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Legislative Update: Fair Farm Economy, Resilient Climate, Soil Health, Land Access & Regional Food on the Table

LSP is Championing 15 Bills (So Far)

By Amanda Koehler & Laura Schreiber 
February 10, 2023

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This past fall, hundreds of Land Stewardship Project members from across Minnesota came together to build a holistic, state policy campaign — the “Minnesota Food and Farm Campaign.” Now, as the 2023 session of the Minnesota Legislature hits its stride, we’re translating our agenda into legislation.

LSP is championing 15 bills (so far) to build a fair farm economy, steward healthy soil and a resilient climate, create strong regional food systems, protect rural communities and water from factory farming, and greatly increase access to land and secure land tenure for emerging and aspiring farmers. Here’s a quick summary of where we are at on these proposals thus far:

Introduced

  • Meat Processing Liaison Position: Nathan Nelson (R-Hinckley), Sen. Rob Kupec (DFL-Moorhead)
  • Small Meat Processor Training and Planning Grants: Nathan Nelson (R-Hinckley), Sen. Jason Rarick (R-Pine City)

In Draft Form

  • Farm to School and Regional Food Systems Coordinators: Kristi Pursell (DFL–Northfield)
  • Local Food Systems Planning and Infrastructure Grants: Alicia Kozlowski (DFL–Duluth)
  • Voluntary, Statewide Soil-Healthy Farming Goals: Kristi Pursell (DFL–Northfield), Sen. Rob Kupec (DFL–Moorhead)
  • Assessment of the Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program: Kristi Pursell (DFL–Northfield), Sen. Rob Kupec (DFL–Moorhead)
  • Farmer-to-Farmer Soil Health Mentorship Grants: Kristi Pursell (DFL–Northfield), Sen. Rob Kupec (DFL–Moorhead)
  • Whole Farm Revenue Protection Program Premium Assistance: Rep. Jeff Brand (DFL–St. Peter), Sen. Liz Boldon (DFL–Rochester)
  • Development of a Statewide Strategic Plan on Land Access, Land Consolidation, Land Transitions, and Emerging Farmers: Rep. Jeff Brand (DFL–St. Peter)
  • Reinstatement of the MPCA Citizens’ Board: Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL–South St. Paul), Sen. Foung Hawj (DFL–St. Paul)
  • Fair Water Permitting Fees: Rep. Kristi Pursell (DFL–Northfield)
  • Increasing Feedlot Inspection Rates: Rep. Kristi Pursell (DFL–Northfield)

Securing Legislative Authors

  • Fiber Hemp Supply Chain Development Grant Program
  • Country of Origin Labeling Resolution
  • Down Payment Assistance Grant Program Reform and Funding
Some top highlights from this past week include:
  • Two LSP championed bills were introduced in the Minnesota House by Rep. Nathan Nelson (R–Hinckley) that would expand support for small meat processors in Minnesota. In the Senate, one is being authored by Sen. Jason Rarick (R–Pine City) and another is being authored by Sen. Rob Kupec (DFL–Moorhead).
  • LSP Healthcare Steering Committee Member Jennifer Jacquot Devries from Crow Wing County testified in-person in front of the House Commerce Committee in support of the MinnesotaCare Public Option.
  • LSP staff, an LSP member, and a volunteer from Trout Unlimited met with Rep. Sydney Jordan (DFL–Minneapolis) and Sen. Jen McEwen (DFL–Duluth) to discuss their bill to strengthen the state’s response to and investigation of fish kills. Since the August 2022 fish kill in Winona County’s Rush Creek, LSP members in southeastern Minnesota have been organizing to get answers.

Family Farm Breakfast & Lobby Day April 13

We’ve said it before — we need all of us to make sure the Legislature delivers for people and the land! Nothing is a given. Please join us at the 2023 LSP Family Farm Breakfast and Lobby Day on Thursday, April 13, starting at 7 a.m. Begin the day with a delicious meal made from ingredients sourced from LSP member-farms and stick around to meet with your legislators and other public officials to demonstrate the demand for investments in regenerative agriculture, local and regional food systems, and rural communities.

Already registered? Register for one of our upcoming virtual lobby trainings to prepare! We have nine options over the next two months and we’ll cover background information on your legislators and workshop sharing our stories both powerfully and concisely, as well as strategize what will move your legislators, and more.

Amanda Koehler (akoehler@landstewardshipproject.org) is LSP’s policy manager and Laura Schreiber (lschreiber@landstewardshipproject.org) is an LSP policy organizer.

Category: Blog
Tags: 100% Soil Healthy Campaign • COOL • factory farms • Family Farm Breakfast • farm-to-school • fish kills • healthcare • local food systems • local meat processing • Minnesota Legislature • MPCA Citizens' Board • soil health • water

Upcoming Events

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October 2025

Thursday October 23

8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Farm to School & Early Care Grants Deadline
Thursday October 23
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Farm to School & Early Care Grants Deadline
Online

School is back in session and this week’s cool temps definitely remind us all that fall is just around the corner. This time of the year also means that the application period is open for Minnesota’s Farm to School and Early Care grants.

Earlier this year, the Land Stewardship Project and our partners were successful in expanding funding for the AGRI Farm to School and Early Care program. The application window for the next round of funding is now open and will close at 4 p.m. Central Time (CT) on Thursday, October 23.

APPLY FOR FUNDING HERE

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is serving up two funding opportunities to help schools and early childhood education (ECE) centers buy Minnesota-grown and -raised foods. 

1.    First Bite Grants: Up to $5,000 (no match required) to kickstart local food purchasing through intentional, high-impact activities. 
2.    Full Tray Grants: Up to $35,000 (1:1 match required) to help experienced schools and ECE centers increase or expand their local food purchases. 

Equipment funding: First Bite and Full Tray applicants can also request up to $25,000 (1:1 match required) to support the purchase of kitchen equipment that will enhance their capacity to buy, prepare, and serve local foods.  

 These grants are open to: 
•    Public or private K-12 schools or school districts in Minnesota that participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
•    Early childhood education (ECE) centers that participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in Minnesota

MDA encourages schools, districts, and ECE centers serving sovereign tribal nations to apply. 

 Local Tots Cost-Share Program
There are also funds available to reimburse family child care providers for buying Minnesota-grown and -raised foods used for meals and snacks as part of the the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP):

Interested providers must submit a Local Tots Cost-Share program Letter of Intent to participate. Award amounts will be up to $1,000 and there is a 1:1 cash match required for providers who received a Local Tots Cost-Share award in 2025. There is no cash match required if you are new to the program. 

Applications are due by 4 p.m. Central Time (CT) on Thursday, October 23, 2025. 

 Program details and online applications are available at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/farm-school-early-care-programs or by contacting the Grants Team at MDA.AGRIgrants@state.mn.us. 

 Want to learn more about eligibility, allowable expenses, and how to apply?

 Join the MDA for a virtual info session: 
First Bite and Full Tray Grant Info Session 
September 15, 2025, 2-3 p.m.
Register here

 Local Tots Cost-Share Info Session – for family child care providers
September 18, 2025, 1-2 p.m.
Register here

Farmers: Are you Interested in selling to a school near you? 
Send this opportunity along to the food service director at schools near you or connect with a Regional Local Food Coordinator to help you make connections with schools, childcare settings, and other opportunities to sell locally. These positions are supported by the Department of Education and Renewing the Countryside.

Saturday October 25

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
Saturday October 25
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
Madison Public Library - Central, 201 W Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703, 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. 

During the Wisconsin Book Festival, Curt Meine will talk about the book in a discussion with author Sonja Trom Eayrs (Dodge County, Incorporated), in a session on “The Fight for Rural America.” 

For details on We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy click here.

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.

View Full Calendar

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