South Dakotans Flock to Poultry Crawl

Feb 26, 2013

By Heidi Marsh

Did you know it takes approximately half the soybean harvest in Minnehaha County to feed our state’s poultry? Neither did I until last night when my husband Craig (the agronomist) and I attended a Poultry Crawl in Sioux Falls.

The Crawl, hosted by Ag United and the Poultry Association, was a progressive dinner that served poultry-based dishes prepared by three of Sioux Falls’ most popular chefs. We started the evening with a delicious turkey wrap and chicken skewer appetizer at K Restaurant. Chef Sanaa, owner of Sanaa’s Mediterranean restaurant, delighted us with a rice and turkey main dish. The night ended at Josiah’s Coffeehouse, where Steve Hildebrand gave credit for his delicious pie crusts to none other than good eggs!

The food was outstanding, but even more enlightening was the discussion with South Dakota poultry producers. Representatives from Dakota Provisions turkey in Huron, Dakota Layers eggs in Flandreau, Hy-Line North America genetics and others offered their expertise about the industry. Here’s just a few tidbits I learned:

• If you enjoy the Roasted Turkey & Avocado BLT from Panera, you’re eating turkey that's raised on a South Dakota Hutterite Colony and processed in Huron.
• Flandreau is being overtaken by hens! The hen population at Dakota Layers is over 500 times larger than the city population … that’s 1.3 Million busy little layers.
• South Dakota currently ranks first in goose production.
• City chicks in Sioux Falls? You bet! You can legally raise chickens in your backyard as long as the flock is maintained and kept in a coop. Visit HomeGrown Sioux Falls for more information.

Ag United hosts a variety of similar events all with the goal to educate and promote South Dakota farm and ranch families. Visit their website for more information.