Produce and hops farm tours July 21 near Sioux Falls
YANKTON, S.D. – The South Dakota Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA) has coordinated upcoming farm tours highlighting the specialty crop industry on July 21.
The first tour will feature small-scale vegetable and microgreen production at Tillford Rye Farm, 25530 481st Ave., Garretson, SD, from 12:30-3 p.m. CDT. The second tour focuses on hops production at Anderson Hop Farm, 26685 486th Ave., Valley Springs, SD, from 3:30-5 p.m. CDT.
Tillford Rye began in 2017 after Jeremy Nelson and Caitlyn Troge moved from Minneapolis to occupy eight acres in South Dakota originally owned by Nelson’s great-grandfather. This small-scale agricultural enterprise is located 10 miles northeast of Sioux Falls. They utilize organic farming principles: cover cropping, minimal tillage, and no synthetic chemicals as well as help to attract beneficial insects and pollinators. The farm produces specialty varieties of peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, beans, squash, purple sweet potatoes, radishes, melons, and microgreens.
During the event Nelson will share the farm’s story, discuss experiences with regenerative agriculture, and provide a tour of the property. Additionally, Deron Reusch, National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), will present on soil health. TheDakota Fresh Food Hub, a group of area producers, including Tillford Rye Farm, will also be featured. The hub sells healthy produce and meats to wholesale buyers and consumers in Sioux Falls.
Anderson Hops Farm launched in 2012, a pioneer in reigniting the South Dakota hops industry. Now, the state’s largest producer, they provide quality hops to breweries in the region and for their own on-site taproom, A Homestead Brew. Lee Anderson will share the farm story and provide a tour. Following the tour, beer and local food snacks will be available. Prices will vary.
Local producers, chefs, consumers and organizations involved in local or specialty foods are encouraged to attend the free tours. Bring your family and enjoy an afternoon learning about how your food is produced.Participants may attend one or both sessions. No registration is required. You will be a guest on tour hosts’ property, so please use common sense and follow directions. You come at your own risk.
Please note that chefs can receive 2.00 CEH’s for participating in the first tour and an additional 2.0 CEH’s for the 2nd tour.
The event is sponsored by SDSPA in partnership with Dakota Fresh Food Hub, SDSU Extension, the American Culinary Federation- Black Hills Chapter of Professional Chefs, Northern Plains Sustainable Ag Society, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, the USDA and the SD Department of Tourism.
Additional tours featuring specialty crops, meats and value-added products are scheduled this summer across the state. The next tours are schedule for July 28 near Chamberlain featuring hydroponic production and grass fed beef and Aug. 9 near Custer featuring greenhouse tomatoes and the utilization of gardens in patient recovery at Custer Regional Hospital. For a full listing of events visit sdspecialtyproducers.org or www.facebook.com/sdspa/.
For more information contact SDSPA at 605-430-4699 or SDSPAmembers@gmail.com.