ANR Connections is an educational program designed to develop well-rounded agriculture and natural resource professionals through practical education and hands-on experiences in various agricultural disciplines. This program has been created to support agriculture and natural resource professionals who have been in the field for five years or less.
ANR Connections will cover topics such as crop production, livestock, conservation, farm business management, range, grazing, water, stakeholder and community engagement and more. Participants will expand their network as they are provided with opportunities to build relationships with professionals and producers throughout the state.
Program Overview
The timeline of this program, June through October, is designed to follow the growing season of major crops and livestock grown in South Dakota. Participants can expect to spend approximately 2-3 hours on the course each week.
Registered participants will engage in:
- An Online course
- Weekly Zoom meetings on Mondays at 10 a.m. CDT
- Presentations from industry experts
- A choice of two hands-on agricultural experiences
- SDSU Research Farm field day (required to attend one of three opportunities)
- Four required in-person sessions
Tentative Timeline
Not all in-person sessions listed are required. Four in-person sessions will be required with additional optional opportunities.
- Week 1 (June 3) – In-person welcome session in Pierre and online coursework: Crop Production
- Week 2 (June 9) – Online coursework: Producer Advisors/Consultants
- Week 3 (June 16) – Online coursework: Rangeland/Pasture/Hayland
- Week 4 (June 23) – In-person field day opportunity
- Week 5 (June 30) – Independence Day holiday break
- Week 6 (July 7) – In-person field day opportunities
- Week 7 (July 14) – Online coursework: Pesticide Use
- Week 8 (July 21) – Online coursework: Water Resources
- Week 9 (July 28) – In-person beef feedlot tour
- Week 10 (August 4) – Online coursework: Community Engagement
- Week 11 (August 11) – Online coursework: Farm Business Management
- Week 12 (August 18) – Dakotafest in Mitchell
- Week 13 (August 26) – Online coursework: Conservation Practices
- Week 14 (September 1) – In-person dairy operation tour
- Week 15 (September 8) – Online coursework: Stakeholder Engagement
- Week 16 (September 15) – Online coursework: Cover Crops
- Week 17 (September 22) – In-person swine operation tour
- Week 18 (September 29) – Finish course, complete final assignment and evaluation
