Mark your calendars: Feb. 18, 2012

College of St. Benedict • St. Joseph, MN
Give to the Max Day is over, and it was fun. Thanks to all who donated. Now it’s time to begin registering members for the 2012 Annual Conference – Feb. 18 at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph. See you there!

The SFA Annual Conference is a great opportunity for both farmers and eaters to share knowledge through connection and networking. The conference features a variety of breakout sessions, speakers, and exhibits on the different paths our farms and communities need to embrace to lead a more sustainable existence.

Members, students, teens and other folks: Click this link to register.

Vendors: Click this link to register.

The keynote speaker at this year’s conference will be Dr. Val Farmer (right), an expert on rural mental health issues and the unique psychological problems farmers face living and working in rural areas. Dr. Farmer has written three books, writes a syndicated newspaper column and has appeared on radio call-in shows as well as a variety of publications.

Other sessions include:

• Farm Transitions: Thinking of transitioning into or out of farming? This session will give you some food for thought and show you some creative ways to get more out of that transition.
• Meat Processing Facilities in Minnesota: What needs to happen to increase the number of inspected facilities?  How can you be involved?
• Farm Bill 2012 Update: Learn about what’s new in this very important legislation, and how did the super committee work?
• Diet, Stress, and Health: Farming is hard, don’t make it harder.  Learn how to deal with stress and diet related illness.
• Beginning Farmer Curriculum Update: The University of Minnesota has been working with SFA to develop beginning farmer curriculum. See a preview and help shape the project for the future.
• Vegetable and meat quality: How to maintain the quality of your product from harvest to the customer.

SFA hosts Grazefest Minnesota to promote the health benefits of pasture-raised foods, the positive environmental impacts of grazing, and the economic benefits of local, pasture-raised foods. Grazefest Minnesota highlights well-managed grazing systems that result in healthy animals and an excellent living and working conditions for farmers and rural communities.

Saturday, July 16, 2011 – Festival of Farms™ is an opportunity to learn about sustainable agriculture, network within the community, and have fun at various farms across the state. The Festival is unique to each chapter, but the goal is the same—to build a unified sense of SFA’s presence in communities across Minnesota and tighten connections within the local food community. Click Here for Details

Minnesota Garlic Festival is the premier event for lovers of garlic, great local foods and good times! Family friendly, fun filled and fragrant, this festival features fantastic foods, celebrity chefs, marvelous music, area artisans, goofy games…and lots of GARLIC – all in support of a healthy environment, sustainable farms and vital rural communities in Minnesota.

The Garlic Festival offers a unique culinary experience with a cadre of renowned Minnesota chefs converging at the festival cafe, “The Great ‘Scape,” and a sumptuous selection of celebrity chefs will present cooking demonstrations on the main stage throughout the day. We’ll continue our tradition of unique entertainment, with festival favorites returning, plus some new acts. Come to farm country and Taste the Bounty!

The annual Harvest Festival and Energy Fair is a project of the Lake Superior Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota and the Lake Superior Energy Association. It is an educational outreach program aiming to showcase the local sustainable agriculture production of food and local energy conservation resources and education throughout the Lake Superior coastal region of Minnesota and Wisconsin. The goal of the event is to help promote sustainable local food production as a key component of a healthier economy, environment and community in the Lake Superior region.

For more information on the 2011 Harvest Festival, click here