RedCircle VERIFY_TOKEN_63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6 -- Rendered At Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:55:34 +0000 South Dakota Specialty Producers Podcast https://redcircle.com/shows/south-dakota-specialty-producers-podcast en-US All rights reserved. Kathleen Rykhus In this Podcast, we’ll discuss production issues affecting South Dakota Specialty crop producers. Specialty crops as defined by the USDA are: “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.” The S.D. Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA) is made up of growers, processors, chefs, consumers, resource providers and others interested in producing, marketing and supporting South Dakota specialty crops, meats, and products. We are bringing you this podcast to help get good information to you as producers about the topics that are important to our members. Our first series of podcasts will address the challenge of pest management for Specialty producers in our region. 63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6 In this Podcast, we’ll discuss production issues affecting South Dakota Specialty crop producers. Specialty crops as defined by the USDA are: “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.”


The S.D. Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA) is made up of growers, processors, chefs, consumers, resource providers and others interested in producing, marketing and supporting South Dakota specialty crops, meats, and products.

]]> episodic no Kathleen Rykhus sdspainfo@gmail.com false full Maximizing Profit on A Small Scale Flower Farm Maximizing Profit on A Small Scale Flower Farm Kathleen Rykhus This episode is from the June 2025 SDSPA Flower Growers meeting where Jessica Chase from Sierra Flower Farm in Gardnerville, NV shared about Maximizing Production on a Small-Scale Flower Farm. Jessica gave practical strategies for increasing productivity on limited land, including succession planting, space-efficient systems, and streamlining your workload. She also touched on how to evaluate what’s working, what’s profitable, and how to adjust your crop mix or approach as your business grows.

For the full video and presentation, visit the SD Specialty Producers Association's YouTube.

Additional Sierra Flower Farm resources can be found on their blog.

https://www.sierraflowerfarm.com/

This project was supported in part by a Specialty Crop Block Grant Program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Its contents is solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.

]]> <p><span>This episode is from the June 2025 SDSPA Flower Growers meeting where Jessica Chase from Sierra Flower Farm in Gardnerville, NV shared about Maximizing Production on a Small-Scale Flower Farm. Jessica gave practical strategies for increasing productivity on limited land, including succession planting, space-efficient systems, and streamlining your workload. She also touched on how to evaluate what’s working, what’s profitable, and how to adjust your crop mix or approach as your business grows. </span></p><p><span>For the full video and presentation, visit the SD Specialty Producers Association&#39;s </span><a href="https://youtu.be/mKKgl5Z1xn4" rel="nofollow">YouTube. </a></p><p><span>Additional Sierra Flower Farm resources can be found on their blog. </span></p><p><span>https://www.sierraflowerfarm.com/ </span></p><p><span>This project was supported in part by a Specialty Crop Block Grant Program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Its contents is solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.</span></p> e97ffd28-ce06-4806-ad6e-2768d9b43d09 https://redcircle.com/shows/63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6/episodes/af1c9961-cda3-4426-a77a-b0c7ad21f518 Sat, 02 Aug 2025 14:43:57 +0000 2884 false full Hort Calculator Tool Hort Calculator Tool Kathleen Rykhus During this Fresh Bites podcast episode listeners will hear from Dr. Ariana Torres Bravo about the Hort Calculator Tool developed by the Purdue University Horticulture Business team. This tool can assist beginning or seasoned farmers with calculating crop profitability and planning profitable farm investments.

To access the tool, webinars, and other resources visit: https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/hortbusiness/

This podcast episode is made possible through a specialty crop block grant SDSPA received through the SD Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

]]> <p><span>During this Fresh Bites podcast episode listeners will hear from Dr. Ariana Torres Bravo about the Hort Calculator Tool developed by the Purdue University Horticulture Business team. This tool can assist beginning or seasoned farmers with calculating crop profitability and planning profitable farm investments. </span></p><p><span>To access the tool, webinars, and other resources visit: https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/hortbusiness/</span></p><p><span>This podcast episode is made possible through a specialty crop block grant SDSPA received through the SD Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.</span></p> 8c0595de-7103-4de0-9a17-5bdba008eac8 https://redcircle.com/shows/63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6/episodes/e7848c92-875a-49ed-a3cd-283c0233e972 Wed, 16 Jul 2025 20:02:09 +0000 3067 false full Grow Your Green Farm Profitability Grow Your Green Farm Profitability Kathleen Rykhus During this Fresh Bites podcast episode listeners will explore market garden profitability by learning important record keeping considerations, common mistakes made by specialty crop farmers, and how to utilize the Grow Your Green profitability resources created by the Minnesota Farmers Market Association.

https://mfma.org/Grow-Your-Green-Farm-Profitability/

This podcast episode is made possible through a specialty crop block grant SDSPA received through the SD Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

]]> <p>During this Fresh Bites podcast episode listeners will explore market garden profitability by learning important record keeping considerations, common mistakes made by specialty crop farmers, and how to utilize the Grow Your Green profitability resources created by the Minnesota Farmers Market Association.</p><p>https://mfma.org/Grow-Your-Green-Farm-Profitability/</p><p>This podcast episode is made possible through a specialty crop block grant SDSPA received through the SD Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.</p> a652d4af-a81d-4d93-8389-e42b21467b16 https://redcircle.com/shows/63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6/episodes/fd9e343a-59e8-41a2-aae3-19a293562e0f Tue, 24 Jun 2025 18:42:46 +0000 2081 false full Impacts of a Year Round Farmers Market on the Local Food System Impacts of a Year Round Farmers Market on the Local Food System Kathleen Rykhus Listen in to hear about Market at the Mill, a new year round market for local businesses in Shenandoah Iowa, as well as learn about some of the community resources that helped Dr. Margaret Brady successfully implement this project. 

The Market at the Mill aims to create a year round market for local businesses while also offering education and support to assist each vendor in strengthening and expanding their businesses.

This podcast episode is made possible through a specialty crop block grant SDSPA received through the SD Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. 




]]> <p><span>Listen in to hear about Market at the Mill, a new year round market for local businesses in Shenandoah Iowa, as well as learn about some of the community resources that helped Dr. Margaret Brady successfully implement this project. </span></p><p><span>The Market at the Mill aims to create a year round market for local businesses while also offering education and support to assist each vendor in strengthening and expanding their businesses. </span></p><p><span>This podcast episode is made possible through a specialty crop block grant SDSPA received through the SD Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. </span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p> 62af01c8-db1e-46ba-bef5-2bfc5938a504 https://redcircle.com/shows/63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6/episodes/ace9f12c-2a47-42e6-9436-ff8fbc049d23 Wed, 18 Sep 2024 20:10:31 +0000 2775 false full Episode 15: Profitability with Budding Moon Farm Episode 15: Profitability with Budding Moon Farm Kathleen Rykhus Hear from Jared of Budding Moon Farm about considerations and methods he uses to increase profitability while distributing 100% of his produce through CSA and Rx Programs.

]]> <p>Hear from Jared of Budding Moon Farm about considerations and methods he uses to increase profitability while distributing 100% of his produce through CSA and Rx Programs.</p> e8003853-2dc5-402a-b721-254708a2cfe2 https://redcircle.com/shows/63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6/episodes/25a4112f-3e81-4fa3-b18f-453dc42937d7 Sun, 31 Dec 2023 19:50:50 +0000 2102 false full Ep 14: Determining prices and profitability of your specialty crops Ep 14: Determining prices and profitability of your specialty crops Kathleen Rykhus Kiara Poytra and Michelle Grosek of Bear Butte Gardens Farmstand, LLC. will share considerations and methods they use for their garden and store to determine a price that is fair to both grower and consumer.

South Dakota Specialty Producers Association is made up of growers, consumers, and others interested in producing, marketing and supporting South Dakota specialty crops, meats, and locally made products. This podcast is made possible through a specialty crop block grant SDSPA received through the SD Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This season our podcast theme is Grown Here: How South Dakota Producers can have a profitable market garden.

]]> <p><span>Kiara Poytra and Michelle Grosek of Bear Butte Gardens Farmstand, LLC. will share considerations and methods they use for their garden and store to determine a price that is fair to both grower and consumer. </span></p><p><span><span></span>South Dakota Specialty Producers Association is made up of growers, consumers, and others interested in producing, marketing and supporting South Dakota specialty crops, meats, and locally made products. This podcast is made possible through a specialty crop block grant SDSPA received through the SD Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This season our podcast theme is Grown Here: How South Dakota Producers can have a profitable market garden. </span></p> 9bc5bdc4-7095-447e-aa65-f410177c1071 https://redcircle.com/shows/63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6/episodes/d36b78b4-23d7-42b9-8252-d55f448f1e3e Sat, 05 Aug 2023 20:58:25 +0000 2041 false full Episode 13: Raising Root Crops Episode 13: Raising Root Crops Kathleen Rykhus Dirk Oudman of Blue Sky Vegetable Co and Darin Waldner of Waldner Farms are going to be sharing their process to assure a healthy harvest of roots crops, such as potatoes, carrots and radishes. 

This podcast is made possible through a specialty crop block grant SDSPA received through the SD Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

]]> <p>Dirk Oudman of Blue Sky Vegetable Co and Darin Waldner of Waldner Farms are going to be sharing their process to assure a healthy harvest of roots crops, such as potatoes, carrots and radishes. </p><p>This podcast is made possible through a specialty crop block grant SDSPA received through the SD Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.</p> e777fe13-0650-464e-9428-ca1d3b71707a https://redcircle.com/shows/63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6/episodes/d0333e64-9183-4655-9c21-b8da5d6fff51 Fri, 07 Apr 2023 20:54:43 +0000 4013 false full Episode 11: Grown Here: Starting Seeds for Cut Flowers Episode 11: Grown Here: Starting Seeds for Cut Flowers Kathleen Rykhus How cut flower growers are starting their seeds. Kristine Lang, SDSU Assistant Professor & Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist and Tanya Flegel, owner of Flegel Flower Farm, will share their advice and tips. 

]]> <p>How cut flower growers are starting their seeds. Kristine Lang, SDSU Assistant Professor &amp; Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist and Tanya Flegel, owner of Flegel Flower Farm, will share their advice and tips. </p> 9f563ece-de00-42d2-b85d-438efb906ca8 https://redcircle.com/shows/63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6/episodes/fd588f13-9b9a-4544-8284-2130fb0d64b7 Sat, 25 Feb 2023 04:16:03 +0000 3866 false full Episode 12: Organic Specialty Crops in South Dakota Episode 12: Organic Specialty Crops in South Dakota Kathleen Rykhus Angela Jackson of Prairie Sun Organics in Vermillion, and Bernadette Barnaud with Owl Creek Organics in Nisland will be sharing with us about what it looks like to be an organic specialty crop producer in South Dakota.

]]> <p>Angela Jackson of Prairie Sun Organics in Vermillion, and Bernadette Barnaud with Owl Creek Organics in Nisland will be sharing with us about what it looks like to be an organic specialty crop producer in South Dakota.</p> 136c7a39-6c06-418d-af8f-959b5f5fbcbc https://redcircle.com/shows/63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6/episodes/208fa2d6-5862-4ae8-aa4c-28ce3afb244e Mon, 20 Feb 2023 18:44:39 +0000 2419 false full Episode 10: Getting Started with Cut Flowers Episode 10: Getting Started with Cut Flowers Kathleen Rykhus Connie Johnson of Freedom Acres in Brandt and Christy Heckathorn of Fleurish Flower Farm in Elk Point share how they got started with cut flowers, and provide ideas for others looking to start.

]]> <p><span>Connie Johnson of Freedom Acres in Brandt and Christy Heckathorn of Fleurish Flower Farm in Elk Point share how they got started with cut flowers, and provide ideas for others looking to start.</span></p> 752da59f-d45b-4814-a015-f2822acf1b6b https://redcircle.com/shows/63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6/episodes/1450cd72-5351-4567-9d71-0c643ca35eac Wed, 08 Feb 2023 15:03:11 +0000 3851 false full Episode 9: Growing Lettuce in South Dakota Episode 9: Growing Lettuce in South Dakota Kathleen Rykhus 2023 Fresh Bites- Grown Here: How South Dakota Producers are Growing their Specialty Crops


Grown Here: How South Dakota Producers are Growing their Specialty Crops. Today we are learning from two South Dakota Producers who provide their fellow residents with a summer salad necessity- lettuce. Kent Wilsey of Elk Creek Foods and Peggy Martin of Cedar Creek Gardens will be sharing how they produce lettuce on a large scale, while also giving ideas and tips that apply to producers of any scale.

]]> <p><span>2023 Fresh Bites- Grown Here: How South Dakota Producers are Growing their Specialty Crops</span></p><p><br></p><p><span>Grown Here: How South Dakota Producers are Growing their Specialty Crops. Today we are learning from two South Dakota Producers who provide their fellow residents with a summer salad necessity- lettuce. Kent Wilsey of Elk Creek Foods and Peggy Martin of Cedar Creek Gardens will be sharing how they produce lettuce on a large scale, while also giving ideas and tips that apply to producers of any scale.</span></p> 201676e5-9ee1-4c10-bbd4-0d2d8aa6616f https://redcircle.com/shows/63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6/episodes/dd4f3af5-ac8e-4f18-922b-4d291431963b Fri, 13 Jan 2023 18:09:05 +0000 2749 false full Ep 8 Dakota Fresh Food Hub Ep 8 Dakota Fresh Food Hub Kathleen Rykhus South Dakota Producers & Consumers surrounding Sioux Falls have a great option for local foods with the Dakota Fresh Food Hub. Since 2016, Dakota Fresh has been working with producers of fruits, vegetables, honey, meats, dairy products, and more to help market and distribute their products with a system that is easier for both producers and the consumers. In this episode, their manager Connie McDonald and board member Chara Hymans (owner of StarFresh Farms) tell us about how what makes their system work well for consumers and producers.

]]> <p><span>South Dakota Producers &amp; Consumers surrounding Sioux Falls have a great option for local foods with the Dakota Fresh Food Hub. Since 2016, Dakota Fresh has been working with producers of fruits, vegetables, honey, meats, dairy products, and more to help market and distribute their products with a system that is easier for both producers and the consumers. In this episode, their manager Connie McDonald and board member Chara Hymans (owner of StarFresh Farms) tell us about how what makes their system work well for consumers and producers.</span></p> cf4b3c28-e8a7-4fe0-ac3c-08e816e0668d https://redcircle.com/shows/63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6/episodes/2791a195-ad6f-4b11-8b17-f7f25e97d3e4 Tue, 01 Mar 2022 17:20:28 +0000 1065 false full Ep 7 The Good Acre Food Hub with Nikki Warner Ep 7 The Good Acre Food Hub with Nikki Warner Kathleen Rykhus Located near Minneapolis & St. Paul, The Good Acre Food Hub serves producers and consumers in their region. Going beyond simply connecting farmers with wholesale market needs, The Good Acre is also all about educating and supporting their producers, training school kitchen staff, and helping individuals in their region to enjoy food that was produced by their neighbor. With us today is Nikki Warner, The Good Acre Communications Director, to share their story.

]]> <p>Located near Minneapolis &amp; St. Paul, The Good Acre Food Hub serves producers and consumers in their region. Going beyond simply connecting farmers with wholesale market needs, The Good Acre is also all about educating and supporting their producers, training school kitchen staff, and helping individuals in their region to enjoy food that was produced by their neighbor. With us today is Nikki Warner, The Good Acre Communications Director, to share their story.</p> 5f1d00d1-9a43-4588-8da7-abcc9664d979 https://redcircle.com/shows/63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6/episodes/8c26ad83-8e24-4eb7-842b-5b50c0223fd4 Mon, 07 Feb 2022 13:58:31 +0000 1665 false full Ep. 6 Iowa Food Hub with Teresa Wiemerslage of ISU Extension & Outreach Ep. 6 Iowa Food Hub with Teresa Wiemerslage of ISU Extension & Outreach Kathleen Rykhus Teresa Wiemerslage, of Iowa State University Extension, shares with us how Iowa has set up Food Hubs to serve local schools, and other wholesale customers. Teresa played a role in starting the Iowa Food Hub in the northeast corner of the state, and continues to be involved with the Iowa Food Hub Managers working group, as well as working to help schools develop procurement and use plans to make the implementation of local foods successful long term.   

]]> <p>Teresa Wiemerslage, of Iowa State University Extension, shares with us how Iowa has set up Food Hubs to serve local schools, and other wholesale customers. Teresa played a role in starting the Iowa Food Hub in the northeast corner of the state, and continues to be involved with the Iowa Food Hub Managers working group, as well as working to help schools develop procurement and use plans to make the implementation of local foods successful long term.   </p> 208f92ff-39bd-4077-9508-b6598b6070ea https://redcircle.com/shows/63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6/episodes/bb49bcf0-852c-4428-8270-d892957607b5 Thu, 03 Feb 2022 15:58:23 +0000 1282 false full Ep. 5 Aronia Aggregation with Jeff Stewart Ep. 5 Aronia Aggregation with Jeff Stewart Kathleen Rykhus SDSPA member, co-owner of Stewart’s Aronia Acre, and Vice President of National Aronia Growers, Jeff Stewart, shares his knowledge of the impressive aronia berry, and how he has worked alongside fellow aronia berry growers to develop a system of aggregation that helps producers to reach a broader market.

]]> <p>SDSPA member, co-owner of Stewart’s Aronia Acre, and Vice President of National Aronia Growers, Jeff Stewart, shares his knowledge of the impressive aronia berry, and how he has worked alongside fellow aronia berry growers to develop a system of aggregation that helps producers to reach a broader market.</p> 6b787237-d133-438f-b9df-4ad3911ef240 https://redcircle.com/shows/63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6/episodes/b4843463-4a17-4bd0-9ced-57817bb60079 Mon, 31 Jan 2022 19:18:01 +0000 2389 false full South Dakota Specialty Producers Podcast Episode 4 South Dakota Specialty Producers Podcast Episode 4 Kathleen Rykhus Episode 4

]]> <p>Episode 4</p> 826f68a7-b6da-4919-ae24-cbb336bea7a5 https://redcircle.com/shows/63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6/episodes/136bab8f-53fa-4259-8df5-a3f3af8a7294 Tue, 04 May 2021 21:03:05 +0000 1908 false full South Dakota Specialty Producers Podcast Episode 3 South Dakota Specialty Producers Podcast Episode 3 Kathleen Rykhus Integrated Pest Management for tomatoes and Peppers, with special guest Kristine Lang.

]]> <p>Integrated Pest Management for tomatoes and Peppers, with special guest Kristine Lang.</p> 2868dbaa-1f4a-402b-aaac-9e6e7a89ccb6 https://redcircle.com/shows/63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6/episodes/b6070323-a8d5-43c5-a9db-4a92d8f89044 Thu, 15 Apr 2021 21:42:05 +0000 1816 false full South Dakota Specialty Producers Podcast Episode 2 South Dakota Specialty Producers Podcast Episode 2 Kathleen Rykhus Integrated Pest Management for Curcubits with Marissa Schuh

]]> <p>Integrated Pest Management for Curcubits with Marissa Schuh</p> 1f164ab7-373c-49c6-82f4-01586c6607bc https://redcircle.com/shows/63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6/episodes/ce3d8576-1b44-49eb-bfa7-9d8077e20f77 Mon, 15 Mar 2021 22:01:14 +0000 1912 false full South Dakota Specialty Producers Podcast Episode 1 Berries South Dakota Specialty Producers Podcast Episode 1 Berries Kathleen Rykhus with Dr Raymond Cloyd

]]> <p>with Dr Raymond Cloyd</p> d1bacbfa-809c-48a6-8dde-4e56a1c1f992 https://redcircle.com/shows/63b51b96-479c-4e06-a434-2f8eeafd57c6/episodes/cc4f22c6-b399-4979-b766-9a91291d4820 Thu, 11 Mar 2021 23:06:06 +0000 1679 false