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Contributing to the Cause

For the First Time in Our History, LSP is Changing its Membership Rates

By Scott Elkins
July 8, 2025

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The Land Stewardship Project became a membership organization in 1994, 12 years after we were founded. The people leading the grassroots work knew that to realize the positive transformation of the farm and food system, LSP had to be organizing people, ideas, and money.

Becoming a member by making a financial contribution has always been about both:

• taking action on shared values, and
• providing flexible income that LSP can direct as needed to emerging work.

July 1 marked the beginning of a new budget year for the Land Stewardship Project, and it also marked another first in LSP’s history: raising the suggested amounts we ask people to contribute toward their membership.

In early 2025, LSP’s Membership Team convened a group of LSP members to discuss and develop recommendations to grow and deepen our Membership Program. One recommendation that emerged from that group was to reflect the value of membership by increasing our payment levels. This decision came after 30 years of setting the basic membership payment level at $35.

It has always been and will continue to be LSP’s practice to consider a contribution of any amount as enough to make someone an LSP member. We know that everyone has a different capacity to give. What’s important is that people are taking action on their shared values by contributing from the resources they have.

Why ask for specific amounts, then?

Well, our basic membership payment level reflects some of the costs that go into administering a membership, like printing and mailing the Land Stewardship Letter and maintaining our systems for membership outreach around events and action alerts. We don’t offer “tiered” levels that reflect different benefits, because we believe that the person who gives $10 out of their fixed income should receive the same benefits as the person who can distribute $1,000 out of their retirement account.

There’s a lot of research to support the power of suggestion when it comes to fundraising, so we give people several specific options when deciding what works best for them. Members who can pay double or triple the basic ask make it possible for us to offer membership to those who need to give below the basic ask.

Am I divulging some of the “secret sauce” when it comes to fundraising? Well, maybe.

But that’s because LSP members aren’t just donors; they are the ones directing and inspiring our work, testifying at the Legislature, hosting soil health workshops, and volunteering their time. They are members because they believe in our vision of vibrant rural communities being places of belonging and opportunity for everyone.

Our members take action on their values because they know that clean water, healthy soil, and more farmers on the land are vital to sustaining our communities and our planet. At a time of rising costs, it’s LSP’s responsibility to be realistic with our members about what we need to get the work done.

Starting this week, you will be seeing different amounts on our website donation form and mailers: $45, $75, $150, and $300. Check out our new membership web page to find out why membership matters and to get inspired by the stories of LSP members taking action.

One more thing: the number one reason people become dues-paying members of LSP is because they were asked. In this spirit, I am asking you to ask one other person in your life to become a member of LSP, giving them an opportunity to invest in a farm and food system that works for everyone.

Together, we can continue to build a stronger, deeper, and more diverse network of members who are committed to the grassroots transformation of agriculture and land stewardship.

Scott Elkins is LSP’s executive director.

Category: Blog
Tags: Land Stewardship Project members • membership

Upcoming Events

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July 2025

Wednesday July 9

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
LSP Lewiston Office Summer Potluck Lunch
Wednesday July 9
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
LSP Lewiston Office Summer Potluck Lunch
Land Stewardship Project, 180 E Main St, Lewiston, MN 55952, USA

Spring planting is behind us and midsummer is upon us! Take a quick break from all the action by celebrating summer with the Land Stewardship Project by joining us for lunch at our Lewiston office.

Our Summer Potluck will be held on Wednesday, July 9, from noon to 2 p.m., at our office in downtown Lewiston, Minn. (180 E. Main Street). This will be an opportunity to build community, hear from other farmers, socialize, and enjoy a great meal together. We also invite everyone to take a self-guided tour of the newly renovated spaces in our office that we have been working on over the winter. As a member-driven organization, this is your space too.

LSP will be providing the main dish (meat and vegetarian options) and we invite you to bring a dish to pass. This event is open to all, so please bring a friend or two as well. Let’s celebrate the joy of summer through good food and good company!

RSVP’s are encouraged, but not required. Hope to see you there — you can RSVP by e-mailing LSP’s Alex Romano direct.

Saturday July 12

10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek's Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters
Saturday July 12
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek's Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters
Farmers Community Park, 23274 Arches Road Lewiston, MN 55952

During the Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek’s Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters event, the Land Stewardship Project will mark the three-year anniversary of a major fish kill in southeastern Minnesota that spawned citizen action and led to new public policy around how such events are reported. Join Land Stewardship Project and our partners at Farmers Park, Saturday July 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lewiston, Minnesota. Register here.

What to expect?

  • Fly fishing demonstration led by Minnesota Trout Unlimted and LSP member, Lee Stoe. Please bring your own fishing gear.

  • Minnesota Trout Unlimited & Izaak Walton League staff and members will be leading macroinvertebrate sampling of Garvin Brook and discussing what they tell us about the health of the stream.

  • Discussion on how regenerative farming systems can support healthy soil and clean water.

  • Opportunity to take action! Help prevent future fish kills by sharing how you think the Minnesot Feedlot Rule, which is open for comment through July 22, should be stronger. Postcards will be available to fill out and send with your comments.

  • Farmers Park is a great spot for birding. Please bring your binoculars!

  • You are welcome to bring your own snacks or picnic lunch; food will not be provided at this event.

LSP is partnering with several community groups for this event, including:

Minnesota Trout Unlimited, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Izaak Walton League, Food & Water Watch, and Savanna Institute

Register HERE. For more information, contact LSP’s Kate Rowe at krowe@landstewardshipproject.org.

Tuesday July 15

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Organic Fruit & Vegetable Field Day
Tuesday July 15
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Organic Fruit & Vegetable Field Day
1805 Dudley Ave, Falcon Heights, MN 55113, USA

Join U of M researchers and Extension for updates on organic fruit and vegetable research and tour the Student Organic Farm and the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station in Saint Paul. Topics include: organic insect management, integrating livestock into vegetable farms, new crops for Minnesota, irrigation strategies, and more. Free to the public.
 
For details and to register, click here.

Wednesday July 16

9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Cottonwood County
Wednesday July 16
9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Cottonwood County
27092 Co Rd 8, Comfrey, MN 56019, USA

Details here.

Thursday July 17

9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Pipestone County
Thursday July 17
9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Pipestone County
518 30th Ave, Jasper, MN 56182

Details are here.

View Full Calendar

Recent Posts

  • ‘Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek’s Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters’ Event July 12 Near Lewiston July 8, 2025
  • Contributing to the Cause July 8, 2025
  • Contact the MPCA by July 22 About Revising its Feedlot Rules July 2, 2025
  • Tell Your Representatives: We Want a Farm Bill for All, Not a Tax Break for the Wealthiest July 2, 2025
  • U.S. Supreme Court’s Decline of Iowa Case Bolsters Local Control July 2, 2025

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