The Ness School of Management and Economics Records document the academic, research, and outreach activities of the department (formerly the Department of Economics) at South Dakota State University. Spanning decades, the records reflect the school’s evolving role in agricultural economics, rural development, public policy, and economic education.
Materials include administrative files, annual reports, newsletters, correspondence, photographs, academic program reviews, faculty directories, banquet programs, and documentation of scholarship awards. A significant portion of the collection consists of publications and research outputs—such as Economics Commentator issues, Agricultural Experiment Station bulletins, Cooperative Extension Service reports, economics pamphlets, staff papers, and research reports—addressing a wide range of topics including land values, sustainable agriculture, farm management, irrigation, taxation, rural manufacturing, and conservation policy.
The collection is notable for its extensive documentation of economic conditions and policy analysis in South Dakota, including studies on agricultural land use, environmental programs, price reporting, and farm enterprise budgeting. Also represented are special projects such as symposiums, community outreach efforts, and economic education workshops.
This collection is a resource for understanding the history and influence of economic research and education at SDSU, particularly in its application to South Dakota’s agricultural and rural development challenges. It highlights the department's longstanding commitment to integrating academic inquiry with public service and policymaking in the state and beyond.