Annual Conference

Annual-Conference-Logo

Saturday, February 11, 2023
Gorecki Conference Center
College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph

Early bird registration is now open!

$50 for current SFA members, $75 for nonmembers.  Ends December 31, 2022. Prices go up by $25 on January 1, 2023!
Emerging Farmers:  Free

Children's program (ages 5-12): $10

Lunch ticket in St. Ben's excellent cafeteria: $15.  (You may also do lunch on your own.)

Register HERE.

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With topics including:

  • Fruit & Vegetable Soil Health and Profitability
  • Grazing Strategies
  • "Burn the Box" Changing Ag Paradigms
  • Beekeeping
  • Farm Profitability
  • Emerging Farmer Resources
  • Climate Adaptability
  • New Cooperative Marketing Models
  • and more!

Full schedule coming soon.

Sponsor and Exhibitor Opportunities

Please consider partnering with us on SFA's flagship event for farmer-to-farmer education and networking.

More information and an application form are HERE.

Our 2023 Sponsors

BLOOM SPONSORS

Afternoon Social Sponsor

Lakewinds Co-op

A community owned grocery store with 3 locations in the Twin Cities Metro area, Lakewinds' mission is to promote sustainable agriculture, support local makers. and nourish our community. No membership required to shop, and all are welcome!

Opening Plenary Session Sponsor

Compeer

SAPLING SPONSORS

MAWQCP

A voluntary opportunity for farmers and ag landowners to take the lead in conservation practices that protect our water while obtaining regulatory certainty for 10 years.

MN Department of Agriculture

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture mission is to enhance all Minnesotans' quality of life by equitably ensuring the integrity of our food supply, the health of our environment and the strength and resilience of our agricultural community.

SEED SPONSORS

Solar Farm LLC

Solar Electric (PV) design, sales and installation.

A look back at our 2022 conference:
Why attend our Annual Conference? Take it from these farmers:

Our Blog

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Conservation Connections: New Program Supports Underserved Farmers

By jluhman | Jan 11, 2021 | Comments Off on Conservation Connections: New Program Supports Underserved Farmers

Last week I shared an overview of the new program we are kicking off with Renewing the Countryside and NRCS. Today I want to share a little bit about why this program is so valuable. Here at SFA we continually share about the benefits of implementing soil health management practices on your farm, and if…

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MDI Partnership a Seamless Fit

By SFA of MN | Jan 5, 2021 | Comments Off on MDI Partnership a Seamless Fit

By Doug Voss, SFA Grazing Lead SFA has long been an active participant in the Minnesota Dairy Initiative, which has a 20-plus-year history of working with dairy farms throughout  Minnesota to improve their farms. Using a  team approach with expert farmers and  professionals, MDI addresses issues that  come with dairy farming.  The MDI Coordinator’s role…

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Beyond Your Backyard: The lucky one

By mbenage | Dec 30, 2020 | Comments Off on Beyond Your Backyard: The lucky one

Oh what a year we’ve had together. It’s easy with all the stress swirling around us to forget what we have right in front of us. Through all the ups and downs, twists and turns, and unexpected events, we are part of a carefully woven fabric. More intricate and complex than any man-made fiber. Woven…

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From the Executive Director: Meet the “boots on the ground” of SFA

By SFA of MN | Dec 29, 2020 | Comments Off on From the Executive Director: Meet the “boots on the ground” of SFA

Pictured: Part of the SFA team at a winter staff retreat in 2019. It’s the last CONNECT of 2020, and a great opportunity to say “thank you” to the amazing team of staff and consultants who make SFA such a solid organization. Here’s who’s wearing the “boots on the ground” at SFA. Katie Feterl, SFA…

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Conservation Connections: New Program Supports Underserved Farmers

By jluhman | Dec 29, 2020 | Comments Off on Conservation Connections: New Program Supports Underserved Farmers

With a goal of supporting historically underserved farmers in Minnesota and Wisconsin, a new project led by Renewing the Countryside and the Sustainable Farming Association builds connections between these farmers and resource support. Conservation Connections: Linking New & Underserved Farmers with Conservation Resources uniquely utilizes a “boots in the field” team of Farmer Connectors to…

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DGA Update: Congratulations, Graduate!

By awalter | Dec 28, 2020 | Comments Off on DGA Update: Congratulations, Graduate!

The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship has a new graduate in MN!   Jack Schouweiler has completed the program.  It’s so exciting to help someone through the apprenticeship and see them graduate.  I am excited to see what the future holds for Jack.  Watching someone else’s dream come true is the most amazing gift I have received…

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Put ‘Lake Superior Roots & Recipes’ on Your Table

By SFA of MN | Dec 21, 2020 | Comments Off on Put ‘Lake Superior Roots & Recipes’ on Your Table

Earlier this year, the Lake Superior Sustainable Farming Association (LSSFA) launched a new website called ‘Lake Superior Roots & Recipes,’ featuring recipes, cooking tips, and information about our local food system. In the midst of the holiday season, you may find some ideas to add to your own table! Since the Coronavirus pandemic began, more…

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Luhman: Soil Health Practices Benefit Communities

By jluhman | Dec 17, 2020 | Comments Off on Luhman: Soil Health Practices Benefit Communities

A recent project by Green Lands Blue Waters and the Midwest Perennial Forage Working Group sought to address the damage done by surface water runoff, and they developed the attached graphic. Surface water runoff can be quite destructive to both private and public infrastructure. Did you know that the cost to repair a culvert can…

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Podcast: Family Dairies & Apprenticeships

By kfeterl | Dec 11, 2020 | Comments Off on Podcast: Family Dairies & Apprenticeships

“My hope for dairy in the future…is trying to keep these small family farms alive.” Angie Walter runs an organic, grazing dairy farm with her family in central Minnesota. The family of four raise 100 Norwegian Red, Red Holstein, and Guernsey crosses on 370 acres. Angie is also the Central Minnesota Education Coordinator for the…

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Launching the Local Producer Sustainability Project

By SFA of MN | Dec 8, 2020 | Comments Off on Launching the Local Producer Sustainability Project

My name is James Harren and I’m excited to announce the launch of the Local Producer Sustainability Project. I’ll be working on the project for this next year as a VISTA, or Volunteer in Service to America, hosted by the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF). SMIF has developed the project in partnership with the Minnesota…

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Our Blog

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Facing Drought: Tough Decisions and Smart Solutions for Graziers

By SFA of MN | May 12, 2025

As we look at the weather forecast and study the drought monitor, it appears that we are in for another dry spring and summer in the upper Midwest. According to the drought monitor, about 75% of the state is experiencing abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions and it’s only the beginning of May. In a…

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Preparing for Drought in the Pasture

By SFA of MN | May 7, 2025

By Kent Solberg • Senior Technical Advisor Even with pastures greening up fast, 2025 is shaping up to be another drought year.  Much of Minnesota (>74%) is still rated as Abnormally Dry or Moderate Drought according to the US Drought Monitor.  Most of Minnesota was dry last fall and the snowpack for much of the…

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Five Summer Festivals

By SFA of MN | May 7, 2025

By Jerry Ford • Chapter & Events Coordinator Five SFA chapters host a local foods-centered festival each year, and they are all busily preparing for their 2025 events. Learn more about each one at www.sfa-mn.org/festivals. Here are a few ways you can get involved: ADMISSIONS:  Tickets are on sale or will be soon. BE A…

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Farm Day Growers & Makers Markets

By SFA of MN | May 7, 2025

This summer, SFA and Lift Bridge Brewing Company are partnering to host a series of monthly local Growers & Makers markets! Every third Saturday from June through September, we will be showcasing the best in local produce, meat, cheese, pickled veggies, and hot sauce, as well as amazing talented artists, craftspeople, and vendors. Market Dates:…

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Learn how to raise your own meat chickens this summer!

By SFA of MN | Apr 7, 2025

You’ve probably heard that chickens are the gateway into Homesteading life. There’s a reason! Raising your own chicken meat and eggs requires fairly minimal inputs and infrastructure to begin on your own.  With egg and meat prices on the rise, this summer sounds like a great time to begin raising your own! We’ll talk specifically about: This…

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Expanding our perspectives, addressing pressing issues at the Midwest Grazing & Soil Health Summit

By SFA of MN | Mar 6, 2025

By Jonathan Kilpatrick  • Farmer Education Director It’s hard to believe that in just two weeks, we’ll be right in the middle of the inaugural Midwest Grazing & Soil Health Summit! Still on the fence (no pun intended) about attending? Let me give you a few reasons—beyond our all-star lineup of speakers—why you should reconsider. Beyond the session…

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Member Spotlight: Caroline Hegstrom & Growing Organic Farming

By SFA of MN | Mar 6, 2025

By Katie Feterl • Communications Director Like all SFA farmers, Caroline Hegstrom wears many hats. She is a very active member of our Association Board, serving both as the delegate for the Lake Superior Chapter and the Board secretary. Out in the field, she runs The Boreal Farm in Duluth (organic vegetable and flower CSAs;…

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New Member Discount with Red Wing Shoes

By SFA of MN | Mar 4, 2025

We’re excited to announce another great benefit to SFA membership, a 10% discount on Red Wing Shoes! This member-exclusive discount will save SFA members 10% on all IN STORE purchases of regularly priced Red Wing Brand footwear. When you visit a Red Wing retailer, you’ll be measured for an accurate fit to ensure maximum comfort…

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New year, new dues, and a new member benefit!

By SFA of MN | Jan 22, 2025

If you haven’t met Suzanne Miller-McFeeley yet, allow me to introduce her!Suzanne joined our team of consultants in 2023 and was recently named our Development & Membership Manager. She is now our go-to person for all things membership, and has hit the ground running in implementing our new board-driven membership dues structure. A South Dakota…

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