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SDSU Extension partners with SD DOH for physical activity challenge

April 08, 2024

The Move Your Way spring physical activity challenge runs from April 15 to May 15, 2024. Everyone age 18 or older can participate in this virtual event.

headshot of Michael Perry, Energize keynote speaker

Register now for 2024 SDSU Extension Energize conference

February 13, 2024

Registration is open for the sixth annual South Dakota State University Extension Community Vitality Energize Conference on May 22 and 23, 2024, in Hot Springs.

About six people sit around a table in a community room with notebooks and pens

SDSU Extension Community Vitality built on foundation of empowering people

February 09, 2024

Now a full-fledged capstone within SDSU Extension, community development – since renamed Community Vitality – has evolved and grown in the last 20 years. Program leaders agree the community work they did through Horizons laid the foundation for what would become a successfully thriving SDSU Extension Community Vitality program.

An older adult male holds a pencil over a notepad in one hand, while typing on a laptop with the other

SDSU Extension hosts free life story writing workshops via Zoom

January 03, 2024

South Dakota State University Extension and South Dakota Humanities Scholar Molly Barari will host a series of creative life story writing workshops online via Zoom in 2024.

A room of people sit around tables and listen to the young entrepreneurs panel at the 2023 Energize conference in Wessington Springs

Hot Springs to host SDSU Extension 2024 Energize Conference

December 29, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension Community Vitality and the community of Hot Springs will host the 2024 Energize Exploring Innovative Rural Communities Conference on May 22 and 23, 2024.

South Dakota State University Extension, Community Vitality Home Starts Here podcast cover

SDSU Extension Community Vitality launches new podcast, ‘Home Starts Here’

December 18, 2023

The South Dakota State University Extension Community Vitality team is proud to announce the launch of their new podcast, "Home Starts Here". For its fourth episode, there will be a live recording of “Home Starts Here” at 1 p.m. on March 25 at the Heritage Hall Museum complex during the 2023 Schmeckfest festival in Freeman, South Dakota.

South Dakota State University Extension logo

SDSU Extension experts receive national awards for mental health, early childhood programming

October 17, 2023

SDSU Extension’s Mental Health First Aid team received a regional Excellence in Extension Team Award, and SDSU Extension Early Childhood Field Specialist Audrey Rider is on the team that won a regional and national Excellence in Multi-State Collaboration Award from the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences.

The Tokata Youth Center is pictured close up with blue sky and clouds in the background

SDSU Extension receives $525K to improve nutrition, physical activity in rural areas

October 04, 2023

SDSU Extension received $525,000 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expand its work with the five-year High Obesity Program (HOP) into five new South Dakota counties.

Kellie Ecker Kolb smiles for a portrait

SDSU Extension welcomes new Community Vitality Field Specialist to Aberdeen office

August 22, 2023

SDSU Extension is pleased to welcome Kellie Ecker Kolb as a new Community Vitality Field Specialist based out of the Aberdeen Regional Center.

Sun rising over small town mainstreet.

SDSU Extension to host webinar on rural community narratives

August 15, 2023

“Rewriting the Rural Narrative,” hosted by South Dakota State University Extension, starts at 5:30 p.m. MT/6:30 p.m. CDT on Aug. 17.

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Community Vitality helping train South Dakota board members for service with customized curriculum

June 15, 2023

The SDSU Extension Community Vitality team has created the Building Highly Effective Boards curriculum to teach South Dakota board members how to thrive in their roles.

The Tokata Youth Center is pictured close up with blue sky and clouds in the background

SDSU Extension partnerships with Fort Thompson groups seeing positive growth

May 26, 2023

Lindsay Moore, SDSU Extension Community Health and Obesity Program Director, said CDC HOP’s goal is “to enhance opportunities for nutrition and physical activity in communities.” Through that grant funding, administered by SDSU Extension, Moore said the program supports communities looking to grow their capacity.

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SDSU Extension welcomes new Better Choices, Better Health SD Engagement and Enrollment Coordinator

May 16, 2023

SDSU Extension is pleased to announce Sandi Traupel as the new Engagement and Enrollment Coordinator for the Better Choices, Better Health SD program.

Road sign reading "Welcome to South Dakota - Great Faces, Great Places"

Put Your Location on the Map along the US Highway 14 SD Rural Road Trip Trail

May 03, 2023

SDSU Extension is holding a series of community meetings to share and collect information to promote tourism along U.S. Highway 14, which runs east-west across north-central South Dakota.

Headshot of Geb Bastian

SDSU Extension Welcomes New Assistant Professor and SDSU Extension Nutrition and Health Specialist

November 15, 2022

SDSU Extension is excited to welcome Graham (Geb) Bastian as a new Assistant Professor and SDSU Extension Nutrition and Health Specialist.