The Chaduza Cook Off is coming back to Valentine, Nebraska on Saturday June 12th for a time to sharpen one’s outdoor grilling culinary skills. There will be categories for burgers, ribs and chicken and one lucky winner will walk off with a Green Mountain Grill from the raffle. For more information contact Dean Jacobs at the Valentine Chamber at 402-376-5138.
Category Archives: News
May is Beef Month in South Dakota
South Dakota is home to nearly 14,000 beef farms and ranches caring for 4 million head of cattle, outnumbering state residents 4.5 to 1. May is Beef Month and the South Dakota Beef Industry Council (SDBIC) believes this is the perfect time to highlight all our hardworking beef farmers and ranchers and all they do to bring a high-quality protein to the table.
Governor Kristi Noem signed the proclamation officially declaring May as Beef Month in South Dakota on April 26, 2021. The SDBIC worked alongside the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources to organize the proclamation as summer continues to be the peak season for beef sales with an average of approximately 30 percent of yearly beef dollars captured between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
SDBIC President, Laurie Johnson believes May is the perfect time to thank our beef farmers and ranchers “South Dakota beef farmers and ranchers work tirelessly year-round to bring a high-quality protein to our tables, we want to thank them for all of their hard work and to encourage everyone to choose BEEF this summer.”
The SDBIC will be implementing their newest “Reclaim the Summer” campaign encouraging you to get out and celebrate summer as you choose beef this grilling season! Beef will also be highlighted at several events across the state throughout the month including the Prairie Fire Steak Contest, Deadwood Xtreme Bulls, and the Sioux Falls Storm’s opening Hall of Fame Game taking place on May 15, 2021. South Dakota’s Junior Beef Ambassadors will be working within their local communities promoting our favorite protein!
Learn more about May Beef Month and the efforts of the SDBIC by following our Facebook Page (@SDBeef).
The South Dakota Beef Industry Council works on behalf of South Dakota beef producers through the $1 Beef Checkoff program.
For more information on Beef Checkoff and statewide efforts visit www.sdbeef.org and www.MyBeefCheckoff.com or contact Suzy Geppert at sgeppert@sdbeef.org.
Participate in Farm & Ranch Families of South Dakota Photo Contest
Participate in Farm & Ranch Families of South Dakota Photo Contest
HURON, S.D. – South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) calls on South Dakota farm and ranch families to participate in the 2021 growing season photo contest, Farm & Ranch Families of South Dakota. Running May 1-December 1, 2021, all who enter become eligible to win $250.
“This contest is a fun way to highlight the people behind our state’s number one industry,” explains Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director. “We’re looking for photos of family members engaged in farm and ranch work – you know, tagging calves, planting soybeans, cutting hay, scouting soybeans, harvesting corn – the day-in day-out work that is South Dakota agriculture.”
Contest begins May 1
To enter, simply visit www.sdfu.org May 1 or after and submit photos that highlight a farmer or rancher at work. Each photo submitted enters you into a drawing for $250. Throughout the contest, photos will be featured on SDFU website and South Dakota Farmers Union Facebook page.
“Farming is a sunrise to sunset, 365-days all day, everyday job,” says Lexi Johnson, a De Smet Kindergarten teacher and farmer who won the fall 2020 photo contest drawing.
Johnson was among the many family farmers and ranchers to submit photos to the 2020 contest, showcasing life on South Dakota farms and ranches.
“As a grassroots agriculture organization, we are always looking for ways to support farm and ranch families and share their stories – whether that is through policy, education, media or fun contests like this one,” Hofhenke says.
To learn more about Johnson and view a slideshow of the more than 100 contributed photos visit www.sdfu.org and click on the Photo Contest link under the News/Events tab.
South Dakota Civics Conference on May 15th
There will be a South Dakota Civics Conference Sponsored by SDCFL on Saturday May 15 from 8 AM to 5 PM at Grand Gateway Hotel in Rapid City, located at 1721 N Lacrosse St., Rapid City, SD 57701. To attend or for more information please call (605) 348-5640 or Toll Free: (877) 428-5666.
Winner City Council Meeting Tomorrow
The Winner City Council will hold their bi-monthly meeting tomorrow night in the Winner City Council Chambers at 6:30 p.m. John Burns, Jeremy Clay, and Bradley Schramm will take their oaths of office in this meeting.
Governor Noem to Hold Two Press Conferences Monday, May 3rd
Governor Kristi Noem and Secretary of the Department of Tourism James Hagen will hold two news conferences on Monday, May 3, 2021. The press conferences will recognize National Travel & Tourism Week, the “Power of Travel,” and the impact of the tourism industry on South Dakota’s economy.
Press conferences will be on Monday, May 3, 2021 at two locations:
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone, at 9:30 a.m. MDT
- Falls Overlook Café at Falls Park, Sioux Falls, at 3 p.m. CDT
Gregory City Wide Garage Sale
A City Wide Garage Sale will take place in Gregory, South Dakota from Friday June 4th through Sunday, June 6th. One can have their sale listed on the Chamber Facebook Page by e-mailing all of the information to gregoryareachamber@gmail.com.
May Open Houses at Local South Dakota Bed & Breakfasts
During the month of May, Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers of South Dakota’s beautiful, inspected and approved inns will be holding public Open House events in recognition of National Tourism Month.
With member inns across our state, the properties are unique and varied, from historic homes to log lodges to comfortable contemporary facilities. They consistently offer travelers a “Real Taste of South Dakota.”
Visitors are welcome to come, tour and learn more about the famous South Dakota hospitality these warm professionals have chosen to offer the world. One of the Great Faces of South Dakota.
Inns hosting Open Houses are as follows:
- Buffalo Rock Lodge – Keystone, SD
- McDonald Mountain Ranch – Keystone, SD
- Knotty Pine Cabin – Hill City, SD
- Emerald Pines Bed & Breakfast – Rapid City, SD
- Triangle Ranch Bed & Breakfast – Badlands/Philip, SD
- Borglum Inn – Keystone, SD
- Normarke Farm – Deadwood, SD
- Sweet Grass Inn – Rapid City, SD
- Lincoln House Bed & Breakfast – Stickney, SD
Please check Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers of SD facebook page for event dates and times. Learn more about each property at www.southdakotabb.com.
Chamberlain Middle School Explorers “Explorers Vs. Dirty Cars” Event May 1st
The Chamberlain Middle School Explorers will host their annual “Explorers Vs. Dirty Cars” car wash event this Saturday, May 1st from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Riverview Chevrolet in Oacoma, South Dakota. Donations will be accepted that day with proceeds from the carwash will go to upgrading the skateboard park.
SDSU Extension Launches Garden Hour
For nearly 30 years, Garden Line was South Dakota’s source for lawn-and-garden advice. Produced by South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension and broadcast through the South Dakota Public Broadcasting network, Garden Line featured Extension educators and specialists in horticulture, entomology, soil science, weed management, forestry, wildlife and more. Each week throughout the growing season, viewers could tune into the live show to ask questions and get expert advice.
“Garden Line captured the hearts of many South Dakotans for many years, providing timely information on all things gardening, while providing listeners a direct connection with SDSU experts to answer questions ranging from when to plant and what to plant, to how to maintain those plants throughout the growing season,” says Rhoda Burrows, SDSU Extension Horticulturist. “Video clips and real-life samples — and occasionally live creatures— served as illustrations and sometimes unintentional entertainment for the audience.”
While Garden Line was canceled in 2011 due to budget cuts, the spirit behind the program has lived on through SDSU Extension. This May, the horticulture team is excited to announce the launch of a new virtual program, Garden Hour.
Every Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m. CST, South Dakotans are invited to join the online discussion as SDSU Extension horticulture specialists tackle the latest gardening and landscaping questions from across the state. The program will kick off May 4, with the final session slated for Sept. 28.
Garden Hour will be hosted by Burrows, along with John Ball, Professor, SDSU Extension Forestry Specialist and South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (SDDANR) Forest Health Specialist.
“Garden Hour will include many features of Garden Line, including SDSU experts on hand to answer gardening questions live, video clips and timely advice through the growing year,” Burrows says. “There will also be guest experts throughout the season to add expertise in topics, such as lawncare and pest-and-weed control for homeowners.”
Garden Hour will be recorded for viewing convenience and published on the SDSU Extension YouTube channel, however Burrows encourages participants to join the live Zoom to submit questions during the program.
There is no fee to attend, but participants will need to register for the weekly webinars on the SDSU Extension Events page. Confirmation Zoom links and reminders will be emailed to attendees.
In addition to Garden Hour, the SDSU Extension Garden Hotline staff will be available to help South Dakota citizens with their gardening questions this growing season. The service is free to South Dakota home gardeners.
Local horticulture assistants respond to calls and email inquiries throughout the spring, summer and fall. Participants can expect to receive individualized and research-based solutions on topics, such as plants, lawns, trees, insects and other horticulture questions.
The contact information for the three SDSU Extension Garden Hotlines are:
- Aberdeen (open year-round): sdsu.gardensnorth@sdstate.edu; 605-626-2876
- Sioux Falls (open mid-March–Oct.): sdsu.gardenseast@sdstate.edu; 605-782-3298
- Rapid City (open mid-March–Oct.): sdsu.gardenswest@sdstate.edu; 605-394-6814
Citizens are welcome to contact any location if they do not live near a garden hotline center.
To receive regular updates and the latest resources on gardening and landscaping, South Dakotans are also encouraged to subscribe to Extension’s new bi-weekly Garden and Yard newsletter.
South Dakotans are also welcome to visit the SDSU Extension Garden and Yard Problems and Solutions page for additional resources and contact information.