Team Members

Cindy Zenk

Cindy Zenk

Executive Director

43968 139th St., Webster, SD, 57274
USDA-NRCS Field Office
605-345-4661 ext 122
(605) 280-4190 (Work Cell)
cindy@sdsoil.org

Stan Wise

Stan Wise

Communications Coordinator

Aberdeen USDA-NRCS Field Office
(605) 368-4091 (Work Cell)
stan@sdsoil.org

Austin Carlson

Austin Carlson

Soil Health Technician

Flandreau USDA-NRCS Field Office
(605) 323-8061
austin@sdsoil.org

Jim Clendenin

Jim Clendenin

Soil Health Specialist

(605) 880-1657
jim@sdsoil.org

Dave Ollila

Dave Ollila

Soil Health Specialist

(605)569-0224
dave@sdsoil.org

Courtney Geppert

Courtney Geppert

Soil Health Technician

(507) 201-5098
courtney@sdsoil.org

Chris Goldade

Chris Goldade

Small Scale/Urban Ag Soil Health Technician

(605) 290-0109
chris@sdsoil.org

Wyatt Johnson

Wyatt Johnson

Small Scale/Urban Ag Soil Health Technician

(605) 280-0621
wyatt@sdsoil.org

Ryan Beer

Ryan Beer

Soil Health Specialist

(605) 390-7521
ryan@sdsoil.org

Janét Moore

Janét Moore

Soil Health Technician

(541) 391-6708
janet@sdsoil.org

Maddy Kludt

Maddy Kludt

Soil Health Technician

(605) 760-0177
maddy@sdsoil.org

Ashley Geraets

Ashley Geraets

Analyst

A photo of several people standing in a field of cover crops that are about shoulder high.

Soil Health School

The 2026 Soil Health School is set for September 15-17 near Twin Brooks and Marvin, SD.

News & Events

Growing sunflowers for soil health and stability

Growing sunflowers for soil health and stability

By Stan Wise For an agricultural operation to thrive, producers must sometimes look at the big picture and make decisions to benefit the long-term success of their farm or ranch. Changes made on a farm now might take years to realize their positive effects, but those...

Test grain for nitrates before using it as forage

Test grain for nitrates before using it as forage

By Stan Wise With the vast majority of South Dakota in a drought and experiencing high temperatures, grain producers are having to make some tough decisions about their crops. Will those grains produce enough yield to make harvesting them a financially viable option,...

Darling Creek Ranch Named 2026 SD Leopold Award Winner

Darling Creek Ranch Named 2026 SD Leopold Award Winner

Sand County Foundation Dan and Sharon Anderson’s Darling Creek Ranch has been selected as the 2026 South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award® recipient. The $10,000 award honors ranchers, farmers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil...