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“Think like a cow.” It’s a simple concept Mary Duvall learned growing up on her family’s Hermosa ranch that has had a powerful impact on her career as a communicator, lobbyist and legislator.

“When we were working cattle, Dad always insisted that my brothers and I ‘think like a cow.’ Basically, understand what the cow sees, and if she is headed in the right direction, get out of her way. If she’s headed in the wrong direction, figure out where you can be with your horse to convince her to go back the way she should,” Duvall explained. “I didn’t realize it at the time, but it spills over into everything I do in life. I always ask myself, 'Who is my audience?'”

Growing up on the ranch also helped Duvall understand words held power.

“My three older brothers were taller, faster and stronger than I was. But I figured out that I could outtalk them.”

The ranch also impacted Duvall’s decision to major in agriculture business at Ģ������Ƶ. Her family has a special connection to the school because it is where her parents, Dan and Beverly, met.

And in a roundabout way, the ranch inspired her to apply for an internship with the South Dakota secretary of agriculture.

“I did not want to spend my summer fixing fence,” said Duvall of the first of several internships she had with the department.

In her role, she monitored agriculture legislation, conducted research and wrote briefs. “I discovered I loved the policy side of agriculture, and I gained an understanding that policies set in Washington, D.C., or Pierre could have an impact on the daily decisions that farmers and ranchers make throughout South Dakota.”

While living in Pierre during her internship, Mary Lindblom met Ron Duvall. Ron was a recent SDSU graduate and just beginning his career with the Department of Water and Natural Resources.

After graduation, Duvall began working full time for the secretary of agriculture doing public policy as the department’s legislative liaison.

Although Duvall loved her work, when she became a mom, she wanted more time with her daughters, Layne and Reagan. This 1992 decision led her to her next career.

Farm Bureau reached out to see if she would work from home, doing legislative research, writing and editing the organization’s magazine.

“It was absolutely ideal,” Duvall explained. “I put my ability to ‘think like a cow’ to work. I would go into each project asking, 'OK, what does a West River landowner care about?' or 'What does an East River farmer need to understand about this issue?'”

As Layne and Reagan needed less of Duvall’s time, she gave more to her work with Farm Bureau, eventually teaming up to help with lobbying efforts. “In South Dakota, legislators have no staff, so lobbyists serve as a good resource to help them understand issues,” Duvall said. “And when you look at the makeup of the Legislature, we have fewer and fewer farmers and ranchers who are serving in the Legislature.”

Calling on her ag roots, Duvall worked hard to ensure legislators understood farmers’ and ranchers’ needs.

Her efforts did not go unnoticed. She was asked by her district’s legislator to run in his place. At first, she said no. But after six more asks, she changed her mind.

Duvall served as District 24 House representative from 2013 to 2020 and represented District 24 in the Senate from 2021 to 2022.

“People talk about Republicans or Democrats, right or left, and yet, when I look at the issues facing South Dakotans, most of the really important issues are not partisan.”

Because of her connection to agriculture and SDSU, when the need for a new Animal Disease Ģ������Ƶ and Diagnostic Laboratory became evident, Duvall was part of a team effort to build consensus on the vital role of this laboratory to South Dakota’s livestock industry.

When she became a legislator, Duvall could no longer work for a policy organization, so she put her ag communication skills to work for other agriculture groups.

Outside of agriculture, Duvall is actively involved in her church and the Pierre community. She serves on the board of the Chamber of Commerce and is a YMCA fitness instructor.

“Volunteering is just the culture I grew up in,” Duvall said. “A quote my dad often repeated was, ‘Service to others is the rent we pay for being able to live here.’”

Celebrate Mary Duvall during eminent leaders banquet

For her service and leadership, Duvall will be recognized by the Ģ������Ƶ colleges of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and Education and Human Sciences with the 2026 Eminent Leader in Agriculture, Family and Community honor. A banquet will be held Sept. 18 at the McCrory Gardens Education and Visitor Center. Duvall will be honored alongside Jerry Schmitz, Elk Point; Patty DeZeeuw, Elkton; and Kevin Scott, Valley Springs.

For tickets, visit . Tickets need to be purchased on or before Sept. 4. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by a banquet and recognition program at 6:30 p.m.

To learn more about the award or to nominate an individual for the award, contact Angela Loftesness, Eminent Leaders in Agriculture, Family and Community chair, via email, at 605-688-6732 or visit Eminent Leaders.