Fall Conference

Monday, September 29

• 1:00 – 2:15 p.m. Optional pre-conference campus tour
• 2:00 p.m. Registration opens
• 3:00 p.m. Welcome and keynote
• 5:00 p.m. Association night out
  Professional associations will share location and time details with members.

Tuesday, September 30

• 8:00 a.m. Light breakfast refreshments
• 9:00 a.m. Breakout sessions
• 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. University photographer available for professional portraits
• 12:00 p.m. Luncheon
• 1:30 p.m. Tour or workshop
  Select one tour or workshop during registration. Descriptions are listed below.
• 5:30 p.m. SDSU Extension awards banquet
  Cash bar available at 5:30 p.m.; dinner served at 6:00 p.m. with the program and entertainment to follow
  Location: McCrory Gardens Great Hall 631 22nd Ave, Brookings, SD 57006

Wednesday, October 1 

• 8:00 a.m. Light breakfast refreshments
• 9:00 a.m. Closing keynote
• 10:30 a.m. Capstone/Department gatherings
• 1:00 p.m. Optional post-conference campus tour

Want to get to know the SDSU campus better? Join us for a tour of main campus, including visits to iconic campus landmarks, athletic facilities (where available) as well as a stop by Berg Agricultural Hall - home of SDSU Extension headquarters.

This optional experience will be offered before and after the main conference and is a great opportunity for newer employees or those based outside of Brookings.

Select one tour or workshop to participate in on September 30. Participants will ride a bus from the conference center to tour locations. Please provide advance notice of special accommodation/accessibility requests. We are happy to assist you!

SDSU Museums & Dairy Plant Tour   
Tour the SDSU Davis Dairy Plant, South Dakota Art Museum and South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum on SDSU’s campus. At the Davis Dairy Plant, we’ll receive a tour of operations where students produce award-winning ice cream, cheese and butter products. The Agriculture Heritage Museum, dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of South Dakota’s agricultural history and rural heritage, will provide a brief overview tour of exhibits and allow time to peruse. The SD Art Museum will provide a trained docent to facilitate a Visual Thinking Strategies tour of the museum’s art, which aims to deepen aesthetic understanding, communication skills and appreciation of art.

Farm, Viticulture & Winery Tour  
This tour includes two stops: Good Roots Farm & Gardens and Schadé Vineyard & Winery.   

Join Good Roots Farm owners on a “farm walk and talk” at their third generation, 40 acre farm located in the beautiful Coteau des Prairie region. The farm has a high tunnel greenhouse, four acres of aronia, small apple orchard, pastureland and goats. Good Roots values sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices and is surrounded on the east and north side with 100 acres of a conservation reserve of pheasant and pollinator habitat. Staff provide educational opportunities to a variety of audiences on topics such as bees and pollinators, regenerative organic practices and perma-culture.  

Schadé Vineyard & Winery was designed to not only bring their customers the finest in South Dakota wine, but a taste of South Dakota itself. Set amid stunning rolling prairie scenery in Volga, SD, Schadé vineyard grows cold climate grapes and works with other local growers to supply fruits for their wines that include flavors like chokecherry, buffalo berry and rhubarb. Your visit will begin with a guided facility tour led by Jenn, who will share the rich history of Schadé and highlight everything we have to offer. From there, Dillon will take you through the fascinating world of grape growth and winemaking. Offering insights into how wines are crafted from vine to bottle. Tour Guides: Dillon Ringling, Owner and Wine maker; Jenn Jepsen, Manager 

Building a Culture of Excellence - SDSU's Athletic Programs Tour
This tour starts with a talk from SDSU Athletics leadership on building a culture of excellence and concludes with a tour of a variety of athletic facilities, including those newly updated. In the last decade, South Dakota State teams have claimed 58 conference titles in nine different sports. SDSU has won six Summit League Commissioner’s Cup titles, seven Dr. William Steinbrecher All-Sports Awards and two Dr. Helen Smiley Women’s All-Sports Awards. Jackrabbit teams also qualified for NCAA Tournament events 32 times, with several squads earning berths in other Division I postseason tournaments. The Jackrabbit football team made the Football Championship Subdivision playoff field for the 12th year in a row during the 2023 season and repeated as national champions.

Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Workshop*
Brought back for a second year due to participant request, the American Heart Assocation’s Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED course trains participants to provide first aid, CPR, and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a safe, timely, and effective manner. The course reflects the latest science and education from the American Heart Association Guidelines Update for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC). Students who successfully complete this course will receive a First Aid/CPR/AED card valid for two years. In compliance with current University policies, this certification is only intended for use with adult-related emergencies.

*If you took this training last year, you are not eligible to repeat it this year.

Room blocks have been made at two Brookings hotels. Reserve early! Each hotel has a deadline to reserve rooms in the block. Each room is set up for individual pay. Please speak with your supervisor if you require another method of payment.

Comfort Suites in Brookings 

• Address: 929 25th Ave, Brookings, SD 57006 
• Block Details: SDSU Extension, 2 nights (arriving 9/30, departing 10/1). The block expires September 15, 2025.
• Reservation options:
  • Call (605) 937-5867 and make sure to mention the block name SDSU Extension
  • Reserve your room online: https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/VL04L1

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson 

• Address: 3000 Lefevre Drive, Brookings, SD, 57006 
• Block details: SDSU Extension, 2 nights (arriving 9/30, departing 10/1). The block expires August 30, 2025.
• Reservation options:
  • Call (605) 499-4175 and make sure to mention the block name SDSU Extension
  • Reserve your room online https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/hi77d2?checkInDate=2025-09-29&checkOutDate=2025-10-01&ratePlanCode=BVCIBQ

We’re continuing the tradition of recognizing the outstanding achievements of SDSU Extension colleagues during this year’s Fall Conference. All SDSU Extension faculty and staff are invited to submit nominations.

You may submit multiple nominations, but each must be submitted separately.

Nominations are due by August 18, 2025.

Award descriptions, criteria and scoring rubrics are available in the Policies and Procedures > Awards folder.

Award Categories

• Creativity in Service to all South Dakotans: Recognize creative extension programming efforts that educate South Dakota’s diverse population using a cooperative, interdisciplinary approach. Programming should be derived from a minimum of two capstones.
• Excellence in Partnership: Recognize the collaborative work of SDSU Extension done in partnership with public and private entities within the state of South Dakota.
• Excellence in Programming Innovation and Creativity: Recognize original, innovative extension programming that has been developed specifically within the organization and was not derived from another source.
• Excellence in Research-Based Programming Award: Recognize extension educational programming efforts that derive knowledge/content from research and achieve behavior or condition change in clientele. Land-grant-based research is preferred as the source upon which the nominated program was developed. The design and implementation of the program should be unique to efforts on the part of the individual or team nominated.
• Excellence in Virtual Program Delivery: Recognize an extraordinary effort to quickly and effectively transition learning into an online platform.
• Spirit of Extension: Recognize an employee who creates and contributes to a work environment that is positive, supportive, collegial and inspirational to others throughout SDSU Extension.

Submit Award Nomination

All SDSU Extension faculty and staff are invited to submit a self-nomination to present a poster session or lightning talk at our fall conference. This is a great opportunity to highlight your work and/or invite future collaboration. 

You may submit multiple nominations, but each must be submitted separately. 

Nominations are due by August 18, 2025. Accepted proposals will be notified by August 26.

Poster Session

A poster session is a designated time during the conference for staff to showcase their work on a specific project using a visual display and brief explanation. Presenters will stand by their posters to answer questions and talk with attendees. These sessions offer a chance to exchange ideas, highlight impact and build connections around shared areas of interest.

• If your poster nomination is accepted, you will be provided a template to draft your poster. 
• The EdTech team will support design and coordinate review and printing. Drafts must be submitted through Lytho by September 8.
• The poster session will be at least 30 minutes during the conference.

Lightning Talk 

A lightning talk is a fast-paced, 3–5-minute presentation focused on a single idea. It is a way to quickly share information about your program or research, spark discussion or inspire future collaboration. Whether the topic is a fully developed program or an early-stage concept, focus on key takeaways and use the opportunity to seek partnerships. All lightning talks will be delivered in the main hall to maximize visibility.

• If your lightning talk is accepted, you will be required to submit an outline of key points in Lytho by September 8. The EdTech team will help with talk development and slide design.
• During the conference, presenter(s) will be supported with timing prompts and must stay within the 5-minute limit.

Submit Highlight Nomination

• Conference logistics and accommodations: Aimee Ladonski
• Expectations for conference participation: your program director
• Travel billing and reimbursement: your capstone/department finance support or SDSU Extension Finance
• Registration: Heidi Berndt

Business casual attire is expected during daytime conference sessions. Professional dress is typical attire for the awards banquet. Remember to wear comfortable shoes if you are participating in a tour on Tuesday.

To quote a recent first-time attendee: “It’s a great time to get to know people that aren’t in your office. During some sessions, you won’t understand everything that’s said, and that’s okay. There’s no expectation to go out of your way and have some amazing thing set up - you’re just there to learn as much as you can.” Anonymous 

Read through the agenda - if you don’t understand what something is, ask your program director or a colleague.

Iconic food

• Nick’s Hamburger Shop: Great stop to grab a sack of burgers, a shake and a slice of pie. 
• Good Roots Farm Summer Pizza Nights: If you’re in Brookings on Sunday, visit Good Roots Farm from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. for farm fresh, wood-fired pizza. Follow the instructions on their website to make a reservation. 
• Early risers can start the day at Cook's Kitchen. This small diner delivers big portions. Try the pancakes, cinnamon rolls and/or cheesy hashbrowns.
• Go to George's. Order the window pizza.
• Need a cup of joe while in town? Even though we all have our favorites, we can't recommend just one coffee shop or bakery. From chains to locally roasted brews (with their own signature treats – fudge for breakfast anyone?), you're sure to find the perfect combo of caffeine and sugar to perk up your week.

Need a gathering place?  

• Cubby’s Sports Bar & Grill has a private meeting room for up to 40 people, with 5 TVs and the ability to hook up a computer for screen sharing. Advanced reservations are required. 
• The Pheasant Restaurant, a James Beard Foundation Award winner, accommodates large groups with advance reservation.
• Explore other venues and restaurants. 
• Looking for on-campus options? University classrooms and event spaces can be booked through Central Reservations. Conference rooms within colleges and departments should be booked directly through the respective department.

After Hours Gathering Places  

• Networking opportunity: ask local alumni for their downtown recommendation. 
• Wooden Legs Brewing Company 
• Eponymous Brewing Company 
• Want to venture out of town? You’ve got no shortage of options within a 30-minute road trip to Arlington, Aurora, Bushnell, Flandreau, Lake Campell, Oakwood Lake, Nunda or Volga.

General Information

• Visit Brookings (download the Visitor Guide)
• City of Brookings official website
• Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce

• Yes! We will have a photographer set up at Dacotah Bank Center on September 30 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• We keep the portrait process simple - no need to sign up, just stop by the photo area as time allows. The portrait should take less than five minutes; overall wait time will depend on how long the line is.
• Official portraits are used for web profiles, news releases, social media, presentations, and other professional purposes.
• Who should take a portrait? Anyone who does not currently have an official photo or whose existing portrait is outdated.
• If you're unable to attend the scheduled portrait session during fall conference, please contact Kira Moorse for options.