Join the South Dakota Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA) to ‘Sow the Connection,’ a free educational and networking event designed to connect organic and regenerative farmers, local food producers, and buyers of organic and local food and feed ingredients on Monday, September 21, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Veranda at the  Meadow Barn in Harrisburg, South Dakota (SD).

Join a lively conversation about the growing organic and regenerative movement in local food, feed, and personal care products in SD and beyond. Panelists from grocery to foodservice to larger volume commodity organic buyers, including the Pomegranate Market, Sioux Falls Food Co+op, Vangaard Hospitality Group, Healthy Food Ingredients, and NFOrganics, will share current market trends, sourcing needs, pricing considerations, and supply chain expectations from key industry buyers. Other interested buyers are strongly encouraged to attend. 

Hear from the S.D. Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA Farm Services Agency, and S.D. Dept. of Economic Development on what economic opportunities exist in SD for organic, regenerative food systems. 

Organic and specialty crop farmers will also share their marketing journeys, grant opportunities they have pursued, challenges they have faced, and the best advice they have learned along the way.

Enjoy lunch and ice cream and visit vendor tables to explore resources for transitioning farmers, certification support, regenerative ag, and marketing opportunities. Participants will have time to network with organic food and feed buyers seeking regenerative, local, and organic ingredients.

Pre-registration is required for this free event at https://farmerbuyernetworking.eventbrite.com.

Organic producers, local food farmers, buyers sourcing these products, agricultural organizations, and industry professionals are encouraged to attend this event. This is a unique chance to meet people who can mutually benefit each other: buyers looking to source locally, and producers ready to connect with new markets.

This program has been funded under a Conservation Collaboration Cooperative Agreement NR246740XXXXC008 between the NRCS and SDSPA to promote sustainable agriculture practices and environmental stewardship.

-------

Links:

SDSPA Website: http://www.sdspecialtyproducers.org/

SDSPA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sdspa/

Registration: https://farmerbuyernetworking.eventbrite.com

###

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.