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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.