Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota

What Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota does

The Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota (SFA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization, founded over 30 years ago and headquartered in Minneapolis, that supports Minnesota farmers and landowners in adopting sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices. The organization operates through ten geographic chapters across Minnesota and adjoining states, including Cannon River, Central, Crow River, East Central, Greater Mille Lacs, Lake Agassiz, Lake Superior, Minnesota River, and Western, plus interest-based networking groups such as TC Metro Growers, Garlic Growers, Forage Council, Direct Marketing, and Fruit/Vegetable/Specialty Crop. SFA delivers value primarily through in-person education, peer learning, and consulting rather than through proprietary technology. Core offerings include the Farmer-to-Farmer Consulting Program, soil health and regenerative grazing technical assistance, field days, workshops, conferences, the Resource Library, the Dirt Rich podcast, a member Marketplace, the Upper Midwest Premium Garlic Directory, and the annual Lake Superior Harvest Festival (which draws 10,000+ attendees). Mini-grants and the Farmer-to-Farmer Fund (backed by Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies) provide up to $1,000 in emergency or project funding to members.

SFA's revenue model is diversified across four streams: membership dues, event revenue (registrations, festival admissions, and ticketed dinners like the Homegrown Harvest Dinner), restricted and unrestricted grants from NFWF Conservation Partners Program, USDA, and private foundations, and tax-deductible donations. Membership pricing is not publicly disclosed, while event pricing varies (e.g., Deep Roots Festival at $40 members / $50 non-members; Lake Superior Harvest Festival free with $10 parking; Salsa Fest free). The organization is led by Executive Director Lucinda Winter, Farmer Education Director Jonathan Kilpatrick, and Grazing Education Lead Patrick Toomey, and is governed by a board with chapter representation. Operating geographies are concentrated in Minnesota, with an emerging footprint in Northwest Wisconsin, the eastern Dakotas, western Minnesota, and northern Iowa enabled by a 2025 NFWF Great Plains grant. No AI/ML capabilities, mobile app, or proprietary software platform are part of the current offering.

Name

Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota

Legal name

Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota

Website

https://sfa-mn.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports Minnesota farmers and landowners through 10 regional chapters, farmer-to-farmer consulting, educational events, and networking groups focused on soil health, regenerative grazing, and sustainable agriculture.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Agriculture Education and Farmer Support Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry (115), Support Activities for Crop Production (1151)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI)

Keywords

• Sustainable agriculture education
• Soil health consulting
• Regenerative farming
• Grazing management training
• Farmer-to-farmer networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership dues: Annual membership fees provide core organizational support and member benefits including chapter access, networking, and event registration discounts.
2. Grant funding: SFA receives grant funding from organizations such as National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Conservation Partners Program, USDA, and private foundations like Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies to fund educational programs and farmer technical assistance.
3. Event revenue: Revenue generated from event registrations, festival admissions, and ticket sales for conferences, field days, and regional celebrations.
4. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations supporting sustainable agriculture and soil health mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SFA is a nonprofit membership organization that provides consulting, technical assistance, and educational programming to help Minnesota farmers and landowners adopt sustainable and regenerative farming practices. Core offerings include farmer-to-farmer consulting in soil health, grazing, dairy, cropping, silvopasture, and fruit/vegetable production, delivered through 10 geographic chapters, regional networking groups, annual conferences, field days, workshops, and festivals, plus emergency and project-based mini-grants.

Product overview

The Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota is a farmer support organization offering a comprehensive ecosystem of programs and services. The core offerings include the Farmer-to-Farmer Consulting Program for regenerative technical assistance, chapter-based networks (10 chapters), and interest-based networking groups. Educational services encompass events and programming (field days, workshops, conferences), a Resource Library with webinars and articles, and the Dirt Rich Podcast. The organization operates a Marketplace and Garlic Directory for member commerce. Financial support is available through the Farmer to Farmer Fund (emergency grants up to $1,000), chapter-specific mini-grants, and scholarships for conferences. Regional events include the Lake Superior Harvest Festival, Deep Roots Festival, Salsa Fest, Minnesota Garlic Festival, and Midwest Grazing & Soil Health Summit.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Farmer-to-Farmer Consulting Program Provides regenerative technical assistance and farmer-to-farmer education where technical staff and farmer-consultants deliver programming to help farmers adopt soil health and regenerative practices.
• Educational Events and Programming Educational events including field days, workshops, pasture walks, roadshows, and conferences that facilitate farmer-to-farmer learning on sustainable and regenerative farming practices.
• Chapter Network Membership Program Ten geographic chapters throughout Minnesota and adjoining states providing local farmer support, hosting events, and working to boost regional farmer resilience, with chapter representation on the SFA board of directors.
• Networking Groups Interest-based networking groups including TC Metro Growers, Garlic Growers, Forage Council, Direct Marketing, Fruit/Vegetable Specialty Crop, and others that enable farmers to share ideas and expand local markets.
• Soil Health Consulting and Technical Assistance Expert consulting and technical assistance on soil health based on six principles (cover soil, limit disturbance, build diversity, living roots, integrate livestock, context) covering cropping, dairy, grazing, silvopasture, and fruit/vegetable production.
• Resource Library Educational materials including webinars, articles, videos, and presentations on soil health, cover crops, grazing management, and regenerative agriculture practices.
• Upper Midwest Premium Garlic Directory Directory of verified garlic growers who have tested negative for Garlic Bloat Nematode and are SFA members, enabling buyers to connect with certified growers.
• Lake Superior Harvest Festival Annual family-oriented event featuring farmers market, live music, Energy Fair, nonprofit exhibitors, and educational demonstrations attracting over 10,000 attendees to the Lake Superior region.
• Deep Roots Festival Community celebration in the Lake Agassiz Region that increases connection to local foods and farmers through live music and local food vendors.
• Salsa Fest Annual festival celebrating Hispanic culture with farm market, salsa contest, food trucks, and family activities, held in Wadena, MN.
• Dirt Rich Podcast SFA's podcast featuring episodes on soil health, perennial crops, and regenerative agriculture topics.
• Farmer to Farmer Fund Emergency financial assistance program providing grants of up to $1,000 to farmers facing unexpected challenges such as extreme weather, medical emergencies, or equipment loss.
• Cannon River Mentorship Program 12-month mentorship program connecting individuals seeking advice with experienced mentors within the seven counties served by Cannon River SFA.
• Crow Wing River Basin Forage Council Program Networking group since 2000 providing winter workshops and summer land/water tours focused on learning, exploring, and networking for forage and grazing education.

Quantifiable outcome

• Lake Superior Harvest Festival attracts over 10,000 attendees annually

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025NFWF Conservation Partners Program grants supporting 'Expanding Regenerative Grazing in the Upper Mississippi River Watershed' and a second Great Plains Grant for diversified farming operations in eastern Dakotas, western Minnesota, and northern Iowa. Grants fund educational events and regenerative technical assistance.
• Soil and Water Conservation Districts (Lake of the Woods, Roseau, Pennington, Cass, Beltrami, Koochiching counties)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for NW Minnesota Soil & Water Quality Learning Exchange, bringing farmers together to share experiences implementing soil health practices in the unique Northwest Minnesota environment.
• Farmers for Soil Health - Conservation Technology Information CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in NW Minnesota Soil & Water Quality Learning Exchange focused on soil health practice adoption.
• Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in NW Minnesota Soil & Water Quality Learning Exchange.
• Green Lands Blue WatersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in NW Minnesota Soil & Water Quality Learning Exchange working on perennial forage and water quality.
• Red River Basin CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in NW Minnesota Soil & Water Quality Learning Exchange.
• University of Minnesota ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership to co-lead Twin Cities Metro Growers Network and Ecological Service Livestock Network. Extension educator Lia Spaniolo coordinates networking groups with SFA.
• Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Farm at the Arb solar farm stand and off-grid cooler project for Minnesota specialty crop growers.
• Minnesota Department of AgricultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGRI Urban Agriculture grant funder for Twin Cities Metro Growers Network programming.
• Great River GreeningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hosting Silvopasture Field Day at Clayhill Farm & Forest, featuring goat-driven buckthorn control and savanna grazing demonstrations.
• Dovetail IncminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Prescribed Fire Association initiative for private lands stewardship in northern Minnesota.
• Arrowhead Fire Adapted CommunitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Prescribed Fire Association initiative for private lands stewardship.
• MN Prescribed Fire CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Prescribed Fire Association initiative for private lands stewardship.
• Clifton Volunteer Fire DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Prescribed Fire Association initiative for private lands stewardship.
• Region NineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffering conference scholarships for SFA Annual Conference, Midwest Grazing and Soil Health Summit, and Marbleseed Conference for sustainable farmers in the region.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Marbleseed (formerly MOSES): Upper Midwest nonprofit serving organic and sustainable farmers with education, conferences, and farmer-to-farmer mentoring. Direct peer with overlapping geography (Wisconsin/Minnesota) and similar membership, conference, and consulting programming.
• Land Stewardship Project: Minnesota-based nonprofit focused on sustainable agriculture, family farms, and rural communities. Direct geographic peer with overlapping member base, policy advocacy, and soil health programming that competes for SFA's membership.
• Practical Farmers of Iowa: Iowa-based nonprofit membership organization providing farmer-to-farmer learning, on-farm research, and sustainable agriculture programming. Closely mirrors SFA's model with chapter-like local programming, field days, and similar focus on soil health, grazing, and small grains.

Broad incumbents

• ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture Program: National sustainable agriculture information service funded by USDA providing technical assistance and resources to farmers. Overlaps directly with SFA's soil health consulting, technical assistance, and educational resource library functions.
• Soil Health Institute: National nonprofit dedicated to safeguarding and enhancing soil health. Overlaps with SFA's central soil health mission, including the same six principles (cover, limit disturbance, diversity, living roots, integrate livestock, context) that SFA promotes.
• Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE): USDA-funded national program advancing sustainable agriculture through grants, education, and research. Operates at much larger scale as a federal program but shares the same farmer education and sustainable agriculture mission as SFA.
• American Farmland Trust: National nonprofit focused on farmland conservation, soil health, and regenerative agriculture. Larger scale with national footprint but overlaps significantly on soil health mission and farmer education programming.
• Rodale Institute: Pioneer in organic and regenerative agriculture research and education. Operates with research farm, consulting, and farmer training programs that overlap with SFA's farmer education and consulting model, though at national scale.

Regional players

• National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition: National policy-focused coalition advocating for federal sustainable agriculture policy. While SFA focuses on grassroots farmer programming rather than policy, both serve the same sustainable agriculture ecosystem and often overlap on policy advocacy.

Emerging players

• Kiss the Ground: Communications and advocacy nonprofit promoting regenerative agriculture. While California-based and more media-focused, it overlaps with SFA on farmer storytelling and public education around soil health.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lakesuperiorsfa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sustainable-farming-association-of-minnesota

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota