SDSU Extension will host several grower forums during 2014 Dakotafest held Aug. 19-21 inside the SDSU Pavilion on the Schlaffman Farm, Mitchell.

Topics range from drones and the best weed identification apps, to climate, food safety and farm bill program training. Organized in a discussion format, these forums provide participants with the opportunity to have their questions answered.

"Dakotafest is a wonderful opportunity for our staff and faculty to interact directly with producers and discuss issues relevant to our state's agriculture industry," says Karla Trautman, SDSU Extension Associate Director.

Dakotafest is Aug. 19-21 in Mitchell, S.D

The forum lineup also includes three Political Candidate Forums. All candidates running in the House, Senate and State Gubernatorial races have been invited to participate in agriculture-focused forums that will be moderated by WNAX Broadcaster, Jerry Oster.

New this year, the SDSU Pavilion will feature the iGrow.org kiosk; designed to teach the public about the wide range of SDSU Extension resources and tools available online through the iGrow.org page and mobile app.

Dakotafest attendees looking for SDSU Extension staff or South Dakota State University faculty will find them located throughout Dakotafest, primarily within the following tents; Association of South Dakota Weed & Pest Boards; South Dakota Department of Agriculture; South Dakota Soybean Association; and Northwest Veterinary Supply.

"Instead of everyone being in the SDSU Pavilion, we see the value of locating SDSU Extension where Dakotafest attendees typically go to learn more about agronomy, machinery, livestock or precision agriculture technology," said Alvaro Garcia, SDSU Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Program Director. "This allows for more natural collaboration between industry and SDSU Extension staff and faculty."

2014 Agenda & Forum Lineup
Tuesday, Aug. 19

10 - 11 a.m. U.S. House Forum: Candidates include; U. S. Rep. Kristi Noem, R-S.D., and her challenger Corinna Robinson. 

11 a.m.- Noon SDSU Weeds App Evaluation: The Good, The Bad and Our Opinions: Darrell Deneke, SDSU Extension IPM Coordinator and Paul O. Johnson, SDSU Extension Weed Program Coordinator, will lead a discussion on mobile crop weed identification apps available in the market. They will provide insight into how to use these applications and which applications make the most sense for South Dakota growers. 

Noon - 1 p.m. SDSU ice cream: Free 

2 - 4 p.m. USDA Farm Bill Q & A: SDSU Extension staff will partner with FSA/USDA staff and the S.D. Dept. of Agriculture to answer grower's questions on the 2014 Farm Bill.  

Wednesday, Aug. 20
10 - Noon "Stop the Fighting on the Way to the Funeral Home!"™: Presented by Jolene Brown, a farmer, author, professional speaker and champion for the people of agriculture. This insightful and fun-filled presentation highlights the stupid things families do that break up their business. Brown will discuss in-laws and out-laws, money expectations, daily communications and important meetings. From conversations to contracts, from assumptions to clarification, from complaints to celebrations, we will open eyes and save fighting on the way to the funeral home. This forum is sponsored by First Dakota National Bank. 

Noon - 12:30 p.m. SDSU ice cream: Free 

12:30 - 2 p.m. Governor's Forum: Candidates include incumbent, Gov. Dennis Daugaard, R-S.D. and his challengers, Susan Wismer, D-S.D. and Mike Myers, I-S.D. 

2 - 3 p.m. U.S. Senate Forum: Candidates include; Mike Rounds, R-S.D., Rick Weiland, D-S.D., Larry Pressler, R-S.D., and Gordon Howie, I-S.D.  

3 - 4 p.m. Silver Bullet, Useful Tool, or All of the Above? Key Issues Surrounding Drones for Precision Agriculture: SDSU Extension will be partnering with Measure, A 32 Advisors Company, based in Washington D.C., for a presentation and demonstration of the future of unmanned aerial vehicles in agriculture. It is predicted that in the near future 80 percent of the commercial market for drones will eventually come from agricultural uses with almost limitless applications. Within the next decade farmers and ranchers will be able to monitor their crops and cattle with precision, efficiently and at a fraction of the costs and time. The data drones collect ranges from identifying insect problems, watering issues, to reduce runoff, rationalize fertilizer and pesticide use, measure crop yields or track down cattle in the field. This precision agriculture approach will optimize resource use, protect the environment, improve productivity and profitability per acre and enhance the sustainability of the whole farming operation. This forum is sponsored by Measure, A 32 Advisors Company.

Thursday, Aug. 21
10 - 11 a.m. SDSU Physical Health & Food Safety: The first portion of this forum, titled Fitness 4 Farmers, will focus on Flexibility for Health & Injury Prevention led by Tara Pratt, SDSU Extension Community Food Policy Field Specialist and Nikki Prosch, SDSU Extension Health & Physical Activity Field Specialist. Pratt and Prosch will discuss the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for American adults. They will cover the importance of flexibility for everyday tasks. They will discuss ways to incorporate stretching/flexibility into daily lives and how physical activity can help prevent injuries. The presentation will end with 15-20 minutes of stretching/flexibility examples. 

The second portion of the forum will focus on Backyard Chicks - Cute but Risky, led by Lavonne Meyer, SDSU Extension Food Safety Field Specialist and Joan Hegerfeld-Baker, SDSU Extension Food Safety Specialist. They will discuss what precautions need to be taken to reduce the risk of Salmonellosis when raising backyard poultry. The presentation will also cover, what to do with all those incredible eggs; tips for handling fresh picked eggs to maintain quality and safety; as well as providing information on the regulations for selling farm fresh eggs. 

11 a.m. - Noon SDSU Weather Update: State Climatologist & SDSU Extension Climate Specialist, Dennis Todey and SDSU Extension Climate Field Specialist, Laura Edwards will review new free weather and climate tools available to producers to help with on-farm decision making. They will also review current conditions for the growing season and talk about what we can expect through the rest of the growing season and harvest including an update on the current El Nino. 

Noon - 12:30 p.m. SDSU ice cream: Free

Source: SDSU Extension