YAF Hosts Governor Kristi Noem
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ince stepping forward in 1998 to save the Reagan Ranch, President Ronald Reagan’s Western White House, Young America’s Foundation has advanced the Conservative Movement by educating young people and inspiring the public leaders of the day through this premier Presidential property. Notable visitors to Rancho del Cielo, the humble 688acre private residence of President Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan, have included Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence; Speaker Newt Gingrich and Ambassador Callista Gingrich; Secretary Betsy DeVos; Attorney General John Ashcroft and his wife, Janet; Governor Sarah Palin; Governor Rick Perry and his wife, Anita; philanthropists Richard and Helen DeVos; Senator Ted Cruz; and many others. Today, YAF continues to build on this rich history of inspiring conservative leaders by providing them with the opportunity to walk in Ronald Reagan’s footsteps. YAF recently welcomed South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to the Reagan Ranch and Reagan Ranch Center, YAF’s “Schoolhouse for Reaganism” in downtown Santa Barbara, for a tour and nationally-televised town hall produced by Newsmax.
Prior to filming, YAF President Governor Scott Walker and Vice President and Director of the Reagan Ranch Andrew Coffin hosted Governor Noem for a private visit at Rancho del Cielo. A rancher like Ronald Reagan, Governor Noem instinctively understood why the Ranch was a special place for the President. She noted the humility evident in the property, observing, “Working with your hands does something for your soul.” Following her tour of Rancho del Cielo, Governor Noem participated in an interview at the Ranch—in front of President and Mrs. Reagan’s beloved Lake Lucky—with Newsmax host Rob Schmitt. The program aired on Schmitt’s primetime show and featured shots of Governor Noem visiting the Ranch adobe home; Tax Cut table, where President Reagan signed the 1981 Economic Recovery Tax Act; entryway to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, so named by the U.S. Secret Service; and the property’s tack barn. YAF also welcomed nearly 200 guests to the Reagan Ranch Center for the Newsmax town hall special, hosted by Schmitt. Part of YAF’s Wendy P. McCaw Reagan Ranch Roundtable series, the program reached millions of American households and allowed the Foundation’s loyal supporters and friends to hear from one of today’s top conservative leaders.
Governor Noem engages with YAF supporters and friends during a Newsmax town hall held at the Reagan Ranch Center.
YAF President Governor Scott Walker hosts South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem for a tour of the Reagan Ranch.
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Young America’s Foundation | Libertas | Winter 2021
During her visit to Rancho del Cielo, Governor Noem enjoys touring the tack barn, maintained as it was when President and Mrs. Reagan owned the 688acre property.
