Land Stewardship Project

Land Stewardship Project
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Long Range Plan
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
      • LSP Board Committees
    • LSP Steering Committees & Working Groups
    • Contact Us
    • Past LSP Projects
    • Employment & Volunteer Opportunities
    • LSP Publications
    • Financial Statements
  • The Latest
    • Community Care
    • Songs for the Soil
    • CSA Farm Directory
    • Upcoming Events
    • News
      • News Releases
      • Media Contacts
      • LSP in the News
    • Blog
    • Podcast
    • Land Stewardship Letter
    • LIVE-WIRE Sign-up
    • Myth Busters
    • Fact Sheets
    • Farm Crisis Resources
  • For Farmers & Landowners
    • Farmland Clearinghouse
    • New Farmers
      • Farm Beginnings Class
      • Journeyperson Course
      • Farm Dreams
      • Accessing Farmland
      • Farmland Clearinghouse
      • Beginning/Retiring Farmer Tax Credit
      • Beginning Farmer Profiles
      • Fresh Voices Podcast Series
    • Retiring Farmers & Landowners
      • Farmland Clearinghouse
      • Farm Transition Course 2026
      • Conservation Leases
      • Beginning/Retiring Farmer Tax Credit
      • Land Transition Tools
      • Transition Stories
    • Soil Health
      • Cover Crops
      • Grazing
      • No-till
      • Microbiology
      • Kernza
      • Soil Builders’ Network
      • Soil Builders’ E-Letters
      • Soil Health Steering Committee Members
      • Ear Dirt Soil Health Podcast Series
    • Cropping Systems Calculator
    • Conservation Leases
  • Creating Change
    • Community-Based Food Systems
      • Ear Bites Community-Based Food Podcast Series
    • Policy Campaigns
      • Soil Health & Climate Change
      • Healthcare
      • Factory Farms
        • Anti-Competitiveness & Price Gouging
        • LSP Powerline Story Center
      • Federal Policy
        • A Farm Bill For Us
      • State Policy
        • MN Farm, Food & Climate Funding
      • Developing Leadership
    • Justice & Stewardship
    • Organizational Stewardship
  • Get Involved
    • Your Membership Matters
    • Take Action!
    • Upcoming Events
    • Land Stewardship Action Fund
    • Connect with LSP
      • Stay Connected
      • Join, Donate, or Renew Today!
      • Shop
      • Employment & Volunteer Opportunities
      • Legacy Giving
    • Network with LSP Members
      • Farmland Clearinghouse
      • Soil Health
    • Farmland Clearinghouse
  • Join, Donate, or Renew Today!
  • Stay Connected
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
Search
More...

Flower Power

How 3 Farmers Teamed Up to Diversify Out of the Corn-Soybean Duoculture

By Jasmine Curtis
April 15, 2025

Share

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • email

Near the beautiful southern Minnesota town of Austin, three farmers are going against the grain with an unlikely crop: sunflowers. While most Midwestern farmers stick to corn and soybeans, backed by reliable federal subsidies and a marketing and transportation infrastructure centered around such commodities, these pioneers saw an opportunity where others saw risk. Their story isn’t just about growing a plant known for its pretty yellow flower – it’s about building community, protecting soil health, and reimagining what modern crop farming can be.

The journey began in spring 2024 when Tom Cotter, a fourth-generation farmer who had been successfully growing sunflowers for two years, saw an opportunity to expand. He had started out growing 130 acres of the crop and liked how it fit into his diverse rotation of corn, soybeans, and other crops. His early success with sunflowers had caught the attention of Seven Sundays, a growing cereal company looking for local suppliers of organic sunflower seeds for its granola. Recognizing the potential for a larger impact, Cotter reached out to fellow members of the Land Stewardship Project’s Soil Health Hub, including Scott Lightly and Tom Finnegan. Together, they formed a partnership based on a shared interest in crop diversity and soil health.

Neighbors and friends gather in one of Tom Cotter’s sunflower fields. He and the other farmers who have integrated the crop into their operations say that not only has it added diversity to their rotations, but it has helped contribute to the local community. (Photo provided by Tom Cotter)

 

To put things in context as to how unusual it was for these southern Minnesota farmers to grow sunflowers, consider this: 71,000 acres of the crop are expected to be planted in Minnesota in 2025. In comparison, 8.2 million and 7.4 million acres of corn and soybeans, respectively, were planted in Minnesota in 2024. The Red River Valley, which encompasses parts of northwestern Minnesota as well as North Dakota, is much better known for sunflower production than the area around Austin.

But the farmers were willing to take a chance on a new crop. As Finnegan, who is passionate about building soil health on his crop and livestock farm, explains, “Crop rotation diversity was one of my goals.” Lightly, who had previously grown only corn and soybeans, was hesitant about stepping out of his cropping routine.

However, when the opportunity to grow sunflowers came with a guaranteed market, he saw it as the perfect chance to diversify. “I didn’t have a good place to market anything other than corn and soybeans,” he recalls. “Then along comes this sunflower contract, and I thought, ‘That’s what I’ve been waiting for.’ ”

In 2024, the farmers raised a total of 290 acres of sunflowers and pooled them together into one Seven Sundays contract. The three farmers were all familiar with the importance of crop diversity but were at different stages of implementation. While Lightly had previously grown corn and soybeans exclusively, Cotter and Finnegan had experience with diverse crops such as oats, wheat, hay, and cover crops in their production rotations. To keep his risk low, Lightly grew around two dozen acres of sunflowers that first year.

It wasn’t just a guaranteed market that attracted Lightly to growing something different. “Sunflowers are great for soil health,” he says. “Their taproots dig deep and loosen up the soil, which makes a noticeable difference. After we harvested, the soil was much looser than it had been in years.”

Despite the benefits, growing sunflowers presents challenges. Federal crop insurance coverage is not available for non-traditional crops like sunflowers until they have been grown for at least two years, and even then, it’s a complicated and costly process. “It’s expensive,” says Lightly of insuring sunflowers. “Sometimes double or triple the cost of corn insurance per acre.”

Nevertheless, the farmers took the risk and dedicated part of their acres to sunflowers. As Finnegan admits, “We were up for a challenge.”

The early stages of planting were not without their hurdles, and Lightly played a crucial role in helping with the equipment setup. “I had zero challenges because I turned it all over to Scott,” recalls Finnegan. “He did all the heavy lifting. He even came to my house on a Sunday to help me set up the planter. Sunflowers are light and fluffy, unlike corn, which is dense. Each seed has different characteristics, so Scott was instrumental in helping us figure it out.”

Lightly recalls his own learning process. “I spent a lot of time researching online, watching videos, reading from North Dakota State, South Dakota State, and university extensions,” he says. “I even called my planter guy and asked if I could plant sunflowers with my corn planter. He said, ‘Nobody’s ever asked me that before.’ ”

Despite the challenges, the teamwork paid off. Lightly helped Finnegan calibrate his equipment, and Cotter’s equipment was also adjusted to meet the needs of sunflower planting.

When it came time to harvest, another challenge emerged: specialized equipment was needed. While there is the option to purchase commercial sunflower harvesting heads for combines, these farmers took a creative, lower-cost approach. They built their own adapter kit for the corn harvester to work with the sunflowers. “It worked really, really well,” Lightly says, marveling at the success of the homemade adapter.

The commercial version of the adapter would have cost about $2,100 per row. Instead, Lightly’s version, built with the help of a machinist friend, came to just $240 in material costs. “I drew up the plans, and we worked well together. It was a long weekend” Lightly says.

Ultimately, the sunflower project was about more than just diversifying crops; it became a way to connect with the land, the community, and consumers in unexpected ways. The sunflower fields became a local attraction, with neighbors stopping to admire the vibrant blooms.

“It was absolutely beautiful,” Finnegan recalls. “So many people stopped and asked for permission to take pictures.” Dawn, Scott’s wife, had a surprising moment of connection when she saw her cousin eating cereal during a camping trip.

“I asked my cousin, ‘What are you eating?’ She turned the bag around, and it was the Seven Sundays cereal. Now she says, ‘I think of you every time I eat my cereal,’ recalls Dawn. “I didn’t realize how much our work was connected to people’s everyday lives until that moment.”

The connection with Seven Sundays brought the farmers closer to their consumers. Through a community event where the Seven Sundays truck made an appearance, the farmers met the people who would eventually eat the crop they had grown.

In the end, the sunflower project was a success, both in terms of harvest and community impact. In 2025, Cotter, Lightly, and Finnegan plan in growing the crop again for a Seven Sundays contract. The farmers not only are growing a crop that is an alternative to the typical Corn Belt rotation, but that have also strengthened their ties to the land and the people around them. As Lightly says, “It’s not just about the harvest. It’s about the connections, the community, and the story we’re telling.”

Their story is one of resilience, collaboration, and a bold step toward sustainability.

 Jasmine Curtis is serving a soil health internship with the Land Stewardship Project. During this internship, she is, among other things, collecting and analyzing survey data to support research on sustainable agriculture. In May, Curtis will graduate from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a bachelor of science in environmental science, conservation, and resource management.

Category: Blog
Tags: alternative crops • crop diversity • diverse rotations • row crops • soil health • sunflowers

Upcoming Events

×

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

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

7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Big Ag, Big Problems: LSP Panel on Rural Consolidation
Tuesday November 4
7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Big Ag, Big Problems: LSP Panel on Rural Consolidation
Lanesboro Community Center, 202 Parkway Ave S, Lanesboro, MN 55949, USA

 
The concentration of money and power in our food and farming system is a threat to our rural way of life, the land, and Main Street economies. According to research compiled by Farm Action, agricultural industries ranging from poultry processing to seed distribution are now dominated by four or fewer corporations, creating a system that for all intents and purposes no longer represents an open market situation. This makes it next to impossible for small and mid-sized farms to compete economically.  

Those of us who grew up in the rural Midwest have seen these effects firsthand. As once vibrant agricultural economies diminish, so too do community resources: hospitals, public schools, religious institutions, grocery stores, and more. Young people who see little opportunity in their hometowns move to cities and suburbs to start their careers and families. 
 
A consolidated, corporate-controlled agricultural system is also wreaking havoc on our natural environment. Runoff from large-scale factory farms and row cropping operations threatens our drinking water and spoils natural landscapes that people from all walks of life cherish. Without intervention, it won’t be long before all of us — urban or rural, farmers and non-farmers, rich or poor, young or old — will be impacted by the devastation of Big Ag. 

Join the Land Stewardship Project on Tuesday, Nov. 4, to hear from two people who think a lot about the power of Big Ag and its negative impacts — Austin Frerick and Sonja Trom Eayrs. They will lead a discussion about the forces threatening our rural communities and how we build the people power to take them on. 

This is an opportunity to take the first steps toward developing the kind of positive future for our communities that builds homegrown wealth, treats people fairly, and is resilient in the long term. If you love something and someone, you fight for it. Come fight with us! 
 
Austin Frerick Biography: Austin Frerick is an expert on agricultural and antitrust policy. In 2024, he published his debut book, Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America’s Food Industry.
 
Sonja Trom Eayrs Biography: Sonja Trom Eayrs, author of Dodge County, Incorporated: Big Ag and the Undoing of Rural America, is a farmer’s daughter, rural advocate, and attorney.

To register for this event, click here.

View Full Calendar

Recent Posts

  • Reflections from LSP’s 2025 Summer Events Season October 24, 2025
  • Another Farm Crisis Looms, but it’s Not too Late to Take Action October 23, 2025
  • Tell Congress: Support Market Access for Farmers by Funding Local Food Purchasing October 22, 2025
  • Tell Congress a Farm Bailout is Not the Solution: We Must Invest in America’s Small & Mid-Sized Farmers October 22, 2025
  • Land Line: Argentine Beef, Farm Bankruptcies, Monopolies, Rural Hunger, School Lunch, Nitrate Fertilizer, Avian Flu October 21, 2025

Montevideo

111 North First Street
Montevideo, MN 56265

(320) 269-2105

Lewiston

180 E. Main Street
Lewiston, MN 55952

(507) 523-3366

Minneapolis

821 E. 35th Street #200
Minneapolis, MN 55407

(612) 722-6377

  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 Land Stewardship Project. All rights reserved.

https://landstewardshipproject.org/flower-power