Skip to main content

Search

A young man and woman holding a csa box filled with fresh vegetables.

CSA Subscription ‘Box’

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscriptions vary by producers; there is no set rule on the package size or box contents.

A table at a farmers market filled with fresh vegetable displays.

Developing a Vision Statement for a Farmers Market

The Vision Statement is a picture of what the market organizers want the market to look and feel like in the future.

A table display of vegetables at a farmer's market.

Farmers Market Food Safety: At the Market

Displaying food and produce safely requires attention to reducing the risk of contamination.

A row of vendor tents at a farmers market.

Drafting Farmers Market Documents: Market Rules

It is strongly recommended that new and existing farmers markets draft rules to govern the daily operation of the market.

A young girl with a snail-shaped watering can.

Ages & Stages in the Garden: Ages 6-8

A garden can be used to teach many concepts to a board range of ages. When working with early elementary youth you will want to consider characteristics of their development when planning lessons and activities.

A young, freckled girl eating small, red tomatoes inside a greenhouse.

Agritourism

When a producer has decided to sell a product directly from the farm, entertainment or tourism-based activities could be incorporated to create larger appeal. Agritourism could add value to the farm visit though education, entertainment, outdoor recreation, dining, relaxation or other avenues, potentially drawing more customers in.

A community garden plot with several tomato plants growing.

Community Gardens: Garden Rules - Operational Guidelines

When developing garden rules or participate guidelines it is important to address activities related to the operations of the garden. Clearly state that gardeners are expected to maintain their plot for the entire season and list the dates of the season during which they are responsible.

A green front-end-loader pulling a hay mower with a flushing bar.

Haying With Wildlife in Mind

Anyone who has spent time cutting hay knows that hayland can be a magnet for wildlife in late spring and early summer. Hay fields are often considered an “ecological trap” for wildlife; that is, they appear to be high quality habitat for nesting or feeding due to tall, dense grass and legumes, but often lead to increased mortality once harvesting is under way.

A sprawling green field of field pea plantings

Field Pea Variety Trial Results

In 2023, field pea trials were planted at different locations in South Dakota.

A large pile of silage on a farm lot.

High-Quality Silage Making & Safe Practices: Both are necessities

Throughout the forage growing season many producers are putting up silage piles. To this point they have been predominately forages such as haylage or small grain silage; however, we will soon be moving into corn silage cutting season.