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Content by Hans Klopp

Red combine harvesting grain sorghum in early fall.

Proper Residue Management is Essential When Adopting No-Till Practices

Minimizing disturbance and keeping the soil covered are two of the soil health principles. One of the best ways to incorporate these principles is to adopt no-till. To be successful when adopting no-till, it starts when combining the crop from the prior year.

Garden plots

SDSU Extension hosts community garden field day in Watertown

July 27, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension will host a field day at the Foundation Field Community Garden in Watertown on Aug. 6, 2026.

Overhead view of State Fair 4-H exhibits
Sep 02

State Fair

The 2026 South Dakota State Fair will take place Wednesday, September 2, through Monday, September 7, at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron, South Dakota.

Gardening plots at the Foundation Field Community Garden.
Aug 06

Community Garden Field Day @ Watertown

SDSU Extension will host a Community Garden Field Day on Thursday, August 6 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. CDT at the Foundation Field Community Garden (1800 3rd Ave. NW, Watertown, SD 57201).

Road ditch near a crop field with noticeable soil deposited from wind erosion.

How to Maintain Soil Health During Dry Growing Conditions

Adopting soil health practices can help to reduce the loss of valuable topsoil by wind erosion during droughts. Learn how to manage your fields now or in the future to maintain soil health during periods of dry times.

Two raised beds in a garden plot.

Understanding Unit Conversions for Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Fertilizer Application Rates in Garden Soils

This factsheet provides unit conversions between different units that soil labs recommend for fertilizer application rates to gardens for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Oats growing in a no-till field.

Comparing Cover Crop Mixture Performance after Oats and its Effect on Corn Yield the Following Year

A research trial completed at the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Northeast Research Farm comparing cover crop mixture performance after oats and its effect on corn yield the following year.

shovel with a clump of dirt with a green plant and root system

Effect of Camelina Cover Crop on Soil Health and Corn Yield

Study results focused on the effect of camelina cover crop on soil health and corn yield.

Various chemical symbols for common nutrients found in garden soil over a selection of young plants emerging from garden soil.

Managing Phosphorus and Other Nutrients in Gardens

Fact sheet on managing phosphorus and other nutrients in gardens.

Harvested crop field with deep soil ruts left by equipment tires.

How to Avoid Soil Compaction During Crop Harvest

Soil compaction can degrade soil health and lead to reduced crop yields. Learn some production practices that can implemented during harvest to avoid soil compaction.