Skip to main content

Search

Two women and a man smile while holding their agritourism awards

SDSU Extension AgritourismSD graduates receive state tourism awards

March 24, 2026

Two South Dakota State University Extension AgritourismSD graduates were recently recognized by Travel South Dakota for their achievements and contributions to the tourism industry.

SDSU Extension

SDSU Extension Professionals Honored for Accomplishments

November 10, 2020

SDSU Extension professionals were recognized for a variety of achievements at the annual Fall Conference held virtually October 28-29.

an image of outdoor weather monitoring equipment in a field

Climate and Weather

View resources to predict, prepare and recover from weather-related events year-round, including the latest drought and flood information.

A row of vendor tents at a farmers market.

Drafting Farmers Market Documents: Market Rules

It is strongly recommended that new and existing farmers markets draft rules to govern the daily operation of the market.

bunches of fresh garden greens ready to eat

Container Gardens and CSAs

Just about all of us have room to grow a few vegetables, as long as you have some space where they can get good sun exposure for at least six hours a day. You don’t even have to have a garden!

Professional headshot of Karla Trautman

Director Karla Trautman retires after 37 years with SDSU Extension

May 27, 2025

For Karla Trautman, it has always been about the people. As she prepares to retire after 37 years with SDSU Extension, Trautman said that focus on people has remained constant.

Baskets of fresh vegetables at a farmers market

Local Foods: Whole Fresh Vegetables and Herbs

Fresh, whole raw fruits and vegetables grown in South Dakota can currently be sold without a food service license from the South Dakota Department of Health.

A male vendor serving a strawberry sample to an older woman at a farmers market stand.

Food Safety from Production to the Farmers Market

Food safety is an important issue at farmers markets. Customers expect the food and products they purchase to be grown and handled so that they will be safe to consume. Vendors have a responsibility to grow and handle food using good food safety practices.

an image of fresh tomatoes

Farmers Market Food Safety: Health & Hygiene

Health, hygiene and hand washing apply to all stages of production, processing and marketing. Ill food handlers can easily contaminate fresh produce with disease-causing microorganisms. Many of these organisms have the capability to survive on fresh fruits and vegetables for an extended time, from several days to weeks. Once the organism is established on fresh produce, it is very hard to remove.

a graphic image showing drought in South Dakota

Water Conservation and Efficiency During Times of Drought

As drought conditions continue to expand across the state this year, more thought is given towards South Dakota’s limited water resources. We live in a state where weather conditions and rain patterns seem to comfortably exist at the extremes; we either have way too much or nearly not enough. While this isn’t always the case, it is important to keep in mind that our water resources are finite and all of us should be thinking about doing what we can to protect them.