Transitioning to Organic Vegetable Production

South Dakota Specialty Producers Association

Join SDSPA for an USDA TOPP field day to discuss weed management practices and use of cover crops; organic vegetable production.

Bear Butte Gardens

Join us on the farm to discuss effective weed management in organic vegetable production that involves a combination of cultural, mechanical, biological, and manual practices. Cover crops play a crucial role by competing with weeds, improving soil health, and providing a physical barrier to weed growth, making them an essential component of an integrated weed management strategy.This field day will take place at Bear Butte Gardens in Sturgis SD, owned by Michelle and Rick Grosek. Michelle &amp; Rick Grosek have operated Bear Butte Gardens since 2011 and certified vegetables and hay as organic beginning in 2012. The gardens were initially just Michelle’s adventure and have now grown to employ three additional part-time employees during the growing season. Groseks will be adding a second high tunnel greenhouse to their production over the next 12-18 months. Cover cropping, rotational planting, various methods of mulching, and composting are all ongoing goals on the farm.The Transitioning to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) in the Plains region is a network assembled by the USDA’s National Organic Program to support transitioning and organic producers with mentorship and resources. Dr. Angela K. Jackson, the SD Organic Ag Transition Advisor will discuss programs and resources that are needed to help farmers with transitioning to organic agriculture.This program is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP). Lunch will be a vegetable soup with sandwich on freshly baked bread with dessert bar or cookie by local chef Travis Bartels. The cost of the meal will be $15 payment will be taken at the Bear Butte Farmstand day of. Cash, card, or check is accepted. Beverages will be avalaible for an additional charge.

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Transitioning to Organic Vegetable Production

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Transitioning to Organic Vegetable Production

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