Candy DenOuden

My Recent Work

SDSU Extension •

SDSU Extension Community Vitality built on foundation of empowering people

Tripp was one of the communities that participated in Horizons, the foundation of SDSU Extension's Community Vitality capstone. (SDSU Extension photo) Twenty years ago, SDSU Extension did not have community development as a formal area of expertise. That began to change in 2004 when SDSU Extension Director Karla Trautman, then a program leader, started discussing the potential of community development as a capstone. Then the phone rang. The Northwest Area Foundation in St. Paul, Minnesota, wante
SDSU Extension •

SDSU Extension cohort programs offer immersive experiences for emerging producers, entrepreneurs and community leaders

Whether running a legacy business, launching something new or inspiring change in a community, it’s important to have a strong support system. However, networking can be challenging, particularly in rural areas. In addition to providing training on specific topics and skills, SDSU Extension’s cohort programs help people overcome challenges to build their support network and develop a deep knowledge base. The newest SDSU Extension cohort program, Emerging Sheep Producers, started in September 202
SDSU Extension •

Summer field days showcase South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station sites

Each summer, the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station system showcases its research stations with field days. The days include guided tours of each facility and presentations from SDSU and SDSU Extension researchers. Producers, industry professionals and members of the general public can see how winter wheat varieties are tested, or take a trip through a high tunnel. From the wide-open ranges of central South Dakota to the gently sloping farmland east of the Missouri River to the Black H
SDSU Extension •

Mid-Missouri River Prescribed Burn Association: A landowner-led effort along the Missouri River

Tom Hausmann, in brown vest, gives a briefing before the burn, while Greg Schmitz, in the foreground in a brown jacket, listens with the rest of the burn crew. Started in 2016, the Mid-Missouri River Prescribed Burn Association is a landowner-led effort to combat the spread of trees along the Missouri River corridor in Gregory, Charles Mix, Brule and Lyman counties. Sean Kelly, SDSU Extension Range Management Field Specialist, has been working with the burn association since 2016 as a liaison of
SDSU Extension •

SDSU Extension receives $1 million contribution agreement from NRCS to protect grasslands from invasive trees

In other words, trees are taking over the grasslands. To meet that threat, SDSU Extension recently received a $1 million contribution agreement from the Natural Resources Conservation Service to combat the spread. Sandy Smart, SDSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Senior Program Leader, said most of the contribution agreement will fund a new field specialist who will work with landowners to identify where there is a threat and to preserve their own land. It will build on the work alre
SDSU Extension •

presence growing in Sioux Falls-area youth development programs

You might say Nathan Skadsen is a little bit famous. It’s not unusual for Skadsen to be out and about and encounter a child or teen who sees him and declares, “Oh, you’re the 4-H guy!”

Skadsen is part of the SDSU Extension team based in the Sioux Falls Regional Office working to provide quality education and programming for youth in the Sioux Falls area.

As the 4-H Youth Program Advisor for Minnehaha County, Skadsen is indeed “the 4-H guy” for the state’s most populous county. And while Skadse
SDSU Extension •

SDSU Extension partnerships with Fort Thompson groups seeing positive growth

If you look at the individual ways SDSU Extension has helped its partners in Fort Thompson through its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention High Obesity Program funds, they seem small.

“Individually they’re small. But without those things you can’t enhance physical activity, or opportunities for nutrition,” said Lindsay Moore. “Without those little things the big goal doesn’t get achieved.”

Moore, SDSU Extension Community Health and Obesity Program Director, said CDC HOP’s goal is “to en
SDSU Extension •

SDSU Extension growing reach through podcasts

SDSU Extension has a long tradition of meeting people where they are – from visiting farmers and ranchers in their own fields to hosting online webinars accessible from anywhere with Wi-Fi. So it makes sense that as podcasts continue to grow in popularity, SDSU Extension is willing to meet listeners there, too. There are now three SDSU Extension podcasts: “Streamlines,” a deep dive into water management and its effects on South Dakota agriculture; “CattleHQ,” for cow/calf producers; and “Home St