PIERRE, S.D. — Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman and Pierre native Grey Zabel is returning to his roots this June, swapping the gridiron for the grain elevator as the keynote speaker for the 2026 South Dakota Governor’s Agricultural Summit.
The event, hosted by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR), will take place June 25–26, 2026, at the Larkspur Event Center in Zabel’s hometown. Fresh off a Super Bowl victory, the T.F. Riggs High School graduate will share how his upbringing on the family farm forged the elite work ethic required to reach the pinnacle of the NFL.
Summit Highlights & Key Speakers
The two-day summit serves as a premier gathering for the state’s agricultural leaders, focusing on the intersection of policy, environment, and economics.
- Keynote Address: Grey Zabel on character, farm legacy, and professional success.
- Gubernatorial Update: Governor Larry Rhoden will provide a legislative policy briefing.
- Recognition: The Governor’s Ag Ambassador Award will be presented to Jerry Schmitz for his dedicated service to the industry.
- Economic Outlook: Economist David Widmar will lead a session on market trends and emerging volatility.
Industry Panels and Innovation
The 2026 agenda is packed with high-level discussions aimed at long-term sustainability and growth:
| Session Theme | Focus Areas | Featured Participants |
| Conservation Roundtable | Land management and sustainability | State & Federal Officials |
| Ag Development | Economic growth and investment | Smithfield Foods, Bel Brands USA, SD Soybean Processors |
| Advocacy | Lobbying at the state Capitol | Policy Experts |
Field Tours: Research and Processing
On the second day of the summit, attendees will move from the conference hall to the field. Scheduled tours include:
- Dakota Lakes Research Farm: An exploration of South Dakota State University’s latest agricultural innovations.
- Puris: A look inside the regional facility specializing in pea protein processing.
The summit is free and open to the public; however, the DANR requires all attendees to register in advance.
For the “hometown hero” Zabel, the event represents a full circle: a journey from the fields of Pierre to the bright lights of the NFL, and back home to advocate for the industry that started it all.
