Lewis and Clark Lake Vineyard Tour Highlights Organic Management Principles
On Oct. 13, 2025, SDSPA hosted a Plains Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) hands-on educational field day at Lewis and Clark Lake Vineyard in Yankton, S.D., featuring vineyard expert Greg Stach and organic transition advisor Dr. Angela Jackson.
For the first part of the field day, participants joined Stach for a guided vineyard walk highlighting soil-building strategies, creating inputs, best practice for pruning, and practical tips for successful grape production in South Dakota under organic management principles.
Stach shared insights from biodynamic farming, including the importance of timing, biodiversity, and whole-farm ecological balance in grape production. Attendees then heard from Dr. Jackson on the step-by-step process of transitioning vineyards and orchards to USDA Organic certification, with guidance on recordkeeping, inputs, and conservation practices.
Plains Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) Field Day on the Oct. 13th at Lewis & Clark Vineyard.
Viewing the vermicompost bin at the Oct. 13th TOPP Field Day at Lewis & Clark Vineyard.
Touring the vineyard & learning about pruning during the Oct. 13th TOPP Field Day at Lewis & Clark Vineyard.