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A Varroa mite (indicated with red circle) can be seen under the wing of this bee from Miller Honey Farms in Gackle, N.D. Beekeepers say the mites cause many problems for them. Researchers from the University of Minnesota say that poor nutrition resulting from habitat loss may be making the mite situation worse. Photo by Lindsay Anderson/Tri-County News

Bee losses that threaten industry partly related to change in Dakota landscape

What is causing the significant increase in bee die-offs in the past decade?

Recent research suggests there’s no single cause, instead pointing to several factors that combine or interact to weaken or kill bees. But according to an ongoing study in Stutsman County, N.D., at least one of those causes is tied to changes in the Dakota land where those bees buzz away their summers: The conversion of grassland to cropland is affecting bees’ diets, which makes them less healthy.

NCCC Improving Safety and Sustainability on Sica Hollow State Park trails

AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is serving with staff of Sica Hollow State Park from Sept. 3-27 to restore sections of the trail to make them safer and more accessible for both horseback riding and hiking at the park.

The team of eight from the Vinton, IA, campus have been members of NCCC for seven months and are enjoying their time in Lake City. The team is focusing on repairing and installing water bars as well as clearing the trail corridor along the 10-15 mile trail.

Britton native to be inducted into South Dakota Hall of Fame

While growing up in the Britton area, Bernard Christenson couldn’t have scripted the impact he would have on the state of South Dakota.

The 1956 Britton High School graduate went on to head the Department of Criminal Investigation, the South Dakota Community Foundation, and has been a friend and confidant to a number of the state’s governors.

Bees in a hive at Miller Honey Farm in Gackle, N.D. Photo by Melody Owen/Tri-County News

Dakota bees that pollinate crops nationwide are struggling

Area beekeepers are suffering from bee die-offs in numbers they call unsustainable, which threatens not only their livelihood but could also affect hundreds of crops that depend on pollination by bees. The first in a two-part series.

Groundwater depletion in the United States, 1900-2008

Groundwater levels are down in South Dakota

Groundwater depletion of the Ogalla aquifer has made headlines in recent years, but the Dakota aquifer has also gone down significantly since 1900, according to estimates by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Commodity prices down from a year ago

Although many areas in South Dakota are still suffering from the effects of last year’s drought and are in need of more rain, overall conditions are much better than last year and that has impacted the markets, said Darrell R. Mark, Adjunct Professor of Economics South Dakota State University.

Resources for rural communities, September 13, 2013

The following is from Christine Sorensen, rural development coordinator for the U. S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development in Pierre, S.D. Read on for valuable resources for rural communities, including several grant opportunities.

South Dakota pheasant population takes hit

Months of persistent drought in 2012, a cold, wet spring in 2013 and a reduction in habitat have impacted pheasant brood counts, according to a report released last week by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department.