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Mother holding two daughters outdoors in the countryside.

Outdoor Play is Educational

Getting kids outside to play and use their imagination is getting harder in our digital, screen-filled world. Using outdoor spaces and nature to create intentional learning opportunities is a great way to fulfill the need for kids to move and use their creative energy.

Left Mosquito specimen with dark coloration. Right: Mosquito specimen with white band on its proboscis.

Mosquitos to Watch for in South Dakota

After many areas in South Dakota experienced heavy rainfalls, mosquitos are now a major issue. Learn which species are most common throughout the state and which carry the highest risk for West Nile Virus.

one person comforting another

Suicide Awareness and Why It Matters

Suicide is preventable, and everyone has a role to help save lives and create healthy and strong individuals, families, and communities in South Dakota.

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

Energize! Through the Years

The Energize! conference is hosted annually and focuses on bringing community leaders and business owners together to share their experiences and knowledge on a variety of topics proved to be powerful as groups learned from each other.

2022 Energize Conference attendees.

Impacts in Community Vitality

Our community vitality team offers continuous learning opportunities and provides coaching directly to South Dakotans and their communities

Family jogging together on a rural exercise trail.

Physical Activity

Everyone can benefit from moving their bodies more throughout each day, and all types of activity count towards your daily goal.

People sit at a long white table painting pumpkins

SDSU Extension co-hosting 2025 South Dakota Local Foods Conference

September 09, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to partner with Dakota Rural Action, the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, McCrory Gardens at SDSU and members of the South Dakota Local Foods Coalition to present the 2025 Local Foods Conference.

Walking in the fall

SDSU Extension encouraging physical activity with virtual fitness event

September 11, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is encouraging South Dakotans to get active with its fourth annual Fall into Fitness seasonal activity challenge.

Stack of newspapers

The State of Local News in South Dakota: Challenges, Innovation, and Opportunities

Years of research across various academic fields have extolled the importance of local newspapers and highlighted the positive impacts they have. Yet, local newspapers are in decline in many towns across the US.

Group of children eating fresh vegetables

SDSU Extension encourages eating locally produced food with 2025 Crunch Off

September 15, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is excited to promote locally grown foods with the 2025 South Dakota Crunch Off.