About the South Dakota Youth Institute
The South Dakota Youth Institute is a transformative experience where high school students engage with local leaders and agriculture experts on critical global challenges, participate in hands-on activities and explore meaningful ways to make a difference in South Dakota and around the world.
The South Dakota Youth Institute is hosted by the South Dakota State University with the generous support of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences; the College of Education and Human Services; and the South Dakota FFA Foundation.
Date: April 2, 2025
Venue: South Dakota State University
Registration Deadline: March 19, 2025
Paper Submission: March 20-March 27, 2025
How to participate
Global Challenge Paper: To participate in the South Dakota Youth Institute, high school students research an issue related to food security and write a paper under the supervision of a teacher or mentor.
Cost: There is no registration cost to participate in the Institute and meals will be provided during the event. However, both student and teacher/mentor participants must organize their own transportation to and from the event in Brookings, South Dakota.
Eligibility: Ninth through twelfth grade students are eligible to participate in the South Dakota Youth Institute.
Global Challenge Instructions Sample Student Paper
Benefits of participating
Students who participate in the South Dakota Youth Institute earn recognition as a Borlaug Scholar and become eligible to be invited as a student delegate to attend the Global Youth Institute in Des Moines, Iowa. Participating high school students have the opportunity to:
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Present research and recommendations on ways to solve key global challenges in a short speech and small group discussions with leading agriculture experts;
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Become eligible for the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship, an all expenses-paid, eight-week hands-on experience for students to work with world-renowned scientists and policymakers at leading research centers around the world;
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Connect with other student leaders from across South Dakota to share ideas, identify solutions to these problems and build lasting friendships;
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Explore the issues, current research and opportunities to make a difference with organizations based in South Dakota;
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Interact with global leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs in South Dakota working to improve food security around the world; and
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Have their research paper evaluated by the World Food Prize Board of Reviewers. Reviewers provide feedback to each student who participates in the Youth Institute.
For any questions about the South Dakota Youth Institute, please contact: Austin Castillo-Leovan, Program Coordinator for Global Youth Programs and Partnerships, acastilloleovan@worldfoodprize.org or 515-313-8615 OR Jim Connors, james.connors@sdstate.edu.