Rounds Introduces South Dakota Witnesses at Indian Affairs Roundtable

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), South Dakota’s member of the Indian Affairs Committee, introduced Kelsey Scott of Gettysburg and Dustin Schmidt of White River during the committee’s roundtable discussion titled, “Native Priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill Reauthorization.”

Click HERE to view Rounds’ full remarks or read below, as prepared for delivery.  

+++ 

“Thank you, Chairman and Vice Chairman, and thank you to our panelists for taking the time to attend today’s hearing and share your perspective. Today, I am happy to introduce two panelists from the state of South Dakota.

“Kelsey Scott is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and currently serves as the Director of Programs for the Intertribal Agriculture Council. She is the owner of a grass-fed beef operation on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation, where she ranches with her husband and family. Prior to working as the Director of Programs at the Intertribal Agriculture Council, she served as Youth Programs Coordinator and Natural Resources Director.

“Also, I would like to introduce Mr. Dustin Schmidt of White River, South Dakota. Mr. Schmidt currently works and resides on the Rosebud Indian Reservation with his four sons. Before managing his own ranch, Dustin worked on the Duckbar Ranch in Nebraska for three years, then moved back to White River, where he worked for Jensen Cattle Corporation for ten years. Since then, he has managed his own ranch, which he started with the help of the FSA loan program. For the last 20 years, Dustin has remained involved in his community and volunteered as a 4-H leader.

“I would like to thank you both for taking the time to serve on the panel today, and I look forward to hearing your perspective.”

###