By Scout Nelson
A collaborative "Farm to Brew" event in Valley Springs, Minnesota, convened agricultural enthusiasts, soil health advocates, and craft beer experts.
The event served to illuminate the critical connection between sustainable farming practices and the quality of craft beer.
Co-organizers Soil Regen and the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition emphasized the impact of healthy soil on crop quality. "We want to show the consumers that you can have good grains and practices that improve water quality and then also down to the quality of the brews they’re drinking," stated Liz Haney, owner of Soil Regen.
Mark Guttierrez, Executive Director of the Coalition, elaborated on “The soil health practices lead to cleaner water because as they implement no-tain and cover crops, those practices hold our nutrients in place and our soil in place and they prevent wind erosion and water erosion," ultimately benefiting consumer health.
The event's location at A Homestead Brew was strategic. This farm brewery utilizes regenerative practices and sources its grains from nearby farms in South and North Dakota.
Lee Anderson, brewer and owner at A Homestead Brew, underscored the importance of healthy soil for the quality of their brewing ingredients and the resulting beers.
Beyond knowledge sharing within the agricultural community, the event aimed to foster a deeper understanding among consumers.
The "Farm to Brew" event served as a valuable reminder of the dedication farmers bring to cultivating the nutritious ingredients that fuel our tables and glasses.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-sasiistock
Categories: South Dakota, Sustainable Agriculture