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.
  • Laura Cullip

    Board Vice Chair
    Farmer-Hutchinson, 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.
  • 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.

  • About Us
    • 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
  • Join, Donate, or Renew
  • Building People Power

Upcoming Events

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June 2025

Saturday June 21

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Farm-Scale Deep Winter Greenhouse Tour
Saturday June 21
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Farm-Scale Deep Winter Greenhouse Tour
Owl Bluff Farm, 12314 County Road 4 Houston, MN 55943

The University of Minnesota Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) and Owl Bluff Farm will co-host an open house to celebrate the completion of the state’s first farm-scale deep winter greenhouse. The event, held on the farm about 45 minutes east of Rochester, is free and open to the public. RSVPs are required at z.umn.edu/OwlBluffOpenHouse.

Wednesday June 25

2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
LSP-PFI Grazing Field Day at Hoosier Ridge Ranch
Wednesday June 25
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
LSP-PFI Grazing Field Day at Hoosier Ridge Ranch
Hoosier Ridge Ranch, 15998 Wabasha County Rd 26, Altura, MN 55910, USA

Over the last 50 years, livestock have left many farms. Eric Heins is doing the reverse: bringing cattle – and their poop, pee and hooves – back to his land. Come see how Eric is using his Normande-shorthorn crosses in a variety of grazing situations. During this Land Stewardship Project-Practical Farmers of Iowa field day, you can view permanent pasture, where Eric (like everyone) is battling the cool-season grass takeover. You’ll also learn how Eric is using his cattle in cover crop mixes, prairie and woodlands.

Since purchasing the farm in 2020, Eric has converted the cropland to pasture. He also custom-farms a diverse rotation of crops, covers and small grains on neighboring farms, including an established prairie on Iowa Department of Natural Resources land. A possible bonus: Eric is hoping to have virtual fence collars by the time of the field day, but no guarantees!

A meal featuring Hoosier Ridge Ranch burgers will follow the field day.

See & Discuss

  • Cash-flowing the conversion to pasture on owned versus rented cropland
  • Stockpiling pasture for winter grazing
  • Mechanical buckthorn clearing for silvopasture
  • Grazing agreements on DNR prairie and neighboring cropland
  • A sudangrass mix after a canning pea crop
  • An extended rotation with oats, barley and Kernza

For details and to register, click here.

Friday June 27

9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Agrivoltaics Field Day
Friday June 27
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Agrivoltaics Field Day
West Central Research and Outreach Center, 46352 MN-329, Morris, MN 56267, USA

Join University of Minnesota Extension for presentations and solar site tours at the West Central Research and Outreach Center. You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the benefits, considerations and opportunities of farming using solar energy. Session topics include cattle and sheep solar grazing, solar site forages, grain crops under solar panels, and solar developer perspectives. Register here. Can’t attend the field day? Check out the July 22 agrivoltaics webinar on growing forages and grains.

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. 

View Full Calendar

Recent Posts

  • Land Line: Erosion Wake-up, Agrivoltaics, Farm to School, Deep USDA Cuts, Factory Dairy Fight, Farm Aid, New Meat Plant June 9, 2025
  • ‘Returning Cattle to the Land’ Field Day June 25 in Altura June 3, 2025
  • Make Your Voice Heard at Upcoming NRCS-SWCD Meetings June 3, 2025
  • Rolling Out the Welcome Mat for New Neighbors May 30, 2025
  • Land Line: Modern Dust Bowl, Corporate Indifference, Farmers’ Market Stores, Soybean Giant, SNAP & Local Foods, Carbon Markets, Farm Economy’s Twin Tale May 28, 2025

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