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Ages & Stages in the Garden: Ages 9-11

When working with upper elementary youth in a garden consider their physical development and skill level as you develop learning activities. Nine to eleven year olds have better coordination and reaction time by this age, however sometimes dues to growth spurs there can be short-term issues with balance and coordination. Additionally, these children have more body strength and their hand dexterity has increased.

a hand pick an onion from a box of vegetables

CSA Benefits: A Consumer Perspective

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs can offer a wide variety of benefits to consumers.

A husband and wife displaying fresh produce at a farmer's market stand.

Local Foods Legislation Introduced

Consumers who want to know more about where and how their food is raised are creating a bigger voice nationally. The increasing sales of local foods provides a bright spot for agriculture and a way to bring young farmers into agricultural production.

A young woman eating a green apple while watching the sun rise outside her window.

SDSU Extension Encourages South Dakotans to Participate in Annual Crunch Off

September 30, 2022

The South Dakota Crunch off is a statewide event anytime between September 26 and October 7, 2022 to celebrate local produce and Farm to School by crunching into any South Dakota grown “crunchy” fruit or vegetable.

A lush, green spinach patch growing in a community garden

Community Gardens: Liability Insurance

Groups organizing a community garden often ask about liability insurance. They will typically consider getting a policy if they have an organization to protect, or as coverage for the landowner in case a participant is injured and elects to sue.

A row of CSA subscription boxes with the words Green Market printed on them.

CSA Models

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) marketing is an outlet that allows a farmer to sell subscriptions or shares to consumers prior to the growing season. When the produce or food product is harvested it is then delivered on a scheduled basis to the customer.

South Dakota Farm to School logo

SDSU Extension to offer ‘Bringing the Farm to School’ Producer Trainings in Brookings and Rapid City

January 09, 2023

Farmers, ranchers, gardeners and local food processors can learn strategies for growing and selling their products to school nutrition programs at the Bringing the Farm to School: Local Producer Training Jan. 18-19 in Brookings or Feb. 14-15 in Rapid City.

A dog eating out of a bowl.

Pet Food & Pet Treats

In South Dakota the Department of Agriculture Feed & Animal Remedy Program is the agency that oversees the manufacturing, licensing and labeling of animal feeds and remedies. Local foods producers interested in selling pet foods or pet treats need to be in compliance with this program.

A produce stand with yellow wagon wheels and a green canopy.

Roadside Stand

Local food producers have many options when it comes to marketing their locally grown produce. Roadside or farm stands can be either permanent or temporary structures near a road or in a parking lot that sell directly to consumers.

A green combine harvesting wheat.

Factors Affecting Wheat Production Decisions: Producer survey findings

Recent USDA data shows that during the past 3 years acres devoted to wheat production continue declining in both South Dakota and North Dakota (USDA, 2018). South Dakota wheat acres experienced a remarkable decrease of 31.5% during the past 3 years, compared with a relatively mild drop of 16.4% by North Dakota.