Area residents encouraged to come enjoy a relaxing night on the farm
Riva Sharples | Editor
With a loss of about 200 trees on their farm, cleaning up from the devastating storm that hit southeastern South Dakota two weeks ago has seemed like a never-ending task for Chris and Katie Zuraff, owners of The Specialty Crop Farm, rural Hudson.
But, it’s been bearable, and progress has been made, thanks to neighbors, family, and friends, who, in true South Dakota fashion, have come out to help the couple clean up the couple’s five-acre farm.
“We’ve been super fortunate,” said Katie. “We had more than 60 volunteers come out over five days to help. All of our neighbors were in the same boat as us, but people stopped by with equipment or food or just to lend a hand, even though they were cleaning up their own places as well.”
Clean-up on the farm is wrapping up in time this week for the latest installment in The Specialty Crop Farm’s summer concert series, and Zuraff hopes everyone in the community will come out to enjoy good music and relaxation, especially after the hard work of the past two weeks.
“We all need some rest and relaxation, especially now,” she said. “We hope everyone will come enjoy the evening.”
The concert will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, at The Specialty Crop Farm, 47726 294th Street, Hudson. There is no cost to attend the concert, although a free will donation of $20 is suggested (all proceeds benefit the artist). No potluck will be held before this concert, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own beverages, lawn chairs, and snacks to enjoy while listening to great music in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Saturday’s concert will feature Americana music by Ben Gage, a musician from Akron, Ohio. Gage grew up in the rust belt of Northeast Ohio in the countryside along Lake Erie. According to Gage’s publicity: “His roots run deep alongside the hard-working blue collars that Ohio has to boast. That tenacity, love of family, and respect for a long day can be seen in his music.”
Saturday’s concert is one in a series of summer concerts staged by The Specialty Crop Farm.
“Live music has the power to move us, inspire us, and bring us together,” said Katie. “We’re building community and connection through music.”
The Zuraffs, who started The Specialty Crop Farm in 2021, borrowed the idea for the summer concert series from friends who live in Minnesota and host similar events in their space.
“We thought this would be a way to showcase the farm, and a way for the community to come enjoy some peace and space away from everything,” said Katie. “I think people will agree that it’s a pretty peaceful place out here in Hudson.”
The Specialty Crop Farm is an evolving dream of the Zuraffs. Since buying the five-acre farm four years ago, the couple has steadily worked toward a dream close to Katie’s heart of creating a place where people with developmental and intellectual disabilities can cultivate job and life skills through agriculture. Last summer, they had their first group of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities working on the farm through their nonprofit educational organization, the Specialty Crop Collaborative.
Katie was a Special Education teacher before the couple ventured into farm life and she grew up with a sibling who had special needs, so she has always felt special education was her calling, she explains.
In the future, Katie hopes to offer additional educational opportunities on the farm through the nonprofit.
In the meantime, the couple is also working on building a farm stand and store where people can buy the fresh produce, berries, flowers, and eggs they produce on the farm. Right now, such items can be purchased by contacting the Zuraffs and making an appointment.
The couple has a tourism side to the farm as well. Travelers and visitors can experience life on the farm and get back to nature for a few days at two camper sites, two tent spots, or in a comfortable cabin that sleeps four. So far, travelers from Australia, Canada, and places across the United States have come to enjoy the space at the farm, which offers stunning views and peace and quiet.
The Zuraffs hope to see everyone at the concert this Saturday, as community, perseverance, and life is celebrated.