By Scout Nelson
The South Dakota Specialty Producers Association invites the public to submit nominations for the 2025 South Dakota Specialty Crop Producer of the Year Award. This honor celebrates a farmer who shows strong leadership, dedication, and service in specialty crop production. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, honey, and nursery crops such as flowers and plants.
The award is supported by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Together, these groups aim to recognize farmers who help expand access to fresh, locally grown food across the state.
Many specialty crop farmers work hard to grow products such as honey, cut flowers, fruits, vegetables, and value-added goods like jams and salsas. These local products appear at farmers markets, restaurants, schools, hospitals, and retail stores thanks to the efforts of committed growers.
The award will highlight one producer who shows leadership in agriculture, promotes specialty crops, and helps strengthen South Dakota’s local food systems.
Nominees should also support beginner farmers and help build the next generation of specialty crop producers. Anyone may submit a nomination, including customers, community members, and producers themselves.
Nominations must be submitted by December 19, 2025. Each nomination may include up to 500 words and must feature at least one photo of the nominee. The form is available on the SDSPA website. After nominations close, a panel of judges will review entries and select top finalists.
Public voting opens December 29, 2025. The winner will be announced at one of the South Dakota Producers Summits on February 13 in Rapid City or February 20 in Huron. The award includes a free summit pass, a one-year SDSPA membership, and recognition on SDSPA’s website, newsletter, and social media pages.
Nomination Form direct link: https://forms.gle/RUaiHBpFEModJSa1A
SDSPA website: https://sdspecialtyproducers.org/p/17905
Graphics- File Link
Photo Credit: pexels-aiselin82
Categories: South Dakota, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables