"Our Amazing Grasslands" video series - 2023 - March
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.
The 2023 Our Amazing Grassland stories:
March: Sander Family, Custer, SD
In this nearly eight-minute video, the South Dakota Grassland Coalition visits with the Sander Family in Custer, South Dakota. The Sander family has lived on the land near Custer, South Dakota since 1946 and have worked to keep it in the family from generation to generation. With rotational grazing, the Sander family have created a sustainable legacy in western South Dakota.
February: Breyer and Wollschlager Families, Strandburg, SD
In this eight-minute video, the South Dakota Grassland Coalition visits with the Breyer and Wollschlager families in Strandburg, South Dakota. The Breyer and Wollschlager families have a multi-generational relationship rooted in shared goals for the land. Working together, the families have created a lasting legacy of conservation on the South Dakota landscape.
January: Ollila Family, Newell, SD
In this eight-minute video, the South Dakota Grassland Coalition visits with David, Holly, and the Ollila Family in Newell, South Dakota. The Ollilas manage grasslands by prioritizing livestock diversity in integrated cattle and sheep grazing, mimicking the diversity of the natural prairie of antelope and buffalo before the land was divided by settlers. David Explains, "The Diversity in livestock is every bit as important as the diversity in the plant community." In late summer when moisture is scarce, David says better grassland management practices that bring diversity to plant life keeps moisture in the ground and concerns for nutritional grazing are a thing of the past.
If you want to see more videos on farmers and ranchers who are improving their grasslands, visit the NRCS YouTube channel.