Regional Aggregation Meetings Scheduled for April
During the first week of April join us virtually for regional meetings focused on aggregation resources, opportunities and challenges. Four separate meetings will provide opportunities to hear about other producers’ experiences and learn about market opportunities.
Speakers and topics will vary for each meeting. The events are broken into regions to allow conversations about specific geographical opportunities, however participants are welcome to join any meeting or topic they find relevant.
Region 1 (Western South Dakota): April 1st, 7 p.m. Mountain- Register Here
- Farm to School programs and opportunities in South Dakota. Anna Tvedt, SDSU Extension
- Diamond E Collective, a walk-in retail space in Rapid City where producers can jointly market their products. Cindy Tolle
Region 2 (Central South Dakota): April 2nd, 12 p.m. Central- Register Here
- Experiences of implementing and running processing plants on the farms with Gwen Kitzan, Kitzan Family Farms, and Angela Jackson, Prairiesun Organics. Jackson will discuss the “plant in a box” concept, which offers a fully operational and mobile processing plant.
Region 3 (Northeast South Dakota) : April 3rd, 7 p.m. Central- Register Here
- Sustainable Food Hubs and Aggregation Models. Learn more about Dakota Fresh’s food hub model with Lisa Smith, and Diamond E Collective with Cindy Tolle, and their producer opportunities.
Region 4 (Southeast South Dakota): April 4th, 10 a.m. Central- Register Here
- Information on Sodak Compost and how to build community compost programs with Deirdre Appel.
- Learn about an opportunity and interest survey for a commercial kitchen in Tyndall, S.D. Project led by Robert Foley, Main Street Market, and Eric Ambroson, Planning and Development District III.
- Hear about the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) and the Farm Fresh Produce Prescription Program in North Carolina. This program is an innovative way to distribute local food through prescriptions from participating healthcare and insurance providers.
Please register in advance for these free events. If you are aware of other current or upcoming aggregation opportunities in the state, please email SdSpecialtyProducers@gmail.com to assure they are invited to be included in the event.
Please contact SDSPA if you have questions.