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Content by Candy DenOuden

A woman wearing a cowboy hat with a crown rides a horse and carries a flag

Miss Rodeo America represents South Dakota and SDSU Extension 4-H on national stage

September 19, 2025

Callie Mueller is passionate about Western culture and heritage. And, unsurprisingly for the reigning Miss Rodeo America, a big part of that is rodeo.

A group of youth and adults stand in a grassy pasture

Dedicated educators help South Dakota youth succeed nationally

August 28, 2025

In May, South Dakota sent 84 youth to the National Land and Range Judging Contest in El Reno, Oklahoma. Out of the 34 states that competed, only Texas came close to matching those numbers with 72 participants.

People stand in a field listening to a person speak

SDSU Extension programs help producers maintain healthy crops

August 26, 2025

Madalyn Shires puts on a lot of miles in the summer. As an assistant professor and SDSU Extension Plant Pathology Specialist, Shires traverses the state visiting research plots and educating crop producers on that research.

Black cattle heads poke out of a fence into a cement feeding trough filled with hay

SDSU Extension helping cattle producers grow bigger, better beef

May 28, 2025

Warren Rusche would contend that some of the best cattle in North America are born in South Dakota. That gives Rusche and the rest of the applied feedlot research group at SDSU a unique opportunity, and they are making the most of it.

A trailer with the SDSU Extension logo and aerial footage of landscapes is shown

SDSU Extension helps producers navigate precision ag

May 28, 2025

Precision agriculture practices are growing as technology continues to evolve, and SDSU Extension is leading the state’s efforts to monitor and understand the role it plays.

Professional headshot of Karla Trautman

Director Karla Trautman retires after 37 years with SDSU Extension

May 27, 2025

For Karla Trautman, it has always been about the people. As she prepares to retire after 37 years with SDSU Extension, Trautman said that focus on people has remained constant.

A large group of people stands on a stone staircase to smile for a photo

Energize conference inspires small SD communities

January 17, 2025

Hosted in a different South Dakota town of 5,000 or fewer people each year, Energize is an opportunity for community and business leaders to gather, gain new perspectives and share ideas about revitalizing rural communities.

A jar of pickles

SDSU Extension adds to food safety testing services

January 17, 2025

SDSU Extension has added a new food safety testing service that allows canning enthusiasts to make sure their favorite recipes are safe.

Three people smile for the camera with bison and rolling hills in the background

Bringing happy, healthy bison back to the Great Plains

January 17, 2025

There are approximately 400,000 bison across North America, down from 30 to 60 million prior to the 1860s. South Dakota has the largest bison population in the U.S. with nearly 40,000, and Martin hopes to see it keep rising.

Two brown calves stand in a fenced pasture and look at the camera

SDSU beef team growing through innovative research, collaboration

September 09, 2024

It’s an exciting time for the South Dakota State University beef team as a core group of longtime faculty and experts is joined by rising stars in their respective disciplines.