PIERRE, SD - Lynn’s Dakotamart of Sturgis and Sage Creek Grille in Custer are now carrying SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED ™ Beef, making them the first locations in the Black Hills to carry the state certified beef, Jafar Karim, director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development announced today.

SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED ™ Beef is the vision of Governor Mike Rounds and part of the state’s 2010 Initiative. “We continue to see tremendous interest in this program,” said Karim.

Lynn’s Dakotamart is the first South Dakota grocery store to carry SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED ™  at more than one location. “We at Lynn's Dakotamart in Sturgis are proud to be the second store in the Lynn's chain, following the Pierre store, to offer SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED ™  Beef to the consumers in the Northern Black Hills,” said Myron Kruckenberg, store manager. “We feel it is a product that actively promotes South Dakota and the diversity we can offer, to our residents and many tourists to the area." 

In order to be eligible for the program, cattle must be born, raised and harvested in South Dakota. “For the last two years, the Governor’s Office, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Department of Agriculture and various industry partners have worked hard to put together participation requirements for producers and processors to ensure consistently tender and wholesome cuts of beef,” Karim said.

Lynn’s Dakotamart and Sage Creek Grille join the growing list of retail outlets in South Dakota that offer SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef.  For a full listing of locations, go to Where to Buy .