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Community and Economic Development

All Community and Economic Development Content

Stack of newspapers

The State of Local News in South Dakota: Challenges, Innovation, and Opportunities

Years of research across various academic fields have extolled the importance of local newspapers and highlighted the positive impacts they have. Yet, local newspapers are in decline in many towns across the US.

People sit at a long white table painting pumpkins

SDSU Extension co-hosting 2025 South Dakota Local Foods Conference

September 09, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to partner with Dakota Rural Action, the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, McCrory Gardens at SDSU and members of the South Dakota Local Foods Coalition to present the 2025 Local Foods Conference.

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Energize! Through the Years

The Energize! conference is hosted annually and focuses on bringing community leaders and business owners together to share their experiences and knowledge on a variety of topics proved to be powerful as groups learned from each other.

Deadwood, South Dakota buildings with Black Hills in the background

Community

Resources to support communities, organizations, leaders and businesses.

An older female adult reviewing written documents with her daughter.
Nov 12

Writing Your Future Grant Writing Workshop @ Aberdeen

SDSU Extension will host a grant writing workshop on November 12, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. in Aberdeen.

People eat ice cream under a large tent

SDSU Extension experts to attend 2025 Dakotafest

August 06, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension experts will attend the 2025 Dakotafest trade show in Mitchell, providing educational resources and hands-on activities for a variety of topics.

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.

Birds-eye view of a small rural town

Home Starts Here

SDSU Extension’s Home Starts Here podcast seeks out the individuals, businesses, and ideas that are sparking vibrant communities in South Dakota.

Sun rising over small town mainstreet.

SDSU Extension welcomes new community vitality expert

July 01, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Chase Moon as a new Community Vitality Field Specialist.

A brochure that says "Energize 2025" sits on a table with red roses laying next to it

SDSU Extension hosts successful Energize conference in Platte

June 03, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension hosted a successful Energize conference in Platte with 150 attendees.