Field Day: Transitioning to Organic: Vineyard Health & Certification Steps

S.D. Speciality Producers Association will host a Plains Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) hands-on educational field day at Lewis and Clark Vineyard in Yankton, S.D., featuring vineyard expert Greg Stach and organic transition advisor Dr. Angela Jackson.

Participants will join Stach for a guided vineyard walk highlighting the stages of grape plant health, soil-building strategies, and practical tips for successful grape production in South Dakota under organic management principles. Stach will also share insights from biodynamic farming, including the importance of timing, biodiversity, and whole-farm ecological balance in grape production.

From 2-4 p.m., attendees will gather at the beautiful Lewis and Clark Resort meeting room for Dr. Jackson’s educational session on the step-by-step process of transitioning vineyards and orchards to USDA Organic certification, with guidance on recordkeeping, inputs, and conservation practices.

Light refreshments will be provided, and all area growers are invited to attend this free learning opportunity. Learn more.

This program is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).