FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 2, 2026 

MEDIA CONTACT: Ben Koisti, Ben.Koisti@state.sd.us 

  

  

DANR Announces Winners of Annual Resource Conservation Speech Contest  

  

PIERRE, S.D. - The 65th annual Resource Conservation Speech Contest State Finals was held at the State Capitol in Pierre on Saturday, March 28, 2026. 

  

The contest theme was “Urban Conservation: Healing our Communities.” 

  

Winning first place and a $1,200 scholarship was Ellie Connor. Connor was sponsored by the Miner Conservation District and is a junior at Howard High School. She is the daughter of Matt & Catherine Connor of Winfred.  

  

Winning second place and an $800 scholarship was Caden Schwader. Schwader was sponsored by the Miner Conservation District and is a senior at Howard High School. He is the son of Dale & Kristi Schwader of Howard. 

  

Winning third place and a $500 scholarship was Elizabeth Docter. Docter was sponsored by the Brown County Conservation District and is a sophomore at Aberdeen Central High School. She is the daughter of Justin & Liz Docter of Aberdeen.  

  

Scholarships are provided by Touchstone Energy Cooperatives of South Dakota. The contest is co-sponsored by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) and the South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts. 

  

South Dakota high school students first participated in a local contest sponsored by their conservation district. Two students from each district are eligible to participate in an area contest. From there, the top two winners from each of the designated areas advance to the state finals. 

  

For more information on how to participate, contact your local conservation district office or DANR at 605.773.3623. 

  

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