Harding County Rancher Speaks for Future of Family Ranches and Farms

When Kaeloni Parmely said "yes," to marry Harding County cattleman Jason Latham, she also became forever committed to the Latham family's more than a century-old ranching legacy.

And 11 years later she is advocating for a brighter future for not only for their young three sons who will be the sixth generation to care for grasslands and cattle on the Latham Ranch, but for family farms and ranches across the U.S. through her involvement in Farmers Union.

"We have three little boys. So, every single day I think about how important it is for us to continue doing what we can do to improve our business so that it is here for them. They are the next generation," Latham said.

During the 2026 National Farmers Union Convention held in New Orleans, Louisiana, Latham was among a panel of four young producers to share advice and encouragement for the future of family farms and ranches.

"I did not grow up in agriculture, so everything I learned has been since my husband and I got married in 2014. So, I got introduced to the cattle industry when the markets were really great," Latham explained of the year before Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) was repealed. "Everything changed when the market crashed in 2015."

To supplement the family budget, for most of their marriage, Latham has held an off-ranch job. "I have a day job to support my husband's ranching hobby," she joked.

Today, she works for Pioneer Bank and Trust. "It's a small rural bank. Remember to support local banks because they get agriculture and they understand that in our rural community, ag is our number one priority," Latham said.

In addition to Latham, the panel featured young producers from Indiana, Oklahoma and Minnesota. These farmers and ranchers discussed the out-of-the box strategies they implement to turn a profit in the midst of an ag landscape where corporations are putting the squeeze on family farmers and ranchers - input prices are skyrocketing due to consolidation, and corporate consolidation has created an environment where anti-trust issues impact markets.

Latham said instead of being afraid of new ideas or technologies, young producers need to find a way to make new tools work for them. She also encouraged young producers to become part of organizations that support them, like Farmers Union.

"You have to be willing to step into those leadership positions when the doors open," Latham said. "Farmers Union has been life changing for us. When we started a few years ago, we did not have an active chapter in our County. We went to a conference, and when we signed up, I believe my husband's exact words were, "that is an expensive trip, they are not going to pay our entire costs." But South Dakota Farmers Union did cover all the costs of the conference." And my husband and I have worked to bring our county back.'"