What SDSU Extension Does
SDSU Extension is the outreach arm of South Dakota State University, the state's land-grant university. According to its About page, it serves farmers, ranchers, agribusiness people, communities, families and youth with research-based information. Its work is organized into four program areas: Agriculture and Natural Resources; Family, Food and Wellness; Community Vitality; and 4-H Youth Development. Topics range from crop production, crop performance testing and integrated pest management to livestock production, food safety, nutrition, water and soil health, and entrepreneurship.
For most readers, the first stop is the county Extension office. The SDSU Extension South Dakota 4-H page has a "Find Your Local County Office" list covering Aurora through Ziebach County, including Oglala Lakota County and Rosebud.
County Offices and Regional Centers
The About page lists a campus office, regional centers and county offices, each with a street address and phone number. The regional centers are in Aberdeen, Lemmon, Mitchell, Pierre, Sioux Falls, Watertown, Rapid City (West River Research and Extension) and Winner. A few examples from that list:
- Aberdeen Regional Center. 13 Second Ave. SE, Aberdeen, 605-626-2870.
- Mitchell. 1425 S. Burr St., Unit 1, Mitchell.
- West River Research and Extension. 711 N. Creek Drive, Rapid City, 605-394-1722.
- Winner. 325 S. Monroe St., Ste. 125, Winner, 605-842-1267.
County offices are listed county by county. Beadle County, for example, is at 1070 Third St. SW in Huron (605-353-8436), and Brookings County is at 2810 22nd Ave. S., Ste. 2, in Brookings (605-693-8280). Each county has its own page at addresses such as extension.sdstate.edu/county/brookings, with local news and links. Offices are staffed differently, so call ahead if you need a specific person. The Our Experts page lets you search for staff and specialists by topic.
4-H Through Your County Office
Extension runs South Dakota 4-H. According to the 4-H page, you can enroll online or visit your local county Extension office. Ages are counted as of January 1: youth ages 5 to 7 can join as Cloverbuds, and ages 8 to 18 can become 4-H members.
The 2026 State Fair Book (SDSU Extension 4-H) uses four age divisions for exhibiting, also counted on or before January 1: Cloverbud 5 to 7, Beginner 8 to 10, Junior 11 to 13 and Senior 14 to 18. Youth who exhibit any large animal livestock must be at least 8. Enrolled members have accident insurance through their county 4-H office, but the state fair and 4-H do not provide livestock or exhibit insurance.
The county office is also where several paperwork steps happen. Market animal DNA samples are submitted to the county Extension office, and the county office marks in 4-H Online that a youth has completed a Youth Livestock Literacy program.
Key 4-H Dates to Watch
The 4-H Event Deadlines page lists these State Fair dates for the 2027 fair:
- May 31. 4-H Online enrollment deadline to participate in state events.
- June 1. Market animal DNA due to county offices, and 4-H Online animal identification deadline.
- July 1. Youth Livestock Literacy completion deadline.
- August 1. State Fair registration deadline through FairEntry.
South Dakota 4-H says these deadlines have no exceptions. Its Missed Deadline Agreement says that starting in 2026 a family that misses a listed state-level deadline will not be able to take part in that event, with no appeal. Animal identification and DNA nomination, Youth Livestock Literacy or YQCA, and State Fair registration for livestock and display exhibits are all on that list. Some Youth in Action events may accept late entries within seven days.
State Events Run Through Extension
The Competitions and State Fair page lists the main state 4-H events:
- Clover Classic. State 4-H Livestock Judging and Skill-A-Thon competitions in June at the SDSU Animal Science Arena in Brookings.
- State Fair. Held in Huron. The 2027 dates are September 1 to 6, at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds.
- Other state events. Shooting sports, the State Dog Show, the State Horse Show, Judging and Hippology, and State 4-H Rodeo resources.
- Black Hills Stock Show Youth Day. February 6, 2027, at The Monument and the Walter Taylor 4-H Building in Rapid City.
Extension also trains volunteer coaches. As of this writing it lists 4-H Shooting Sports Coaches Level 1 trainings in Winner and Brookings on November 14, Lennox on December 5 and Ipswich on December 12.
Help for Producers
Extension is not only for youth. The Brookings County page notes that SDSU Extension offers on-site livestock water testing at various locations across the state. For crops, livestock, pasture, ag business, climate and weather, and natural resources, the main Extension site has topic pages written by SDSU specialists. Your county office can point you to the right specialist if you cannot find your topic.
Practical Tips
- Find your county office on the 4-H page and save the phone number.
- Enroll in 4-H Online early; the state enrollment deadline for state events is May 31.
- Ask your office how your county handles DNA samples and animal ID, because counties may set earlier dates than the state.
- Check the State Fair Book each spring. Rules and dates are updated every year.
- For a farm or ranch question, search the Our Experts page first, then call the county office.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I join 4-H in South Dakota?
Enroll online or visit your county Extension office. Ages are counted as of January 1: 5 to 7 for Cloverbuds and 8 to 18 for 4-H members.
Does every county have an Extension office?
The 4-H page lists county programs from Aurora to Ziebach. Check your county's page for its office address and phone number.
Can I get a late exception on a state deadline?
Generally no. South Dakota 4-H says its listed state-level deadlines carry no exceptions starting in 2026.
Where do I find the State Fair Book?
It is posted on the SDSU Extension State Fair page, and county offices hand out paper copies in some counties.
South Dakota Listings Covered by This Guide
- Day County SDSU Extension Office
County office of SDSU Extension in Webster serving Day County 4-H, agriculture and family programs, with links to 4HOnline, FairEntry and shooting sports results.
711 W. First St., Ste. 105, Webster, SD 57274 | 605-345-9504 Website - Deuel County SDSU Extension Office
SDSU Extension office on Highway 22 at Clear Lake serving Deuel County 4-H members, volunteers and farm families in northeast South Dakota.
47494 S.D. Highway 22, Clear Lake, SD 57226 | 605-874-2681 Website - Douglas County SDSU Extension Office
SDSU Extension office at Armour for Douglas County, providing 4-H enrollment help, volunteer forms and fair entry instructions.
706 Braddock St., Armour, SD 57313 | 605-724-2719 Website - Edmunds County SDSU Extension Office
SDSU Extension office in Ipswich supporting Edmunds County 4-H clubs, shooting sports coach training and Achievement Days planning.
210 Second Ave., Ipswich, SD 57451 | 605-426-6971 Website - Fall River County SDSU Extension Office
SDSU Extension office in Hot Springs serving Fall River County ranchers, gardeners and 4-H members in the southern Black Hills.
709 Jensen Highway, Ste. B, Hot Springs, SD 57747 | 605-745-5133 Website - Faulk County SDSU Extension Office
SDSU Extension office in Faulkton that coordinates Faulk County 4-H enrollment and the August Achievement Days exhibits and livestock shows.
110 Ninth Ave. S., Faulkton, SD 57438 | 605-598-6221 Website - Gregory County SDSU Extension Office
SDSU Extension office in Burke serving Gregory County, with a 4-H program that holds Youth in Action days and county Achievement Days.
221 E. Eighth, Burke, SD 57523 | 605-775-2581 Website - Haakon County SDSU Extension Office
SDSU Extension office in Philip serving Haakon County ranch families and the joint Haakon-Jackson 4-H program.
140 S. Howard Ave., Philip, SD 57567 | 605-859-2840 Website - Hand County SDSU Extension Office
SDSU Extension office in the Hand County courthouse at Miller, home base for the 4-H clubs that field rangeland judging teams.
415 W. First Ave., Courthouse, Miller, SD 57362 | 605-853-2738 Website - Hanson County SDSU Extension Office
Hanson County Extension and 4-H office in Alexandria, with a 4-H youth educator enrolling youth ages 8 to 19 and Cloverbuds ages 5 to 8.
720 Fifth St., Alexandria, SD 57311 | 605-239-4542 Website - Harding County SDSU Extension Office
SDSU Extension office in Buffalo serving Harding County, the remote northwest ranching county, with 4-H and range management support.
410 Ramsland Ave., Buffalo, SD 57720 | 605-375-3412 Website - Hughes County SDSU Extension Office
SDSU Extension contact for Hughes County, based in the Stanley County courthouse at Fort Pierre and shared with the Prairie Winds 4-H program.
Fort Pierre, SD 57532 | 605-223-7730 Website - Oglala Lakota College Agricultural Extension Program
Tribal college extension program serving the Pine Ridge Reservation with Gardening 101, food-safety training, Farm and Ranch Day, producer internships and a Lakota Leadership Camp for youth.
Kyle, SD 57752 Website - SDSU Extension Aberdeen Regional Center
SDSU Extension regional hub in Aberdeen at 13 Second Ave. SE, Aberdeen, SD 57401, serving producers and families across several surrounding counties in South Dakota. Phone 605-626-2870.
13 Second Ave. SE, Aberdeen, SD 57401, Aberdeen, SD 57401 | 605-626-2870 Website - SDSU Extension Aurora County Office
SDSU Extension office for Aurora County in Plankinton, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 401 N. Main, P.O. Box 397, Plankinton, SD 57368. Phone 605-942-7754.
401 N. Main, P.O. Box 397, Plankinton, SD 57368, Plankinton, SD 57368 | 605-942-7754 Website - SDSU Extension Beadle County Office
SDSU Extension office for Beadle County in Huron, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 1070 Third St. SW, Huron, SD 57350. Phone 605-353-8436.
1070 Third St. SW, Huron, SD 57350, Huron, SD 57350 | 605-353-8436 Website - SDSU Extension Bennett County Office
SDSU Extension office for Bennett County in Martin, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 501 Second Ave., Ste. A, P.O. Box M, Martin, SD 57551. Phone 605-685-6972.
501 Second Ave., Ste. A, P.O. Box M, Martin, SD 57551, Martin, SD 57551 | 605-685-6972 Website - SDSU Extension Bon Homme County Office
SDSU Extension office for Bon Homme County in Tyndall, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 103 W. 18th Ave., P.O. Box 603, Tyndall, SD 57066. Phone 605-589-3531.
103 W. 18th Ave., P.O. Box 603, Tyndall, SD 57066, Tyndall, SD 57066 | 605-589-3531 Website - SDSU Extension Brookings County Office
SDSU Extension office for Brookings County in Brookings, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 2810 22nd Ave. S., Ste. 2, Brookings, SD 57006. Phone 605-693-8280.
2810 22nd Ave. S., Ste. 2, Brookings, SD 57006, Brookings, SD 57006 | 605-693-8280 Website - SDSU Extension Brown County Office
SDSU Extension office for Brown County in Aberdeen, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 400 24th Ave. NW, Aberdeen, SD 57401. Phone 605-626-7120.
400 24th Ave. NW, Aberdeen, SD 57401, Aberdeen, SD 57401 | 605-626-7120 Website - SDSU Extension Brule County Office
SDSU Extension office for Brule County in Chamberlain, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 300 S. Courtland St., Ste. 202, Chamberlain, SD 57325. Phone 605-234-4431.
300 S. Courtland St., Ste. 202, Chamberlain, SD 57325, Chamberlain, SD 57325 | 605-234-4431 Website - SDSU Extension Butte County Office
Butte and Lawrence County Extension office beside the courthouse in Belle Fourche, home to the 4-H educator, shooting sports program and pesticide applicator testing.
849 5th Ave., Belle Fourche, SD 57717 | (605) 892-3371 Website - SDSU Extension Butte-Lawrence County Office
Combined SDSU Extension office in Belle Fourche covering Butte and Lawrence counties, with 4-H programs, livestock water testing and fair entry support.
849 Fifth Ave., Belle Fourche, SD 57717 | 605.892.3371 - SDSU Extension Butte/Lawrence Counties Office
Shared SDSU Extension office in Belle Fourche covering Butte, Lawrence counties, offering agriculture, horticulture and 4-H help from 849 Fifth Ave., Belle Fourche, SD 57717. Phone 605-892-3371.
849 Fifth Ave., Belle Fourche, SD 57717, Belle Fourche, SD 57717 | 605-892-3371 Website - SDSU Extension Campbell County Office
SDSU Extension office for Campbell County in Mound City, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at Second St. NE, P.O. Box 147, Mound City, SD 57646. Phone 605-955-3305.
Second St. NE, P.O. Box 147, Mound City, SD 57646, Mound City, SD 57646 | 605-955-3305 Website - SDSU Extension Charles Mix County Office
SDSU Extension office for Charles Mix County in Lake Andes, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 400 Main St., P.O. Box 70, Lake Andes, SD 57356. Phone 605-487-7666.
400 Main St., P.O. Box 70, Lake Andes, SD 57356, Lake Andes, SD 57356 | 605-487-7666 Website - SDSU Extension Cheyenne River Tribal Extension Office
Tribal extension office of SDSU Extension in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, supporting agriculture, 4-H and family programs for the reservation community. Phone 605-964-4955.
BIA Education Building, P.O. Box 40, Eagle Butte, SD 57625, Eagle Butte, SD 57625 | 605-964-4955 Website - SDSU Extension Clark County Office
SDSU Extension office for Clark County in Clark, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 200 N. Commercial St., P.O. Box 294, Clark, SD 57225. Phone 605-532-3681.
200 N. Commercial St., P.O. Box 294, Clark, SD 57225, Clark, SD 57225 | 605-532-3681 Website - SDSU Extension Clay County Office
SDSU Extension office for Clay County in Vermillion, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 515 High St., Vermillion, SD 57069. Phone 605-677-7111.
515 High St., Vermillion, SD 57069, Vermillion, SD 57069 | 605-677-7111 Website - SDSU Extension Codington County Office
SDSU Extension office for Codington County in Watertown, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 1910 W. Kemp Ave., Watertown, SD 57201. Phone 605-882-6300.
1910 W. Kemp Ave., Watertown, SD 57201, Watertown, SD 57201 | 605-882-6300 Website - SDSU Extension Corson County Office
SDSU Extension office for Corson County in McIntosh, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 108 First St. E., P.O. Box 255, McIntosh, SD 57641. Phone 605-273-4368.
108 First St. E., P.O. Box 255, McIntosh, SD 57641, McIntosh, SD 57641 | 605-273-4368 Website - SDSU Extension Custer County Office
SDSU Extension office for Custer County in Custer, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 25361 US Hwy 385, Custer, SD 57730. Phone 605-673-4971.
25361 US Hwy 385, Custer, SD 57730, Custer, SD 57730 | 605-673-4971 Website - SDSU Extension Davison County Office
SDSU Extension office for Davison County in Mitchell, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 3200 W. Havens St., Mitchell, SD 57301. Phone 605-995-8620.
3200 W. Havens St., Mitchell, SD 57301, Mitchell, SD 57301 | 605-995-8620 Website - SDSU Extension Day County Office
SDSU Extension office for Day County in Webster, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 711 W. First St., Ste. 105, Webster, SD 57274. Phone 605-345-9504.
711 W. First St., Ste. 105, Webster, SD 57274, Webster, SD 57274 | 605-345-9504 Website - SDSU Extension Deuel County Office
SDSU Extension office for Deuel County in Clear Lake, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 419 Third Ave. S., P.O. Box 350, Clear Lake, SD 57226. Phone 605-874-2681.
419 Third Ave. S., P.O. Box 350, Clear Lake, SD 57226, Clear Lake, SD 57226 | 605-874-2681 Website - SDSU Extension Dewey County Office
SDSU Extension office for Dewey County in Timber Lake, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 710 C St., P.O. Box 9, Timber Lake, SD 57656. Phone 605-865-3652.
710 C St., P.O. Box 9, Timber Lake, SD 57656, Timber Lake, SD 57656 | 605-865-3652 Website - SDSU Extension Douglas County Office
SDSU Extension office for Douglas County in Armour, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 706 Braddock St., P.O. Box 25, Armour, SD 57313. Phone 605-724-2719.
706 Braddock St., P.O. Box 25, Armour, SD 57313, Armour, SD 57313 | 605-724-2719 Website - SDSU Extension Edmunds County Office
SDSU Extension office for Edmunds County in Ipswich, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 210 Second Ave., P.O. Box 345, Ipswich, SD 57451. Phone 605-426-6971.
210 Second Ave., P.O. Box 345, Ipswich, SD 57451, Ipswich, SD 57451 | 605-426-6971 Website - SDSU Extension Fall River County Office
SDSU Extension office for Fall River County in Hot Springs, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 709 Jensen Highway, Ste. B, Hot Springs, SD 57747. Phone 605-745-5133.
709 Jensen Highway, Ste. B, Hot Springs, SD 57747, Hot Springs, SD 57747 | 605-745-5133 Website - SDSU Extension Faulk County Office
SDSU Extension office for Faulk County in Faulkton, South Dakota, handling crop, livestock and 4-H questions at 110 Ninth Ave. S., P.O. Box 39, Faulkton, SD 57438. Phone 605-598-6221.
110 Ninth Ave. S., P.O. Box 39, Faulkton, SD 57438, Faulkton, SD 57438 | 605-598-6221 Website
Plus 52 more. Find yours on your county's page in the South Dakota directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.