Lisa Schmidt serves as the chair of the Corson County FSA Committee.
By Gina Kerzman, USDA
The nomination period for the USDA Farm Service Agency’s annual county committee election runs through Aug. 1, 2019. Throughout the nomination period, we’ll introduce you to county committee members across the nation. This week meet Lisa Schmidt of Keldron, South Dakota.
Lisa and her husband, Stuart, are fourth generation ranchers on the South Dakota High Plains. Stuart’s great grandfather came from Hampton, Iowa, in 1910 and settled in the house where Lisa and Stuart raised their family and live today.
Growing up in the ranching business, Lisa always knew she wanted to be a rancher. Her stepfather helped her purchase cows and lease a range unit from the Standing Rock Tribe. When Lisa and Stuart married in 1985, they both wanted to continue raising livestock.
The 1980’s were tough times in agriculture. While many neighbors were selling and moving out, Lisa and Stuart continued to rent a tribal unit and make ends meet. FSA programs, like the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, provided assistance when times were tough. “It helped us during some very difficult times,” says Lisa.
Joining the FSA County Committee
One of the main reasons Lisa ran for the FSA county committee was because of her neighbor, Charlie Clark. An FSA committee member in Corson County for many years, Charlie gave the Schmidt’s moral support as young ranchers.
“Charlie had confidence in me and encouraged me to run for a seat on the board [committee],” says Lisa.
Lisa credits her earlier participation as an alternate on the Corson County Conservation District Board, as well as her current role on the FSA county committee, for teaching her the ropes. Lisa now serves as the chair of the county committee.
“My time spent at the meetings and getting to work with such a super-professional county staff has been a great experience for me.”
Lisa and her husband, Stuart, are fourth generation ranchers on the South Dakota High Plains.
Carrying on the Family Ranch
In 1991, the Schmidts purchased the family ranch from Stuart’s parents and continue to rent land from the tribe.
Their daughter, Tottie, ranches with her husband just south of Mud Butte. Their son Chuck and his wife run the ranch with Lisa and Stuart while leasing a neighboring ranch for his own cattle operation.
“I believe that my contribution to the FSA Board [Committee] comes from an understanding and compassion for people in agriculture and the difficulty people can go through in their operations at times,” Lisa said.
More Information
For more information on FSA county committee elections, contact your local FSA office or visit fsa.usda.gov/elections.
