News

Member Spotlight: Cherry Rock Farms & Iron Fox Farm kick off Farm to School programs
Marco and Laura Patzer, with Cherry Rock Farm teach fourth graders how to plant pea shoots. On Thursday April 28th, DRA member Laura Patzer with Cherry Rock Farm visited Fred Assam Elementary School in Sioux Falls to help the fourth … Continued

What Do We Want? Farms Not Factories
On Tuesday April 5th 2022, Lincoln County Commissioner heard the appeal of Planning and Zoning’s decision to allow Primo Feedlot to expand from 1,000 to 2,000 head of cattle. The public comment period and discussion lasted almost two hours as … Continued

Campaign For Family Farms and the Environment fly-in week was a Success!
During the last week of March, DRA members participated in a virtual fly-in with our national representatives as a coordinated effort with other member organizations of The Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment (CFFE). CFFE is a coalition … Continued

LET’S BUILD A GREENHOUSE – SKILLSHARE
Serendipity Farmstead Do you want to learn how to build a greenhouse? Wanna hangout with like minded agrarians, foodies, farmers and local food enthusiasts? Do you want to help a local farmer get ready for this upcoming season? Date: April … Continued

Lincoln County Continues to Fight Primo Feedlot LLC Expansion
Why should you care? Currently in South Dakota 78% of South Dakota stream-miles and 85% of lake acres are considered “impaired.” One of the reasons for this contamination is e-coli and other contaminants from industrial agricultural run-off. This ongoing pollution … Continued

DRA Weekly Legislative Update
Saving the Best for Last In the final week of the legislative session DRA enjoyed a great legislative accomplishment by successfully passing our Cottage Food bill! And not by a slim margin, either – the bill received every single vote … Continued

Cottage Foods Reform Under Threat! Contact Your Senators
Cottage Foods Reform passed its second committee UNANIMOUSLY this week. HOORAY!!! HOWEVER, despite HB 1322 having passed with no opposition, Senate Commerce Committee Chair Casey Crabtree (R-Madison) refused to place the bill on the consent (non-debate) calendar, due to an … Continued

DRA Weekly Legislative Update
Closing in on “Summer Break” As we head into the final week of the legislative session the energy at the capitol is reminiscent of the final weeks of school before break. People are a bit more energetic than in weeks … Continued

ACTION ALERT: Cottage Foods Reform Up in Senate Committee
Cottage Foods Reform (HB 1322) sailed through the House floor last week on a UNANIMOUS (70-0) vote! Now, the bill heads to Senate Commerce & Energy Committee on Thursday, 3/3 for its second chamber consideration. Contact Members of Senate Commerce … Continued