Eminent Farmer
County: Lyman
Bart Blum and his wife Pat have ranched in the Reliance area for more the 40 years. The Blum ranch is a commercial Angus cow calf operation. They are Beef Quality Assurance certified, and use artificial insemination programs in their herd. In addition to cattle, the Blum ranch has registered quarter horses and 140 acres of irrigated crops. Gov. Mike Rounds appointed Bart to the State Brand Board, and in 2006 he was elected chairman of the Board. Bart has served as president of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, is a member of the South Dakota Cattlemen's Association and has served on the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Board of Directors. He is also a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, and was president of the Missouri Valley Horsemen's Club. Bart is active in the South Dakota Rodeo Association, and has been a rodeo competitor since his days on the South Dakota State University Rodeo Team. He currently competes in the Senior Men's Breakaway and Team Penning with his daughter Mary Pat. Bart and his wife were selected as the SDSU Friends of the Beef Industry in 1999. He was part of the national ag media tour featured during the 2005 National Beef Cook-off in South Dakota. He has served in leadership positions in Trinity Lutheran Church. He also served three terms on the FmHA County Committee, including four years as chairman. He is an active 4-H leader, and strong supporter of SDSU's Steer for State program.
Bart and Pat have two daughters who both are graduates of SDSU. Bart and Pat share the distinction of being the first husband and wife to be selected as Eminent Farmers. Pat was honored in 2002.