The Latest from SFA
"Fun-filled, family-friendly, and fragrant."
The Minnesota Garlic Festival is the premier event for lovers of garlic, great local foods and good times!
Hosted by the Crow River Chapter of SFA, the 18th annual festival will be held in Hutchinson on Saturday, August 9 from 10 AM - 5 PM.
Get your ticket in advance or at the gate!
Summer is in full swing, and we have an absolutely packed season of events lined up!
Take the opportunity to get out in the field with your peers to learn about postharvest handling, urban beekeeping, electric fencing, wildlife habitat, and so much more. Take a peek at our event calendar to find something near you.
Join us at Lift Bridge Brewing's Stillwater taproom every third Saturday this Summer!
Enjoy a Farm Day beer (proceeds support SFA) and a showcase of the absolute best in local produce, meat, cheese, pickled vegetables, hot sauce, as well as amazing local talented artists, craftsmen and vendors.
The next market is July 19 from 11 AM - 3 PM.
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.