Archive for October 2020
Dirt Rich: The Value of Pasture Plant Diversity
“We want a vast array of solar collectors out there.” Kent Solberg and Doug Voss are striving to get as much plant diversity in their pastures as possible. The benefits for animal performance, soil microbes, profitability, resiliency, and the function of the ecosystem as a whole are exponential. In fact, “increase diversity” is the third…
Read MoreWatch TC Growers Spotlight with Lakisha Witter
Lakisha Witter of Live Organically, Oak Grove, shared her farm journey in the TC Grower’s most recent “Grower Spotlight.” Witter, who purchased her farm in 2018, detailed the challenges and successes of her first two seasons, as well as her plans for the future including soil health and organic matter building, expanding markets, and a…
Read MorePasture Renovation Ideas from Kent & Doug
When Kent Solberg and his wife first got started where they farm today, the soil biology had been so degraded that there were corn stalks on the ground from six years before, unable to decompose. You might say he has a bit of first-hand experience with land renovation! Kent and Doug Voss give an overview…
Read MoreBeyond Your Backyard: Mussel Mania
As the weather gets crisp, I find myself thinking of Halloween and what great costumes I could make with a bucket of papier-mâché and a will to create. Even though Halloween will likely be different this year as everything has been, that’s no reason not to come up with a stellar costume. And what better…
Read MoreLuhman: Ways to Keep Your Soil Covered
In a past Connect Newsletter, I shared how important it is to keep your soil covered in hot times. Sunshine and heat can kill your soil biology fast, not to mention the erosion that can come when your soil is not protected. Today I will share a few simple ideas for how to keep your…
Read MoreFrom the Executive Director: ‘Agriculture, done well, heals’ at the Heart of Membership
This afternoon I ran an errand to Mankato and was amazed at the bountiful crops ready to be harvested, and the abundant farmers market offerings. This, coupled with glorious fall colors, buoyed my spirits. What really keeps me optimistic is the innovative work being done in local food production and processing by SFA members, and…
Read MoreZimmerli: Grants Help Farms Become More Profitable, Sustainable
SFA is working with several partners to host webinars on how to effectively apply for some of the various grants that are out there. Grants can be an excellent way to inject a little extra cash into an initiative on your farm that can help you to be more profitable, sustainable or both. On my…
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