AUSTIN, Minn. — Farmers in the Austin area are invited to a special networking event Thursday, Aug. 22, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Lightly Farm (22238 880th Ave., Oakland, Minn.). This Land Stewardship Project (LSP) event is free and attendees are invited to bring a dish to share and a lawn chair. LSP will be providing grilled burgers. Children are welcome and accommodations will be made for those with accessibility needs. To reserve a spot, see bit.ly/austingather or contact LSP’s Shea-Lynn Ramthun at 651-301-1897 or rlranthum@landstewardshipproject.org.

The goal of this event is to give area farmers an opportunity to build a local network of like-minded people focused on soil health and sustainable practices. Attendees will join the host farmers for a field walk in a sunflower field, and have the opportunity to participate in a potluck and yard games as well as to spend time connecting with other farmers in the area.

“Farming should include a trusted network that ensures we are all successful,” said Ramthun. “It’s an opportunity to explore the question of ‘How could having a network of farmers that provide support, resources, and comradery impact your farm?’ ”

Host farm owners Scott and Dawn Lightly represent the 5th generation on their family’s land. Lightly Farm is a row crop operation that uses soil health practices such as no-till and cover cropping and is exploring implementing a more diverse crop rotation. This is their first year growing commercial sunflowers for Seven Sundays, a cereal company based in Minneapolis.

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The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) is a nonprofit 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. More information is at landstewardshipproject.org.