8th Annual Small Scale Sustainable Sheep Farming Event
Thank you to our sponsors
Bear Den Handwovens, Solway, MN
Kathy Belt
Marsh Creek Crossing Farm, Twin Valley, MN
North Central Feed Products, LLC, Gonvick, MN
Reedbird Farm, Shevlin, MN
Rohde's Feed & Garden, Bemidji, MN
Bear Den Handwovens, Solway, MN
Kathy Belt
Marsh Creek Crossing Farm, Twin Valley, MN
North Central Feed Products, LLC, Gonvick, MN
Reedbird Farm, Shevlin, MN
Rohde's Feed & Garden, Bemidji, MN
Rescheduled for April 30, 2022
9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lammers Town Hall Solway, MN 56678 Pre-register by April 22, 2022 Pay at the door $20/adult $30/Couple $15/SSFC member Children under 16 free Cost does not include membership or renewal. sheepcommunity.com 218-657-2502 Lunch by Asian Market, Solway Speakers Annual Meeting Instructor biographies https://www.sheepcommunity.com/instructor-bios-2022.html |
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Sheep farming is more than just sheep. The Sustainable Sheep Farming event is focusing on diversity on the farm with speakers that include a range of farmers using sustainable techniques to diversify their farm products and a chance to meet the new director of the Sustainable Farming Assn (SFA) who will provide information on the SFA and its benefits to farmers wanting to move to a more sustainable farming model.
Speakers:
Celia Norgaard-Thompson writes:
We are a family farm living on a quarter section that we're slowly taking out of CRP and putting back into production. At this time we are a hobby farm in regard to critters and we farm about 140 acres and work with my dad on another 240 acres. We have been working with small grains and hay while building our family with 2021 being the first year adding a couple of different crops. We are certified organic working to grow food grade product and are transitioning into a regenerative system. Our ultimate goal is to incorporate livestock for production into the system and package and sell food grade product direct from the farm while providing our kids with the ability, skills, and knowledge to meet their primary needs from the farm
Karla Chandler of Chandler Farms near Nielsville, MN sustainably raises grassfed livestock and their products for her own family and community. She will take attendees on a virtual tour of her farm and the adventures that sustainable farming entails.
Karla plans to take us on a virtual tour of her farm titled "My Adventures in Raising my Own Food", showing us how she added naturally-raised, grassfed livestock and their products to a large family sugar beet farm. In addition to raising her own healthy, grassfed foods, she also produces quality meat, milk, eggs, etc for the larger community and helps educate consumers and other producers on more healthy, natural ways to raise their own livestock.
Theresa Bentz of Get Bentz Farm and Fiber Mill might be the new kid on the block when it comes to fiber mills but she's bringing age-old, sustainable and environmentally-sound processing techniques to Minnesota. She also, in conjunction with Three Rivers Fibershed and University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, is surveying the sheep and wool producers in the state to better understand where the fiber is being grown and what the producers need in order to support their efforts.
Theresa will be speaking about "Milling outside of the box: Using traditional methods to prepare fleece for larger scale milling."
Most large scale fiber milling uses strong washing detergents and extreme heat to strip the fleece of all lanolin and dirt, and add additional chemicals during the processing to reduce static and condition the fibers. At the Get Bentz Mill, miller Theresa uses suint bath methods to wash wool, along with natural detergents and lower water temperature to allow some of the lanolin to remain in the clean wool. She also uses a blend of natural products (aloe, glycerine, and water) to reduce static during the milling process. During her talk she will discuss why she has decided to mill fibers using this method, and will discuss the quick suint bath method she uses. Theresa will have a variety of fibers available for people to feel.
The non-profit Sustainable Farming Association (SFA, not to be confused with the SSFC) has a new director, Lucinda Winter.
Lucinda Winter will be explaining what the Sustainable Farming Assn. is and how one of its success stories, the Garlic Directory, could be a model for wool and sheep production in the state. She will also be answering any questions attendees might have about the SFA and the programs it offers to farmers wanting to transition to more sustainable farming.
Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. The included lunch is catered by Asian Market of Solway, MN.
The SSFC has their annual meeting and nominations for board of directors will be accepted. Please consider joining your board of directors or volunteering to help out in the coming year.
The SSFC works with adults, 4H and area children to teach about wool and natural fibers. In addition to the Small Scale Sustainable Sheep Event, volunteers also organize the Farm Fiber Festival in the fall. At this festival, fiber vendors can promote and sell their products and share and learn about fiber techniques. These events would not be possible without the help of local volunteers. No experience necessary.
This event also marks the beginning of the membership year and members not already renewed for 2022 will need to pay their dues.
The Small Scale Sustainable Sheep Farming event brings provides information for those interested in raising sheep or fiber sustainably with those interested in purchasing local products. Consumers interested in local products find this event helpful in connecting them with the right producers.
Please Pre-Register by 2/12/2022 for meal planning at [email protected] or 218-657-2502.
More information: sheepcommunity.com https://www.sheepcommunity.com/instructor-bios-2022.html
Information about SFA at https://www.sfa-mn.org
Speakers:
Celia Norgaard-Thompson writes:
We are a family farm living on a quarter section that we're slowly taking out of CRP and putting back into production. At this time we are a hobby farm in regard to critters and we farm about 140 acres and work with my dad on another 240 acres. We have been working with small grains and hay while building our family with 2021 being the first year adding a couple of different crops. We are certified organic working to grow food grade product and are transitioning into a regenerative system. Our ultimate goal is to incorporate livestock for production into the system and package and sell food grade product direct from the farm while providing our kids with the ability, skills, and knowledge to meet their primary needs from the farm
Karla Chandler of Chandler Farms near Nielsville, MN sustainably raises grassfed livestock and their products for her own family and community. She will take attendees on a virtual tour of her farm and the adventures that sustainable farming entails.
Karla plans to take us on a virtual tour of her farm titled "My Adventures in Raising my Own Food", showing us how she added naturally-raised, grassfed livestock and their products to a large family sugar beet farm. In addition to raising her own healthy, grassfed foods, she also produces quality meat, milk, eggs, etc for the larger community and helps educate consumers and other producers on more healthy, natural ways to raise their own livestock.
Theresa Bentz of Get Bentz Farm and Fiber Mill might be the new kid on the block when it comes to fiber mills but she's bringing age-old, sustainable and environmentally-sound processing techniques to Minnesota. She also, in conjunction with Three Rivers Fibershed and University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, is surveying the sheep and wool producers in the state to better understand where the fiber is being grown and what the producers need in order to support their efforts.
Theresa will be speaking about "Milling outside of the box: Using traditional methods to prepare fleece for larger scale milling."
Most large scale fiber milling uses strong washing detergents and extreme heat to strip the fleece of all lanolin and dirt, and add additional chemicals during the processing to reduce static and condition the fibers. At the Get Bentz Mill, miller Theresa uses suint bath methods to wash wool, along with natural detergents and lower water temperature to allow some of the lanolin to remain in the clean wool. She also uses a blend of natural products (aloe, glycerine, and water) to reduce static during the milling process. During her talk she will discuss why she has decided to mill fibers using this method, and will discuss the quick suint bath method she uses. Theresa will have a variety of fibers available for people to feel.
The non-profit Sustainable Farming Association (SFA, not to be confused with the SSFC) has a new director, Lucinda Winter.
Lucinda Winter will be explaining what the Sustainable Farming Assn. is and how one of its success stories, the Garlic Directory, could be a model for wool and sheep production in the state. She will also be answering any questions attendees might have about the SFA and the programs it offers to farmers wanting to transition to more sustainable farming.
Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. The included lunch is catered by Asian Market of Solway, MN.
The SSFC has their annual meeting and nominations for board of directors will be accepted. Please consider joining your board of directors or volunteering to help out in the coming year.
The SSFC works with adults, 4H and area children to teach about wool and natural fibers. In addition to the Small Scale Sustainable Sheep Event, volunteers also organize the Farm Fiber Festival in the fall. At this festival, fiber vendors can promote and sell their products and share and learn about fiber techniques. These events would not be possible without the help of local volunteers. No experience necessary.
This event also marks the beginning of the membership year and members not already renewed for 2022 will need to pay their dues.
The Small Scale Sustainable Sheep Farming event brings provides information for those interested in raising sheep or fiber sustainably with those interested in purchasing local products. Consumers interested in local products find this event helpful in connecting them with the right producers.
Please Pre-Register by 2/12/2022 for meal planning at [email protected] or 218-657-2502.
More information: sheepcommunity.com https://www.sheepcommunity.com/instructor-bios-2022.html
Information about SFA at https://www.sfa-mn.org