Conservation

All Conservation Content

Corn field with soil salinity problem.

SDSU Extension hosting Every Acre Counts Bus Tour on Aug. 24

August 14, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension will host a bus tour on Aug. 24 highlighting precision agricultural strategies used by farmers to mitigate saline soils while also maximizing productivity and profitability.

Cottonwood Creek on the SDSU Cottonwood Field Station.

SDSU Extension offers workshop on riparian restoration on Sept. 5 in Newell

August 09, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension is partnering with The Nature Conservancy to offer a free, one-day workshop on riparian restoration.

Bird's eye view of Dakotafest

SDSU Extension booth at 2023 Dakotafest to feature livestock, soil and range experts

August 07, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension experts will be at the 2023 Dakotafest to provide information on a range of agricultural and economic issues, from the use of prescribed fire to livestock to weed and soil management.

Small group of cattle grazing a vast, well-managed rangeland.

Holistic Ranch Management Helps With Economic and Climate Resilience

Holistic ranch management offers ways to think about ranching as part of a diverse ecological system. Learn how two South Dakota operations have leveraged it to generate multiple income streams from shared resources.

Bare field with visible salt buildup on soil surface.

SDSU Extension hosting Every Acre Counts Bus Tour on Aug. 9

July 26, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension will host an Aug. 9 bus tour highlighting award-winning precision agricultural strategies used by farmers to mitigate saline soils while also maximizing productivity and profitability.

South-facing view of a dry, rolling field at the Oacoma station.

SDSU Extension to host 2023 South Dakota Climate Summit

July 14, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension will host a South Dakota Climate Summit on Aug. 1-2, 2023, at the Arrowwood Resort in Oacoma, South Dakota.

Group of youth participants at rangeland and soil days.

South Dakota 4-H students take 2nd place at National Land & Homesite Judging Contest

June 22, 2023

South Dakota students had a strong showing at the National Land and Homesite Judging Contest last month, including a second-place finish for the Spink County 4-H team.

Grassed waterway leading to a large watershed in the distance.

Watershed Disturbances and Change

Watersheds play a critical role in supporting our environment, economy and quality of life. Learn how natural and man-made disturbances can impact their overall health.

A prescribed burning taking place in a field.

SDSU Extension receives $1 million contribution agreement from NRCS to protect grasslands from invasive trees

June 15, 2023

Trees are taking over the grasslands in the Northern Plains. To meet that threat, SDSU Extension recently received a $1 million contribution agreement from the Natural Resources Conservation Service to combat the spread.

Tom Hausmann gives a briefing before the burn, while Greg Schmitz listens with the rest of the burn crew.

Mid-Missouri River Prescribed Burn Association: A landowner-led effort along the Missouri River

June 12, 2023

Started in 2016, the Mid-Missouri River Prescribed Burn Association is a landowner-led effort to combat the spread of trees along the Missouri River corridor in Gregory, Charles Mix, Brule and Lyman counties.