SDSPA Accepting Applications for Specialty Crop Program Contractor

Oct 29, 2025

The South Dakota Specialty Crop Producers Association (sdSPA) invites highly motivated and qualified individuals to serve as an Independent Contractor to support critical educational outreach and program development efforts.

This vital contract position is responsible for executing the key goals of a three-year specialty crop grant, serving as the lead to coordinate specialized programs designed to educate South Dakota producers and manage the development of an essential Farmers Market Toolkit, ultimately driving the promotion and growth of specialty crops throughout the state.

The initial contract is for Year 1, with renewal for Years 2 and 3 contingent upon satisfactory performance and the achievement of stated deliverables.

Compensation and Commitment

Position Status: Independent Contractor
Year 1 Commitment: 216 hours
Compensation Rate: $37 per hour

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Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.