Staff & Consultants
Lucinda Winter
Executive Director
Lucinda joined SFA in 2021, attracted by the opportunity to lead a beloved farming organization as it evolves to serve its members in meaningful new ways. "I'm inspired by our members' commitment to supporting each other, stewarding the land, and strengthening their communities. That's what drives me to utilize everything I've learned during my three decades as a nonprofit professional to ensure they have the resources they need to be successful."
Lucinda served for 12 years as executive director of the nonprofit Minnesota Film and TV, and as a communications consultant for a number of Minnesota nonprofits, including Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. She served as a board member and board Chair of the Saint Paul Chapter, American Red Cross and currently serves on the board of Pet Haven, a foster-based animal rescue. She has a BA in Mass Communication from Michigan State University.
Lucinda Winter
Executive Director
Lucinda joined SFA in 2021, attracted by the opportunity to lead a beloved farming organization as it evolves to serve its members in meaningful new ways. "I'm inspired by our members' commitment to supporting each other, stewarding the land, and strengthening their communities. That's what drives me to utilize everything I've learned during my three decades as a nonprofit professional to ensure they have the resources they need to be successful."
Lucinda served for 12 years as executive director of the nonprofit Minnesota Film and TV, and as a communications consultant for a number of Minnesota nonprofits, including Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. She served as a board member and board Chair of the Saint Paul Chapter, American Red Cross and currently serves on the board of Pet Haven, a foster-based animal rescue. She has a BA in Mass Communication from Michigan State University.
Katie Feterl
Communications Director
Katie deeply appreciates the way farmers leverage collaboration, creativity, and curiosity to build collective success in the face of unjust systems and climate change. She is thrilled to be part of this work by helping connect people to resources, opportunities, and other food folks.
In addition to leading SFA's communications, Katie co-coordinates the Twin Cities Metro Growers Network.
Katie Feterl
Communications Director
Katie deeply appreciates the way farmers leverage collaboration, creativity, and curiosity to build collective success in the face of unjust systems and climate change. She is thrilled to be part of this work by helping connect people to resources, opportunities, and other food folks.
In addition to leading SFA's communications, Katie co-coordinates the Twin Cities Metro Growers Network.
Jerry Ford
Chapter & Events Coordinator
Having served in different capacities with SFA since 2004, Jerry Ford's official title is Chapter & Events Coordinator. He assists our chapters and networking groups, while managing and supporting our scores of events, including the Annual Conference and the Midwest Grazing & Soil Health Summit. Jerry also works with special projects, including the Minnesota Garlic Festival, plus an on-farm community events project and conservation program with our partner, Renewing the Countryside.
Jerry Ford
Chapter & Events Coordinator
Having served in different capacities with SFA since 2004, Jerry Ford's official title is Chapter & Events Coordinator. He assists our chapters and networking groups, while managing and supporting our scores of events, including the Annual Conference and the Midwest Grazing & Soil Health Summit. Jerry also works with special projects, including the Minnesota Garlic Festival, plus an on-farm community events project and conservation program with our partner, Renewing the Countryside.
Jonathan Kilpatrick
Farmer Education Director
While growing up on an organic vegetable farm, Jonathan developed a passion at a young age for agriculture. His interest specifically for livestock and grass-based farming became very evident, and in his teen years, he operated a small business selling his own products. His love for regenerative agriculture led him to the internship and apprenticeship program at Polyface Farms. After Polyface, he continued learning and developing his agricultural management experience on various farms and ranches across the country. In his role with SFA, Jonathan divides his time between providing consultation to farmers, educating at workshops, and providing administrative support for the organization. Jonathan is passionate about seeing agricultural businesses thrive through intentional management and systems development, grazing and grassland management, and producing clean, ethically-raised proteins for communities. Jonathan resides in Alexandria with his wife Miriam and three boys, Cal, Jonathan Jr., and Abel.
Jonathan Kilpatrick
Farmer Education Director
While growing up on an organic vegetable farm, Jonathan developed a passion at a young age for agriculture. His interest specifically for livestock and grass-based farming became very evident, and in his teen years, he operated a small business selling his own products. His love for regenerative agriculture led him to the internship and apprenticeship program at Polyface Farms. After Polyface, he continued learning and developing his agricultural management experience on various farms and ranches across the country. In his role with SFA, Jonathan divides his time between providing consultation to farmers, educating at workshops, and providing administrative support for the organization. Jonathan is passionate about seeing agricultural businesses thrive through intentional management and systems development, grazing and grassland management, and producing clean, ethically-raised proteins for communities. Jonathan resides in Alexandria with his wife Miriam and three boys, Cal, Jonathan Jr., and Abel.
Tap into our expertise!
Farmer-to-farmer education and networking is our strong suit.
Farmer-led education is what we do best. Many of our staff and consultants are actively farming—and bring deep, practical experience to your event. Book one of our team members to lead a workshop, join a panel, speak at a field day, keynote a conference, or tailor a presentation to your group’s needs.
We bring expertise in Regenerative crop and livestock systems: cover cropping, minimum till and no-till systems, soil health, beef, dairy, small ruminants, poultry, swine, and custom grazing. Specialty crops like vegetables, fruit, orchards, and garlic. Farm business support in direct marketing, planning, labor management, and infrastructure design. Forestry practices such as silvopasture, agroforestry, and maple syrup production. Environmental strategies like invasive plant control with livestock, resource management, and agroecology.
Have an idea of what you're looking for? Click to fill out the form below!
Consultants
Becky Ankeny
Publications Designer
Becky Ankeny grew up in Blue Earth, Minnesota and currently makes her home in Phoenix. She's been creating graphics for both print and digital mediums for more than 25 years, including advertising, conference collateral and signage, infographics, logo and brand design, social media, annual reports, and publication layout. She's participated as a consultant on design teams in a number organizations both large and small, including a museum, a nonprofit marketing department, retail and direct to consumer companies.
“My current passion is styling and photographing foods from local farmers markets in Arizona. I’m excited to join SFA as a consultant and look forward to creating well-designed, informative, inspiring and impactful visuals.”
Becky Ankeny
Publications Designer
Becky Ankeny grew up in Blue Earth, Minnesota and currently makes her home in Phoenix. She's been creating graphics for both print and digital mediums for more than 25 years, including advertising, conference collateral and signage, infographics, logo and brand design, social media, annual reports, and publication layout. She's participated as a consultant on design teams in a number organizations both large and small, including a museum, a nonprofit marketing department, retail and direct to consumer companies.
“My current passion is styling and photographing foods from local farmers markets in Arizona. I’m excited to join SFA as a consultant and look forward to creating well-designed, informative, inspiring and impactful visuals.”
Joel Barr
Market Garden & Farm Management Systems Consultant
Joel Barr owns and operates Abraham’s Table Farm in Sandstone MN which produces and direct markets organic vegetables, pasture raised chicken, eggs, and beef. With over a decade of experience and multiple opportunities to start and build farms Joel has learned what works and what doesn’t. Joel and his team rely on simple, lean, and agile management systems to cut waste, keep the team focused and most importantly, grow and deliver a lot of nutrient dense food to their community. As an aggressive learner Joel is largely self taught and enjoys the interdisciplinary aspects of small scale farming as well as the pressure and necessity of turning abstract theory into practical and profitable practices. Joel’s degree in English and background in teaching enable him to be an effective communicator, speaker, and writer. Joel believes that small scale farming can work and is excited to help farmers establish better practices that set them up for success.
Joel Barr
Market Garden & Farm Management Systems Consultant
Joel Barr owns and operates Abraham’s Table Farm in Sandstone MN which produces and direct markets organic vegetables, pasture raised chicken, eggs, and beef. With over a decade of experience and multiple opportunities to start and build farms Joel has learned what works and what doesn’t. Joel and his team rely on simple, lean, and agile management systems to cut waste, keep the team focused and most importantly, grow and deliver a lot of nutrient dense food to their community. As an aggressive learner Joel is largely self taught and enjoys the interdisciplinary aspects of small scale farming as well as the pressure and necessity of turning abstract theory into practical and profitable practices. Joel’s degree in English and background in teaching enable him to be an effective communicator, speaker, and writer. Joel believes that small scale farming can work and is excited to help farmers establish better practices that set them up for success.
Lauren Barry
Finance Director
Lauren runs an organic CSA and market vegetable farm in Wabasha, MN. She has been working on farms since 2012, and managing her own farm business since 2014. Together with an enthusiastic and hard-working crew, she grows over 200 varieties of produce to serve the veggie-eaters of Hopkins and Wabasha, Minnesota.
With SFA, Lauren helps manage the organization's behind-the-scenes financials, including invoicing, payments, and grant tracking. She assists with bookkeeping and accounting tasks, and is available to help the rest of the SFA team with any financial logistics or questions that may arise.
Lauren Barry
Finance & Grants Administrator
Lauren runs an organic CSA and market vegetable farm in Wabasha, MN. She has been working on farms since 2012, and managing her own farm business since 2014. Together with an enthusiastic and hard-working crew, she grows over 200 varieties of produce to serve the veggie-eaters of Hopkins and Wabasha, Minnesota.
With SFA, Lauren helps manage the organization's behind-the-scenes financials, including invoicing, payments, and grant tracking. She assists with bookkeeping and accounting tasks, and is available to help the rest of the SFA team with any financial logistics or questions that may arise.
Tyler Carlson
Silvopasture & Agroforestry Project Lead
Tyler has been studying and applying the principles of agroecology and silvopasture on his farm in central Minnesota since 2012. With his wife and daughter, he raises 100% grass-fed beef, pastured lamb, shrub fruit, and other perennials. Their farm's silvopasture systems include field-planted pine and oak trees as well as experimental restoration of oak woodlands. Tyler was first exposed to the principles of agroforestry while studying restoration ecology and sustainable agriculture at the University of Minnesota. After receiving his B.S., he completed the Agroforestry Academy through the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry. He has been leading the silvopasture programing at SFA since 2020. Tyler's favorite aspect of his work at SFA is doing on-farm consulting with producers to collaboratively design agroforestry and management systems that contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation and improved farm resilience.
Tyler Carlson
Silvopasture & Agroforestry Project Lead
Tyler has been studying and applying the principles of agroecology and silvopasture on his farm in central Minnesota since 2012. With his wife and daughter, he raises 100% grass-fed beef, pastured lamb, shrub fruit, and other perennials. Their farm's silvopasture systems include field-planted pine and oak trees as well as experimental restoration of oak woodlands. Tyler was first exposed to the principles of agroforestry while studying restoration ecology and sustainable agriculture at the University of Minnesota. After receiving his B.S., he completed the Agroforestry Academy through the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry. He has been leading the silvopasture programing at SFA since 2020. Tyler's favorite aspect of his work at SFA is doing on-farm consulting with producers to collaboratively design agroforestry and management systems that contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation and improved farm resilience.
Jim Chamberlin
Conservation Outreach Specialist
Jim Chamberlin works as a Conservation Outreach Specialist for Happy Dancing Turtle. He has an A.A.S. degree in Natural Resource Management from Central Lakes College and holds Certificates in Ecosystem Silviculture from the University of MN and Agroforestry from the University of Missouri. Jim serves as a District Supervisor for the Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District, is past President of the Sustainable Farming Association of MN and has served on several other non-profit Boards. Jim and his wife Audra own and operate Island Lake Farm, a 109 acre diversified farm and forestry operation near Deerwood, MN. He is passionate about real food, family, and skiing deep powder.
Jim Chamberlin
Conservation Outreach Specialist
Jim Chamberlin works as a Conservation Outreach Specialist for Happy Dancing Turtle. He has an A.A.S. degree in Natural Resource Management from Central Lakes College and holds Certificates in Ecosystem Silviculture from the University of MN and Agroforestry from the University of Missouri. Jim serves as a District Supervisor for the Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District, is past President of the Sustainable Farming Association of MN and has served on several other non-profit Boards. Jim and his wife Audra own and operate Island Lake Farm, a 109 acre diversified farm and forestry operation near Deerwood, MN. He is passionate about real food, family, and skiing deep powder.
Mary Fischer
Southwest Community Organizer
Mary leads SFA's Homesteading Series. She and her husband and three young children reside on their farm where they operate their business, K & M Fischer Farm, near Hanska. The Homesteading Series focuses on the 'How-To' of homesteading, whether the task is in the kitchen, garden, woods or pasture. Mary is passionate about teaching others to become more financially independent, health-minded, land-stewarding and be a positive contributor to the local community.
Mary Fischer
Southwest Community Organizer
Mary leads SFA's Homesteading Series. She and her husband and three young children reside on their farm where they operate their business, K & M Fischer Farm, near Hanska. The Homesteading Series focuses on the 'How-To' of homesteading, whether the task is in the kitchen, garden, woods or pasture. Mary is passionate about teaching others to become more financially independent, health-minded, land-stewarding and be a positive contributor to the local community.
Suzanne Miller-McFeeley
Grants Manager
As Grants Manager, Suzanne Miller-McFeeley leads the administration of SFA’s many grant-funded programs. Prior to joining SFA in 2023, Suzanne worked with multiple domestic and international non-profit organizations managing all aspects of the grant life cycle. She holds a BA in Global Studies from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and an MA in International Development from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver.
Suzanne grew up on a farm in Northeast South Dakota where she developed a deep appreciation for the role farmers play as stewards of the land they work. She’s excited to return to her roots in the farming community working with the SFA team to promote sustainable practices, economic resilience and strong, diverse communities. Suzanne lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two sons.
Suzanne Miller-McFeeley
Grants Manager
As Grants Manager, Suzanne Miller-McFeeley leads the administration of SFA’s many grant-funded programs. Prior to joining SFA in 2023, Suzanne worked with multiple domestic and international non-profit organizations managing all aspects of the grant life cycle. She holds a BA in Global Studies from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and an MA in International Development from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver.
Suzanne grew up on a farm in Northeast South Dakota where she developed a deep appreciation for the role farmers play as stewards of the land they work. She’s excited to return to her roots in the farming community working with the SFA team to promote sustainable practices, economic resilience and strong, diverse communities. Suzanne lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two sons.
Bryan Simon
Silvopasture & Agroforestry Project
Grassland ecologist, owner/operator of Lakeside Prairie Farm, which offers targeted goat grazing to control invasive species and custom grazes cattle. Bryan has worked for the Land Stewardship Project as an organizer around soil health and for The Nature Conservancy and the Student Conservation Association managing grasslands and controlling invasive species.
Bryan Simon
Silvopasture & Agroforestry Project
Grassland ecologist, owner/operator of Lakeside Prairie Farm, which offers targeted goat grazing to control invasive species and custom grazes cattle. Bryan has worked for the Land Stewardship Project as an organizer around soil health and for The Nature Conservancy and the Student Conservation Association managing grasslands and controlling invasive species.
Kent Solberg
Senior Technical Advisor
Kent Solberg is the senior technical advisor for the Sustainable Farming Association. From his farm in Wadena County, Minn., he travels the state and the country teaching and educating farmers and conservation professionals on soil health principles, adaptive grazing, low input dairying and regenerative cropping. After a ten year career with natural resource agencies, Kent started his own award winning dairy farm, was a farm fence contractor, and taught agriculture college courses.
Kent Solberg
Senior Technical Advisor
Kent Solberg is the senior technical advisor for the Sustainable Farming Association. From his farm in Wadena County, Minn., he travels the state and the country teaching and educating farmers and conservation professionals on soil health principles, adaptive grazing, low input dairying and regenerative cropping. After a ten year career with natural resource agencies, Kent started his own award winning dairy farm, was a farm fence contractor, and taught agriculture college courses.
Doug Voss
Senior Technical Advisor
As the grazing lead for the Sustainable Farming Association, Doug consults with and teaches farmers how to improve their resources while lowering their input needs. Doug resides in Paynesville, MN where he operates Voss Farms. For many years, Doug and his family ran a dairy and crop farm before transitioning to a business focused on custom grazing, where they run all classes of cattle in both organic and conventional contexts. Doug has a wealth of knowledge in soil health and a unique ability to help farmers think differently about their farms and ranches. He now is a partner in Grazetek, a custom and conservation grazing service, and also consults and teaches for Understanding Ag and Soil Health Academy.
Doug Voss
Senior Technical Advisor
As the grazing lead for the Sustainable Farming Association, Doug consults with and teaches farmers how to improve their resources while lowering their input needs. Doug resides in Paynesville, MN where he operates Voss Farms. For many years, Doug and his family ran a dairy and crop farm before transitioning to a business focused on custom grazing, where they run all classes of cattle in both organic and conventional contexts. Doug has a wealth of knowledge in soil health and a unique ability to help farmers think differently about their farms and ranches. He now is a partner in Grazetek, a custom and conservation grazing service, and also consults and teaches for Understanding Ag and Soil Health Academy.
Angie Walter
Dairy Education Lead
My name is Angie Walter. My husband, Nate, and I own and operate a 100-cow organic dairy farm in west central MN. We have 2 children, Laureen is 18 and in college at South Dakota State University, and Levi is 14 and a 9th grader at the local public school. I started working with the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program and Sustainable Farming Association in August of 2019. I am the education coordinator for this program so I work with Mentor Graziers and Apprentices in the program. I also plan events such as pasture walks and Mentor roundtables. In 2021, I started working with the MN Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program on education and outreach. I do the "boots on the ground work" of educating people about the program and going to events to talk about the program. The program is getting close to having 1,000,000 acres certified in the state of MN!
Angie Walter
Dairy Education Lead
My name is Angie Walter. My husband, Nate, and I own and operate a 100-cow organic dairy farm in west central MN. We have 2 children, Laureen is 18 and in college at South Dakota State University, and Levi is 14 and a 9th grader at the local public school. I started working with the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program and Sustainable Farming Association in August of 2019. I am the education coordinator for this program so I work with Mentor Graziers and Apprentices in the program. I also plan events such as pasture walks and Mentor roundtables. In 2021, I started working with the MN Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program on education and outreach. I do the "boots on the ground work" of educating people about the program and going to events to talk about the program. The program is getting close to having 1,000,000 acres certified in the state of MN!
Laura Borgendale
Webmaster
Laura has provided web and tech support to SFA for over a decade. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a degree in English, and also pursued continuing education in web design and development. Laura grew up on a dairy farm in western Minnesota, and that background launched her career in the non-profit sector working with sustainable agriculture and beginning farmers, while also designing websites as a freelancer. In 2006, she transitioned her focus to contract web design and development for a variety of non-profits and small businesses in Minnesota and throughout the country.
Laura Borgendale
Webmaster
Laura Borgendale
Webmaster
Laura has provided web and tech support to SFA for over a decade. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a degree in English, and also pursued continuing education in web design and development. Laura grew up on a dairy farm in western Minnesota, and that background launched her career in the non-profit sector working with sustainable agriculture and beginning farmers, while also designing websites as a freelancer. In 2006, she transitioned her focus to contract web design and development for a variety of non-profits and small businesses in Minnesota and throughout the country.