Specialty Crop Farmers Showcase Businesses at Sioux Falls Event

Specialty Crop Farmers Showcase Businesses at Sioux Falls Event

On March 1st local specialty crop farmers set up at the Prairie West Library in Sioux Falls, S.D. to showcase their businesses. The public was invited to stop by, connect with the farmers, take part in the giveaways, and learn about options for local flowers, produce, and other products. Visitors were able to learn about specialty crops, seeds, and sourcing local while playing Farmer Bingo to win giveaways from the participating producers!

The free event helped consumers identify area producers and a food hub to learn about their products and services.  Participants included 605 Petals & Pines, Blue Sky Vegetable Co., Country Apple Orchard, Quiet Water Farm, The Specialty Crop, Tilford Rye, the Dakota Fresh Food Hub and other area farmers.

Consumers learned about what producers sell, product availability, growing practices and more. Consumers learned about buying options including CSA’s, Community Support Ag programs, where you can receive a box of in-season produce weekly over the growing season and Food Hubs, which offers weekly ordering of a wide range of producers’ products on a one-stop shopping website. They also leaned discovered on-farm events and workshops that will occur this season.

Attendees participated in ‘Farmer Bingo.’ After visiting with a variety of the farmers, they were entered to win giveaways of local products, including a workshop ticket from 605 Petals and Pines, a trial CSA for the month of June from Tilford Rye, a 1-night farm stay at The Specialty Crop, and Blue Sky Vegetable Company’s hot sauce.

The event was sponsored by the S.D. Specialty Producers Association through the Specialty Crop Block Grant program overseen by the S.D. Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources.