The South Dakota Farm Bureau is one of the oldest agricultural organizations in the state, with roots dating back to 1913 when local efforts began at the county level. The South Dakota Farm Bureau Federation was officially established in 1917. Initially, the Bureau worked closely with the Cooperative Extension Service, but this relationship had largely dissolved by 1935 as the organization evolved independently.
The South Dakota Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company, once a key service arm of the Federation, offered insurance exclusively to its members. This member-owned company merged with the Iowa Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company in July 1999, at which point it ceased operations under the South Dakota name. The South Dakota Farm Bureau Service Company, a for-profit corporation wholly owned by the Federation, continues to operate in support of the Bureau’s broader mission.