CornerPost

Spring 2004 Number 41

A quarterly publication of the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota

Contents

The Eye of the Storm by Mary Jo Forbord Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota Mission Statement: Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota Chapters

Cannon River/ Hiawatha Chapter by Mary Ellen Frame

Coteau Chapter by Neal Ronning

Central Chapter by Dave Butcher

Crow River Chapter by Connie Lahr

Lake Agassiz Chapter by Jaime DeRosier

Northeast Chapter by Jean Sramek

South Central Chapter by Jim Tjepkema

Southeast Chapter by Gary Holthaus Western Chapter by Kelly Lanctot SFA Dreams to Reality SFA/Minnesota Dairy Initiative by Jeremy Lanctot

A Prayer for the Prairie For Sale: Sustainable Farming Association signs (17 of them!) $40 each. Gardening Alternatives by Jim Tjepkema

Organic Wheat and Oat Variety Trials by Hans Kandel Farm Business Management...the SFA Way Thinking About Forever Farm Groups Come Together to Promote Livestock Farmers and Rural Communities

Can You Hear Me?

Thank You... Can You Help? MEET LONNY AND SANDY DIETZ

The Eye of the Storm by Mary Jo Forbord The Sustainable Farming Association has declared a state of peace. We are taking back our food, celebrating its whole, fresh integrity, and actively sharing it with our friends and neighbors.

In a world of food turmoil, sustainable farmers exist in the eye of a hurricane. The furiously fast and unsettling news about mad cow disease, hormone implants, coast-to-coast obesity, nutrition-related diseases of epidemic proportions, fast food lawsuits, the vast Gulf of Mexico dead zone (we cringe at the cause--our Mississippi’s effluent), “troublesome, backward thinking” Europeans that resist our exports and our American appetite for genetically modified foods, “low cost” high mileage food with a staggering environmental price tag, hunger in our land of plenty, and a rapid consolidation and integration of our food supply to ownership by a very few and powerful multi-national corporations. Americans are plagued by overwhelming food dis-ease. With all of our vast knowledge, technology and resources, it is increasingly difficult to feed ourselves well.

Riding out the storm is what sustainable farmers are best at. With a compass trained toward an unshakable set of values, we have survived incredible odds to be 1% of the 1% of our population caring for the land.

By finding our place in our food-producing ecosystem, we have sustained ourselves with much less economic reward and a lot more work than most of society would tolerate. We are rich with healthy soil, good food, water, innovation, resiliency, experience and contentment. We are especially wealthy in our relationships, not only with animals, plants and wildlife, but with family, community and Creator. We see and live the connections.

With slick ads and snappy sound bites, we might lure more people to our peaceful oasis. Marketing is often tricky, costly and time consuming for sustainable farmers. Power and money reside elsewhere, and our primary focus must be growing food. It’s what we do best and love best, yet we need sustainable food consumers as much as we need the spring rain. Sustainable consumers go beyond the ease and convenience that American consumers have come to expect to find real food, grown sustainably.

We welcome sustainable food consumers to a peaceful and satisfying relationship with food and the people who grow it. Join us this growing season at field days and farmers markets, online and at your co-op. Join the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota. Join us in this growing eye of peace until the storm is quelled. Food—it’s in our hands, and we offer it to you. Eat and be satisfied, healthy and strong.

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Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota Mission Statement: Creating healthy food and farming systems that protect resources and are socially and economically responsible, now and in the future.

The SFA State Board approved this revised mission statement on November 14, 2003. Your input is welcomed and requested. The state board will be continuing its discussion on the revised mission statement at the next board meeting. Please send your comments to Mary Jo Forbord by April 22nd. Here’s what people are saying about the revised mission statement, based on comments submitted to date:

Ok as is

I like it—it’s simple

The SFA is a FARMER TO FARMER NETWORK. We recognize …we offer mutual support and fellowship to strengthen our farms, our families, and our human and natural communities.

None, USE IT!

Should not begin with an “ing” verb. Instead it should read “The mission of the SFA is to create…”

“Economically responsible” doesn’t mean anything—responsible to whom? For what?

Education for general populace on its importance

Brief, but wisdom and mutual support piece should be left in

I’m a bit disturbed at the brevity of new proposed mission statement

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Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota Chapters ...there’s one near you! Chapters are active in many interesting events year round. Call the chapter contact for more information, or visit our website at www.sfa-mn.org

Cannon River/Hiawatha Valley Bridget Renlund 30468 Canada Ave. Northfield, MN 55057 (507) 663-1153 wrens@rconnect.com

Central David Butcher 3998 67th St SW Pequot Lakes MN 56472 218-568-8624 davidb@uslink.net Coteau Ridge Bob Schelhaas

358 180th Ave Edgerton, MN 56128 507-442-8493 bolisch1@frontiernet.net Crow River Connie Lahr 208 Oak Ave N Maple Lake MN 55358 320- 963-3690 pclahr@yahoo.com Lake Agassiz Jaime DeRosier 13923 240th St SE Red Lake Falls MN 56750 218-253-2861 jdandls@gvtel.com Northeast Jean Sramek, coordinator PO Box 307 Carlton, MN 55718-0307 218-393-FARM (393-3276) farming@charter.net Southeast Lonny Dietz 17485 Calico Hill Road Altura MN 55910 507-932-5225 londietz@aol.com South Central SusAnn Oolman 507-826-3599 southcentralsfa@hotmail.com

Keith Bakken 24076 670th Ave. Alden, MN 56009 (507) 874-3737

Western Jeremy and Kelly Lanctot 17734 335th St

Sunburg MN 56289 320-278-2000 kellylanctot@direcway.com Statewide: Lonny Dietz , State Board Chairman 17485 Calico Hill Road Altura, MN 55810-9752 507-932-5225 londietz@aol.com Mary Jo Forbord, Executive Director 29731 302nd St. Starbuck, MN 56381 320-760-8732 or toll-free 866-760-8732 sustainablefarming@hcinet.net

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Cannon River/ Hiawatha Chapter by Mary Ellen Frame Cannon River/Hiawatha Chapter held a potluck supper and meeting to discuss plans for our chapter. We decided on a couple of projects, but we’d like to hear more brainstorms from members. “Producing and Selling Eggs” is a workshop we are sponsoring on Saturday, April 24, 2004 at Simple Harvest Farm owned by Kathy, Theresa, and Nick Zeman in Kenyon, MN. This workshop is for the small farmer, 4H or FFA member, or anyone interested in producing eggs and selling directly to customers, co-ops, and restaurants. Dr. Jacquie Jacob of the Department of Animal Science at the University of Minnesota will be our presenter. We are publishing a directory of farmers in our chapter who want to sell their products directly to consumers. Consumer interest in buying locally grown food is growing rapidly. Farmers markets, co-ops and some restaurants are already outlets. Big corporations like Sisco and Sodexho are becoming involved as well. The directory will target individuals and families looking for locally grown food. This directory will be available to everyone at the Northfield Farmers Market, the Winter Farmers Market in Northfield, the Co-ops and other outlets. We also plan to make it available electronically. A listing will be free for chapter members. A form for inclusion in the directory was sent to members and others, along with a notice of the planned egg workshop and a membership renewal form. For more information, call 507-789-6375 or email zeman@cannon.net

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Coteau Chapter by Neal Ronning The Coteau Chapter Annual Meeting was held March 27th in Tyler. We made preliminary plans for a July or August Field Day at Joe Rolling's farm to learn about Canadian thistle control, a cooperative research project with the University of Minnesota Lamberton Research and Outreach Center. The Southwest Poultry Cooperative is looking for more members. Demand is exceeding supply for high omega-3 eggs and broilers. Members present discussed needs for marketing products and coordination of marketing through a central hub. The more diversity we have in our chapter, the more we have going for us and the more options we have. Newly elected Coteau Chapter Officers are: Chair--Bob Schelhaus, Vice Chair--Jim Sovell, Secretary--Ramona Garver, Treasurer--Joe Rolling. State board representatives are Neal Ronning and Joe Rolling. We are looking forward to increased chapter growth and activity this year. back to top

Central Chapter by Dave Butcher "Expanding Beyond the Choir: Diversifying Marketing and Production" was the theme of this year’s annual meeting held April 3rd at the St Francis Health and Recreation Center in Little Falls. Meg Moynihan, Agricultural Diversification Specialist with MDA will spoke on "The 'Many Basket' Approach: Why Diversification Makes Sense for Farms and People". Gary Brever, owner of Ploughshare Organic Farm and vice-president of the Whole Farm Cooperative board, talked on "A Sustainable Approach for Marketing: Community Supported Agriculture and Reaching Out Locally." A panel of sustainable producers and entrepreneurs examined the many facets of diversification and we had numerous and exciting exhibitors for the event. We enjoyed a fabulous meal at the St. Francis Health and Recreation Center, and toured the grounds and gardens with Sister Ruth Lentner. Thanks Sister Ruth!

On a bitterly cold evening last January, when about 70 folks of various persuasions turned out for our “Taste of Winter Food". This included an impassioned impromptu talk by Mary Jo Forbord on sustainable farming and the Sustainable Farming Association, an inspiring address on Whole Farm Cooperative by Herman Hendrickson and a keynote by

Ken Pentel on "Building Local Food and Energy Economy." While board members and chefs Chuck Knierim and Jim Chamberlin were busy that afternoon preparing a feast of locally grown and prepared 'winter' food, the SFACM coordinator was trying to convince an old, frozen truck that it was necessary to venture forth into a cold, cruel world (with eventual success!). Thanks to all for a highly successful and memorable event!

Mark your summer calendars for July 28th – August 1st, the dates for the Renewable Energy & Sustainable Agriculture Fair. We have a new venue for the Windy River Energy Fair. We are relocating to the Morrison County Fairgrounds in Little Falls, MN. The fair is sponsored by the Sustainable Farming Association of Central Minnesota in partnership with the Morrison County Fair Board. Don’t miss it!

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Crow River Chapter by Connie Lahr The Crow River Chapter has concentrated on sourcing healthful, natural, sustainable, organic foods. We initiate and seek activities to network and educate farmers and consumers, about the production and availability of local foods. Our summer tour schedule is shaping up!

The annual tour at Bihl's Organic Homeplace Beef, Clearwater, is Monday, July 19 at 5 p.m. in cooperation with Wright Home Gardeners. The annual Herb Walk at Don Popp's farm north of Hutchinson follows on Tuesday, July 20 hosted by Potpourri Health Foods, Willmar. Check the schedule elsewhere in the CornerPost for a listing of more Crow River Chapter activities. We extend a universal invitation to all SFA members and friends.

Members from our chapter will also be involved in hosting Organic Gardening classes this spring. We feature a two-part class in 4 local communities: in Buffalo, April 12 and 19; Annandale, April 13 and 20; Delano, April 26 and May 3; and Howard Lake, April 27 and May 4. This is our 14th year to offering Community Education Classes.

Along with the spirit of education, since 1997, we have sponsored Vegetable Gardening classes in the Maple Lake elementary schools on Wednesday mornings throughout April and May. This program has developed into a Community Garden and a Summer School Garden.

For more information about activities and our chapter, please call Connie at (320) 963-3690

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Lake Agassiz Chapter by Jaime DeRosier Hello from northwestern Minnesota. Although our reports to the Cornerpost are far and few between, it in no way reflects our level of activity! This winter's schedule included several informational meetings open to the interested public.

On March 2 at the Crookston U of MN campus, we co-sponsored (along with Midwest Bio-Ag) "The Biological Farmer" with Gary Zimmer. Mr. Zimmer brings his zest for farming as well as a wealth of experience and knowledge to the sustainable farming community.

All roads led to Red Lake Falls on March 11, where we held our 2nd annual Organic Farming meeting. The daylong event had five speakers from the U of MN Extension program, and 21 booths displaying agricultural products and services. Approximately 75 people attended, and we would like to thank all those who attended both meetings.

Mary Jo Forbord honored us with a visit to our last chapter meeting, and told us a bit about herself and her farm. She and other present members viewed Neil Kinsey's "Hands-On Agronomy" video. Mary Jo also attended our March 11 meeting and gave a short presentation. Thanks for your interest Mary Jo!

Upcoming events include summer crop tours in June and July, as well as regular chapter meetings. Anyone interested in these events can email me, Jaime DeRosier for more information at jdandls@gvtel.com

Best wishes to all for a successful and happy farming season in 2004!

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Northeast Chapter by Jean Sramek Greetings from the Northeast chapter of SFA! Our new coordinator is Jean Sramek, and our chapter’s phone number and email address are 218/393-3276 (that’s 393-FARM) and farming@charter.net . Our mailing address is PO Box 307, Carlton MN 55718-0307.

Our annual meeting, held on January 31st, was a success in spite of below-zero temperatures that day. SFA members, as well as people from the community, enjoyed a great lunch and informative workshops on topics ranging from protecting berry plants from winter injury, to the finer points of growing and storing garlic, to a discussion about the Superior Grown project. Jamie Harvie, of the Institute for a Sustainable Future and Healthcare Without Harm, gave the keynote address and inspired the audience to work for sustainable change in positive ways. Elections for the board of directors resulted in enough nominations for a contested election (always a good thing in a democracy!); elected to the board were Ken Peterson, Cree Holtz, Mark Thell, Phill Arnold, and Jenifer Buckley.

Our second annual “Farmers Take the Stage” fundraiser will definitely have a third-annual version, and a fourth-annual, and so on. It was Friday the 13th of February, but it was a good-luck day for our chapter. That evening, the audience enjoyed performances by talented farmers and wannabe farmers: singers, instrumentalists, storytellers, poets, and more. Delicious handmade snacks, root beer, and cider were consumed, and a silent auction gave people the chance to bid on locally made products and treats. It was a way to raise money, have fun, and connect farmers and SFA with the public.

Superior Grown, a project supported by the Northland Food and Farming Initiative, the Whole Foods Coop of Duluth, and the Sustainable Farming Association of Northeastern Minnesota, is a collective marketing effort aimed at reconnecting local consumers with Northland food sources. It intends to help more people easily identify which foods are produced locally under sustainable conditions. The project is working to create a marketplace brand, a trademarked Superior Grown label, and a comprehensive website that will allow consumers and those who sell food in stores or restaurants to find local products and connect with local producers. We’re excited to be involved with this project and to see it develop. It’s also afforded our board members the opportunity to connect with SFA member/producers.

The 11th annual Harvest Festival will take place on Saturday, September 11th, in Bayfront Festival Park in downtown Duluth. This is the premier event for our chapter and we expect attendance to exceed 6,000 this year. In April, SFA will have a presence at two events, both centered around local Earth Day festivities. Our local organic grocer, the Whole Foods Co-op, will hold an Earth Day even on Saturday, April 24; a new event called the Free Democracy Summit will feature workshops by some SFA member/producers.

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South Central Chapter by Jim Tjepkema

The South Central chapter is pleased to welcome SusAnn Oolman as our acting coordinator. SusAnn organized our annual meeting and her outstanding work was very much appreciated by all who attended. SusAnn also helped with awarding scholarships to Gary Yokiel and Chris Wencl as part of the SFA/Minnesota Dairy Initiative. SusAnn sent out a mailing on membership and received a good response from people updating their memberships.

Forty people attended our annual meeting in Clarks’ Grove on March 13th. Charles Schmidt, Terrance Cunningham, Dale Grotsun, and Keith Bakken were elected to serve on the board. Discussion at the business meeting centered on changing or adding to our chapter bylaws. The board will work on organizing the bylaws during the coming year. The board plans to hold discussion group meetings following monthly board meetings. All members are invited to attend. Charley is interested in holding a conservation field day this summer.

Tom Frantzen was our featured speaker at the annual meeting. He described his farm and the practices he uses to raise organically produced crops, pigs, and beef cattle. He also led a very interesting discussion on marketing and producing organic livestock. The central theme of this speech was decision-making in a turbulent world. He emphasized the need for farmers to put themselves at the center of their decision-making and use advice from specialists and other sources selectively. He stressed that farmers should gather outside information in an interactive manner instead of submitting to a hierarchal method.

Mary Jo Forbord spoke about her work with the SFA and chapters around the state. Linda Meschke of the Blue Earth River Basin Initiative talked about third crops and funding for farmers growing alternative crops. Representatives spoke from the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, the University of Minnesota Outreach Center at Waseca, Natural Resource Conservation Service and Pheasants Forever. We enjoyed an excellent noon meal featuring homemade soups, salads, and bread as well as organic cheese and ice cream. We shared a German chocolate birthday cake made by SusAnn Oolman to celebrate Tom Frantzen's birthday.

The year is off to a good start! We encourage everyone to participate in South Central Chapter’s meetings and activities this year.

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Southeast Chapter by Gary Holthaus Chair Vic Ormsby opened the March 13th meeting in St. Charles and introduced our keynote speaker Arlin Wasserman, a Food and Society Policy Fellow, who spoke about market development and rural economic development. He said he was interested in finding ways to help farmers earn more money for what they grow.

“Wal-Mart has won the race to sell cheap food,” he said. “So how do we get people into other stores besides luring them with low prices?” According to Wasserman, “About 90 percent of consumers, when they think about food purchases, think about taste and quality… Quality, taste, value, safety, nutrition and health are prime concerns of the public.” On the other hand, “What retail stores desire are uniform products.” The questions then shift a bit to become: How do we deliver health, economic and environmental benefits? How do we get customers to recognize that local food is better? Does place really matter? “Genetically identical foods taste differently,” Wasserman says, “according to soil and chemistry, what the French call, terroir, ‘the taste of the place.’” That unique local flavor is the best marketing device.

Wasserman discussed some advantages in export models that are available for small farms. He cited Cuba’s, booming export of bananas and surprised everyone with data showing that Cuban banana growers average $30,000 per year. The farmers are indigenous, organic, clever growers who promote biodiversity. “They decided not to compete with industrial bananas, but instead went for dwarf bananas with a unique flavor and light shipping weight, tapping into the local ecology to raise a healthy, marketable, export crop.”

Europeans also insist that place is important and that identifying foods geographically is critical. Wasserman holds that 90 percent of Americans want to know where there food is produced and would buy and pay a premium for local foods. “There is a one-third carryover… That is, two-thirds of the folks who say they buy local do it -- at least once a month.” Geographically identified crops can be more valuable, Wasserman says, but in the U.S. labels identifying place of origin face opposition from government and industry.

Fresh food works toward public health. “Fresh, unique tastes mean that we consume less food, and find more satisfaction in eating.” With highly

refined foods, “We eat more, or we add stuff to make it more satisfying, and what we add is sugar, mayo, whatever. No wonder we’re all diabetic.”

Important as the methods of growing meat and vegetables are, “Advantage does not lie in the production method (grass fed, organic, etc.) but in geography. Others can compete in methodology, but only the folks in this region can compete in place. When that happens the whole region benefits.”

After the discussion we ate a lunch of locally grown food put out for us by Rebekah’s of Plainview and came back to a presentation by Mike McGrath, a member of the CSP Advisory Group, who walked us through how the CSP can work for us and for the environment. A lively discussion ensued and the day concluded with a brief business meeting.

Western Chapter by Kelly Lanctot Our annual meeting occurred on Saturday March 13, 2004 at the University of Morris West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC). Chuck Schwartau of the University of Minnesota Extension – Rochester spoke on share farming in New Zealand that morning. A lunch of local foods was catered by Alyce Fust of The Meat Center. Dennis Johnson, a dairy scientist with WCROC, spoke on dairy and grazing farming contrasting European and Minnesota farms. The event wrapped up with a mini-farmers market where members could sell their products to attendees.

Planning for events this spring and summer has not been completed, so stay tuned! Contact Kelly Lanctot at kellylanctot@direcway.com or 320-278-2002 if you have questions or if you have ideas about future events.

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SFA Dreams to Reality The SFA Executive Committee, spearheaded by SFA Treasurer and Development Committee Chair Phill Arnold, convened a "Dream Team" on March 30th at the Oliver Kelley Farm in Elk River. The task was to begin a draft action plan to implement the goals recently approved by SFA's Board of Directors. The question, "What are the necessary steps to

move SFA toward its goals and mission?" was addressed with all the vast creativity, experience and collaborative spirit present in the room. Our distinguished list of attendees included Jan O’Donnell, Gary Holthaus, Chuck Knierim, Mark Thell, Helene Murray, Joanne Berkenkamp, Joel Rosen, Mary Jo Forbord, Phill Arnold, Terry VanDerPol, Diane Jensen, Lonny Dietz and Dave Edwards. Although not able to be present, Dick Broeker, Nancy Adams, Beth Waterhouse, Mary Hanks and Carmen Fernholz also provided guidance. Thank you to all participants for assisting with this essential step in SFA's future. Stay tuned for outcomes and developments. SFA is on the move!

Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota Goals(Adopted by SFA State Board 2/20/2004)

• Increase implementation of sustainable farming practices by learning, mentoring and demonstrating economically and environmentally sound farming practices.

• Encourage and mentor the next farming generation. • Enhance and expand an effective information network among members,

chapters and the public utilizing farm tours, seminars, demonstrations, research projects, media and innovative forms of communication.

• Demonstrate that sustainable farming is economically viable, enhances communities, and contributes to a high quality of life.

• Increase farmer participation in developing and expanding local and regional food systems.

• Collaborate with state and federal agencies, non-profits, colleges and universities, and others to research and promote sustainable agriculture practices.

• Educate consumers about healthy food and farming practices that yield a diverse array of sustainable products.

• Develop sustainable organizational funding. • Organize for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

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SFA/Minnesota Dairy Initiative by Jeremy Lanctot

Funding is available for dairy farms wishing to take part in the Minnesota Dairy Initiative. SFA is targeting organic or grass-based dairy farms who would like to improve their production, quality of life, or who need help with planning changes to their enterprise. For a $200 per year fee, SFA will provide at least $500 worth of resources to each client farm

desiring help related to their dairy enterprise. Unfortunately, this fund is not available to goat or sheep operations this year.

If you have an interest in:

Adding dairy to your existing farm

Making a significant change to your existing dairy operation

Converting to organic practices

Converting to intensive rotational grazing

On-farm dairy processing

Writing a business plan to explore changes to your dairy farm

Attending Farm Business Mgmt coursework or another educational opportunity and more..

Please, contact Jeremy Lanctot (pronounced: Lank-toe) at jeremylanctot@direcway.com or 320-278-2002 to find out more about the opportunities available to dairy farmers.

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A Prayer for the Prairie Author Raylene Nickel farms with her husband John in North Dakota. She worked as a free-lance journalist for regional and national agriculture magazines for 20 years. She recently published her book "A Prayer for the Prairie: Learning Faith on a Small Farm." With a foreword by Dr. John Ikerd, the book is a collection of spiritual essays celebrating faith, sustainable agriculture and holistic living. The essays tell the story of how Raylene and John are struggling back from the brink of financial collapse, and how this process has changed their views and practices, causing them to adopt more sustainable methods of living and operating their farm. They are transitioning previously certified organic farmland to growing forages and using draft horses to do much of the work of putting up hay and of feeding cattle. They are developing the genetics and a marketing system to breed and market forage-fed beef.

Raylene and John are offering "A Prayer for the Prairie" as a fundraiser to the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota, because our mission is in keeping with theirs, and they want the story of sustainable farming to be told. SFA retains about 50% of the retail price of the book, a wonderful gift for friends or family. Use the membership renewal blank to order this great book for $19.50, and support the work of SFA at the same time!

Here’s what SFA members are saying about “A Prayer for the Prairie”:

“I got the book yesterday and read half of it before getting unhooked. Being somewhat stoic, I'm not much for sentimental dribble, but it brought on tears and an emotional ride from what I found deep and meaningful. She (Raylene Frankhauser Nickel) promises to be quoted by those she quotes from. May we all attain her insight. I would recommend the book to like-minded folks."--Cliff Millsapps

Coming from a Central Minnesota farm background, I thoroughly enjoyed the entire text. Excerpts relating to gardening and healthful food were particularly thought provoking:

“As an adult, I shunned serious gardening with disdain. . . I was sure that we did a better job of surviving by spending as much time as possible earning off-the-farm incomes to buy necessities such as groceries, rather than spending our hard-pressed time to grow our own food. . . Then one winter there was no money. . . I began to see an absurdity in our situation: Farmers with no food? What nonsense! Having access, as we did, to rich farmland, the acquisition of food should not demand a monetary exchange, I reasoned. The exchange required should be one of human energy. We determined that our food should result from a direct partnership between us and the soil we tend. . . . . When we began to take it seriously, gardening evolved for us into a mysterious yet obvious fish in the sea. Now our garden represents an integral part of our lives: a year's supply of diverse vegetables, health. It is the fuel that sparks our creativity. . . That garden helps to supply the fuel we need to perform a growing assortment of hand-powered tasks. The garden insulates our food supply from the economic vicissitudes of the world, at the same time seeming to contribute, along with largely home-produced meat and some dairy products, to greater energy, fewer aches and pains, and a need for fewer and fewer pills.”

”Nutrient-dense foods do not simply happen. They are the gifts of sun, air, water, and nutrient-dense soil. . . The soil helps me to become all that I can be, for greater health has brought me sustained energy, lighter spirits, and what I sense to be a more creative mind than what I once

possessed. All these gifts join together to help me strive to work and live--and indeed pray and think--I hope, more productively. In sum, this soil sustains my life, and indeed, a high quality of life it is.”

The book identifies the same goals we aspire to as gardeners: to improve our personal health and to bring healthful food and ideas to the populace.—Connie Lahr

For Sale: Sustainable Farming Association signs (17 of them!) $40 each.

Signs were made by the Cannon River Chapter in the early to mid 90's. The signs are 2 ft by 3 ft metal, painted white and imprinted with the SFA logo in blue and green on both sides. They are in mint condition, never used, and ready to hang on your farm to let everyone know you are a member of the SFA. Contact Ralph Lentz at 651-345-2557. We'll figure out how to get a sign to you!

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Gardening Alternatives by Jim Tjepkema Home production of food was not considered an alternative approach to gardening in the past because most people already grew much of the food they ate. Nowadays, if local food systems and sustainable farming are considered important alternatives, then home production of food can also be thought of as a significant alternative means of food production.

Eliot Coleman’s book, Four-Season Harvest (2nd Edition published by Chelsea Green Publishing Company, White River Junction, VT, 1999. $24.95. ISBN 1-890132-27-6) covers both basic information and innovative methods for home food production. Coleman especially encourages gardeners to extend their harvest season, by devoting a major part of the book to a solar green house system, which permits the harvest season of some vegetables to be extended into the winter months. In fact, by Coleman’s method, we ate fresh salad greens grown by Lonny Dietz at our annual state SFA meeting two years ago. Coleman also devotes a considerable amount to planning for early, mid, and late season crops as well as information on storing crops in root cellars. With his gardening methods, Elliot has been able to eat homegrown fresh

vegetables year round and has eliminated the need to freeze or can vegetables.

Eliot’s green house system is designed to provide protection for crops that can be harvested in the winter in Europe, where winters are much milder. To overcome the problems with cold weather in our area, Eliot experimented with growing vegetables in cold frames inside a plastic hoop house. He found that the temperature inside cold frames in a hoop house stays at 15 degrees F. even when it is 15 degrees below zero outside. Using Coleman’s inventions, winter harvest is possible—there are many kinds of hardy salad greens that can survive at 15 degrees and remain in good shape for harvest. Coleman also covers other aspects of home production in this information packed book, including a section on home livestock production.

Eliot inspired me to extend my harvest by planting more fall crops including rutabagas, Brussels sprouts and leeks. Also, I have extended my harvest season for salad greens by planting arugula and some other greens at several times during the planting season. It may take some extra effort to establish fall crops and make for extra planting of other crops, but the increased supply of vegetables fresh from the garden is well worth the effort. I have been able to over-winter spinach and hope to make use of Coleman’s system for winter harvest of vegetables. Both beginning and experienced gardeners will find much excellent information on gardening and extending the harvest of vegetables in Four-Season Harvest by Eliot Coleman.

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Organic Wheat and Oat Variety Trials by Hans Kandel Land in certified organic production more than doubled in Minnesota from 1997 to 2001 and the state leads the nation in the production of organic corn and soybeans. Many of Minnesota's certified organic producers are in the northwest. Partly due to producer requests, wheat and oat variety trials were conducted at two locations in 2002 and 2003 near Comstock and Fertile, MN, in conjunction with North Dakota State University researchers. The wheat and oat variety trials will continue in 2004.

The selection criteria used to develop modern small-grain cultivars is based on performance in environments where synthetic fertilizers and

pesticides are applied to minimize nutrient deficiencies and pests. Cultivar performance in these environments may or may not be applicable to organic environments where only approved inputs and mechanical weed control are used.

The objective of these trials is to identify hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Thell.) and oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars that are adapted to environments managed organically in the northern Great Plains. Data from the 2002-2003 variety trails in Fertile and Comstock has been compiled.

Grain yield and quality of modern small-grain cultivars were better than or equal to grain yield and quality of old cultivars at each location. Preliminary results of this project support the hypothesis that grain yield and quality may be maximized when modern rather than old commercial cultivars are grown in organic environments. The value of using high-quality seed lots for superior small-grain crop performance also was reinforced in this project. For more information, contact Hans Kandel, Regional Extension Educator-- Crookston, kande001@umn.edu Phone 1-218-281-8688

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Farm Business Management...the SFA Way

Chuck Davis is passionate, not only about sustainable farming and value added opportunities, but about the Farm Business Management opportunities now available to farmers. Chuck is a farmer in the Milaca area and an SFA member, but most of the time you can find him at work as a Farm Business Management Instructor at South Central Technical College...and Chuck has a deal for you.

Chuck is offering the Farm Business Management course at less than half the usual rate. Call Chuck for all the details on the course and making it affordable. Discover how to calculate your cost per unit of production and how to link to Building a Sustainable Business Planning, as well as meeting your individualized business and personal goals.

Farm Business Management Programs are designed to provide education to farm owners and operators or persons interested in farming. Effective financial management is a prime way for farm businesses to maintain that competitive edge. Instructors meet with the students regularly to evaluate the business and develop individual educational plans. Instruction is delivered in the traditional classroom, small group

meetings, field trips, and tours. For more information, contact SFA member and Farm Business Management instructor Chuck Davis, 13191 290 Ave. Suite 126, Otisco, MN 56093-7702 Statewide voice mail 507-389-7321 chuckrd@clear.lakes.com or the farm business management program in your area

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Thinking About Forever

Thinking About Forever: A Personal Journey is a 14-page booklet that explores the principles in to guide a personal path toward sustainability. The publisher is the non-profit organization Communities by Choice. Through well-written text and nicely designed graphics, it asserts that the collective power of individual choice can bring about a changed world that is peaceful, just and ecologically healthy. Included is a discussion of the "Four Disciplines of Sustainable Living", based upon the ancient Greek framework for how humanity can live together. These virtues, presented as the base for an intentional and responsible life, are:

1) Prudence - the ability to make wise choices. 2) Justice - fairness in our relations with individuals, creatures, communities, future generations and nations. 3) Fortitude - the strength of mind to endure adversity with courage. 4) Temperance – a willingness to moderate self-interests in exchange for harmony or balance in our relationships, communities, society and natural systems. The booklet discusses how to incorporate these four disciplines into one's daily life in eight specific ways: 1) Recognize choices 2) Be informed 3) Learn from the past 4) Anticipate the future 5) Know your values 6) Ask the un-asked questions 7) Be the change you wish to see 8) Balance competing values

Thinking about Forever can be downloaded free from this web site: www.communitiesbychoice.org/pubs.cfm A free single copy is also available by calling 877-671-3777.

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Farm Groups Come Together to Promote Livestock Farmers and Rural Communities

Four Minnesota farm groups have come together to create the Citizens Taskforce on Livestock Farmers and Rural Communities. The taskforce will study the challenges facing livestock farmers and rural communities and make policy recommendations to state officials and the legislature. The taskforce held its founding meeting at the Minnesota Farmers Union office in January to draft its working guidelines.

“There are no easy answers,” said Doug Peterson, president of Minnesota Farmers Union. “But the answers we come up with must benefit rural communities and independent family farmers. That’s the perspective this group will take.”

The four founding farm organizations are the Minnesota Farmers Union, National Farmers Organization of Minnesota, the Land Stewardship Project and the Sustainable Farming Association. The groups have invited religious organizations, consumer groups, main street businesses and local government representatives to be a part of the taskforce.

“To often solutions are pursued that represent only a single perspective and divide communities,” said Paul Sobocinski an independent hog producer with the Land Stewardship Project. “This taskforce will be diverse. We are all in this problem together and we are going to find the solutions together.”

The taskforce’s working guidelines call for a strong commitment to strengthening the viability of independent livestock producers.

“Minnesota has been a champion of keeping livestock and dairy production in the hands of independent family farmers,” said Bob Arndt president of MN National Farmers Organization. “Independent producers buy and sell local and they need access to local capital.”

The working guidelines also list a commitment to stewardship and meeting consumers demand for high quality, safe food.

“Human health is tied to the health of the landscape, and farmers and consumers alike are very aware that good nutrition starts on the farm. We are fortunate in Minnesota to have diverse and beautiful landscapes across our state that can yield a diverse array of fresh, nutritious foods without harming the environment,” said Mary Jo Forbord of the

Sustainable Farming Association of MN. “As farmers, we stand with conscious consumers to assure our children's right to healthy food and a clean environment, produced right here in Minnesota by our next generation of independent family farmers.”

Guiding Principles: Citizens Taskforce on Livestock Farming and Rural Communities

This taskforce will make recommendations to policy makers and community leaders on ways to increase the number and profitability of Minnesota livestock farmers in ways that benefit rural communities. The taskforce recognizes that livestock farmers and vibrant rural communities are directly related and the health of one affects the other. The taskforce’s solutions will be based on:

Economic models that are sustainable and benefit rural main streets. Many economic models take into account only profit for investors and not the negative impacts on the local community and environment. Economic models should take into account such factors as benefits or harm to schools, main street business and the environment.

Private enterprise as opposed to corporate investment. When capital and ownership come from private, local sources control and profit stay local. When capital and ownership are from distant corporate sources control and profit leave the community.

Benefiting existing livestock farmers and encouraging beginning farmers Too often existing livestock farmers are not considered in the rush to attract corporate investment into Minnesota’s livestock sector. The truth is Minnesota existing livestock producers are the starting point for solutions and should be the first considered.

A commitment to promoting a family farm based system of agriculture The family farm based system of agriculture has made this nation strong and is the most efficient means of production.

A commitment to stewardship of the land Livestock agriculture in Minnesota can be practiced in a way that protects and even enhances our state’s natural resources for the long term, especially by protecting water quality and air quality, reducing erosion, and building soil quality.

Increasing farmers’ access to capital Access to local capital at reasonable terms is critical to existing and beginning farmers.

Consumers demand for high quality and safe food Consumers have made it clear that they want high quality and safe food. Opportunities exist for farmers to achieve a better price by meeting these needs.

Promoting competition and fair markets Markets for livestock have become so concentrated that price manipulation is possible. This is bad for consumers and producers as packers are able to pay independent producers low prices and overcharge consumers.

Increasing profit to producers Policies that increase economic activity without increasing profit to producers are ultimately harmful by increasing concentration in our food industry.

Respecting local forms of government to make decision about development Townships and counties are best suited to react to the needs of local residents. A strong livestock industry need not come at the expense of democracy. Local forms of government should keep the right to create higher standards than the state.

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Can You Hear Me?

“Horton Hears a Who” by Dr. Seuss is great summer reading for children and parents.

Horton, an elephant, is the only animal that can hear sounds of life on a little speck of dust. Other animals think he is crazy and want to destroy the speck. Horton sticks up for the inhabitants of the little village on the dust speck. He urges them to make as much noise as possible to prove their existence and save themselves from destruction.

The story teaches kindness, determination and caring about others. It demonstrates that even one little voice can tip the scale. So is in our lives: each voice, each good deed, counts, and each good deed can finally tip the scale for good in the world. If you want the world to be a better place, as small as you may be, your voice counts!

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Thank You...

The Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota sincerely appreciates your generous support of our 13th Annual Conference. Comments and evaluations were overwhelmingly positive. Thank you, Sponsors and Exhibitors!

USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service/Minnesota Gold Level Sponsor ($1000+)

375 Jackson Street, Suite 600, Saint Paul, MN 55101, (651) 602-7900 www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov

Midwest Organic Services Association Silver Level Sponsor ($500+)

PO Box 344, Viroqua, Wisconsin 54665 (608) 637-2526 www.mosaorganic.org

Bronze Level Sponsors ($250 - $499):

Land Stewardship Project

2200 4th Street White Bear Lake, MN 55110 (651) 653-0618

Southeast Minnesota: P.O. Box 130, 180 East Main Street, Lewiston, MN 55952, (507) 523-3366

Western Minnesota: 103 West Nichols, Montevideo, MN 56265, (320) 269-2105

http://www.landstewardshipproject.org

Minnesota Farmers Union

600 County Road D. West, Suite 14 St. Paul, MN 55112-3521 (651) 639-1223 www.mfu.org

Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture

411 Borlaug Hall, University of Minnesota St. Paul MN 55108 (612) 625-8235 or (800) 909-MISA (6472) http://www.misa.umn.edu

Minnesota Department of Agriculture Energy and Sustainable Agriculture Program

90 West Plato Boulevard Saint Paul, MN 55107 (651) 296-7673 www.mda.state.mn.us/esap

Exhibitors

Green Pastures Dairy 2353 Bromfield Road, Carlton, MN 55718, Phone (218) 384-4513

Ag Resource, Inc.

35268 State Hwy 34, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501, (218) 847-9351 dgbari@tekstar.com

Minnesota Crop Improvement Association

1900 Hendon Avenue St. Paul, MN 55108, 1-800-510-6242 mncia@tc.umn.edu

Minnesota Grown Opportunities

90 West Plato Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55107, (651) 296-4939 www.mda.state.mn.us/mgo/

ME3 Just Energy Program

46 E 4th Street Suite 600, St. Paul, MN 55101, (651)-726-7567 www.justenergy.org

North Central Region-Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

204 BioAg Eng, University of Minnesota 1390 Eckles Ave Saint Paul MN 55108, (612) 625-8205 wilck001@umn.edu

Organic Land Management, Inc. PO Box 667, Albany, MN 56307 glenbarc@albanytel.com

www.organiclandmanagementinc.com

Red Fern Books and Products for Sustainable Living 18298 270th St, Sebeka, MN 56477 218-837-5332, skatcon@wcta.net

Renewing the Countryside 2105 First Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404, 612-251-7304, www.iatp.org

The Food Alliance Midwest

400 Selby Ave Suite Y, St. Paul, MN 55102 (651) 265-3682 www.thefoodalliance.org

The Minnesota Project

885 University Avenue Suite 315, St. Paul MN 55104 (651) 645-6159 www.mnproject.org

University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships

411 Borlaug Hall, U of M, St. Paul MN 55108 612-625-8759 www.regionalpartnerships.umn.edu

University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center

6352 State Hwy 329 Morris, MN 56267 (320) 589-1711 www.wcroc.coafes.umn.edu

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Can You Help? Before you recycle your CornerPost, please leave your copy at your church, in a doctor’s waiting room, your workplace, your co-op, a place of business, or with a friend or relative. Be a part of spreading the good news about sustainable agriculture while conserving our resources.

Your subscription to the CornerPost is a benefit of your membership in the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota. Whether you represent an agency, academic institution, business, consumer or farmer, please renew your membership now so you will continue to receive the CornerPost. Thank you!

A special invitation for farmers and people who eat:

Join the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota! Together we can move toward more sustainable food and farming systems. Become a member (or renew your membership) for just $30 a year, and participate in the chapter and activities of your choice. You will receive the CornerPost, SFA’s quarterly newsletter. SFA is a non-profit organization. Your contribution is tax deductible. Thank you for your supporting Sustainable Farming in Minnesota!

Name Farm/Business/Organization Name

Address/City/State/Zip Code Phone Email Address Annual Membership $30* Sustaining Contribution

Prayer for the Prairie $19.50

Total Enclosed $

*I designate that my membership fees go to the ___________________________Chapter.

Please send a check payable to :

SFA of MN, 29731 302 Street, Starbuck, MN 56381

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MEET LONNY AND SANDY DIETZ Lonny and Sandy own a 136-acre farm in the Whitewater Wildlife Management area of Southeast Minnesota. Approx. 20 acres are rented to a local organic dairy farm, another 26 acres will be planted to small grains and/or hay, 14 acres are used for rotational grazing, and 10 acres are in market garden and green manure crops. The remaining acreage is in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and woodland. Five CRP acres are mixed hardwoods and 3.6 acres are native prairie grasses. The Dietz’s constructed two retention ponds to help balance the total eco system on our farm. Lonny and Sandy sell vegetables and herbs at two farmers’ markets and also sell through the Southeast Minnesota Food Network. They are currently signing up our Community Supported Agriculture memberships, hoping to obtain up to 100 members this year. Lonny and Sandy also market pasture raised poultry and pork both directly and through the Food Network. Sandy has been a Southeast Food Network board member since it was started, and serves as the township treasurer. Lonny is active with the Southeast Chapter and state SFA, serving as state chairman. He is a director for the SE MN Education and Resource Center, and the Outreach Coordinator for the Whitewater River Watershed Project. The Dietz’s are mentors with the Land Stewardship Project’s Farm Beginning program. Lonny and Sandy have three children: Erin age 20, Matthew 14, Amanda 11, and one 22-month-old grandson Tayton.

Connect the dots: Food*Agriculture*Health*

We must be the change we want to see. Resolve this season to BUY FROM EACH OTHER!

We need more cooks, not more cookbooks” -Charles V.W. Brooks

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