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Cutting Silage Corn

SDSU Extension

Welcome to SDSU Extension!

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We are South Dakota’s source of unbiased, vetted and relevant new knowledge generated from research. As a cornerstone of SDSU’s land-grant university mission, SDSU Extension empowers citizens to be more competitive in a growing global economy through education and technical training or assistance.

Our purpose is to foster a learning community environment that empowers citizens to advocate for sustainable change that will strengthen agriculture, natural resources, youth, families, and the communities of South Dakota. In pursuit of this purpose, several core values support the mission of SDSU Extension and provide the foundation for the organization. They include:

  • A defined public value.
  • A learning community focus.
  • Prioritized effort.
  • Access for all citizens.
  • A setting that is inclusive, collaborative and sustainable.
  • A culture that embraces change.

We accomplish our outreach mission by prioritizing efforts in the following program areas: competitive crop systems, competitive livestock systems, 4-H youth development, food and families and community vitality.

We actively seek partners who can help us accomplish what we cannot do alone. Our partners include state and federal agencies, peer education institutions, community-based groups, non-profit organizations, agricultural commodity groups and volunteers. The benefits of these partnerships are better service for citizens as well as efficient use of our state's precious and limited resources.

Our greatest resource is the people we employ to do this important work. Field specialists work directly with citizens, based from one of eight Regional Extension Centers across South Dakota. The Regional Extension Centers are located in Aberdeen, Lemmon, Mitchell, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Watertown and Winner. In addition, 4-H Youth Program Advisors, based in County Extension Offices, work directly with 4-H Youth Development programs. Extension Specialists support Field Specialists and 4-H Youth Program Advisors, based from the campus of SDSU or the West River Ag Center in Rapid City.

SDSU Extension relies heavily on technology to offer educational programs to citizens. Combined with traditional face-to-face methods of learning, citizens have 24/7 access to educational materials and information via news articles, publications, podcasts, webinars, video features and more.

SDSU Extension News

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From left, South Dakota State University President Barry Dunn, national reporter and markets expert Michelle Rook and “Farm Journal” editor and “AgDay” host Clinton Griffiths tape a segment of "AgDay College Roadshow in the Raven Precision Agriculture Center on campus Oct. 30.

SDSU hosts taping of ‘AgDay College Roadshow’

With loud enthusiasm often reserved for athletic events, students, faculty and staff from South Dakota State University’s agricultural programs showed up in full force to welcome a live television taping of “AgDay College Roadshow” Oct. 30 on the SDSU campus.

The Yellow & Blue Podcast | Mental Health in Agriculture | S1E5

Associate professor and Extension specialist Andrea Bjornestad is researching key mental health issues affecting individuals in the agriculture industry. Her research has gained regional attention, prompting others to take action and work to provide resources to farmers, ranchers and families. Learn more about her research, outreach and what's available in a critical time of need.

SDSU researchers assessing water values in new survey

Researchers in South Dakota State University's School of Design, in cooperation with SDSU Extension, are evaluating how South Dakota residents use and value the state's coveted water resources through a region-wide survey.