The farm experience in verse

‘Our South Dakota’ anthology highlights state’s impact on diverse set of voices

Janelle Atyeo
Jul 25, 2026
4 hrs ago
4 min to read

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A new book of poetry aims to capture the essence and experience of South Dakota and its people.

Our South Dakota (3).JPG — “Our South Dakota” is an anthology of poems about the state, a project of South Dakota Poet Laureate Bruce Roseland.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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State poet laureate takes inspiration from prairie landscape, persevering farmers of the past

“Why was it that people worked so hard to stay on a bit of land? What was it in us?” Bruce Roseland asked himself after making it through the 1980s farm crisis. His answers became poems.

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Hallstrom-Linda - worked.jpg — Linda Hallstrom, a former Tri-State Neighbor columnists, continues to write and lead poetry classes and groups in Sioux Falls.
Submitted photo

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Coneflowers — Pale-purple coneflowers are early bloomers in upland prairies.
Jerry Davis/For Agri-View

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Our South Dakota Krause 1.JPG — Kathy Krause drew inspiration from her time as “chief cow lady” on her ranch near Clear Lake, S.D., writing about checking cows and pulling calves.
Submitted photo

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Raised in small town South Dakota, Janelle is enjoying her time as editor of Tri-State Neighbor and Midwest Messenger while raising kids, chickens and no till vegetables in central Sioux Falls. Reach her at janelle.atyeo@lee.net.