The 2024 Minnesota legislative session has begun in Saint Paul and nitrate contamination is top of mind for our legislators. Next week, committees in both the State House and Senate will host hearings about nitrates in our soil and water. This is an opportunity to make it known that Minnesotans expect our state’s decisionmakers to take action for our land and water.

These hearings will likely focus on nitrate contamination in southeast Minnesota, but we hope you’ll join us for one or both of these hearings:

• Monday, Feb. 26, at 9 a.m., a joint Senate hearing between the Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development and Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committees will meet to discuss “Nitrates in the Karst Region.” At this meeting, only state agencies — Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, and Pollution Control Agency — will present on the issue. No agenda is available for this meeting at this moment.

• Thursday, Feb 29, at 1 p.m., the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee is hosting presentations from several groups, including LSP, regarding “Nitrates in the Soil.” In our presentation, we will lift up member voices that share our positive vision for clean water and healthy farm economies in southeastern Minnesota and across the state. Other voices at this meeting will likely attempt to convince our legislators to maintain the status quo, arguing that nothing needs to be done or that nitrates aren’t dangerous. It’s important that isn’t the dominant message at these hearings.

Land Stewardship Project members have been organizing for clean water in Minnesota for more than four decades. We know that nitrate contamination in our groundwater is a direct result of an industrial scale food and farming system that takes advantage of farmers, our land and water, and our rural communities. But by taking action and working together, we can have a farming system in Minnesota that doesn’t force us to choose between feeding people and having clean drinking water.

Packing a hearing room is one of the most effective ways to make the people’s priorities clear and to advance our vision. Are you able to join us at the Capitol to stand up for clean water?

LSP is organizing transportation for members from southeast Minnesota to Saint Paul on both Monday, Feb. 26, and Thursday, Feb., 29. Will you meet us there? Click the links below to let us know you’ll be there and to arrange transportation.

—Click HERE to register for the Senate Hearing on Feb. 26—

—Click HERE to register for the House hearing on Feb. 29—