2023 Fresh Bites- Grown Here: How South Dakota Producers are Growing their Specialty Crops

Grown Here: How South Dakota Producers are Growing their Specialty Crops. Today we are learning from two South Dakota Producers who provide their fellow residents with a summer salad necessity- lettuce. Kent Wilsey of Elk Creek Foods and Peggy Martin of Cedar Creek Gardens will be sharing how they produce lettuce on a large scale, while also giving ideas and tips that apply to producers of any scale.

South Dakota Producers & Consumers surrounding Sioux Falls have a great option for local foods with the Dakota Fresh Food Hub. Since 2016, Dakota Fresh has been working with producers of fruits, vegetables, honey, meats, dairy products, and more to help market and distribute their products with a system that is easier for both producers and the consumers. In this episode, their manager Connie McDonald and board member Chara Hymans (owner of StarFresh Farms) tell us about how what makes their system work well for consumers and producers.

Located near Minneapolis & St. Paul, The Good Acre Food Hub serves producers and consumers in their region. Going beyond simply connecting farmers with wholesale market needs, The Good Acre is also all about educating and supporting their producers, training school kitchen staff, and helping individuals in their region to enjoy food that was produced by their neighbor. With us today is Nikki Warner, The Good Acre Communications Director, to share their story.

Teresa Wiemerslage, of Iowa State University Extension, shares with us how Iowa has set up Food Hubs to serve local schools, and other wholesale customers. Teresa played a role in starting the Iowa Food Hub in the northeast corner of the state, and continues to be involved with the Iowa Food Hub Managers working group, as well as working to help schools develop procurement and use plans to make the implementation of local foods successful long term.   

SDSPA member, co-owner of Stewart’s Aronia Acre, and Vice President of National Aronia Growers, Jeff Stewart, shares his knowledge of the impressive aronia berry, and how he has worked alongside fellow aronia berry growers to develop a system of aggregation that helps producers to reach a broader market.

Episode 4

Integrated Pest Management for tomatoes and Peppers, with special guest Kristine Lang.

Integrated Pest Management for Curcubits with Marissa Schuh

with Dr Raymond Cloyd