Upcoming June Events
- SDACD
- Jun 1
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 5
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June 2-5
Young Adult Ranching for Profit Workshop
Location: Wedge Tent Ranch in Faith, SD
Details: The Young Adults Ranching for Profit Workshop is a four-day, hands-on intensive training designed by Dallas Mount & Ranching for Profit for individuals aged 18 to 30 who are eager to develop business management skills in agriculture.
Participants will engage in practical sessions covering key aspects of ranch management, including financial planning, grazing strategies, and leadership development. Through interactive learning and real-world applications, attendees will gain the tools and insights necessary to enhance profitability, improve land health, and build a sustainable future in ranching.
June 10-11
20th Annual Soil and Rangeland Days
Location: Belle Fourche Community Hall in Belle Fourche, SD
Registration: 2025 Rangeland and Soil Days Registration
For more info, please contact: Kaylee Wheeler at 605-842-1267 | kaylee.wheeler@sdstate.edu
or Emily Rohrer at 605-570-2180 | emily.rohrer@usda.gov
Details: South Dakota Rangeland & Soils Days is an annual hands-on learning event for youth ages 8–18 focused on soil health, rangeland ecology, and natural resource stewardship. Participants engage in field-based activities like plant ID, soil judging, and habitat evaluation, with opportunities to compete, learn, and qualify for national contests.
June 11
"Good, Bad, and Similar Looking" Plant Tour
Location: Palisades State Park, 48422 256th St, Garretson, SD 57030
Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Who: Landowners, agency staff, weed control professionals
Cost: Free!
RSVP: Preferred in order to arrange logistics and to contact if a rain day is needed.
Contact: Joe Blastick: 605-880-6541 | jblastick@tnc.org
Details: Learn to identify native, invasive, and look-alike species while exploring land management strategies, treatments, and biocontrol options. A great hands-on opportunity for landowners, conservationists, and plant enthusiasts.
Transportation: We will carpool as much as possible, and you can also drive yourself.
Short intro session in the morning
Most of the day will consist of visiting sites around the local area
June 12
Women on the Range Pasture Chat
Location: White River, SD
Learn more & register by contacting: Krista Ehlert, krista.ehlert@sdstate.edu
Details: The WOTR Pasture Chats are simple – no slides, no death by PowerPoint – just real conversations and hands-on learning. Pasture Chats are an avenue for women in ranching to connect, swap ideas, and pick up some practical skills along the way. We’ll walk the pasture together, talk about grazing challenges, discover plant ID tips and tricks, and share what’s working (and what’s not). Whether you’re just getting started or have a few seasons under your belt, it’s about learning, asking questions, and building a community.
June 17
Foxley Farm Field Tour
Location: 27127 312 Ave., Winner, SD
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
For questions or to RSVP, contact Dakota Lakes: 605-224-6357 | manager@dakotalakes.com
Details:
On this tour, learn about:
The importance and challenges of a diverse crop rotation
Livestock integration on your farm when you don't own cattle
Converting cropland back to grass
Water infiltration demonstration under different management
Cover crop forage options with SDSU Extension Forage Field Specialist, Sara Bauder
June 17-19
Grazing School in Wall, SD
Location: Community Events Center in Wall, SD
Learn more & register: https://sdgrass.org/grazing-school/
Contact: Judge Jessop: 605-280-0127 | judge.jessop@sdconservation.net
Details: Area producers teach you how to increase stocking rates, extend the grazing season through rest and recovery for pastures, increase plant diversity, retain moisture in your soil through drought, spend less time and money on weed control, have more time for hobbies and family, and set up your operation so that almost anyone can learn to run it. This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss.
During this 3-day intensive program, you will not only learn new grazing management techniques, but you will also get hand-on experience. The producers who put on this grazing school share the experiences that lead them to this new way of grassland management and how they overcame the challenges they faced throughout the implementation process. Additionally, the agenda features presenters from state and federal agencies, and universities so that you will be instantly connected with people who can help you implement the new grazing management plan you develop during the Grazing School. Participants will gain experience with hands-on activities in the field and hear presentations in the classroom.
Other Grazing School Dates & Locations 2025:
July 22-24: Summit, SD
Sept. 9-11: Chamberlain, SD
June 20
Women on the Range Roots & Ranching Road Show - Stop 1
Location: Sweetheart Ranch near Winner, SD
Contacts: Krista Ehlert, krista.ehlert@sdstate.edu or Kaylee Wheeler, kaylee.wheeler@sdstate.edu
Details: Join us for the WOTR Roots & Ranching Road Show where the next generation of producers meets the power of possibility — a road show for those still learning, still trying, and brave enough to try something new. The Road Show is highlighting early career producers who have gotten their boots dirty, are learning by doing, and who have sometimes failed forward - and they want to share what they've learned, and how they've navigated learning together as a couple and young family.
Stop 1 will feature Bart and Sarah Svoboda of the Sweetheart Ranch near Winner, SD. Bart and Sarah focus on healthy soil, healthy cows, and a happy family by practicing and implementing adaptive grazing, cover crops, low stress cattle handling, and giving grace to mental wellness. At this stop, we will specifically focus on rangeland soils - soil texturing, soil tests, the importance of pore space, and grazing effectively on different soil types.
Other WOTR Upcoming Events:
July 22-25: Grazing Workshop with Principled Land Managers in Faith, SD
August 1: Roots & Ranching Road Show - Stop 2 at Higgins Cattle Co., Leola, SD
June 20
High Tunnel Workshop
Time: 7:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Flat Rock Farms - 11774 386th Ave., Wesport, SD 57481
For more info and to register: High Tunnel Workshop - Westport, SD - South Dakota Soil Health Coalition
Registration is required.
Details: Do you want to learn how to build a high tunnel? Join SD Soil Health Coalition, SDSU Extension Horticulture specialists and South Dakota farmer experts to gain hands-on experience while building a 30’ x 96’ gothic-style double-poly high tunnel. This half-day workshop will take place on June 20th from 7 AM -11:30 AM. Paid registration will be required, and daily attendance will be limited. This workshop will be a great opportunity for beginning and current farmers who are considering building a high tunnel for the first time. Technical service providers, community garden leaders, and anyone who is interested in building a high tunnel are welcome to attend. Prior construction experience and/or familiarity with high tunnels is not required to attend; this event is for all to learn together!
Flat Rock Farms has constructed the frame of the high tunnel and is ready to install the polyethylene plastic. Farm experts from eastern South Dakota will also serve as construction team leads, and each will share their unique experiences from their own high tunnel builds. This event is meant to be a hands on educational event that will provide opportunities to ask questions and learn from others that have constructed a high tunnel.
June 25-26
West River Soil Health School
Time: June 25 · 10 AM - June 26 · 4 PM MDT
Location: Dry Creek Farm and Ranch near Caputa, SD
Learn more & register: West River Soil Health School | South Dakota Soil Health Coalition
Details: The West River Soil Health School will be held June 25-26 at Shawn and Kristi Freeland’s Dry Creek Farm and Ranch near Caputa, SD. The agenda will feature classroom style presentations from producers and technical experts from across the state and region, as well as hands-on experiences in the field. Area producers will also share their challenges and successes with various methods for improving soil health. Individual registration costs $100, and additional registrations from the same operation cost $75.
Participants are responsible for their own lodging. A block of rooms has been reserved until May 24th at the Baymont By Wyndham Rapid City (4040 Cheyenne Blvd., Rapid City, SD 57703) for $119 per night. Contact the hotel at (605) 503-6104 to make your reservations.
Other Soil Health School Dates & Locations 2025:
Sept. 3-5: SD Soil Health School in Huron, SD (Soil Health School | South Dakota Soil Health Coalition)
What’s Coming in July:
July 9: Conservation: Research, Monitoring, and Management - Annual Field Day
July 12: Grassland Gravel Bike Race in Ft. Pierre, SD
July 14-16: SD Stockgrowers Convention in Rapid City, SD
2025 SDSGA Convention
July 22-24: Grazing School in Summit, SD
July 22-25: Women on the Range Grazing Workshop with Principled Land Managers in Faith, SD
More details coming soon, contact Krista Ehlert at krista.ehlert@sdstate.edu
