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South Dakota Small Business Basics Program Participant Earns Award in Business Plan Contest

July 14, 2020

Heather Solberg of Volga has been awarded $500 to put toward a business plan concept she developed while participating in the Small Business Basics program coordinated by SDSU Extension.

An aerial view of the town of Mobridge with the Missouri River in the background.

A Strategic Community-Based Survey of Water Resource Management in South Dakota

Understanding how residents value water is critical for effective resource management, and your insights can help us better understand community values and inform future strategies for sustainable water management across the state.

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.

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.

A home with ample defensible space throughout the property.

Protecting Your Home and Landscape Against Wildfires

Wildfires pose a significant risk in western South Dakota, particularly within the Black Hills region, where periods of minimal precipitation can lead to drought conditions that elevate fire risk.

up of people having a discussion in a re-purposed firehall.

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.

a large brick school building

Losing Schools in Small Towns: What’s Next?

School closings are often bookmarks in a community’s history. Do you live in a town that has closed its school? Population decline in many rural communities has forced school closings in South Dakota.

Team discussing business strategy at a table.

Be Strategic About Using an Outside Facilitator

Working with an SDSU Extension Community Vitality Field Specialist facilitator can help create an actionable strategic plan for your business with goals and tactics to align your team, board and stakeholders.

A Little Free Library book box along a sidewalk in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Opportunities for Addressing Book Deserts in Rural Communities

By fostering a culture for reading, placing books into community spaces, and partnering with libraries to extend their reach, rural communities can transform book deserts into book-rich environments.

A group of people smiles underneath a huge Jackalope statue

2026 Energize conference touts benefits of youth staying in SD

June 09, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension hosted a successful 2026 Energize conference in Wall with 144 attendees.