BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State University Extension hosted a successful 2026 Energize conference in Wall with 144 attendees.
The event includes a keynote speaker, breakout sessions discussing topics important to rural communities, a youth entrepreneur panel, awards presentations, social event showcasing the local area, and multiple networking opportunities with key organizations from around the state.
One of this year’s themes was the importance of youth entrepreneurship and providing avenues for young people to stay in or return to their hometowns or other small, rural communities.
Keynote speaker Craig Schroeder, a youth engagement consultant from Nebraska, conducted a survey of Energize attendees prior to the conference, asking how they rate the importance of attracting or retaining youth for their communities. Every respondent rated it moderately to highly important, with most people rating it highly important.
“Youth in your community may well represent your greatest resource for economic growth and community sustainability,” he said.
Schroeder grew up on his family’s farm in southwestern Nebraska and earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After a brief career in international agricultural trade, Schroeder and his wife returned to his hometown of 223 people, where he has dedicated himself to rural development. He was inducted into the Nebraska Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in 2017.
Through his work and research, Schroeder has identified many of the challenges and opportunities around youth attraction and retention. One of them, he said, is by combining existing efforts.
“There’s a lot of good work, but it’s fragmented and in silos,” he said. “When you share community needs, it can inject new opportunities into existing programs.”
He also pushed back against the perception that young people are ready to flee from their hometowns as soon as they graduate from high school. Many young people want to stay or return after graduation – they just don’t know how to make it work with the existing employment opportunities.
Schroeder pointed to youth entrepreneurship as a gateway and provided advice on building that pipeline, along with examples and success stories. His message resonated with attendees, said Peggy Schlechter, SDSU Extension Community Vitality Program Director.
“We have had so many positive comments about the importance of youth entrepreneurship and how they are trying to move forward with connecting young people from their communities to entrepreneurship,” Schlechter said.
This year’s youth entrepreneur panel featured Noah Feldman, owner of Feldy’s Ice Cream in Doland; Montana Geringer, owner of Champion Strides in Brandon; Athena Willuweit, owner of Prairie Pearl Boutique in Winner; and Olivia Downs, owner of Cherry Lane Design Firm and Authentic Arts 605 in Geddes.
One of the breakout sessions, “Coming Home: Stories of Returners to Wall” offered similar stories. Kim Handcock, Michael Luedeman and Kelli Sundall all shared their stories of coming home as adults.
Luedeman graduated from Wall High School in 2006 with a degree in diesel mechanics, then returned home; he now owns M & M Sales with his father, Mike.
“I didn’t think I’d ever own a business, let alone a business in my hometown,” Michael Luedeman said. “I love my small community. That’s why I came back here.”
Handcock and Sundall both graduated from Wall in 2000, then graduated from Black Hills State University in 2004. Eventually, they both returned to Wall and have remained close friends. Handcock started her own boutique and Sundall is a counselor for Wall School District.
Now their children are also friends – Handcock has four children and Sundall has three, and their oldest boys are already planning on staying in Wall or returning after graduating.
“Everywhere you go, you know someone,” Handcock said. “It’s a community raising your children.”
The annual Energize: Exploring Innovative Rural Communities conference is hosted in a different community each year, with the goal of proving small towns can do big things and giving rural South Dakota communities an economic boost. This year’s was May 6-7, 2026.
Previous Energize conferences have been hosted in DeSmet, Lemmon, Milbank, Fort Pierre, Wessington Springs, Hot Springs and Platte. Like the creative venues used for conference locations, this event offers creative possibilities for rural areas.
Dubbed a walking conference, Energize breakout sessions are hosted at businesses and organizations around the community. Schlechter praised the local organizing committee, as well as the Wall community for making everyone feel welcome.
“They worked so hard to bring a high-quality conference to their community and it was a pleasure to work with them,” Schlechter said. “It seemed like the entire community of Wall rolled out the red carpet for all of us.”
Mary Williams, Wall’s mayor, read a proclamation declaring National Small Business Week as May 3-9, 2026. As part of that observance, Bryce Patterson, Small Business Administration district director for South Dakota, presented two SBA awards. He was joined by Bill Even, South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development commissioner.
Chris O’Bryan, owner of LaCreek Development Corporation based in Martin, won South Dakota Small Business Person of the Year. Ellen and Serena Harmon, of Mission, won Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year for South Dakota. The sisters own Rosebud Building Products, a building supply store, along with Rosebud Rental and RBP Supply.
This was the first time the Harmons attended an Energize conference and said it was a great way to meet other business owners and partner organizations.
“I can’t believe more people don’t talk about this,” Serena Harmon said. “It applies to such a wide range of people. I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Applications to host the 2027 Energize conference are due by July 31, 2026. Host communities must have fewer than 5,000 residents, and preference will be given to communities east of the Missouri River for the 2027 event.
For more information and to apply, visit the SDSU Extension Events page and search “Energize”. The community selected will be notified by early October.
(From left): Bryce Patterson, Small Business Administration district director for South Dakota; Ellen and Serena Harmon; Chris O’Bryan; and Bill Even, South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development commissioner. O’Bryan, owner of LaCreek Development Corporation based in Martin, won South Dakota Small Business Person of the Year, and the Harmon sisters, of Mission, won Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year for South Dakota. (SDSU Extension photo)
144 people attended the SDSU Extension Energize conference on May 6-7, 2026, in Wall. (SDSU Extension photo)
Upcoming Events
Energize 2027 Host Community Application Deadline
SDSU Extension is seeking applications for a host community for the ninth annual Energize! Exploring Innovative Rural Communities Conference.
