As many of you know, I have a weekly podcast called, “The Heart of Rural America,” and on that show, I’m on a mission to highlight the incredible people I have the great fortune of meeting on the road. These folks inspire me and fuel me to keep working and fighting to keep families on the land and to ensure our nation remains free and fed.

As I travel, these stewards of the land and livestock have taught me so much, and I truly believe that the best people reside in the heart of rural America — folks who are kind-hearted yet gritty; who live with integrity and handshake deals; who are generous and giving; and who truly have a passion and a purpose outside of themselves. This is confirmed to me with every stop I make in my travels to speak, and sometimes, the meetings are so powerful and so profound, it’s hard to even express how meaningful they are to me.

Let me share an example of exactly what I mean.  

The South Dakota legislative session has concluded, and on the agricultural front — we battled many wars for farming and ranching families. Without question, the single most important bill to come out of this session was HB1052, which now outlaws the use of eminent domain for carbon pipelines.  

Sponsored by Speaker Pro Tem Representative Karla Lems (R-Canton) and freshman Senator Mark Lapka (R-Leola), HB1052 was widely recognized as the PEOPLE’S BILL — the commonsense, reasonable solution that would finally put to rest the tensions building in the state. 

At long last, South Dakota citizens can opt into a project like this with good-faith negotiations taking place, and we the people can also say, “No thank you,” without the threat of a taking hanging over our heads.

By: Jon Hansen - SD District 25 - Speaker of the House of Representatives

Now that HB 1052 has passed and Summit Carbon Solutions is no longer able to use the coercive and overwhelming power of eminent domain against South Dakotans (same with any other for-profit company) I’m left wondering what Summit Carbon Solutions will do next…

Here is my open message to Summit Carbon or anyone else who wants to try to come abuse our fellow South Dakotans:

Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-Illinois) and I sit down for an update on all of the happenings in Washington, D.C. including the top priorities for Congress and the Trump administration as it relates to American agriculture.

Following the conclusion of South Dakota's 100th legislative session, I travel to the Siouxland Republican Women's Meeting in Sioux Falls, SD, joined by South Dakota Speaker of the House Jon Hansen, Speaker Pro Tem Karla Lems & Senator Mark Lapka to discuss the passage of HB1052 to eliminate eminent domain for carbon pipelines and how South Dakota is serving as a beacon of hope for the rest of the nation.

Amanda sits down with her sister, Courtney Coughlin, to discuss faith, family, entrepreneurship, juggling it all, and how to find opportunities in agriculture in unique and exciting ways.