2012 SFA Annual Conference registration
kicks off Wednesday on Give to the Max Day
It's almost here: Give to the Max Day is Wednesday, and we think that's a great time to begin registering members for the 2012 Annual Conference – Feb. 18 at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph.
For as little as $40, you can renew your SFA membership and register for the conference in one fell swoop, as well as receive some special benefits, like ... SFA swag. Check it out:
- Renew at $40, get one registration to the 2012 Annual Conference and get an SFA logo T-shirt or hat.
- Renew at $75 and two registrations to the 2012 Annual Conference, and get an SFA logo polo
- Renew at $95, get three registrations to the 2012 Annual Conference, and get an SFA logo sweatshirt.
- Or, go all out: Renew at $500 or $1,000 and get an SFA logo jacket, as well as an invitation to our Leaders Breakfast on the morning of the conference.
The SFA gear is only included with renewal on Give to the Max Day, so donate Wednesday and soon you'll be wearing your SFA pride! And look for an official rollout of our new gear store soon.
Members can also structure their giving to help SFA to receive additional money. Give to the Max Day hands out more cash by choosing random donors and awarding the organization that received that donor's first donation. Make SFA your first donation of the day and, if you're chosen at random, SFA gets more cash.
Give to the Max also awards extra funds every hour to one organization. So, if you're up early (or late) at 4 a.m., go ahead and make a donation. Any size donation will count, and at that hour, when few are awake, there's a good chance SFA could win the bonus. Spread out your donation over as many hours as you wish and SFA will have that many more chances to receive a prize grant.
Also, last year, SFA nearly cracked the Top 10 in donations among small nonprofits. This year, with your help, SFA can nudge higher and compete for additional grants. Visit our SFA page for Give to the Max Day here.
After Give to the Max Day, vendors and members may register for the Annual Conference at www.sfa-mn.org by clicking on the "News and Events" tab.
A note from Executive Director John Mesko
No doubt, you will be inundated with notices about Give to the Max Day this week. Please understand, we are participating with the Give to the Max Program, with all of it's built-in opportunities for additional gifts, so that we can limit the number of emails you are receiveing from us regarding donating to SFA. While you are going to be receiving several this week, a successful day on Wednesday means fewer emails throughout the year. Thanks!
Also, if you donate to SFA on Wednesday, 11/16, you will ge the absolute best price for the SFA Annual Conference, 2/18/2012. You will be contacted after GTM day for details on your membership renewal and conference registration.
Lake Superior chapter hosting 'Farmers' dinner
The Lake Superior SFA is hosting its eighth "Farmers Take the Stove" dinner from 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at Peace United Church of Christ, 11th Ave E. and 11th St., Duluth. Buy tickets here or call 218.393.3276 or email info@lakesuperiorfarming.org. Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for children 6-10 and free for under 6.
Minnesota Organic Conference is Jan. 13-14
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Organic Conference returns to the River's Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud on Jan. 13-14, 2012. Enjoy dozens of practical workshops, a trade show, organic meals and ample opportunities to meet other organic farmers. Featured speakers include:
- Charles Benbrook, chief scientist at The Organic Center
- Jim Goodman, journalist and Wisconsin organic beef/dairy farmer
- Elaine Ingham, president and director of research at Soil Foodweb Inc.
- John Mesko, Executive Director of The Sustainable Farming Association
Also, three preconference workshops are slated for Jan. 12: "Practical GAP's Implementation on Your Diversified Vegetable Farm," "All About Selling Meat – What You Need to Know" and "Introduction to Beekeeping."
To learn more about the conference, call 651.201.6012 or email Meg.Moynihan@state.mn.us.
Mark Your Calendars
SFA Annual Conference - February 18, 2012
College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, MN
Also, don't forget to check out the Event Calendar on our Website for more Sustainable Ag Events.
