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Jan. 25, 2017 

SFA Hires Theresa Keaveny as Executive Director

By Jason Walker • SFA Communications Director

SFA is proud to announce that Theresa Keaveny has accepted the position of Executive Director, effective Feb. 5. Tapped after an extensive search led by the Association Board of Directors, Keaveny, a veteran leader of sustainable-focused nonprofit organizations, will be introduced at the SFA Annual Conference on Feb. 11 in St. Joseph, Minn.

Theresa (right) worked for 17 years as the founding executive director of Montana Conservation Voters, where she built an effective membership-based group advocating conservation, clean energy and civic participation in government. 

A Minnesota native who grew up on a farm near Morton, Theresa is eager to lead SFA’s vibrant network of sustainable farming education and soil health-focused programming.

"I'm honored to join the inspiring team of food producers, grassroots leaders and staff at Sustainable Farming Association,” she said. “SFA's farmer network is an important part of our region's agricultural landscape. I look forward to advancing our mission - one that strengthens our rural communities, protects our food producing resources and brings me back to my family farming roots."

Jim Chamberlin, Chair of the SFA Board of Directors, said Theresa brought a strong background in nonprofit development and operations.

“She comes highly recommended as a dedicated employee and someone who cares passionately for the planet and others,” he said. “I look forward to working with and learning from her.”

Theresa has been a rural community organizer in the Dakotas and Montana working on conservation, water protection and family farm and ranch issues. She received a bachelor's degree in social work from the College of St. Benedict and a master's degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and brings extensive nonprofit, chapter organizing and fundraising experience to SFA. Theresa also has roots in the food cooperative movement, most recently as a board member of the Billings, Mont., community food cooperative. 

Keaveny succeeds John Mesko, who last fall accepted the Executive Director position at Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service. 

Please join us in welcoming Theresa to the SFA family. She can be reached at theresa@sfa-mn.org.

SFA Conference Tidbits: Last Chance for Discount; Volunteer Spots Still Open; & More

The SFA Annual Conference schedule is coming together and it’s time to register, as the discount period for members is nearly over – SFA members may register for just $55 and nonmembers just $65 through Feb. 5. Preregistration will close at that time; all walk-up registrations are $65 at the door.

Sessions already scheduled for the 2017 SFA Annual Conference, set for Feb. 11 at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, include topics like Grazing: Fencing Innovations; The Promise of Ecological Service Livestock; Time to Call the Butcher; Deep Winter Greenhouse Design; and much more. To view a complete schedule grid, or session descriptions, visit our AC homepage. Also:

Volunteer! Choose your job: parking, registration, session monitor, and more. All volunteers receive an SFA t-shirt and are practially guaranteed to have fun. Fill out this form with your preferences and Volunteer Coordinator Gretchen Boyum will contact you with the details. It’s that easy. 

Current students can receive a scholarship for half-price admission. All scholarship recipients must sign up for a volunteer shift. Fill out this form then email jerry@sfa-mn.org if you are interested in a scholarship. 

Sponsor/Exhibitor registration is nearly full. The SFA Conference has a limited number of exhibitor space, so register today to ensure your spot. Click here to download a fillable signup form and return to jerry@sfa-mn.org

Ready for Advanced Soil Health Training? Register Now as Midwest Soil Health Summit Speaker Slate Complete

SFA’s innovative Midwest Soil Health Summit, set for Feb. 15-16, 2017, at Bigwood Event Center in Fergus Falls, Minn., features soil health experts and farm leaders for two days of advanced soil health training and farmer networking.

Attendees will join some of the most prominent experts in the field as they discuss cutting-edge research and advanced topics in soil conservation: renowned grazing experts Dr. Allen Williams and Kent Solberg, beef cattle specialist Doug Landblom, U of M agronomist and plant geneticist Dr. Scott Wells, Minnesota farmer and conservation trailblazer Grant Breitkreutz, and many more, including:

  • Ryan Stockwell, Senior Agriculture Program Manager for the National Wildlife Federation
  • Dr. Julie Grossman, faculty at the University of Minnesota Department of Horticultural Science specializing in soil fertility of organic cropping systems
  • Scott Haase, a sixth-generation farmer from the Blue Earth River region of southern Minnesota
  • Nick David, who has led R.D. Offut’s efforts to expand and change their crop rotation, add cover crops, and integrate livestock into their potato operations
  • Dr. Carl Rosen, head of the Department of Soil, Water, & Climate at the University of Minnesota
  • Glen Borgerding, owner of Ag Resource Consulting, Inc., an agricultural consulting firm and soil testing laboratory
  • Dr. Randy Anderson, an expert on no-till systems without herbicides that include a diverse crop rotation
  • Mike Sams, a Central Minnesota farmer

Each year at the Midwest Soil Health Summit, attendees have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the experts – small-scale discussion tables offer a unique networking opportunity. Additionally, an evening cocktail reception and Q&A, this year with presenters Allen Williams and Grant Breitkreutz, provides a valuable space for discussion and knowledge sharing.

Registration is $150 for SFA members and $200 for nonmembers. Come see why people say the MSHS is the “best conference I’ve ever been to” – click here to register today.

Another Deep Winter Greenhouse Class Added: Feb. 25

SFA’s Deep Roots Farmer Development Program has added another date for its short course, Deep Winter Production of Greens and Livestock Fodder Using Passive Solar Energy: Feb. 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Paradox Farm, 11643 State Hwy 78, Ashby. This class is in addition to the sold-out Feb. 5 class.

During the class, Paradox Farm owners Sue Wika and Tom Prieve will provide a detailed overview of the construction and operation of their deep-winter greenhouse, which utilizes passive solar energy with underground heat storage. Bring a sack lunch. Cost is $110; Farm Skills 101 graduates may register for $30. Paradox Farm is 7 miles north of Ashby and 10 miles south of Battle Lake.

Click here to register.

Annual Meetings Roundup: Events Galore

NOTE VENUE CHANGE: Cannon River Chapter is hosting its annual meeting from noon to 3 p.m. on Feb. 4 at St. Olaf Buntrock Commons, Valhalla Room, 1520 St. Olaf Ave, Northfield. Join the chapter for a potluck meal and community brainstorming session. Board elections and 2017 event planning will ensue. The meeting is free and open to all; registration is not required. To renew or start a Cannon River Chapter membership, click here

Greater Mille Lacs Chapter is hosting its annual meeting at 5 p.m. Sun., Jan. 29, at Hazelton Town Hall, 24248 U.S. Highway 169 (about 12 miles south of Aitkin). Free and open to all, the meeting includes a potluck and member renewal time, seed swap and “year in review” presentation, guest speaker, discussion about a possible signature event, board elections and a board meeting. No RSVP is required. Potential candidates for the chapter board should email their interest to greatermillelacs@sfa-mn.org by Jan. 15. Info: greatermillelacs@sfa-mn.org.

Lake Superior Chapter is hosting its annual meeting from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 28, at Peace Church, 1111 N 11th Ave E, Duluth. Topics to be covered include organic management of spotted wing drosophila, raising pigs, deep winter production, beekeeping, and more. This event is open to all and no preregistration is required. Cost: $15 at the door; lunch is included. Info: lakesuperior@sfa-mn.org.

Deep Winter Open House is Feb. 18 in Finland, Minn.

Northeast Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships and Northeast Organic Consumers Association are hosting a Deep Winter Greenhouse Public Open House from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 18 at 6771 South Silver Hill Dr, Finland, Minn.

Celebrate the completion of the first of the five prototype Deep Winter Greenhouses that will be built by producers throughout Minnesota. These passive solar greenhouses enable farmers to grow vegetable crops all winter utilizing solar heat. This greenhouse has recently been completed and will be ready for next winter's production season.

Presenters include Dan Handeen, UMN Center for Sustainable Building Research;  Greg Schweser, Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships; David Abazs, Organic Consumers Association.

This event is free but RSVP is requested. SFA is a co-sponsor of this event. Click here to RSVP.

Info: schwe233@umn.edu.

Solberg Speaking at Hubbard County Grazing Workshop

SFA Livestock & Grazing Specialist Kent Solberg is presenting at the 6th Annual Hubbard Country Grazing Workshop, set for 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Guthrie Community Center, 44255 Rail Rd, Guthrie. This event is free and open to all.

Solberg will address the topic, “Developing a Forage Chain.” Other speakers include Ivan & Dayle Reinke of Cloverleaf Grass Farm; Jeff Duchene, NRCS Grazing Specialist; and more. 

Preregister by Feb. 24 by calling Hubbard SWCD at 218.732.0121. 

Small-Scale Sustainable Sheep Event is Feb. 18

Focused on the benefit of sheep as part of a sustainable farming system where meat and wool are viable value-added products, the third annual Small Scale Sustainable Sheep Farming Event is set for 10 a.m. Feb. 18, 2017 at New Journey Church, 505 9th St. NW, Fosston, Minn. Speakers include Julie Zilka on wool, one of the earliest fibers to be spun and woven into cloth; Jeff Duchene on improving forage and livestock production through managed grazing; sheep shearer Byron Johnson discussing how clean fleeces bring higher prices; MDA meat inspector Andy Siira on Minnesota Meat Inspection and how producers can get their products to consumers; and much more.

Pre-register by Feb. 12 by calling 218-657-2502 or e-mail sustainablesheep@gmail.com. Info: http://www.sheepcommunity.com/sustainable-sheep-event.html.

Check This Out

  • How about this great quote from a researcher: "A long time ago, perennial pasture used to be in the rotation," he says. "To me, this says we need to be looking at putting 2 years of pasture back into the rotation of corn, soybeans and wheat if we want to improve soil quality." Read the entire article here.
  • Grazing cover crops can deliver more soil health benefits than simply cover crops alone, as evidenced in this article.

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

GAP Workshop: University of Minnesota Extension is hosting a Good Agricultural Practices workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 2, in Long Prairie. Learn how GAPs can minimize food safety risks with fresh produce, are good for business and getting new customers, and more. This workshop is intended for fruit and vegetable farmers. Cost is $15. Register at http://z.umn.edu/2017gaps. Info: Beth Berlin, adam0062@umn.edu

GrassWorks Grazing Conference: GrassWorks is hosting its 25th annual Grazing Conference, “Resilience Through Generations,” on Feb. 2-4, 2017, at Chula Vista Resort in the Wisconsin Dells. The event includes speakers Tom Frantzen, Joyce Turk, Jim Gerrish, and many more as well as live entertainment, full trade show, and demonstrations. To learn more and register, please visit www.grassworks.org.


 

 


 

        

 

  

   
       
       

    

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SFA Connect is your bi-weekly link to the Sustainable Farming Association

The Sustainable Farming Association is a chapter-based, statewide non-profit organization that supports the development and enhancement of sustainable farming systems through innovation, demonstration, education, and farmer-to-farmer networking. If you, your farm or organization has any upcoming events that you would like posted on the SFA Community Calendar, email info@sfa-mn.org.

Sustainable Farming Association (SFA)
4924 Upton Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410
1.844.922.5573 • info@sfa-mn.org




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