Register Today for SD Local Foods Conference

Register today for the 3rd SD Local Foods Conference

Registration deadline is TODAY!

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Join us to continue the dialogue on local foods in South Dakota among producers, consumers, farmers markets, restaurants, and other interested parties. There will also be a tour of Battle Creek Gardens near Hermosa and an SDSPA business meeting at Prairie Berry Winery.

Friday Agenda

* Sources for Equipment, Seeds, Supplies
* Starting a Vineyard
* Grape Research
* Growing Hops in South Dakota
* Natural Pest Control
* Tour of Battle Creek Gardens
* SDSPA Business Meeting at Prairie Berry Winery

Saturday Agenda

* Katie Pinke – Keynote Speaker
* Backyard Poultry
* Farmers Market Rules/Regulations
* Selling to Restaurants
* Social Media Tools
* Beginning CSA Session
* Local Foods Distribution
* Food Product Labeling
* Farm to School
* Local Foods in Indian Country

Register Now

Both days: $65
One Day Only: $35

Location

Adoba Hotel
445 Mt Rushmore Rd
Rapid City, SD
605-348-8300 (tel:605-348-8300)

Friday, November 15

8:30 am – 2:15 pm
2:15 pm – Leave for Battle Creek Gardens
6:00 pm – SDSPA Business Meeting at Prairie Berry Winery (dinner on your own at Winery)

Saturday, November 16

8:00 am – 3:45 pm

Brought to you by SD Department of Agriculture, SDSU Extension, SD Speciality Producers Association, USDA Rural Development, SD Buy Fresh Buy Local, SD Value-Added Agriculture Development Center, Northern Plains Sustainable Ag, National Relief Charities, and Dakota Rural Action.

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Dakota Rural Action

We organize and build community power in promoting and protecting natural resources & resilient food and energy systems for future generations in South Dakota.

Dakota Rural Action

14 hours ago

🚨Take Action to keep electricity rates affordable!Black Hills Energy wants to raise electricity ⚡ rates for their South Dakota customers by 25% - tell the state Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to reject this request!💲In BHE’s filings to the PUC, the company said that this increase will add about $25 per month to residential bills (about $300 per year). On top of rising grocery prices, gas prices, and healthcare costs, many South Dakotans are already struggling. 📌BHE has to get approval from the SD PUC to increase their rates, and YOU can weigh in on this process. ⏰Submit your comment today! It doesn’t take long, and your comment becomes part of the public record. The PUC needs to hear from as many of BHE’s 75,000 South Dakota customers as possible. 🗒Comments must include: Black Hills Energy’s name, the docket number EL26-003, your full name, mailing address, e-mail address, and phone number. These comments should be emailed to puc@state.sd.us or mailed or hand-delivered to PUC, 500 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501. ... See MoreSee Less

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Dakota Rural Action

3 days ago

❓Did you know that nearly half (49%) of South Dakota's nursing home residents are enrolled in Medicaid? This provides essential coverage for elderly or disabled people who can't remain in their homes. 📌This fall, the ballot measure Amendment I could undermine this coverage for elderly and disabled South Dakotans. 📌South Dakotans approved Medicaid Expansion in 2022. Amendment I would automatically end Expansion if the federal match falls below 90%, leaving far fewer options for people faced with these tough decisions. #Medicaid #ElderCare #RuralHealthcare ... See MoreSee Less

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Dakota Rural Action

4 days ago

⚠️While this project is across the border in Wyoming, it's still in the Black Hills National Forest. You have until Aug. 28 to submit your comments, which you can do either online or via the mail. 📌Comments may be sent electronically to cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=291093📌Written comments may also be submitted to: Black Hills National Forest Supervisor's Office, 1019 N 5th Street, Custer, SD 57730. Written comments will be accepted by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on August 28, 2026. Comments submitted after this date may not be included in the analysis. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered.📌Please remember to keep your comments civil and focused on the project itself. Thank you for your action!Bear Lodge Rare Earths Project – COMMENTS NEEDED!On July 29, 2026, the Black Hills National Forest announced a comment period for a rare earths mining project proposed by Rare Element Resources Inc (RER). This project is no longer on hold.DEADLINE TO SUBMIT COMMENT IS 8/28/2026 11:59:59 PM (MST).COMMENT ONLINE:cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=291093SEND WRITTEN COMMENT TO:Wendy Schuyler, Project Managerc/o Bearlodge Ranger District101 S 21st StP.O. Box 680Sundance, Wyoming 82729605-673-9361wendy.schuyler@usda.govREADING ROOM:cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/ReadingRoom?Project=291093To read more about this project, go to: bhcleanwateralliance.org/rare-earths/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Dakota Rural Action

4 days ago

📣Excting news to share! After an extensive search, we are pleased to announce Jason Schoch as our next Executive Director. Jason succeeds long-time director Frank James, who retired last year. Chase Jensen, DRA’s Organizing Director, has been the acting director in the interim. “Our search for an Executive Director has concluded as we welcome Jason Schoch to the role, who has a strong background with grassroots efforts and experience working with all residents of our state. Our staff’s deep commitment to South Dakota and grassroots organizing allowed DRA to move through this process with ease while maintaining a strong foundation. We are excited as we begin a new chapter in DRA’s story,” said Paula Antoine, DRA Board Chairwoman.Jason is joining DRA after 14 years leading South Dakota State University Extension’s Tribal Local Foods Program and six years as Project Director of Dr. Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots program on the Pine Ridge Reservation. With extensive experience in leading and developing teams, supporting new and beginning producers, revitalizing rural community development, and farm-to-school initiatives, he is a proven leader with a passion for all South Dakotans and sovereign Tribal Nations. Schoch has worked in impoverished communities, focusing on community food systems and leading wildlife- and biodiversity-friendly, nature-based, regenerative small farming programs. “One of my first formative memories when I was little was attending farm auctions with my grandfather during the 80s farm crisis. I remember him bidding on equipment he didn’t really need, just trying to help his neighbors out of a terrible situation. I also remember how hard he worked to keep our family farm afloat and profitable in a changing world that made sustaining agriculture and rural life increasingly difficult,” Jason said of his lifelong connections to the farming community.“In South Dakota, there’s a resilience in our farmers, our rural communities, and in the people from rural areas living in our cities. We have the grit, ingenuity, and pragmatism to face today’s challenges, just as my grandfather did decades ago. I am proud to join Dakota Rural Action in fighting to protect remaining small family farms, to organize those who call South Dakota home, and to give voice to a part of the country often ignored by today’s self-appointed power brokers.” Please join us in welcoming Jason to DRA! He will officially start in September so keep an eye out for opportunities to meet Jason in the upcoming months. ... See MoreSee Less

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Dakota Rural Action

4 days ago

🚨Check out this great opportunity to join with other folks around the region in a conversation about how data center development and the rapid growth of AI is impacting the region and how we can make sure our families, workers, and communities are protected during these rapidly changing times. ⏰Register today! ... See MoreSee Less

Siouxland Summit Registration Page – United Today, Stronger Tomorrow

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Join union, faith and rural community members in a conversation about how data center development and the rapid growth of AI is impacting the region and how we can make sure our families, workers, and...

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Register Today for SD Local Foods Conference November 8, 2013

Register today for the 3rd SD Local Foods Conference

Registration deadline is TODAY!

Friday Agenda

Saturday Agenda

Register Now

Location

Friday, November 15

Saturday, November 16

Dakota Rural Action

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