‘Dirt Rich: Building Soil Health Experts’ With Dr. Allen Williams Returns Aug. 8-11; Register Today!

The Sustainable Farming Association is bringing back our popular “Dirt Rich: Building Soil Health Experts” events with a pair of two-day sessions featuring Dr. Allen Williams from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 8-9 in Faribault and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 10-11 in Blue Earth. Attendees at each will spend time with soil health experts digging deeper into soil health opportunities, challenges, and monitoring.

Dr. Williams, shown at right at our 2016 “Dirt Rich” field days, has thrice been a featured speaker at SFA’s Midwest Soil Health Summit. He is a champion of the grass-fed beef industry as well as a leader in cutting-edge grazing methodology.

In Faribault, both days begin with classroom portion at the Rice County 4-H Building, followed by a field tour at Pork Chop Ridge Farm, 16936 Cannon City Blvd, Faribault (Aug. 8) and Hanappe Ranch, 3891 275th St. NW, Northfield (Aug. 9).

In Blue Earth, both days begin with classroom portion at Faribault County Ag Center, followed by a field tour at Haase Family Farms, 7301 377th Ave., Blue Earth (Aug. 10) and a field portion at a location TBA (Aug. 11). 

The cost for each two-day session is $80 for SFA members and $100 for nonmembers. Lunch is included.

• Click here to register for Faribault.
• Click here to register for Blue Earth.

Info: Visit our "Dirt Rich" homepage, or contact Wayne Monsen at wayne@sfa-mn.org or 1.844.922.5573 Ext. 712.

This event is sponsored by NCR-SARE, The Pasture Project, Minnesota Dairy Initiative, Faribault County SWCD, University of Minnesota Extension-Rice County, and CommonSense Energy.

Upcoming SFA Soil Health Webinars: June 21 and June 30

Join SFA for two free upcoming soil health webinars: one June 21 with Dr. Scotty Wells (note new date) and another June 30 with Livestock & Grazing Specialist Kent Solberg. Both webinars are free and open to all, and will be permanently available at our webinar archive.

The first is set for 11 a.m. June 21 with Dr. Wells (right) and will discuss "Filling the Void: Strategies for Improved Sustainability.” Dr. Wells will give an introduction to the shifting soil health landscape, new opportunities for cash crops, the most updated data, and more. To register for the June 21 webinar, click here.

The second is set for 1 p.m. June 30 with Solberg and will discuss "Soil health for wildlife and fisheries managers: Why should we (or I) care?" To register for the June 30 webinar, click here.

Info: wayne@sfa-mn.org.

From the Executive Director: Farm Visits Highlight Diverse Nature of SFA 

By Theresa Keaveny

Last week, I visited two farms in the New Ulm area with Sen. Al Franken’s staff, who wanted to learn more about sustainable producers as the senator begins work on the farm bill. 

We started at the home of fifth-generation farmer Gary LeGare, who came in from the field and showed us his “mob-grazed” pasture and cattle with his daughter, Sarah, and her three children. Gary, a dairy farmer, is turning over his farm to the next generation and in the process of transitioning to using cover crops, planting diverse species, and adding livestock to their landscape. Sarah talked enthusiastically about the health benefits of grassfed beef and the difference between free-range and standard eggs. We learned about their trial-and-error research, their passion to keep the farm in the family and their desire to restore soil health.

From there, we went to Sleepy Eye to the home of Craig and Amanda Fischer, who raise bison, pastured chickens, turkeys and hogs. I’ve gotta tell you, watching little piglets run around and rut in the mud on a hot day is truly entertaining. The Fischers are fourth-generation farmers and displayed “Minnesota Grown” and “Ag Water Certification” signs, as they felt these tools help them directly market to our community.

These farms are quite different but share the common value of stewarding and restoring the land, protecting water, and celebrating diversity for future generations. They are a good example of what makes SFA unique and impactful. These producers attend meetings to learn and network, read and research. One joined the Cropland Grazing Exchange, which SFA helped launch, and may be coming to our Dirt Rich workshop.

I felt fortunate to be on these two farms, especially as SFA launches its Festival of Farms series later this month. Festival of Farms includes several farm tours hosted by SFA chapters to connect our food producers to eaters and anyone who wants to get to know their farmer. Some include a potluck; all promise to give a good picture of innovation and care of the land with soil health principles put into practice. Check out the farm tours in this issue of Connect and sign up. I hope to see you at one of them!

Garlic Festival Tickets Now Available Online

For the first time in its history, SFA’s Minnesota Garlic Festival is offering online ticket sales. Buy now and get waved through the gate like a VIP at the festival, which is 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 12 at the McLeod County Fairgrounds, 840 Century Ave SW, Hutchinson. The infamous Garlic Festival 2-for-1 is still available online, too. 

Click here to buy your Garlic Festival tickets today!

Regulars to the Garlic Festival know that it has a reputation for being a bit off-the-wall and quirky – like garlic. If you'd like to read how the new online ticket feature was announced in their newsletter, The Stinky News, you can see the latest edition here. If you would like to subscribe to The Stinky News, send an email saying so to Jerry Ford, jerry@sfa-mn.org.

Herb Project Field Day is June 24 in Hutchinson; Learn Marketing and Growing Tips from Herb Specialist

The SFA Herb Project intends to increase the supply of locally produced herbs, improve the operational efficiency of Minnesota herb production, reduce the barriers to bringing new products to market, and generally strengthen the local herb industry.

Next in this effort is a Herb Project field day, “Growing & Marketing Herbs,” set for 9 a.m.-noon Sat., June 24, at The Lamb Shoppe, 61231 Highway 7 W, Hutchinson. As part of this event, SFA Herb Specialist Connie Karstens (right) will conduct a tour of her herb plots and on-farm market as well as give a presentation on herb marketing. Snacks, music, and networking are included. 

This event is free, but please register here for planning purposes. Casual attire encouraged and dress for the weather; follow parking signs off Highway 7.

Info: jerry@sfa-mn.org. 

East Central Chapter Hosting Dual Farm Tour on June 25

SFA East Central Chapter is hosting a dual farm tour from 1 to 4 p.m. June 25, starting at Nelson Grass Farm, 1622 Garden St, Ogilvie. 

Ryan and Desiree Nelson use mobile structures and fencing to intensively graze goats, pigs, turkeys, rabbits, layers and broilers; the tour will include details on their animal shelters, mobile watering systems, and mobile electric fencing.

Then, the group will caravan to the farm of Clark Parkhurst and Yvonne Baller, 1553 Bear St, Ogilvie. Clark and Yvonne’s 40-acre farm utilizes custom grazing in pasture and woods, and attendees will learn about building a sheep flock with a long-term goal of selling grass-fed lamb. 

This free event is open to all; please RSVP here for planning purposes. Info: eastcentral@sfa-mn.org.

Garlic Growers Hosting Tours of Award-Winning Operations in Red Wing, West Concord

The Upper Midwest Garlic Growers, an SFA networking group, is presenting tours of two award-winning garlic operations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 1 that starts at Hawk’s Brain Garlic, 32742 200th Avenue, Red Wing and finishes at Coffman Garlic & Apples, 56115 120th Ave, West Concord. 

At 10 a.m., we will meet at Hawk's Brain Garlic near Red Wing, where Susan Johnson (right) has been growing garlic for 20 years. With a wide range of varieties in her repertoire, Hawk's Brain Garlic has repeatedly won awards in the Garlic Growing Contest at Minnesota Garlic Festival. 

After a potluck lunch in Red Wing, we'll drive to Coffman Garlic & Apples near West Concord, where Maria and Tom Coffman (right) grow nine varieties of softneck & hardneck garlic as well as Honeycrisp apples. The Coffmans sell their garlic at Minnesota Garlic Festival, where they won Best in Show in 2017.

This event is free but an RSVP is required here. Please bring a dish for the potluck. Info: garlicgrowers@sfa-mn.org or 763.244.6659.

Greater Mille Lacs Farm Tour, 'Farm2Families'

SFA Greater Mille Lacs Chapter is hosting a farm tour & potluck from 4 to 7 p.m. July 8 at Maple Ridge Farm, 29555 380th Ave, Aitkin. Open to all, this fun event will include discussion and plenty of farmer networking. This event is free and no RSVP is required.

Also, the chapter is hosting a community event, Farm2Families, from 3 to 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Heimark Farm, 33683 Dove St, Aitkin. The full program is still being discussed, but should include farm demonstrations, food, entertainment, kids activities and a farm store. Save the date and watch for more information here in SFA Connect. 

Info: greatermillelacs@sfa-mn.org.

From the Farm Transitions Network: Dividing Up the Assets Based on Contributions To the Farm

By Teresa Opheim • Senior Fellow, Renewing the Countryside

If you own farmland and have both farming and non-farming heirs, which of the following goals comes first:

1. treating all your heirs financially equally; or

2. allowing your farming heir to continue farming?

Given land prices and other factors, you may not be able to do both.

For the Gilbert family that choice has been clear for generations: They want the farming heir to continue farming.

“Off-farm heirs expectations should be in line with the contributions they’ve made,” John Gilbert says. “These can include assisting with elderly parents’ care, providing services to the farm operation–marketing, legal, accounting–and periodic farm labor and management. Just being a son or daughter shouldn’t automatically entitle you to an equal share.”

To read the Gilbert family’s complete story, click here.

Solberg Speaking at SWROC Organic Field Day

SFA Livestock & Grazing Specialist Kent Solberg will be a presenter at the annual Southwest Research and Outreach Center Organic Field Day, set for 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Wed., July 12, at SWROC, 23669 130th St, Lamberton.

The event will start with a tradeshow and field tour of organic research projects at the SWROC including cover crops, alternative crops, small grain production, and tunnel vegetable production. After lunch, keynote presentations will begin, including Solberg’s session, “Soil Health & Livestock Production/Cropland Grazing Exchange.” In addition, presentations include “Tools for successful farming” with Amy Bacigalupo and Robin Moore from Land Stewardship Project; and “Grazing dairy steers on two different cover cropping systems” with Dr. Brad Heins, University of Minnesota.

Cost is $30 and includes lunch. Click here to register by July 5. Info: swroc.cfans.umn.edu or 507.752.5063.

Interseeding Demo Set June 20 in Faribault

Rice County SWCD and Cannon River Watershed Partnership are sponsoring a cover crop interseeding demonstration from 1 to 4 p.m. June 20 at the Jim Purfeerst farm, 7803 240th St E, Faribault. Equipment on display will be a six-row interseeder, a no-till drill, and a broadcast spreader. Discussion will also focus on seed mixes, herbicides, and the benefits of cover crops. 

This event is free and no RSVP is required. Info: riceswcd.org or 507.332. 5408.

Forage Council Hosting Three Upcoming Events: June 16-17 in Brainerd; June 27 in Bluffton; Aug. 25 in Staples

The Crow Wing River Basin Forage Council, a networking group of the Sustainable Farming Association is hosting three upcoming soil health events this summer: June 16-17 in Brainerd; June 27 in Bluffton, and Aug. 25 in Staples. All are open to the public.

First, the Forage Council is partnering with U. of M. Extension, Happy Dancing Turtle, and Minnesota NRCS to jointly host a Silvopasture Workshop, Walk and Tour on June 16-17 in Brainerd & Fort Ripley, Minn. Click here for more information and to register.

Second is a free tour from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 27 at the Steve and Sue Flanagan Farm, 36554 620th Ave, Bluffton. View cover crop applications, pasture management, results from outwintering and low-cost interseeding with cattle, and pasture renovation. No RSVP is required. Info: Kent Solberg at kent@sfa-mn.org. 

Next is another free tour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 25 (note date correction) at Central Lakes College, 26505 Country Road 2, Staples. Attend an open house at the CLC agricultural center and tour of its Byron Township site – the Forage Council-sponsored portion is a part of the larger SFA Soil Health Network event detailed below. Attend all or part of the day’s events. Info: Jim Chamberlin at jchamberlin@hugllc.com.

Soil Health Network Event: Field Day, Aug. 25, Staples

Central Lakes College Ag and Energy Center is hosting a Field Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 25 at 26505 County Road 2, Staples. This event includes the Forage Council-sponsored tour noted above as well as additional programming.

Join CLC researchers as they highlight the many different aspects of research and community/industry partners connected with the center. Planned are demonstrations on water quality and agronomic research, irrigation, local foods integration, children’s programming, drone demonstration, tractor rides, forage and pasture tours, and more. Lunch is included.

This SFA Soil Health Network event is free, but an RSVP is requested here.
Info: hbarrett@clcmn.edu. Click here to download an event flyer.

Save the Date: Salsa Fest is Sept. 16, 2017

Big plans are under way! Minnesota Salsa Fest, the new signature event from SFA Central Chapter, is set for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 16, 2017, at the Todd County Fairgrounds, 215 1st Ave SE, Long Prairie. Come celebrate all things related to salsa and enjoy local farm vendors, workshops, music, food, and a salsa contest. Cost is $5/person. If you are interested in being a vendor at this event, or for more information, contact central@sfa-mn.org.

Apply Now for SFA Winter Sustainability Conference Internships

SFA is offering internship positions for Winter 2017-18 in conjunction with our two February events, the SFA Annual Conference and the Midwest Soil Health Summit.

All internships will involve at-home, non-residency work collaborating with one of the event coordinators, plus onsite work at both conferences. Interns will learn the finer details of nonprofit sustainability event production, attend conference sessions on a wide variety of topics and meet leaders in the sustainable agriculture movement.

Application deadline is July 15, 2017. Download the application HERE. Questions? Jerry Ford, jerry@sfa-mn.org.

2018 SFA Conference Voting Now Open & Other Tidbits

The 2018 SFA Conference will be next Feb. 10 at St. Ben’s. Do you have feedback on the date or time? The night-before social hour? Do you know people we should invite? Give us a holler at info@sfa-mn.org, or look for a survey in the coming weeks.

The online survey tool for the 2018 Annual Conference is now live! Enter your session topic ideas and vote on your favorites right on the AC homepage.

SAVE THE DATE: The Midwest Soil Health Summit will return to Bigwood Event Center in Fergus Falls on Feb. 14-15, 2018. 

Check This Out

• Some of the latest work at the University of Wisconsin on no-till planting soybeans into cereal rye is detailed in this cool video.

Annual Conference Photo Feature

Photographer extraordinaire Crystal Liepa once again documented our 2017 Annual Conference, held Feb. 11, 2017, at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn. To learn more about Crystal, visit her website.

Also Noted

Funding Opportunity: Iroquois Valley Farms, an organization working to get farmland to the next generation, has already provided refinancing and/or mortgage funding for several Minnesota farmers as well as the Main Street Project in Northfield. Iroquois Valley Farms starts with the farmer, who brings the company opportunities to purchase or provide financing for land. The company is focused primarily on land that is certified organic or will be transitioned to organic production. Info: iroquoisvalleyfarms.com or Arnie Lau at alau@iroquoisvalleyfarms.com or 847-859-6645.

 

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