The Value Added Agriculture Development Center (VAADC) invites you to attend the 26th Annual Value Added Agriculture Center Day at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron, S.D. on Thurs., Aug. 28, 2025 from 9:00 a.m.—3:30 p.m. CDT.
Stop by the Day Sponsor Tent to visit with value-added agriculture farmers, ranchers, specialty growers and processors and learn about their products. This event also provides a great opportunity to learn about the latest developments in value-added agriculture from agricultural businesses and federal, state and local agencies.
The event will feature approximately 20 vendors, many of which were developed with support from the VAADC. The VAADC helps farmers, ranchers and specialty producers in South Dakota create and expand value-added agriculture businesses by offering a variety of technical assistance programs and services designed to help clients succeed.
Additional exhibitors are members of the S.D. Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA), which provides education, industry promotion and connections for South Dakota raised specialty foods and products. The event will highlight local foods and products including South Dakota meats, ice cream, produce, jams & jellies, salsa, flowers, grains and flour, and more.
Participants can network and take in several mini-seminars and local food demonstrations. The event concludes with local Berrybrook Nook products at the ice cream social, brought to you in cooperation with Your South Dakota Dairy Producers.
The Day Sponsor Tent presentation schedule is as follows:
- 10:30 a.m.: S.D.’s Opportunity: Growing with Agritourism, SDSU Extension and S.D. Department of Tourism
- 11:00 a.m.: In Full Bloom: A Guide to Cut Flower Arrangements, The Garage (Horizons Hall Kitchen)
- 11:30 a.m.: Crisp and Green: Spinach Crust Demo, Farm Mom Phenom (Horizons Hall Kitchen)
- 12:00 p.m.: USDA Services & Resources for the Next Generation of Farmers, Ranchers & Specialty Growers, USDA
- 12:45 p.m.: Looking at the Market: What is the Market for Value Added Organic Products?, S.D. Specialty Producers Association
- 1:00 p.m.: Freeze the Season: Make-Your-Own Smoothie Pops , SDSU Extension (Horizons Hall Kitchen)
- 1:30 p.m.: Beyond the Usual: Crafting Delicious Bread with Diverse Grains, Belle Valley Ancient Grains, (Horizons Hall Kitchen)
- 1:30 p.m.: On Farm Poultry Processing, PrairieSun Organics
- 2:10 p.m.: Flowers, Fiber, and Feathers: Growing Value-Added Products Regeneratively on a Diverse Farm, Blue Dasher Farm
- 3:00 p.m.: Value Added Ag Center Day Ice Cream Social, VAADC & Your SD Dairy Farmers
Support from East River Electric Cooperative, Farm Credit Services of America, S.D. Association of Cooperatives, S.D. Farmers Union, S.D. Rural Electric Association, S.D. Soybean Research & Promotion Council, S.D. Wheat Commission, Agtegra, and USDA-Rural Development make VAADC services available to South Dakota farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, and business owners. This event is held in collaboration with SDSPA, S.D. Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources and NRCS to support the promotion of specialty crop vendors and events.
Contact Cheri Rath, Executive Director of the Value Added Ag Development Center, with questions at 605-224-9402.
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South Dakota Specialty Producers Association
