Organic Regenerative

USDA National Organic Program

This federal regulatory program develops and enforces consistent national standards for organically products crops, livestock and other agricultural products sold in the U.S.

Organic Certifying Agencies

To find a certifying agent, use the ‘Organic Certifier Locator’ tool, which is kept updated by the National Organic Program and its accredited certifying agents.

National List of Allowed & Prohibited Substances

This USDA regulatory outline identifies synthetic and non-synthetic substances that can be used in organic production and handling, related to crop and livestock production, and handling and processing. 

South Dakota Organic Resource Guide

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of resources for those transitioning to or considering organic farming. Learn more about the state of organics in South Dakota. This guide identifies organic crop services, suppliers, support organizations and certifying agencies.

South Dakota Organic Resource Guide

Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP)

TOPP is a network assembled by the USDA’s National Organic Program to support transitioning organic producers with technical assistance and educational resources.

• Plains Region TOPP Program
• S.D. Specialty Producers Association is a regional partner. Contact us for technical assistance.

Sensitive Crop Production & Pesticide Damage

Pesticide drift is the aerial movement and unintentional deposit of pesticide outside the target area. If you suspect you have damage your first step is to contact SD Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

DriftWatch^® Specialty Crop Site and BeeCheck^® Apiary Registry are on-line sensitive site registry programs for South Dakota available through FieldWatch^®. This national registry is a voluntary communication tool that enables crop producers, beekeepers, and pesticide applicators to work together to protect specialty crops and apiaries through use of mapping programs.

South Dakota State of Organic Report

Slide Presentation, Organic statistics for S.D. and resources. By Angela Jackson, SDSPA, April 2024.

S.D. Specialty Producers Association

Dr. Angela K. Jackson, USDA TOPP Organic Ag Transition Advisor & Organic Ag Advisor

Email | 605-624-1966

USDA-AMS Organic Market Reports

These organic reports provides price, volume, and related information for commodities and products that have been grown, processed and certified to USDA’s National Organic Program standards.

Buyers, Brokers and Handlers in South Dakota

• Regenerative Organic Alliance Brand and Product Directory
• Central Plains Organic Farmers Association
• OFARM

Educational Program

• Rodale Institute
  • Rodale Institute is a prestigious 501(c)(3) global nonprofit dedicated to growing the regenerative organic agriculture movement through groundbreaking research, innovative direct farmer support programs, and rigorous education initiatives.They are headquartered on a 386-acre certified organic farm in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. The Institute has been a leader in organic farming in the United States and around the world for over 75-years.
• South Dakota Soil Health School
  • The SD Soil Health Coalition sponsors this event each fall, rotating the location around the state. The agenda features classroom style presentations from producers and technical experts from across the state and region, as well as hands-on experiences in the field. Area producers will also share their challenges and successes with various methods for improving soil health.
• Soil Health Academy
  • A non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization committed to empowering regeneration through education, the Soil Health Academy helps farmers first UNDERSTAND, and then effectively apply nature’s proven regenerative agriculture principles. Their mission is to cultivate healthier soil, food, farms, and communities, paving the way for a healthier future. 

Financial Program

• Mad Ag
  • Mad Ag is inspired by the Mad Farmer poems of Wendell Berry, which call us to rework society and agriculture with love, community and lots of radicalism. Mad Capital’s loan financing was designed to enable stewards to achieve their goals, and to work with nature, rather than against it. 

Production

• Marbleseed Organic
  • Formerly known as the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), Marbleseed was established in 1995 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to supporting farmers in their transition toward sustainable, organic farming systems that are ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially just.
• USDA National Agricultural Library- Organic Production Tools
  • Organic production is a system that integrates cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. On this page, find subject guides, legislation and regulations, production information, oral histories, and other resources for farmers and ranchers.

This section of the website showcases Organic Agriculture Research focusing on multidisciplinary studies that advance organic feed and food systems. Integrating agronomy, animal science, environmental studies, and food systems research to improve organic production, sustainability, and market access. Research supports resilient, regenerative farming practices that benefit farmers, consumers, and the planet.

Research Databases

• OFRF Organic Research Hub | Curated Farming Resources
• University of Wisconsin Organic Agriculture | Articles, Extension Publications
• University of Minnesota Organic Agriculture

Peer Reviewed Journals/Articles

• Carr, P, Gramig, G, McPhee, K, Kutka, F, Stoh, K, Zwinger, S, Organic Crop Cultivar Selection for Great Plains States in the North Central Region, North Dakota State University, Dickinson Research Extension Center, North Dakota State University, Department of Plant Sciences, North Dakota State University, Carrington Research Extension Center, and Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society, 2011. (Link)
• Delate, K., Study coordinator, New organic farming study tackles questions of soil health, economics and more, with input from farmers, Iowa State University, 2024. (Link)
• Delate, K,Franzen, H, Rees, M, Schneider, C, Evaluation of Organic Corn Varieties Southeast Research Farm, Iowa State University, 2021. (Link)
• Harms, K & Joshi, N, Organic Sweet Corn and Cabbage Production and Soil Health Implications when grown in Clover Living Mulch in Southeast SD, South Dakota State University Extension, 2025. (Link)
• Heins, B., University of Minnesota organic dairy research, current as of April 2025. (Link)
• Mohring, N., Muller, A., & Schaub, S., Farmer’s adoption of organic agriculture – a systematic global literature review, European Review of Agricultural Economics, Volume 51, Issue 4, September 2024, Pages 1012-1044, (Link)
• Nick, J, 10 ways organic improves soil health, Rodale Institute, September, 2018. (Link)
• Ostlie, M & Simons K, Organic Field Pea Variety Trials Data, Carrington Research Station North Dakota State University, 2023. (Link)
• Research Farm, Southeast South Dakota, “Southeast South Dakota Experiment Farm Annual Progress Report, 2024” (2024). Agricultural Experiment Station and Research Farm Annual Reports. 285. (Link)
  • Joshi, N & Xu, S, Response of Soil Health to Living Mulch Integration in Organic Vegetable Systems in South Dakota, 2024, Agricultural Experiment Station and Research Farm Annual Reports. 285, pg 52, SDSU Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science, Brookings, SD.
  • Harms, K, Johsi, N, Lang, K, Nleya, T, Exploratory Analysis of Clover Living Mulch Systems on First Year Sweet Corn Production, 2024, Agricultural Experiment Station and Research Farm Annual Reports. 285, pg 62, SDSU Department of Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant Science, Brookings, SD.
  • Fousert, J, Harms, K, Lang, K, Nleya, T, Exploring the Impact of Clover Living Mulch Systems on Second Year Cabbage Production, Agricultural Experiment Station and Research Farm Annual Reports, 285, 2024,pg 73, SDSU Department of Agronomy, Horticulture & Plant Science,Brookings, SD.
• Reganold, J. P & Wachter, J. M, (2016, Feb 3) Organic agriculture in the 21st century, Academia, Article #: 15221 | DOI: 10.1038/NPLANTS.2015.221 (Link)
• Ruen, C, Broccolini Performance in Three Established Clover Living Mulches in Eastern South Dakota: Year Two Results, South Dakota State University Extension, 2025. (Link)
• Schlatter, B., Trávníček, J., and Willer, H., (2024) The world of organic agriculture – Statistics and emerging trends from 2024, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL IFOAM – Organics International. (Link)
• Skorbiansky, S. R., USDA Economic Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Updated 1/23/2025, l (Link)
• Voye, H, South Dakota Vegetable Grower Experiences with Soil Tarping and Solarization during the 2024 Field Season, South Dakota State University Extension, 2025. (Link)