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Myth Busters

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The Land Stewardship Project has developed a series of deeply researched “Myth Busters” to address some of the misrepresentations circulated by supporters of corporate-controlled industrial agriculture:

• Myth #68: When Nitrogen is Gone, it Can be Forgotten

• Myth #67: Bird Flu’s Deadly Variant is the Fault of Regenerative Ag & Nature

• Myth #66: More Hogs on Fewer Farms = More Money in Local Piggy Banks

• Myth #65: ‘Climate-Smart’ NRCS Practices are all ‘Climate-Smart’

• Myth #64: Nitrogen Fertilizer & High Yields are Inextricably Linked

• Myth #63: Lawsuits Are Always About Winning

• Myth #62: Commodity Ag is Rural America’s Cash Cow

• Myth #61: Carbon Trading is Ag’s Climate Change Silver Bullet

• Myth #60: CAFO Digesters are a Good Public Investment

• Myth #59: Deep Soils Are Always Healthy Soils

• Myth #58: Fake Meat Will Save the Planet’s Climate

• Myth #57: Abusive Work Conditions are ‘Essential’ to Heading off a Meat Famine

• Myth #56: Mega-Dairies = Mega-Benefits for Rural Communities

• Myth #55: Every Acre is a Potential Nitrogen-Fueled Superstar

• Myth #54: ‘Farm the Best-Preserve the Rest’ Will Prevent Ecological Collapse

• Myth #53: Food Nutrition Programs Mostly Benefit Lazy Welfare Cheats

• Myth #52: Working Lands Conservation Programs Don’t Pay

• Myth #51: The Land Will Quickly Become Carbon Saturated

• Myth #50: Conservation Compliance is Saving Soil

• Myth #49: We Don’t Need Publicly Supported Research

• Myth #48: Commodity Checkoff Programs are Accountable

• Myth #47: Cattle are a Climate Change Catastrophe

• Myth #46: Neonics in Soybeans Make Economic Sense

• Myth #45: Less Wildlife Habitat Makes for Safer Food

• Myth #44: Tallgrass Prairies & Livestock Don’t Mix

• Myth #43: ‘New’ Farmland is From Already Tilled Acres

• Myth #42: Free Trade is a Windfall for U.S. Ag

• Myth #41: Corn residue is a waste product

• Myth #40: Cattle & water should never mix

• Myth #39: By 2050 we will need to nearly double crop production to feed 9 billion people.

• Myth #38: Genetic engineering can replace diversity.

• Myth #37: A new class of pesticides is harmless to the environment.

• Myth #36: Diverse crop rotations may be a boon to the land, but are a bust when it comes to farmers’ bank accounts.

• Myth #35: High land prices benefit the economies of rural communities.

• Myth #34: Townships don’t have the resources to control development.

• Myth #33: Artificial drainage of agricultural land is a boon to the environment.

• Myth #32: Using crops to produce biofuels does not raise food prices

• Myth #31: Soil erosion is at sustainable levels.

• Myth #30: Banning subtherapeutic use of antibiotics in livestock production will be an economic disaster for farmers.

• Myth #29: Producing clean water in rural areas will require taking the majority of our farmland out of production.

• Myth #28: Roundup is not a long-term environmental threat.

• Myth #27: Local and regional food systems don’t help the economy.

• Myth #26: Genetically modified crops have reduced pesticide use.

• Myth #25: Undocumented immigrants drain the U.S. economy by not paying taxes and by being a tremendous burden on the health care system.

• Myth #24: Country of Origin Labeling will make it impossible for farmers to market their products through local stores and restaurants.

• Myth #23: Organic and sustainable farming systems are a luxury only well-fed countries like the U.S. can afford.

• Myth #22: Buying locally produced food will automatically reduce your ecological footprint.

• Myth #21: Sustainable farming methods cannot feed the world.

• Myth #20: Because of petroleum-based fertilizers, we do not need to build soil using plant residue and other natural sources of organic matter.

• Myth #19: Genetically-engineered products like Roundup Ready crops will reduce the presence of dangerous pesticides in the environment.

• Myth #18: Federal law makes it illegal to favor local farmers when purchasing food for public schools.

• Myth #17: Conservation tillage reduces global warming by trapping much more carbon in the soil when compared to conventional tillage.

• Myth #16: Large-scale factory livestock farms succeed because of the efficiencies of the free market.

• Myth #15: Organic vegetable production spawns outbreaks of deadly bacteria.

• Myth #14: Meat that’s labeled “all natural” is produced in a significantly different manner than meat produced in a “conventional” system.

• Myth #13: Industrial agriculture is efficient.

• Myth #12: Global climate change will benefit agriculture.

• Myth #11: Large-scale factory hog farming creates strong local economies.

• Myth #10: It will be prohibitively expensive to tell consumers what country their food comes from.

• Myth #9: All certified organic milk comes from cows that spend most of the year grazing on pastures.

• Myth #8: Insecticide sprays eliminate pest problems in farm fields.

• Myth #7: We no longer have a soil erosion problem in this country.

• Myth #6: Genetic engineering is the only viable method available for improving food crops.

• Myth #5: The only way for family farmers to survive in the livestock market is to sign an exclusive contract with a packer or sell specialty products through niche markets.

• Myth #4: The only way to get started in dairy farming is by investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in high-cost, full confinement systems.

• Myth #3: There are so few small- and medium-sized farms left that it is not worth saving them.

• Myth #2: Strict “Right to Farm” laws help alleviate land use conflicts in rural and suburban areas.

• Myth #1: Anti-corporate farm laws stifle rural economic development.

Contact

Brian DeVore, managing editor, 612-816-9342, e-mail

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Upcoming Events

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January 2026

Thursday January 22 – Saturday January 24

GrassWorks Grazing Conference
Thursday January 22 – Saturday January 24
GrassWorks Grazing Conference
La Crosse Center, 300 Harborview Plaza, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA

The 34th Annual GrassWorks Grazing Conference will take place Jan. 22–24 at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wis.

The 2026 conference will be centered on the theme: “Pastures to Prosperity: Building financially smart grazing systems for today’s land stewards.” This year’s focus highlights practical, innovative, and profitable approaches to grass-based livestock production, equipping farmers with tools to strengthen both environmental and economic sustainability.

GrassWorks is excited to welcome two nationally recognized keynote speakers:

  • Melinda Sims, Wyoming cattle rancher and Ranching for Profit instructor, known for her expertise in financial decision-making and resilient ranch business models.
  • Dwayne Estes, Executive Director of the Southeastern Grasslands Institute, a leading voice in grassland restoration, regenerative grazing, and agricultural landscape resilience.

Conference highlights include:

  • More than 60 expert speakers from across the grazing and agricultural sectors
  • Over 45 industry exhibitors featuring the latest in grazing tools, technology, and services.
  • Workshops for beginning, expanding, and experienced graziers
  • Panel discussions on farm profitability, land stewardship, and long-term business resilience.
  • Robust networking opportunities with farmers, technical service providers, and industry partners.

The GrassWorks Grazing Conference draws farmers, agricultural professionals, educators, and conservation partners from across the Midwest and beyond. Attendees can expect practical education, actionable strategies, and meaningful connections.

Registration information can be found at https://grassworks.org/events/grazing-conference.

Tuesday January 27

9:00 am – 3:00 pm
'Beyond Exports: Rebuilding Local Markets' LSP Soil Health Workshop
Tuesday January 27
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
'Beyond Exports: Rebuilding Local Markets' LSP Soil Health Workshop
Rochester International Event Center, 7333 Airport View Dr SW, Rochester, MN 55902, USA

On Tuesday, January 27 join Land Stewardship Project for our signature winter workshop. This year’s theme is “Beyond Exports: Rebuilding Local Markets”.

The workshop will be held from 9am to 3pm at the Rochester International Event Center (73333 Airport View Dr SW, Rochester, MN 55902).  Our featured keynote speaker is Martin Larsen, a farmer who is a founding member of the “Oat Mafia” in south-central Minnesota.  In the morning session, Martin will highlight the challenges and opportunities facing all farmers as they look beyond export load-out at the elevator and instead look to recreate the local markets that once served our farmers and consumers.  He will share his journey establishing food grade oats and founding the “oat mafia” and the agronomic, economic, and market impacts it has made for his farm.

After the keynote, attendees will have the option to choose two of three breakout sessions with local experts:

Session 1: Economics of Diversifying Your Rotations
Session 2: Marketing Your Alternative Crops
Session 3: Derisking Diversifying Your Rotations

Breakfast and a catered lunch will be provided.  

For details and to register, click here.
 
You may also contact event organizer Shea-Lynn Ramthun at 651-301-1897 or slramthun@landstewardshipproject.org. 

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
LSP Farm Transition Planning Course
Tuesday January 27
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
LSP Farm Transition Planning Course
Zoom Online

The Land Stewardship Project’s long-running course for farmers and other landowners looking to transition their agricultural operations to the next generation is expanding into South Dakota in 2026. The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) Winter Farm Transition Planning Course, which enters its 10th session in 2026, provides a holistic opportunity to dig into important topics and learn from experienced farmers and professionals about the options that farmers and landowners have when looking to pass their farm on.

The standard Zoom online LSP course will be held on seven Tuesday evenings starting on January 27 and running through March 10. The sessions build on one another, so attendance at all sessions ensures the greatest understanding and planning opportunities. The course fee is $250 per family, and registration is open through Jan. 9 at https://landstewardshipproject.org/transition2026.

New this year is an expanded course offering for South Dakota attendees as part of a partnership LSP has formed with Dakota Rural Action and Rural Revival.

The South Dakota course, led by Dakota Rural Action and Rural Revival and using the LSP curriculum, includes seven weekly in-person sessions, with a full-day Saturday kick-off session, and another full-day session to close the training. Sessions two through six will take place on Tuesday evenings for two-and-a-half hours. The dates are: Jan. 31, Feb. 3, Feb. 10,  Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 3 and March 14. As with the fully online course, the course fee is $250 per family, and the registration deadline is Jan. 9. To register for the South Dakota course, visit https://qrco.de/farmtransitions2026.

Presenters at both workshops will include other area farmers who are implementing farm transition plans, as well as professionals representing the legal and financial fields as they relate to agricultural businesses. Workshop participants will have an opportunity to begin engaging in the planning process as well as to learn about resources for continuing the process after the workshop has ended.

Friday January 30

9:00 am – 10:00 am
'Fridays with a Forester' Webinars
Friday January 30
9:00 am – 10:00 am
'Fridays with a Forester' Webinars
Recurs weekly
Zoom online

Join Extension foresters to discuss some of the key issues and questions around forest and woodlands facing Minnesota land stewards. These online sessions will be very informal, open to the public, and free of charge. Each session will start with a brief presentation followed by a discussion framed around participant questions on the topic. 
 

  • January 30: Life, death, and dinner in the forest canopy: a review of the spruce budworm and its predators – Jessica RootesFebruary 13: Stewardship strategies for resilient forests – Anna Stockstad 
  •  February 20: ParSci summary from 2025 and what’s coming in 2026 – Angela Gupta & Hana Kim 
  • February 27: Climate Ready Trees for Windbreaks and Silvopasture – Gary Wyatt, Angie Gupta and Kira Pollack 
  • March 20: Disturbance and Woodland Stewardship – Eli Sagor 
  • March 27: Recognizing, Preventing, and Managing Oak Wilt – Grace Haynes 
  • April 10: Management Considerations to Enhance Forest Habitat for Birds – Peter DieserA
  • April 17: Get Ready for Tree Seed Collection in Spring (Scouting & ParSci) – Kira Pollack
  • April 24: Growing and selling wood: Production forestry on private lands. – Eli Sagor, Extension Educator or Lane Moser, SFEC. Informal panel discussing production forestry and selling wood on private lands with Dave Nolle (MLEP), a consulting forester, and an industry forester.

To sign-up for these Zoom sessions, register at this link.

Recordings from all webinars over the years are available on this YouTube page.

5:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Multi-Generational Farm Transition Retreat: Red Wing
Friday January 30
5:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Multi-Generational Farm Transition Retreat: Red Wing
Pier 55 Red Wing Area Seniors, 240 Harrison St #2, Red Wing, MN 55066, USA

Join U of M Extension for hands-on planning and discussion on farm transition for the whole farm family. All generations actively involved in the farm should attend the retreat together, including spouses, partners and other relevant parties.

The farm transition program helps farm families dive deeper into conversations about:

  • Family and business goals
  • Job responsibilities
  • Financial needs of farms and families
  • Inheritance considerations
  • Mechanisms of transfer

For details and to register, click here. 

View Full Calendar

Recent Posts

  • Tell Congress Farmers Need Real Relief & Real Solutions January 18, 2026
  • LSP Stands With Immigrant Neighbors in Rural Minnesota  January 12, 2026
  • ‘Beyond Exports’ Focus of Jan. 27 Crop Diversification Meeting in Rochester January 11, 2026
  • Why LSP Stands With Our Immigrant Neighbors January 8, 2026
  • Priorities for 2026 Legislature: Soil, Water, Land Access, Consolidation, Farm to School January 8, 2026

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