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AG Ellison to hold LSP Town Hall on Agricultural Consolidation & ‘Right to Repair’ March 4 in Stevens County

February 17, 2025

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DONNELLY, Minn. — Consolidation in agriculture and restrictions on farmers’ rights when it comes to repairing their own equipment will be the focus of a Land Stewardship Project (LSP) town hall meeting featuring Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Tuesday, March 4, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at 57002 180th Street in Donnelly. Farmers and other rural residents are invited to take part in this discussion, but space is limited. To reserve a spot, see https://bit.ly/Ellisontownhall or contact LSP western Minnesota organizer Matthew Sheets at msheets@landstewardshipproject.org.

The Attorney General wants to use this meeting as an opportunity to hear directly from farmers affected by unfair practices and to learn firsthand about the negative impacts that have resulted in rural communities, said Sheets. For the past few years, LSP members have been in discussions with the Minnesota Attorney General’s office about the negative impacts unprecedented consolidation is having on the ability of farmers to get a fair price for their production and compete on a level playing field. Ellison’s office has made it clear that to take legal action related to unfair practices in agriculture, its attorneys require firsthand evidence that can be documented.

“This is your opportunity to talk about issues such as consolidation and to learn what the Attorney General’s office is doing in these areas and how people can help them pursue legal action,” said Sheets.

In addition, LSP and its allies have sounded the alarm over the so-called “right to repair” issue — implement manufacturers such as John Deere are restricting the ability of farmers to work on their own equipment. This often forces farmers to rely on Deere’s network of authorized dealers for necessary repairs, a situation that can be time-consuming and expensive. On January 15, Ellison, alongside Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the Federal Trade Commission, sued agricultural equipment manufacturer John Deere over its use of unfair practices when it comes to repairing of equipment.

“LSP’s members and allies believe our economy exists to support all of us, not just a few large corporations,” said Sheets. “It’s critical that we share with the Attorney General how these unfair practices are decimating our farms and preventing us from having vibrant, rural communities.”

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The Land Stewardship Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to an ethic of stewardship for farmland, promoting sustainable agriculture and developing healthy communities. LSP has offices in the Minnesota communities of Lewiston, Montevideo and South Minneapolis. More information is at landstewardshipproject.org.

Category: News Releases
Tags: ag consolidation • farmers' rights • Keith Ellison • right to repair • state policy

Contact

Matthew Sheets, LSP organizer, e-mail, 320-766-4395

Upcoming Events

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September 2025

Thursday September 18

5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Minnesota Women in Conservation: Conservation Land Walk in Dawson
Thursday September 18
5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Minnesota Women in Conservation: Conservation Land Walk in Dawson
Dawson, MN

During this Minnesota Women in Conservation event, participants will walk around a “homestead” farm site — exploring areas and goals the landowner hopes to improve in the future, including pollinator habitat, perennial plantings, wind breaks, privacy/noise screens, water quality improvements, well sealing, and compost placements. Participants will hear feedback and recommendations from a conservation professional on potential programs that could assist the landowner in achieving those goals. 
 
This is a FREE event, but you must RSVP here to get the address. For more information and to RSVP, click here.

Saturday September 20

All Day
Farm Aid
Saturday September 20
Farm Aid
Huntington Bank Stadium, 420 23rd Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA

 Farm Aid is heading to Minnesota for the first time for its 40th anniversary festival on Saturday, Sept. 20, at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The event will launch a year-long celebration of four decades of impactful advocacy, historic cultural moments and unforgettable music.

Farm Aid 40 — a full day of music, family farmers, HOMEGROWN food and agricultural experiences — will feature performances by Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young (and the Chrome Hearts), John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews (with Tim Reynolds), and Margo Price, as well as Billy Strings, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Trampled by Turtles, Waxahatchee, Eric Burton of Black Pumas, Jesse Welles, Madeline Edwards and more artists to be announced.

For details, click here.

Monday September 22

9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Twin Cities Urban Farm Bus Tour
Monday September 22
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Twin Cities Urban Farm Bus Tour
Leatherdale Equine Center, 1801 Dudley Ave, St Paul, MN 55108, USA

Join University of Minnesota Extension, Hennepin County, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service on Monday, Sept. 22, for a bus tour of urban farms. We’ll discuss the challenges of city growing, including compaction, contamination, soil health, water management, and more. And we’ll learn about how growers are using soil health practices to mitigate these challenges. Stops will include: 

  • The St. Thomas research gardens, where researchers have been studying different methods for maintaining fertility in urban garden beds for 8+ years, and learning about how these different approaches impact soil health and water quality
  • Our Roots Community Garden, where gardeners have implemented a variety of soil health practices to remediate a brownfield contaminated site into a lush garden with healthy soil and plants. Gardeners here are also working to establish a micro forest at the site
  • Urban Roots farm at Rivoli Bluff. The team at Urban Roots has worked for years to establish a thriving farm at a former street sweeping site. They’ve tried many different practices to address compaction, replace invasive species with native plants to mitigate erosion, and to grow vegetables for their community. 

This is the first tour in a three part soil health bus tour series. Participants can sign up for just one, two, or all three tours. Register at https://z.umn.edu/vegetablebustours. The cost is $15 (flat fee, covers 1, 2, or 3 tours). There are more details in the attached flyer.

Tuesday September 23

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Why Birds Belong on the Farm: Biodiversity, Pest Control & A Thriving Landscape
Tuesday September 23
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Why Birds Belong on the Farm: Biodiversity, Pest Control & A Thriving Landscape
Online

This 10-lesson Wild Farm Alliance virtual course teaches agricultural professionals and farmers how to support beneficial birds and manage pest birds on farms. By learning how to assess the farm’s avian needs and opportunities, farms can be designed to provide for a diversity of beneficial birds. 

If pest birds are a problem, they can be discouraged with specific practices during the shorter periods when they cause damage. The sessions cover the latest research, tools and resources, and are given by experts in avian pest control, entomology, ornithology and conservation. While many topics and species are specific to the Midwest, most of the principles discussed are applicable across regions. 

Continuing Education Credits have been requested and are expected to be approved from American Society of Agronomy.

For details and to register, click here. 

The Course Schedule:

LESSON 1

Why Birds Belong on the Farm: Biodiversity, Pest Control & A Thriving Landscape

Tuesday, September 23, 2 p.m. CT


LESSON 2

Birds as Pest Control Allies on the Farm

Tuesday, October 14, 11 a.m. CT


LESSON 3

Birds in the Balance: Pest Control Services Across Crop Types

Tuesday, November 4, 11 a.m. CT


LESSON 4

Integrating Habitat into Croplands: Prairie Strips and Bird Conservation

Tuesday, December 2, 11 a.m. CT


LESSON 5

Birds on the Farm: Balancing Biodiversity and Food Safety

Tuesday, January 13, 11 a.m. CT


LESSON 6

Beyond the Crop: Birds, Biodiversity, and the Power of Edge Habitat

Tuesday, February 3, 11 a.m. CT


LESSON 7

Bridging Forestry, Farming, and Habitat

Tuesday, February 24, 11 a.m. CT


LESSON 8

Perennial Pathways: Agroforestry for Birds and Biodiversity on Farms

Tuesday, March 17, 11 a.m. CT


LESSON 9

Birds on the Range: How Grazing Practices Shape Habitat for Grassland Species

Tuesday, April 7, 11 a.m. CT


LESSON 10

Birds at Risk: How Pesticides Shape Safety on Agricultural Lands

Tuesday, April 28, 11 a.m. CT

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Kitchen Table Conversation About Immigration & Our Farm & Food System
Tuesday September 23
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Kitchen Table Conversation About Immigration & Our Farm & Food System
Mankato, MN, USA

Since January, the Land Stewardship Project has been an active member of the Immigrant Defense Network because we know our goal of having a sustainable, regenerative farm and food system will not be reached without racial, gender, and economic equity. This means equity for farmers, farmworkers, and all who are engaged in the food and agriculture system. We all have a stake in protecting our immigrant neighbors.  

Learn more about LSP’s involvement in this work through a recent Ear the Ground podcast episode: Ear to the Ground 373: Know Your Neighbors.

To learn more about how our base is experiencing this issue, we are hosting small-group kitchen table conversations and one of these conversations will be in Mankato, Minn.
 
What: A time to come together with neighbors to deepen our understanding of what’s at stake for people and the land.
Where: At the home of an LSP member in Mankato (address will be sent to confirmed attendees).
When: Tuesday, Sept. 23, from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Please e-mail Emily Minge at eminge@landstewardshipproject.org if you’d like to be a part of this conversation or if you have any questions. Are there others in the Mankato community who you think should be there? E-mail Emily their name and we can extend the invite.

View Full Calendar

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