2021 South Dakota Local Foods Conference Videos

Virtual event held November, 2021. The event is coordinated by the S.D. Local Foods Coalition. Recordings provided by SDSU Extension.

 

Welcome & SARE Keynote- Rob Hage, Blind Butcher Brewing Co., Inwood IA

How the Hage family farm unexpectedly turned its machine shed into a small batch brewery

2021 South Dakota Local Foods Conference: NCR-SARE Farmer’s Forum Panel

Several SARE Grant Recipients share about their SARE grant experience, and the outcomes of their projects. Panel included:

Mark Brannen, Owner of Benson Bounty, LLC- “Planting a Profitable Pollination Habitat with Native Nebraska Plants.” This SARE funded project that explored the profitability of growing native perennials plants marketing them though a variety of channels. 

Dr. Amanda Blair, Professor & SDSU Extension Meat Science Specialist, discussing growing producer interstate’s in establishing small meat processing facilities to provide alternative marketing opportunities and associated programs. 

Shannon Mutchelknaus, Owner of Wayward Springs, who has been continuously growing for two years in a year-round greenhouse structure. This project presented the design, build and resulting efficiency of a greenhouse structure designed to enable year-round growing of plants and produce in our USDA Zone 4 climate without using costly fossil fuels or laborious wood fuel as heat sources. 

 

Small Enterprise Product Pricing & Budgeting with AJ Granelli of Homegrown Pork & Poultry

 

How do you set a price for your product as a small producer? We will explore how to create small enterprise budgets and use these budgets in developing a pricing strat- egy for your products.
 
An overview of SD DANR Specialty Crop Program with Bill Smith (SD DANR) 

(Start at 50:51) Bill Smith will provide a brief overview of South Dakota’s Specialty Crop program. The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).” The program is geared towards those producers who are involved with the production of these types of crops.

 

IPM for Organic Production with Amanda Bachman & Gared Schaffer, SDSU Extension

This presentation will discuss strategies for insect and weed control/prevention outside of chemical means using the framework of integrated pest management. We will have time for questions from producers, so bring your thoughts!

 

Living Mulch: A discussion of on-farm innovation with cover crops with Dr. Kristine Lang & Dr. Rhoda Burrows, SDSU

What is a ‘living mulch’ and how might it be used on your farm? Kristine Lang and Rhoda Burrows share recent research on using cover crop living mulch systems on vegetable farms. They will present their upcoming research trials in South Dakota. This presentation will share challenges and successes managing weeds and integrating cover crops on your farm. 

Living Mulch (pdf) 

 

Back to our Roots: Food Preservation with Megan Erickson, SDSU Extension 

(Start at 58:37) Whether you have excess produce from your garden or you simply want to know how to preserve your own jam, food preservation has grown in interest over the past few years. Come learn about safe home food preservation techniques and what to do if you are having diffificulty fifinding canning lids. Also, learn about SDSU Extension’s Master Food Preserver Volunteer program and how you can get connected across the state!

Chicken Keeping, Egg Processing & Entrepreneurship with Stephanie Peterson, Fruit of the Coop

This presentation will cover all aspects of backyard flock management from raising chicks to coop and run requirements, nutrition and common health issues. In addition, learn about the ins and outs of running a small-scale egg business, including the nuts and bolts of egg processing such as licensing, handling and candling. Woven throughout the presentation will be a discussion on the entrepreneurial skills needed to be resilient and sustainable in the face of a changing farm environment.

 

Growing Farm to School with Anna Barr, SDSU Extension 

(Start at 53:34) South Dakota recently ranked 50th in state farm to school activities. In this session, we will look into what’s holding us back and begin to address avenues for progress. You will leave with a better understanding of 1. school nutrition programs 2. school foodservice director desires for purchasing local foods 3. steps to get involved in farm to school 
 
Revisiting South Dakota’s Cottage Food Laws with Rebecca Terk, Dakota Rural Action

Over a decade ago, South Dakota local food producers were being shut down by health departments for selling jams, jellies, and baked goods at farmers markets in the state. Dakota Rural Action organized producers, consumers, and market managers to work with the SD Dept of Health and SDSU Extension to draft the first home processed foods — or “pickle” law. Now, after a decade of experience, we are re-visiting the law to help make the process of selling certain homemade foods more accessible for producers across the state. This session will outline the discussions we’ve had and changes we’re proposing ahead of the 2022 legislative session.
Plants, Passions & Problems with Colton Riley & Aleixis Schmidt 

(Start at 54:07) South Dakota State University students share perspectives on community stewardship, local food production, and addressing food insecurity.
On November 30, 2021   /   News, Resources