Dakota Life - Greetings from Newton Hills

A hilly forest hideaway on the plateau of South Dakota’s eastern Coteau des Prairies, Newton Hills

State Park near Canton houses picnicking and camping sites, skiing and hiking trails, and bountiful wildlife watching.

Glean for Good

From Newton Hills, Dakota Life travels to Garretson to meet Dr. Beth Jensen. A family medicine physician, Dr. Jensen turned her family’s sustainable acreage into “Glean for Good,” where visitors can usually get their hands dirty and learn about living off the land. During the pandemic, Dr. Jensen has pivoted to “Glean Screen Sessions,” in which classes and groups can schedule one-on-one online time with animals like Ginger the Llama, the farm’s most popular denizen.

Brand Recognition

What’s behind a brand? SDPB takes you out onto the range and introduces you to brand inspector J.R. Holloway of Faith Livestock Auction, Robert Dennis of Dennis Ranch in Red Owl and Debbie Trapp, Executive Director of the South Dakota Brand Board to learn why some people hold onto the family brand long after they’ve left the ranching lifestyle.

Snake Visions

In central South Dakota, a petroform snake is a link to the past. SDPB explores meanings behind Medicine Knoll Snake Effigy with Dr. Craig Howe and Dr. Vine Deloria Jr., who chronicled a familial connection to the site in his book, Singing for a Spirit.

Red Barn Hunting Retreats

Venture to the grasslands of Brule County near Kimball where the Konechne family hosts pheasant hunts for guests from around the world.

Together as One

In 1982, the communities of Springfield, Tabor, and Tyndall consolidated to form the Bon Homme school district. Throughout its nearly fourdecade history, only two men, Russ Morrell and Byron Pudwill, have held the position of head football coach for the Bon Homme Cavaliers. Meet these two coaches and get a sense of the passion for a high school sports program with traditions and consistency that endure today.

Tune in for an all-new episode of Dakota Life, Thursday, January 7, 8pm (7 MT) on SDPB1 and SDPB.org. Rebroadcasts on SDPB1 Sunday, January 10 at 1pm (noon MT) and on SDPB2 Sunday, January 24 at 5:30pm (4:30 MT).