Three family businesses were honored this week for their success across multiple generations.

More than 500 people attended the 33rd annual Family Business Conference from the Prairie Business Association, where the following awards were presented:

Lloyd All In Award: Uthe family of Trav’s Outfitter

The third-ever Lloyd All In Award was presented to Trav’s Outfitter and the Uthe family. Trav’s Outfitters is a retailer specializing in work and Western shoes and clothing that is headquartered in Watertown.

 The Lloyd All In Award was created in honor of Craig and Pat Lloyd’s Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to the couple in 2023. The award is given to a family who goes “all-in” on their family business and PFBA, just as the Lloyd family has done. Recipients of the All In Award are willing to learn through PFBA programs, eager to connect with other family businesses and dedicated to showing up and investing in both their family and their business.

Heritage Award: Schlachter Family of Schlachter Lumber

The 2025 Heritage Award winner is the Schlachter family of Schlachter Lumber, headquartered in Gettysburg. The fourth generation of the Schlachter family leads the business today. The 137-year-old business is a building materials company supporting new builds, remodels and agriculture projects.

The Heritage Award is presented annually to a business that is 75 years or older, reflecting the mission of PFBA to help family businesses thrive through generations.

Vicki Clarke Family Business of the Year Award: Rysdon family of Sioux Steel

The 2025 recipient of the Vicki Clarke Family Business of the Year Award is the Rysdon family of Sioux Steel. The company was founded in 1918 and is headquartered in Sioux Falls. Today, the fourth and fifth generations of the Rysdon family are active in the business. Sioux Steel manufactures grain bins, bunker walls, buildings, livestock equipment and garden beds. The family has been instrumental in the development of The Steel District in downtown Sioux Falls.

The late Vicki Clarke was part of the County Fair Foods family business headquartered in Mitchell. Clarke made a lasting impression on many, especially those within her own family business. The Vicki Clarke Award recognizes a family business that also makes a lasting impression on others through valuable contributions to its community, investing in the well-being of employees, pride in the business, and proven success and growth of the business.

Next year’s 34th annual Family Business Conference is scheduled for April 22-23, 2026, in Sioux Falls.

The Prairie Family Business Association, founded in 1992, is an outreach center of the University of South Dakota Beacom School of Business. PFBA helps family businesses thrive through generations by providing a resource network for family business success. The association serves more than 260 member businesses throughout the region and nation.