The Latest from SFA
Join the farmer-to-farmer network!
For more than 30 years, members have been the heart of SFA and make our work possible. Together, we are transforming agriculture one farm at a time.
Members get a variety of discounts to events and with vendors, and can get involved with their local chapter of farmers & other ag folks.
Patrick Toomey joins SFA's staff
Patrick Toomey joined SFA this spring as our new Grazing Education Lead. He has jumped right into planning skill-building field days and growing the capacity of our Farmer-to-Farmer Consulting Program.
Read his story on our blog, and meet him in the field this summer!
Spring Events
Check out our event calendar to find pasture walks, workshops, and field days near you -- it's a great opportunity to plug into your local sustainable ag network as Minnesota's growing season begins!
Some topics include:
-Planned grazing
-Prescribed burns
-Low-input ranching
-and more!
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.