Legislative Day 2026: Farmers Union Recognizes Senator Sydney Davis and Representative Tim Goodwin for Service to Agriculture

By Lura Roti

The state's largest agriculture organization recognized Senator Sydney Davis and Representative Tim Goodwin today, March 3, 2026, with the Service to Agriculture Award during South Dakota Farmers Union's annual Legislative Day.

"Family farmers and ranchers need strong advocates willing to be a loud voice for the needs of our state's largest industry," said Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union. "As the numbers of families involved in production agriculture shrink, we depend heavily on legislators like Sydney Davis and Tim Goodwin to support the policy that supports our farms, ranches and rural communities."

Read on to learn more about Davis and Goodwin.

Sydney Davis, District 17 Senator

Growing up on a Black Angus seedstock operation outside of Mitchell, Sydney (Geppert) Davis said she developed a deep love for agriculture and an understanding about what it means to care for others.

"Growing up in this way of life, as a kid I developed a respect for all the things around me - whether that is nature or animals - if I don't help take care of it, it cannot take care of me," Davis said.

This innate desire to care for others and an interest in science led Davis to pursue a nursing degree at South Dakota State University and eventually she pursued an advanced degree at Mount Marty University to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Today, she works at the Vermillion hospital.

Like Davis, her husband Garrett also grew up in agriculture. So, when they began to think about their future as parents, it was important to them that they could raise their children on a farm. So, in 2017, the couple purchased a cattle operation near Beresford from a family friend ready to pass their operation on to a young producer.

"Raising children on a farm teaches them so much about life. For example today, it's really cold outside, and it would be nice to hang out inside and play Nintendo, but the cows are hungry and need their feed," Davis said, of the way of life she is happy her three young children; Bo, 8, Pepper, 4 and Tulsi, 1, get to experience and learn from.

Even though her career is in healthcare, Davis said when it comes to agriculture issues in Pierre, she relies on her rural ranch upbringing to advise her. "It often surprises my colleagues when I comment on agriculture topics in a way that shows I know what I'm talking about. My husband does the day-to-day work on our operation, but I still know how to operate a chain and puller and can get a newborn calf to nurse."

Her career in healthcare is what led her to run for office. There was policy that would impact the way she and other healthcare workers could practice. So, Davis began to get to know her legislators and advocate for what she and other healthcare professionals needed to best care for their patients. "Through the process, I gained a lot of confidence, understanding and knowledge of what the work of a legislator is and how important it is for our legislature to have diverse voices."

Elected in 2021 to the House of Representatives and again in 2023 to the Senate, Davis understands the power of citizen advocates and encourages South Dakota's family farmers and ranchers to advocate for their needs by getting to know their legislators.

"Reach out to your legislator with a phone call or in-person meeting and share who you are and what you do so that they can reach out to you if they need advice," Davis said. "We are always quick to brag that agriculture is our number one industry, and yet, agriculture is one of the most underrepresented aspects of our citizen legislature."

She explained that although legislators read their e-mail, they receive a lot of e-mail so phone calls or in-person meetings are most impactful. Davis also encourages citizens who can, to make time to serve.

"Service and getting involved does not always mean public office, it means getting involved in your community and in the organizations that matter to you," Davis said. "Decisions are made by people who show up."

Tim Goodwin, District 30 Representative and Majority Whip

Reflecting on his military and sales careers and his service in the South Dakota Legislature, Majority Whip, Tim Goodwin said the roots of his successes are traced back to growing up on his family's farm near Watertown.

"Working on the farm and being active in the ag community, I was in 4-H and FFA - I served as President of the 4-H club and Watertown FFA Chapter - these life experiences shaped who I am," said Goodwin.

Goodwin explained that even the ability to participate in Parliamentary Procedure on the House floor during Session as the District 30 Representative can be traced back to his years in 4-H and FFA. "I still cringe when somebody says, "I make a motion." I think, "don't you know any better than that?" "Weren't you ever in 4-H or FFA?" I didn't know it at the time, but everything I did and the experiences I had on the farm and in 4H and FFA prepared me for life."

Just in case you're wondering, the correct way to present a motion is to simply say, "I move."

Goodwin graduated high school in 1973. And even though the draft ended a year prior, military service was part of Goodwin's plan. "I joined the Army and became a paratrooper in the 82^nd Airborne Division as a combat medic. So that was three great years to grow up - from 18 to 21."

After graduation, Goodwin was recruited by the Army National Guard to a full-time position that eventually led to Goodwin working as the recruiting commander at Camp Rapid. Goodwin and his team of 80 recruited 600 soldiers a year.

"It was absolutely the best job I ever had," Goodwin said. "I am a soldier. It was my calling. … I think the best thing a young person can do is join the National Guard and get your college paid for and the benefits. Both my sons did this. I guess I'm still a recruiter."

When Goodwin retired from his military career he was only 41. So, he began his second career working in home materials sales. It was this career that led him to the State Legislature.

Through his work he got to know several members of his community and soon learned that many were concerned about human rights violations happening in a closed community near Pringle.

"On the compound, no one received a birth certificate or a death certificate. There were child marriages going on - everybody was talking about it, but nothing was being done," explained Goodwin, who reached out to State Attorney Marty Jackley for advice.

The first year Goodwin was elected he introduced a bill that passed requiring all citizens born in South Dakota to receive a birth certificate within 45 days of birth and a death certificate within 45 days of passing.

This law forced accountability and the community left South Dakota. Today, the cult leader Warren Jeffs is in a Texas prison serving a life sentence.

"As a legislator I realized that I could make a difference - one person can work with others to change laws in South Dakota and make South Dakota a better place," Goodwin explained. "I see myself as the champion of the little guy. I serve because I want to make South Dakota a better place. I know this makes me sound old, but I want to make it a better place for my grandkids. I want them to be able to live the life I lived. So, everyday I work to make a difference."

Goodwin retired from his second career before running for the State Legislature. He continues to work to solve issues impacting South Dakota communities. During the 2026 Legislative Session he introduced a bill aimed to protect family farms by limiting the expansion of corporate dairies in South Dakota by limiting herd size to 7,000-head.

"Family farms are a part of the culture of South Dakota, so I will do what I can to protect them," Goodwin said. "Family farms and ranches are the backbone of our state. It is how our state was founded and I want to preserve this way of life."