Technology connects people
to a cleaner Earth
Earth Day is a global event held annually on April 22, but thanks in part to the state’s strong agricultural economy, South Dakotans have long been good stewards of the land, water, and air. Celebrate Earth Day by checking out how people across Golden West’s service territory use technology to preserve our precious natural resources for generations to come.
Technology supports agriculture
Farmers, ranchers, and rural communities use technology to make a living, but they also work to maximize efficiencies and support each other. Internet use also supports the environment in many instances, such as monitoring livestock and soil health, supporting rural businesses and remote workers, and serving as a communication tool.
Precision agriculture allows farmers to more effectively manage every inch of soil. GPS-guided equipment and sensors can map small differences across long distances, increasing yields while reducing fuel, repair, and maintenance costs.
Livestock management benefits from GPS tracking as well, with new technological advancements making it easier for ranchers to detect livestock disease and monitor grazing distributions. This includes noticing potential injuries in cattle that do not move for a long period of time and allowing people to set virtual boundaries around the pasture.
Working to help
With the rise of the internet, it has never been easier to open a business that can reach people around the country. Small businesses like clothing stores, bakeries, and handmade craft shops can operate from home by shipping their products, while also remaining open for neighbors down the block.
Golden West supports remote workers across the state, connecting them to employers in other states and allowing them to work where they want to live. Working remotely from home reduces the need for constant travel, saving time and hassle, while also reducing potential pollution.
Local involvement
The internet makes it easier to find Earth Day events, allowing people to do clothing swaps, recycle electronics that may be sitting in a junk drawer, and buy local products. Many Earth Day events highlight local businesses and sustainable practices anyone can implement.
Around the state people also organize cleanups in their communities. These involve groups meeting where litter needs to be picked up or cleared from streams or rivers. Check with your local town officials or chamber of commerce or watch social media for events happening near you. Even if you don’t have an organized cleanup day, picking up trash when you see it can improve water quality and protect wildlife.
