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Land Stewardship Project Picks Veteran Grassroots Organizer as New ED

Group Marks 40th Anniversary with New Leadership

January 10, 2022

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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — As the Land Stewardship Project (LSP) launches its 40th year of “keeping the land and people together,” a veteran grassroots organizer has been selected as its new executive director, the organization’s board of directors announced today. When Mike McMahon takes over the helm at LSP on Jan. 18, he will also lead the organization’s 501(c)4 advocacy action arm, the Land Stewardship Action Fund (LSAF).

LSP executive director Mike McMahon

McMahon brings to this position over a quarter-century of experience working with nonprofit, grassroots, rurally-focused organizations — the majority of that time has been spent with LSP. After working with Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement as a rural organizer in the mid-1990s, he joined LSP’s policy and organizing team in 1998, where, among other things, he organized hog farmers around the national pork checkoff campaign, which eventually went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. McMahon went on to work extensively with building LSP’s membership program, eventually becoming director of membership and individual giving. He served in that position until July 2020, when he left to work as the advancement director for Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement.

Members of the LSP and LSAF boards said they were impressed with McMahon’s wealth of organizing, fundraising and management experience, as well as his dedication to and knowledge of the group’s mission and goals. Before leaving LSP in 2020, McMahon played an integral part in the development of the group’s current five-year plan, which plays a key role in guiding the organization’s work for creating a resilient and just farm and food system.

“As we move forward with the work of LSAF in relation to the mission of LSP, I am excited for Mike’s leadership and vision,” said Anna Racer, a member of the LSAF board who operates a Community Supported Agriculture farm in Minnesota’s Rice County. “His experience with member-led organizations is integral to strengthening our rural communities through the mission of this organization we all connect with so deeply. It won’t be easy, but we know we’re stronger when we work together.”

This year marks the 40th anniversary of LSP, which was originally launched as a Midwestern-based soil stewardship advocacy organization. LSP still works extensively in the area of soil health and farmer-to-farmer education, but over the years has broadened its work into areas such as beginning farmer training, generational transfer of farmland, policy reform, local democracy and regional food systems development. LSP has offices in the Minnesota communities of Lewiston, Montevideo and south Minneapolis, and works throughout the Upper Midwest. McMahon is the sixth executive director to lead the group since organizers Ron Kroese and the late Victor Ray founded LSP in 1982. Since May 2021, Julie Emery has served as LSP’s interim executive director. During the next several weeks, she will be assisting in passing on leadership responsibilities to McMahon.

“We want to express our deepest appreciation to Julie Emery,” the LSP and LSAF boards said in a joint statement. “Her presence, professionalism and dedication to LSP’s mission has made it possible for us to reach this point as we move boldly forward in 2022 and beyond.”

Darrel Mosel, an LSP board member who raises crops and livestock in Minnesota’s Sibley County, said having someone with McMahon’s background leading the organization comes at an exciting time as he and other members dig deep into areas of work such as how to develop local, state and federal policy that supports small and medium-sized regenerative farmers.

“Of all the farm organizations in the state, LSP is probably in the best position now to have a positive impact on policy,” said Mosel, who has worked extensively on state and federal policy issues. “I am so glad Mike is heading our organization. His experience and dedication to LSP’s values and goals will assure that our voice will be heard on policy issues at all levels.”

McMahon said it is an honor to lead an organization that has a rich history of fighting for farmers, rural communities, and the land, and that he was looking forward to working with the group’s talented and passionate staff.

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity,” he said. “The Land Stewardship Project means a lot to me, and its work to keep the land and people together is as needed today as it was 40 years ago. LSP’s innovative programs and organizing are essential to meeting the challenges and opportunities farmers and rural communities face today. I’m excited to be a part of LSP’s future.”

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The Land Stewardship Project (landstewardshipproject.org) is a private, nonprofit, membership-based organization founded in 1982 to foster an ethic of stewardship for farmland, to promote sustainable agriculture and to develop healthy communities. It has offices in the Minnesota communities of Lewiston, Montevideo and south Minneapolis. 

Category: News Releases
Tags: 5-year plan • Land Stewardship Action Fund • Land Stewardship Project. nonprofit leadership • LSP • LSP board of directors • LSP executive director • Mike McMahon

Contact

Brian DeVore, LSP, e-mail, 612-816-9342

Photo Available

For a digital photo of Mike McMahon, contact DeVore.

 

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July 2022

Wednesday July 6

4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Farming in Karst Country
Farming in Karst Country
Wednesday July 6
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

A special LSP workshop called “Farming in Karst Country” will highlight the intersection of soil-building farming practices, water movement, and karst geology. Local farmer presenters and karst geologists will share how practices like no-till, cover crops and intensive, rotational grazing can improve the health of the soil and underground streams. The Bishop family will host the event at Niagara Cave. The cost to attend is $20 for adults, $10 fo runder 16, and includes a cave tour and dinner. Space is limited to 75 participants. For details and to register, click here.

Tuesday July 12

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
LSP Deep Canvassing Training
LSP Deep Canvassing Training
Tuesday July 12
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Deep canvassing is a candid, non-judgmental, two-way conversation where canvassers ask voters to share their relevant, emotionally significant experiences and reflect on them aloud. It is one of the most durable and proven forms of persuasion when talking to people who might hold differing beliefs than you and is going to be critical in creating the world we want and need.

Join the Land Stewardship Action Fund to learn about deep canvassing, what it is and why it’s important, and get trained on how to deep canvass so you’re able to powerfully participate in LSAF’s upcoming deep canvasses and put these important skills to use in your community. Register at https://secure.everyaction.com/f4vV9QoSbUWMe4UVzQFrVg2.

Wednesday July 13

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
LSP Small Grains Deep Dive
LSP Small Grains Deep Dive
Wednesday July 13
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Come join Terry Cunningham, producer of certified organic commodities for 34 years, and Nic Podoll, small grains specialist with the Rodale Institute, as well as resource specialists from the Freeborn County Soil and Water Conservation District, for this peer-to-peer information and discussion field day.
 
This field day will include information and discussion about Cunningham’s experiences over three decades raising corn, soybeans, oats, alfalfa, barley, field peas, winter rye, winter wheat, triticale, spelt, and sweet clover.
 
This event is free; dinner will be provided; a free-will offering for the meal is welcomed. For more information and to register, click here.

Tuesday July 19

5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
LSP Grazing Group Pasture Walk at Knutson Shorthorns
LSP Grazing Group Pasture Walk at Knutson Shorthorns
Tuesday July 19
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Zach Knutson of Knutson Shorthorns is hosting a pasture walk for area graziers to show specialty crops grown in bale residue left behind by cows from winter-feeding. A range of specialty crops planted include: tomatoes, peppers, huckleberries, sweet corn, cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, eggplant, and more. 
 
Also on the farm, cattle are grazing an 11-way mix of summer annuals (dwarf sorghum-sudan, BMR grazing corn, crimson clover, mung beans, sun hemp, collards, African cabbage, kale, baldy safflower, plantain, and chicory). There will be discussions around integrating livestock and specialty crop production, marketing to a wider audience with limited additional land or labor, and extended grazing. To register, click here.

Tuesday July 26

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
LSP Virtual Policy Organizing Meeting
LSP Virtual Policy Organizing Meeting
Tuesday July 26
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Join LSP as we launch our first of many Monthly Virtual Policy Organizing Meetings! On the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. we will gather to learn about what is happening at the state, local, and federal level; take collective action together; dive into an issue campaign of your choice; and break out into regional groups to build relationships with other LSPers in your area. For more information or to register, see https://secure.everyaction.com/CwoHag9NBUC4XpuCKAIhCg2.

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