Jim Burg, Public Servant for South Dakota, Local Leader Remembered

Servant-leader. Mentor. Positive example. Champion for farmers. Dedicated legislator. Great man. Public servant. South Dakota treasure.

As the tributes from across the community, state and nation poured in following the news of Jim Burg’s passing on April 16, it became clear that his passion for advocating on behalf of others at the local, state and national levels has created a legacy that continues to live on.

Colleagues, friends and family touted his fairness, insight, honesty and eagerness to hear all sides of the story as tantamount to the success of his advocacy work in agriculture, politics and the military. Later in life, his work in philanthropy laid a foundation that continues to champion the causes for which he was passionate.

Jim Burg was born April 22, 1941 to Albert and Pearl (Linafelter) Burg. He was the oldest of seven children and grew up on the family farm in Jerauld County. He described the relationship with his siblings as “always being the best of friends.”

As a high school student at Lane High School, he ran for the office of State 4-H president and was elected. He often credited 4-H as the experience that would pave the road for his future in politics. Following high school graduation in Lane, he continued his education at South Dakota State University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science. His first job after college was in finance at Federal Land Bank in Yankton, where he met his future wife, Bernice Kaiser.

Jim and Bernice were married in 1964 and the couple moved back to Wessington Springs to farm with Jim’s dad Albert and brothers Andy and Quinten. Agriculture was a longstanding tradition for the Burgs who have farmed in Jerauld County since 1883. Jim’s great-grandpa, Andrew, homesteaded only two to three miles from where the Burg’s operation, Firesteel Ranch, is today. Jim’s favorite aspect of farming was being outdoors and seeing the benefit of your efforts.

As Jim and Bernice welcomed children Jeff, Cory, Julie, Casey and Lisa, they remained busy on the farm while also operating the Ben Franklin store on Main Street in Wessington Springs. When the older kids went to college, Jim, Bernice and Lisa moved to Pierre while Jim served as Public Utilities Commissioner. However, Wessington Springs was always home and called Jim and Bernice back for the remainder of his life.

Jim often pointed to an eighth grade civics class that piqued his interest in politics. That, coupled with his time in 4-H prompted him to pursue public office in 1975, first entering the State House at the age of 33. After ten years in the State House, he was elected to the State Senate in 1984. In 1987 Jim accepted the Democratic nomination for Public Utilities Commission, serving three six-year terms from 1987-2005.

Jim’s tenure as a public servant earned him a top 10 position on the prestigious “Over 25 Club,” a list of just 29 people in South Dakota history who have served in a federal or state elected office for 25 years or more.

He viewed his role in politics as an opportunity to stand up for agriculture and for the state of South Dakota.

During his time in office he traveled to Washington, D.C. to lobby for farmers losing their farms during the 1985 Farm Crisis. While in Washington, Jim was asked by Ted Koppel to be an in-studio guest on “Nightline.”

During the show they discussed government bailouts and questioned why farmers should be helped. Jim challenged them by saying, “Because you are not just bailing out farmers you are saving whole communities. The farmers shop at our grocery stores and eat at our restaurants. Without them, we will lose our communities.” By the end of the interview, Jim had changed minds and referred to that interview as one of his biggest accomplishments.

He also referred to the development of wind farms in South Dakota as one of his biggest achievements. While serving as a public utilities commissioner, Burg saw opportunities for South Dakota to develop its wind resource. He worked to establish 34 wind turbines and a 200 megawatt substation in Jerauld County.

He was appointed as State FSA Committee Chair by President Obama and was also nominated as a delegate from South Dakota for the National Democratic Convention for Bill Clinton, Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

In addition to his ranching and political career, Jim spent twentyseven years in the National Guard, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

Given his passion for public utilities, Jim was involved in many National Association of Regulatory Utility Commission (NARUC) committees and served on their board of directors. He also served on advisory boards for the National Regulatory Research Institute, Electric Power Research Institute, and New Mexico State Forum.

In South Dakota, Jim had a lifelong association with the South Dakota 4-H, and served as chair of South Dakota 4-H Foundation. He also served as a board member for Horizon Health Foundation, South Dakota Corn Growers and is a past Board of Director of South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Board of Director/Treasurer of South Dakota Retailer’s Association. From 2009-2017, Jim served as Chair of the State FSA Committee.

He was named the SDSU 2012 Eminent Farmer/Rancher and South Dakota Farmers Union 2023 Ag Ambassador.

Locally in Wessington Springs, Jim was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, a Mayor in the community, a member of the school board and a Farmers Union member.

Duringthelastdecade,Jimfocused his efforts on serving through philanthropy, contributing to many local and statewide organizations. He was passionate about giving locally through the Wessington Springs Area Community Foundation and keeping rural healthcare accessible and affordable for all through the Horizon Health Foundation.

Above all the accomplishments in his public career, farm advocacy and politics, Jim said often — and to everyone — that his family topped the list of what he was most proud.

During Jim’s funeral service held on April 22, 2024 — what would have been his 83rd birthday — Father Terry Weber recollected the weekly conversations he would have with Jim. The foundation of Jim’s success, in addition to being a humble servant of God, Fr. Weber said, was the way Jim lived by example.

“Jim wouldn’t talk about others, he would share stories that built people up,” Fr. Weber explained. “He shared pieces of their lives so others could truly know them.”