SFA Connect - E-Newsletter of the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota

SFA Makes Leadership Change: Ford Now at Helm

By Jason Walker • SFA Communications Director

SFA has announced a change in leadership. John Mesko, SFA’s well-respected executive director, has recently accepted the executive director position with the Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service (MOSES). We are thrilled he has been selected for this important position, and thankful for his past leadership in advancing SFA’s mission. Mesko’s last day is Sept. 25. The SFA Board of Directors and staff wish him and his family well on this new journey.

On this same day, longtime staff member Jerry Ford will assume the position of Interim Executive Director. Ford (at right) has served as Event Coordinator and Network Coordinator while at SFA. He is also the founder of the Minnesota Garlic Festival and raises garlic, potatoes, onions and grass-fed beef with his wife, Marienne Kreitlow, at Living Song Farm in Howard Lake, Minn.

“It makes sense that Jerry should lead us during this transition,” said Jim Chamberlin, SFA Association Board President. “No one is more qualified than Jerry, who knows the organization inside and out and will help position our organization for a strong future. SFA’s mission has never been more relevant, and I have full confidence he will serve successfully as our Interim Executive Director.”

Ford said SFA will continue its commitment to further progress in the sustainable agriculture movement.

“SFA is an organization that has made a significant impact in our region, especially in advancing soil health building techniques and innovation,” Ford said. “I look forward to hosting our vibrant conferences this February and working with our thousands of members and other supporters during the upcoming transition. I also want to thank John Mesko for all the work he did to build SFA into an inclusive, nimble organization that made great strides during his tenure.”

Executive Director's Note: SFA Ready to Move Forward

I’ve accepted an offer from the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) to be their new Executive Director. I’ll be starting there Sept. 26.

The SFA Team, consisting of your board of directors and President Jim Chamberlin, Interim Executive Director Jerry Ford, Program Director Kent Solberg, Communications Director Jason Walker, and Special Projects Coordinator Wayne Monsen are prepared to carry SFA forward and continue its great work.

I have thoroughly enjoyed every bit of my time working side by side with the staff, the board, chapter leaders and the volunteers that make up SFA. This move comes as an outgrowth and extension of the work we’ve done together, and I truly see it as an opportunity to move our entire sustainable and organic farming movement forward. I’m very grateful to be able to continue to work with you and all of SFA in the future. This isn’t a “goodbye.” While the decision to leave SFA isn’t easy, the work we’ve been doing together will continue. Both SFA and MOSES are strong advocates for agriculture, and are active in farmer education, particularly helping new farmers become established and successful. I hope you’ll continue to join me in this important work!

Please stay in touch. After Sept. 26, you’ll be able to reach me at john@mosesorganic.org. Thanks.

Dairy & Soil Health on Display in NE Minnesota

As part of SFA’s Soil Health Network event series, Carlton County Extension hosted its Northeast Minnesota Forage and Grassland Council summer tour on Sept. 8 at the Bob Durovec farm in Meadowlands, Minn.

According to SFA Livestock & Grazing Specialist Kent Solberg (above), who attended: “Bob runs a low-input grazing and forage-based dairy. He milks 160 cows in a low-cost swing parlor. All stored forages are put up as baleage. He supplements pasture or baleage with approximately 17 pounds/cow/day of purchased grain. He utilizes a number of annual and perennial forages for grazing and baleage that he has found to work well on his farm including Italian ryegrass, sorghum x sudangrass, grazing corn, purple top turnips, and Winfred hybrid turnip in addition to permanent pastures. With this system he has been able to maintain profitability while other dairies have been struggling with recent low milk prices.”

For more soil health events, resources, videos, and much more, visit our Soil Health Portal.

SFA is New Member of MN Ag Water Resource Center

SFA is proud to announce that our membership has been approved in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Resource Center (MAWRC), a research and education organization comprised of the primary farm organizations in Minnesota, working together to identify and address water issues.

The MAWRC was created in 2008 and builds programs around constantly evolving water concerns, and is committed to providing useful information to Minnesota farmers and ranchers. More information: http://mawrc.org/.

2017 MSHS Registration Open; Scholarships Available

Featuring an array of nationally renowed soil health experts and farmers, SFA’s two-day Midwest Soil Health Summit is THE place for advanced soil health training.

Registration is now open for the 2017 conference, set for Feb. 15-16 at Bigwood Event Center in Fergus Falls. Click here to register.

Also, scholarships are available for ag professionals, agency employees, and crop consultants to attend the 2017 MSHS. To apply for a scholarship, click here.

More information, including 2017 Sponsor/Exhibitor Registration information, is available on our MSHS homepage and our Soil Health Portal.

2017 Annual Conference Registration, Voting Now Open

Registration is NOW OPEN for the SFA Annual Conference, which is set for Feb. 11, 2017, at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn. Click here to register for as little as $35!

Our online voting system will help select programming for the SFA Annual Conference Vote on the topics YOU want addressed –VOTE NOW as we will end the survey on Oct. 31 to begin crafting the schedule. The current top 10 vote-getters:

Raw Milk: To Be or Not to Be
Year-Round Income Streams on 15 Acres or Fewer
Farm Transitions: Incorporating another generation into the farm, beginning the transfer of the farm business
Farm Transitions: Tough questions for the older and younger generations
Time to Call the Butcher: What to Expect, Terminology, and How to Help Customers Navigate the Process of Custom-Ordering
Deep Winter Greenhouse Producton: Mastering the Three Winter Seasons
Starting and Managing a Profitable Orchard
Deep Winter Greenhouse Design: Location, Location, Location
Fencing Innovations: The Latest and Greatest
Farming and Soil Health Without Heavy Equipment

Soil Health Network Event: Field Day, Sept. 29, Pine City

NOTE DATE CHANGE: Wright County Extension, NRCS and Pine County SWCD are co-hosting a free Soil Health & Grazing Field Day from 4-7 p.m. Sept. 29 at Pinederosa, 11131 Lakeview Heights Rd, Pine City. This SFA Soil Health Network event is free, but an RSVP is requested here.

Info: Rod Greder, gred0014@umn.edu or 763.682.7381.

Central Chapter Blueberry Field Day is Sept. 30

SFA Central Chapter is hosting an educational event, “Year 3: Blueberry Project Field Day,” from 1-3 p.m. Fri., Sept. 30, at Redfern Gardens, 18298 270th St, Sebeka. Enjoy an eduational tour with Kathy Connell and learn about a 3-year project studying the effect of mulches and soil amendments on blueberry production as part of a MDA Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant project.

This event is free for SFA members and $5 for nonmembers. Please RSVP here; check in by 12:45 p.m. at the event site.

Info: Central Chapter homepage, central@sfa-mn.org or Lisa at 320.309.0746.

Southeast Chapter Harvest Dance & Potluck is Oct. 8

SFA Southeast Chapter is hosting a Harvest Barn Dance and Potluck to reconnect with existing and potential members from 6-11 p.m. Oct. 8 at Four Sisters Farm, 2447 105 St NE, Rochester. Bring your favorite salad and/or dessert; main dish (meat & vegetarian) will be provided.

This event is free and open to all; donations to SFA Southeast Chapter are appreciated at the door. RSVP by Oct. 5 to southeast@sfa-mn.org.

Sustainable Sheep: Fosston Fiber Festival is Oct. 1-2

Celebrating the fiber heritage of northern Minnesota by showcasing local fiber producers and artists, the Fosston Fiber Festival is set for Oct. 1-2 at Fosston Elementary School, 700 1st St E, Fosston. This event is free. Info: fosstonfiberfestival.com.

Check This Out

The Pasture Project, a longtime SFA supporter and collaborator, has just launched a beautiful new website containing lots of grazing and soil health resources. See if you recognize anyone … visit http://pastureproject.org/.

Annual Conference Photo Feature

Photographer extraordinaire Crystal Liepa once again documented our 2016 Annual Conference, held Feb. 13, 2016, at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn. To learn more about Crystal, visit her website.

Also Noted

MISA Seeks New Board Members – The Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture is seeking individuals potentially willing to serve a three-year term on its Board of Directors. The following vacancies on the Board will be filled:

One (1) representative of the sustainable agriculture community
One (1) representatives of the university community with a demonstrated interest in sustainable agriculture
Three (3) representatives of the farming community, with a demonstrated interest in sustainable agriculture (farmers, ranchers)

Please visit the MISA website for more information about the nominating process or find a link to the online application here.

Wool Conference – The Natural Fiber Alliance is hosting its first annual Wool Conference from 10 to 4 p.m. Oct. 7 at 306 Borlaug Hall, 1919 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul. Co-sponsored by U. of M. Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, the event focuses on research, understanding and analysis of consumer preferences for natural, sustainable fiber. Following the conference are two days of farm tours in Bloomington, Jordan, Farmington and Faribault. Click here for more info.