Rep. Kristi Noem this week received American Farm Bureau’s top congressional honor. The Golden Plow award recognizes members of Congress who exemplify agricultural leadership and demonstrate a commitment to sound agricultural policies, the private enterprise system, fiscal conservatism, and reduced federal regulation of businesses and individuals.

“As a lifelong farmer and rancher, this award is particularly special,” said Noem. “Over the last few years, we’ve achieved some tremendous victories for America’s farmers and ranchers. We negotiated a historic tax cut for families and producers, successfully fought numerous regulations, and got a five-year Farm Bill done – even if that meant I had to buck party leadership to do it.  I am grateful to the Farm Bureau and so many South Dakota producers who have lent their voices to these efforts. In doing so, they helped build a foundation for the next generation of American farmers and ranchers to thrive.”

“She is an effective lawmaker – building relationships to collaborate and get things done to benefit agriculture in our state and across the country,” said American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Vice President Scott VanderWal, who also serves as president of the South Dakota Farm Bureau.

“It’s leaders like Kristi Noem of South Dakota who work hard to plow fertile ground…and harvest policies that help our farmers and ranchers remain on the land and stay productive,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We are honored to have Representative Noem here to accept this award, in recognition of her superior leadership on behalf of U.S. agriculture and in support of Farm Bureau’s grassroots policy.”

Noem currently serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, where she is the lead sponsor of the Death Tax Repeal Act. Additionally, Noem served on the negotiating team for both the 2014 Farm Bill and the 2017 tax reform package, sponsored legislation to repeal the costly Health Insurance Tax, and worked to extend the biodiesel tax credit.