BROOKINGS — Registration is open for the sixth annual South Dakota State University Extension Community Vitality Energize Conference on May 22-23 in Hot Springs.

Energize is a two-day event exploring innovative rural communities and includes speakers, breakout groups and social events highlighting the host community’s resources and rural community success stories. Participants can choose from sessions led by South Dakota’s leaders with success stories from rural areas and a nationally known keynote speaker.

This year’s keynote is author, humorist and singer/songwriter Michael Perry, who grew up on a dairy farm in rural Wisconsin. He describes himself as an “accidental New York Times bestselling author” with works like “Population: 485,” a memoir that describes his hometown from his perspective as a volunteer firefighter.

Early registration for adults 21 and older is $95 per person by April 1, or $55 for those under 21. Early registrants will also be entered into a drawing for a free three-hour soak pass to Moccasin Springs that can be used the evening of May 22. Only 60 soak passes are available.

After April 1, tickets range from $60 to $115 until the day of the event. Registration at the door is $150, if space is available. Group discounts are available, allowing three or more people from the same community who register at the same time to receive a discounted rate. To register, visit the SDSU Extension Events page and search “energize.”

The annual conference works to energize South Dakota’s rural communities to develop new ideas and take action to improve. Previous community hosts have been Lemmon, Wessington Springs, De Smet, Milbank and Fort Pierre.

For more information, contact Peggy Schlechter, SDSU Extension community vitality field specialist at 605-394-1722 or peggy.schlecter@sdstate.edu; Kara Harders, SDSU Extension community vitality field specialist at 605-882-5140 or kara.harders@sdstate.edu or Kellie Kolb, SDSU Extension community vitality field specialist st 605-626-2870 or kellie.kolb@sdstate.edu.