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A woman rinsing vegetables off in an outdoor sink.

Food Safety Rules for Fruit & Vegetable Growers: FAQ

It seems rules and guidelines for growing fresh produce safely are constantly changing, as new laws and regulations are implemented each year.

a wet, snow-covered field with deep ruts in the soil

Stuck in a Rut: How to Deal With Field Ruts this Spring

As spring approaches, planting comes to mind, and for many, this means deciding what to do about last fall’s field ruts.

A metal high tunnel enclosed in plastic is in a field

High Tunnels

A focus on high tunnel education benefits the growing population of specialty crop producers across South Dakota through updated education and expansion of high tunnel research. Extension programming continues to include extensive training on high tunnel assembly, management, and cropping innovations.

Extension expert and graduate students evaluating delphiniums on an outdoor table.

Transplant Timing and Protected Cultivation Strategies Enhance Delphinium Cut Flower Production

Delphinium (Delphinium spp.) is a cool-season perennial cut flower that holds strong market potential, but production on small farms for regional markets remains limited by yield and short harvest durations.

A large, wooden barn stands in the background, with tree branches in the foreground

SDSU Extension helps agritourism producers promote their strengths

January 09, 2026

In 2019, Good Earth Farm owners Nancy and Jeff Kirstein had to make a decision. The barn on their Lennox-based property, originally constructed in 1897, needed attention.

Two ranchers participating in beef quality assurance training at a cattle facility.

Certified South Dakota BQA Trainers

Certified South Dakota BQA Trainers may assist producers with completing voluntary on-farm assessments. View a list of certified trainers throughout the state to get started today!

A South Dakota Mesonet station in a snow-covered field.

Livestock Stress Tool

Weather conditions in the Northern Plains can present more than a few challenges for livestock producers. From below zero or blizzard conditions during winter or even spring, to heat waves in the summer months, farmers and ranchers need to be prepared for rapidly changing conditions to provide the best care for their livestock and minimize their risks of losses.

A green tractor pulls a planter to plant oats in a field.

Fields of Growth: Taking Care of Your Mental Health During Planting Season

Despite the opportunities that come with a new planting season, it is just as important to care for your mental and physical health during this busy, stressful time of the year.

Three generations of men on the family farm.

Compensation Calculator

This calculator provides a method for farm families to determine what the full value of the wages/salary and benefits being provided to employees, family and non-family are.

A photo of two beef cattle with their heads in a typical feeder that contains golden-brown hay.

Feed Management for Efficient U.S. Livestock Systems: Introducing the National Animal Nutrition Program’s Feed Management Committee

The National Animal Nutrition Program’s Feed Management Committee brings together experts in animal science, nutrition, and natural resource management to increase awareness and use of livestock feeding management and to address conservation needs.