Land Stewardship Project

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Board of Directors

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Put Your Values into Action by Serving on LSP's Board of Directors

The Land Stewardship Project’s board development committee is currently calling for LSP board member nominations.

The Land Stewardship Project’s board development committee is calling for LSP board member nominations. Service on the LSP board of directors is a meaningful way to give back and further our mission to foster an ethic of stewardship for farmland, to promote sustainable agriculture, and to develop healthy communities.

You can nominate yourself or nominate another LSP member. As of June 2024, we have three open board positions, and terms could begin as early as September 2024. Board terms are four years in length, and board members can serve up to two terms. Meetings are held every-other-month, and alternate between virtual and hybrid/in-person meetings. There is a board stipend and mileage offered to board members for their service.

—Nominations Can be Made Via this Google Form —

The LSP board is made up of members that are active in their communities and we put a premium on the lived experience of our board members in helping to pragmatically guide the direction of the organization’s work to meet our mission and vision. The board is a meeting place of diverse folks from around the region aiming to make change for the better. Farmers have long played a prominent role on our board, but we need non-farming eaters and regenerative ag advocates on our board as well.

The board will also consider other strong LSP member-candidates beyond this list of attributes. Who do you know who is doing good work that aligns with LSP’s values? 

Nominations are currently being accepted on a ongoing basis.

Contact board@landstewardshipproject.org if you have any questions.

Current Board of Directors

  • Beth Slocum

    Board Chair
    Farmer-Welch, Minn.
  • Sara Morrison

    Board Secretary/Treasurer
    Food Co-op Manager-Osceola, Wis.
  • Laurie Driessen

    Board Fourth Officer
    Farmer-Canby, Minn.
  • Aleta Borrud


    Retired Physician-Rochester, Minn.
  • Laura Cullip


    Farmer-Hutchinson, Minn.
  • Hannah Bernhardt


    Farmer - Finland, Minn
  • Dan McGrath


    Organizer/Consultant-St. Paul, Minn.
  • Josh Bryceson


    Farmer-Clear Lake, Wis.
  • Les Macare


    Farmer-Colfax, Wis.
  • Paula Williams


    Life Coach-Barnum, Minn.

LSP Board Policy Statements

• Climate Change, Agriculture & Energy (Feb. 2018)

To foster an ethic of stewardship for America’s farmland, the Land Stewardship Project (LSP) advances regenerative farming and food systems that protect soil, water and wildlife resources; promote fairness and economic opportunities for family farms and rural communities; and provide safe and healthful food for all people. However, dangerously high levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which are continuing to rise, seriously threaten future progress. Read the full statement here.

• Gender Equity (Feb. 2018)

One aspect of the Land Stewardship Project’s mission is to advance the development of healthy communities
based upon our principles of democracy, justice and equity. To achieve the vibrant, resilient communities we envision, there must be gender equity, meaning all persons, regardless of gender or gender identity, must have the same opportunities, rights, benefits and obligations. In acknowledging our shared history of gender oppression, we also recognize that if we are to enjoy the full potential our community holds, this often means ensuring that people who were denied opportunities in the past now receive them. Read the full statement here.

• Racial Equity (July 2010)

As the Land Stewardship Project board of directors, we recognize that we are living in very challenging eco-nomic times. On the farm, in small towns, and in our larger cities, we are witnessing a level of economic dis-
tress not seen since the Great Depression. There is considerable financial uncertainty for many individuals and families, much of which has been brought about by an economy that has been based on excessive corporate profits, the extraction of wealth from rural communities, and the exploitation of people and the land. Faced with high unemployment and foreclosure rates, and a lack of access to meaningful, well-compensated work, many white, middle class, and low-income people are hurting. Similarly, middle-class and low-income people of color and American Indians, already saddled with huge disparities in access to health, education, jobs, land, nutrition, housing, and deep unfairness in our criminal justice system, face deeply challenging economic prospects as well. Throughout our nation’s history, we note that times of deep economic uncertainty have often fueled bigotry, scapegoating, anti-immigrant sentiment and racist public policy. In this current economy, we have already begun to see these elements take root once again. Read the full statement here.

 

Contact

Scott Elkins, LSP executive director, e-mail

LSP Board Committees

Sub-committees of the Board of Directors

LSP Steering Committees & Working Groups

Leadership committees that help develop the strategies and tactics LSP uses to create change in our farm and food system.

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    • Our Mission
    • Long Range Plan
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
      • LSP Board Committees
    • LSP Steering Committees & Working Groups
    • Contact Us
    • Past LSP Projects
    • Employment & Volunteer Opportunities
    • LSP Publications
    • Financial Statements
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Upcoming Events

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January 2026

Thursday January 1

All Day
Minnesota Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Applications
Thursday January 1
Minnesota Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Applications
Online

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Rural Finance Authority (RFA) will start accepting applications for the 2026 Beginning Farmer Tax Credit on Jan. 1. This is an annual program available to landlords and sellers (asset owners) who rent or sell farmland, equipment, livestock, and other agricultural assets to beginning farmers.
 
On Dec. 22, a webinar will provide basic information on the program and how to apply for it. To register, click here. 

Friday January 2

6:00 am – 12:00 am
Application Deadline for RSDP Farmer Climate Action Fund
Friday January 2
6:00 am – 12:00 am
Application Deadline for RSDP Farmer Climate Action Fund
Regional Sustainable Development Partnership

Are you a farmer in Greater Minnesota with an innovative idea to address climate change on your farm?

University of Minnesota Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) invites farmers throughout Greater Minnesota to apply for funding for on-farm climate adaptation and mitigation projects through RSDP’s Farmer Climate Action Fund.  

Small grants will be awarded through a competitive process for ready-to-go, farmer-led projects, including but not limited to planting wildlife corridors, replacing fossil fuels with clean energy alternatives, implementing soil health practices that sequester carbon and incorporating agroforestry systems.

Priority will be given to projects that are shovel-ready and can be completed by December 31, 2026. 

The application portal is now open and you can apply until January 2, 2026, with awards announced in early February. 

Find more information and application materials on the RSDP website: https://z.umn.edu/FarmerFund.

Wednesday January 7

10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Organic Fruit Growers Climate Resilience Workshop
Wednesday January 7
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Organic Fruit Growers Climate Resilience Workshop
La Crosse, Wis.

n December and January, the Organic Fruit Growers Association is offering a series of climate resilience workshops. Workshop goals are to learn about the changing climate in our region and the expected impacts on fruit farmers and to select climate resilience practices which are suited to your farm’s goals and values. The outcome of the workshops will be a written climate resilience plan with actionable steps to make your farm more resilient to changing climate. 
 
Workshops will be led by University of Minnesota extension educators Katie Black and Madeline Wimmer and include times for farmer-to-farmer discussion. This series includes the following four meetings. Expect to spend an additional 4-10 hours outside the meetings developing your farm’s climate resilience plan:

  • Wednesday Dec. 3, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (online via Zoom)
  • Wednesday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (online via Zoom)
  • Monday, Dec. 22, discussion (online via Zoom — optional but encouraged)
  • Wednesday, Jan. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (in-person workshop in La Crosse, Wis. Lunch provided, and you can be reimbursed for mileage traveling to and from the meeting.)

For details and to register, click here. 

Thursday January 8 – Friday January 9

Minnesota Organic Conference
Thursday January 8 – Friday January 9
Minnesota Organic Conference
River's Edge Convention Center, 10 4th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301, USA

Each year, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture hosts this conference and trade show for farmers and others interested in organic agriculture.

Minnesota Organic Conference Logo

Mark your calendars for January 8-9, 2026, when we’ll again feature:

  • Inspiring keynote speakers
  • Topical breakout sessions
  • An 80-booth trade show
  • Networking
  • And more!

Whether you’re an experienced producer or new to the field, don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to connect with Minnesota’s thriving organic community!

Who should attend?

  • Organic farmers and those interested in transitioning to organic practices
  • Agricultural professionals
  • Buyers and makers looking to source or showcase organic products
  • Students and researchers
  • Organic farming advocates

For details, click here. 

Friday January 9 – Saturday January 10

Practical Farmers of Iowa Annual Conference
Friday January 9 – Saturday January 10
Practical Farmers of Iowa Annual Conference
Iowa Events Center, 730 3rd St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA

For details, click here.

View Full Calendar

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  • Standing In Solidarity With Our Immigrant Neighbors December 4, 2025
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  • Growing New Grains for Better Bread December 3, 2025

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