“Bill Even is one of those guys who could do anything he wanted as a career.
He chose to stay in his home state and work for the people of South Dakota.”
–South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds
Story contact
Barb Koenders, Assistant Director, SDSU Alumni Association, barb.koenders@statealum.com
At the Helm: South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Bill Even Guides South Dakota Ag Policy
When lawmakers or constituents come to Bill Even’s office in Pierre, they sit down to work with him at a small, green table with the words South Dakota inlaid beneath its smooth surface. If they look out Even’s window, they will see the State Capitol building across the street. The placard on his door reads Secretary of Agriculture.
Less than 10 years ago, Even did his work in a room that looked out at SDSU’s West Hall. He sat at a nondescript 15-foot conference table. The door to the room was plain and unadorned. Alone, the room was Scobey Hall’s conference room. But to Even, it was home away from home.
“I took day and evening classes year-round, and I was commuting 150 miles, round-trip, three days a week. I don’t know if I would recommend that plan,” he said, chuckling as he recounted the experience. “I spent my spare time between classes studying in the conference room. In fact, I spent so much time there that the econ professors said they were going to start charging me rent.”
Even started working on an ag-business degree when he was a 33-year-old father and husband. Up to that time, he had worked a successful Humboldt-area farming operation, partnering with his brother, father, and uncle. However, when it was his turn to steer the family business, he didn’t buy more equipment, land, or cattle.
“When it was my turn to decide how to invest my profits from our family farm business, the growing sophistication and competitive nature of agriculture shaped my choice to attend college and invest in myself before investing in more green paint and land debt,” said Even.
He needed an educational foundation, and he turned to SDSU’s College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences to get it.
According to retired professor of economics Richard Shane, who served as his adviser, Even’s SDSU professors saw him as a dedicated student who would not settle for satisfactory. “He took advantage of his opportunities at SDSU,” said Shane. “He worked hard for his success.”
Two years after Even began at SDSU, he left with his ag-business degree in hand. But he wasn’t finished with education; there was more to accomplish. He began studying law in Des Moines, Iowa, at Drake University Law School, and subsequently received his Juris Doctorate in 2005.
After earning his J.D., Even worked as both a farmer and lawyer. In 2005, he began his direct service to South Dakota. Even has served as the State Energy Director (2005-06), as executive director of the South Dakota Energy Infrastructure Authority (2005-07), as director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (2006-07), as deputy secretary of Tourism and State Development, and as policy advisor for the Governor’s Office (2006-07). In March 2007, Gov. Mike Rounds appointed Even as Secretary of Agriculture for South Dakota.
“Bill Even is one of those guys who could do anything he wanted as a career,” said Rounds. “He chose to stay in his home state and work for the people of South Dakota. As State Energy Director, he was instrumental in promoting South Dakota’s renewable energy industry, including ethanol, biodiesel and anaerobic digesters. It’s rare to find someone who is that experienced, well-rounded, and can excel in so many different areas.”
On a daily basis, Even now helps shape South Dakota’s agriculture policy. It is a big job: in 2007 alone, the agriculture industry meant more than $19 billion to the state.
Yet even while he works for the citizens of South Dakota, Even continues farming with his brother. As both producer and public servant, Even knows that SDSU’s multi-faceted land-grant mission, which focuses on academics, research, and Extension, is crucial to the success of producers.
“I experienced the value of the land-grant outreach component before I went to college,” Even said. “When farmers in my hometown needed help with marketing education, we turned to the Extension service for on-site marketing classes, and it helped us. I’ve been relying on that outreach component ever since.”
Gary Lemme, dean of SDSU’s ABS College, said Even’s strength of character not only helped him acquire his position in the governor’s cabinet, it has also allowed him to be successful. “Governor Rounds recognized the leadership potential that Bill Even could bring to state government and South Dakota agriculture,” said Lemme. “Secretary Even has strengthened agriculture’s role in economic development, food safety, and natural resource conservation.”
Even’s journey from agricultural producer to student to the governor’s cabinet has shaped his perspective, and he says ABS students can be confident about what they learn at SDSU.
“SDSU laid the foundation that I needed to be successful, both as a farmer and as secretary of agriculture,” Even said. “A degree from the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences makes perfect sense, for any career.”