Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship

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Young, female rancher hosting a small tour group.

AgritourismSD Program

AgritourismSD is an intensive educational program designed to provide farmers and ranchers with the opportunity to create an enterprise that utilizes resources in different ways to generate new income streams.

A group of attendees at the Small Business Basics course at Volga, South Dakota.

Small Business Basics

The Small Business Basics program covers an extensive list of topics, including writing or updating business plans, tax and licensing, employee relations, pricing and marketing, customer service, social media, and aspects of financing.

All Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship Content

Group of farm employees and managers gathered at a table.

Building and Retaining a Skilled Agricultural Workforce: Challenges and Strategies

Building a strong, motivated workforce is essential to the future of agriculture. A team from SDSU Extension is exploring the challenges and opportunities facing our agricultural community.

Professional portrait of Paul Rann

SDSU Extension welcomes new program manager for urban development

December 02, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Paul Rann as the new Program Manager for Urban Economic Development within the Ness School of Management of Economics.

Deadwood, South Dakota buildings with Black Hills in the background

Community

Resources to support communities, organizations, leaders and businesses.

Graphic designer designing a logo on a computer based on a technical sketch.

The Crucial Role of Marketing for Small Businesses

For small enterprises especially, utilizing smart marketing techniques can make a significant difference in the visibility, credibility, and overall profitability of a business.

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Sample Questions to Ask a Current Business Owner/Operator

If you are thinking of starting a business, it makes sense to ask questions of current business owners in similar fields to give you a sense of owning and operating a business yourself.

Young entrepreneur meeting with community members.

Connections: An Overlooked Factor in Startup Success

If you are considering starting a business, your community network will be one of your most-important tools. Learn some expert tips for connecting your business with your community today.

Family touring a poultry farm.

Is Agritourism for You?

Do you like people and wish to provide educational or entertainment opportunities that showcases your farm or ranch? If so, agritourism is an opportunity you may wish to explore!

Sarah Calhoun, owner, Red Ants Pants presenting to a group of conference attendees

Entrepreneurial Experiences: Start a Brand With No Experience?

What happens if your business has never developed a brand, or if you’re just starting out, trying to build a business from scratch?

A young, freckled girl eating small, red tomatoes inside a greenhouse.

Agritourism

When a producer has decided to sell a product directly from the farm, entertainment or tourism-based activities could be incorporated to create larger appeal. Agritourism could add value to the farm visit though education, entertainment, outdoor recreation, dining, relaxation or other avenues, potentially drawing more customers in.

filed of sunflowers in bloom

Why Add an Agritourism Enterprise to Your Farm or Ranch?

Agritourism is the practice of touring agricultural areas to see farms and often to participate in farm activities.