Linda Halligan Gilbert

Linda Gilbert

Cattle, kids, cowboys, cowgirls, and living on the land have made up Linda Gilbert’s life.  Born in Valentine, NE her family moved to Stanley County where they all worked in some capacity on the Rankin Ranch.  While attending SDSU in Brookings, Linda met her husband Ray and so began their life together in Buffalo, SD. Linda and Ray moved home to Buffalo to run the Gilbert Angus Ranch as the fourth generation of Gilberts on the ranch. Linda believes each generation is the caretaker of the operation.  They hold it for the next generation.  As a caretaker, she has held many roles to achieve success and longevity for the Gilbert Angus Ranch.  She works cattle, cooks for the crews, runs the equipment, and advocates for the beef industry as a spokesman in various organizations. 

 Along with those responsibilities, Linda finished her Elementary Ed degree from Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD to teach school in Harding County.  The economic stress of the 1980s in agriculture made it necessary to add to the income of the family ranch.  Linda has also been active in South Dakota High School Rodeo as an Executive Director, serves on the South Dakota Grassland Coalition’s board of directors, was appointed by Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture to serve on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, served as Director in South Dakota Stockgrowers, represented Harding County on the Public Lands Council, worked on various local organizations, and was a director on the South Dakota Grasslands Coalition. A lifelong learner, Linda enjoys learning and advocating for the people on the land in South Dakota.

Family photo credit:  SuccessfulFarming