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Alan Perish’s Passion for Local Democracy

 'If you can’t control things locally, somebody else is going to control them for you...'

By Brian DeVore
May 19, 2025

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When Alan Perish passed away May 14, we lost a stalwart advocate for  family farming and local democracy.

Alan, a fourth-generation farmer, milked cows in central Minnesota’s Todd County for many years and he was a longtime Land Stewardship Project and Minnesota Farmers Union member. Over the years, I had several opportunities to talk with him about the key role a family farm form of agriculture can play in healthy rural communities and our food system in general. No matter if he was talking to a neighbor, a roomful of legislators, or the media, Alan made one thing clear: a vibrant, economically-viable system of farming and strong local democracy are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they go hand-in-hand.

That’s why, up until his death, he served as president and manager of Hartford Township in Todd County. And it’s why he chose to be so integral to the Land Stewardship Project’s work related to protecting and strengthening local democracy on the township and county level. He served on LSP’s State Policy Steering Committee, and helped develop policy positions related to local democracy and support of small and medium-sized farms, among other issues. In his straightforward, no-nonsense manner, Alan often spoke in public about the importance of local control in rural communities. At one point, as the image below shows, he was featured in an LSP campaign advocating for protection of township rights. 

Being so public about an issue like this in Rural America is significant, given that the common narrative generated by the backers of a corporate-controlled form of economic activity is that communities cannot thrive when local residents have a say in what kinds of development — whether it be a CAFO, frac sand mining operation, or housing subdivision — takes place there. They’ve often used this narrative to silence those who feel that the people who live and work in a community are the ones who should have a say in what kind of activity drives the economy and dominates the landscape. Big Ag, in particular, has been extremely effective at promulgating the concept that if one questions any aspect of crop and livestock production, then one is attacking all forms of farming.

Alan saw such an argument for what it was: a form of bullying meant to advance the interests of a select few while sucking wealth out of rural communities and putting small and medium-sized farms out of business. This humble farmer taught me a lot about the importance of speaking up, even when the powers that be are propagating a myth that no one else shares your view of the world.

Sometime back, I had the opportunity to interview Alan for LSP’s 40th anniversary oral history, Making Change from the Ground Up. Despite being quite ill at time, his fiery passion for local democracy and family farming still shined through during our conversation. Here’s what he shared with me:

If you can’t control things locally, somebody else is going to control them for you, and their ideas are often about who can make the most money the fastest. And the only way to make money fast is to not filter it down to the local people who live in the community. If the size of the operations gets too big, the communities suffer, they suffer a lot. All you have to do is drive through any of these small communities and see all the boarded-up stores. Or in several of these small communities, one person may own two or three businesses or more, or the owner of that business lives out of town in another community. But if you’ve got 10 businesses in town, and you’ve got 10 owners of those businesses in town, they’re all contributing to the welfare of the community.

Working with LSP organizers like Paul Sobocinski and Bobby King, I had a chance to testify on local control at the Minnesota Legislature. I did it more than once, but I know on one particular day I made a difference. I didn’t necessarily change some minds, but they kind of figured out they couldn’t have it their way as far as weakening local township and county government. Of course, there were segments of the Legislature that wanted to eliminate local control and local planning and zoning and people’s ability to control what’s going on in their own communities. But I think some of the lawmakers were surprised at how much support there was for local control because they didn’t have any good firsthand knowledge of the situation. People from the Minnesota Association of Townships were in the hearing room also, and they were really impressed. They said, “By golly, maybe we need to have you come down and do some more testifying for us.” Local control is still under fire, but today the opponents are using different tactics — they’re accomplishing their goals by putting people out of business.

I also served on LSP’s State Policy Committee for awhile. We had good, thoughtful discussions and helped the organization stay on track with their lobbying efforts and policy and such. There was quite a variety of people on that committee, and I think we helped keep the organization true to the roots where it belonged. Local control was one of the big issues. Frac sand mining came into play right at the end of my time on the committee, and that’s basically a local control issue.

When people ask what local democracy looks like in Minnesota, I think of people like Alan Perish.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Alan will take place on Thursday, May 22, at 11 a.m., at the Christ the King Catholic Church in Browerville, Minn. Details are here.

Brian DeVore is LSP’s managing editor.

Category: Blog
Tags: Alan Perish • family farming • local control • local democracy • Minnesota Legislature • rural economic development

Upcoming Events

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June 2025

Saturday June 28

4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
LSP's Boots & Roots: A Celebration of Land & People
Saturday June 28
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
LSP's Boots & Roots: A Celebration of Land & People
Dream Acres, Co Hwy 8, Spring Valley, MN 55975, USA

Join Land Stewardship Project members and supporters to kick-start the Driftless summer with an evening of good food, good music, and good times. We’ll have activities for all ages that will get you out in nature, exploring the connection between our region’s farms and your community’s food, land, and water. Bring a side or dessert to share for dinner, and the Dream Acres wood-fired oven will provide locally-sourced pizzas and flat breads. Dinner will be followed by live music and contra dancing by the Crater City String Band.  

To reserve a spot, click here.

Camping sites are available at nearby Masonic Park and Forestville Mystery Cave and Lake Louise State Parks. Camping at Masonic is rustic,first-come-first-serve, free, and does not require a reservation. Fillmore County, who manages the park, only asks that you call the dispatchers at507-765-3874 when you arrive with your vehicle information and phone number in case of emergency. State Park reservations cost $25 a night and can be made online.

July 2025

Wednesday July 9

8:00 am – 10:00 am
Risk to Resilience Climate Cohort
Wednesday July 9
8:00 am – 10:00 am
Risk to Resilience Climate Cohort
Online

Farming has always required adaptability, and today’s changing weather patterns are creating new challenges and opportunities. The Land Stewardship Project, in collaboration with University of Minnesota Extension, has created a resilience-focused program that gives commodity and small grain growers the opportunity to join a cohort with other like-minded farmers and learn how to prepare their operations for the future. At this Risk to Resilience cohort, you will learn:

  • How changing weather patterns in the Upper Midwest are likely to affect your farm. 
  • How you can prepare a plan that protects your farm from a changing climate.
  • How to improve your planning skills and meet with experts for opportunities to grow climate resilience  on your farm.
  • How to build community with fellow farmers interested in creating operations that are sustainable and resilient in the long term.

Program Details:

  •  Online format — join from your home or farm.
  •  Four sessions, 10-15 hours total investment — built for busy schedules, beginning July 2025. We’ll pause workshops for small grains harvest and resume in August 2025.
  • A $250 stipend will be provided to participants who attend the sessions and provide feedback on experience and content.

Dates of the Risk to Resilience Sessions:

  • Wednesday, July 9, 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
  • Wednesday, July 16, 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
  • Harvest Break
  • Wednesday, August 20, 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
  • Wednesday, August 27, 8 a.m.-10 a.m. 

To register, click here. 

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
LSP Lewiston Office Summer Potluck Lunch
Wednesday July 9
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
LSP Lewiston Office Summer Potluck Lunch
Land Stewardship Project, 180 E Main St, Lewiston, MN 55952, USA

Spring planting is behind us and midsummer is upon us! Take a quick break from all the action by celebrating summer with the Land Stewardship Project by joining us for lunch at our Lewiston office.

Our Summer Potluck will be held on Wednesday, July 9, from noon to 2 p.m., at our office in downtown Lewiston, Minn. (180 E. Main Street). This will be an opportunity to build community, hear from other farmers, socialize, and enjoy a great meal together. We also invite everyone to take a self-guided tour of the newly renovated spaces in our office that we have been working on over the winter. As a member-driven organization, this is your space too.

LSP will be providing the main dish (meat and vegetarian options) and we invite you to bring a dish to pass. This event is open to all, so please bring a friend or two as well. Let’s celebrate the joy of summer through good food and good company!

RSVP’s are encouraged, but not required. Hope to see you there — you can RSVP by e-mailing LSP’s Alex Romano direct.

Saturday July 12

10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek's Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters
Saturday July 12
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek's Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters
Farmers Community Park, 23274 Arches Road Lewiston, MN 55952

During the Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek’s Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters event, the Land Stewardship Project will mark the three-year anniversary of a major fish kill in southeastern Minnesota that spawned citizen action and led to new public policy around how such events are reported. Join Land Stewardship Project and our partners at Farmers Park, Saturday July 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lewiston, Minnesota. Register here.

What to expect?

  • Fly fishing demonstration led by Minnesota Trout Unlimted and LSP member, Lee Stoe. Please bring your own fishing gear.

  • Minnesota Trout Unlimited & Izaak Walton League staff and members will be leading macroinvertebrate sampling of Garvin Brook and discussing what they tell us about the health of the stream.

  • Discussion on how regenerative farming systems can support healthy soil and clean water.

  • Opportunity to take action! Help prevent future fish kills by sharing how you think the Minnesot Feedlot Rule, which is open for comment through July 22, should be stronger. Postcards will be available to fill out and send with your comments.

  • Farmers Park is a great spot for birding. Please bring your binoculars!

  • You are welcome to bring your own snacks or picnic lunch; food will not be provided at this event.

LSP is partnering with several community groups for this event, including:

Minnesota Trout Unlimited, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Izaak Walton League, Food & Water Watch, and Savanna Institute

Register HERE. For more information, contact LSP’s Kate Rowe at krowe@landstewardshipproject.org.

Tuesday July 15

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Organic Fruit & Vegetable Field Day
Tuesday July 15
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Organic Fruit & Vegetable Field Day
1805 Dudley Ave, Falcon Heights, MN 55113, USA

Join U of M researchers and Extension for updates on organic fruit and vegetable research and tour the Student Organic Farm and the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station in Saint Paul. Topics include: organic insect management, integrating livestock into vegetable farms, new crops for Minnesota, irrigation strategies, and more. Free to the public.
 
For details and to register, click here.

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