Global exports have long been touted as the savior of American agriculture. But as the international marketing situation undergoes unprecedented changes, is this still the right path for farmers?
And if not, what comes next?
On Tuesday, Jan. 27, the Land Stewardship Project to explored answers to that question and more during our winter workshop: “Beyond Exports: Rebuilding Local Markets.”
The workshop’s morning keynote speaker was Martin Larsen, a farmer and founding member of the “Oat Mafia” in southeastern Minnesota. He highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing all farmers as they look beyond selling into the export market at the elevator and instead consider recreating the local markets that once served our farmers and consumers. Larsen also shared his journey establishing food grade oat production on his farm and founding the Oat Mafia, and the agronomic and economic results.
Afternoon Keynote:What’s Possible with Farmer Cooperation
The afternoon keynote speaker was Landon Plagge, the 2025 Leopold Conservation Award winner for Iowa and founder of Green Acres Milling, a farmer-owned oat processing facility under construction in Albert Lea, Minn. Plagge spoke from his personal experience in organizing Green Acres Milling on how farmers can cooperate together to take back power from multi-national conglomerates and rebuild the local supply chains that once served each region.
Summary: “Diversifying” your crop rotation is a little like apple pie and puppies: everybody’s in favor of it. But the bottom line is diversifying must make financial sense to be successful. After all, there’s a reason so many of us are sticking with the basic corn-soybean rotation. During this session, two farmers with extensive experience diversifying their crop rotations will lead a practical, real-world discussion about how they have crunched the numbers and weighed the risks, all while penciling out the benefits.
Session Leaders: Al Jostock, diversified farmer and LSP Soil Health Steering Committee member; James Hepp, diversified farmer and member of the Iowa Lobe Rangers and Scott Lightly, diversified farmer and LSP Soil Hub member.
Summary: Raising the most diverse set of crops that’s agronomically possible does little good if you can’t find a viable, consistent market in your region. During this session, a trio of farmers will discuss innovative, practical approaches they’re utilizing to gain access to profitable markets for crops that represent an alternative to the export-driven commodity system.
Session Leaders: Matt Kruger, Green Acres Mill/farmer; John Strohfus, diversified farmer and marketer; Tom Finnegan, farmer and LSP Soil Hub Member.
