Chad Smith, NAFB News Service

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem announced the merger of the state’s Departments of Agriculture and the Environment and Natural Resources. She says the merger will make for a streamlined South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Hunter Roberts, the current Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, will oversee the new department. Beginning on September 8 and until the merger is complete, Roberts will serve as the interim Secretary of Agriculture while also continuing to lead the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. “Lieutenant Governor Rhoden has stepped up to guide the Department of Agriculture through this important transitional period, and I really appreciate the hard work and leadership,” Noem says. “Agriculture is our number one industry, and under Secretary Roberts’ leadership, this department will serve producers better than before.” Roberts also says that “South Dakotans know our farmers and ranchers are the best conservationists, and this department will promote our number one industry while we simultaneously protect our natural resources.”