Resources

Biochar, a stable carbon created via pyrolysis (heating without the presence of oxygen), can be produced from the massive amounts of woody debris generated by tree removal and trimming, brush removal, woodlands management, and storm damage. Biomass that is currently burned or left to decompose releases most of the carbon back into the atmosphere. Conversion…

Hear from a variety of farmers around Minnesota about their operations, including what kind of soil health practices they have implemented and what motivated them to get Ag Water Quality Certified. Download the PDF

If you would like to get better acquainted with your soil you can do some simple tests at home to gain insight into soil structure and biological properties. See the Soil Health Toolkit for directions on how to do 4 soil health tests and then use the Soil Health Report Card to record the data…

Click here to download a printable version of this fact sheet. Why Consider Pigs? Worldwide, pork is the most widely consumed meat. Pork is a highly efficient and cost-effective protein to produce. When compared with livestock such as cattle, pigs have a much shorter finishing time which allows your initial investment to be paid back much…

Growing in a covered space seems to be a trend for many local vegetable growers and there is good reason in our northern climate. To help measure the soil health both inside and outside of a caterpillar tunnel, farmers can use a soil health report card with four easy soil health tests. Download the PDF

Growing in a covered space seems to be a trend for many local vegetable growers and there is good reason in our northern climate. To help measure the soil health both inside and outside of a caterpillar tunnel, farmers can use a soil health report card with four easy soil health tests. Download the PDF

Growing in a covered space seems to be a trend for many local vegetable growers and there is good reason in our northern climate. To help measure the soil health both inside and outside of a caterpillar tunnel, farmers can use a soil health report card with four easy soil health tests. Download the PDF

Growing in a covered space seems to be a trend for many local vegetable growers and there is good reason in our northern climate. To help measure the soil health both inside and outside of a caterpillar tunnel, farmers can use a soil health report card with four easy soil health tests. Download the PDF

Part of the Soil Health Test Kit Download the PDF

If you would like to get better acquainted with your soil you can do some simple tests at home to gain insight into soil structure and biological properties. Download the PDF

Smaller acreage producers have different needs and circumstances, but with the help of some accessible tools can incorporate the fundamentals of soil health into their farming activities. Download the PDF

SFA has produced a newly updated (2021) edition of “Soil Health Tools and Techniques for Fruit and Vegetable Growers,” that is meant to assist fruit and vegetable growers of all sizes, from community gardens to larger acreages selling commercially. This document was produced with support from Lakewinds Food Co-op. Download the PDF

Considering planting some cover crops? This chart helps you identify your needs in the context of the land you’re working with, and the cover crops that may best help you meet your goals. Download the PDF

Written by SFA Livestock & Grazing Specialist Kent Solberg, this Cover Crop Fact Sheet is a concise resource for new and experienced farmers. Download the PDF

What are cover crops? • A tool to address specific resourceconcerns.• Not the “silver bullet”• Can be annuals, biennials or perennials.• Greater the diversity the greater theresponse from soil microbes and higherenvironmental stress tolerance. Download the PDF

Soil Health Presentation: • Key to farm profitability• The farm’s “bank account”• Our legacy• The inheritance we leave the nextgeneration Download the PDF

Presettlement vegetation of Minnesota based on Francis Marschner’s original analysis of Public Land Survey notes and landscape patterns. Marschner compiled his results in map format, which was subsequently captured in digital format. Download the PDF

Check out this new infographic depicting integration of livestock and crops at a glance! This image was developed by and for farmers and service providers, in collaboration with the design firm Background Stories as part of the SARE grant project “Match Made In Heaven: Livestock + Crops.” Download the PDF

Is silvopasture a good fit for this site at this time? Site history and current conditions: Observe the site, describe the vegetation, and discuss its management over approximately the last 30 years. Download the PDF

Silvopasture intentionally combines trees, livestock, and forage into a single system on one site. The forage, trees, and livestock are managed and integrated to complement one another to increase productivity of the site. As a dynamic, symbiotic, and intensively managed grazing system, silvopasture is the sustainable (long-term) production of timber, forages, and livestock on the…

The Silvopasture Handbook is a compendium of web-based resources, professionals, universities, government agencies, non-profit organizations and other sources of silvopasture information, training and networking. This resource manual is designed to assist land managers and technical support staff on designing and implementing a Silvopasture system in woodlands. This is a starting place for you to quickly…

The Sustainable Agriculture Case Studies project is a partnership among several organizations and numerous individuals. The project reflects the partners’ understanding that farmers learn best from each other and that strong connections across the landscape will result in wider adoption of effective practices. Download the PDF

The Sustainable Agriculture Case Studies project is a partnership among several organizations and numerous individuals. The project reflects the partners’ understanding that farmers learn best from each other and that strong connections across the landscape will result in wider adoption of effective soil health practices. Download the PDF

Silvopasture is the deliberate integration of trees and grazing livestock operations on the same land. The trees, forage, and grazing livestock are managed intensively and must complement with one another to increase overall production. The sales of livestock provide annual income to the producer while fostering long-term economic benefits from trees such as sawtimber. In…

This webinar is part of SFA’s Growing and Marketing Minnesota Asparagus Project, in partnership with the University of Minnesota Extension.

Are you tired of working hard to produce a crop just to be told what you will sell it for and find that it isn’t even profitable? Learn how three farmers have gotten out of the commodity farming business and began to become price makers rather than price takers by building their own direct to…

Managed well, silvopasture can improve profit and ecological function on the 660,000+ acres of unmanaged, grazed woodlands in Minnesota. Three MN resource professionals share their knowledge on grazing system infrastructure, management considerations, and programs available to assist producers.

FarmMaps is a new tool developed by the Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Agriculture Management to help you learn about soil health and silvopasture practices. It highlights farmers around Minnesota who are implementing innovative practices and allows you to connect with them.

Presenters discuss practically how to get started implementing Silvopasture on your farm, including planning design considerations, using EQIP, cost-share programs, and other funding opportunities.

Take a deeper dive into the costs of silvopasture establishment and the economics of silvopasture production systems. The presenters share findings from research conducted throughout the United States.

Take a tour of silvopasture around the planet. This agricultural practice has been in use for centuries from the tropics to temperate climates. Learn about research on the utility of silvopastoral systems for agricultural production and their implication for contributing to an economically and environmentally resilient agriculture.

This webinar captures the history and use of silvopasture as a practice throughout the Midwest. You’ll find a refresher on silvopasture as a practice and its concepts, highlights of research from silvopastoral systems in the region, and a tour of farms and farm systems that utilize the practice.

This webinar is focused on producer experiences using silvopasture in their operations. From beef to goats and from Northern to Southern Minnesota you will tour a diversity of operations, climates, and landscapes. This webinar is an on-the-ground tour of working farms.

Silvopastures are complex agroecosystems with the potential to provide an array of sustainable products and services. From healthy pasture-based foods and forest products to clean water and carbon sequestration, highly skilled grazing management is critical to the success and optimization of these systems. This webinar will present an overview of Adaptive Grazing Management and a…

Dayle & Ivan Reinke of Cloverleaf Grass Farm demonstrate how they move their cattle to a different paddock for bale grazing in winter at their farm in Wadena County, Minn.

Dr. Allen Williams discusses soil biology during dynamic SFA ‘Dirt Rich’ event Aug. 17, 2016, at the Allen Deutz farm, Marshall, Minn.

Dr. Allen Williams & Rice County Extension soil specialist Claire LaCanne discuss soil the importance of soil microbial life and inspect a cattle pat for dung beetles.

Event was held for beef and dairy producers interested in reducing operational costs while improving soil fertility.

SFA Livestock & Grazing Specialist Kent Solberg says a tool already on your farm – the humble box spreader – can create bedding for cattle or other livestock during outwintering, building soil health and boosting forage production.

SFA staff Jerry Ford and Kent Solberg tackle the tough question: “Should we eat meat?” and discuss how properly managed livestock can actually address issues of sustainability and health in agriculture.

Interested in raising chickens on pasture in Minnesota? Hear from Lance Klessig of Heart & Soil Ridge and Jared Luhman of Grass Fed Cattle Co. on raising both laying hens and broilers.

Interested in raising goats in Minnesota? Hear from Cherrie Nolden of 1dr Acres Farm and Jake Langeslag of Goat Dispatch on how they do it.

Interested in raising bison in Minnesota? Hear from PJ Breen of Rolling R Bison Ranch and Craig Fischer of Sleepy Bison Acres on how they do it.

Interested in raising sheep on pasture? Hear from two diversified Minnesota farms raising various breeds of sheep for meat, wool, and soil health.

Today, a presentation that our Soil Health Specialist Jonathan Kilpatrick gave on adaptive grazing at a recent field day. He’ll bring you through the fundamentals, always keeping in mind the importance of context in grazing management. Jonathan believes that grazing is one of  the most powerful forces we can have to regenerate our soils. A topic…

Using livestock to restore landscapes may seem like a contradiction, but oak savannas thrive with disturbance. Grazier Doug Voss and PhD candidate Austin Yantes are involved in a project at the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, studying the results of carefully managed cattle grazing, tree thinning, and burning in striving to meet Sherburne’s ecological goals. The Sherburne…

Sarah Lindblom returns to Dirt Rich today to share four soil health tests that you can do at home to gain insight on the soil’s physical, chemical, and biological function. These tests can be valuable to gardeners and farmers at any scale, and can be done using simple materials from your recycling bin: Infiltration test…

Dr. Anna Cates, the State Soil Health Specialist for the Minnesota Office for Soil Health (MOSH), discusses the roles and interplay of both scientific research and anecdotes in soil health education and implementation with host Jared Luhman. In her opinion, both are quite valuable in making the case for using soil health techniques on the…

Tony Wells and a few partners are years into developing a regenerative and resilient poultry production system that provides opportunities for small farm profitability, which they’ve implemented on a 40-acre farm. The model attempts to replicate a forest habitat for poultry, incorporating perennials like hazelnuts and elderberries into a silvopasture system. Not only do the…

Tyler and Stephen pick up their conversation on oak savanna from our last episode: How do we restore oak savanna? What does it take? Where have we been and what’s been missed in prior restoration attempts? According to Stephen, “restoration is restoring the processes that maintain the desirable vegetation.” He dives into a variety of…

Stephen Thomforde, farmer, Stantec Senior Ecologist, and expert in fields of oak savanna research and restoration takes us on a deep dive into oak savannas. Throughout the episode, he describes the patterns of this ecosystem’s growth across geographical space and time, all the way back to when mammoths and mastodons walked Minnesota. In short, a…

Sarah Lindblom and Josh Reinitz join Dirt Rich to talk about how they’ve been growing food for their communities with food safety in mind–through the pandemic, and always. Sarah runs Solar Fresh Produce, a three acre 40-member CSA farm outside of Buffalo, Minn. and has a small flock of laying hens. An hour south, Josh…

Sarah Lindblom has always grown herbs for her CSA. She started off growing some popular favorites for her shares: basil, parsley, cilantro. A workshop with herbalist Connie Karstens soon sparked an interest in medicinal herbs. She began cultivating holy basil, marshmallow, calendula, and lemon balm–just to name a few. Now Sarah sells both fresh and…

This highly detailed manual discusses all aspects of asparagus production and includes photos, charts and sections on topics like choosing a site, nutrient management, pest control, post-harvest management and much more. Download the PDF of this handbook.

Summarized information provided by ten culinary and food professionals including chefs, restaurateurs, food manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, and entrepreneurs. Download the report (PDF)

A Minnesota garlic grower’s perspective on diseases, pests and conditions of garlic in the Upper Midwest.

This project conducted field trials over five seasons on several MN Farms. Subjects included mulching practices, spring fertilization, scape removal, planting timing. View the PDF of the final report.

Download the PDF of this chart.

Jared Luhman and Tyler Carlson return to further discuss Silvopasture: “the intentional integration of trees, forage, and livestock into one intensively managed system.” Formerly a trope to “keep livestock out of the woods,” now farmers have the tools to properly manage their impact.  By intensively managing trees to optimize the growing environment for the forage…

Jerry Ford and Sunny Ruthchild  are longtime friends in Minnesota garlic and organic farming. Sunny runs Merryweather Gardens near Walnut Grove, raising garlic, poultry, vegetables, and pigs who are happy to be the clean-up crew for her orchard. Jerry raises replacement dairy heifers, grass-fed beef, and garlic with his family at Living Song Farm near…

Interested in raising pigs on pasture? Hear Dayle & Ivan Reinke’s first-hand experience from Cloverleaf Grass Farm in Minnesota.

Sarah Lindblom of Sustainable Farming Association and Solar Fresh Produce demonstrates four tests that you can implement on your farm, yard, or garden to measure soil health: Infiltration Test Slake Test Earthworm Test pH Test See each of these soil health tests demonstrated by Sarah in this video created by Mitch Kezar of Kezar Media.

SFA recently published a compendium of five case studies featuring farmers who practice silvopasture and agroforestry. Researched and written by Jared Luhman, SFA’s Soil Health Lead, these case studies feature farmers throughout Minnesota who have been using silvopasture practices for three or more years and whose stories offer tangible examples, support, and encouragement to others.…

The BEGINNING GRAZIER HANDBOOK (PDF) is designed to assist the beginning grazier in implementing a grazing system, or experienced graziers looking for additional resources. Click here for the web version of the handbook

Chad Crowley firmly believes that for those who want to get into dairy or farming in general, grazing is the way to go. That route has certainly gone well for him. He was told many times that he couldn’t find success in farming because he didn’t grow up on one, but today he and his…

Angie Walter, the SFA/DGA Central Minnesota Education Coordinator, and her husband Nate run an organic dairy in Central Minnesota, and are also masters in the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program. Today’s episode features them in conversation with their first apprentice, Ryan Heinen, who now manages a dairy in Waukesha, Wisconsin. His passion for ecology and restoration…

My hope for dairy in the future…is trying to keep these small family farms alive.” Angie Walter runs an organic, grazing dairy farm with her family in central Minnesota. The family of four raises 100 Norwegian Red, Red Holstein, and Guernsey crosses on 370 acres. Angie is also the Central Minnesota Education Coordinator for the…

Winter can be the most expensive time to own a cow in the Midwest. As the season changes, five of our staff who also raise beef and dairy cows gathered to share the ways that they’ve found to reduce the cost (and labor) of wintering cattle on their unique operations. All five live in different…

Silvopasture: “the intentional integration of trees, forage, and livestock into one intensively managed system.”  New Dirt Rich voices Jared Luhman and Tyler Carlson give an intro to silvopasture practices, covering a little history, how silvopasture looks today, and the economic and biological benefits these systems can provide to Minnesota farmers. Stay tuned for next week’s…

Growing in a covered space seems to be a trend for many local vegetable growers and there is good reason in our northern climate. To help measure the soil health both inside and outside of a caterpillar tunnel, farmers can use a soil health report card with four easy soil health tests. SFA Crow River Chapter…

Garlic harvest is upon us! This specialty crop is growing as a premium product in Minnesota markets and pantries. Today we chat with Jerry Ford, a seasoned garlic grower who fell into it in 2002 and hasn’t stopped since. He walks us through his harvest and post-harvest processes, shares the conservation history of the fourth-generation…

Held April 22, 2020, Featuring Paul Schmidt of Schmidt Farm and Chris Kudrna of Plum Creek Garlic. An open discussion of garlic issues and practices in the spring.

A session on soil preparation and requirements with Dr. Carl Rosen, Head of the Department of Department of Soil, Water, and Climate at the University of Minnesota, and Tom Coffman, Coffman Garlic & Apples.  Originally presented for the beginning growers in our Mentor Program.

Ryan Pesch conducted the research and wrote the UMN Extension paper on Garlic Enterprise Analysis in 2017-18. In this 2022 SFA Annual Conference session, he returns with advice on increasing your operation’s capacity. Viktor Vasileiadis (interview begins at 17:00) has become probably the largest grower of market garlic in Minnesota, with over seven acres planted in the fall…

With Jesse Davis, MN Farmers Market Association, Warren Alto, Trout Lake Garlic, Chris Kudrna, Plum Creek Garlic,  Jerry Ford, Living Song Farm, and Butch Cardinal, All Good Organics, Inc., Centerville MN

With Melissa Driscoll, Seven Songs Organic Farm, Les Olson, Big Stone Garlic, Keene and Cynthia Hollenbeck, Keene Garlic, and Viktor Vasileiadis, The Best Organic Garlic.

With Ryan Pesch, University of Minnesota Extension Educator; Lida Farm, Pelican Rapids MN

SFA again has partnered with the U. of M. to offer a new set of Soil Health Case Studies featuring profiles of area farmers who are building soil health on their farm operations. These Case Studies were collected and written by SFA Soil Health Lead Jared Luhman and feature farmers in Southeast Minnesota, a prime location…

Theresa calls up Troy to learn more about the NRCS’s role in soil health work in Minnesota, how he sees livestock fitting into the picture, and how he wound up moving here from Texas. From a standpoint of land resiliency and the pandemic at large, Troy makes it clear that “we’ve always got to be…

The Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in Zimmerman, MN spans 30,700 acres on the Anoka Sandplain, and is largely oak savanna. The refuge is home to a wealth of wildlife diversity, including the sandhill crane, Blanding’s turtles, and wild turkeys. And, since 2013, sometimes cattle. For nearly three years, University of Minnesota researcher Austin Yantes, seasoned…

Click here to download a printable version of this fact sheet. Why Pastured Poultry? Poultry raised on pasture offers a much better quality of life for both the birds and the farmer. The poultry can glean up to 20 percent (turkeys 30 percent) of its diet from a healthy pasture while directly depositing their manure back…