Behind the Lens of Our Amazing Grasslands Videos

For more than a decade, Our Amazing Grasslands has shared the stories of ranchers, land managers, and families across South Dakota who are restoring and protecting one of the most threatened ecosystems in North America.

In this special behind-the-scenes film, the team behind the series reflects on the journey — from the very first episode to the final shoot of 2025. Filmmakers Joe Dickie, Mitch Kezar, Charlie Dickie, and others share what inspired the project, how it evolved, and the impact it's had both on the landscape and the people involved.

This video isn't just a look behind the camera — it's a celebration of relationships, storytelling, and the passion for conservation that drives the work. Through challenges, long days in the field, and countless miles traveled, the team witnessed dedication, resilience, and hope in every operation they visited.

Whether you've followed the series since the beginning or are discovering it for the first time, this piece captures the heart of Our Amazing Grasslands: real people, real stories, and a shared commitment to leaving the land better than we found it.

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About Our Amazing South Dakota Grasslands

The “Our Amazing South Dakota Grasslands” campaign was created in 2018 with the goal of better communicating the importance and value of grasslands and soil resources throughout the state. This campaign strives to better show what South Dakota farmers and ranchers are doing to protect and enhance these resources. Each video was created utilizing footage from interviews with South Dakota farmers and ranchers and showcases footage of their farming and ranching operations.

View previous "Our Amazing South Dakota Grasslands" videos on the USDA-NRCS South Dakota YouTube channel.