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Journalist Isaac Newton Gresham founded the Farmers Educational and Cooperative Union in Point, Texas, in 1902 to protect and promote the interests of family farmers. The organization expanded nationally in 1905.

The Farmer’s Union was introduced to South Dakota around 1914 by former members of the Nebraska Farmers Union who had relocated to the state. Early organizational efforts in South Dakota were driven by Farmers Union officials from Nebraska.

On March 16, 1917, the South Dakota Farmers Union was officially established as a state unit during its first state convention in Mitchell. The convention brought together 268 delegates representing 14 counties, reflecting the organization's growing presence. By this time, 134 local chapters had been formed across the state.

Education has been a cornerstone of the South Dakota Farmers Union, pioneering programs that were later adopted by other state units. In its early years, the Union played a crucial role in collective purchasing, helping farmers acquire essential supplies such as flour, coal, and twine.

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.