The resiliency of agriculture was never more prominent than during the pandemic and that was the theme of the Value Added Ag Day at the South Dakota State Fair. Cheri Rath, executive director of the South Dakota Value Added Agriculture Development Center says businesses providing direct to consumer products have seen a huge increase in interest since the supply chain disruptions associated with COVID.

As a result, Rath says the center is helping with expansion of small meat processors and other local food companies in the state and many of those were on display at Value Added Ag Center Day.

And all this generates additional income for the state’s producers, while filling a need for consumers.

This is the 22nd year the Value Added Ag Development Center has been hosting a day at the State Fair.