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Life Planning

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While important for every adult, planning for later stages of life is critical for older adults. Later life planning includes estate, funeral, advanced care, long-term care, and more depending on your family (e.g., a grandparent raising a grandchild). Unfortunately, many people often neglect these planning activities until a crisis occurs. The consequences of delaying these decisions cannot be overstated. For example, long-term care is complicated and costly. Without proper planning it may be difficult to get the care you prefer in the location of your choice (e.g., house, apartment, assisted living, nursing home, etc.).

All Life Planning Content
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Older Adults

SDSU Extension provides education and resources for older adults and their families.

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Organize this! Legal and Financial Must-Haves

A fiduciary is a person with legal authority to act on your behalf in a variety of situations (health care, financial, guardianship, executor, trustee, etc.). Organization is the key to ensuring your fiduciary knows what to do and when.

An older couple reviewing paperwork with a financial planner.
Oct 26

Organize This! Facilitator Training

SDSU Extension will offer two opportunities for Organize This! facilitator training. Participants have the option to attend the training on October 26 and 27 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. CDT or October 28 and 29 from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. CDT.

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Aug 18

Dakotafest

Stop by the SDSU Extension booth at Dakotafest to meet specialists, ask questions, get recommendations and learn about programming and events.

Young woman sitting at a desk with financial documents, a notebook, folders, and colored post-it notes.
Sep 01

Organize This! Explore, Adapt, and Implement for Local Impact

SDSU Extension will host an informational webinar to provide an overview of the Organize this! program, including its educational content, timeline, and lessons learned on September 1 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. CDT.

People eat ice cream under a large tent

SDSU Extension experts to attend 2026 Dakotafest

July 22, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension experts will attend the 2026 Dakotafest trade show in Mitchell, providing educational resources and hands-on activities for a variety of topics.

Young woman sitting at a desk with financial documents, a notebook, folders, and colored post-it notes.

Organize this! Facilitator Training and Certification

Organize this! facilitators guide participants through the program while creating a supportive and educational environment. Training ensures that facilitators have the knowledge needed to facilitate the program.

Group of young students touring the SDSU campus.

Eighteen and a Real Adult Now

That event of becoming an adult throws some new issues at recent graduates and their families. Learn about some of the necessary medical, financial and legal paperwork they will need as they enter the next stage of their lives.

Women standing in a circle learning about rangeland plants

Women in Agriculture

SDSU Extension's women in agriculture programs are open to all. These programs are designed to provide practical education and a strong support network to benefit farmers, ranchers, business professionals and those who support the agricultural industry.


Multi-generation family reviewing estate documents.

Trusts Explained: What They Are and Why You Need One

Trusts are powerful estate planning tools that help individuals protect assets, provide for loved ones, and ensure their wishes are carried out.