By Scout Nelson
Jeff Lakner’s journey in agriculture began with determination and vision. After high school, he chose to attend South Dakota State University despite his father’s initial opposition.
In 1978, he graduated with a degree in agricultural business, a decision that shaped both his career and his family’s conservation legacy.
Lakner’s father, Stanlee, had already begun improving the family’s Wessington farmland by rotating crops with legumes and building fences to support managed grazing. Jeff expanded those efforts when he returned to the farm in 1981, introducing no-till practices and integrating livestock grazing into crop production.
He often emphasizes that livestock play a key role in conservation by improving soil health, controlling weeds, and reducing input costs.
Over the last four decades, Jeff, along with his wife Myrna, son Andrew, and daughter-in-law Marisa, has grown the farm while tripling cattle numbers. He remains firm in his belief that livestock will always be part of their operation because of their environmental benefits.
Andrew, also an SDSU graduate, has brought new vision to the farm, encouraging the family to integrate precision agriculture technology to strengthen conservation. With Agtegra Cooperative, they implemented precision soil testing and mapping to measure and manage land more effectively.
Lakner’s leadership extends beyond the farm. He has served on numerous boards, including the SDSU College of Agriculture advisory board, where he helped introduce the nation’s first precision agriculture degree. His commitment to land stewardship has earned the farm national recognition, including a place among the Top 100 Best Managed Farms in the U.S. In recent years, he has shared his expertise with the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and the Environmental Defense Fund, ensuring that farmers’ voices are included in global conservation conversations.
Photo Credit: south-dakota-state-university
Categories: South Dakota, Education