South Dakota Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA)

SDSPA is a nonprofit comprised of a diverse, geographically dispersed  group of specialty producers in the state.  SDSPA’s members are growers, processors, chefs, marketers, consumers, resource providers and others interested in producing, marketing and consuming specialty crops and local products. The organization, founded in 2001, represents non-commodity products that include fruits and vegetables, specialty meats and grains, wine and beer, cut flowers, organic products, honey, agritourism businesses and more.

Mission Statement

South Dakota Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA) provides education, promotion and connections for specialty foods and products.

Activities

In addition to promoting its member’s products, SDSPA works to support its members in the following ways:

  • Developing cooperative marketing opportunities.
  • Serving as a venue for networking and information gathering.
  • Marketing agritourism.
  • Promoting South Dakota product identity.
  • Offering educational programs.
  • Supporting research.
  • Working with legislators and policy makers on legislation and issues beneficial to specialty crop growers.
  • Partnering with governmental agencies and other organizations on common goals.

Membership

SDSPA membership runs from Jan. 1- Dec. 31 of each calendar year. Annual dues are $30, and membership must be renewed annually to maintain benefits and voting rights.

Membership Involvement

Member engagement is necessary to move efforts forward. The SDSPA committees and projects provide a wide range of options for participation. Members can notify the designated contact to participate or select committees during our annual membership enrollment period in January of each year.

Position Statements

SDSPA’s official stance on issues. 

About Our Website

We’ve designed our site to be a hub of resources for specialty producers, as well as a means of showcasing our member’s products to the public. Whether you’re a producers, wholesale buyer or consumer, you’ll find lots of helpful information here.

Have an idea for us? We welcome your feedback (contact us here), and we look forward to serving you.

Members

Producer Member Listing
Member Features

 

 

SDSPA Board

Cheri Rath, President
Value Added Ag Development Center
Open, Vice President
Jewell Bork, Treasurer
Murdo Area Market Manager
Michael Gubbles, Secretary
Producer, Good Life Farms
Rhoda Burrows, Board Member
Horticulture Specialist, SDSU Extension
Kelly Scheetz, Board Member
Producer, Scheetz Mercantile
Bob Weyrich, Board Member
SD Small Business Development Center

 

 

SDSPA Support

Brenda Dreyer, Communications Coordinator
Morgan Hughes, Event & Project Coordinator
Angela Jackson, TOPP Organic Ag Transition Advisor & Organic Ag Advisor
Peggy Martin, NRCS Urban Ag Project Coordinator & Regional Food Business Center- Technical Advisor Coordinator
Malisa Niles, Urban Ag Liaison
Chris Zdorovtsov, Marketing Coordinator
Membership Information