The Land Stewardship Project’s steering committees and working groups are made up of farmers, as well as rural, urban and suburban people, who are directly impacted by the farm and food system issues LSP is working to change. These members, leaders and community partners work alongside LSP staff to develop and ground the strategies and tactics LSP uses to create change in the farm and food system. If you are interested in learning more about serving on a committee please contact the staff lead of that specific committee.

Policy Committee

The Policy Committee is directly accountable to LSP’s board of directors. Its role is to work alongside LSP Policy and Program staff teams, setting expectations and overall strategic guidance for these various leadership teams while facilitating transparency and accountability between the teams and our board.

• Hannah Bernhardt, Committee Chair, Finlayson, Minn.
• Sylvia Burgos Toftness, Clear Lake, Wis.
• Wendy Johnson, Charles City, Iowa
• Stephen Carpenter (advisory), Saint Paul, Minn.
• Laura Schreiber, LSP Government Relations Director (staff liaison)

Soil Health Steering Committee

• Bob Leisen, Plainview Minn.
• Alan Jostock, Hammond, Minn.
• Reed Duncan, Zimbro Falls, Minn.
• Amber Fiene Rasmussen, Rushford, Minn.
• Tony Hackbarth, Ridgeway, Minn.
• Rick Matt, Castalia, Iowa
• Sarah Wescott (staff lead)

Land Access & Emerging Farmers Steering Committee

• Tessa Parks-Nerstrand, MN
• Elyssa Eull-Minneapolis, MN
• Derek Ellis-Baxter-Merrifield, MN (liaison with Midwest Farmers of Color Collective)
• Lucia Possehl-Minneapolis, MN
• Laura Cullip-Hutchinson, MN
• Taylor Olsen-Taylors Falls, MN
• Lily Mboss-Carver, MN (liaison with Midwest Farmers of Color Collective)
• Maren Grunnet-Faribault, MN
• Zach Binsfield-Minneapolis, MN
• Alissa Jacobsen-Staff from Sharing Our Roots
• Nicole Westlund-Staff from Sharing Our Roots
• Emmalyn Kayser-Staff from Big River Farm
• Pam Hartwell (LSP staff lead)