South Dakota Grassland Coalition

Upcoming Events

Details

Printable Flyer
May 20, 2025
8:00am - 6:00pm
SDSU Brookings Campus
Room 126 of Animal Science Building

Register

Janice Rounds
605-882-5140 janice.rounds@sdstate.edu


controlled burn

Prescribed Fire Class & Live Training

This fire school and training event is hosted by SDSU Extension in partnership with state and federal agencies and non-government agencies for private landowners and land management staff. The day will begin with a morning classroom session focused on prescribed fire orientation including planning, weather, safety, communications, objectives, and other subjects.

The afternoon session will offer hands-on and live-fire training exercises (weather dependent) specifically focused on landowner/manager needs including tools, various pumps, burn unit design, ignition techniques, and overall fire management. Students can expect to receive instruction in all phases of prescribed fire for several fuel types and conditions from experienced instructors.

DATE: May 28, 2025

LOCATION: Eagle Pass Ranch Headquarters
34261 200th St
Highmore, SD

TIME: 1PM-4PM

RSVP to Cassie
cauxt@ducks.org
605-882-5140

up close picture of native plants in the praire with a white flower in the middle

Pasture Walk

Get a ground-level look at how timing, pressure, and rest are used to shape pastures - and how calving season is a part of the bigger picture. AJ Munger, rancher at Eagle Pass Ranch and new board member of the SD Grassland Coalition, teams up with ranch and grazing consultant, Jenita Derga of Wild Prairie Solutions, to talk real ranch decisions and the support and learning opportunities available along the journey. Discussions include: shifting to May calving, trials to increase diversity in non-native cool season dominated pastures, SD Grassland Coalition educational opportunities, and more!

Date: June 2-5
Location: Wedge Tent Ranch
Faith, SD

Young ranchers at the Young Adult Rancher Management Workshop

Young Adult Ranching for Profit Workshop

The Young Adult Ranching for Profit Workshop is a hands-on intensive training to develop management skills in agriculture.

“What an awesome experience! Learned so much! Can`t wait to bring back what I learned to the family operation! Keep up the good work.” ~ Event Attendee

DATE: May 30-31, 2025

LOCATION:
Totton Ranch
Chamberlain SD

Birds. At Home on the Range
Annual Bird Tour

The 2025 Annual Bird Watching Tour to be held at the Totton Angus Ranch, north of Chamberlain, SD. Join us on a journey to view the abundant populations of birds that make their home in this region. Learn how rangeland management plays an important role in the state’s agricultural industry as well as provides an exceptional environment for South Dakota’s native feathered friends.

2025 Dates & Locations
June 17-19: Wall, SD
July 22-24: Summit, SD
Sept 9-11: Chamberlain, SD

Grazing Schools

Topics include:
* Adaptive Management * Concepts of Grazing * Managing Diversity on Rangelands * Working with Livestock * Pasture Allocation * Inventory of Ranch Resources * Plant Species Identification * Mineral Nutrition Needs of Livestock * Seasonality of Grazing Nutrition * Ranch Monitoring Exercises * Soil Health and Infiltration * Transect Reading & Monitoring * Planning Your Own Place * Planning for a Forage Shortage * Fencing & Watering Systems * Holistic Management * Implementing Grazing Practices * Consulting with Grazing Experts

DATE: June 12, 2024
LOCATION: 1898 Ranch, Estelline, SD

Good, Bad, and Similar Looking Plant Tour

The day will include conversations and learning opportunities about treatments, biocontrol, land management, and plant ID.
- Short intro session in the morning
- Most of the day will consist of visiting sites around the local area.

DATE: Frebruary 11 & 12, 2025

Cedary Shores Resort, Chamberlain/Oacoma

Grassland Management School

* Private Landowner perspective
* Planning for and meeting objectives
* Chemical history considerations
* Site preparation
* Case studies/examples over time

DATE: December 5, 2024

LOCATION: Holiday Inn Downtown
Rapid City, SD

TIME: 8:30AM MST

CONTACT: Judge at jljessop@kennebectelephone.com

Group of people talking in a conference room

2024 Annual Meeting

Join us for a full day of learning, networking, and inspiration tailored for ranchers, land managers, and ag professionals. To help you get the most out of each annual meeting, we have decided to move this event to a conference format. This year’s conference will feature two keynote speakers, interactive breakout sessions, and valuable insights on leading your ranch toward long-term profitability and success.

This annual meeting is a must-attend event for anyone serious about the future of ranching. Whether you’re a seasoned rancher or just starting out, you’ll leave with practical strategies and inspiration to ensure the profitability and longevity of your operation.

DATE: Thursday, August 3, 2023

TIME: 9:30AM - 4:00PM

LOCATION: Philip, SD


RSVP to Judge Jessop at jljessop@kennebectelephone.com or call/text 605.280.0127.

Photo of the Slovek family

2023 South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award Winner Tour

* From Wall, SD: Go 8 miles North on Creighton Road and take the curve East. Creighton Road turns into Kelly Hill Road. Then go 19 miles East to Deadman Creek Road. Go 6 miles North to Slovek Road. Then take Slovek Road 3 miles West.
* From Philip, SD: Go 10 miles North and then 9 miles West. Then go 1 mile North and 3 miles West.
* From HWY 34/73 Intersection (Billsburg): Go 15 miles South to Hilland Road, then 9 miles West to Deadman Creek Road. Then go 6 miles South to Slovek Road and then 3 miles West.