Accessible, relevant farmer education: SFA Annual Conference is Feb. 10 in St. Joseph

Registration is now open for the 2018 Sustainable Farming Association Annual Conference, Minnesota’s sustainable agriculture showcase set for 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 10, 2018, at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph.

SFA is compiling a day of farmer education and networking chockablock with relevant session topics, many chosen and led by SFA members. Planned sessions include:

• Soil Health for Small Acreage.

• Deep Winter Greenhouses: How Do They Fit in a Sustainable Farming System?

• Livestock Health: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate.

• Telling Your Story to Sell Your Product.

• Do I Really Need a Permit for a Potluck?

• Growing and Marketing Premium Minnesota Garlic.

• Benefits of Grazing Public Lands: Ecological, Potential, Practicality.

• A Tale of Two Farm Transitions.

• Integrating Solar Energy Into Your Farm.

• FSA Programs for Small Farms and Women Producers.

Additional sessions are planned, as well as a Spotlight on Sponsors lunch, the end-of-day social with local food and drink, a full trade show and more.

During the Annual Conference plenary session, SFA will hold a recognition ceremony in honor of the Minnesota Institute of Sustainable Agriculture, which is celebrating 25 years of advancing the values of sustainable agriculture throughout the state and region.

Early Bird registration is just $60 through Jan. 31 for current SFA members. Veggie Buds is returning – children 3-12 may again enroll in this popular food-centric educational programming for just $10. All may register at the door for $70.

Also returning is the pre-conference event, “Meet Your Farmers and Foodies Social & Jam Session,” from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 9 at Minnesota Street Market, 27 Minnesota St W, St. Joseph. Bring the whole family, your instruments, or just drop in to say hello.

Info/registration: sfa-mn.org/conference or jerry@sfa-mn.org.

The SFA Annual Conference is sponsored by Compeer Financial, Iroquois Valley Farms, Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture, Albert Lea Seed, Highview Advisors, Minnesota Farmers Union, MISA, NCR-SARE and Renewing the Countryside.