SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Throughout the month of March, KELOLAND News will highlight four local women who have worked to make positive impacts in their communities and were nominated as Remarkable Women.

You can often find Sylvia Wolters of Pipestone, Minnesota, volunteering, teaching and cooking for community events. She’s also a powerhouse in ag education, influencing many schools, communities and businesses here in Sioux Falls and across South Dakota.

“I have always been passionate about teaching others or sharing with others what we do on the farm- where their food comes from,” Wolters said.

Wolters grew up on a small farm in Washington State. It was there she learned the ins and out of farming.

“Through 4-H and activities in the community back when I was 10 or 12 years old. I got started just kind of kind of sharing what we do on the farm,” Wolters said.

Sylvia Wolters
Sylvia Wolters

That passion transformed into her work today. For the last 25 years, she’s worked for the company PIPESTONE. Throughout her time there, she’s worked to connect those who farm with the community.

“Telling our story- farmers do a terrible job at telling their own story. And talking about where food comes from- earning the social license to operate to raise pigs, raise crops in modern agriculture technologies,” Wolter said.

In 2014, she and others brainstormed about expanding that ag education to South Dakota.

“How can we do that? And where do, where do we do it? And what’s that? What’s that look like? So through that vetting out, decided to partner here with Minnehaha County and bring this building- build this building for the Sioux Empire Fair,” Wolters said.

The Pipestone Discovery Barn is now part of the Sioux Empire Fair, welcoming thousands of visitors each August.

Pipestone Discovery Barn at WH Lyon Fairgrounds
Pipestone Discovery Barn at WH Lyon Fairgrounds

“For the last 10 years, we have operated it and get all the cows calving and the pigs farrowing. And the chicks hatching and cow milking demonstrations and, and all of that make that happen for the week of the fair,” Wolters said.

Wolters says it’s heartwarming to continue to build relationships and participate within her community and beyond.

“You can you can help yourself by helping others and it’s just very rewarding,” Wolters said.

You’ll meet the second Remarkable Women nominee next Tuesday.