Blog

Priorities for 2026 Legislature: Soil, Water, Land Access, Consolidation, Farm to School

The Minnesota legislative session begins February 17.

When Minnesota lawmakers return to Saint Paul Feb. 17 for the start of the next state legislative session, Land Stewardship Project’s members and organizers will be active in pushing forward our values and priorities. Before we go into what issues we will be focusing on in 2026, I’d like to provide some political context and…  Read More

Land Line: Food Monopolies, Soil Sisters, Bird Benefits, Soil Research Cuts, Farm Divorce, Agro-Environmentalist, China’s Soybean Supplier, Nebraska Nitrates

Unsealed Antitrust Complaint Reveals Key Factor in High Food Prices: Corporate Behemoths (12/18/25) Writing in the Minnesota Reformer, the Minnesota Farmers Union’s Justin Stofferahn describes how monopolization of the food industry and failure to enforce antitrust laws has harmed consumers. Highlights: A newly unsealed antitrust complaint provides a unique look at price discrimination in practice,…  Read More

Farm Aid Fridays: Bonnie & Vance Haugen, LeeAnn & Jim VanDerPol

Celebrating the LSP Member Stories Shared During 2025 Farm Aid in Minneapolis

From Farm Aid’s YouTube Channel: Dairy farmers Bonnie and Vance Haugen talk about the disappearance of farms and neighbors in their community in the wake of expanding factory farms nearby. They explain the need for people to come together and create policies that are made to work for all farmers, not just the biggest ones.…  Read More

Land Line: Commodity Ag Regrets, Bailout Blues, Corn & Climate, USDA Regenerative Ag Pilot, Manure Monitoring, Conservation & Community, Farmer-to-Farmer

Iowa Farm & Rural Life Poll: 2025 Summary (November) The majority of farmers responding to the latest Iowa Farm & Rural Life Poll feel that a reliance on specialized commodity agriculture is bad for them and their communities. Highlights: Sixty-nine percent agreed with the statement “Increased specialization in commodities (corn, soybeans, hogs, etc.) has led…  Read More

Standing In Solidarity With Our Immigrant Neighbors

The President's Statements About Our Somali Community are in Stark Contrast to the Values We Hold & Practice Within the LSP Community

This week, the President of the United States leveled a tirade of dehumanizing and vulgar insults at our Somali friends and neighbors. It was shocking and offensive and in stark contrast to the values we hold and practice within the Land Stewardship Project community. Immigrants are valued members of our communities, within and beyond Minnesota.…  Read More

Farm Aid Fridays: Hannah Bernhardt, Moses Momanyi & Lonah Onyancha Kilimo

Celebrating the LSP Member Stories Shared During 2025 Farm Aid in Minneapolis

From Farm Aid’s YouTube Channel: Minnesota farmer Hannah Bernhardt grew up on a farm during the devastating 1980s Farm Crisis. She explains how decades later, seeing other young farmers using sustainable, regenerative agriculture practices inspires her to stay on the land growing for the future. Moses Momanyi and Lonah Onyancha speak about the benefits of…  Read More

Growing New Grains for Better Bread

LSP Small Grain Workshop Helps Spawn New Ideas on a W MN Farm

Note: LSP believes that a more sustainable food production system must be based on the kinds of farmer-to-farmer education networks that thrive at workshops, field days, and during informal conversations in the field and at the kitchen table. That’s why LSP is committed to building Soil Health Hubs and otherwise bringing farmers together to share…  Read More

Land Line: Ag Bailout, Trade War, Manure Digesters, Bird Flu, Local Food Kitchen, Eco-Ag Labor, Ultra-Processed Foods

As Struggling Farmers Take On Debt, a Bailout From D.C. May Come Too Late (11/17/25) The Trump administration is receptive to the idea of using government aid to soften the blow of trade wars and an unprofitable harvest, but it’s doubtful aid would arrive in time to rescue the next planting season, according to The…  Read More

Help Sustain our Movement Ecosystem on Give to the Max Day!

The Land Stewardship Project cannot do this work alone. There are countless organizations working in support of our mission to create a sustainable and just food system.

Every year during Minnesota’s Give to the Max day, Land Stewardship Project highlights the work of several BIPOC-led or rural-based organizations and asks our members to also support the work of these partners. This year, in light of continuing food insecurity and lingering effects of the recent government shutdown, LSP staff wanted to shout-out organizations…  Read More

Land Line: Govt. Shutdown, Avian Flu, Nitrate Pollution, Nitrogen-Fixing Grains, Monopolies, Kernza, Farm to School

Government Shutdown Ends, Farm Bill Programs Extended (11/13/25) On Nov. 12, President Donald Trump signed into law a measure to end the longest-ever government shutdown after 43 days, providing full funding for the USDA for fiscal 2026, and ending a legal battle over November’s SNAP benefits, reports several news sources. Highlights: By getting full-year funding…  Read More