East Central Chapter Annual Meeting – Milaca, MN

You are invited to register and attend the annual meeting of the East Central Chapter of the Sustainable Farming Association (SFA) being held Northernlights Ballroom and Banquet Center in Milaca, MN.  Dinner will be served and is free for East Central Chapter members.  Non-members of East Central chapter are welcome and encouraged to attend.  The fee for non-members of East Central Chapter is $35.00 per person. Registration in advance is required.  

Hear from David Abazs about Agriculture in Minnesota – challenges and opportunities in a changing world!

We will explore different agricultural approaches, sharing specifically about issues around land access, farm transitions, soils, seed ownership and control, specialty crops, marketing, finances, capital, storage, distribution, traction, energy and climate. Also, we will explore the depth and breath of societal problems and how agriculture can be “part of the solution!”

Bio: David Abazs and his wife Lise run Round River Farm and David had the opportunity to design and build Victus Farm, an aquaponics facility in Silver Bay, instigate, lead and manage the Wolf Ridge Organic Farm and initiate the design and early building years of the North Shore AgroEcology Center, Finland MN. He transitioned four years ago from those farms to become the Executive Director of the Northeast Regional Sustainable Development Partnership at the University of Minnesota. David is a former UMN Endowed Chair in Agriculture Systems and has authored the Western Lake Superior Food Capacity study and the Local Food as an Economic Driver study and continues research on Agrophenology. His greatest joy is his family, living connected to land, and imagining and leaning into a more just and sustainable country and world!

Meeting Information:

Where:     Northern Lights Ballroom and Banquet Hall, 10376 112th Ave, Milaca, MN 56353.
Date:        Saturday, January 14, 2023

Time: 5:00pm – 9:00pm

5:00 pm: The doors open at for registration and social time.  A cash bar is available.
5:45 pm: Buffet dinner is served
6:30 pm: Guest Speaker
8:00 pm: East Central business meeting
9:00 pm: Adjourn (sooner if business is complete)

Fee:         East Central Chapter members: Free
Non Chapter members: $35.00

Buffet Meal:

• Garden salad (croutons and dressing on the side, gluten free GF, dairy free DF)
• Chef carved roast beef (GF, DF)
• Baked potato (sour cream and butter on the side, GF, DF)
• Whole kernel corn (GF, DF)
• Roasted broccoli (GF, DF)
• Beverages: (regular and decaf coffee, assorted hot tea, lemonade, water, cash bar) 
• Dessert: Variety cakes (Triple Chocolate, White Chocolate Raspberry, Lemon Shortcake)

How to register

East Central Chapter Members – If you are a current East Central Chapter member sign into your SFA account LOGIN and then access the event registration page and register. (Note, if your membership expires before January 17, 2024, you will need to RENEW your membership before you register).

Become an East Central Chapter Member – Become a member by joining SFA and selecting East Central Chapter as your chapter of choice. JOIN HERE. When you join, create an account. While signed into your account access the event registration page and register.  Admission will be free. 

Not an East Central Chapter Member – Click the registration link to register and pay the $35.00 fee.

When you register you will be asked to share any dietary restrictions, for example, gluten free, dairy free, etc.