Learn how intensive grazing management is a more sustainable and profitable practice as SFA and U. of M. Extension host a pair of grazing management field days Aug. 21 in Howard Lake and Aug. 29 in Pine City.
The first, from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wed., Aug. 21, is at Living Song Farm (above), 7616 25th St SW, Howard Lake, where farmers Jerry Ford and Marienne Kreitlow have been rotationally grazing for years. Jerry will discuss his grazing practices alongside SFA Livestock & Grazing Specialist Kent Solberg and Extension Educator Rod Greder, who will discuss grazing best practices and demonstrate tools for measuring forage.
The second is 1 to 4 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 29, at Pinederosa Produce, 11131 Lakeview Heights Rd, Pine City, where Greder farms using rotational grazing. He and Solberg will again be on hand to discuss grazing tools and techniques.
NRCS and SWCD staff will attend both events to discuss programs and educational offerings.
These events are free and open to all. Info/RSVP: gred0014@umn.edu or 763.689.8254.
SFA's annual "Dirt Rich: Building Soil Health Experts" field days are returning in 2019 with on-farm education and demonstration, tours, and networking.
The first is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 5, at the Dave & Will Grommesh Farm, 18044 Hwy 34, Barnesville, and will include a rainfall simulator, soil pit demonstrations, and much more. Cost is $20 with a $10 discount for veterans. This workshop is co-sponsored by The Nature Conservancy, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Board of Water and Soil Resources, MN Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) and NCR-SARE. REGISTER.
The second is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wed., Sept. 18, at Tom Barthel and Gail Wilkinson's Snake River Farm, 18251 62nd St, Becker. This field day will include a tour of Snake River Farms' managed grazing and oak savanna restoration and discuss managed grazing in woodlands. This workshop is funded with support from Compeer Financial. REGISTER.
More details on both events coming soon at sfa-mn.org/soil.
ALSO: The previously announced July 29 Red River Valley Soil Health Field Day has been postponed indefinitely. Watch for a rescheduled date, likely in 2020, at sfa-mn.org/soil.
By Theresa Keaveny
Congratulations to Kent & Linda Solberg for winning the Wadena County Farm Family of the Year award! Coordinated by the University of Minnesota Extension, this award is given to a farm family that exemplifies stewardship, innovation, community spirit and success – all descriptors of Kent and Linda's approach to family farming. The Solbergs have a diversified pasture-based livestock farm near Verndale where they raise dairy, pork, eggs and beef.
You likely know Kent as SFA's Livestock and Grazing Specialist or as SFA's regional coordinator for the Minnesota Dairy Initiative. His and Linda's farming operation and approach to mentoring, teaching and the vocation of farming demonstrate that "agriculture done well heals." They join other SFA leaders in receiving this award; Living Song Farm (Willard Kreitlow, Jerry Ford and Marienne Kreitlow) won in 2017.
Kent & Linda, along with recipients from other counties, will be recognized at FarmFest, held Aug. 6-8 near Redwood Falls. If you've never been to FarmFest, think Machinery Hill at the State Fair meets Southwest Minnesota's farm innovations. This year, SFA will have a booth (#4310), a first, and we will be doing short demonstrations (infiltration and slake tests) and sharing the latest and greatest on soil health. FarmFest is also providing three demonstration plots (cover crops, hemp, hopps) with a variety of presentations there.
We are looking for volunteers to help at SFA's FarmFest booth for two-hour shifts and will provide paid entrance to any volunteer (an $8 value). Contact me at 507.766.9159 or theresa@sfa-mn.org if you'd like to help. Or, stop by the SFA booth and chat, again, that's booth #4310.
ALSO: We are still accepting applications for the position of Central Minnesota Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Education Coordinator. This position is roughly 10 hours per week (view the job description here). We are looking for someone with dairy experience or who currently is dairying, and who has an understanding of grass-based, grazing dairies, which are core to SFA's soil health principles. The person should be based in central or north central Minnesota. If you are interested, or know someone else who might be qualified, please contact me at theresa@sfa-mn.org or 507.766.9159, or email a resume, three references and a cover letter describing background and interest.
View three family friendly farms in the Underwood area as SFA Lake Agassiz Chapter hosts Festival of Farms from 1 to 4 p.m. Sat., July 13, starting at The Stout Farm, 31755 County Hwy 1, Underwood. The Stout Farm produces items not easily available in the grocery store – lamb, duck, geese, and wool. This tour will focus on fencing, feed, housing, and marketing those animals as well as incorporating permaculture into livestock systems.
Next, at 2 p.m., the tour moves to Westmill Farm, 30607 Phelps Mill Rd, where farmers Ben and Kelsey (right) are establishing a micro-diversified dairy operation including a jersey milk cow, goats, chickens and one sow.
The tour finishes at 3 p.m. at Beckman Ag Corp, 23662 County Hwy 35, which raises corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa on 350 acres as well as vegetables in a high tunnel. The farm is continuing to expand production and is seeking additional marketing outlets.
These tours are free and open to all; no RSVP is required. Info: lakeagassiz@sfa-mn.org.
ALSO: SFA Lake Agassiz Chapter is hosting a new signature event, the Deep Roots Festival, from 1 to 9 p.m. Sat., Oct. 12 at Milt's Barn, 47000 180th Ave, Pelican Rapids. This new festival celebrates fall root crops and local farms and features an afternoon of farm tours and hands-on educational workshops followed by an evening of good music and catered farm-to-table dinner. More information coming soon. For volunteer opportunities, email kelseylwulf@gmail.com.
A new conservation option for farmers who couldn’t plant because of wet fields offers an option to improve soil health.
Minnesota NRCS has created a special Environmental Quality Incentive Program sign-up for farmers who couldn’t plant their crops because of flooded or wet fields. This EQIP sign-up is an opportunity for farmers to plant a cover crop, which they could later cut for hay or graze and provides an alternative to letting fields go fallow and uncovered.
Cover crops increase water quality, suppress weeds, and improve soil health on areas not planted to crops. Cover crops also bring soil vitality by adding nutrients and organic matter. Many fields that are saturated for a long time face a loss of soil organisms; cover crop roots reestablish soil health and create pathways for air and water to move through the soil, which is key to restoring it.
Applications, due by July 12, will be ranked based on environmental benefits. To apply or for info, contact your local NRCS office and see this fact sheet.
SFA and Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship are hosting another upcoming grazing field day, which includes paddock viewing, grazing tours and farmer discussion, from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Fri., July 19 at Hendrickx Dairy, 16579 County Rd 9, Sebeka. Learn how Mike and Alida Hendrickx have turned CRP land into profitable grazing land.
This event is funded in part by Minnesota Dairy Initiative. Free; lunch included. Please RSVP to theresa@sfa-mn.org.
SFA Greater Mille Lacs Chapter is hosting a farm tour, potluck and bonfire from 4 to 8 p.m. Sun., July 21, at Maple Ridge Produce, 29555 380th Ave, Aitkin.
All are welcome for fellowship and fun as well as farmers Erik Heimark and Jay Rigdon celebrate their customers and friends in the local food community. Take a look into the Maple Ridge Farm operation then enjoy a shared meal; family friendly drinks and activities will be available until 8 p.m. Please bring a dish to share. After 8 there will be a BYOB bonfire. Farmers are welcome to sell their products during the farm tour; to do so, contact Erik at 218.232.1303.
F2F Vendors Apply Now: The third annual Farm2Families, a signature event of SFA Greater Mille Lacs Chapter, will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Sat., Aug. 17, at the Aitkin County Fairgrounds, 632 Minnesota Ave N, Aitkin. Producers, nonprofits, and service groups are welcome to request a vendor application for the Farm2Families Festival Farm Market. Contact Debby Flowers at 218 927-4610 or olelakefarm@gmail.com for a vendor application.
F2F Volunteers Needed: Farm2Families also needs volunteers before and during the event. Volunteering is fun and easy and goes a long way to help the festival run smoothly and truly support Minnesota sustainable farmers. To learn more, contact Allison Rian at allisonjrian@gmail.com.
Join SFA Livestock & Grazing Specialist Kent Solberg for a discussion on soil health in a northern climate as SFA Lake Superior Chapter hosts a Grazing Management Field Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat., July 27, at Canosia Grove Farm & Cidery, 5508 Martin Rd, Duluth.
Solberg will discuss grazing and soil health at Canosia Grove, which grazes Icelandic sheep and also boasts an established apple orchard, commercial cidery and an event venue in an historic barn.
Cost is $5 for SFA members and $10 for nonmembers. Registration required. REGISTER. Info: lakesuperior@sfa-mn.org.
Yellow Medicine SWCD is hosting a free lunch presentation featuring Jerry Ackermann on the economics of soil health from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wed., July 31, at Dybsetter Farms, 2501 170th Ave, Porter.
During this SFA Soil Health Network event, Ackermann will discuss over lunch how he is getting the most profit out of his farmland by using soil health practices like cover crops and minimal tillage. There will be plenty of opportunity for networking and information sharing in a friendly environment.
RSVP is requested for planning purposes; please bring a friend and help spread the word about this workshop. REGISTER. Info: Brooke.Buysse@mn.nacdnet.net.
View a grazing management system, discuss temporary fencing and more as Pope County NRCS and multiple other sponsors host the 2019 Pope County Grazing Management Field Day from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 1, at Terry and Darlene Barchenger's farm, 10412 230th St, Brooten.
Farmer Terry Barchenger will kick off the event with a discussion of grazing management, fencing, watering and how he's incorporated cover crops. Kent Solberg, SFA Livestock & Grazing Specialist; and Jeff Duchene, NRCS Grazing Specialist; will be on hand to answer questions and talk about managing newly planted forages. Kent and Terry will follow with a demonstration of temporary fencing options. Dinner will follow.
This event is free and open to all. Please RSVP by July 26, if possible, to Jessica Hoheisel at 320.634.5143 Ext. 114 or jessica.hoheisel@mn.nacdnet.net. Co-sponsors include Land Stewardship Project, The Nature Conservancy, Pope SWCD and Glacial Ridge Cattlemen's Association.
ALSO: From 3-4 p.m., prior to the start of the field day, the Land Stewardship Project is offering an extra discussion for non-operating landowners interested in conservation practices and possibilities in the region, or beginning farmers interested in discussing land-owner relationships. Simply show up by 3 if you wish to attend.
Learn the basics of planting, growing and processing hazelnuts as SFA Lake Superior Chapter hosts a field day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat., Aug. 24, starting in Bayfield, Wis.
The day begins at 10 a.m. at Seven Ponds Winery, 87380 Betzold Rd, Bayfield, Wis., where U. of Wisconsin Extension agent and hazelnut expert Jason Fischbach will lead a tour of the winery’s plantings and discuss techniques for establishment and maintenance of commercial hazelnuts.
The group will caravan to Northland College at noon for lunch at the Hurlings Rice Food Center, 1411 Ellis Ave, Ashland, followed by a tour of the center’s hazelnut processing equipment. The facility includes hazelnut driers, hullers and crackers as well as an oil press.
Cost is $15 for SFA members and $20 for nonmembers. Lunch included. REGISTER.
This event is co-sponsored by U. of W. Extension and the Wisconsin Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Info: lakesuperior@sfa-mn.org.
Another workshop has been announced as part of SFA's ongoing Growing and Marketing Minnesota Asparagus Project: 5:45-8 p.m. Wed., Sept. 11, at Big River Farms, 14220B Ostlund Trl N, Marine on St. Croix.
This hands-on field day that will cover the basics of successful asparagus production in Minnesota: site selection, ground prep, sourcing crowns, equipment needs, installation, care, harvest, and markets. This course will be taught by experienced asparagus farmer Paul Schmidt of Schmidt Farm in Preston and Annie Klodd, U. of M. Extension Educator. Registration information coming soon.
The Minnesota Asparagus Project is co-sponsored by U. of M. Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships. More information is available at the project homepage.
.jpg)
The 2019 Minnesota Salsa Fest, SFA Central Chapter's signature event, will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sat., Sept. 14, at Burlington Northern Park in downtown Wadena. Come celebrate all things related to salsa and enjoy a local farmers market, demonstrations, live music, talent show, food vendors and the Minnesota salsa contest. Admission is free.
Vendors: Register now to receive the early bird rate. Email Michael at central@sfa-mn.org or visit our Salsa Fest homepage to download an application.
Salsa contestants: Contest application coming soon on the homepage.
The Minnesota Soil Health Coalition, a newly formed group focused on improving soil health and sustainability, is hosting a kickoff event from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Fri., Aug. 16, at Grant and Dawn Breitkreutz's Stoney Creek Farm, 38270 Kenwood Ave, Redwood Falls.
Minnesota State Conservationist Troy Daniell will be on hand to note the Coalition's launch; presentations include speakers Gabe Brown and Ray Archuleta as well as the rainfall and wind erosion simulators and a cover crop walk.
This free event is open to all; RSVP requested to Jennifer Hahn at 651.485.7848 or coordinator@mnsoilhealth.org.
- It's not to early to begin making plans for next winter: This article discusses how stockpiling bales in the paddock you intend to bale graze can reduce labor this fall.
- Cody Nelson of SoilRX, who has spoken at our Midwest Soil Health Summit, talks in this blog post about why it's crucial to choose the right cover crop for prevented plant acres.
Photographer extraordinaire Crystal Liepa once again documented our 2019 Annual Conference, held Feb. 9 at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn. To learn more about Crystal, visit her website.
North Circle Seeds Asking for Farmer Input: North Circle Seeds, a new Minnesota-based seed company, is a group of seed growers committed to creating an ecologically diverse, equitable and inclusive food system. This nascent group, which includes several SFA members, is conducting a customer survey to learn how better to support growers and seed buyers. All survey participants will receive a code for three free seed packets and will be entered into a t-shirt raffle. Take the survey here. Info: Zachary Paige, zacharypaige@gmail.com.
Free Farm Law Workshop: Farm Commons is hosting a free full-day interactive farm law training workshop for agricultural service providers in Minnesota, "Guiding Farmers to Legal Resilience," Wed., Sept. 11, in St. Paul. Subject areas include business structures, land purchasing and leasing, insurance and liability, employment law, and agritourism and adding value. Info/RSVP: farmcommons.org/guidingfarmersminnesota.
Hazelnut Input: U. of M. Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships and the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA), in partnership with the American Hazelnut Company (AHC), seek input from hazelnut growers in the Upper Midwest. If you have grown hazelnuts or have interest in growing them, please share your experience in this survey. Information gathered through the survey will be used to support and connect hazelnut growers, processors and distributors in the Upper Midwest. For additional information, please contact Connie Carlson.
