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LSP’s 5 Year Plan Focuses on New Farmers, Racial & Economic Justice, Ag Consolidation, Rural Economies, Soil Health, Climate Resilience

‘Roots of Resilience’ Will Guide the Organization’s Work for 2025-2030

January 16, 2025

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LEWISTON, Minn. — The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) today released a strategic plan that describes how, during the next five years, the Minnesota-based organization will work with its members and allies to support the next generation of farmers and drive rural economic revitalization via community-based food systems, as well as help farmers adopt soil health practices that are profitable and that bolster climate resilience. The plan also lays out how LSP will work with groups led by people of color to organize around racial justice issues while pushing for fair market access for small and medium-sized farmers and fighting consolidation and the corporate-controlled industrialization of agriculture.

The plan  —  “The Roots of Resilience: Grow, Challenge, Build & Steward” — is the result of months spent gathering input from LSP members, supporters, allies and staff on organizational priorities. The final document was recently approved by LSP’s board of directors and lays out four interconnected strategies for the organization: Grow, Build, Challenge and Steward. Within each focus area, LSP has outlined outcomes it will be working to obtain via grassroots organizing in rural communities throughout the region. Many of these goals build on long-term areas of work for LSP while others represent new frontiers for the membership-based nonprofit, which was launched 43 years ago during the depths of the 1980s Farm Crisis as an organization dedicated to fostering an ethic of stewardship for farmland, promoting sustainable agriculture and developing healthy communities in the food and farming system. LSP has offices in the Minnesota communities of Montevideo, Lewiston and South Minneapolis.

“As one of youngest members of LSP’s Long Range Plan Committee, what excites me most about this strategic plan is how it will continue to build on the collective work, the values and the vision of the organization,” said LSP farmer-member Josie Trople of Northfield, Minn. “By focusing on mutual values and common ground that we hold as farmers, land stewards and community members, together we will create a better future for our rural communities. This plan helps us move toward just that.”

Besides describing the areas LSP will focus on from now until 2030, the plan provides examples of successes the organization has had since its last five-year plan was launched in 2019. During the past five years, LSP has worked with its members and allies to make significant advances in the areas of beginning farmer training, building soil health/climate resilience, advancing community-based food systems and fighting for the rights of local communities to maintain local democracy.

“I really encourage people to read this plan. I think it is bold, ambitious and achievable, which is just what we need right now,” said Scott Elkins, LSP’s executive director. “And we are already bringing this plan to life, rolling up our sleeves and working with our farming and rural neighbors. Together we are creating an abundant future with clean water, healthy food, thriving farms and vibrant rural communities.”

A digital copy of “The Roots of Resilience” is available at landstewardshipproject.org/lrp. Print copies are available at LSP’s offices in Lewiston, Montevideo and Lewiston, or by calling 612-722-6377.

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Category: News Releases
Tags: Land Stewardship Project • long range plan • organizational stewardship • Roots of Resilience

Contact

Megan Smith, LSP membership & communications director, e-mail, 612-400-6342

Image Available

For a digital image of the cover of LSP’s 2025-2030 long range plan, contact Heather Benson, LSP’s communications specialist, via e-mail.

 

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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