2025 Upper Midwest Urban & Rural Agriculture Innovation Conference (UMURAI) Don’t forget to register for the 2025 Upper Midwest Urban & Rural Agriculture Innovation Conference (UMURAI)! The conference dates have been set for Feb. 6-7, 2025 at Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center at Cedar Shore in Oacoma, S.D. This conference
Read more →USDA Resources for Urban Ag: Applying for NRCS EQIP Programs Understanding the USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): A Vital Tool for Sustainable Agriculture As climate change and environmental degradation continue to challenge agricultural practices, the USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) offers critical support to farmers
Read more →Understanding Risk Management Webinar for Transitioning to Organic Production Transitioning to organic production involves a shift in farming practices and entails certain risks that need to be managed effectively. This webinar discusses several key considerations for transitioning organic producers regarding various risks that require careful management to
Read more →South Dakota Specialty Producers to Bolster Organic Farming South Dakota’s organic farming sector received a significant boost with South Dakota Specialty Producers (SDSPA) joining a cooperative agreement under the Plains Transition to Organic Partnership Program (Plains TOPP). This program offers crucial technical assistance and support to farmers
Read more →Pushing Local Food Forward in South Dakota: an RFBC Update In a state as rural and large as South Dakota, it can feel as if those advocating for local food are doing so alone. Fortunately, you’re not alone! South Dakota Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA) has been partnering
Read more →SDSPA Conducting Survey of Businesses and Institutional Buyers S.D. Specialty Producers Association is collecting responses on our buyer evaluation survey. The purpose of this survey is to gauge interest of businesses and institutions across the state in regards to purchasing specialty crops, value added products, and local
Read more →2024 Price Sharing Project In 2024 SDSPA will collect price sharing data for the early (May 25- June 8), mid (July 27-Aug 10), and late (Sept 7-21) season. Products will include fruit, vegetables and honey. Data stays anonymous and no location is attached to the data. Visit
Read more →South Dakota Specialty Producers and Value Added Ag Development Center Offer Help with Business Builder Grants Attention South Dakota food businesses! Are you looking to expand or strengthen your operations? Boost Your Business with Grant Assistance South Dakota Specialty Producers (SDSPA) and Value Added Ag Development Center
Read more →Strengthening South Dakota’s Local Food System: A Unified Effort Partnering under the umbrella of the North Central USDA Regional Food Business Center grant (RFBC), the South Dakota Specialty Producers Association and the Value Added Agriculture Development Center are fostering transformative change. As technical service providers for this
Read more →South Dakota Organizations Collaborate to Build Resilient Food System Right now is the best time to start or expand your plans for specialty crop production in South Dakota. Though the Covid-19 pandemic revealed our food systems were not as strong as believed, we are not allowing that
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