South Dakota 2019-20 SARE State Plan of Work

Project Overview

NCSD19-001
Project Type: PDP State Program
Funds awarded in 2019: $129,998.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2021
Grant Recipient: South Dakota State University
Region: North Central
State: South Dakota
State Coordinators:
Dr. David Karki
South Dakota State University
Co-Coordinators:
Dr. Rhoda Burrows
South Dakota State University

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Crop Production: conservation tillage, cover crops, greenhouses, high tunnels or hoop houses
  • Education and Training: extension, farmer to farmer, networking, workshop
  • Farm Business Management: agritourism, farm-to-institution, marketing management
  • Natural Resources/Environment: carbon sequestration
  • Production Systems: integrated crop and livestock systems
  • Sustainable Communities: leadership development, local and regional food systems, partnerships

    Proposal abstract:

    South Dakota is a rural state with a population of about 869,666 people (US Census 2018). The unemployment rate in SD was 3.2% in June 2018, below the national average of 4% (SD Bureau of Finance and Management 2018). Agriculture is South Dakota’s number one industry with over $25 billion dollars in generated revenue contributing to 20% of state’s economy and employing 15% of the population in agriculture production and related fields in 2012 (South Dakota Department of Agriculture 2014). However, the farm economy has weakened over the last few years due to low commodity prices and SD Farm income is at its lowest since peaking in 2011 (SD Bureau of Finance and Management 2018). South Dakota’s beef industry is the main driver of the livestock economy, with 1.69 million beef cows in the state, it ranks 7th in the nation (USDA-NASS 2016). Pasture and rangeland account for half of the land use with the remaining used for crop production. The major crops are corn, soybeans, wheat, all hay, sunflower, oats, and sorghum (USDA-NASS 2016). Conventional agriculture tends to dominate the state with only a small minority of producers that are involved with alternative, sustainable, or organic agricultural practices. There are very few non-governmental agencies (NGOs) working on sustainable agriculture issues in the state.  

    South Dakota State University (SDSU) is the Land Grant institution with missions in research, teaching, and extension. SDSU Extension has seven regional hubs strategically located across the state where 37 field specialists and associated field staff, with specific duties in generally one discipline reside (iGrow 2018). Extension’s core focus areas are: 4-H & youth, livestock, agronomy, healthy families, community development, and gardens. Extension mirrors the agricultural climate in South Dakota, however, local foods, community development and soil health are gaining traction. South Dakota SARE has been coordinated by Dr. Alexander (Sandy) Smart, a rangeland ecologist, in the Department of Natural Resources, since January 2015. Dr. Smart has spent considerable time rejuvenating the advisory board and increased activity to outreach professionals through travel scholarships and mini-grants. In 2018, Dr. Smart recruited Dr. Rhoda Burrows, SDSU Extension Horticultural specialist, to help co-coordinate the FACE of SARE portion plan of work.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    Professional Development Initiatives for 2019-2020

    1. Soil Health

    a.)  Expected outcomes. Short term: extension, public sector, and private consultants will learn how to increase soil carbon, increase efficiency of the water cycle, and use of cover crops.  Intermediate term: 50% of trained extension, public sector, and private consultants will use new knowledge from SARE supported trainings to train producers on topics related to soil carbon, efficiency of the water cycle, and use of cover crops. Long-term: 25% of producers attending training will adopt practices related to the above topics.

    b.)  Activities. Various opportunities will exist through SDSU Extension, SDSHC, SDGC, NRCS, and others to provide meetings, workshops, and schools on soil health, cover crops, no-till, efficient water cycle, and efficient nutrient cycle on croplands and grazing lands. We expect to support two to three soil health workshops which will occur in the winter of 2019 and 2020 and the SDSHC Soil Health School each fall. Participants will learn basic principles of: soil structure, microbiology, no-till and cover crop management.  One hundred fifty participants are expected, including SDSU Extension, NRCS personnel, NGO’s, private industry and farmers. SARE will continue to provide travel scholarships to assist individual educators to attend regional meetings on sustainable agriculture and on cover crops.  Educators will use information gained at workshops to educate producers about sustainable agriculture.

    c.)  Evaluation. Participants will be surveyed to assess what they have learned and ask them suggestions for improving the program(s), and if their interest in attending a follow-up event. After an event is over, review with the presenters what they see as the further information and/or training needs of the audience.

     

    2. Livestock Crop Integration

    a.)  Expected outcomes. Short term: extension, public sector, and private consultants will learn how to integrate the use of livestock and crop production.  Intermediate term: 50% of trained extension, public sector, and private consultants will use new knowledge from SARE supported trainings to train producers on topics related to grazing fall cover crops, full season cover crops, and residues. Long-term: 25% of producers attending training will adopt practices related to integrating livestock and crop production.

    b.)  Activities.  Support a workshop and field day with intensive grazing at Southeast Research Farm in July or September. This workshop will include a pasture walk through the intensive grazing trials at SERF. We expect about 150 participants, including SDSU Extension, NGO’s, private industry and farmers.  The audience will learn the basics of intensive grazing. We plan to provide funding for mini-grants and travel scholarships supporting sustainable agriculture.  Extension personnel will utilize gained knowledge by sharing it with producers.

    c.)  Evaluation. Participants will be surveyed to assess what they have learned and ask them suggestions for improving the program(s), and if their interest in attending a follow-up event. After an event is over, review with the presenters what they see as the further information and/or training needs of the audience.

    3. Local Foods

    a.)  Expected outcomes.  Short term: extension, public sector, and private consultants will learn about local vegetable and fruit hubs, production techniques, marketing, and pest management.  Intermediate term: 50% of trained extension, public sector, and private consultants will use new knowledge from SARE supported trainings to train producers on topics related to vegetable and fruit cooperatives, production techniques, marketing, and pest management. Long-term: 25% of producers attending training will adopt practices related to local food production.  

    b.)  Activities. Support the South Dakota Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA) in their field tours and workshops. We anticipate about 100 participants consisting of SDSU Extension, NGO’s, private industry and farmers. The audience should better understand the principles of sustainable food production; general production, high tunnel management, marketing, food hubs and CSA’s. We also will support the South Dakota Local Foods Conference held in November each year. SARE will support travel scholarships and mini-grants concerning high tunnels, producer cooperation and general production practices. Educators will use information gained at workshops to advise and educate producers.     

    c.)  Evaluation. Participants will be surveyed to assess what they have learned and ask them suggestions for improving the program(s), and if their interest in attending a follow-up event. After an event is over, review with the presenters what they see as the further information and/or training needs of the audience.

    4. Beginning Farmer/Ranchers: Building Sustainable Operations.

    a.)  Expected outcomes.  Short term: extension staff will learn how to better assist beginning farmers and ranchers on: general production, financial management, marketing, financial assistance and the establishment of a relationship with a farmer mentor. Intermediate term: 50% of trained extension staff will use new knowledge from SARE supported trainings to train producers on topics related to general production, financial management, marketing, financial assistance and the establishment of a relationship with a farmer mentor. Long-term: 25% of producers attending training will adopt practices related to beginning farmer and rancher programs.

    b.)  Activities.  Cooperate with Dakota Rural Action through support for the Farm Beginnings Course, a 10-month class that meets twice a month for people who want to learn about agriculture production. Participants will learn whole farm planning and critical farm management skills such as goal setting, business planning, creative financing, and innovative marketing skills. Participants also will see sustainable farming practices being used on real farms and have opportunities to engage in farmer mentorship experiences. Our support provides professional development for those involved in teaching the classes and those that participate. We also will support South Dakota Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA) in building capacity/strategic planning at their annual meeting. Professional development will strengthen SDSPA staff in their mission to diversify agricultural production in South Dakota. We will continue support travel scholarships and mini-grants concerning high tunnels, producer cooperation and general production practices. Educators will use information gained at workshops to educate producers.    

    c.)  Evaluation. Participants will be surveyed to assess what they have learned and ask them suggestions for improving the program(s), and if their interest in attending a follow-up event. After an event is over, review with the presenters what they see as the further information and/or training needs of the audience.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.