The Dakota Local Food Challenge officially started on Saturday … but if you didn’t remember, didn’t get the memo, or just needed a little more time to gear up for it, it’s not to late to sign up! Head on over the main page for details: dakotafire.net/golocal Read More »
The wheels are turning at the Dakota Fresh Food Hub, as producers gear up for delivery Spring 2016. Kari O’Neill, Community Development Field Specialist at South Dakota State University’s Extension Office, she considers herself a very active facilitator to the producers who are getting the hub up and running. “We decided from the beginning that we were going to start ... Read More »
What’s the state of the soil throughout the Dakotafire region? “There’s no way to know,” according to officials, but “there’s always room for improvement.” South Dakota State University Extension and the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition have joined forces in a proactive attempt at ensuring the state’s soil is conducive to growing for the long haul, according to Sandy Smart, ... Read More »
“This has been the grain bin year.” Frankie Rollins, who has built grain bins for the past six years with Hart Steel, said the company has been busier than normal in 2014, and that more and more bidding competition is emerging in southeastern South Dakota. “I hear of a lot of new crews starting up, so it sounds to me like this year has been the grain bin year,” he said. Read More »
Genetically modified corn and beans that are resistant to several herbicides including 2,4-D are a step closer to being planted in a field near you after a decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday. Read More »
Kochia has been a weed of concern in South Dakota for almost a century. First introduced to the U.S. as an ornamental plant in 1900, kochia has had plenty of time to become an aggressive weed. Read More »
Advocates of the new technology say the new crops provide a vital weapon in the war against weed resistance to glyphosate, which is becoming a stubborn and costly problem for farmers across the country. Unfortunately, stubborn weeds aren’t the only thing that 2,4-D kills, and gardeners, vineyard owners and even other farmers of commodities who don’t switch to the new technology could be affected if the 2,4-D drifts onto their fields. Read More »
If you're a woman involved in the agriculture industry, then Annie's Project may be the program for you. Read More »
Picket Fence Creamery in Woodward, Iowa, has figured out how to do local dairy right. Neighbors, someone take the model and bring it to the Dakotas. Read More »
If you are a farmer or are considering diversifying your farm or may be launching a new farm business, we can help you grow. FARRMS and Common Enterprise Development Corporation (CEDC) are working together on a producer/farmer survey exploring the feasibility of light processing, food hubs, farmer alliances or similar tools to increase the amount of fresh produce grown and eaten locally. Planning includes an economic development summit in early 2015 to discuss potential projects with economic developers. Read More »
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