Rebecca is a Huron native, and South Dakota State University (SDSU) graduate whose career has spanned agricultural policy, federal leadership, and strategic consulting. After serving as Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), she launched her own consulting firm and later created The Best Job in South Dakota podcast to highlight women shaping agriculture across the state. 

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Rebecca led the development of what would become the Women’s Ag Network (WAN), helping shape its early vision and groundwork. She is committed to ensuring women across South Dakota feel connected, supported, and engaged in a community where women co-elevate one another every step of the way. 

Kelly Brandlee is a fourth-generation farmer who farms alongside her husband, Clint, and their two young daughters, raising cattle and crops near Pierpont, South Dakota. She is also an entrepreneur, operating Back Forty Beef, where the family sells their homegrown beef and tallow products locally and ships nationwide. 

Passionate about sharing the story of agriculture, Kelly and Clint welcome visitors to their Corn Maze and Adventure Farm each fall. In addition, Kelly manages a small communications consulting business.  

Kelly is a graduate of South Dakota State University (SDSU) and South Dakota Agricultural and Rural Leadership (SDARL) Class VII. She has also been actively involved in several boards and community organizations across the state.

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In her spare time, she enjoys riding her horses and spending quality time with friends and family. 

Nikiah is a farmer, wife, and mother with deep roots in agriculture and family life. She farms alongside her husband and manages two small businesses centered on compost and tallow, ventures that honor the land, support regenerative practices, and create purposeful products beyond the field. 
 

Passionate about farming, stewardship, and rural life, Nikiah brings that energy to the Women’s Ag Network, where she focuses on supporting, encouraging, and connecting women in agriculture.  
 

Outside of farming and her businesses, she enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and friends. 

Brooke Hendrickx grew up on a diversified livestock operation near New York Mills, Minnesota, where her family raised sheep, pigs, and small grains and continues to operate a custom livestock marketing business. She grew up showing registered Columbia, Corriedale, and Rambouillet sheep across the country. 

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Brooke continued her education at South Dakota State University, where she studied Agricultural Leadership. While at SDSU, she was a High Placings individual and part of the wool judging team that earned a third overall finish at the National Western Stock Show. 

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Brooke currently resides near Bridgewater, South Dakota, and works as a lending assistant for First Dakota. In her spare time, she volunteers with numerous livestock shows, including The Summit Livestock Show, the All American Junior Sheep Show, South Dakota Summer Spotlight, and the Aksarben Stock Show. 

Meg McNeese is the COO of Rose Group International, a business management consultancy based in Spearfish, SD. Meg has years of experience leading through transition, from navigating major changes in highly regulated industries to managing $100M+ acquisitions. Meg has refined skills in understanding people through change. Her studies in organizational psychology, mastery in leadership concepts, and certification in Change Management ensure that people are taken care of and all perspectives are considered. 
 

Meg is a ranch kid from Belle Fourche, South Dakota, where she still puts in a hard day’s work on the family place from time to time. Ranch life gave her stick-to-itiveness, passion for family and community, and maybe a touch of stubbornness. Meg is an avid gym rat, an advocate of the well-rounded education of youth, and has a knack for finding humor in all things. 

Sarah Myers is a fifth-generation cattle producer with a deep-rooted passion for agriculture in South Dakota. Alongside her husband and their two young sons, she operates Myers Grain and Livestock, a diversified farming and cattle feeding operation near Winner, South Dakota.

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In addition to her work on the family operation, Sarah is a crop claims specialist with RCIS Crop Insurance, where she enjoys working directly with farmers and ranchers across the region.

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When she’s not busy with work or family, Sarah can often be found riding her horses or spending time in the field, whether that’s in a combine during harvest or on a windrower putting up hay.

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Sarah is a member of South Dakota Agricultural and Rural Leadership (SDARL) Class XIII and has been actively involved in her community and industry. She previously served as president of the Winner Area Chamber of Commerce and remains active in both the South Dakota and Tripp County Farm Bureau organizations.

 

She believes rural communities can greatly benefit from programs like the Women’s Ag Network, especially when it comes to building connections, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another through education and networking opportunities.

Ashley Wiesen is an agricultural educator, entrepreneur, and mom of three who is passionate about supporting rural communities and helping others grow. She currently teaches high school agriculture, where she works to inspire the next generation of leaders in the industry.

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In addition to teaching, Ashley and her husband own and operate an event rental business. She enjoys finding creative ways to bring people together and create memorable experiences within her community.

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Ashley and her husband are also involved in raising cattle, continuing their shared passion for agriculture. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family, being outdoors, and embracing the busy, rewarding lifestyle that comes with raising kids in rural America.

 

Through the Women’s Ag Network, Ashley is excited to create opportunities for women to connect, build confidence, and support one another both personally and professionally.