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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.

Wireless Point of Sale Device dispensing a sales receipt at a farmers market.

SNAP EBT Devices for the Farmers Market or Direct Market Farmer

Interested in offering SNAP EBT as a form of payment at your direct market farm or farmers market? Get started today with this resource that explores how to apply and how to select a payment device that fits your market's needs.

A produce stand with yellow wagon wheels and a green canopy.

Roadside Stand

Local food producers have many options when it comes to marketing their locally grown produce. Roadside or farm stands can be either permanent or temporary structures near a road or in a parking lot that sell directly to consumers.

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.

Veteran’s Park in downtown Clark, South Dakota.

Healthy Landscapes Healthy Communities Pilot Program: Looking back and moving forward in year two

Now in its second year, Healthy Landscapes Healthy Communities provides communities across the state with an opportunity to envision vibrant public spaces through an engaged planning and design effort.

A young, freckled girl eating small, red tomatoes inside a greenhouse.

SDSU Extension Launches New AgritourismSD Program

January 12, 2021

Do you farm or ranch and want to share your passion and excitement for agriculture with others?

A map of South Dakota indicating libraries that are participating in the Rural Libraries Hotspot Lending Program

SDSU Extension collaborates with AARP South Dakota and rural libraries to provide better internet access

February 17, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension is collaborating with AARP South Dakota and South Dakota’s public libraries to give the state’s rural citizens better access to the internet.

Agritourism proprietor and a local official meeting at a pumpkin patch.

Agritourism Provides Economic Benefits

Not only can agritourism support communities by generating income, agritourism has the potential to create jobs and support local economies.

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.

Book Cover: The Growing Season by Sarah Frey

SDSU Extension to Host Third Community-Focused Book Read

November 01, 2021

“The Growing Season: How I Built a New Life—and Saved an American Farm,” by Sarah Frey, will be the focus of the November/December book read.