SDSU's exciting summer field days open to public

By Scout Nelson

This summer, the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station at South Dakota State University (SDSU) is opening its doors to the public for a series of educational field days. These events are scheduled across multiple research stations, each affiliated with SDSU’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and supported by SDSU Extension programs.

The series kicks off with the West River Research Farm field day on June 18 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., located at 13370 Alkali Road, Sturgis. Attendees will experience guided tours and presentations by SDSU’s research and Extension staff, gaining insights into the latest agricultural research.

Multiple events are planned at the Cottonwood Field Station in Philip, with sessions focusing on innovative topics such as virtual fencing, rangeland monitoring, and the use of drones in livestock production. These events will take place on June 12, July 29, and August 22 from 9 a.m. to noon, with meals and refreshments provided.

The Dakota Lakes Research Farm will host its field day on June 27 from 3 p.m. until dusk. This event will be held at 21310 308th Ave., 17 miles east of Pierre on Highway 34. The Southeast Research Farm in Beresford will follow with its field day on July 9 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 29974 University Road.

The Northeast Research Farm invites the public on July 11 from 4 p.m. until dusk. This farm is located at 15710 455th Ave., South Shore. The Oak Lake Field Station will have its inaugural field day on July 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., complete with coffee and lunch, located at 19862 483rd Ave., Astoria.

All events are free of charge, with an Eventbrite registration link to be provided for each field day to help manage attendee numbers. More details will be available as each event approaches, ensuring participants can plan their visit effectively.

These field days offer a unique opportunity for the community to engage directly with agricultural experts and discover the practical applications of cutting-edge agricultural research.

Photo Credit: south-dakota-state-university