Tami Severson
Housing Coordinator, Miner County

Email: Tami.Severson@RuralLearningCenter.org

About Me: I was born and raised along with my three brothers in rural Howard South Dakota on our generations-old family farm. Both of my parents were born and raised in rural Howard as well. They taught us the "heart and soul" value of making a life, not just a living, and being able to do so in the place that you care for. My husband, Brent Severson, is from Artesian, South Dakota, and works with the Artesian Honey Producers; we are both fortunate to be able to work in our hometowns. We are raising our three young children Breanna, Austin, and Noah on our 40-acre farm near Howard. I am unable to provide my children with the experiences I had with animals growing up, but am so glad I can share our wide open spaces with them.

I had the opportunity to work with Randy Parry and others while still in high school through the community-based grassroots meetings. I provided support with organizing and recording the meetings as well as providing a voice for the younger population of Miner County. I was fortunate to earn my BS degree close to home at Dakota State University, majoring in Business Management and Office Management/Administration. In 2002, Miner County Community Revitalization was expanding, and I was able to join a team of people working for the future of the very place I treasured growing up. In 2007/2008, I began my current occupation as Housing Coordinator with the Rural Learning Center.


What I do at the RLC: As Housing Coordinator, I currently manage Miner Homes Incorporated, a set of independent living duplexes that are locally owned as well as Brick Home Apartments which are owned and operated by Rural Learning Center. I enjoy working with long time residents to assist them with their housing needs as well as assisting new residents to the community in getting connected to housing and other basic needs.  I also work with managing rehab construction projects in Miner County and enjoy learning all of the challenges that come with fixing up older homes as well as coordinating multiple contractors and suppliers.

Hometown: Howard, South Dakota

What I wanted to be when I was little: I wanted to be a number of things including a lawyer, a teacher and a business manager. My brothers and I would play seed salesmen and restaurant owners for hours on end.

Interesting previous job(s) I've held: I grew up on our family farm helping with all aspects of farm life raising pigs, cattle and crops. I remember when farmers used to pull all of the weeds in a field instead of spray them! I also helped mom and dad with seed sales including learning how to answer a business phone and take proper messages at a very young age.

A place I want to visit at least once in my lifetime: Alaska.

Favorite rainy day activity: I love to go places in the rain: shopping, driving, anything but staying home or inside. I believe that comes from my early life of growing up on the farm and being able to sneak away somewhere on rainy days that slowed our farm work down.