Crow River
Welcome to the Crow River Chapter
Encompassing a diverse part of the state that includes the western Twin Cities metro and the rural counties to the west, Crow River offers opportunites for farmers, sustainable farming supporters and consumers to participate in a vital and active organization. We represent not only the more "traditional" farmers - dairy, grains, etc. - but also a wide range of thriving specialty and niche market farmers: CSAs, goats, sheep, poultry, herbs, garlic, restaurant and co-op produce, etc. We have an emphasis on education in sustainable practices and an impressive roster of events, including farm tours, the Crow River Chapter Annual Meeting, the Minnesota Garlic Festival, and our popular social gatherings.
Information: Jerry Ford at crowriver@sfa-mn.org or 1.844.922.5573 Ext. 705.
Join the Crow River Chapter Facebook group.
Upcoming Events:
Coffee Social #2
Saturday, Jan 11, 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Mocha Monkey Downtown Location
115 Olive St S, Waconia MN 55387
Join your sustainable farming friends for great conversation and a hot brew. All are welcome.
This month's topic: favorite/meaningfulbooks/websites/etc & farming book exchange.
Free admission.
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Crow River Chapter Annual Meeting - Hemp & Hubs
Sunday, Jan 26, 11:30 a.m - 3:30 p.m.
Crow River Winery
14848 MN-7, Hutchinson, MN 55350
Pre-registration required.
- SFA Members Free Admission
- Nonmembers $35
More information below.
Register HERE.
Please join us for food, fellowship, and a great program.
Schedule:
11:30 a.m. Pizza & Salad Lunch (included with admission)
Annual Chapter Meeting
“Food Hubs”
Food hubs pool products from multiple farmers and offer it to larger-
scale buyers or a group of customers, and are a way in which farmers who don’t have the time or sufficient product on their own can access these markets. Likewise, buyers can purchase aggregated products through the hub without having to deal with multiple accounts and sources.
Maeve Mallozzi-Kelly will tell us all about their Farmers Market Aggregation Hub project. We'll also hear fromTheresa McCormick of The Good Acre about the work they are doing in the Twin Cities.
Crow River Wine tasting & snack break
“Growing, Making and Selling Hemp Products”
Bridgette Bethke Pinder, Grounded Gardens
Grounded Gardens, a woman-owned and operated hemp farm, grows and crafts its own products while running a licensed store in Hutchinson. Their mission is to deliver the highest quality, small-batch, sustainable CBD and THC products, all made by hand with a focus on health and wellness. Using organic farming methods, they ethically grow hemp that is compliance-tested every step of the way—from seed to shelf and farm to table. This hands-on approach ensures Grounded Gardens maintains full control over what goes into both their products and their farm.
Optional After-Meeting Gathering at Grounded Gardens
Travel on your own or carpool.
Admission details:
- This event is free to current SFA members. Members registering online must sign in to their account to receive free admission.
- Admission for nonmembers is $35.00. Note: until 12/31/24, an individual membership in SFA is $45, and a family is $50. Start your membership here and get in for free:
- Register HERE.
Refunds for cancellations can be requested up to 48 hours prior to the event.
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Coffee Social #3
Wednesday, Feb 12, 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Wilbur's Coffee Cafe
100 Bridge Ave E Delano, MN 55328
Join your sustainable farming friends for great conversation and a hot brew. All are welcome.
This month's topic: marketing.
Free admission.
Coffee (Brewpub, actually) Social #4
Saturday, Mar 8, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Spilled Grain Brewhouse
300 Elm St E, Annandale, MN 55302
Join your sustainable farming friends for great conversation and a cold brew. All are welcome.
This month's topic: varieties, breeds & a seed exchange.
Free admission.
Minnesota Garlic Festival
Saturday, August 9, 2025
840 Century Ave. SW, Hutchinson, MN 55350
Tickets available for purchase online or at the gate.
Official Website
Become a Member
Renew or start your membership below.
Be sure to select "Crow River Chapter" on the membership form.
More from Crow River Chapter
- "How to Cook a Chicken" instructions now available - just cluck on the title
- Crow River SFA Ketchup Case Study
