Natalie Sturm Returns as Dakota Lakes Research Farm Manager

Experienced Scientist Farmer Returns To Lead Innovative Research Farm Operations

• Bonnie Johnson
• March 30, 2026
• Media Article

Natalie Sturm becomes the new manager of Dakota Lakes Research Farm. She combines farming and science skills to improve research, support farmers, and continue important no-till agriculture practices.

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Natalie Sturm returns to Dakota Lakes Research Farm as its new farm manager, marking an important step in her career in agriculture and research. Her journey with the farm began during her undergraduate studies when she first learned about it in a cropping systems class. Inspired by its work, she reached out to the farm’s former manager, Dwayne Beck, to explore opportunities.
 

After gaining hands-on experience and completing her master’s research at the farm, Sturm now takes on a leadership role. She manages daily operations across the 1,200-acre research farm, which focuses on studying farming practices for many types of crops. The farm follows a no-till system, which helps improve soil health and reduce environmental impact.
 

“Toward the end of my Ph.D. program, the opportunity to be the new manager at Dakota Lakes Research Farm arose — and I knew I couldn’t turn it down,” Sturm said. “There are very few places like Dakota Lakes: a research station where my job is to be both a farmer and a scientist.”
 

Sturm continues the legacy of Dwayne Beck, who retired after more than 35 years of service. She also plans to expand research programs and explore new ideas to solve modern farming challenges. Her strong academic background supports her role, including degrees in sustainable food systems, plant science, and soil science from leading universities.
 

The Dakota Lakes Research Farm operates through a partnership between South Dakota State University and a farmer-led nonprofit organization. This collaboration ensures that research directly benefits farmers and helps them make better decisions for their operations.
 

“My passion for systems-based agronomy and soil research only continued to increase during my master’s program, and I am so excited to continue the no-till crop rotations work of Dwayne while also expanding my research program to continue tackling new challenges and ideas,” Sturm said.
 

In her new role, Sturm works closely with scientists, farmers, and the community. She aims to improve both farm productivity and environmental sustainability. She also looks forward to connecting with people during events like the annual field day, where research findings are shared with the public.
 

Photo by: www.sdstate.edu