By Scout Nelson
Two high school students from South Dakota, Karlie Kammerer of Piedmont and Katelyn Gebhart of Meadow, represented their state at the National High School Youth Forum held during the International Society for Range Management meeting in Monterey, California, from February 7–11, 2026. The event, themed “Herd ‘Round the World,” brought together students and professionals from across the country and around the world.
The South Dakota section of the Society for Range Management funded the students’ trip. The forum included ecological tours of the local landscape, networking opportunities, leadership development, and a presentation competition. Delegates were chosen through state-level contests, including the South Dakota Rangeland and Soil Days event.
Kammerer, who won first place in the 2025 national contest for her presentation on holistic ranch management, returned in 2026 to give her presentation to the full national membership and assist other students during the forum.
“My favorite thing about the High School Youth Forum was meeting and connecting with rangeland professionals and ranchers across the nation and having the opportunity to network with other kids my age who are just as passionate about plants and soils as I am,” Kammerer said.
Gebhart, the 2026 delegate, won first place in the 2025 state-level speech contest for her presentation on prescribed fire. Her work highlighted how her family turned challenges from a prairie wildfire into opportunities.
“My favorite thing about being a High School Youth Forum delegate was meeting the other delegates from around the U.S. who had a passion for range. I also really enjoyed the tour of the Santa Lucia Preserve and seeing the difference between South Dakota and there,” Gebhart said.
“I am really proud of how well Karlie and Katelyn represented South Dakota at the National SRM meeting. I enjoyed practicing their presentations with them and I’m excited that I could help open doors for our youth to these opportunities,” said Kaylee Wheeler, SDSU Extension Range Field Specialist.
The Society for Range Management is an international professional and scientific organization that promotes sustainable management and stewardship of rangelands. Its annual meeting shares lessons on biodiversity, land management, and rangeland productivity.
For more information on becoming a South Dakota delegate for the High School Youth Forum, contact Kaylee Wheeler, SDSU Extension Range Field Specialist, via email at kaylee.wheeler@sdstate.edu.
Photo Credit: south-dakota-state-university
Categories: South Dakota, General