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South Dakota Badlands

SDSU Extension

Latest Recommendations

Four common South Dakota ticks: American dog, Rocky Mountain wood, blacklegged and Lonestar.

Spring is here, and so are the ticks!

As spring continues to bloom, more arthropods will begin to emerge from winter dormancy. Ticks are among the first to appear, and statewide reports have already been flowing in.

Producers cutting meat with a band saw.

Butcher's Guide to Red Meat

The purpose of this guide is to serve as an educational resource to help bridge the knowledge gap between livestock producers, meat processors, and consumers to aid in furthering processor education and to serve as a resource to reference when answering consumer questions.

Sunset over a sunflower field in South Dakota.

Sunflower Weed Management

Weed management can be particularly challenging in sunflowers.

Harvested, green tomatillo fruits on a brown paper bag.

Tomatillo: How to Grow It

Tomatillos are the lesser-known cousin of tomatoes, and they are commonly used in sauces or salsas. Learn some expert tips for planting, growing, and harvesting them in this resource!

Basket of freshly harvested parsnips on a table.

Parsnips: How to Grow It

Parsnips are one of the less-common root crops, closely related to carrots and parsley. Learn some expert tips for planting, growing, and harvesting parsnips in this resource!

Young woman demonstrating the Superman Pull core exercise.

Building a Strong Core

The midsection is a part of the body that many individuals strive to sculpt, strengthen and increase lean muscle tissue. While it may be easy to think of the core as just the abdominals, it involves many more muscles.

Our Impact

As the outreach arm of our state’s land grant, South Dakota State University, SDSU Extension is able to provide farmers, ranchers, agri-business people, communities, families and youth with the research-based information they need to succeed.

    216,854

    Individuals Reached

    $5,909,271.50

    Value of Volunteer Hours

    114,099

    Adult and Youth Educational Contacts

Explore Our Impacts

Further Reading

sun rising over South Dakota field

South Dakota Pest Management Guides

The South Dakota Pest Management guides are now available for free. The guides offer recommendations for controlling weeds, insects, and diseases in a variety of South Dakota crops.

stack of coins with faded chart lines showing in the foreground

South Dakota Agricultural Land Market Trends

The 2024 South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Farm Real Estate Market Survey is the 34th annual survey of agricultural land values and cash rental rates by land use and quality in different regions of South Dakota.

man holding a small pile of soil in his hands

Fertilizer Recommendation Guide

SDSU Extension fertilizer recommendations are based on field research in South Dakota and neighboring states.

A low-gradient prairie river that is very meandering.

Understanding Western South Dakota Prairie Streams

This document provides information and guidance for landowners and land managers in western South Dakota who are managing small intermittent streams.

Upcoming Events

Downtown Platte, SD
May 06

Energize Conference

SDSU Extension will host its seventh annual Energize! Exploring Innovative Rural Communities conference on May 6–7, 2025, in Platte, South Dakota.

South Dakota 4-H Special Foods Recipe Book 2021-2024
Apr 25

South Dakota 4-H Special Foods Cookbook Preorder

SDSU Extension will be selling the South Dakota 4-H Special Foods Cookbook. The preorder will be open from March 26-April 25, 2025.

Youth are lined up taking aim with bows and arrows to shoot at outdoor targets
Apr 25

4-H State Shoot

SDSU Extension 4-H will host the 4-H Sping State Shoot on April 25-27, 2025, in locations throughout Pierre and Fort Pierre, South Dakota.

2024 SkillsX participants
Jun 02

SkillsX by 4-H

SDSU Extension 4-H will host SkillsX by 4-H June 2-5, 2025, at the South Dakota State University campus (1451 8th St., Brookings, SD 57007). This event is open to any teen (age 13-18), with an interest in developing their leadership, life, workforce, and social skills!