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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Understanding the Biological Soil Tests – July Field Day

By SFA of MN | Jun 24, 2024 |

Have you ever wondered if your soil can go to work for you to provide more nutrients for your crops than it is? Do you wish there was a way to know how much of the fertilizer you are applying is actually getting used by the plants, or is it washing away into our water…

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Making soil health gains with your Prevent Plant acres

By SFA of MN | Jun 12, 2024 |

By Kent Solberg, Senior Technical Advisor & Jonathan Kilpatrick, Farmer Education Director Recent rainfall events have prevented farms from completing corn and soybean planting. Decisions made in the next few days can have impacts not only for this cropping season, but for years to come. Some farmers are thinking about either short-season corn or soybeans,…

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Change is Good

By SFA of MN | Jun 12, 2024 |

By Lucinda Winter • Executive Director One of the things I like about working at SFA is the number of informal conversations that we as staff have with our members, often through email and when returning voicemails. So it was no surprise that I heard from several members after we launched our online SFA Bulletin…

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Holistic Weed Management Workshop

By SFA of MN | Jun 10, 2024 |

Come join SFA’s Specialty Crop Lead Dan Zimmerli of Cedar Crate Farm, a mixed vegetable operation in Waldorf, MN, for a workshop on holistic weed management. Cedar Crate Farm produces over 70 varieties of vegetables available at farmers market, CSA, and through wholesale partners. The free event will be held on Monday, June 24, from 1:00-4:00 PM. Dan…

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Prescribed Goat Grazing for Savanna Restoration

By SFA of MN | Jun 4, 2024 |

On Monday, June 24 from 4:00-7:30 p.m., graziers, land managers, and interested members of the public are invited to Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan to take a look at the techniques and considerations for using goats to control buckthorn. “For those of you thinking about bringing small ruminants into your vegetation management work, this…

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Drink for a Cause!

By SFA of MN | May 8, 2024 |

On Tuesday, May 21 from 4:00-7:00 p.m., you can support a sustainable future for Minnesota farmers (and eaters like you) just by grabbing a drink or dinner at Wooden Hill Brewing Company in Edina. 10% of all taproom sales will go directly to SFA’s programming! Wooden Hill has an extensive selection of beers, hard seltzers, ‘beertails,’ and several non-alcoholic options.…

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Pasture Walk Series to Begin in Otter Tail County

By SFA of MN | Apr 24, 2024 |

It’s safe to say that spring is here (although, you never know in Minnesota), and we are excited to be kicking off our season of pasture tomorrow! On the fourth Thursday of each month, SFA will host an engaging pasture walk with a specific focus at various Minnesota farms. All of the walks will be free to…

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Growing sales while building up a farm and a family

By SFA of MN | Apr 5, 2024 |

Market more effectively with Charlotte Smith on April 18 By Jonathan Kilpatrick • Farmer Education Director Before working for SFA, I managed a ranch that sold grass fed meats direct-to-consumer. It was around the time I started that position that I came across some of Charlotte Smith’s marketing resources and podcast, “The Profitable Mindset Podcast.”…

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Two new Member Benefits are live!

By SFA of MN | Apr 3, 2024 |

Members of SFA now have access to a Member Directory and Bulletin Board when they log in to their account portal. Here’s how to use them. If you haven’t used your account before, please click here to set up a password. The Member Directory The directory is designed to be another avenue of connection for…

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Let’s Farm Well Retreat Postponed

By SFA of MN | Apr 3, 2024 |

The Let’s Farm Well Retreat at the Abbey of the Hills Retreat Center in Marvin, South Dakota, has been postponed. Watch for a new date later this year so you can join us for some relaxation, reflection, and connection! You can also sign up for our Connect e-newsletter to get updates on this event and…

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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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