Home > TourSDakota Travel Professionals > Group Tour Operators > Itineraries > Group Itineraries > Agricultural Tour

Agricultural Tour

South Dakota is one of the most agricultural states in America, with agriculture being the number one industry. Tour opportunities include farms/ranches with thousands of acres of range and farmland, large and small packing plants, ethanol plants, cheese factories, Hutterite colonies, potato chip processing plant and an agricultural equipment manufacturer. South Dakota State University is highly regarded for its agricultural research. In the northeast part of South Dakota, farm stays for group tours are an option. The South Dakota State Fair in Huron is one of the largest agricultural fairs left in the nation and communities throughout the state hold annual festivals with exhibitors and demonstrations to celebrate the harvest.

Day One

Tour opportunities begin in Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s largest city. Tour a meat processing plant and the Sioux Falls Stockyards, one of the busiest in the country. Other options include a manufacturer of GPS equipment for farm machinery and some tasty local wineries to whet your palate. Overnight in Sioux Falls.

Day Two

Travel southwest to Freeman where some of your options include a livestock equipment manufacturer and a Hutterite colony. Next stop is Mitchell, home of the World’s Only Corn Palace and a large retailer of outdoor sporting goods. Dakotafest, held in mid-August, is one of the largest agricultural festivals in the state with opportunities to view and try out the latest in agricultural equipment. Overnight in Mitchell.

Day Three

Travel west to Kimball, home of South Dakota’s Tractor Museum. Then head northwest to Pierre/Fort Pierre. Tour opportunities include an 18,000 acre wheat farm and the buffalo ranch used in the filming of “Dances With Wolves.” While in the area take time to tour the Oahe Dam, one of the largest earth-rolled dams in North America. Overnight in Pierre.

Day Four

Start the day heading east to Wessington and visit a manufacturer of a wide variety of livestock equipment, everything from panels and gates to hay feeders and stock trailers. Continue east to De Smet, the "Little Town on the Prairie,” made famous by author Laura Ingalls Wilder. Finish out the day in Brookings, home of the State Agricultural Heritage Museum; McCrory Gardens, one of the top 10 botanical gardens in the United States; and South Dakota State University, well-known for its agricultural research facilities. Overnight in Brookings.

Day Five

Start the day in Milbank, home of the Midwest Dairy Institute and see how education is a great promoter of the dairy industry. After filling your mind with ideas, fill your senses with a trip to a local cheese factory. Travel southwest to Watertown and visit an ethanol plant and a manufacturer of cabs and protective structures for agricultural equipment. Overnight in Watertown.

Day Six

Travel south to Madison, home of a restored recreation of a prairie town, offering more than 40 historic buildings filled with period antiques. End your last full day with a trip to Garretson and marvel in the natural wonder of Palisades State Park. This locale will amaze you with its unique rock formations and wonderful natural scenery. Overnight in Sioux Falls.

Day Seven

Depart, happy trails to you! This is just a sampling of what South Dakota has to offer for agricultural tours. We can customize an itinerary to suit any interests and needs.