The 2024 Upper Midwest Urban and Rural Agriculture Innovation Conference (UMURAI) hosted by South Dakota Specialty Producers (SDSPA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) was held on Thursday & Friday, Feb. 8 – 9, 2024 at Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center at Cedar Shore.

Snapshots from our March 2023 meeting.

UMURAI brought together experts, practitioners, and enthusiasts from around the upper midwest to share their experiences and knowledge in the field of urban and rural agriculture production. The conference was held over two days and consisted of a variety of sessions, networking opportunities, round table discussions, and entertainment.

The main theme of the conference was producer education with a focus on addressing topics such as finding markets to sell products, pest management, free range chicken keeping, soil health, high tunnel and windbreak establishments, and how to best extend growing periods.

Guests in-between sessions on during the UMURAI Conference.

Shannon Mutschelknaus discussing, “Innovative Systems for Extending our Growing Season” at UMURAI on Mar 22, 2023.

Trivia took place Tuesday night during social hour. Pictured here are our Winners: Casey Burrus, Tina Brents-Barnhart, Rhoda Burrows, Rachel Crowther, and Bob Weyrich. They took home a grand prize of beef jerky!