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pair of hands holding soil

4-H Conservation & Stewardship Project

What will your legacy be? Through learning about conservation and stewardship, you will learn how your actions directly impact the future of our planet.

4-H ribbons and awards stacked on a table.

SDSU Extension invites youth and supporters to 2025 4-H Gala

October 01, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension 4-H is pleased to welcome youth and their supporters to the 2025 4-H Gala, “Bright Lights, Bold Legacy”.

an assortment of fresh garden vegetables

4-H Horticulture, Gardening & Landscaping Project

Youth will learn how to outline, plant, sustain and harvest their own plant life for beauty, health and cuisine. This project will give youth an opportunity to learn that plants play an important role for animals and humans providing food, shelter, fiber, medicine, oxygen, and beauty.

two female youth inspecting a plant in a pasture

4-H Soil & Soil Conservation Project

In this project area, members can investigate the importance of soil to the ecosystem and agriculture production, and explore how human and natural activities impact soil characteristics and health.

Show pig at State Fair.

Show Pig Season

Show pig season is a culmination of dedication, passion, and hard work, and the process of raising pigs to show involves a delicate balance of proper nutrition, exercise, and grooming.

A white, four-dimensional 4-H clover sits next to votive candles as a table centerpiece

SDSU Extension hosts successful inaugural 4-H Gala

January 06, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension hosted a successful 4-H Gala in November.

several white wind turbines towering above agricultural production land

4-H Energy for Farm, Home & Transportation Project

Energy is a property that allows objects to move, affect others, or change temperature. There are various forms of energy including electrical, mechanical, chemical, thermal, or nuclear. Energy can be transformed from one form of energy to another but it is never lost.

A father, mother and daughter walking in a field in the countryside.

Talking With Teens and Youth During Challenging Times

Youth are regularly faced with uncertain situations, disappointments and potential mental health challenges. It is important for caring adults in their life to be able to know how to talk to them during these times.

Youth For The Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) logo in front of a black and white image of a young girl feeding a small animal with a bottle

Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) in South Dakota 4-H resources

About YQCA – the national program
Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) is a national multi-species quality assurance program for youth ages 8 to 21 with a focus on three core pillars: food safety, animal well-being, and character development. The YQCA program is an annual certification created for youth producing and/or showing beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, meat goats, dairy goats, swine, poultry, and rabbits. The program has been designed by extension specialists and national livestock program managers to ensure it is accurate, current and relevant to the needs of the animal industry and shows, and is appropriate for youth learning levels.

A series of swine pens at a state fair.

5 Things Hog Producers Should Know: Flu at Swine Exhibitions 

Every year, thousands of youth across the country raise pigs and show them off at local exhibitions and county and state fairs. These experiences allow young people to learn about animal care and management, and also allow the public the rare opportunity to observe pig care and behavior.