News Releases

Rural Residents: MPCA Ignores Environmental Science & Policy in Failing to Order an EIS for Mega-Dairy

LEWISTON, Minn. — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has ignored sound environmental science and policy by failing to order an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a major dairy expansion project near Lewiston, say rural residents. The MPCA announced today it would issue a feedlot permit for Daley Farms’ proposal to expand its operation by…  Read More

Meat Plant Closings Show Fragility of ‘Get Big’ System, Say Midwest Family Farm Groups

Global Players Forced Small Meatpacking Plants Out, Farmers & Workers Pay the Price The announced closing of Smithfield’s Sioux Falls, S. Dak., meatpacking plant due to a COVID-19 outbreak affecting over 600 workers is a vivid example of the vulnerability of a highly concentrated meat production system that exploits farmers, workers and rural communities, said…  Read More

Land Stewardship Project Applauds Passage of MN Farm Mediation Time-Out Legislation

LSP Calls for Mediation Period & Moratorium on Farm Foreclosures to be Extended to 180 Days to Accommodate Harvest, Volatile Market Situation SAINT PAUL, Minn. — The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) applauded the Minnesota House and Senate for passing legislation Tuesday that would place a 60-day extension on farm financial mediation periods in the state.…  Read More

Midwest Family Farm Groups Want Covid-19 Aid to Get to People, Not Global Agribusiness

Groups Concerned That Trump’s USDA Will Continue to Favor Industry Family farm-based organizations in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and South Dakota sent a letter to Congress today calling for strong oversight of the recently passed Covid-19 aid package to ensure the USDA disburses aid to people and rural communities, not global agribusiness firms that reaped tens…  Read More

During Uncertain Times, Joining a CSA Farm Makes More Sense Than Ever

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — During these uncertain times brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, buying a share in a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm makes more sense than ever, according to the Land Stewardship Project (LSP). LSP’s 2020 edition of the Twin Cities, Minnesota & Western Wisconsin Region Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Directory (www.landstewardshipproject.org/stewardshipfood/csa) lists over…  Read More

Minnesota Supreme Court Upholds Winona County Frac Sand Mining Ban

Decision Marks 3rd Time Ban is Supported in the Courts SAINT PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Supreme Court today upheld Winona County’s landmark ordinance banning frac sand mining. The court ruled that Winona County acted fully within its rights when it used its zoning authority in 2016 to prohibit industrial mining operations. This latest ruling…  Read More

LSP Names Jess Anna Glover as Executive Director

Mark Schultz Retiring After 3 Decades with the Land Stewardship Project MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — A veteran advocate for independent family farmers and sustainable rural communities has been named as the Land Stewardship Project’s new executive director, the organization’s board of directors announced today. Jess Anna Glover will take over from Mark Schultz, who is wrapping…  Read More

Farm Crisis Focus of Mankato Meeting with Ag Commissioner & Attorney General

LSP Farmer-Members Demand State Policy Reforms, Investigations MANKATO, Minn. — Public officials need to take immediate action to address the farm crisis that is decimating Minnesota’s rural families and communities. That was the message farmer-members of the Land Stewardship Project (LSP) conveyed to state Commissioner of Agriculture Thom Petersen and Attorney General Keith Ellison at…  Read More