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Application to Chaperone South Dakota 4-H Youth Trips

Information about how to become a chaperone for South Dakota 4-H Youth Trips.

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.

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.

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Watertown entrepreneur wins SDSU Extension business plan contest

March 24, 2025

A Watertown woman won a South Dakota State University Extension Community Vitality business plan contest with her compelling plan for a cancer support group.

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Why Third Places Are Vital to Rural Communities

From community centers to small businesses, third places are social spaces outside of one’s home that support connection, economic growth, and civic engagement in rural communities.

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Leadership for Today Manageable Meetings

At one time or another, we have all answered the call to civic duty by serving on a committee or advisory board. For some, the experience has been productive and energizing. For others, the experience has been painful, marked by long meetings that are unorganized and frustrating.

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Leadership for Today - Effective Group Communication

Within a given day, human beings rely on the ability to communicate as a means of transferring information. Whether we speak, listen, write notes or letters, email, or text message, the process of communicating thoughts, ideas, and feelings is something we find to be important but typically give little thought to.

A group of employees working as a team at a meeting.

Leadership for Today - Managing Conflict Within Groups

The human relationship is a complex and dynamic interaction. As living creatures, we need and crave the opportunity to interact with other humans by speaking, listening, and spending time with them. Most of this interaction tends to be mutual and cordial. Yet, at times, the interaction can be laced with tension and discord. If left alone, the tension can lead to conflict that may damage the relationship or even become volatile.

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Why Add an Agritourism Enterprise to Your Farm or Ranch?

Agritourism is the practice of touring agricultural areas to see farms and often to participate in farm activities.

Sarah Calhoun, owner, Red Ants Pants presenting to a group of conference attendees

Entrepreneurial Experiences: Start a Brand With No Experience?

What happens if your business has never developed a brand, or if you’re just starting out, trying to build a business from scratch?