The Latest from SFA
SFA is excited to announce a new campaign featuring homesteading in 2025.
Look for webinars, in-person events, and podcasts to build community and re-learn traditional methods that create independence and stability.
All events will be posted on our event calendar and the Minnesota River Chapter page. Next up: a webinar on raising meat chickens on April 10!
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.
Join us at Dave Evans Farms on April 5 for an illuminating demonstration of silvopasture by subtraction.
Dave will walk attendees through his process for opening up oak savannas overtaken by other trees. We’ll also have a seeding demonstration showcasing various application methods. It's free to attend!
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.