News Releases

Farm Transition Workshop April 1 in Benson

BENSON, Minn. — Thinking about a long-term plan for your farm or land? The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) is holding a farm transition workshop Saturday, April 1, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., in the basement of the Benson County Law Enforcement Center (301 14th Street North) This event is free and open to the…  Read More

Pro-Frac Sand Interests File Lawsuit Against Winona County Over Frac Sand Ban

WINONA, Minn. — An attorney with a Minneapolis-based business law firm filed a lawsuit this week against Winona County, challenging the county’s ordinance that bans any new frac sand operations. The firm, Larkin Hoffman, is among the largest in Minnesota and has often been associated with frac sand interests, including the Minnesota Industrial Sand Council.…  Read More

MN Beginning Farmer Land Access Legislation Advances

Land Stewardship Project Sees Bill as Important Step for Getting More Beginning Farmers on the Land SAINT PAUL, Minn.—A bill moving through the Minnesota Legislature would help beginning farmers overcome one of the biggest barriers they face when trying to launch an agricultural business: access to land. According to farmer-members of the Land Stewardship Project…  Read More

Beginning & Retiring Farmer Networking Workshop March 25 in Elgin

ELGIN, Minn. — Beginning farmers looking for land and retiring farmers seeking next-generation farmers are encouraged to attend a special Land Stewardship Project workshop on Saturday, March 25, from 9:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Peace United Methodist Church (52497 275th Ave.), in Elgin. “LSP’s Networking Farming Generations: Beginning with Hope, Retiring with Security” is…  Read More

Citizens File Legal Challenge After Goodhue County Commissioners Grant Permit to Factory Farm that Violates County Ordinance

Permit is Suspended Until Minnesota Court of Appeals Issues Ruling RED WING, Minn. — Goodhue County Commissioners voted today to grant a Conditional Use Permit for a controversial factory hog farm proposed in Goodhue County’s Zumbrota Township. Neighbors to the proposal have documented how it does not meet the standards of the Goodhue County Ordinance.…  Read More

Beginning Farmer Land Access Workshop March 4 in Elgin

ELGIN, Minn. — Beginning farmers looking for land are encouraged to attend a special Land Stewardship Project (LSP) workshop on Saturday, March 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Peace United Methodist Church (52497 275th Ave.), in Elgin. LSP’s “Beginning Farmer Land Access Workshop: Assessing Risks, Affordability and Land Access Options” is for aspiring…  Read More

Goodhue County Planning Commission Approves Factory Farm Based on Mystery Documents Kept from Public

Citizen Testimony Documents that Proposed Factory Hog Farm Violates Goodhue County Ordinance REDWING, Minn. — Neighbors to a controversial factory hog farm proposed in Goodhue County’s Zumbrota Township were shocked when the Goodhue Planning Commission Monday night recommended approval of a Conditional Use Permit for the project based on documents produced at the hearing and…  Read More

Citizens Discover that Proposed Factory Hog Farm Violates Goodhue County Ordinance

County Staff Denied Citizens Access to Permit Application & Push For Approval ZUMBROTA TOWNSHIP, Minn. — Neighbors to a controversial factory hog farm proposed in Goodhue County’s Zumbrota Township have learned that the proposal clearly violates the county standards required to obtain a Conditional Use Permit. Without this permit, the project cannot be built. Despite…  Read More

Citizens Denied Access to Public Information from Goodhue County on Eve of Critical Hearing on Factory Hog Farm

RED WING, Minn. — Zumbrota Township residents were denied access twice this week to a copy of the Conditional Use Permit application for the Kohlnhofer factory hog farm being proposed in their community. They were denied access to the information despite the fact that a public hearing is scheduled for the Conditional Use Permit on…  Read More