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Specialty crop producers sought for economic impact study

American apple growers realized that if they used dwarfing rootstocks and planted their trees closer together, they could increase their harvest of apples per acre by 200 to 300 percent.
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The SDSPA is looking for fruit, vegetable, and other specialty crop producers to take part in an economic impact survey.

An agriculture group is looking for specialty crop producers to take part in an economic impact study.

The South Dakota Specialty Producers Association says they need fruit, vegetables, cut flowers, and other specialty crop producers to take part in the survey.

The study will help show the economic importance of these crops to the state, the group said.

Survey data is kept anonymous, according to a release from the SDSPA. Questions pertain to the types of crops cultivated, amount harvested, land under cultivation, number of employees, and gross revenues. After the study is over, will be posted for public access on the SDSPA website.

Sioux Falls-based Dakota Institute is conducting the study.

Producers can take part in the survey online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MY8R9RL. Email sdspecialtyproducers@gmail.com or call 605-840-8537 to request a paper copy.

Josh Chilson is the news director at South Dakota Public Broadcasting. A Florence, S.D. native, Josh graduated with a journalism degree from South Dakota State University. He has worked as a newspaper reporter and videographer, and most recently as managing editor for Dakota News Now. Josh is based out of SDPB's Sioux Falls studio.