Dan Paulson of Farm 484 in Sherman, SD is a finalist in The South Dakota Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA) for the Specialty Crop Producer of the Year.
Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops, including floriculture. The award is sponsored in part by the S.D. Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) and the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The two finalist candidates are:
*Fred Fast Horse, Rick's Micro Farm, Mission, S.D.
*Dan Paulson, Farm 484, Sherman, S.D.
The S.D. Specialty Crop Producer of the Year is someone who:
*Provides visionary leadership to South Dakota's agricultural industry, and advocates for specialty crops - fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops, including floriculture.
*Actively promotes growth, innovation, and prosperity for South Dakota local food systems and specialty crops.
*Mentors new and beginner farmers and invests in the next generation of producers.
The winner will be announced during the Upper Midwest Urban and Rural Agriculture Innovation (UMURAI) Conference on the evening of Feb. 6th, 2025 in Oacoma S.D.
The nominees will receive a complimentary day conference pass to the UMURAI Conference. The ‘S.D. Specialty Crop Producer of the Year’ receives an award plaque and a one-year membership to the S.D. Specialty Producers Association.
