Gary Cammack

from 2021 Class Honors Ceremony Magazine

by sdhof

Endowment Campaign

VISIONARY AGRICULTURALIST AND STATESMAN

1953 • CATEGORY

AGRICULTURE • HOMETOWN

UNION CENTER, SD • NOMINATED BY

DON NORTON When high school sweethearts, Gary Cammack and Amy Gossard married in 1972, they shared a lofty goal - owning their own ranch.

“Being born and raised on ranches, the desire to have a ranch of our own was definitely in our blood,” explained Gary, a fourthgeneration Meade County rancher. Three of his great-grandfathers homesteaded in the area.

The Cammacks began the journey to ranch ownership with nothing but a strong work ethic, faith, and the determination to succeed.

Shortly after they married, the couple purchased the Stoneville General Store. “It was the kind of place where you sold gas, groceries, livestock salt, beer, diamond rings - just about everything.” Looking back, Gary says even though neither he nor Amy had prior business experience, they were able to succeed because of two key factors. “We like our customers, and we have a passion for solving ranchers’ problems.”

While growing the business, Gary worked construction full-time while Amy managed the store. In 1976, Amy continued managing the business while Gary went to work on the Alaskan pipeline. Their oldest son, Scott, was 8-months-old at the time.

Gary credits Amy’s can-do attitude and support for their success in family, business, ranching, and his ability to serve South Dakotans as a state senator. “I have said numerous times, a successful rancher should never own more cows than his wife can feed. In all seriousness, without Amy here, managing the store and ranch - it wouldn’t have been possible.”

When Gary returned from working for a year in Alaska, the couple was able to pay off their debt. And just in time, because a four-yearold feed mill in Union Center came up for sale. The couple took the opportunity and opened Cammack Ranch Supply in 1979.

“It couldn't have been a worse time to get into business. We shouldn't have made it,” Gary said. “One reason we tried so hard to succeed is we had everything to lose.”

Gary attributes their business success to following their customers’ lead. “Our focus will always be on problem-solving.”

Decades later, Gary applied this same approach to public service. “In business, when someone comes to me with a need or a problem, I am convinced that somewhere out there, there is a solution. In politics, there will always be old problems and new problems. So, my approach is to look at issues, not so much as a problem, but as a solution we have not found yet.”

Gary began his career in public service when he was asked to serve as a Meade County Commissioner. In 2012, he was elected to serve as District 29 House Representative. In 2014, he was elected to serve in the South Dakota State Senate. He served as President pro tempore. In 2020, Gary became the majority leader of the Senate.

Thriving Ranch Community

Cammack Ranch Supply has a customer base serving five states and nationwide internet sales. It serves as an anchor business for what has become the thriving ranch community of Union Center. A Community Center, baseball fields, church, cooperative, trucking company, beef processing plant, salon, post office, café, fire hall, taxidermy studio, and an elementary school all neighbor Cammack Ranch Supply.

Bolstering the community while growing their business has always been a focus for the Cammacks. “I’ve always felt that it’s important to do everything that I can to enhance the quality of life in the community where we live and work, so the next generation will want to call it home and want to build their life here as well.”

A Dream Realized

A few years after opening Cammack Ranch Supply, the rancher who owned the adjoining land contacted Gary. “He says you need to own this place. We talked for 5 minutes and within a couple of weeks we had a contract for deed.”

While expanding their business, their family also grew. Gary and Amy have four grown sons, who now have families of their own - Scott, Ryan, Reed, and Chris. “The ranch is such a great place to raise kids. It teaches them a work ethic and responsibility. Our sons have all grown up to be successful in business and family. The best part is they chose their spouses wisely and because of this, I have the best job in the world – Grandpa.”

Growing up, the boys were all actively involved in the ranch. And Gary says without their help, he and Amy would not have been able to manage both the ranch and Cammack Ranch Supply.

“From an embarrassingly young age, the boys were all involved in the ranch work,” said Gary of their 11,000-acre, cow/calf operation. invested energy into managing their native pastureland through conservation – implementing rotational grazing, installing countless miles of cross fencing and cattle water pipeline, and preserving riparian areas for wildlife. Since 1984, the family has planted more than 30,000 trees. In 2018, the family’s conservation efforts were recognized with the esteemed Leopold Conservation Award.

“Our belief is that the health of range and the vitality of the wildlife population is a barometer of how well you’ll do in the ranching business. The effects of our conservation efforts, or lack thereof, will be evident 100 years from now.”

CHAMPIONING A CULTURE OF Excellence Inductees of the South Dakota Hall of Fame share one strong quality in common, and that is their pursuit of achievements and excellence. They come from all walks of life, and from every corner of South Dakota, pursuing their dreams, improving communities, and inspiring the youth of South Dakota.

On February 9, 2022 we had the opportunity to celebrate the Class of 2021 in our second ever Virtual Medallion Celebration online event. It was wonderful to be able to listen to each class member’s feelings about being inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame, and testimonials from friends & family. This virtual event is shared out to a larger audience than ever before, and has become a fantastic addition to our programming at the South Dakota Hall of Fame.

The South Dakota Hall of Fame is supported solely by the generosity of our supporters who understand that together, we will have a profound impact on our state by championing a culture of excellence. We hope these stories bring insight and inspiration to all who hear them.

MARCI BURDICK

BOARD CHAIR (2020-22) RAPID CITY, SD

GRETA CHAPMAN

SD HALL OF FAME CEO RAPID CITY, SD

NOTE FROM THE SOUTH DAKOTA HALL OF FAME CEO

It is with a grateful heart for the past eight years, as the CEO for the South Dakota Hall of Fame to inform you that I am retiring. There are many great things that have happened for the mission of the Hall and a new leader will make for many more opportunities with this outstanding organization! My spouse Harry is on a similar path of retirement and the road is calling for our traveling adventures, time with family and friends, consulting, catching up on my bookshelf, quilting and gardening.

As an organization for over 45 years the South Dakota Hall of Fame celebrates South Dakota role models. It has been a privilege to engage with these dream chasers, making our state one of the best in the nation.

We developed new programming to launch a bigger vision with the annual Anniversary Reunions of generations of dream chasers, the Acts of Excellence and Legacy of Achievement. We implemented a dynamic digital platform to enhance our k12 Legends & Learning History Program and held regional Acts of Excellence celebrations across the state.

Our Legacy videos continue to be one of the most comprehensive collections about South Dakotans to inspire generations to come. The annual Honors Ceremony is the South Dakota Academy Awards that makes for everyday realities of putting one foot in front of the other, when you think it feels like your last.

Thank you to the many people across our state that continue to support the Hall mission to thrive and be a household word. It has been a once-in-a-lifetime position and the best position I could have imagined leading to this next chapter.

I have extended to the new Executive Director and Board consulting services as they build the Hall for the future. I wish the best for all and thank you for this amazing journey.