Board Member Spotlight – Jim Woster

Today’s Saturday Board Member Spotlight is of our founder, Jim Woster! 

Jim grew up in central South Dakota on a family cow/calf, small grain operation. His connection to the Stockyards stems from a young age, tagging along with his dad when he and his brother sold cattle. Then while attending South Dakota State University, Jim found his true passion.

“As a part of the Livestock Marketing class, we took a bus trip to the stockyards and spent most of the day in the alleys with a salesman or buyer. I was hooked!,” recalled Jim.

To Jim, the mission of connecting agriculture to our lives daily is seen in every visitor, “When I observe a family visiting the Barn or listen to Abby talk about the importance of Agriculture to the urban consumer. She always begins her discussion with, ‘Did you have something to eat today?’ Pretty much says it all.”

Presenting the history of John Morrell (now Smithfield Foods) and the Sioux Falls Stockyards to the public is important. In the future Jim is excited to see how the Stockyards Ag will make an impact on the community, from the city’s planned expansion of Falls Park to the endless potential of the Stockyards Ag Experience plaza.