Ag United for South Dakota Appointed New Director
The appointment marks a shift for the coalition as it looks to sharpen its farm-to-community messaging.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in People
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Ag United for South Dakota has named Kelly Brandlee as its new executive director, filling the role vacated by the retirement of Don Norton. The transition places a producer with local operational experience at the helm of the organization's outreach initiatives.
Why it matters
The change in leadership signals a potential evolution in how South Dakota agricultural groups engage with the public, as the organization seeks to bridge gaps between production agriculture and residents. Brandlee, a local rancher, will now oversee the group's communication strategies on behalf of its member organizations.
The leadership change involves the appointment of one new director to manage the coalition's agricultural outreach efforts. It remains unknown if this management shift will trigger broader staffing or programmatic updates across the member groups.
The players
Kelly Brandlee
An operator of Back Forty Beef and graduate of South Dakota State University who previously worked with the South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Council.
Don Norton
The retired executive director of Ag United for South Dakota.
Ag United for South Dakota
A coalition that unites agricultural groups to enhance communication between the agricultural sector and local communities.
The details
Brandlee brings experience from both his role as an operator of Back Forty Beef and his previous work with the South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Council to this new position. He intends to coordinate directly with farm and ranch families to refine and execute the coalition's communication goals. This structure aims to maintain a consistent industry voice while managing community relations across the state.
Timeline
October 7, 2026: Kelly Brandlee was formally announced as the new executive director.
Market Landscape
The appointment follows an established industry trend of prioritizing leadership with direct, hands-on production experience. This mirrors the focus found in the South Dakota Agricultural and Rural Leadership program, which emphasizes practical expertise in regional agricultural management.
Operators in the agricultural sector should monitor future updates from the coalition to identify shifts in public-facing messaging or community engagement requirements. Expect potential requests for direct feedback from farm and ranch families as the new leadership assesses its strategy.
The takeaway
The move underscores the importance of operational experience in driving industry-wide advocacy. Operators should track the upcoming communication plan to understand how the coalition will prioritize advocacy for agricultural producers in the coming year.
Further reading
For more coverage on leadership transitions in the regional agricultural sector, see People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dakotanewsnow.
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