10th Annual Sustainable Sheep Farming Event Feb 17, 2024
Lammers Town Hall
Solway, MN 56678
Cost: $25/person, $40/couple, $20/SSFC members, $35/SSFC member couples
Pay at the door
Registration starts at 9:30 a.m., programs run from 10 to 2, lunch included. A great line-up of speakers and farm-fresh dishes for lunch!
Pre-registration by February 10 is required.
Contact sheepcommunity.com 218-657-2502
Presenters
 Dennis Engebretson
Dennis and Philip Engebretson: Dennis Engebretson and his son Philip from Engebretson Elk Farm, Clearbrook, MN. The Engebretson family started farming at their Clearbrook farm in 1903 and the farm has seen 6 generations of the Engebretson family. The crops and livestock raised include a wide diversity of unusual crops like birds-foot trefoil, cruciferous vegetables, ostriches and elk. Come hear how the Engebretson family has weathered the generations, changed their farm plan but remained a strong family farm through thick and thin. |
Elk at the Engebretson Elk Farm
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 Handwoven Wool Rugs by Gail Rixen, Photo submitted by Gail Rixen
Gail Rixen: Gail Rixen comes from a farming family who raised sheep, with relatives working the wool. Rixen has come full circle in her business where she works with wool to create beautiful woven rugs. She will explain the process of choosing fleeces, evaluating wool, picking, carding, spinning and dyeing before she then warps up the loom to create useable art in the form of rugs for the home and as decor.
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Handwoven Wool Rugs by Gail Rixen, Photo submitted by Gail Rixen
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 Lynn Mizner, Chengwatana Community Farm, Photo submitted by Lynn Mizner
Lynn Mizner: Lynn Mizner from Chengwatana Community Farm will be presenting on the topic, “Scaling Up a Lamb and Wool Operation: 14 years of Joy and Experiential Learning." Chengwatana Community Farm is a diverse food and fiber farm, with dual goals of increasing the food and fiber security of the north central Minnesota community surrounding the village of Palisade and improving the fertility of the land. Come hear how Mizner started out with a flock of 6 registered Black Welsh Mountain sheep and now has a mixed flock of about 100 ewes and their lambs, plus a variety of rams and livestock guardian dogs.
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Sheep at Chengwatana Community Farm, Photo submitted by Lynn Mizner
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Sandra Larson, DVM: Veterinarian Sandra Larson from the Minnesota Department of Ag (MDA) was in private veterinary practice before joining the MDA where she now works with the Drug Residue Prevention Program. Most farmers use some drugs throughout the year in their flocks and herds. Staying current with changes in how drugs are sold, keeping treatment records, and applying treatment best practice methods for animals destined for slaughter may help to prevent a drug residue violation. Larson presents "Over-the-Counter Drug updates and MDA Small Ruminant Resources Review" to aid producers in drug residue prevention through practical measures.
Speaker Bios
Dennis Engebretson: Dennis Engebretson lives on a diverse Century farm homesteaded in 1903. He has farmed all his life on this farm, has done carpentry full and part time in the 90’s and early 2000s and he has served on elevator and church boards and involved in 4H when younger, acting as 4H embassator. He is now on Clearwater-Polk Electric Cooperative advocacy board, which acts as a go-between between Clearwater-Polk customers and board members, providing information about the Cooperative to members.
He has raised a variety of livestock and a small amount of cash crop, livestock has been the mainstay with beef, sheep, poultry, elk and feeder pigs. He has raised certified registered and breeder seed trefoil since the 1960s, which is one of the cash crops he still raises. His father before him, and now Dennis have been raising trefoil for close to 50 years. There is a gravel pit pound where trout are raised as hobby.
His son Philip is the 5th generation to reside and farm here. The farm has seen many different types of livestock, including poultry and sheep for over 100 years, beef and dairy cattle and feeder pig. Horses were an integral part of the farm in the earlier years and now are kept more for pets. His grandfather and his grandfather’s mother homesteaded the present site.
He has raised a variety of livestock and a small amount of cash crop, livestock has been the mainstay with beef, sheep, poultry, elk and feeder pigs. He has raised certified registered and breeder seed trefoil since the 1960s, which is one of the cash crops he still raises. His father before him, and now Dennis have been raising trefoil for close to 50 years. There is a gravel pit pound where trout are raised as hobby.
His son Philip is the 5th generation to reside and farm here. The farm has seen many different types of livestock, including poultry and sheep for over 100 years, beef and dairy cattle and feeder pig. Horses were an integral part of the farm in the earlier years and now are kept more for pets. His grandfather and his grandfather’s mother homesteaded the present site.
Sandra Larson:
Sandy Larson graduated from of the University of MN veterinary school. Before joining the MDA, she was in private practice for 23 years. Sandy has a variety of roles within the program: drug residue consultant, Public Health Veterinarian, laboratory evaluation officer, and emergency response.
Outside of work, Sandy enjoys spending time with her family and two golden retrievers.
Sandy Larson graduated from of the University of MN veterinary school. Before joining the MDA, she was in private practice for 23 years. Sandy has a variety of roles within the program: drug residue consultant, Public Health Veterinarian, laboratory evaluation officer, and emergency response.
Outside of work, Sandy enjoys spending time with her family and two golden retrievers.
Lynn Mizner: Lynn Mizner started out with a flock of 6 registered Black Welsh Mountain sheep and a registered ram from Desert Weyr in Paonia, Colorado. Her journey through experimenting with cross-breeding to produce market lambs and better fiber has had its ups and downs, and she plans to allow plenty of time for questions and discussion. The current flock is about 100 ewes and their lambs, plus a variety of rams and livestock guardian dogs. www.chengwatanacommunity.com
Gail Rixen: Gail Rixen has raised sheep for almost 30 years, beginning because she couldn't work off-farm and mow their three acres of lawn. Like most farmers years ago, her parents raised some sheep and many of her relatives worked wool. Gail has lived near Park Rapids, Morris, Alberta, Chokio, and Nebish, Minnesota. She received a BA from UMMorris and has made her living doing carpentry, teaching, and farming. She has edited for three literary magazines and published three books of her own poetry. She and geologist Tim Kroeger own and work 144 acres near Nebish.
Long story short, Tim's sister gave them a Studio loom, they had wool stored, so.....wool rugs.
Long story short, Tim's sister gave them a Studio loom, they had wool stored, so.....wool rugs.
Thank You to Our 2024 Sponsors
Bear Den Handwovens, Solway, MN
Bemidji Woolen Mills, Bemidji, MN
North Central Feed Products, LLC, Gonvick, MN
Bemidji Woolen Mills, Bemidji, MN
North Central Feed Products, LLC, Gonvick, MN