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Five youth stand in front of banners holding a sign that says "South Dakota"

SDSU Extension 4-H members compete at national FCS contest

February 20, 2025

The FCS skill-a-thon team won fifth place in the life skills assessment. The team members were Anna Johnson, Norman Johnson and Ada Sharp, of Brown County; and Mercedes Jones, of Buffalo/Jerauld counties. Their team coach is Aubrey Anderson, SDSU Extension 4-H Educator, Minnehaha County. Samantha Brenden, of Clark County, placed fourth in modeling and fifth overall for a constructed outfit in fashion revue.

Microscope analyzing a glass slide.

Midwest animal science meeting to highlight SDSU research

February 18, 2025

This year’s meeting is March 9-12, 2025, in Omaha, Nebraska, and will include student competitions, symposiums and presentations highlighting the research students and faculty are conducting.

Women look through potted plants on a table in a classroom

Register now to become an SDSU Extension Master Gardener

February 03, 2025

The course is open to anyone who would like to learn horticulture skills and research-based best practices and share their gardening knowledge with others. Participants will learn which plants are well-suited for South Dakota, including trees, shrubs, perennial flowers, turfgrass, vegetables and fruits. Other topics include soils, plant diseases, insect pests and weeds.

Sprawling rangeland enrolled in the conservation stewardship program.

SDSU Extension invites all to SD Coalition Grassland Management School

January 30, 2025

SDSU Extension is partnering with the South Dakota Grassland Coalition, Audubon Great Plains, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Natural Resource Conservation Service to host the school, which is on Feb. 11-12, 2025, at Cedar Shore Resort near Oacoma.

A sow and her piglets rest in dry and clean pen. Courtesy: USDA

Registration open for 2025 SowBridge educational series

January 24, 2025

SowBridge is for those who work with sows, boars and piglets, and in swine genetics and reproduction. The 2025 series begins on Feb. 5, and will generally continue on the first Wednesday of the month from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. CST. The fifth session will be on May 28 to avoid conflicts with the World Pork Expo.

tar spot on a corn leaf

SDSU Extension to host tar spot webinar

January 24, 2025

Tar spot is a potentially yield-impacting corn disease that was confirmed in 46 of South Dakota’s 66 counties in 2024. The fungus can cling to crop residue over the winter and re-emerge once temperatures rise. It’s most commonly spread in South Dakota by wind-blown spores.

A large group of people stands on a stone staircase to smile for a photo

Energize conference inspires small SD communities

January 17, 2025

Hosted in a different South Dakota town of 5,000 or fewer people each year, Energize is an opportunity for community and business leaders to gather, gain new perspectives and share ideas about revitalizing rural communities.

Three people smile for the camera with bison and rolling hills in the background

Bringing happy, healthy bison back to the Great Plains

January 17, 2025

There are approximately 400,000 bison across North America, down from 30 to 60 million prior to the 1860s. South Dakota has the largest bison population in the U.S. with nearly 40,000, and Martin hopes to see it keep rising.

A group of people stands in a pasture

beefSD helps cattle producers ‘raise the steaks’

January 17, 2025

Since 2010, 175 participants from more than 100 operations in South Dakota and Minnesota have completed beefSD. The well-established intensive educational program is designed to take beginning beef producers to the next level in beef enterprise management.

A jar of pickles

SDSU Extension adds to food safety testing services

January 17, 2025

SDSU Extension has added a new food safety testing service that allows canning enthusiasts to make sure their favorite recipes are safe.

rows of vegetable plants are pictured

SDSU Extension to host virtual training series on vegetable production

January 17, 2025

Designed to empower small and medium-scale commercial specialty crop producers to improve and expand their operations, the short course will provide practical, science-based vegetable production information.

Woman using a calculator

SDSU Extension introduces volunteer financial mentoring program

January 03, 2025

Over 10 weeks, the Money Mentor Volunteer program will help South Dakotans learn how to facilitate personal finance educational programming. Those who successfully complete the program will be certified to lead personal finance workshops in communities and to provide one-on-one financial education.

two people holding hands

SDSU Extension offers virtual suicide prevention training

January 03, 2025

QPR is a 60-minute, evidence-based training that teaches three simple steps anyone can learn. People trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, offer hope and get people the help they need.

A piggy bank with stacks of coins next to it.

SDSU Extension to host Financial Fireside Chats webinar series

January 02, 2025

Financial Fireside Chats is a free series of webinars every Tuesday for six weeks that tackles timely topics designed to promote financial well-being for participants of all ages.

SDSU cheerleader holding a yellow lamb pelt with the SDSU mascot

33rd Lamb Bonanza to showcase sheep industry during SDSU basketball game

January 02, 2025

The 2025 Lamb Bonanza is Saturday, Jan. 11, at First Bank & Trust Arena on the SDSU campus in Brookings. The game starts at 2 p.m. and features the SDSU women versus the University of Missouri-Kansas City Roos.