Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota

What it reported doing in 2025

Farmer-to-farmer networking, education, demonstration and research to advance and support improved soil health, environmental stewardship, economic resilience and strong and diverse rural communities in Minnesota.advancing soil health is foundational for sfa. We believe healthy soil is key to addressing current economic, social, and environmental challenges on the agricultural landscape. That belief is grounded in the fact that soil biology is largely influenced by agricultural production practices such as tillage, use of fertilizers, chemicals and herbicides and tilling. Productive, regenerative agriculture is based on a healthy soil biology. Soil microbial populations mediate 85-90% of soil function. Sfa's soil health education programs are founded on 6 key soil health principles, 4 of which are adopted by the natural resource conservation service 1) minimize soil disturbance; 2) keep healthy roots in the soil; 3) increase cropland and pastureland plant diversity; 4) keep soil covered; 5) integrate livestock; 6) consider each grower's operational context.sfa's educational and mentoring programs are a mix of field days, educational workshops, on-site field demonstrations, on-farm consultations and farm mentoring. We also participate in presentations and public meetings that encourage increased farmer proficiency in rotational grazing and livestock management, crop rotations, nutrient cycling and farmland productivity and profitability.since june of 2021 sfa has been working with the usda to promote the Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program (mawqcp) a voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural landowners to take the lead in implementing conservation practices that protect our water. Through our many public presentations promotional messages to members has played an important role in recruiting more than 1,500 agricultural landowners and renters to become certified.sfa's soil health network has continued to grow both in number of participants (1,300+), and educational content. It includes an information-rich website with case studies, instructional videos, an events calendar and sign up for consultations. This service is recognized by sustainable ag producers, conventional farmers, researchers, and educators as a highly regarded source of credible information on soil health practices. Sfa partners with the Minnesota institute of sustainable agriculture, mn farmers union, university of Minnesota extension, the umn forever green initiative, nrcs and swcd, the Minnesota department of agriculture, and a number of other allied organizations to extend the reach of soil health education. Sfa's podcast series dirt rich" launched in 2020, offers a widely accessible library of 50 episodes featuring educational interviews with practitioners and ag experts on a wide range of topics relating to regenerative farming and soil health.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 76.9%; rating input score 77
• Program expense ratio: 85.9%; rating input score 86
• Fundraising efficiency: $32.07 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 67; 67th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 92.3%; rating input score 92; 18th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 7 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 88
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Fail
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 10.7%; rating input score 57; 57th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.57; rating input score 28; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.06; rating input score 41; 41st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 13.1%; rating input score 29; 29th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 9.5% per year; rating input score 100; 56th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 8.8% per year; rating input score 100; 56th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 11.5% per year; rating input score 100; 60th percentile among comparable filings