Minnesota River

Welcome to the Minnesota River Chapter

The Minnesota River Chapter of SFA encompasses sustainable farmers, producers and like-minded consumers in south central Minnesota. Our chapter is focused on strengthening the local food system in our region, improving the water quality of the Minnesota River and building a farmer network to share knowledge that furthers sustainable farming practices.

    • Call us at 844.922.5573 Ext. 721
Minnesota River

Upcoming Events

Fall Meeting at Pub 500 Mankato

Thursday, November 06, 2025     6:00PM—7:30PM
Pub 500, 500 South Front St, Mankato MN 56001

Let's make our way around the businesses that participate in Local Foods Month as we conduct our Minnesota River Chapter meetings. First up, Pub 500 in Mankato.

At this meeting, we'll hear from local farmers transitioning from conventional dairying to regenerative practices including multiple cover crops, grazing sheep and cattle, building a small-scale dairy and more. Tom and Isabella Portner of Sleepy Eye are a father-daughter team working with their family to regenerate their land and use their animals to help do it. We'll hear about their story, challenges, and current goals.

In addition, we'll hold a short meeting to discuss:

  • River Rock Kitchen & Baking Co Commercial Kitchen Opportunity
  • Potential for chapter to purchase chicken processing equipment to share/rent within chapter members
  • Review Sowing Seeds
  • And more!

Taco Bar supper will be provided featuring locally-sourced beef. Please indicate in advance via email to Mary if you need food intolerances accounted for. When you arrive, mention that you are with the SFA group and the waiter will bring you to join the group.

Registration: This event is free to attend. Please RSVP so that we can account for accurate numbers for supper!

Portner Cow Port-Haven Dairy
Register

Grant and Scholarship Opportunities

Here are a couple of opportunities for SFA Members:

Region Nine Conference Scholarships
Region Nine is offering conference scholarships to local sustainable farmers in the region that will reimburse you for the full cost of attending:

If interested, email Sabri Fair requesting a conference scholarship form.  Then complete the form and email it with your proof of registration/payment back to Sabri.

Region Nine can cover the cost of other conferences that may be more relevant to your farm, just ask before registering to make sure it is eligible.

Free Grant Support
Over the next 4 years Region Nine will have a staff member devoted to supporting a stronger local food system. An important part of their role is helping farmers and other food system stakeholders like grocers, schools, and meat processors secure additional funding to make access to locally grown and produced foods easier.

If you are interested in utilizing this support, please email Sabri Fair to schedule a conversation about your project goals. If you are looking for grant opportunities take a look at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture page to see what opportunities might interest you: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/funding

Become a Member

Renew or start your membership below.
Be sure to select "Minnesota River" as your chapter on the membership form.

Join today

Chapter Leadership

    • President: Mary Fischer
    • Treasurer: Herman Bartsch
    • Secretary & Board Delegate: Sabri Fair