Join S.D. Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA) for a bus tour that highlights integrating season extension infrastructure, precision irrigation, and natural soil additives to maximize yields in high-density fruit and vegetable production in the Lake Andes, S.D. region. Farmers, resource providers, and others interested in agriculture are encouraged to attend.
During SDSPA’s second “Small Farms, Big Ideas: Summer Farm Tour” participants will see producers pushing the limits of a typical growing season in South Dakota through both ingenuity and specialized infrastructure. This three-stop producer-led tour offers a rare opportunity to examine technical, high-density setups designed to maximize every square foot of production.
Tour 2 will support growers interested in advanced season-extension tools or looking to implement low-cost infrastructure that delivers high-end results. Farm stops include:
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Stop 1: SUMISANSUI Mark II Irrigation, DIY caterpillar tunnels, humus as soil additive, and natural eco-friendly weed barrier: Lakeview Colony in Lake Andes, SD
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Stop 2: Early-season tomatoes, low tunnels with vented plastic, frost cloth, and different colored mulches: Clearfield Colony in Delmont, SD
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Stop 3: Cat tunnel tabletop strawberries with cash crop underneath, and cold hardy trellied kiwi: Pease Creek Colony in LakeAndes, SD
Your $23 registration includes all-day bus transportation and a full catered lunch at Clearfield Colony. The last day to register is July 8th.
Guests should wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather. Participants should be able to walk on uneven outdoor terrain. Please contact us if you have any mobility needs.
This program has been funded under a Conservation Collaboration Cooperative Agreement between the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and SDSPA, to promote sustainable agriculture practices and environmental stewardship.