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Grass buring

Prescribed fire schools for SD landowners scheduled for March, April

March 24, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is partnering with the South Dakota Grassland Coalition, Natural Resources Conservation Service, The Nature Conservancy, Audubon Great Plains and landowner-led fire cooperatives to host a series of fire training workshops this spring.

People stand in a line in the middle of an open pasture

2025 Rangeland and Soil Days for youth is June 10-11 in Belle Fourche

March 20, 2025

The 41st annual Rangeland and 20th annual Soil Days for youth is June 10-11, 2025, at the Belle Fourche Community Hall.

A man kneels next to a creek with testing equipment spread in front of him

SDSU Extension hopes to empower South Dakotans through water use survey

March 18, 2025

Sushant Mehan wants to know what South Dakotans think about water. Mehan, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and South Dakota State University Extension Water Resource Engineer Specialist, is researching water in various ways, including how water affects plant growth and what the future of crop production looks like across the Great Plains as moisture levels fluctuate.

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.

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.

Map of 4-H regions in South Dakota

SDSU Extension 4-H launches regional support for county operations

December 16, 2024

SDSU Extension has organized operations support into four regions: North, South, Central and West. Each region consists of about 16 counties and is supported by an assigned regional youth educator.

2024 4-H Capitol Day group

SDSU Extension to host fifth annual 4-H Capitol Day

December 10, 2024

Held in conjunction with Brookings and SDSU days at the Capitol, the event provides educational legislative experiences for 4-H members and the opportunity to meet 4-H supporters from across the state.

Firefighters in yellow protective gear monitor a grass fire in an open pasture

SDSU Extension to co-host prescribed fire forum for private landowners

December 09, 2024

South Dakota State University Extension, Audubon Great Plains and partner organizations are hosting a first-of-its-kind event for private landowners in South Dakota interested in prescribed fire as a management tool.

A girl and a woman stand on either side of a table stacked with donated hygiene items

SDSU Extension 4-H donates 894 care kits to people in need

November 22, 2024

For the project, members collected personal hygiene items and packaged them into Clover Care Kits. The kits contained hygiene items like a bath towel, washcloth, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo/conditioner, soap and deodorant. 4-H members and their families donated 894 kits to organizations that serve people in need across the state.

A group of people in green jackets smile for the camera

SDSU Extension 4-H State Ambassadors for 2024-25 announced

November 04, 2024

The State 4-H Ambassador program provides leadership and mentoring opportunities as participants support 4-H and serve as positive role models. Through their service, State 4-H Ambassadors develop skills that can prepare them for future career opportunities, including public speaking, event planning and public relations.

A girl in a cowboy hat holds two plaques and several large rosette awards

SDSU Extension 4-H recognizes 2024 Premier Exhibitor awards

November 04, 2024

Sixty 4-H members are being recognized for their hard work and accomplishments in the 4-H animal project areas with the Premier Exhibitor Award. The award is divided into four categories: large animal (beef, sheep, swine, meat goat); small animal/dairy (poultry, rabbit, dairy goat and dairy cattle); horse; and dog.

2021 4-H Volunteer Hall of Fame awards arranged on a table.

SDSU Extension 4-H to recognize volunteers during 2024 State Fair

August 23, 2024

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to announce it will recognize 12 volunteers on Sept. 1, 2024, during the South Dakota State Fair in Huron.

Graduation cap and tassel. Text reading “Scholarship.”

SDSU Extension 4-H awards 2024 state Shooting Sports scholarships

August 01, 2024

Six youths in the shooting sports program will receive scholarships funded through entrance fees paid at the shooting sports state match. A committee of volunteers reviews the applicants and selects the top candidates.

Graduation cap and tassel. Text reading “Scholarship.”

SDSU Extension 4-H awards 2024 scholarships

August 01, 2024

Fourteen youth from across the state were selected to receive these awards. Youth with at least five years of active membership in 4-H, current high school seniors, or those enrolled at SDSU are eligible to apply for the scholarships. These scholarships are funded through donors and SDSU Extension’s 4-H program.

State 4-H Ambassador sitting at a table filling out an application

SDSU Extension State 4-H Ambassador applications now open

July 25, 2024

Registered 4-H members between ages 14-18 who are interested in a unique opportunity to represent SDSU Extension 4-H are encouraged to apply by Aug. 10, 2024. To apply, visit https://extension.sdstate.edu/become-state-4-h-ambassador.