Resource Providers
There are several agencies in the state that are available to help as you plan your food business.
South Dakota Small Business Development Center
Need help starting, growing and improving your business in South Dakota? The South Dakota Small Business Development Center works as an advisor for South Dakota businesses to start or grow by assisting with business planning, operational improvement, and product or market development.
South Dakota Value Added Agriculture Development Center
The South Dakota Value Added Agriculture Development Center (VAADC) fosters creation of value added concepts by delivering on-going technical services to help emerging and existing agribusinesses address individual needs. VAADC offers comprehensive expertise in feasibility assessment, business planning, funding and start-up, expansion, operational strategy that equip individuals
SDSU Extension
Thinking of starting a business in the local foods industry? Wanting to expand or enhance an existing business? SDSU Extension provides several resources to help support food entrepreneurs. Explore SDSU Extension Local Foods for information on handling & processing, canning, cottage food laws, marketing and sales venues, food
Latest Resources
Explore this collection of resources for producers who sell direct to consumers or to other local food markets. This collection focuses on business development.
Description: This recorded webinar features the S.D. Small Business Development Center (SD SBDC) and Farm Service Agency (FSA). During the recording, Matty Kerr from the SD SBDC shares resources and services available to producers for business planning prior to approaching a lender. Gail Gullickson from FSA discusses
Description: This video is focused on seasonal labor hiring and retention for specialty crop producers. First, hear from Nancy Kirstein, from The Good Earth Farm in Lennox, SD, about a variety of seasonal labor opportunities that The Good Earth Farm has utilized including WOOFing, live-in interns, and
Description: In this recording hear from Dan Johnson, Senior Revenue Agent from the SD Department of Revenue. Dan shares important record keeping considerations when collecting various payment types, the basics of sales tax for different types of specialty crop businesses, and other important tax and filing information.
Presenter: Ariana Torres Bravo, Purdue University Description: Listeners will hear from Ariana Torres Bravo about the Hort Calculator Tool developed by the Purdue University Horticulture Business team. This tool can assist beginning or seasoned farmers with calculating crop profitability and planning profitable farm investments. Check out the
Presenter: Kathy Zeman, Executive Director, Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association Description: Explore market garden profitability by learning important record keeping considerations, common mistakes made by specialty crop farmers, and how to utilize the Grow Your Green profitability resources created by the Minnesota Farmers Market Association. Check out the
Presenter: Jayne Watson, Community Planning and Zoning Consultant Description: Each community in South Dakota has its own set of rules and regulations dealing with structures, animals and land use. Learn more about what this means for small scale producers. Learn more in the informative webinar. Recorded: Nov.
For a complete listing of SDSPA videos, publications, podcasts and recommended resources visit our Resource Library.
Resources
Business Planning Guide, Small Business Development Center
SDSPA’s Business Planing Workshop, 2023
Business Start-up Packet & Resources, S.D. Governor’s Office of Economic Development
In the News
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Brand Scripting Workshop with Dakota Growth for SDSPA Members
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UMURAI 2025 Brings Together Resources and Education for Local Producers
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Registration Open for 2025 Upper Midwest Urban & Rural Agriculture Innovation Conference (UMURAI)
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USDA Resources for Urban Ag: Applying for NRCS EQIP Programs
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Understanding Risk Management Webinar for Transitioning to Organic Production
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South Dakota Specialty Producers to Bolster Organic Farming
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Pushing Local Food Forward in South Dakota: an RFBC Update
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SDSPA Conducting Survey of Businesses and Institutional Buyers
