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A woman on a stage shows a paper application to her audience, with an Energize banner behind her

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.

Participants Kari Feldhaus and Kelsy Hokana work together on an educational activity during Annie’s Project in Britton.

SDSU Extension to host virtual Annie’s Project for women in agriculture

December 09, 2024

Annie’s Project is designed to empower women in agriculture to be successful through education, networks and resources. All are welcome to attend.

Aberdeen Healthy Landscapes, Healthy Communities Initiative team.

Pilot Communities Selected for Healthy Landscapes, Healthy Communities Initiative

The Healthy Landscapes, Healthy Communities Initiative will provide communities across South Dakota an opportunity to envision vibrant public spaces through an engaged planning and design effort.

Professional portrait of Emily Kluin

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.

A large group of people stands on a stone staircase to smile for a photo

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.

A single, gold wooden figure stands before a group of several wood figures, symbolizing the autocratic leadership style.

No One is Never a Leader

Leadership isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. Whether you're managing a project, organizing a community event, leading a team at work, or planning something with your family, there are many ways to approach leadership.

A combine harvesting soybeans and emptying them into a nearby tractor trailer

Evaluating the Economic Consequences of Possible Section 199A(g) Expiration of Agricultural Cooperatives in the Upper Midwest

A comprehensive evaluate of the potential economic impact of Section 199A(g) deduction sunsetting on agricultural cooperatives and rural communities.

Professional portrait of Rebecca Undem

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.

stack of coins with faded chart lines showing in the foreground

Financial Measures for South Dakota Farms

Farm and ranch businesses have a sizeable investment in equipment, buildings, land, and livestock. These investments require their owners and managers to remain knowledgeable about the financial condition of their business. The information to calculate measures of financial performance can be found in their farm record books or accounting system.

Sun rising over small town mainstreet.

Rural Communities: Addressing Declining Population by Developing Entrepreneurial Communities

As the population decreases, schools close. Businesses close. Services become less and less. Research shows that people want to live in rural areas but don’t believe the opportunities are there. If communities develop a system to connect people to opportunities, rural communities can stabilize their population, keep their schools, businesses and services, and maybe even increase them.