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It’s a Wrap: The Largest Family Farm Breakfast & Lobby Day in LSP History

LSP Members Made their Voices Heard at the Capitol on April 13

By Amanda Koehler
April 24, 2023

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On Thursday, April 13, over 300 Land Stewardship Project members, supporters, staff, and elected and appointed public officials gathered in Saint Paul for our 17th Family Farm Breakfast & Lobby Day – the largest Family Farm Breakfast in LSP history!
This year, the event was co-hosted by: Clean Up the River Environment (CURE) ♦ Climate Land Leaders ♦ Greener Pastures ♦ Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) ♦ the Minnesota Farmers Market Association (MFMA) ♦ The Good Acre. These are all sustainable agriculture or rural organizations who share our vision for people and the land.
Over a delicious meal featuring products from LSP members’ farms (prepared by the Chowgirls), folks built community, interacted with public officials, and listened to a powerful program. Attendees included Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen and members of his staff, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Katrina Kessler and members of her staff, members of the Minnesota House and Senate and their staff, and staff of the offices of Congresswoman Angie Craig, Congressman Tom Emmer, Senator Tina Smith, and Senator Amy Klobuchar.

The Family Farm Breakfast Program was fully LSP-member run. LSP Board Chair and livestock farmer Beth Slocum (Welch, Minn.) emceed the program and highlighted numerous victories over LSP’s 41-year history. It featured poetry from Michael Chaney of Project Sweetie Pie (North Minneapolis, Minn.), testimonies on the importance of reinstating the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Community Board from former MPCA Citizens’ Board Member and LSP member Loni Kemp (Canton, Minn.) and LSP member Adam Muschler (St. Charles, Minn.), as well as testimonials on the importance of building a farm and food system where there are more people on the land sustainably growing food for their communities by LSP Land Access & Land Legacy Steering Committee Member and vegetable farmer Naima Dhore (Alexandria, Minn.) and pasture-based hog farmer Dayna Burtness (Spring Grove, Minn.).

After the Family Farm Breakfast, approximately 150 LSP members, supporters, and partners went to the Capitol Complex to advance our legislative agenda for people and the land. Together we met with approximately 90 state legislators (almost 50% of the Legislature). Our top priorities for the day were:

  1. Restoring community oversight of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) by reinstating the MPCA Citizens’ Board.
  2. Ensuring all Minnesotans have the affordable care they need when and where they need it by creating a MinnesotaCare Public Option and establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board(PDAB).
  3. Finalizing a robust agriculture budget that delivers for beginning and emerging farmers, small and mid-sized farmers, farmers facing financial stress, local meat and poultry processors, and our soil, water, pollinators, and climate.

As some folks were unable to get face time with one or both of their legislators, in-district meetings and online Zoom constituent meetings are being organized in some districts. You can take a look at our online resource packet here to learn more about what we were advocating for on the 13th.

(For the latest summary of where LSP’s priorities stand as we head into the final weeks of the session, click here.)

In addition to constituent meetings with state legislators, we held three town hall meetings with key public officials. First, was a town hall with the Rep. Kristi Pursell (DFL – Northfield), who is the vice chair of the House Agriculture Committee, and Sen. Rob Kupec (DFL – Moorhead), who is the vice chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. LSP member and farm-to-school program manager Aimee Haag (Litchfield, Minn.) and vegetable farmer John Fisher-Merritt (Wrenshall, Minn.) passionately spoke to the importance of expanding our state’s investment in the Farm-to-School Grant Program, establishing a fulltime Farm-to-School coordinator at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and establishing regional food system coordinator positions across the state. Farmer Lori Cox (Carver, Minn.) spoke to the importance of reinstating community oversight of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Farmers John Snyder (Preston, Minn.) and Michelle Boyechko (Tamarack, Minn.) spoke to the importance of investing in soil health, as well as supporting our rural communities through abundance and diversification. We also held an open Q and A session for audience members to directly interact with Rep. Pursell and Sen. Kupec.
Next was a town hall with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. Dairy farmer James Kanne (Franklin, Minn.), farmer John Snyder (Preston, Minn.), and Tim Ahrens (Altura, Minn.) spoke to Ellison about consolidation in agriculture. Al Kruse (Marshall, Minn.), Aleta Borrud (Rochester, Minn.), and LSP organizer Paula Williams (Barnum, Minn.) spoke about the importance of establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to ensure medications are affordable for all Minnesotans.

The last group meeting was a town hall with Jason Garms, who is a part of the Government Relations team at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Livestock farmer Terry VanDerPol (Montevideo, Minn.), along with Adam Muschler (Saint Charles, Minn.), Tim Ahrens (Altura, Minn.), and Lee Stoe (Apple Valley, Minn.) spoke to issues relating to excessive water use by factory farms, human-caused fish kills, and water quality.

We also held an informal conversation about emerging farmer issues with Julia Wickham of U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Office; Minnesota Department of Agriculture Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey; and Minnesota Department of Agriculture staff members Jenny Heck, Val Gamble, and Lillian Otieno. Emerging farmers participated in this discussion and talked about state and federal policy solutions related to improving land access and providing support. Speakers included farmworker Maddie Hyde (Red Wing, Minn.), vegetable farmer Naima Dhore (Alexandria, Minn.), and Elkanah Abobo and Lucia Possehl with Sharing Our Roots (Northfield, Minn.)

Finally, the day was wrapped up with a happy hour at Lake Monster Brewing with LSP members, partners, and staff from across the state. Cheers to a successful Family Farm Breakfast & Lobby Day! We look forward to 2024.

If you attended the Family Farm Breakfast and have feedback, please fill out our survey here.

LSP policy manager Amanda Koehler can be reached via e-mail.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Acknowledgements

The FFB Coordinator

Thank you to Haze Harrison — LSP’s 2023 Family Farm Breakfast Coordinator!

The Caterer

Thank you to Chowgirls for making this meal possible! Without their generous donation of time, ingredients, and servingware, this meal would not have been able to come together at an affordable price.

The Food Suppliers

Thank you to our ingredient suppliers: Ames Farm (Delano, Minn.) ♦ Common Harvest Farm (Osceola, Wis.) ♦ Ferndale Market (Cannon Falls, Minn.) ♦ HiddenStream Farm (Elgin, Minn.) ♦ Lane RidgeFarm (Nicollet, Minn.) ♦ Niman Ranch♦ Pastures A’ Plenty (Kerkhoven, Minn.) ♦ Organic Valley (Viroqua, Wis.) ♦ Pine Tree Orchards (White Bear Lake, Minn.) ♦ Shepherd Moon Farm (Lindstrom, Minn.) ♦ TC Farm (Saint Paul, Minn.) ♦ Yker Acres (Carlton, Minn.).

Thank you to Velasquez Family Coffee (Saint Paul, Minn.) and Equal Exchange for providing coffee and tea, respectively. Thank you to Baker’s Field Flour & Bread for providing baked goods. Thank you to Seward Community Co-op, Mississippi Market Co-op, and Twin Cities Co-op Partners for providing gift cards to assist with the costs of the Family Farm Breakfast. We encourage LSP members and supporters to support these farms and businesses!

The Advertisers

Thank you to those who supported the Family Farm Breakfast by purchasing an advertisement: 100% Campaign ♦ A Couple of Gurus ♦ Albert Lea Seed House ♦ Baker’s Field Flour & Bread ♦ Ben & Jerry’s Catering – South Minneapolis ♦ Clancey’s Meat Market, Co-op Credit Union ♦ CTUL ♦ Dangerous Man Brewing Co. ♦ Eastside Food Co-op ♦ Falk Seed Farm ♦ Ferndale Market ♦ Foresight Bank ♦ Honor the Earth ♦ Lakewinds Food Co-op ♦ Lorentz Meats & Deli ♦ May Day Café ♦ Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy ♦ the Minnesota Nurses Association ♦ Minnesota Farmers Union ♦ Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light ♦ Minuteman Press – Uptown ♦ National Farming Organization ♦ Niman Ranch ♦ Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota ♦ People’s Food Co-op ♦ Prairie Moon Nursery ♦ Seven Corners Printing ♦ St. Peter Food Co-op ♦ The Book House in Dinky Town ♦ The Good Acre ♦ Velasquez Family Coffee ♦ Voices for Racial Justice. We encourage LSP members and supporters to support these farms, organizations, and businesses!

 

Category: Blog
Tags: Family Farm Breakfast • Minnesota Legislature

A Few Reactions from Breakfast Participants

“It’s so encouraging to talk to people from other communities who are working on the same things you are.  It’s never been more important for LSP members to come to the Capitol because we represent a strong voice in our communities that needs more representation in our state Legislature.”

♦

“It is difficult to feel apathetic and powerless after an experience like this.”

♦

“LSP, its members, and supporters performed a great service for all Minnesotans with the Family Farm Breakfast and Lobby Day. Bringing people together and supporting producers’ mission and goals only stands to benefit all areas of our state. Hats off to a great event!”

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December 2023

Thursday December 7 – Friday December 8

U of M Soil Management Summit
Thursday December 7 – Friday December 8
U of M Soil Management Summit
Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center, 2100 Arrowwood Ln, Alexandria, MN 56308, USA

The Soil Management Summit emphasizes proven farmer experience and applied science. Straight from the fields, learn how heavier, colder soils aren’t necessarily the challenge they’re made out to be. Hear from no-till, reduced tillage, and cover crop farmers as they share their experiences, so you can be spared the same hard-learned lessons.

The summit features presentations and Q & A with researchers, farmers and agricultural advisors, information from sponsors, and conversations with farmers experienced in different soil health practices.

Those who attend the entire conference can earn Certified Crop Adviser continuing education units (CEUs).

For more information and to register, click here.

Tuesday December 12

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Online Farmer Forum: Exploring Water Management on Vegetable Farms
Tuesday December 12
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Online Farmer Forum: Exploring Water Management on Vegetable Farms

Join Jody and Mike Lenz of Threshing Table Farm and Dana Swanson from NRCS to explore creative ways to manage water in our changing climate. This forum will include a short presentation followed by questions, ideas and solutions from attendees.
Register here:https://secure.everyaction.com/8R2DmcpyQkOkPANzarGpAA2

Saturday December 16

9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Iowa Farmers of Color Conference
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2400 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321, USA

Calling all Midwestern Black farmers! Join us at the Iowa Farmers of Color Conference — an empowering gathering where connections flourish and knowledge blooms. Over the past two years, we’ve had the honor of building relationships with minority farmers from the South. Now, we’re extending a heartfelt invitation to YOU to be part of this transformative event. Connect with fellow farmers, engage with expert speakers spanning ag policy, research, and crop insurance, and get the answers you seek to thrive in your farming journey. Whether you’re seasoned or just starting out, this conference is a space designed to empower, educate, and uplift.

For details, check out this flier.

To register, click here.

January 2024

Saturday January 13

10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Fillmore County Well Screening Clinic
Saturday January 13
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Fillmore County Well Screening Clinic
Fillmore Central Elementary School K-6, 702 Chatfield Ave NW, Preston, MN 55965, USA

Free nitrate and chloride screenings will be offered onsite, with results available within 15 minutes. While you wait, you are invited to talk one-on-one with water experts about your results, questions, and options. This consultation is free and confidential. If further testing is advised, a voucher for a free certified test will be provided. Questions can be directed to Responsible Ag in Karst Country at responsibleaginkarstcountry@gmail.com.

Tuesday January 16

12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
In-Person Training: Introduction to Climate Resiliency for Farmers
Tuesday January 16
12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
In-Person Training: Introduction to Climate Resiliency for Farmers
St. Cloud, St Cloud, MN, USA

Join LSP and UMN Extension to build resiliency on your farm through examining local climate trends, identifying risk and planning adaptations for mitigation. Additionally, there will be several farmers presenting on the climate resiliency strategies they are implementing on their farms. Lunch is included and registration is required.

Register here: https://secure.everyaction.com/nyGLdKfUikG6EZmR8mcwbw2

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