South Dakota BBQ Championships Fire Up with Local Judges

By Scout Nelson

The South Dakota Barbeque Championships are heating up on June 6–7 at the State Fairgrounds in Huron. Sponsored by the South Dakota Soybean Checkoff, the event blends good food with agricultural support.

Four soybean farmers from South Dakota are serving as judges for this year’s event. Tim Ostrem from Centerville, a director on the United Soybean Board, joins Dawn Scheier of Salem, Mike McCranie of Claremont, and Todd Hanten of Goodwin on the judging panel.

Ostrem, an experienced judge, first learned competitive BBQ judging in Bozeman, Montana, through a training session with a Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned instructor. Judges are taught to focus on meal presentation, barbeque etiquette, and, most importantly, taste.

According to Ostrem, sponsoring this BBQ event through the Soybean Checkoff makes perfect sense. Many BBQ meats are prepared using soybean-based products, and such events help connect consumers with agriculture in a fun, flavorful way.

This year’s competition features 48 BBQ teams from across the region, including entries from as far away as Texas, Colorado, and North Carolina. The event offers a chance to showcase cooking skills and highlight local agriculture.

For Ostrem and his fellow farmers, judging is more than a task—it’s a passion. “I love barbeques,” he says. He enjoys every part of the experience, from sampling dishes to engaging with the BBQ community.

Photo Credit: soybean-field-istock-oticki