FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, October 26, 2023

MEDIA CONTACT: Candi Briley, candi.briley@state.sd.us

Agtegra Cooperative Announces Contribution to the “Raise The SHED” Campaign

HURON, S.D. – The South Dakota State Fair Foundation is excited to announce Agtegra Cooperative has committed a financial pledge to the ‘Raise The SHED’ fundraising campaign.

The SHED will be the new home for Open Class Sheep at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron and serve as a multi-purpose facility, including a show arena and educational center. The indoor educational center will provide a place for interactive learning about the sheep industry, opportunities in agriculture, and our state’s rich agricultural history.

“Agtegra is proud to support The SHED and the opportunities it will provide for South Dakota’s agriculture industry through events held both during the State Fair and throughout the year on the fairgrounds,” said Agtegra’s CEO Jason Klootwyk. “The SHED’s agricultural education center will have a positive impact on our state, and sheep exhibitors will have a dedicated show space during the fair.”

The “Raise The SHED” campaign includes several donor opportunities for all donation levels including show arena naming rights and donor wall sponsorships. For more information on how to donate visit www.sdstatefairfoundation.com.

The fundraising goal is $3 million. The total project cost is approximately $8 million.

The former Open Class Sheep Barn has been demolished, and project planning and design for The SHED is underway. A groundbreaking ceremony is expected to be held during the 2024 State Fair. Agtegra Cooperative is a local agricultural cooperative headquartered in Aberdeen, SD. It is owned by over 6,700 farmers and ranchers, predominantly in North and South Dakota, with a network of over 70 locations and 850 employees. Agtegra Cooperative’s community engagement strategy is focused on ag education, food security, and health and safety to build a farmer-owned cooperative that is strong, stable, dependable, and local.

For more information, please visit https://www.agtegra.com/.

For additional information about the project or questions about the ‘Raise The SHED’ campaign, please contact Peggy Besch, South Dakota State Fairgrounds Manager at 605-353-7340 or peggy.besch@state.sd.us. You can also contact Fundraising Campaign Chairman Larry Tidemann at 605-690-8353. A complete list of fundraising committee members and campaign information can be found at www.sdstatefairfoundation.com.

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