South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem signs executive order on department merger South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has signed an executive creating a new Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the result of a merger between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 3:55 pm, Jan. 19, 2021 × South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem steps up to the microphone to deliver her annual State of the State address in the House chambers of the state Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 12. Christopher Vondracek/Forum News Service PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota G...