New Cropland Grazing Exchange Website Links Crop Farmers & Livestock Producers to Boost Soil Health

By Jason Walker • SFA Communications Director

We already know that livestock integration is critical to achieving soil health. It's one of the Five Principles of Soil Health and guides much of our programming at various SFA events and the Midwest Soil Health Summit.

But what if you're a crop farmer working toward soil health but, for whatever reason, can't add the livestock piece?

After working in cooperation with SFA, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has launched the Cropland Grazing Exchange, an interactive website that seeks to connect crop farmers and livestock farmers to improve soil health.

On the site, crop and/or livestock farmers register their location by township and provide basic information about their operation. An interactive map is then generated that shows available grazing sites and livestock herds; registered users may contact each other to initiate a conversation about grazing agreements.

It's like "Airbnb" for your critters!

The Cropland Grazing Exchange also includes information about writing a grazing lease, guidelines on herbicide restrictions, and other considerations for custom grazing.

For more information and to register your operation, visit www.mda.state.mn.us/cge or contact Kelly Anderson at 320.808.4424.

From the Executive Director: Soil Health Events Draw a Crowd; Southeast is now Officially 'Driftless;' and a BIG Challenge Met 

By Theresa Keaveny

Last week marked a few SFA “firsts” I’d like to share. Kent Solberg, SFA’s Livestock & Grazing Specialist, spoke at a Sleepy Eye, Minn., “Soil Health and Livestock” presentation on March 28, marking the first meeting SFA has coordinated in Southwest Minnesota for several years. Co-sponsored by Brown County Soil and Water Conservation District and Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources, the meeting brought out both new and seasoned soil health practitioners.

Kent was as part of a team of presenters at soil health workshops in Comfrey earlier that day and in Marshall the next day. Sponsored by NRCS, Redwood-Cottonwood Rivers Control Area, GLCA and MN Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the events headlined Dave Brandt, an Ohio farmer and soil health pioneer. Participants brought soil clods for slake tests and packed the meetings.

Another “first:" April 1st found the Southeast SFA chapter holding its annual meeting in St. Charles, with keynote speaker Jim Riddle. The business meeting resulted in a chapter name change to the “Driftless Chapter.” I look forward to learning more about food and agriculture production in this incredible part of the region.

The month ended with another “first” when the SFA Board of Directors, staff and consultants together contributed $3,125 towards the $25,000 Grazing Project matching grant campaign. Contributions to date exceed $7,000 and I’m aiming to hit the $10,000 mark by Earth Day – April 22. Help us meet our match and foster Soil Health principles, including adding livestock to the landscape.  Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to the SFA matching grant fund today!

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. 

Two Spots Left for May 13 Intro to Small Ruminant Husbandry Class

Anyone considering adding goats or sheep to their sustainable food production should attend our SFA Deep Roots class, Intro to Small Ruminant Husbandry, set for 1-5 p.m. Sat., May 13, at Paradox Farm, 11643 State Hwy 78, Ashby, Minn. The course is particularly suitable for beginning farmers and class size is small; there is ample opportunity to handle animals and equipment and to ask questions.

Held in a working-farm setting, this class will teach students how small ruminants can fit in a natural systems farm. Course topics include: holistic management, animal selection, animal handling, nutrition, fencing, shelters, grazing, and holistic veterinary care. Wear clothing appropriate for working with animals: closed-toe shoes, gloves, long pants.

Course instructors are Sue Wika, Ph.D., and Tom Prieve, DVM, of Paradox Farm. Cost is $100 and as of today (April 4) only TWO spots remain. Click here to register.

Solberg on Soil: Great Treatise on Crop Diversity

By Kent Solberg • SFA Livestock & Grazing Specialist

Hey soil health aficionados – check out this great treatise on crop diversity by Dr. Dwayne Beck from the Dakota Lakes Research Farm in South Dakota. As you are aware, increasing diversity in the crop rotation is a key principle of soil health. Dr. Beck summarizes Dakota Lake's 30-plus years of experience. The essay is followed by principles for designing and implementing diverse crop rotations based on their research and experience.

While he provides examples from their farm, the principles hold across regions and soil types. Grain, row crop and vegetable producers can all glean valuable information from this essay. Dr. Beck is one of the foremost authorities on crop rotations and is also know for his "down-to-earth, common-sense, get-to-the-point" style. His work has provided much of the guidance for the Burleigh County Soil Health Team (Jay Fuhrer, Gabe Brown, Todd McPeak et.al). If you are moving your farm toward an emphasis on soil health, this essay is worthy of the read.

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

Big plans are under way! Minnesota Salsa Festival, 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.

Applications Available for Garlic Festival Vendors

Want to sell your products to a crowd of 3,000-plus at the state's stinkiest festival? Vendor Applications can be found here. Vendor fee discounts for SFA members!

Minnesota Garlic Festival is Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, at the McLeod County Fairgrounds in Hutchinson.

Barthel Soil Health Articles Now Available Online

Tom Barthel (right), a longtime SFA member, owner/operator at Snake River Farm in Becker, Minn., stalwart sustainable farmer and soil health expert, often writes poignant and informational articles for his farm’s website. We are grateful to say that he has shared the following articles with SFA. You can get in touch with Tom by emailing him at snakeriverfarmer@gmail.com. The articles:

• “Winter Bale Grazing”
• “Good Food is Colorful”

Western Chapter Annual Meeting is April 8 in Milan

SFA Western Chapter is hosting its annual meeting, potluck and bread mixer from 4 to 8 p.m. April 8 at the Milan Community Center, 170 N 4th St, Milan. This meeting is free and open to all; no RSVP is required.

At the meeting, we will be sharing updates on several projects happening in our region including:

• Jim and LeeAnn VanDerPol's experience with intergenerational farm transition
• Anne Borgendale's plans for local grass-fed organic cheese from Northland Prairie’s dairy.
• Mike Jorgenson's perspective on waterway buffer strip compliance.
• Kathy Draeger on the new Farm-to-Grocery to Warehouse initiative

Bring your favorite bread dough ready for the oven or something for the potluck and ideas you’d like to share or learn through our farmer network. Jam session will likely follow. Info: western@sfa-mn.org.

Small Tractor Demos: April 7 in Hutchinson, April 8 in Pillager

SFA Crow River and Central Chapters are each hosting demonstration events for the new Oggun Tractor, which is geared toward market farmers and smaller-scale growers and costs $10,000 new. Both events are free and open to all.

The tractor is modeled after the old Allis-Chalmers "G" style and has a zero-turn feature. The manufacturer is trying to make a tractor that more farmers can afford and has designed it to work with replacement and repair parts that will be available from local auto, farm supply and hardware stores.

The first event is hosted by Crow River and The Farm of Minnesota from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 7 at The Farm, 24618 State Hwy 15, Hutchinson. An RSVP is requested here. Info: crowriver@sfa-mn.org.

The second event is hosted by Central Chapter from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. April 8 at Grampa G’s Farm, 207 W Hwy 210, Pillager. Implement demonstrations and test drives will be available. Info: central@sfa-mn.org.

East Central Meeting With Kent Solberg is Earth Day in Isanti

SFA East Central Chapter is hosting a special meeting on Earth Day from 9 a.m. to noon April 22 at the meeting room in Coborn’s, 209 6th Ave NE, Isanti. 

The chapter is excited to have SFA Livestock & Grazing Specialist Kent Solberg present at this event. Kent will provide an overview of soil health, principles for implementation, and what soil health can mean for producers using real-world examples.

This meeting is free and open to all; attendees are encouraged to bring a brunch food item to share. Please register here so we can plan accordingly.

Info: eastcentral@sfa-mn.org.

SFA Also Observing Earth Day in New Ulm

SFA will join a team of groups observing Earth Day and the national March for Science starting at 10 a.m. April 22 at Hermann Heights Park, 14 Monument St, New Ulm, MN 56073. 

On hand will be speakers and organizations detailing the role science plays in education, agriculture and food production, health care, manufacturing and protection of air, land and water.  Browse informational tables (SFA will have one), and take part in a crowdsourced effort to clean up Hermann Heights Park afterwards.

Information: theresa@sfa-mn.org.

Crow River Spring Social is April 23 at Food Building in Minneapolis

SFA Crow River Chapter invites everyone to attend its Spring Social from 1 to 3 p.m. April 23 at the Food Building, 1401 Marshall St NE, Minneapolis.

Special guests will be University of Minnesota researchers who are developing new crops for the Forever Green Initiative such as kernza, camelina and pennycress. There is strong evidence that these new production systems will enhance the yields of our typical summer-annual crops, enable production of new commodities, enrich our soils and wildlife, and improve our water resources.

The UMN researchers who are on the cutting edge of Forever Green work will be there to answer your questions, and there will be plenty of social time with your fellow sustainable farm and food supporters.

Cost is $20 for SFA members and $25 for nonmembers; price includes drinks and a tasting menu of the great food being produced by the Food Building’s Red Table Meats, Bakersfield Breads and Draft Horse restaurant. Reservations accepted on a first-come basis. Click here to register.

Parking is limited around The Food Building and we strongly encourage carpooling – contact jerry@sfa-mn.org if you seek a carpool. 

Info: sfa-mn.org/crow-river or crowriver@sfa-mn.org.

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 Country Road 2, Staples. 

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.

Check This Out

• Ever wonder whether you are a member of an SFA Chapter? Want to change your Chapter affiliation? This video from our FAQs page shows you how to achieve this on our SFA homepage.
• Anyone looking for an old-fashioned meat market or an excuse for a road trip should check out Growler Magazine’s “Minnesota Meat Map,” which attempts to locate each meat market in the state.
• In this video, SFA members Dayle & Ivan Reinke of Cloverleaf Grass Farm demonstrate how they move their cattle to a different paddock for winter bale grazing at their farm in Wadena County, Minn. Very cool stuff.

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

Farmer Motivation Survey: Pahee Xiong and Graham Ambrose are graduate students at the University of Minnesota looking to interview small farmers in Minnesota. With the help of Doctor Greta Friedemann-Sanchez, they aim to understand a farmer's unique motivations to stay small and how these motivations connect to Quality of Life. For more information or to ask questions, please contact Graham Ambrose at ambro034@umn.edu or 414-840-4927.

Scholarship Opportunity: The Sustainable Agriculture & Forestry Scholarship Fund at the Rochester Area Foundation is again awarding scholarships for students entering their junior or higher collegiate year and are engaged in sustainable agriculture and/or forestry studies. This scholarship could potentially be used for tuition to the SFA Deep Roots Farmer Development Program’s Farm Skills 101. This scholarship is for current farm practitioners from Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha and Winona counties. Deadline is April 15. To apply and learn more, visit protectourresources.org.

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