Latest News
SDSU Extension experts to attend 2025 Dakotafest
August 06, 2025
South Dakota State University Extension experts will attend the 2025 Dakotafest trade show in Mitchell, providing educational resources and hands-on activities for a variety of topics.
SDSU Extension welcomes new community vitality expert
July 01, 2025
South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Chase Moon as a new Community Vitality Field Specialist.
SDSU Extension hosts successful Energize conference in Platte
June 03, 2025
South Dakota State University Extension hosted a successful Energize conference in Platte with 150 attendees.
Director Karla Trautman retires after 37 years with SDSU Extension
May 27, 2025
For Karla Trautman, it has always been about the people. As she prepares to retire after 37 years with SDSU Extension, Trautman said that focus on people has remained constant.
Watertown entrepreneur wins SDSU Extension business plan contest
March 24, 2025
A Watertown woman won a South Dakota State University Extension Community Vitality business plan contest with her compelling plan for a cancer support group.
ND author, podcast host to keynote SDSU Extension Energize conference
March 07, 2025
South Dakota State University Extension Community Vitality is pleased to announce North Dakota businesswoman and rural advocate Rebecca Undem as the 2025 Energize conference keynote speaker.
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.
SDSU Extension welcomes new Community Vitality field specialist
December 31, 2024
As a Community Vitality field specialist, Kluin will support the well-being and sustainability of South Dakota’s communities through focused programs and discussions. She is based at the Sioux Falls Regional Center.
Platte to host 2025 SDSU Extension Energize conference
December 09, 2024
The seventh annual Energize! Exploring Innovative Rural Communities Conference will be on May 6-7, 2025, in Platte. The conference schedule and registration details will be announced in early 2025.
SDSU Extension Farm to School supports 'feeding kids great food’
September 05, 2024
In 2024, 69 schools in South Dakota reported serving local beef in school meals in what’s commonly called Beef to School, a component of the Farm to School program supported by SDSU Extension.
SDSU Extension working to bolster rural child care needs in South Dakota
September 05, 2024
South Dakota needs more child care providers, and SDSU Extension is part of a growing collaboration to meet that need.
SDSU Extension accepting applications for 2025 Energize conference hosts
July 08, 2024
South Dakota State University Extension Community Vitality is accepting applications from communities that would like to host the 2025 Energize conference.
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.
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.
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.