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For Kate Meyer, South Dakota State University is a family tradition. Both of her parents and many family members are SDSU alums. She grew up coming to Brookings every summer, which always included a trip to campus, and many falls were spent at the Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium watching ���ϳԹ���s football.

When she was in high school and started preparing for the future, SDSU was the obvious fit. As an FFA member, and eventual 2025-2026 South Dakota FFA state secretary, she learned about SDSU’s academic opportunities and became even more familiar with campus through her visits for career development events and state convention.

Having grown up on a farm in Sisseton, Meyer knew that she wanted to pursue a career in agriculture, but she wasn’t quite sure in what area. She decided to pursue a degree in agricultural business as she felt it best suited her interests.

When she began looking at her classes during her freshman year in fall 2025, Meyer knew she wanted to add something that would make her stand out and equip her with the skills needed to be a leader in agriculture. This led her to add a second major: the agricultural leadership specialization of the agricultural education, communication and leadership major.

“In my leadership classes, I’ve been able to develop my accountability, self-awareness and communication skills,” Meyer said. “Understanding that what I say has value and what I do has value, and that’s important when communicating with people.”

Leadership wasn’t something Meyer discovered in a textbook; she saw it daily in her dad’s work as a full-time farmer and in her mom’s roles as an agriculture teacher and superintendent.

As a state FFA officer, her skills grew even more. Her freshman year experience was a little different than most. When she wasn’t in class, she was traveling to speak with FFA chapters across the state, planning events, preparing for state convention and much more. Through that experience and having seen leadership in her family from a young age, Meyer knew the skills she would gain through this major would be very impactful. Even though she is early in her academic pursuits, she can already see the impact her leadership skills have had on her development.

“For students pursuing agriculture-related fields, double majoring in agriculture leadership helps provide the tools needed to lead teams, advocate for industry needs and address complex challenges facing rural communities and the agricultural sector,” said Kim Gustafson, lecturer in the School of Health and Human Sciences. “We teach students not only how to succeed in their careers but how to make a meaningful impact in their communities, too.”

From 2021-2025, SDSU has enrolled 20-37 students each year in the agricultural leadership specialization. The program provides students like Meyer with foundational content in many aspects of agriculture and leadership with enough flexibility for students to enhance their graduation plan with certificates, minors or double majors. It is common for students to double up with another agriculture major, like animal science, dairy production or agronomy, or with a complementary program like political science or communication studies. The leadership curriculum at SDSU exposes students to self-discovery, discovering their own strengths and team development.

“The agricultural leadership specialization within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science enables students to develop their leadership, critical thinking, team building and organizational skills,” said Jim Connors, associate dean and director of academic programs for the college. “It prepares students for leadership and management positions throughout the food, agriculture and natural resources industry. Graduates of this program have gone on to work for state government agencies, agricultural businesses and nonprofit organizations.”

Students in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences have countless opportunities to display and grow these skills through club and campus involvement, internships and experiences like study abroad, which Meyer recently took part in. 

Earlier this summer, Meyer, along with 28 other students and three faculty members, traveled across the world to Australia, where they explored the culture, landscape and agriculture industries for two weeks. One highlight for Meyer was touring a cattle feedlot and comparing Australian practices with those she’s familiar with in South Dakota.

Experiences like this don’t just show students the world — they expand their perspective and spark new ideas about what’s possible.

“If you’re thinking about studying abroad, just do it,” Meyer said. “I’ve had to try to explain the experience in words, and I don’t even have the words to articulate how amazing it was. It’s an experience you wouldn’t expect, and the things you learn are amazing.”

Meyer’s path makes it clear that leadership isn’t a single moment or milestone, but a collection of experiences, mentors and opportunities that shape students into confident problem solvers ready to serve their industries and communities. From the classroom to FFA chapters to study abroad programs, SDSU’s agricultural leadership specialization gives students the space to discover their strengths, broaden their perspective and build the skills today’s agriculture sector urgently needs. SDSU is growing the next generation of leaders who will guide agriculture and the rural communities it supports into a stronger future.