News

February 26, 2026, at the Commodity Classic Convention in San Antonio, Texas, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the “One Farmer, One File” modernization, another action putting Farmers First with sweeping technological improvements at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Through “One Farmer, One File,” USDA’s mission is to create a single, streamlined record that follows the farmer — no matter where they go in the USDA system.

Beginning January 1, 2025, South Dakota private pesticide applicators must obtain a Non-Soil Fumigation Endorsement to legally purchase or apply fumigants in buildings, structures, grain bins, and burrowing rodents. This endorsement requires passing an in-person exam at an SDSU Extension Regional Center or participating county office. Once obtained, the endorsement expires at the same time as the applicator’s private applicator license.

The Ag Leadership class in Gregory hosted Ag Olympics for high school students during National FFA Week on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Each class competed in six relay-style events, including hobby horse jumps, bale stacking and throwing, roping a dummy, pedal tractor races, cornhole, and hammering a nail into a stump. The class with the fastest overall time won a pizza and movie day. The freshman class took first place, finishing in 5 minutes, 45 seconds.

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First Fidelity Bank, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), is proud to announce that a $142,500 commitment from the bank has unlocked an extraordinary $356,250 in matching funds through the Member Impact Fund – bringing the total investment in local communities to nearly $500,000.

Private applicator certification is required before an agricultural producer can purchase or use a restricted use pesticide. A producer who has the potential to produce more than $1,000 of an agricultural commodity must be certified to use any pesticide. There is no fee for a private applicator certification, which is valid for three years and expires on the last day of February.

The Ron and Sheilah Gates Department of Music at Dakota Wesleyan University will sponsor a tour of eastern South Dakota and Nebraska venues March 6-10, 2026. The Highlanders and Wesleyan Bells will visit Gregory, Sioux Falls, Alexandria and Salem, S.D., and Papillion, Neb. All performances are free and open to the public.

Finn Hanson has answered the call as the new district manager of the Gregory County Conservation District. A Burke High School graduate, Hanson initially earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Southeast Tech.

The anticipation has been building for many months. From the first signs of remodeling, glimpses of black bricks inside, Facebook posts about the new business next to Sissy’s Café, to the opening earlier this month, The White Buffalo and Red Wolf Studios have been generating some excitement.

Rachelle Bloom of the Gregory Economic Development Group (GED) presented the group’s plans for the downtown park, located between Southern Plains Behavioral Health and the movie theater. GED has worked with Kirwan Design for a zero-to-low maintenance plan which includes several phases of development to allow for the group to raise funding.