South Dakota farmers market grants available

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) has grant funds available to support local farmers markets.

Proposals for the Farmers Market Grower Grants will be accepted from any current farmers market or any group interested in beginning a farmers market located in the state of South Dakota. Only one application may be submitted per market.

In order to receive this grant, markets must record and submit lists of products sold and their respective sale prices to SDDA at three different times throughout the season. Farmers markets must also submit gross sales data from their vendors at three different times throughout the season and collect customer information through a “dot survey” once during the market season.

Applications must be postmarked or submitted electronically by May 1. For more information, contact Ben Stout at 605-295-1635. Information is also available on the SDDA website at http://sdda.sd.gov/ag-development/south-dakota-products/local-foods/default.aspx.

The grants are funded through the Specialty Crop Block Grant provided by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.