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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

Tuesday July 29 – Wednesday July 30

Premier Soil Health School 2025
Tuesday July 29 – Wednesday July 30
Premier Soil Health School 2025
38270 Kenwood Ave, Redwood Falls, MN 56283, USA

Details are here.

Tuesday July 29

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Unlocking Conservation Resources for Communities & Farms
Tuesday July 29
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Unlocking Conservation Resources for Communities & Farms
Gorecki Community Center, 435 2nd St NW, Milaca, MN 56353, USA

Join Renewing the Countryside and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) this summer at one of their eight conservation events in a town near you, where you will:

  • Learn how conservation benefits Minnesota’s rural communities.
  • Hear from a panel of local speakers.
  • Discover available NRCS Farm Bill programs and the economics of on-farm practices.
  • Enjoy a complimentary lunch, plus a chance to win door prizes.
  • Network with local farmers, neighbors, and conservation professionals.
  • Receive helpful materials and personalized support on next steps after the event.  

For more information, click here. 

Locations & Dates:
Each event is free, open to all, and runs from noon to 2 p.m. at the venues listed. Space is limited, please register in advance.

  • Hallock (Kittson County) – Tues, July 22 @ Far North Spirits
  • Elbow Lake (Grant County) – Wed, July 23 @ Elbow Lake Community Building
  • Sleepy Eye (Brown County) – Thur, July 24 @ Sleepy Eye Brewing Company
  • Milaca (Mille Lacs County) – Tues, July 29 @ Gorecki Community Center
  • Mora (Kanabec County) – Thur, July 31 @ Sapsucker Farms Yellow Belly Cidery
  • Owatonna (Steele County) – Tues, August 5 @ Owatonna Public Utilities Building
  • Jordan (Scott County) – Wed, August 6 @ Ridges at Sand Creek
  • Fairmont (Martin County) – Thur, August 7 @ Red Rock Center for the Arts

Wednesday July 30

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Healthy Roots & Clean Boots: Soil Health Event for the Whole Family
Wednesday July 30
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Healthy Roots & Clean Boots: Soil Health Event for the Whole Family
1015 70th Ave SE, Murdock, MN 56271, USA

This is a free, family-friendly Swift County SWCD event all about soil health and sustainable farming. Explore exciting, hands-on exhibits and demonstrations designed to teach both kids and adults about how farmers are caring for the land. There will also be several agricultural vendors on site, including consultants, product suppliers, and more.

Enjoy activities like:

  • Rainfall Simulator
  • Cover Crop Plots
  • Stream Table
  • Seeding Drone Displays
  • Soil to Snack
  • The Edible Underground
  • ​GeoSandbox Explorer
  • Equipment Displays
  • Ask-a-Soil-Health-Farmer Booth 

A free-will donation meal will be served, with all proceeds supporting local soil health programs. 

For details and to register, click here. 

Thursday July 31

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Unlocking Conservation Resources for Communities & Farms
Thursday July 31
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Unlocking Conservation Resources for Communities & Farms
Sapsucker Farms Yellow Belly Cidery, 2752 215th Ave, Mora, MN 55051, USA

Join Renewing the Countryside and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) this summer at one of their eight conservation events in a town near you, where you will:

  • Learn how conservation benefits Minnesota’s rural communities.
  • Hear from a panel of local speakers.
  • Discover available NRCS Farm Bill programs and the economics of on-farm practices.
  • Enjoy a complimentary lunch, plus a chance to win door prizes.
  • Network with local farmers, neighbors, and conservation professionals.
  • Receive helpful materials and personalized support on next steps after the event.  

For more information, click here. 

Locations & Dates:
Each event is free, open to all, and runs from noon to 2 p.m. at the venues listed. Space is limited, please register in advance.

  • Hallock (Kittson County) – Tues, July 22 @ Far North Spirits
  • Elbow Lake (Grant County) – Wed, July 23 @ Elbow Lake Community Building
  • Sleepy Eye (Brown County) – Thur, July 24 @ Sleepy Eye Brewing Company
  • Milaca (Mille Lacs County) – Tues, July 29 @ Gorecki Community Center
  • Mora (Kanabec County) – Thur, July 31 @ Sapsucker Farms Yellow Belly Cidery
  • Owatonna (Steele County) – Tues, August 5 @ Owatonna Public Utilities Building
  • Jordan (Scott County) – Wed, August 6 @ Ridges at Sand Creek
  • Fairmont (Martin County) – Thur, August 7 @ Red Rock Center for the Arts

August 2025

Friday August 1

All Day
Early Bird Discount Deadline for LSP's Farm Beginnings Class
Friday August 1
Early Bird Discount Deadline for LSP's Farm Beginnings Class

Beginning and prospective farmers are invited to apply to the Land Stewardship Project’s Farm Beginnings course, a year-long training program that focuses on the goal setting, marketing, and financial skills needed to establish a successful farm business. The Farm Beginnings course creates a space for folks to name their vision, acquire the tools and skills needed to make it happen, and become part of a community of support to help them succeed.  

The course will run from November 2025 through March 2026, with some additional educational opportunities to take place later in 2026. 

The deadline for applications is Sept. 1. Early bird applications submitted by Aug. 1 will receive a $100 discount if you are accepted into the class. Partial scholarships are available.

More details are at http://www.farmbeginnings.org or Annelie Livingston-Anderson at annelie@landstewardshipproject.org.

You can apply to the course here.

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