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Contact the MPCA by July 22 About Revising its Feedlot Rules

This is a Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity to Improve How Minnesota's Manure is Managed

July 2, 2025

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The Land Stewardship Project and our members have worked for 43 years to push back against the expansion of a factory farming model that forces out farmers, harms the land and water, and puts our communities at risk.

This work is built upon that experience, and the stories of our farmer and rural members who want to see action on protecting their communities from the effects of this destructive form of agriculture. While this is an issue that impacts all Minnesotans in one way or another, our work is being led by a steering committee of Land Stewardship Project farmer and rural members who are on the front lines of this issue. This committee recently decided to take a more proactive approach and identified manure management and feedlot rules reform, along with confronting extreme consolidation, as our top priorities when it comes to addressing the impacts of factory farming.

Today, we have a new opportunity to try and advance our goals on this issue as the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) initiates a formal review of how feedlots are operated and regulated in Minnesota.

This is the first full review of Minnesota’s feedlot rules in nearly 30 years. When these rules were last reviewed, about 800 operations in Minnesota had herd sizes over 1,000 animal units, which translates to 715 cows for dairy, 1,000 beef cows, and about 3,300 hogs. Today, 1,398 operations are above that size — a 75% increase. Additionally, 569 operations are over 1,500 animal units, and the new “model” for the largest dairies is 20,000 animal units, or roughly 15,000 dairy cows in one place.

These changes in Minnesota’s livestock industry, along with increased public concern around issues such as nitrate pollution and fish kills, were reasons given by the MPCA for reviewing and updating its feedlot rules.

What We Want to See

The work of LSP members and staff to respond to the impacts of factory farming — publicizing large fish kills, questioning the siting of factory farms and factory farm-connected infrastructure, citizen monitoring of factory farm sites, and listening to the stories of people — give us a clear picture of the things that need to change with Minnesota’s feedlot rules.

Some of the changes that LSP proposes are:

  • More rigorous groundwater monitoring requirements for NPDES and SDS permit-holding feedlots.
  • More rigorous reporting when it comes to the transferring of manure.
  • Lowering the animal unit size threshold for feedlots to obtain NPDES and SDS permits to 600 animal units.
  • Changes to how a collection of small feedlots all under the same ownership structure is permitted.
  • Updating the new manure management plan mapping tool to include more information about spreading plans and manure infrastructure like digesters. This data should be made available to the public, not just to potential permitees while they are creating their manure management plan.

What You Can Do

The MPCA has opened the first comment period in what will be a multi-year process of updating Minnesota’s feedlot rules. This comment period is open to all, and will influence what part of the rules the MPCA should look at changing.

This is a tremendous opportunity to influence what the future of Minnesota’s feedlot landscape looks like, and to have an impact on the process from the very beginning. And while comments from organizations like LSP and experts are important and will happen, the most impactful comments are from individual farmers and other  Minnesotans who have personal stories to share about why the rules need to be changed.

How to Comment

This comment period is open until 4:30 p.m. on July 22. Writing a personalized comment to the MPCA that includes what you want to see changed, why you want to see that change, and any relevant stories is the best way to make your voice heard on this issue. Comments are being taken both online and by mail. Click here to learn how to make a comment online.

You can also mail your comments to: “OAH Attn: William Moore” at 600 N Robert St. PO Box 64620 St. Paul, MN 55164-0620.

Click Here for Details on Making Your Feedlot Rules Comments to the MPCA

Questions?

Contact LSP policy organizer Matthew Sheets via e-mail

 

Category: Action Alerts
Tags: CAFO • factory farm • manure • MPCA • water quality

Contact:

Matthew Sheets, LSP policy organizer, e-mail

Upcoming Events

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October 2025

Tuesday October 14

11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Birds as Pest Control Allies on the Farm
Tuesday October 14
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Birds as Pest Control Allies on the Farm
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

Saturday October 18

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Pasture Walk: Real World Tools to Extend the Grazing Season
Saturday October 18
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Pasture Walk: Real World Tools to Extend the Grazing Season
Nestingen Road, Nestingen Rd, Coon, WI 54667, USA

Valley Stewardship Network will host a pasture walk demonstrating various strategies for extending the grazing season. The event will be held on the Zinn Family Farm in rural Westby.

As input costs rise, livestock producers may want to consider extending the grazing season. Stockpile grazing and bale grazing are two proven methods to achieve this goal. 

The Zinn Family has been utilizing these practices for years on their rural Westby farm. Join us to see stockpiling, bale grazing, and winter water systems in a real-world setting.

For more information, or to RSVP, contact Evan Dvorsak at 608-632-6166 (call/text) or evan@valleystewardshipnetwork.org. Snacks will be provided. Details are also available in this flier.

Funding for this event is provided by the USDA’s Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI).

Thursday October 23

8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Farm to School & Early Care Grants Deadline
Thursday October 23
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Farm to School & Early Care Grants Deadline
Online

School is back in session and this week’s cool temps definitely remind us all that fall is just around the corner. This time of the year also means that the application period is open for Minnesota’s Farm to School and Early Care grants.

Earlier this year, the Land Stewardship Project and our partners were successful in expanding funding for the AGRI Farm to School and Early Care program. The application window for the next round of funding is now open and will close at 4 p.m. Central Time (CT) on Thursday, October 23.

APPLY FOR FUNDING HERE

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is serving up two funding opportunities to help schools and early childhood education (ECE) centers buy Minnesota-grown and -raised foods. 

1.    First Bite Grants: Up to $5,000 (no match required) to kickstart local food purchasing through intentional, high-impact activities. 
2.    Full Tray Grants: Up to $35,000 (1:1 match required) to help experienced schools and ECE centers increase or expand their local food purchases. 

Equipment funding: First Bite and Full Tray applicants can also request up to $25,000 (1:1 match required) to support the purchase of kitchen equipment that will enhance their capacity to buy, prepare, and serve local foods.  

 These grants are open to: 
•    Public or private K-12 schools or school districts in Minnesota that participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
•    Early childhood education (ECE) centers that participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in Minnesota

MDA encourages schools, districts, and ECE centers serving sovereign tribal nations to apply. 

 Local Tots Cost-Share Program
There are also funds available to reimburse family child care providers for buying Minnesota-grown and -raised foods used for meals and snacks as part of the the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP):

Interested providers must submit a Local Tots Cost-Share program Letter of Intent to participate. Award amounts will be up to $1,000 and there is a 1:1 cash match required for providers who received a Local Tots Cost-Share award in 2025. There is no cash match required if you are new to the program. 

Applications are due by 4 p.m. Central Time (CT) on Thursday, October 23, 2025. 

 Program details and online applications are available at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/farm-school-early-care-programs or by contacting the Grants Team at MDA.AGRIgrants@state.mn.us. 

 Want to learn more about eligibility, allowable expenses, and how to apply?

 Join the MDA for a virtual info session: 
First Bite and Full Tray Grant Info Session 
September 15, 2025, 2-3 p.m.
Register here

 Local Tots Cost-Share Info Session – for family child care providers
September 18, 2025, 1-2 p.m.
Register here

Farmers: Are you Interested in selling to a school near you? 
Send this opportunity along to the food service director at schools near you or connect with a Regional Local Food Coordinator to help you make connections with schools, childcare settings, and other opportunities to sell locally. These positions are supported by the Department of Education and Renewing the Countryside.

Saturday October 25

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
Saturday October 25
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
Madison Public Library - Central, 201 W Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703, 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. 

During the Wisconsin Book Festival, Curt Meine will talk about the book in a discussion with author Sonja Trom Eayrs (Dodge County, Incorporated), in a session on “The Fight for Rural America.” 

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

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.

View Full Calendar

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