VIEWPOINT: South Dakota ranching family victim of environmental crusaders

Guest column by Rep. Liz May

In South Dakota, ranchers like Charles and Heather Maude are the lifeblood of rural communities. For decades, they’ve grazed cattle on public lands—lands that have been managed and used by families like theirs for generations. Yet now, these ranchers face legal action over 50 acres of land they’ve used for more than 60 years.

While this battle rages on in the courts, the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) a powerful coalition of major agricultural and environmental groups—continues to push climate policies that disproportionately benefit large corporations while undermining family-run ranches. And behind FACA’s recommendations and the push for "climate-smart" agriculture, we find powerful organizations like The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), who, despite receiving millions in government grants, often leave the Maudes and others like them behind.

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