The SD Cooperative Hall of Fame provides recognition to those who contribute in especially significant ways to enhancing the cooperative idea, its broader acceptance or to the substantial advancement of cooperative enterprise in any of its various forms. Induction into the SD Cooperative Hall of Fame is the highest honor that the cooperative community bestows on those whose endeavors in the cause of the cooperative form of enterprises have been GENUINELY HEROIC.
The Hall of Fame recognition is a joint effort of the SD Association of Cooperatives, SD Association of Telephone Cooperatives, SD Cooperative Managers Association, SD Farmers Union, and SD Rural Electric Association.
Individuals selected for the Hall of Fame have demonstrated statesmanship, innovation, personal commitment, leadership and vision for the cooperative sector. They have achieved identifiable and lasting changes to improve and promote cooperatives, and have inspired others to act to advance the cooperative system. In addition, they have demonstrated their commitment to the cooperative community through years of service, membership and offices held, as well as their commitment to the community in which they live.
South Dakota is a better place because of the efforts of those inducted into the SD Cooperative Hall of Fame. Previous inductees into the Hall of Fame are:
- 2023 - Donn DeVelder, LeRoy Dodd, Brad Schardin, Don Truhe
- 2022 - Stan Hanson, James Headley, Bryan Roth, Deino Sather
- 2021 - Paul Symens, Harry Thomas
- 2020 - Charles Birkholt, Dan Lindblom
- 2019 - Mike Nickolas, Don Snyders, Ray Scherschligt
- 2018 - Dale Locken, Kermit Pearson
- 2017 - Clair Bonebright, Jerry Heiberger
- 2016 - Bill Bielmaier, Mark Hofer, Ronald Sandine
- 2015 – Keith Hainy, Roy Ireland, Rodney Renner, Carlyle Richards
- 2014 – Gene Kroell, John VanBeek, Harvey Wollman
- 2013 – Tom Hueners, John D. Johnson, Loren Noess
- 2012 – Luverne Crosser, Gary French, Ron Minnaert, Larry Wilson
- 2011 - Jeff Nelson and Wayne Wright
- 2010 - Jake Boomsma, Milo Gilbertson, Barry Jensen
- 2009 - Delbert Bushong and Owen Jones
- 2008 - Charles Olsen and Donald Fieber
- 2007 - Leroy Schecher, Ralph Schreurs and Merlin VanWalleghen
- 2006 - Robert Rademacher and Dennis Hagny
- 2005 - Robert Ching, Darrell Henderson and Alex J. Stoeser
- 2004 - Ed Fritzsche and Dean Rasmussen
- 2003 - Brian Meyer and Don Paulsen
- 2002 - Vincent Erz and Don Wynia
- 2001 - Robert Johnson and Donald Olson
- 2000 - Joseph Hieb and Keith Taylor
- 1999 - Virgil Fodness and Raymond Judy
- 1998 - George Hargens, Jr. and J. D. Lynd
- 1997 - G. L. Moseson and Ben Radcliffe
- 1996 - Vernon L. Berg and Leo P. Flynn
- 1995 - Oscar C. Johnson and Quentin E. Louden
- 1994 - Max Farrar and Philip Testerman
- 1993 - Clement J. Kloucek and S. Douglas Murphy
- 1992 - John A. Cink and Ken Holum
- 1991 - Clifford G. Bell and Warren Moe
- 1990 - J. E. Krull, Sr. and Lawrence Stoley
- 1989 - Warren G. Grebner and Darrell Mosesen
- 1988 - J. Evans Rasmussen and John Skage
- 1987 - August Dahme and John Reidy
- 1986 - Herman D. Holt and Albert Schramm
- 1985 - Arthur Jones and Emil Loriks