Dakota Rural Action has been fighting for rural communities, farmers, ranchers, and everyday people for nearly 40 years, sinking our roots deep into the South Dakota soil. The specific issues may change, but one thing remains constant: DRA shows up for everyday South Dakotans.
Our members have stood up for family farmers and fair markets, for local control in the face of corporate industrial development (CAFOs, pipelines, data centers), for our constitutional rights, and for a robust and just food system We are able to continue this work by remaining rooted here at home, connected to everyday South Dakotans and working together.
Join us in Pierre Nov. 6 – 7 for our Annual Meeting – Rooted & Resilient: 39 Years of Building Power
Austin Frerick, author of Barons and Friday’s keynote speaker
We will kick off the weekend at Drifters Bar & Grille with dinner and a keynote address from Austin Frerick, author of Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America’s Food Industry, which explores how years of lax antitrust enforcement allowed corporate dynasties to monopolize and reshape the modern food system.
Frerick is an expert on agricultural and antitrust policy. He worked at the Open Markets Institute, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the Congressional Research Service before becoming a Fellow at Yale University. He is a 7th-generation Iowan and 1st-generation college graduate, with degrees from Grinnell College and the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Friday’s event is open to the public! Spots are limited so reserve your space now.
On Saturday, our members will gather at the Izaak Walton League in Pierre to meet our new Executive Director, hear from our board of directors, hold board elections, and conduct organizational business. We will also get updates from members about campaigns they have been involved with in 2026, listen to a panel discussion with DRA’s newest chapter, Rapid City People’s Alliance, and practice one of the basic tenets of organizing – the one to one conversation!
Registration is now open, and the deadline to register is October 28th! More information on tickets and the schedule of events can be found by scanning the QR code or visiting bit.ly/39thAnnMtg
A hotel block is available at the Ramkota Hotel – 920 W Sioux Ave, Pierre, SD. Call 605-224-6877 to book a room under the Dakota Rural Action hotel block by Friday, October 23rd.