Save the Date: Grasslands in Action 2026

Confident Decisions in Uncertain Times

Join us in the Black Hills on Dec. 3 & 4!

Attorney Clint Fischer will be speaking the morning of December 4th at 9:00 AM.

Farm & Ranch Succession – 5 Principles & the Tools Used to Pass Down the Family Operation.

The most common goal we hear from family farmers and ranchers is to protect the operation so it can be passed down to the next generation. That means succession and estate planning need to be prioritized. This talk highlights the 5 key principles I’ve identified after meeting with hundreds of farm families. But more than that, I show what specific tools we use to hit the family’s goals. This will be educational and apply to every farm and ranch operation, regardless the size or planning stage.

Clint will also be leading a breakout session on Dec. 4 titled Succession Planning – Build Your Plan using this 3×3 Framework

About Grasslands in Action

Being a producer has always required making decisions without knowing exactly what comes next.

Weather changes. Markets move. Every operation is different. And sometimes the best way forward comes from seeing what others have tried, asking good questions, and connecting with people who have faced similar decisions.

That’s what Grasslands in Action 2026 is all about.

Join the South Dakota Grassland Coalition December 3–4 for two days focused on practical ideas, real-world experience, profitability, resilient grasslands, and the people behind successful operations.

We’re building this year’s conference around producer experiences, interactive discussions, practical workshops, regional success stories, and more opportunities to meet and learn from other ranchers, land managers, and partners.

You’ll hear conversations about grazing and profitability, infrastructure investments, drought and resilience, succession and family dynamics, new opportunities in agriculture, leadership, and what producers across the region are learning on their own operations.

Most importantly, we want you to leave with ideas you can use, people you can call, and greater confidence in whatever comes next.

Click to register for the Grassland Management Conference – South Dakota Grassland Coalition

Why one of the nation’s leading trust jurisdictions deserves a closer look in your estate plan.

You’ve worked hard to build your wealth. You’ve invested wisely, managed risk, and likely put considerable thought into your estate plan.

But how well are your assets protected from future lawsuits, creditor claims, and other unexpected financial challenges?

South Dakota is routinely ranked among the top trust jurisdictions in the country by leading trust and estate planning experts. Its favorable trust laws offer opportunities for individuals and families looking to protect and preserve their wealth.

And here’s something many people don’t realize: You don’t have to live in South Dakota to potentially take advantage of its trust laws.

One particularly valuable planning tool is the South Dakota Domestic Asset Protection Trust (DAPT). When properly structured, a DAPT can help protect assets from certain future creditor claims while allowing the person who created the trust to remain a discretionary beneficiary.

Join Attorney Sara Anderson of Thompson Law for an educational seminar explaining how these trusts work, what makes South Dakota’s laws unique, and how they may fit into your overall estate plan.

What We’ll Cover

• Trust Fundamentals. The differences between revocable and irrevocable trusts, and why those differences matter.
• Where Traditional Trusts Fall Short. Why having a trust doesn’t necessarily mean your assets are protected from creditors.
• The South Dakota Advantage. What makes South Dakota one of the nation’s leading trust jurisdictions and why families across the country establish trusts there.
• Protection with Flexibility. How a DAPT can provide creditor protection while allowing the trust creator to remain a potential beneficiary.
• How the Protection Works. The important roles of trustee discretion, distribution provisions, and spendthrift protections in safeguarding trust assets.
• What About Texas Residents? How individuals living outside South Dakota may benefit from its trust laws, along with the important legal considerations and limitations.

Who Should Attend?

Individuals and families interested in protecting the wealth they’ve built, along with financial advisors, wealth managers, attorneys, CPAs, and other professionals who help clients with estate and wealth planning.

Whether you’re reviewing your own estate plan or exploring additional strategies for your clients, this seminar will give you a practical understanding of South Dakota Asset Protection Trusts, their benefits, their limitations, and when they may be worth considering.

As a valued Thompson Law client, you’ve already taken important steps to protect your family, your property, and your legacy. This upcoming seminar is designed to help you stay current, confident, and aligned as two things are ever changing: Laws and Family Dynamics.

Join Attorney Ryder Fuhrman for a practical, no-cost client refresher focused on legal updates and what it may mean for your existing plan.

We’ll cover:

• Key tax and legal updates that could impact your estate plan
• How legal and family changes affect farms, businesses, and land ownership
• When and why it may be time to revisit or update your planning documents
• Strategies to keep your current plan efficient, protected, and aligned with your goals

This is a client-focused session that is built to help you understand how your plan holds up today and what adjustments (if any) may be worth considering.

Bring your questions! We’ll help you connect the dots and move forward with clarity.

This event is free to attend for current clients. We kindly ask that you RSVP so we can plan accordingly.

As a valued Thompson Law client, you’ve already taken important steps to protect your family, your property, and your legacy. This upcoming seminar is designed to help you stay current, confident, and aligned as two things are ever changing: Laws and Family Dynamics.

Join Attorney Taylor Bonestroo in Yankton, SD for a practical, no-cost client refresher focused on legal updates and what it may mean for your existing plan.

We’ll cover:

• Key tax and legal updates that could impact your estate plan
• How legal and family changes affect farms, businesses, and land ownership
• When and why it may be time to revisit or update your planning documents
• Strategies to keep your current plan efficient, protected, and aligned with your goals

This is a client-focused session that is built to help you understand how your plan holds up today and what adjustments (if any) may be worth considering.

Bring your questions! We’ll help you connect the dots and move forward with clarity.

This event is free to attend for current clients. We kindly ask that you RSVP so we can plan accordingly.