Ryan uses his experience as a fourth-generation rancher, a published author, a former policymaker, and an advocate for rural people and the land to illustrate the symbiotic relationship between conservation, agriculture, and the communities we live in. Ryan is a 4th generation rancher, published author, former policy maker and an advocate for rural people & the land.
He was elected three times to the ND State Senate & served as the senate minority leader. Awarded a Bush Foundation Fellowship which allowed him to travel to Norway to learn the public policies of their respected oil and gas development, and he furthered his leadership education at the Harvard Kennedy School.
He was appointed by President Obama to serve as state director for USDA Rural Development, leading a team of 44 employees and making $590 million worth of program investments and loans in rural North Dakota.
He is currently director of public policy for Ducks Unlimited. He focuses on policy related to wetlands and grassland habitat that benefits waterfowl, the people & agriculture in ND, SD & Montana.
He wrote his ‘Cowboy Logic’ column in agricultural newspapers for 21 years across the western US & Canada, most of which are now published in his three books. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at [ Ссылка ]
