Little International is one of the oldest traditions at South Dakota State University. And spring 2023 the student-run livestock exposition celebrated its 100th year.
South Dakota State University Animal Science major Emily Nold intentionally leads a Hampshire ewe around on the green dyed chips of the show ring floor as judges name her Champion Experienced Sheep Showman during the 100th Anniversary Little International.
“I’ve been involved since I was a freshman. I’m currently a third-year senior. I’ve been on staff as well as competed
showing an animal all three years. It’s been super rewarding being on both sides of it. Getting to work with people also getting to work with my animal. Getting to have that competitive aspect of it and definitely the learning, memory-building and friendship aspect as well,” Nold said.
Nold is one of 164 SDSU student volunteers who serve as Little International staff. Little International or Little I as it’s fondly referred to by participants, organizers and alumni is the nation’s largest student-run livestock expo. In addition to livestock shows, Little I includes a diverse line-up of agriculture-related contests like livestock judging, milk quality and products, and a crop show.
Along with HOBO Days, Little I is SDSUs longest running tradition.
Agriculture Science major Cody Gifford is the 100th Little I Manager. He oversees this 100-percent student-run event as it celebrates a century-long legacy.
“It’s kind of hard to fathom. This started originally in 1921, there were a couple years where it did not happen due to scarlet fever and World War II. But 100 years of tradition here. I look at it that we’ve had roughly 150 people on staff every year, over 100 years. That’s a lot of people this org has impacted during college career here at SDSU. Knowing that and the legacy behind it, tonight when we see the stands all packed with alumni – it’s hard to fathom how many people have been involved with this through its years,” Gifford said.
Alumni like Matt Gunderson. Gunderson served as the 78th Little I Manager.
Today he is the Senior Vice President of Business Growth and Strategic Relations for Farmers National Company – the nation’s largest landowner services company.
The first in his family to attend a four-year university, Gunderson credits Little I with connecting him to SDSU and launching his career.
“My first time coming to Little I was livestock judging. We came for Friday livestock judging contest and part of what the igniting was, the livestock judging coach at the time, Mary Nesvold, I placed pretty well, she sent me a personalized letter - congratulating me and saying, “hey, if you ever have an opportunity and you want to come look at South Dakota State,” I was a seventh grader at the time. It was a spark, right. Then it started igniting. Then coming to college here, knew I wanted to be on Little I from judging contest, expanding the network, you have 100 of immediate close folks you are getting to know across the University and across a lot of geographic areas. You get indoctrinated into a large family right at once it was a great experience,” Gunderson said.
For many Little I is a family tradition explained Lora Berg, Director - Marketing & Communications College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at SDSU.
“We’ve had numerous Little I managers, who have had multiple generations. Their father was a Little I manager and then their son,” Berg said.
Berg herself is a second generation Little I alumni. Her mom participated in Little I in the 1950s and in the 1980s Berg served on Little I staff and participated in the Lamb Lead.
Lamb Lead is where Berg met her husband.
“When I got selected to represent Block and Bridle club my freshman year in Lamb Lead or Ladies Lead. I had to construct my own outfit. That was the rule of the time. Now students who participate in Lamb Lead can purchase a wool outfit. But I could get help from someone who was in the club on fitting my sheep or grooming it and getting it ready for the show. I was in Pierson Hall here at SDSU, and I thought, “I think one of those Berg boys is actually on Second Floor and he is in Block and Bridle and his family is in sheep and he can probably help me fit my sheep,” Berg said.
The couple has been married 32 years. Today Berg gives back by serving as one of two Little I Advisors. Berg is among many alumni who gathered in the Agriculture Heritage Museum on the campus of SDSU for a social ahead of the showmanship finals.
Lora Wright also attended the alumni event. She was the second female to serve as Little I manager during its 77th year. She returned to co-MC the 100th Little I along with Matt Gunderson.
An agriculture professional and business owner, Wright said Little I remains relevant because it showcases the next generation of agriculture professionals.
“I think in the next hundred years, it is even more important to show the community about agriculture because there are fewer and fewer folks living or working in that area,” Wright said.
“Built on Tradition, Powered by a Vision” was the slogan adopted by all 164 members of the 100th Little I staff as together with their peers, alumni and SDSU faculty they commemorated this time-honored event.
