SARE Panel: Reducing Tillage on SD Vegetable Farms: What Have We Learned From The Research?
Cultivating: Building Markets with Community in Mind
Saturday, November 9th, 2024 10:30am – 11:30am MT – Wells Fargo Theater
Join SD farmers and SDSU students as they discuss on-farm research trials related to reducing tillage and incorporating cover crops for vegetable production.
This session will celebrate collaboration by highlighting how farmers and universities can work together to explore research questions, learn new ideas, and support innovation. The farmer presenters will share eastern and western SD production challenges and opportunities, and the students will dig into the data. Come ready to ask questions and bring home ideas for research trials on your farm! Panelists include: Kristine Lang, SDSU Extension; Michelle Grosek, Bear Butte Gardens; Kjersten Oudman, Blue Sky Vegetable Co.; Connor Ruen & Hannah Voye, SDSU Graduate Research Assistants
Kristine Lang is a South Dakota State University Assistant Professor and Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist based in Brookings, SD. She holds a Ph.D. in Horticulture and Sustainable Agriculture from Iowa State University. Her horticultural career has included working in private-sector, university, and nonprofit organizations across four Midwestern states.
Michelle Grosek grows certified organic vegetables at Bear Butte Gardens, 5 miles outside of Sturgis, SD. A combination of high tunnel growing, and outside garden growing is utilized to grow a full variety of vegetables for CSA, an on-farm year-round store, and local chefs and small restaurants.
Kjersten Oudman cultivates plants and community at Blue Sky Vegetable Co. in Worthing, SD. Blue Sky Vegetable Co. is a Community Supported Agriculture farm focused on providing their farm share members with delicious vegetables and a connection to each other and the farm. When not farming, Kjersten and her husband, Dirk, spend their time chasing their two energetic kids and a lovable black lab who never tires of playing fetch.
Hannah Voye is in her second year pursuing a Master of Plant Science at South Dakota State University. Originally from Wisconsin, she studied Horticulture with an emphasis in sustainable fruit and vegetable systems at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. Since arriving in South Dakota, Hannah has loved learning from and collaborating with growers through the SARE funded Soil Tarping Project.
Connor Ruen is a SE Minnesota native and moved to Brookings, SD to attend South Dakota State University to earn a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and minors in horticulture, soil science, and crop protection. He is currently a second-year plant science graduate student, focusing on the effects of clover living mulch and tillage practices on soil health, weed suppression, and the yield of broccolini. His research aims to help farmers improve their efficiency and improve their soil health.
