The Latest from SFA
Winter grazing strategies are the focus of our first pasture walk of the year. Join us at Ironwood Ranch (Brainerd) on Thursday, April 24 from 6-8 PM!
Justin Smude and his family run Ironwood Ranch, a 350-acre operation where they raise cow/calf pairs and sheep, grow hay and oats, and integrate annual forages into a diverse grazing system.
It's free to attend.
On April 26 in North Branch, join Sarah Carroll of Greener Pastures and Michelle M. Sharp of Meet the Minnesota Makers for a hands-on marketing and storytelling workshop for farmers.
Throughout the day, participants will engage in small group work to receive direct feedback from Sarah and Michelle, collaborate with peers, and apply workshop concepts in real-time.
For more than 30 years, members have been the heart of SFA and make our work possible. Our members include farmers, ranchers, agricultural educators, agency staff, local food advocates, homesteaders, eaters, and conservationists.
Join us as a member and enjoy special member benefits including discounts, special programming, and community resources!
Principles of Soil Health
Soil health is foundational to all of SFA's work.
Keep the Soil Covered
Build and maintain vegetation.
Limit Disturbance
Minimize or eliminate mechanical and chemical soil disturbance.
Build Diversity
Manage to increase plant, microbe, livestock and wildlife diversity.
Living Root
Keep living plants in the soil as much as possible.
Integrate Livestock
Healthy soils require appropriate livestock integration.
Context
Apply these principles within your unique operation.
Soil Health Principles
Healthy soil is fundamental. Our health, wealth, and future depends on the ecosystem beneath our feet. SFA's work promotes agricultural community and prosperity through soil health.
We provide consulting and technical assistance as well as educational and networking opportunities to farmers and landowners in the areas of grazing, dairy, cropping, silvopasture, and fruit and vegetable production.