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LSP Board Chair: ‘We do love our immigrant neighbors and we need them.’

'Through much of LSP's work, we see firsthand the role that immigrant families play in revitalizing our rural economies.'

By Heather Benson
February 17, 2025

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On Valentine’s Day, members of the Immigrant Defense Network turned out across Minnesota to spread a “Love Your Immigrant Neighbor” message and to inform people of their rights when confronted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who are enforcing mass deportation orders from the White House. Last November, more than 90 Minnesota groups formed the Immigrant Defense Network to protect the rights of immigrants and to make sure accurate information was being circulated in those communities. The Land Stewardship Project is a member of that coalition.

On Friday, Beth Slocum, a Goodhue County farmer and LSP’s board chair, spoke alongside our Immigrant Defense Network partners in a Capitol press conference. You can view the press conference at the link below.

Transcript of Beth Slocum’s Remarks:

I’m a farmer and my husband and I raise sheep in Goodhue County. I’m also currently the chair of the board of the Land Stewardship Project.

The Land Stewardship Project is here today standing with our partner COPAL and other allies to support the many immigrant communities in Minnesota that are committed to and invested in our food and farming system. For over 40 years, the Land Stewardship Project has been dedicated to our mission of fostering an ethic of stewardship for farmland, promoting sustainable agriculture, and developing healthy communities in our food and farm system.

LSP’s members and supporters are farmers and non-farmers all over Minnesota and the Upper Midwest, and we believe that if Minnesota is to have a truly sustainable food and farming system it must be sustainable for everyone involved in that system, no matter their economic background, race, ethnicity, or country of origin — whether they are farmers, farmworkers involved in dairy production, or working in meat processing.

Through much of LSP’s work, we see firsthand the role that immigrant families play in revitalizing our rural economies and renewing our farmland and we value Minnesota’s long tradition of welcoming folks from different countries, many of whom bring their expertise and passion for farming with them. Our immigrant farmers bring new crops, new ideas, ingenuity, and innovation. They bring their skills and expertise and they help revitalize our rural communities and economies; they have been part of the backbone of our Minnesota food and farming system for many decades.

Our immigrant neighbors are deeply embedded in our food and farming system on our farmland, as well as in our towns and cities. Many have been here for generations and others recently arrived, bringing a passion for making their homes and livelihoods here.

We do love our immigrant neighbors and we need them; they are part of our next generation of small and mid-sized farmers. They are the promise of a stable and growing future for our small towns and cities and they bring aspirations and desires for a food and farming system that works for everyone.

We want our immigrant neighbors right here — so thank you and Happy Valentine’s Day.

Heather Benson is LSP’s communications specialist. LSP has created a Community Care resource page for immigrants and allies. LSP’s newest long range plan outlines, among other things, how the organization is committed to working with groups led my people of color to create fair opportunities for everyone involved in the farm and food system.

Category: Blog
Tags: civil rights • COPAL • immigration • regenerative farming • rural economic development • social justice

Upcoming Events

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August 2025

Wednesday August 27

10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Field Day: Farmer-Distiller Grain Connection
Wednesday August 27
10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Field Day: Farmer-Distiller Grain Connection
Paxton, IL 60957, USA

Join OGRAIN, Artisan Grain Collaborative, The Land Connection, and IDEA Farm Network for this unique field day tailored for farmers and distillers alike to learn in the field and at the distillery. Dallas and Will Glazik will lead attendees through Cow Creek Organic Farm’s organic fields and discuss proper food-grade grain handling. The day will end with a distillery tour, grain quality talk, farmer-distiller social event, and optional tasting at Silver Tree Spirits.

For details and to register, click here. 

September 2025

Monday September 1

All Day
Final Deadline for LSP's Farm Beginnings Course
Monday September 1
Final Deadline for LSP's Farm Beginnings Course

Beginning and prospective farmers are invited to apply to the Land Stewardship Project’s Farm Beginnings course, a year-long training program that focuses on the goal setting, marketing, and financial skills needed to establish a successful farm business. The Farm Beginnings course creates a space for folks to name their vision, acquire the tools and skills needed to make it happen, and become part of a community of support to help them succeed.  

The course will run from November 2025 through March 2026, with some additional educational opportunities to take place later in 2026. 

The deadline for applications is Sept. 1. Early bird applications submitted by Aug. 1 will receive a $100 discount if you are accepted into the class. Partial scholarships are available.

More details are at http://www.farmbeginnings.org or Annelie Livingston-Anderson at annelie@landstewardshipproject.org.

You can apply to the course here.

Friday September 5

9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Soil Health Field Day on the Cotter Farm: Austin
Friday September 5
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Soil Health Field Day on the Cotter Farm: Austin
50203 205th St, Austin, MN 55912, USA

 Sign up today for a get-together down on Tom Cotter’s Farm. This field day brings together food companies, local farmers and other professionals in agriculture — a perfect opportunity for networking and discussion.
Hear from soil health experts, then board the Topless Bus to take a tour of Tom’s farm. A FREE TACO BAR LUNCH will featureTom’s own grass-fed beef, along with authentic, homemade tortillas and rice. Featured speakers include soil scientist Kris Nichols and agronomist Joe Ailts.
 
You can check out the field day flier here. For more details and to register, click here.

Saturday September 6

9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Soil & Food Health Field Day: Austin
Saturday September 6
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Soil & Food Health Field Day: Austin
50203 205th St, Austin, MN 55912, USA

Details are here.

Monday September 8

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Anne Biklé in conversation with Ross Evelsizer: What Your Food Ate
Monday September 8
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Anne Biklé in conversation with Ross Evelsizer: What Your Food Ate
Pulpit Rock Brewing Company, 207 College Dr, Decorah, IA 52101, USA

Join Anne Biklé (co-author, What Your Food Ate: How to Restore Our Land and Reclaim Our Health) and NEIA RC & D Natural Resource Projects Director, Ross Evelsizer, for a conversation and Q & A session followed by a book signing. Everyone is invited to this free event sponsored by the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation, with support from Pulpit Rock Brewing and Dragonfly Books.
 
Details on the Sept. 8 event are here.

View Full Calendar

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https://landstewardshipproject.org/lsp-board-chair-beth-slocum-the-chair-of-lsps-board-a-part-of-we-love-our-immigrant-neighbors-capitol-press-conference