Eminent Farmer
County: Brookings
Jim Suhr farms near Brookings. He has served as president of the South Dakota Crop Improvement Association and has had leadership roles in the county and district organization. As a certified seed producer, he is known for his outstanding conservation practices, and for his support of the biostress concept, leading to the construction of the Northern Plains Biostress Laboratory at South Dakota State University.
During the Farm Crisis of the 1980s, Jim served as an Agricultural Finance Counselor, working with individual farmers in evaluating their financial situation and providing guidance in debt restructuring. Because the program was administered by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, Suhr became known as one of Marvis "Hogan's Hero's." Because of his direct efforts with farmers and lenders, many farmers and ranchers were able to endure the farm crisis and continue their operations.
He is a registered professional engineer, and worked closely with SDSU Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Department on a number of research projects concerning accidents involving tractors and farm machinery.