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LSP Media Statement on Amicus Filing by ‘Ag Groups’ in Daley Farm Court Case 

January 10, 2024

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LEWISTON, Minn. — On Jan. 4, five “agricultural groups” filed an amici curiae (friend of the court) motion with the Minnesota Court of Appeals in support of Daley Farm’s request that a recent District Court ruling be overturned, thus allowing the Lewiston dairy operation to circumvent Winona County’s zoning rules related to livestock operation size. If the District Court’s decision is successfully appealed, Daley Farm would be allowed to expand to 6,000 animal units (roughly 4,500 cows); the current county livestock operation size limit is 1,500 animal units. 

In the amicus filing, the groups — Minnesota Milk Producers Association, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, Minnesota Pork Producers Association, Minnesota State Cattleman’s Association and Winona County Farm Bureau — attempt to divide Winona County and undercut local democracy by advancing false ideas about the Land Stewardship Project (LSP), our members and our work. This latest legal maneuver is a desperate attempt to yet again bypass the will of the people and advance the interests of a select few at the expense of the community. 

In their filing, the “agricultural groups” chose to parrot the baseless claim that LSP “tainted” the Winona County Board of Adjustment’s decision (in two separate votes) to deny Daley’s request for a variance from the zoning rules. The courts have repeatedly supported the rights of local citizens, including LSP members, to have their voices heard and to participate in local decision making when it comes to the Daley Farm issue. It’s clear the groups filing this amicus are confusing a “tainted process” with local citizen engagement and local democracy. 

The groups are also asking that the Court of Appeals examine the role Minnesota’s anti-corporate farm law, which keeps farms in the hands of Minnesota families rather than multi-national corporations, plays in the Daley Farm issue. Over the past few decades, LSP has repeatedly fought to prevent the anti-corporate farm law from being weakened.  

In fact, Minnesota’s anti-corporate farm law allows an operation like Daley to exist in its present form. Asking the courts to introduce the corporate farm law issue into the picture is a distraction from the fact that nitrate pollution is at crisis levels in the region and that local citizens have made their voices heard about what they want their community to look like in the future. It’s a deflection from the fact that consolidation and market manipulation in the dairy industry are putting family farms out of business at a record pace. It’s time we addressed the overall crisis that afflicts family dairy farming rather than make it easier for a select few to grow and consolidate, thus pushing their neighbors out of business. How will the expansion of Daley and others like it address the fact that while farmers were recently receiving record low prices for milk, consumers were paying more at the grocery store? 

In their filing, the “agricultural groups” have characterized LSP as “anti-agriculture.” Our record shows otherwise. During the past quarter-century we have helped launch hundreds of farming operations through our Farm Beginnings program. Through our Soil Builders’ Network, we are supporting farmers of all types in Winona County and throughout the region who want to build soil profitably. Every year, our members and staff work at the Minnesota Capitol to pass legislation in support of small and medium-sized farmers. 

LSP resolves to continue our work supporting rural democracies, advocating for farmers, and championing economically and environmentally sustainable agriculture in southeastern Minnesota and throughout the Upper Midwest, just as we have done for the past four decades.   

 -30- 

The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) 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. LSP has offices in the Minnesota communities of Lewiston, Montevideo and South Minneapolis.

Category: News Releases
Tags: CAFO • clean water • dairy crisis • Daley Farm • factory farm • local control • local democracy • SLAPP • Winona County

Contact

Martin Moore, LSP organizer, e-mail, 612-767-9881

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July 2025

Friday July 11

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Big Community Carne Asada Cookout
Friday July 11
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Big Community Carne Asada Cookout
Todd Park, 2411 11th St NE, (Site #1), Austin MN 55912

You’re invited to our Big Community Carne Asada Cookout! Join COPAL and the Land Stewardship Project for an afternoon of delicious grilled food, music, and great company. Let’s come together to share stories, build stronger connections, and keep growing a united and supportive community. 👉 Limited spots available — register at the link!

 

🔥 ¡Está invitado a nuestra Gran Carne Asada Comunitaria! Acompáñe a COPAL y a Land Stewardship Project para disfrutar de una tarde con comida deliciosa a la parrilla, música y buena compañía. Unámonos para compartir historias, fortalecer lazos y seguir construyendo una comunidad unida y solidaria. 👉 Cupo limitado, regístrese en el enlace.

📆 JUL 11

⏰ 5PM

📍Todd Park, 2411 11th St NE, (Site #1), Austin MN 55912

🔗 Register / Regístrese: https://loom.ly/hZ0bS1U

Saturday July 12

10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek's Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters
Saturday July 12
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek's Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters
Farmers Community Park, 23274 Arches Road Lewiston, MN 55952

During the Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek’s Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters event, the Land Stewardship Project will mark the three-year anniversary of a major fish kill in southeastern Minnesota that spawned citizen action and led to new public policy around how such events are reported. Join Land Stewardship Project and our partners at Farmers Park, Saturday July 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lewiston, Minnesota. Register here.

What to expect?

  • Fly fishing demonstration led by Minnesota Trout Unlimted and LSP member, Lee Stoe. Please bring your own fishing gear.

  • Minnesota Trout Unlimited & Izaak Walton League staff and members will be leading macroinvertebrate sampling of Garvin Brook and discussing what they tell us about the health of the stream.

  • Discussion on how regenerative farming systems can support healthy soil and clean water.

  • Opportunity to take action! Help prevent future fish kills by sharing how you think the Minnesot Feedlot Rule, which is open for comment through July 22, should be stronger. Postcards will be available to fill out and send with your comments.

  • Farmers Park is a great spot for birding. Please bring your binoculars!

  • You are welcome to bring your own snacks or picnic lunch; food will not be provided at this event.

LSP is partnering with several community groups for this event, including:

Minnesota Trout Unlimited, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Izaak Walton League, Food & Water Watch, and Savanna Institute

Register HERE. For more information, contact LSP’s Kate Rowe at krowe@landstewardshipproject.org.

Tuesday July 15

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Organic Fruit & Vegetable Field Day
Tuesday July 15
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Organic Fruit & Vegetable Field Day
1805 Dudley Ave, Falcon Heights, MN 55113, USA

Join U of M researchers and Extension for updates on organic fruit and vegetable research and tour the Student Organic Farm and the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station in Saint Paul. Topics include: organic insect management, integrating livestock into vegetable farms, new crops for Minnesota, irrigation strategies, and more. Free to the public.
 
For details and to register, click here.

Wednesday July 16

9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Cottonwood County
Wednesday July 16
9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Cottonwood County
27092 Co Rd 8, Comfrey, MN 56019, USA

Details here.

Thursday July 17

9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Pipestone County
Thursday July 17
9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Pipestone County
518 30th Ave, Jasper, MN 56182

Details are here.

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Recent Posts

  • Get Your Farm Photographed & Receive Free Images! July 10, 2025
  • ‘Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek’s Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters’ Event July 12 Near Lewiston July 8, 2025
  • Contributing to the Cause July 8, 2025
  • Contact the MPCA by July 22 About Revising its Feedlot Rules July 2, 2025
  • Tell Your Representatives: We Want a Farm Bill for All, Not a Tax Break for the Wealthiest July 2, 2025

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https://landstewardshipproject.org/lsp-media-statement-on-amicus-filing-by-ag-groups-in-daley-farm-court-case