help families in agriculture laugh, learn, and take practical steps to secure their future.
Dr. Tom Noffsinger
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Tom Noffsinger, DVM, of Benkelman, Nebraska, is the 2023 Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Educator of the Year and a long-standing leader in the cattle industry. Raised on a ranch in eastern Colorado, Dr. Noffsinger earned his veterinary degree from Colorado State University in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1994, he collaborated with BQA pioneer Dr. Dee Griffen to establish the "Beef Production Management Series," a continuing education program for veterinarians. Known for using statistics, personal experiences, and live demonstrations, Dr. Noffsinger has traveled the world advocating for cattle acclimation and challenging industry norms to improve cattle welfare.
Legacy in the Land: Building Strong Families and Profitable Ranches
Leadership in Agriculture
Burke will share proven strategies to boost ranch profitability by focusing on what truly drives success. With decades of management and consulting experience, he’ll show how adaptive practices can cut costs, improve efficiency, and keep operations thriving.
Jerry brings real-world experience in expanding ranch businesses while keeping family ties strong. He’ll share insights on succession planning, diversification, and building opportunities that secure a legacy for the next generation.
Jolene mixes humor with hard-hitting truths as she outlines the top mistakes that break up family businesses—and how to avoid them. Her practical advice will help families strengthen communication, preserve relationships, and build lasting success.
In a special extended session, Dr. Tom will demonstrate how low-stress livestock handling improves animal health, safety, and profitability. Attendees will gain hands-on knowledge they can immediately apply on their ranches.
Special Thanks to our Event Sponsors!
This annual meeting is an integral part of the South Dakota Grassland Coalition. It is not only an opportunity for education, but it is THE place to gather, socialize, and meet new people from across the state. We truly appreciate all the sponsors who help us make this event free for all our members.
Sponsorship Package Options
Become an Event Sponsor
Check back soon for the Complete schedule!
Schedule
| December 5, 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
|
8:30 – 9:00 |
REGISTRATION |
|
|
9:00 – 9:45 |
WELCOME & INTRO SDGC | What we provide: How the coalition can support you, and how you can support the coalition |
Dakota Ballroom |
|
9:45‑10:45 |
OPENING KEYNOTE | Natalie & Luke Kovarik Building a First-Generation Ranch on Risk-Taking & Bravery: Practical Strategies for profitability and succession |
Dakota Ballroom |
|
10:45‑11:00 |
BREAK |
|
|
11:00‑12:00 |
BREAKOUT SESSION 1 | Natalie & Luke Kovarik
Dive Deeper on practical strategies for managing your operation |
Private Dining |
|
|
BREAKOUT SESSION 2 | Dr Tom Noffsinger Low-Stress animal health for more profitable management |
Boardroom |
|
12:00‑1:30 |
LUNCH & ANNUAL MEETING |
Dakota Ballroom |
|
1:30‑2:30 |
AFTERNOON KEYNOTE | Clay Conry Leadership: Your Animals, Land, Money, & People |
Dakota Ballroom |
|
2:30‑2:45 |
BREAK |
|
|
2:45‑3:45 |
BREAKOUT SESSION 3 | Clay Conry Dive deeper on managing your assets |
Private Dining |
|
|
BREAKOUT SESSION 4 | Dr Tom Noffsinger Low Stress Livestock Handling birth to sale to increase profitability |
Boardroom |
|
3:45‑4:00 |
CLOSING REMARKS |
Dakota Ballroom |
|
4:00‑5:00 |
Evening Social | Join us for happy hour and socializing |
Dakota Ballroom |
Registration
ANNUAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Admission is FREE to all Current South Dakota Grassland Coalition Members. If you are not a member or need to update your membership, please select “Non-Member Registration” in the form below. Membership is just $35/year.
Hotel Accommodations
We will keep this page updated with available room blocks. For now, please visit https://thebox.live/plan-your-visit/our-hotels/ to see available hotels near The Box Events Center.
Reserve your room today:
1. Check back for details!
Questions:
If you have questions or would like to reserve your spot at the conference over the phone, feel free to contact Judge at 605-280-0127 or by email at judge.jessop@sdconservation.net.