Content by Heather Gessner

Farmer signing a lease on the tailgate of a pickup.

SDSU Extension encourages switching to written land lease agreements when oral leases automatically renew on Sept. 1

August 22, 2025

Oral agricultural land lease agreements automatically renew on Sept. 1, 2025, and South Dakota State University Extension experts strongly encourage transitioning to written lease agreements.

Sihlouette of farmers shaking hands with a tractor in the background
Mar 03

Sustaining the Legacy @ Watertown

Join SDSU Extension and industry professionals for a three-day estate planning and farm succession conference on March 3, 10 and 17, 2026, at SDSU Extension Watertown Regional Center (1910 West Kemp Avenue, Watertown, SD 57201). Each day begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes at 4:00 p.m.

Living trust and estate planning
Feb 03

Sustaining the Legacy @ Aberdeen

Join SDSU Extension and industry professionals for a three-day estate planning and farm succession conference on February 3, 10 and 17, 2026, at SDSU Extension Aberdeen Regional Center (13 2nd Ave. SE, Aberdeen, SD 57401). Each day begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes at 4:00 p.m.

Three generations of a family looking out at a field
Jan 08

Sustaining the Legacy @ Mitchell

Join SDSU Extension and industry professionals for a three-day estate planning and farm succession conference on January 8, 15 and 22, 2026, at the SDSU Extension Mitchell Regional Center (1800 E Spruce, Mitchell, SD 57301). Each day begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes at 4:00 p.m.

Old barn and windmill with the sunset in the background
Dec 04

Sustaining the Legacy @ Winner

Join SDSU Extension and industry professionals for a three-day estate planning and farm succession conference on December 4, 11 and 18, 2025, at the SDSU Extension Winner Regional Center (325 S. Monroe St., Ste. 125, Winner, SD 57580). Each day begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes at 4:00 p.m.

Rancher looking at cattle in a pasture
Nov 06

Sustaining the Legacy @ Rapid City

Join SDSU Extension and industry professionals for a three-day estate planning and farm succession conference on November 6, 13 and 20, 2025, at the SDSU Extension Rapid City Regional Center (711 North Creek Drive, Rapid City, SD 57703). Each day begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes at 4:00 p.m.

Man reviewing insurance information with a social services agent.
Nov 19

Whole Farm Planning – Integrating Health Care and Health Insurance

SDSU Extension will host a workshop to help farm families health care and health insurance into their whole farm plan on Wednesday, November 19, from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the SDSU Extension Winner Regional Center (325 S. Monroe, Ste. 125, Winner, SD 57580).

Silhoutte of mother and daughter holding hands at sunset.
Nov 12

Whole Farm Planning - Integrating Childcare

SDSU Extension will host a workshop to help farm families integrate childcare into their whole farm plan on Wednesday, November 12, from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the SDSU Extension Winner Regional Center (325 S. Monroe, Ste. 125, Winner, SD 57580).

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.

Sihlouette of farmers shaking hands with a tractor in the background
Sep 30

International Farm Transition Network - Understanding Farm Succession Planning through a Readiness Lens

SDSU Extension and the International Farm Transition Network (IFTN) will hold an online training session on September 30, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. CDT.