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Local Democracy

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When threats to stewardship of the land, economic fairness, and democracy seem to be daily news headlines, it’s hard to know how you can make a difference. Engaging in your local democratic and civic community is a great place to start. The bedrock of a strong community is the ability for the people who live there to have a say in the future they want to see through their townships, counties, and other forms of local government.  

We’ve seen what happens when big money and corporate interests run roughshod over our towns — jobs are promised in the short run, but our soil is left bare, water is polluted and depleted, local businesses close, schools and clinics shuttered. This leaves people and our communities footing the bill.  

One day a year we exercise our democratic right to vote for our elected leaders at various levels. But just casting your ballot isn’t enough — these officials represent us all year and we need to hold them accountable for actions they take once they are voted into office. That’s where you come in:  

LSP challenges you to take up to six actions from now through November 26 that will strengthen democracy in your community, plus offer you a chance to win prizes!

It’s simple!  Using either our card or online form (see below), engage in as many of the Local Democracy Challenge actions as you can between now and November 26.  As you complete each task, record the date.

Prize Package: There will be a total 3 lucky winners as we give away 2-$250 VISA gift cards and a Patagonia Black Hole Duffle with LSP Swag.

Your name will be entered into the drawing for each action you complete, including the extra credit action! More actions = more chances to win!

TEACHERS: You can download a PDF of all resources for the Local Democracy Challenge here.

EAR to the GROUND PODCAST: Hear how two LSP members are already meeting the local democracy challenge in their communities.

Have a card? 

To submit your card and enter the prize drawing*:  

  • Write the date you complete each action on your card. 
  • By November 26, send the postcard to LSP to be entered into a prize drawing.  Cards must be postmarked by November 26 to be eligible. 
  • Your name will be entered into the drawing for each action you complete, including the extra credit action! More actions = more chances to win! *Only one winner per household. 
  • If you prefer to submit your card virtually, you can do that here.

Need a card?

  • You can submit your actions online using this form–no card required!
  • You can request a physical card be sent to your address by filling out this form.
  • You may also pick up a card at any of LSP’s office:
    • Minneapolis: 821 East 35th Street #200
    • Lewiston: 180 East Main Street
    • Montevideo: 111 North First Street

Upcoming Events

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December 2025

Thursday December 4

9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Using the Haney Test to Cut Fertilizer Use Without Sacrificing Yield
Thursday December 4
9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Using the Haney Test to Cut Fertilizer Use Without Sacrificing Yield
118 Bissen St, Caledonia, MN 55921, USA

This workshop will focus on how soil testing can help reduce fertility costs and increase a farmer’s return on investment. Presenters include Grant Wells, Conner Shaw, Tucker Garrigan, and Emily Jopp. For more information, contact Myron Sylling at 507-459-7792.

Friday December 5

5:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Multi-Generational Farm Transition Retreat: Marshall
Friday December 5
5:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Multi-Generational Farm Transition Retreat: Marshall
Merit Center, 1001 Erie Rd, Marshall, MN 56258, USA

Join U of M Extension for hands-on planning and discussion on farm transition for the whole farm family. All generations actively involved in the farm should attend the retreat together, including spouses, partners and other relevant parties.

The farm transition program helps farm families dive deeper into conversations about:

  • Family and business goals
  • Job responsibilities
  • Financial needs of farms and families
  • Inheritance considerations
  • Mechanisms of transfer

For details and to register, click here. 

Wednesday December 10

9:00 am – 11:30 am
Organic Fruit Growers Climate Resilience Workshop
Wednesday December 10
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. 

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
How to Make Your Farm's Website Convert Visitors to Customers
Wednesday December 10
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
How to Make Your Farm's Website Convert Visitors to Customers
Zoom Online

Join Sarah Carroll of Greener Pastures and Michelle M Sharp of Meet the Minnesota Makers in this 90-minute virtual workshop to learn about what your business website needs to tell its story, engage customers, and turn visits into real sales.

This workshop lays out the essential components of a user-friendly website for direct-to-consumer farms or food producers. No prior website skills are required.

Topics covered:

• How to make your products searchable by customers.

• What makes a compelling About Me page.

• The right balance of images to text.

• How to engage customers right from your home page.

• Incorporating FAQs.

Who this training is for:

This workshop is ideal for the farm or ag business that has launched an initial website that’s ready to upgrade or for the farm that has not yet created its own website. This workshop is both for farmers/food producers and ag ecosystem professionals that support farmers/food producers in their marketing and website efforts.

For details and to register, click here. 

Thursday December 18

All Day
MDA Urban Farm Conservation Mini-grant Deadline
Thursday December 18
MDA Urban Farm Conservation Mini-grant Deadline
MDA

A grant opportunity for urban farmers in Minnesota to receive up to $5,000 to make conservation-focused improvements is now open for applications.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is once again offering an Urban Farm Conservation Mini-grant with approximately $100,000 available, thanks to funding from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. This year the program has expanded eligibility.

Who is eligible:

  • Entities commercially farming in Minnesota, meaning they sell or donate at least $1,000 of what they produce.
  • Farm applicants must be located in or selling into a city with a population over 5,000 people, or be located within the boundaries of federally recognized tribal land in Minnesota and serve tribal community members.

The grant offers up to $5,000 per approved recipient which can be used to cover a variety of tools, supplies, services, and other expenses related to improving their urban farm.

Eligible projects include irrigation infrastructure improvements, tools and amendments for improving soil health, composting infrastructure, specialty crop rotation equipment and many other farm improvements which generate conservation outcomes.

Up to 100% of the total project costs may be covered by the grant, and a cash match is not required. Grantees will need to pay for eligible expenses up front and then request reimbursement, using proof of purchase and proof of payment.

An informational session will take place online at 1 p.m. on November 20 and registration is required. Language interpretation services may be requested for the information session by contacting Emily Toner at emily.toner@state.mn.us.

This is a competitive grant program and applications must be submitted by December 18.

Visit the Urban Farm Conservation Grant web page for more information on its application. The Request for Proposals is available for download in English, Spanish, Hmong and Somali.

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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

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