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Series of trophies on display at a 4-H contest.

4-H

4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization, involving young people in urban, suburban and rural communities. 4-H fosters an innovative, “learn by doing” approach with proven results.

A large monarch caterpillar exploring the flowers of a swamp milkweed plant (Asclepias incarnata) in a field plot.

Range Roundup: SDSU Native Plant Initiative Strengthens Conservation and Supply of Native Plants

SDSU’s Native Plant Initiative has been hard at work on research that focuses on the conservation and supply of native plants.

A lush, native grassland with a variety of wild flowers blooming.

How do we describe biodiversity? It's multidimensional!

Fact sheet on the importance of biodiversity

purple flower with yellow center and green, fuzzy stem

Common Flowering Plants (Forbs) of South Dakota

This guide focuses on forbs, or flowering “broad-leaved” herbaceous plants, but forbs can be narrow-leaved as well.

A tiger swallowtail drinking nectar from a purple blazing star flower.

Five Range Management Principles: #3 Ecosystem Biodiversity

Milkweed can help make rangelands a better environment for both cattle and neighboring plants and animals by having a shielding effect on companion plants, preventing erosion and accelerating the decomposition process, whole also providing nectar, habitat and organic material for ecosystem services.

man holding a small pile of soil in his hands

An Introduction to Salt-Impacted Soils in South Dakota

Introduction of salt-impacted soils in South Dakota for landowners.

Revegetation of Salt-Impacted Soils in South Dakota

This publication provides suggested native species suitable for the revegetation of salt-impacted soils. The suggested species are listed as native to South Dakota according to the USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Woman writing in a journal.

SDSU Extension Wisdom Writing workshop returns online in 2026

March 18, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to announce the next online offering of the Heirlooms: Wisdom Writing Workshop on March 31, 2026.

Variety of South Dakota native plants.

Range Roundup: SDSU’s Native Plant Initiative

The SDSU Native Plant Initiative aims to improve our understanding of South Dakota’s native plants, including which ones are best-suited for restoration and production. This information will help guide stakeholders in matching native species to desired restoration outcomes.

Variety of native plants growing in a healthy, well-managed grassland.

A Quick Start Guide to Selling Native Seeds

Guide that details what you need to know to sell seeds of native flowering plants (forbs) in South Dakota.