Sustainable Farming Association Conference will be Feb. 18 on St. Benedict campus
By Carol Stender
cstender@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 02/23/2012 9:20 AM
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ST. JOSEPH, Minn. — Val Farmer kicks off the 21st annual Minnesota Sustainable Farming Association conference Feb. 18 at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph.
Farmer, who is retiring, has established himself as a pioneer in the field of rural mental health.
His focus is on rural stress, marriage and family life, parenting, communication skills, retirement, family farm and business relationships. He also talks about the succession and leadership issues in inter-generational and multi-family farms.
His keynote address starts at 9 a.m. Farmer will take part in a question and answer session following the keynote. Other sessions include seminars on farm transitions, meat processing facilities in Minnesota and using social media in the farm business.
The afternoon offers a variety of seminars. Topics that will be covered include the 2012 farm bill, raw milk research and discussions on diet, stress and health, and hazelnut production. A beginning farmer curriculum update and workshop and discussion with attorney Sarah Jewell are also scheduled.
Several culinary sessions are planned during the late morning to mid-afternoon. Mary Jane Miller and Martha Ziemer will discuss making pasta and noodles at home.
Alemar Cheese cheesemaker Keith Adams will discuss all things cheese and Kevin Doyle of Forest Mushrooms will talk about growing and cooking Minnesota mushrooms.
For more information, check the conference information at sfa-mn.org.