Sustainable Farming Association annual meeting is Feb. 9 at College of St. Benedict

ST. JOSEPH, Minn. — The Sustainable Farming Association’s annual conference will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 9 at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph.

Among the 20 educational sessions will be alternative agritourism and events, poultry-centered regenerative agriculture, achieving water goals, marketing, and small farm infrastructure hacks.

The fee for SFA members is $60 through Jan. 31 and $70 for non-members. All-day children’s programming with Veggie Buds is $10.

For registration, sponsor information and a complete conference schedule, go to www.sfa-mn.org/conference.

Century farm applications due March 4

ST. PAUL — Minnesota families who have owned their farms for 100 years or more can apply for the 2019 Century Farm program.

Produced by the Minnesota State Fair in conjunction with the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, the program was created to promote agriculture and honor historic family farms in the state.

More than 10,500 Minnesota farms have been honored since the program began in 1976.

To be recognized as Century Farm, the farm must be:

• At least 100 years old according to authentic land records;

• In continuous family ownership for at least 100 years, although continuous residence on the farm is not required;

• At least 50 acres and currently be involved in agricultural production.

A commemorative certificate will be awarded to qualifying families, along with an outdoor sign signifying Century Farm status.

Applications are online at mnstatefair.org/about-the-fair/awards-and-recognition/; at fbmn.org; or by calling the State Fair at 651-288-4400; or at statewide county extension and county Farm Bureau offices.

Applications must be submitted by March 4. Recipients will be announced in May.