Marking the 20th anniversary of Annie’s Project, the SDSU Extension is taking interested attendees on tours to two special farming spots in South Dakota. These tours offer insights into unconventional farming methods and produce.
The upcoming Fall Festival Specialty Crop Tour will visit Peterson Plantation near Colton on September 23 for its pumpkin pies and squash varieties. The farm specializes in delicata, spaghetti, buttercup, butternut, and acorn squash. Attendees can enjoy pumpkin pie and SDSU ice cream, as well as fresh produce for purchase.
On Oct. 4, the tour moves to Prairie Creek Farm in Sturgis, a diversified farm known for producing fresh produce throughout the year using innovative methods like underground greenhouses, known as walipini. This visit is paired with the Taste of the Black Hills event, offering local food tastings.
Robin Salverson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist, shares that this special tour series was inspired by attendees of Annie’s Project. She noted the desire to celebrate the project with something distinct from their usual events.
For the uninitiated, Annie’s Project, launched in 2003, is a national endeavor aimed at strengthening women in agriculture through various resources, networking, and education. South Dakota welcomed the program in 2006 under the guidance of Salverson.
The tours are free for all, registered on SDSU Extension website under "crop. Experts Lorna Saboe-Wounded Head and Robin Salverson are the go-to experts for the Colton and Sturgis tours, respectively.
Photo Credit: SDSU Extension
Categories: South Dakota, Crops