Field Day to Showcase Organic Garlic Production
Join us at Prairie Coteau Farm in Astoria, SD, on Sept. 10, 2025 for a hands-on field day exploring organic garlic production. Learn directly from grower Kristianna Gehant Siddens on organic regulations, sourcing seed garlic, planting how-to, post-harvest practices, and storage strategies.
Gehant Siddens and her family work to grow healthy food on their farm in Deuel County, SD. They specialize in certified organic garlic, garlic scapes and 100% grassfed lamb.
Prairie Coteau began as a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and market farm, but after several years of harvesting beautiful garlic for CSA shares, they decided to focus their efforts there. Since 2004, they’ve tested over twenty varieties and continue to try different cultivars to provide our customers with great flavor and quality, currently offering six varieties of garlic.
Prairie Coteau is committed to certified organic, regenerative growing practices for the health of ourselves, their customers and our environment. Their operation utilizes crop rotation, mulching and rotational grazing to produce healthy garlic and grass without synthetic herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers. They apply naturally-sourced minerals and amendments for a well-balanced, biologically active soil that provides fertility while reducing pests and disease.
This on-farm event will include a walking tour of the field to observe garlic planting and to learn production tips. Dr. Angela K. Jackson, SDSPA Organic Transition Advisor, will share organic resources and certification details relevant to garlic growers.
Gehant Siddens, who is also the lab manager for the Ecdysis Research Collaboration, will also share insights from the organization’s work. The Ecdysis Foundation, which started in 2016, conducts research and education to transform agriculture towards regenerative principles.
This field day is for current and beginning farmers, technical service providers, gardeners, and anyone who would like to learn more about producing, harvesting and storing organic garlic.
Pre-registration is required for this free event. Participants are encouraged to bring a lunch to enjoy during informal networking time.
Register HereThis event is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).
Additional programming supporting producers transitioning to organic is planned this fall. On Sept. 20th, 465 Farmstead in Hartford, S.D. will provide ‘real talk’ on transitioning to organic. For a full listing of events visit SDSPA event calendar.