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No. 2, 2018, Land Stewardship Letter

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• A pdf version of this Land Stewardship Letter is here.

• Archived Land Stewardship Letters are here.

• For paper copies of the Land Stewardship Letter, contact Brian DeVore via e-mail

 

Table of Contents

The Roots of LSP’s Work…3
• Bold Solutions Call for Bold Action

LSP Financial Update…5

LSP News…6
• Family Farm Breakfast at the Capitol
• Shoptaugh Named Operations, HR Manager
• Wasserman-Olin Departs LSP
• Remembering Dwight Ault
• Dining Out & Supporting LSP

Policy & Organizing…8
• Minn. State Legislative Update
• Breaking Healthcare at the Legislature
• Wasting Public $$ on Private Insurers
• House Version of Farm Bill is Bad News
• Talking Farm Policy in Wisconsin
• LSPers Advance a Bold Vision to Candidates for Minnesota Governor

Soil Health…14
• Ray Archuleta’s Passion for Living Soil
• Pocket Guide to the Power of Soil
• MISA Turns 25
• LSP Soil Builders’ Network
• The Currency of Carbon: Protozoa, Pastures & Profits

Seeking Farmers-Seeking Land Clearinghouse…22

Farm Beginnings…23
• Applications Open for 2018-2019 Class
• Farm Beginnings in Other Regions
• Farm Dreams Class July 29
• Beginning Farmer Tax Credit

Farm Financial Stress…24
• Never, Ever, Ignore the Problem
• Do You Need Help?

Ecological Agrarians…26
• When Nature Bites Back

Reviews…28
• The Driftless Reader
• Letter to a Young Farmer

Membership Update…30
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Membership Questions?
• Get Current with LIVE-WIRE
• Ear to the Ground Podcast
• Support LSP in Your Workplace
• In Memory & in Honor
• Check Out the LSP Meeting Room

Stewardship Calendar…32

Contact

Brian DeVore, editor, Land Stewardship Letter, 612-816-9342, e-mail

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Upcoming Events

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December 2025

Monday December 22

All Day
Beginning Famer Tax Credit Webinar
Monday December 22
Beginning Famer Tax Credit Webinar
Zoom online

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Rural Finance Authority (RFA) will start accepting applications for the 2026 Beginning Farmer Tax Credit on Jan. 1. This is an annual program available to landlords and sellers (asset owners) who rent or sell farmland, equipment, livestock, and other agricultural assets to beginning farmers.
 
This webinar will provide basic information on the program and how to apply for it. To register, click here. 
 
 

9:00 am – 11:30 am
Organic Fruit Growers Climate Resilience Workshop
Monday December 22
9:00 am – 11:30 am
Organic Fruit Growers Climate Resilience Workshop
Zoom online

In December and January, the Organic Fruit Growers Association is offering a series of climate resilience workshops. Workshop goals are to learn about the changing climate in our region and the expected impacts on fruit farmers and to select climate resilience practices which are suited to your farm’s goals and values. The outcome of the workshops will be a written climate resilience plan with actionable steps to make your farm more resilient to changing climate. 
 
Workshops will be led by University of Minnesota extension educators Katie Black and Madeline Wimmer and include times for farmer-to-farmer discussion. This series includes the following four meetings. Expect to spend an additional 4-10 hours outside the meetings developing your farm’s climate resilience plan:

  • Wednesday Dec. 3, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (online via Zoom)
  • Wednesday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (online via Zoom)
  • Monday, Dec. 22, discussion (online via Zoom — optional but encouraged)
  • Wednesday, Jan. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (in-person workshop in La Crosse, Wis. Lunch provided, and you can be reimbursed for mileage traveling to and from the meeting.)

For details and to register, click here. 

January 2026

Thursday January 1

All Day
Minnesota Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Applications
Thursday January 1
Minnesota Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Applications
Online

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Rural Finance Authority (RFA) will start accepting applications for the 2026 Beginning Farmer Tax Credit on Jan. 1. This is an annual program available to landlords and sellers (asset owners) who rent or sell farmland, equipment, livestock, and other agricultural assets to beginning farmers.
 
On Dec. 22, a webinar will provide basic information on the program and how to apply for it. To register, click here. 

Wednesday January 7

10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Organic Fruit Growers Climate Resilience Workshop
Wednesday January 7
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Organic Fruit Growers Climate Resilience Workshop
La Crosse, Wis.

n December and January, the Organic Fruit Growers Association is offering a series of climate resilience workshops. Workshop goals are to learn about the changing climate in our region and the expected impacts on fruit farmers and to select climate resilience practices which are suited to your farm’s goals and values. The outcome of the workshops will be a written climate resilience plan with actionable steps to make your farm more resilient to changing climate. 
 
Workshops will be led by University of Minnesota extension educators Katie Black and Madeline Wimmer and include times for farmer-to-farmer discussion. This series includes the following four meetings. Expect to spend an additional 4-10 hours outside the meetings developing your farm’s climate resilience plan:

  • Wednesday Dec. 3, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (online via Zoom)
  • Wednesday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (online via Zoom)
  • Monday, Dec. 22, discussion (online via Zoom — optional but encouraged)
  • Wednesday, Jan. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (in-person workshop in La Crosse, Wis. Lunch provided, and you can be reimbursed for mileage traveling to and from the meeting.)

For details and to register, click here. 

Thursday January 8 – Friday January 9

Minnesota Organic Conference
Thursday January 8 – Friday January 9
Minnesota Organic Conference
River's Edge Convention Center, 10 4th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301, USA

Each year, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture hosts this conference and trade show for farmers and others interested in organic agriculture.

Minnesota Organic Conference Logo

Mark your calendars for January 8-9, 2026, when we’ll again feature:

  • Inspiring keynote speakers
  • Topical breakout sessions
  • An 80-booth trade show
  • Networking
  • And more!

Whether you’re an experienced producer or new to the field, don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to connect with Minnesota’s thriving organic community!

Who should attend?

  • Organic farmers and those interested in transitioning to organic practices
  • Agricultural professionals
  • Buyers and makers looking to source or showcase organic products
  • Students and researchers
  • Organic farming advocates

For details, click here. 

View Full Calendar

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