New FDA Water Standards- EQIP Can Help The recent publication of the FDA’s final rule on agricultural water marks a significant milestone in ensuring the safety and quality of produce grown for sale. This rule, developed under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), sets standards for the
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North Central Regional Food Business Center The North Central Regional Food Business Center (NC-RFBC) is a collaboration of stakeholders in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota who are working to build capacity and resiliency in the food value chain, including small and mid-sized producers, processors, aggregators, distributors,
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North Central Regional Food Business Center Summit Highlights The North Central Regional Food Business Center, organized by Region 5 of the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, recently hosted a successful two-day summit in Fargo, North Dakota. The event brought together partners and stakeholders from across North Dakota, Minnesota,
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Pilot Produce Gleaning Program to Address Food Insecurity Food waste is a major issue in the overall food system. Approximately 40% of food finds its way into the dump every year. At the same time, one in nine people in South Dakota are food insecure. A grassroots
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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
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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
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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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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
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The 3rd Annual Convergence: A Successful Gathering of Indigenous Leaders and Advocates Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota The 3rd Annual Convergence, a community-focused conference held on the Pine Ridge Reservation, concluded with resounding success. The event brought together Indigenous leaders, advocates, and community members to discuss critical
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USDA Reminds Producers of Climate-Smart Opportunities Using Farm Loan Programs The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds agricultural producers that Farm Loan Programs can be used to support a variety of climate-smart agriculture practices, which build on many practices that farmers and ranchers already
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