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Baby seated at a highchair with a variety of soft, cut-up foods on its tray.

SDSU Extension working to bolster rural child care needs in South Dakota

September 05, 2024

South Dakota needs more child care providers, and SDSU Extension is part of a growing collaboration to meet that need.

Children seated at desks in a classroom raise their hands

SDSU Extension Farm to School supports 'feeding kids great food’

September 05, 2024

In 2024, 69 schools in South Dakota reported serving local beef in school meals in what’s commonly called Beef to School, a component of the Farm to School program supported by SDSU Extension.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.