Aggregation

Aggregation is an opportunity for producers, especially small to medium farms, to develop a larger and more consistent market. Through aggregation, producers can collaborate with others to sell their products together.

The development of aggregation may look different based on community needs. It could come in many forms:  a regional food hub or multi-farm CSAs, a co-ops or retail site, pooling single products for increased inventory, carpooling or shared transport of products to connect with a restaurant, retailer, or institution (such as nursing home, school, hospital).

Aggregation Exploration in South Dakota

In early 2023 the S.D. Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA), through a Specialty Crop Block Grant provided by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, coordinated regional meetings to explore the interest in aggregation.

Producers and other community stakeholders were able to discuss current opportunities and projects, possible aggregation models, and barriers to regional aggregation. Below are recordings, topics, and resources from these meetings, as well as specific statewide and regional opportunities that producers are invited to get involved with.

If interested in sharing an aggregation opportunity for producers on this site, please submit by click the button below. Contact SDSPA with questions.

Submit Aggregation Opportunity

Statewide

Opportunities:

Contact SDSPA if interested in connecting.

West/Black Hills Region

Opportunities:

2024 Regional Meeting- West (Virtual):

  • Meeting Recording
  • Farm to School programs and opportunities in South Dakota, Anna Tvedt, SDSU Extension.
  • Diamond E Collective, a walk-in retail space in Rapid City where producers can jointly market their products with Cindy Tolle.

2023 Regional Meeting- Rapid City:

Contact SDSPA if interested in connecting.

Central / I-90 Region

Opportunities:

2024 Regional Meeting- Central (Virtual):

  • Meeting Recording
  • Experiences of implementing and running a processing facility on the farm for value added products with Gwen Kitzan, Kitzan Family Farms. Angela Jackson, Prairiesun Organics will discuss the “plant in a box” concept, which offers a fully operational and mobile processing plant. Discuss what similar models could look like for specialty crops.

2023 Regional Meeting- Chamberlain:

Contact SDSPA if interested in connecting.

Northeast Region

Opportunities:

2024 Regional Meeting- Northeast (Virtual):

  • Meeting Recording
  • Sustainable Food Hubs and Aggregation Models. Learn more about Dakota Fresh’s food hub model with Lisa Smith, and Dakota Food Rx with Geb Bastian, and their producer opportunities.

2023 Regional Meeting- Watertown

Contact SDSPA if interested in connecting.

Southeast Region

Opportunities:

  • Dakota Fresh Food Hub
    • A farmer-owned collective that pools resources to market and distribute members’ products in Brookings, Sioux Falls, Vermillion and Yankton.
  • Dakota Community Market
    • A planned food co-op and community space in Brookings, S.D. seeking to bring local products together with organic, specialty, and more.
  • Fruit of the Coop (email)
    • Eggs are from hens raised on pasture, resulting in a nutrient dense, high quality product. In addition to sourcing from their own flock of birds, they buy eggs from local suppliers and sell to restaurants in the Sioux Falls area.
  • Prairiesun Processing Plant (email)
    • Vermillion area. It can be moved short distances or used on farm. It can be used for vegetable processing and for certified organic.

2024 Regional Meeting- Southeast

  • Meeting Recording
  • Information on Sodak Compost and how to build community compost programs with Deirdre Appel.
  • Robert Foley, Main Street Market, and Eric Ambroson, Planning and Development District III, will highlight a proposed commercial kitchen project in Tyndall, S.D.
  • Hear about the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) and the Farm Fresh Produce Prescription Program in North Carolina. This program is an innovative way to distribute local food through prescriptions from participating healthcare and insurance providers.

2023 Regional Meeting- Yankton

Contact SDSPA if interested in connecting.

Survey of Businesses and Institutional Buyers

S.D. Specialty Producers Association continues to collect responses for 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 foods. The survey includes questions about barriers and interest, purchasing power, and current markets.

Answers are welcome from chefs, florists, retail locations, business owners, wholesalers, distributors, and anyone currently or interested in purchasing from local producers.

Buyers Evaluation Survey

Potential Markets

S.D. Chefs, Restaurant, Caterer & Foodservice
S.D. Farm to School
S.D. Food Hubs & Online Markets
S.D. Grocers & Retail Stores
S.D. Wholesale Buyers & Institutions

Find Local Producers

An online directory featuring local foods and specialty products is available on the SDSPA website. Explore the various product pages and Google Maps to find the items you are looking.

SDSPA Local Food Directory

SDSPA Resources

Aggregation Podcasts
Aggregation Resource Guide
Aggregation Business Model
Aggregation Video Playlist (YouTube)
Market Survey Reports
Food Safety Resources

Latest SDSPA Videos & Resources

Resource Guide: Aggregation Business Model

Aggregation Business Model The purpose of this model is to provide insight and resources for creating a regional aggregation system. It also offers prompts and important considerations when working to implement regional aggregation. The contents are based on SDSPA’s projects and data collection. Published: Sept. 2024

Reports: Market Survey Results

Buyer Evaluation Survey Summary (Sept., 2024) Summary of responses to SD Specialty Producers Association’s 2024 Buyer Evaluation. Buyer Evaluation Survey Flier (July, 2024) Brief summary of responses to SD Specialty Producers Association’s 2024 Buyer Evaluation. Value Added Production Facility in Central South Dakota, SDSPA Results of 2023

Video: A Closer Look at No Chemical Systems for Wholesale Grape Production

Presenter: Greg and Muriel Stach, Lewis and Clark Lake Vineyard Description: Lewis and Clark Lake Vineyard hosted a tour for producers interested in learning about wholesale grape production and no chemical systems. During the tour Greg Stach shared about his experience selling wholesale grapes to Prairie Berry

Podcast: Impacts of a Year Round Farmers Market on the Local Food System

  Presenters: Dr. Margaret Brady, Owner of the Mill Downtown; Jamie Smidt Fowler, Local Food Coordinator, Golden Hills Resource Conservation Development; and Deborah Solie, Project Associate, Center for Rural Affairs.  Description: Listen in to hear about Market at the Mill, a new year round market for local

Video: Navigating On-Farm Food Safety Programs

Presenters: Teresa Wiemerslage, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Field Specialist Description: S.D. Specialty Producers hosted a webinar focused on on-farm food safety including FSMA and GAP. Teresa Wiemerslage shared about produce safety programs, discussed best practices, the importance of food safety, and the basics of food

Video: Multi Farm CSA with City Commons CSA

Presenters: Alice Bagley with Fields of Plenty, City Commons Cooperative Description: Alice Bagley with Fields of Plenty spoke on the topic of their multi farm CSA, City Commons CSA in Detroit, MI, sharing advantages and considerations of a multi farm CSA. Recorded: March 28, 2023 This segment

Resource Guide: Aggregation

Aggregation Resource Guide Aggregation can build a healthy local food system by allowing producers to pool their time, knowledge, and products to provide a larger and more consistent supply for consumers.  This resource guide is designed to help specialty crop producers who are exploring, or getting started

For a complete listing of SDSPA videos, publications, podcasts and recommended resources visit our Resource Library.

Aggregation News