Lessons from the Field: Land Management with Charlie Johnson
Video: Charlie Johnson from Johnson Farms in Madison, South Dakota, discusses their organic farming land management practices on 2,400 acres. They use a six-year crop rotation with 250-275 acres dedicated to each rotation segment. The farm has been organic since 1976 and has 180 head of cattle. Johnson emphasizes the importance of crop rotations, cover […]
Midwest Elderberry Cooperative
Video: Chris Patton, President of the Midwest Elderberry Cooperative shared with the SDSPA Mentorship group about the Midwest Elderberry Cooperative, elderberry production, and challenges producers face. Chris also discusses the current elderberry market and how small producers can increase their scale of production. Published: March 1, 2025 This project was supported in part by a […]
Seed Starting
Video: Michelle Grosek, owner of Bear Butte Gardens shares with the SDSPA Mentorship group about her seed starting process. She goes over soil blocking, creating a seed starting plan, gathering frost data and information from your seed packets, understanding when your seeds should be going into the ground, and more! Published: March 1, 2025 This […]
Grape Vine Trunk Disease and Grape Vine Pruning
Video: Greg Stach, Lewis and Clark Lake Vineyard kicked off the SDSPA Mentorship series sharing about grape vine trunk disease and proper vine pruning techniques. This recording gives an inside look at how grape vine trunk disease can present in midwest vineyards. There is also vineyard walkthrough footage to demonstrate proper pruning techniques to viewers. […]
South Dakota Organic Research for Transitioning Organic Farmers
Video: Peter Sexton, Ph.D. and Joslyn Fousert, research assistant, from the SDSU Southeast Research Farm discuss their work on organic research and how it benefits transitioning and beginning organic farmers. Charlie Johnson, organic farmer in SD, discusses his experience working with SDSU for on-farm organic research. Access Southeast Research Farm Annual Reports here. Recorded: March 31, […]
Local Food Aggregation: Exploring Models for Community-Based Supply Chains
Video: During this video listeners will have the chance to hear from three different panelists. Robinette Farms (Nebraska), Yellowstone Valley Food Hub (Montana), and Seasonal Harvest LLC (Wisconsin) have unique aggregation systems allowing them to distribute local food to individuals, restaurants, and institutions. During the webinar the panelists discuss more about how their food-hubs formed, […]
Facility Construction and Food Safety for Meat Processing
Video: Richard Greenman owner of FWO meats shared with the SDSPA Mentorship Group about USDA processing facility and food safety details for chicken, beef, buffalo, lamb, pork and elk. Greenman discusses important elements to consider and some of the processes involved. Recorded: Feb. 25, 2025 This program is supported through the USDA Regional Food Business […]
On Farm Business Management and Best Practices for Poultry Production
Video: Richard Greenman owner of FWO meats shared with the SDSPA Mentorship Group about on farm business management and best practices for poultry, from getting started, to profitability and marketing your product. Greenman produces pastured raised poultry in Box Elder, SD. Recorded: Feb. 18, 2025 This program is supported through the USDA Regional Food Business […]
Developing a Soil Health Plan for Regenerative Organic Farming
Video: Dr. Angela K. Jackson, SDSPA, and Mark Gutierrez, Executive Director of the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition discuss the importance of working through a plan for soil health in your organic operation, and offer tips for developing that plan. Gutierrez points out practical ways to start small and build soil health on your farm to […]
Organic Potato Research With SDSU Southeast Research Farm
Video: This video gives a closer look at the SDSU Southeast Research Farm (SERF), located near Beresford, S.D. and their 2024 potato research. This video showcases an organic potato variety trial on the comparison of tilled versus mulched no-till plots completed in 2024 growing season by Joslyn Fousert, SDSU Agronomy Hort Research Assistant. The recording […]