NRCS-South Dakota

Through a network of local field offices, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service helps private landowners protect and enhance natural resources.

[Natural Resources Conservation Service @USDA_NRCS]

April is National Garden Month, and it all starts with healthy soil. No matter the size of your operation, the same soil health principles make a difference: keep soil covered, reduce disturbance, and keep living roots growing. https://t.co/M1cGSaeGmj

[Natural Resources Conservation Service @USDA_NRCS]

Have you ever seen this happen in your field? Surface crusting can be a sign of aggregate instability or poor soil health. This can happen when soil is over-worked or is left fallow. Some of the best solutions are cover crops and reducing tillage on your fields.

[Natural Resources Conservation Service @USDA_NRCS]

Chief Aubrey J.D. Bettencourt outlines how we're helping producers cut through red tape to plan and implement whole-farm regenerative practices through the new Regenerative Pilot Program. The new pilot program focuses on meeting producers where they are.

[Natural Resources Conservation Service @USDA_NRCS]

Lake Dimock, located 20 minutes south of Mitchell, faced serious challenges in 2019 and 2024 when extreme flooding overwhelmed its auxiliary spillway. To prevent future disasters, NRCS stepped in with our Emergency Watershed Program. https://t.co/llj3vdrJum

[Natural Resources Conservation Service @USDA_NRCS]

Finn Farm Inc. in South Dakota worked with us to address invasive bromegrass. They used chemical suppression and no-till cover crops, and plan to seed the field to permanent vegetation in 2026 using a mix that will enhance the health of the land while improving forage for cattle.

[Natural Resources Conservation Service @USDA_NRCS]

Knowing your soil type is an important part of making land-use and management decisions. The Web Soil Survey is our free tool that can help you identify your soil type and make informed decisions. https://t.co/RnMbuZdXwm

[Natural Resources Conservation Service @USDA_NRCS]

Conservation planners understand each producer has unique challenges to their operations. Comprehensive conservation plans can increase overall effectiveness of the practices because they are implemented more strategically: https://t.co/KkaioLjagZ

@IowaNRCS

[Natural Resources Conservation Service @USDA_NRCS]

The enhanced Rangeland Analysis Platform offers insight into vegetation and production trends on US rangelands, offering users valuable data to better inform land management decisions. https://t.co/v7U94u4h1J

@USDA_ARS @umontana @BLMNational

[Natural Resources Conservation Service @USDA_NRCS]

Rotating crops and increasing the biodiversity in your fields can help prevent disease and pest problems. Using cover crops and increasing diversity within crop rotations improves soil health and soil function, reduces costs, and increases profitability. https://t.co/TA6MF7V0tj

[Natural Resources Conservation Service @USDA_NRCS]

European honeybees get a lot of buzz, but native pollinators are estimated to pollinate 75% of flowering plants around the world. Did you know more than 3,500 species of native bees help increase crop yields?

[Natural Resources Conservation Service @USDA_NRCS]

For 90 years, we've been focused on the farmer. Through one-on-one, personalized advice, we work with producers and communities to find the best solutions to meet their unique conservation and business goals. This is a photo of us working with a landowner (on left) in the 80’s.

[Natural Resources Conservation Service @USDA_NRCS]

Grazing land managers nationwide are testing out and investing in virtual fence options that manage livestock distribution and movement without the physical barrier of a traditional fence. Visit us to talk through virtual fence considerations.

[Natural Resources Conservation Service @USDA_NRCS]

Chief Bettencourt is “Dishin’ the Dirt” on how rotational grazing helped a Missouri cow/calf operation improve the health of their animals and pastures. Rotational grazing allows pastures to rest and recover, promoting healthier forage growth, improving soil health and more.

[Natural Resources Conservation Service @USDA_NRCS]

Voluntary conservation has been our guiding principle since our founding. Why? Because it works! We work with you to implement solutions tailored to your operation. No mandates, just science-based assistance. Reach out and see how we can help.

https://t.co/jyL0JOLNox

[Natural Resources Conservation Service @USDA_NRCS]

Whoa there, that’s a lot of wind erosion! If it gets really gusty where you live, remember that the folks at your nearest NRCS office and your local Conservation District staff want to help you keep your soil grounded. https://t.co/FbouSPYloo

📹 Day County Conservation District

[Natural Resources Conservation Service @USDA_NRCS]

Last week, Associate Chief Aspey visited Ryan, a Garretson, SD producer and participant in our EQIP program. Ryan said, “If it weren’t for the EQIP program, I don’t think I would still be farming.” Check out the sweet soil pit they dug to see Ryan’s cover crop root systems.

[Natural Resources Conservation Service @USDA_NRCS]

Yesterday, we celebrated the Father of Soil Conservation. Born in 1881, Hugh Hammond Bennett’s passion for healthy soil led to the creation of NRCS and a nationwide movement to protect our most valuable resource – our land.

[Dakota Farm Talk @dakotafarmtalk]

Have you ever been to the Dale Demonstration farm near Huron, SD?!

This farm showcases the following conservation practices-
⚪️Saline and Salty Soil Management
⚪️Grazing Management
⚪️Nutrient Fixation

The @NRCS_SD invites you to visit the farm to learn more!

[NRCS-South Dakota @NRCS_SD]

This week, the ecological threats to our South Dakota grasslands are displayed at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Pictured is Lieutenant Governor Rhoden (center), NRCS State Conservationist Tony Sunseri (far right), SDACD, and legislators. #travelsouthdakota

[NRCS-South Dakota @NRCS_SD]

New funding is available through the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production grants program. Learn more and apply by March 10: https://t.co/e98hFNVe7q