Annual Conference
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.
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
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
SAPLING SPONSORS
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.
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 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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By Jonathan Kilpatrick • Farmer Education Director While persistent rainfall across the state is delaying the start of small grain harvest for many farmers, this downtime can be used to plan for post-harvest cover crops. Planting cover crops immediately after harvesting small grains like wheat, barley, or oats can be highly beneficial and is a…
Read MoreCould implementing practices like cover crops and no-till on your farm work for you and your bottom line? What if you could get paid to do it? Enjoy a meal and conversation with area farmers and your Soil Water Conservation District this Thursday, August 8 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Duffy’s Riverside Saloon…
Read MoreCut flowers can be a diversifying crop for fruit and vegetable growers, adding an income stream in the form of bouquets and arrangements. And in the case of R. Roots Garden, even edible flowers! On Monday, August 12 from 5:30-7:30 PM, the Twin Cities Metro Growers Network will enjoy an evening at Queen Frye’s North Minneapolis…
Read MoreAre you intrigued by the thought of building your own fences? Or, have you tried and need a refresher on how to do it? Fence building is both an art and a science, and properly built fences make for years of happy neighbors and livestock success. Learn the ropes with Kent Solberg and Jonathan Kilpatrick…
Read MoreBy Connie Fernholz Carlson • Crow River Chapter member; former SFA Board member and President It is with deep sadness that I share with all of you the sudden passing of University of Minnesota professor, Dr. Don Wyse, on July 2, 2024. Dr. Wyse was a dynamic force for clean water, healthy soil, sustainable agriculture…
Read MoreBy Jonathan Kilpatrick, Farmer Education Director Last month, during a consultation with a self-proclaimed octogenarian farmer, I was struck by just how much change this gentleman has seen over the years. One of the things that I love about talking to folks who have been farming their entire lifetime is the breadth of perspective that…
Read More**July 23, 2024 update: This position has been filled. Fast Facts: This position is a part-time, remote consulting contract that will sunset in October of 2027.Time commitment: 30-40 hours/monthHourly rate: $40-$55, depending on experienceTravel within Minnesota and occasional overnight lodging required. Mileage and travel expenses are reimbursed. Overview:The Climate Smart Seedling Production Network (CSSPN) Project…
Read MoreHave 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…
Read MoreBy 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,…
Read MoreBy 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…
Read MoreOur Blog
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Midwest Soil Health Summit benefits farmers across scales; crops
Ford: They pay me, but I’d go anyway. By Jerry Ford • Chapter & Events Coordinator Why have I gone to 9 of the 10 Midwest Soil Health Summits so far? Well, yes, as many of you know, they pay me to. After all, I’m the EVENTS & Chapter Coordinator for SFA, and I manage the logistics…
Read MoreLuhman: What I’m looking forward to at the Midwest Soil Health Summit
By Jared Luhman • Soil Health & Grazing Lead Over the past year I have taken a significant step back from my responsibilities with SFA to focus on farming with my family! However, I have stayed involved to assist Jonathan and the team in the planning of our Midwest Soil Health Summit! This is one of…
Read MoreVolunteer at the Annual Conference
By Jerry Ford • Chapter & Events Coordinator The SFA Annual Conference is Saturday, February 10, 2024 in St. Joseph, and we’re looking for some volunteers. Most needed are people to help with our Conference Kids program. This is the only volunteer position that comes with free registration for the conference, so sign up early. Shifts are 90…
Read MoreMidwest Soil Health Summit Speaker Spotlight: Burke Teichert
Experts from near and far will convene in Mankato for the 11th annual Midwest Soil Health Summit on March 13 & 14, 2024 to dig into “Managing for Profit: Soil Health Principles as a Profit Strategy.” Meet Burke Teichert Burke Teichert is one such expert who attendees will hear from during a keynote presentation, breakout session, and at our…
Read MoreLunch & Learn in Alexandria to kick off 2024
Join the Minnesota Dairy Initiative (MDI) and Sustainable Farming Association (SFA) on January 18th in Alexandria for a discussion on improving farm resiliency through alternative forages and forage management. Four area dairy farmers will be sharing strategies around forage selection and grazing management that they have seen increase the ability of their farm to weather the recent…
Read MoreWith eyes on 2024, Give to the Max!
This Thursday, November 16 marks Minnesota’s ‘biggest giving holiday.’ Early givers have already rounded up a total of $10,500 for our Give to the Max campaign! TWO Generous donors — one a Minnesota-based family foundation and the other a corporate community fund — are putting up a $20,000 match. Our lofty goal is to fully match…
Read MoreWe have a BIG Match!
We have exciting news! TWO Generous donors — one a Minnesota-based family foundation and the other a corporate community fund — are putting up a $20,000 match for our Give to the Max campaign. Our lofty goal is to fully match these funds, and raise a total of $40,000 for our 2024 programming. Early giving has begun,…
Read MoreAnnual Conference registration open
Come one, come all! Registration for the 2024 Annual Conference is open. We can’t wait to reconvene with hundreds of you farmers, ag professionals, aspiring growers, homesteaders, and local foods supporters. Join us at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph on Saturday, February 10, 2024. Members can take advantage of a $25 Early Bird discount. Register…
Read MoreUrban Roots Farm Tour and Soil Discussion
Twin Cities Metro Growers Network event, September 11, 2023 Writing and photos by Lia Spaniolo, University of Minnesota Extension Educator “Prepping the beds” and “harvesting” are Nana’s and Malachi’s responses when asked about their favorite farming activity on the farm. They both are youth interns who work at Urban Roots, a non-profit organization based on…
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