SDSU Extension co-hosting 2025 South Dakota Local Foods Conference

Attendees of the 2024 Local Foods Conference participate in a pumpkin workshop.

BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to partner with Dakota Rural Action, the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, McCrory Gardens at SDSU and members of the South Dakota Local Foods Coalition to present the 2025 Local Foods Conference.

This year’s conference is themed “Growing Forward Together” and will be Nov. 7-8, 2025, at the Best Western Ramkota Inn in Aberdeen. Registration is required. Adult tickets are $150 for both days or $100 for one day. Student tickets are $100 for both days or $60 for one day. To register, visit the SDSU Extension Events page and search “local foods”.

The annual conference provides education and networking for local producers and their supporters and is open to everyone. Its goal is to nurture a better local food system in South Dakota by celebrating our state’s producers, consumers and food system professionals.

Amanda Bachmann, SDSU Extension Urban Entomology Field Specialist, said one of the ways to do that is simply by connecting people who produce food with those who consume it. She and Robin Buterbaugh, SDSU Extension Horticulture Field Specialist, added that 2025 has been a unique year, with several uncommon disruptions to food systems across the country. This year’s conference is an opportunity to gather and recharge.

“Previous meetings had varying focuses, this year we’re merging all that together, and trying to regroup a little with all the things going on,” Buterbaugh said.

The conference will host two keynote speakers: Anthony Warrior, Indianpreneurship director at Nebraska Indian Community College and owner of Warrior's Palate catering; and Courtney Long, Iowa State University Extension Food Systems Program Manager.

Other opportunities include breakout sessions taught by business owners, farmers and scientists in the region, including several presentations on farm-to-school programs.

Buterbaugh and Bachmann noted that local food production extends well beyond fruits and vegetables – such as meat, grains and dairy – and encourage everyone with an interest in supporting local food systems to attend this year’s conference.

“It takes everybody to have the local foods pipeline,” Bachmann said. “A lot of us are familiar with going to the farmer’s market and buying things from a producer. But if you want to see those things in local restaurants or schools or other institutions, we need community members to be involved and making those connections and being the force for change in their community.”

For more information, contact Gemma Bastian, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Nutrition and Health Specialist.