South Dakota Ag Foundation Welcomes Two New Team Members to Keep Farmers Farming Program
PIERRE, S.D. (September 1, 2026) — The South Dakota Ag Foundation is pleased to announce two new additions to its Keep Farmers Farming (KFF) team: Erin Yost, who joins as Legacy Consultant, and Sarah Bendorf, who joins as Legacy Support Assistant. The additions strengthen KFF's capacity to serve South Dakota farm and ranch families as they navigate generational transition, succession planning, and estate planning.
"Erin and Sarah bring exactly the kind of heart and experience that this work calls for," said Alan Hojer, Director and Legacy Consultant with Keep Farmers Farming. "Erin's background in agricultural finance paired with her own life on a working ranch gives families someone who truly understands what's at stake. Sarah's ability to connect with people and support our families through this process will make a real difference. I'm grateful to have them both on the team as we continue helping South Dakota farm and ranch families plan for the future."
Erin Yost, Legacy Consultant
Erin Yost brings a lifelong passion for agriculture and a deep commitment to preserving family farming and ranching operations for future generations. She and her husband, Rodney, live and work on Broadaxe Ranch near Gann Valley, South Dakota, a multi-generational family operation that includes a cow-calf enterprise, backgrounding cattle, and Rodney Yost Horsemanship, where they raise and train horses. Together, they are raising their three children, Remington (11), Gentry (5), and Heston (almost 1), while building a strong agricultural legacy rooted in stewardship, hard work, and family values.
With more than 18 years of experience in agricultural finance, Yost has dedicated her career to serving farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Her firsthand experience operating a family ranch, combined with her extensive financial background, gives her a unique understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing agricultural families today. As a Legacy Consultant with Keep Farmers Farming, she is excited to help facilitate the organization's mission of guiding families through generational transition, succession planning, and estate planning, ensuring their operations remain successful and sustainable for generations to come.
Sarah Bendorf, Legacy Support Assistant
Sarah Bendorf's Midwest roots run deep, and she is grateful to call South Dakota home. She grew up in Nebraska and Wisconsin before heading to Minnesota for college. Having had work opportunities in both the corporate and non-profit sectors, Bendorf brings a unique lens to her new role with Keep Farmers Farming, one that draws on both business and community perspectives. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve and assist local families as they learn to appreciate the past, plan for the future, and continue to work hard in the present. When she is not working, Bendorf enjoys spending time with her husband and their three daughters, serving in the community, and experiencing new adventures.
For more information about the South Dakota Ag Foundation or the Keep Farmers Farming program, visit www.sdagfoundation.org.
Erin Yost, Legacy Consultant
Sarah Bendorf, Legacy Support Assistant