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Changes Ahead for LSP in 2023

Mike McMahon Departing as Executive Director

By The Board & Staff of LSP
December 18, 2022

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As the Land Stewardship Project begins the new year, Mike McMahon will be wrapping up his tenure as the executive director of LSP and the organization’s 501(c)4 political leadership development partner, the Land Stewardship Action Fund.

Mike McMahon

McMahon would like to share this message with LSP’s members: “The Land Stewardship Project is a special organization and it’s been a big part of my life. In my time with LSP, I have been fortunate to work closely with both members and staff to organize campaigns, to develop leaders, to grow the membership, to fundraise for the work, and more. As grateful as I am for this opportunity, I believe this is the time for me to depart. During my time as executive director, I have been increasingly drawn to work that will keep me more directly engaged in organizing, and I would like to pursue those opportunities.”

McMahon is working with the board of directors on a transition plan and timeline for his departure, which will be in early 2023. During the transition, Amy Brugh will be serving as a consultant to help with the process and serve as our interim executive director. Amy is an experienced interim executive director, planner, and facilitator. Her background is in public health, and she worked for 15 years in legislative policy before starting her own consulting firm.

McMahon has deep connections to the Land Stewardship Project. He joined LSP’s policy and organizing team in 1998, where, among other things, he organized hog farmers around the national pork checkoff campaign. He went on to work extensively with building LSP’s membership program, eventually becoming director of membership and individual giving. He served as LSP’s co-managing director in 2020, after which he left to work as the advancement director for Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement. Mike returned to LSP as its executive director in early 2022.

“The board has accepted Mike’s resignation with deep appreciation for the stability and coherence he has brought to our organization during his tenure and an equally deep understanding of his passion for on-the-ground, grassroots organizing for the land and its people, work that is his calling,” said Beth Slocum, chair of LSP’s board of directors. She added, “Deep roots — that’s what sustains LSP, our staff, our members, and supporters, as well as our allies. In his multiple roles at LSP, Mike has demonstrated those deep roots within our organization. We know that wherever this next chapter opens up for Mike in organizing for people and the land, he will continue to grow from the roots he set down with LSP. We wish him the best.”

During the past year, McMahon’s stable and competent leadership steered the organization through a phase of emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing to expand its work in the areas of beginning farmer training, intergenerational transfer of farms, grassroots organizing, advancing soil health, and revitalizing community food systems. Mike also oversaw the implementation of the organization’s first collective bargaining agreement with the newly formed Land Stewardship Workers Union, along with improvements to the organization’s internal, administrative operations.

Leadership transitions are never easy, but the Land Stewardship Project has in place a board of directors, staff, and management team that are in an excellent position to develop new leadership during the upcoming year. Even more importantly, LSP has members like you who continue to organize and work together to advance the mission and vision of the organization.

As LSP wraps up its 40th year of working to “keep the land and people together” and looks forward to 2023, we are excited to continue as well as build upon the work related to beginning farmers, soil health, public policy development, community-based foods, creating a just food and farm system for everyone, and challenging corporate consolidation.

Please stay tuned-in during the new year for updates on LSP’s leadership transition. In the meantime, if you have any questions, contact Brian DeVore at 612-816-9342 or bdevore@landstewardshipproject.org.

Category: Blog
Tags: Land Stewardship Project • LSP leadership • Mike McMahon

Upcoming Events

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October 2025

Tuesday October 28

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
MDA Grants Webinar
Tuesday October 28
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
MDA Grants Webinar
Zoom online

Are you interested in applying for a grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)? On Tuesday, Oct. 28, from noon to 1:30 p.m., the Land Stewardship Project will be holding an online webinar on four grants that will be available this fall. MDA staffers will go over the details of these grants and how to apply for them.

 To sign-up, click here.  

 This webinar will feature information on four grants:

– AGRI Livestock Investment Grant

– AGRI Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant 

– Preparing for Extreme Weather (Prepare) Grant

– AGRI Protecting Livestock from Avian Influenza (Protect) Grant 

For more information, contact LSP’s Alex Kiminski at akiminski@landstewardshipproject.org.

Wednesday October 29

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
Wednesday October 29
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement, 2800 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311, USA

The Johnson Center for Land Stewardship Policy is excited to share that one of our its primary pillars of work — a published collection of Paul Johnson’s writings —  is set for release on Oct. 2.  The book features a brief biography and a discussion of Paul’s ideas within the historical and future contexts of private lands conservation. 

For details on We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy click here.

Thursday October 30

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
Thursday October 30
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave, Ames, IA 50010, USA

The Johnson Center for Land Stewardship Policy is excited to share that one of our its primary pillars of work — a published collection of Paul Johnson’s writings —  is set for release on Oct. 2.  The book features a brief biography and a discussion of Paul’s ideas within the historical and future contexts of private lands conservation. 

For details on We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy click here.

November 2025

Saturday November 1

6:15 pm – 9:15 pm
Community Potluck & Folk Dance in Bay City, Wis.
Saturday November 1
6:15 pm – 9:15 pm
Community Potluck & Folk Dance in Bay City, Wis.
W6275 Main St, Bay City, WI 54723, USA

Calling all folk dance lovers! The Land Stewardship Project is co-sponsoring a potluck and folk dance at the Town Hall in Bay City, Wis., on Saturday, Nov. 1. Can you attend or volunteer? LSP is looking for one or two more people to help represent our people-powered organization by tabling at this event. To volunteer, reply directly to this e-mail and let me know you’re available. 
 
For details, check out this flier. 

The potluck and dance are co-hosted by LSP members from Oxheart Farm and the Oak Center General Store. No RSVP required; please direct questions to Emmet at oxheartfarm@gmail.com.
 

Folk Dance Flyer 2025.jpg

Tuesday November 4

11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Birds in the Balance: Pest Control Services Across Crop Types
Tuesday November 4
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Birds in the Balance: Pest Control Services Across Crop Types
Online

This 10-lesson Wild Farm Alliance virtual course teaches agricultural professionals and farmers how to support beneficial birds and manage pest birds on farms. By learning how to assess the farm’s avian needs and opportunities, farms can be designed to provide for a diversity of beneficial birds. 

If pest birds are a problem, they can be discouraged with specific practices during the shorter periods when they cause damage. The sessions cover the latest research, tools and resources, and are given by experts in avian pest control, entomology, ornithology and conservation. While many topics and species are specific to the Midwest, most of the principles discussed are applicable across regions. 

Continuing Education Credits have been requested and are expected to be approved from American Society of Agronomy.

For details and to register, click here. 

The Course Schedule:

LESSON 1

Why Birds Belong on the Farm: Biodiversity, Pest Control & A Thriving Landscape

Tuesday, September 23, 2 p.m. CT


LESSON 2

Birds as Pest Control Allies on the Farm

Tuesday, October 14, 11 a.m. CT


LESSON 3

Birds in the Balance: Pest Control Services Across Crop Types

Tuesday, November 4, 11 a.m. CT


LESSON 4

Integrating Habitat into Croplands: Prairie Strips and Bird Conservation

Tuesday, December 2, 11 a.m. CT


LESSON 5

Birds on the Farm: Balancing Biodiversity and Food Safety

Tuesday, January 13, 11 a.m. CT


LESSON 6

Beyond the Crop: Birds, Biodiversity, and the Power of Edge Habitat

Tuesday, February 3, 11 a.m. CT


LESSON 7

Bridging Forestry, Farming, and Habitat

Tuesday, February 24, 11 a.m. CT


LESSON 8

Perennial Pathways: Agroforestry for Birds and Biodiversity on Farms

Tuesday, March 17, 11 a.m. CT


LESSON 9

Birds on the Range: How Grazing Practices Shape Habitat for Grassland Species

Tuesday, April 7, 11 a.m. CT


LESSON 10

Birds at Risk: How Pesticides Shape Safety on Agricultural Lands

Tuesday, April 28, 11 a.m. CT

View Full Calendar

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