South Dakota Farmers Union names Jerauld County farmer and life-long public servant Jim Burg the 2023 Ag Ambassador in recognition of his leadership and dedication to South Dakota agriculture and rural communities.
“If Webster Dictionary had an image of what a civil servant looked like, it would be a photo of Jim Burg. He is the example of who a civil servant should be,” said Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union. “Jim does what is right for those he serves, not himself.”
Sombke presented the Ag Ambassador Award to Burg during the organization’s 108th State Convention.
Reflecting on his lifetime of public service, Burg credits his eighth-grade civics class for piquing his interest.
“As we studied state government, I thought, “I want to do that someday.’”
And he did.
Burg, 82, served a decade as a state Representative and one term as a state Senator. He served two terms as Mayor of Wessington Springs and served two terms on the Wessington Springs School Board.
For nearly two decades he served as South Dakota’s Public Utilities Commissioner and was instrumental in the development of wind power throughout South Dakota. Burg also served as an officer in the South Dakota Army National Guard
“You know that old adage, “if you are not at the table, you are on the table” – I believe this. If you want the things you need to survive and prosper, you need to get involved,” Burg said. “You cannot sit back and expect someone else will do it for you.”
Throughout his decades of public service, fairness has been an intentional focus.
“Being fair is essential to having a democratic society,” he said. “I don’t think we can have democracy without having fair treatment of all.”
Burg said his dad, Albert, was an excellent mentor and led by example.
Source: sdfu.org
Photo Credit: gettyimages-livingimages
Categories: South Dakota, Business