The mission of sdsu extension provides unbiased, scientific knowledge and innovation to families, communities, and industries across the state

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded South Dakota State University $7,785,401.50 under the Smith-Lever Extension Funding program (CFDA 10.511) on October 1, 2025, as a formula grant to support cooperative extension activities.

SDSU Extension delivers unbiased scientific knowledge and innovation across South Dakota through five critical focus areas: families, youth, and communities; food systems, nutrition, health, and well-being; regenerative agronomic systems; regenerative livestock systems; and natural resources and environmental systems. Within families, youth, and communities, extension strategies address financial security, community leadership, youth development, and mental and emotional support resources to help South Dakota communities navigate changing social, environmental, human, and economic conditions, particularly as the state's population ages. Under food systems, nutrition, health, and well-being, research and extension strategies promote dietary and lifestyle changes to reduce chronic disease incidence across the state, targeting leading causes of death including heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. For regenerative agronomic systems, extension delivers science-based practices on soil fertility, precision agriculture, genetics, genomics, and horticulture to help farmers implement proper soil management including minimized or eliminated tillage, diversified rotations, and livestock integration, resulting in increased topsoil, soil carbon, and biological activity.

The award period runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030, with place of performance in Brookings, South Dakota.

Sdsu extension engages citizens in dynamic learning environments, connecting people who share a common interest to learn information, interact with technology, and explore innovation. Sdsu extension focuses on 5 critical issues: families, youth, and communities; food systems, nutrition, health, and well-being; regenerative agronomic systems; regenerative livestock systems; and natural resources and environmental systems. Families, youth, and communities south dakota communities need assistance to identify strategies to address the changing social, environmental, human, and economic landscape. Changes to meet the demands of this aging demographic are expected in health and wellness; home and work relationships; agriculture; community life and the economy. Research and extension strategies can enhance family life issues such as building financial security, community leadership, youth development, and connect individuals and families to mental and emotional support resources. Food systems, nutrition, health, and well-being heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes are included in the top leading seven causes of death in south dakota and stress-related health problems are on the rise. Research and extension strategies that promote dietary and lifestyle changes can reduce the incidence of chronic disease across the state's population. Regenerative agronomic systems regenerative agriculture builds the soil through proper management which includes minimizing or eliminating tillage, diversified rotations, and integrating livestock into cropping systems, which results in increased topsoil, soil carbon, and biological activity. Research and extension strategies are expected help farmers implement science- based practices to address in the following disciplines: soil fertility, precision agriculture, genetics, genomics, horticulture, environmental preservation, weed science, and preserving water quality. Regenerative livestock systems the demand to produce more food with fewer resources continues to be a challenge to livestock health and productivity. South dakota producers want to learn more about crop and livestock reintegration, precision livestock production in confined and range settings, as well as factors that impact effectiveness of their feeding programs. Research and extension strategies can increase profitability, optimize resource management, enhance learning communities, and increase awareness of the consumer and food service side of the beef industry. Natural resources and environmental systems healthy soil contributes to a healthy ecosystem, which in turn impacts society. Research and extension continue to develop programs that improve the understanding of natural resources, environmental, economic, and social impact of changing climate and energy needs. Protecting soil and water quality in agricultural, rural, and urban landscapes and watersheds is essential.