No. 3, 2020, Land Stewardship Letter

• An online version of the Land Stewardship Letter is here.

• Archived versions of Land Stewardship Letters are here.

• Paper copies are available by contacting Brian DeVore at 612-722-6377 or via e-mail.

Stewardship Roots…3
• Sustainable Vs. Regenerative

In Remembrance…4
• Dennis Johnson’s Deep-Rooted Legacy

Myth Buster…5
• Fake Meat’s False Promise

LSP News…6
• Staff Changes
• Driessen Joins LSP Board

Policy & Organizing…8
• Giving Voice to the Needs of Rural Communities
• 2021 Organizing & Social Change Cohort
• Farm Crisis Resources
• Farmers Taking Action on Climate
• Members Speak Out on Soil & Climate

Justice on the Land…12
• Cultural Competency
• LSP’s Vision for the Future
• Rural Voices for Racial Justice Video Series

Soil Health…14
• Letting Livestock do the Work
• Join the Soil Builders’ Network
• LSP Releases Reports on Soil Health Initiatives
• Summer 2020 Grazing Photo Contest
• Songs of the Soil
• Reaching Out to the Risk-Adverse
• Soil Stats: Good News & Bad News

Farm Beginnings…24
• An Enigma in Farm Country
• Workshops: Conservation on Rented Land
• Is Farming in Your Future?
• 2021-2022 Farm Beginnings Course

Farm Transitions…27
• Seeking Farmers-Seeking Land Clearinghouse
• Winter Farm Transition Workshops

Reviews…28
• Perilous Bounty
• Erosion

Membership Update…30
• Help Reinforce LSP’s Roots of Resilience
• Ways to Support LSP
• Support LSP in Your Workplace
• Membership Questions?
• T-shirts! Bumper Stickers! Calendars!
• In Memory & in Honor

Stewardship Calendar…32
• Meetings & Workshops

2021 CSA Directory…32
• Farmers: Sign-up for the 2021 Directory

Upcoming Events

August 2025

Friday August 22

8:30 am – 4:00 pm: Adaptive Grazing & Fencing Workshop
Friday August 22
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Adaptive Grazing & Fencing Workshop
Olmsted County, Minn.
Farmers, ranchers, and landowners interested in improving their grazing systems and fencing strategies are invited to attend the Adaptive Grazing & Fencing two-day workshop scheduled for August 21–22, in Olmsted County.

This workshop is being hosted by Olmsted County Soil and Water Conservation District, Minnesota Grazing Lands Conservation Association, and the University of Minnesota Extension in Olmsted County, and is open to all those interested.

Led by grazing specialist Kent Solberg, this practical, hands-on workshop will explore strategies to enhance forage productivity, soil health, and profitability through adaptive grazing.

Day 1 will be held at Alan Bedtka’s Farm and will focus on the big picture of grazing, its effects on soil health, riparian zones, weed management, and grazing economics.

Day 2 will take place at John Meyer’s Farm and will delve into cost-effective fencing, water systems, and real-world adaptive grazing practices that can be tailored to changing conditions.

Cost: $75/person (includes lunch both days)
Scholarships: 10 scholarships available for those needing financial assistance (inquire early).

More Information: For more information and to register, see the Minnesota Grazing Lands Conservation Association website. You can also contact: 507-328-7070 or e-mail PWService@olmstedcounty.gov.

Sunday August 24

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Livestock Consolidation Town Hall With AG Ellison in Central MN
Sunday August 24
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Livestock Consolidation Town Hall With AG Ellison in Central MN
Central Minnesota
LSP will be hosting a town hall meeting Sunday, Aug. 24, in Paynesville, Minn., on consolidation in livestock agriculture. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will be on-hand to hear from producers about their experiences with monopoly power. This meeting is for small to mid-sized livestock producers and others who want to push back against consolidation in agriculture.

This town hall will be held at Lake Koronis Regional Park, 51612 Co. Hwy. 20, Paynesville, MN (large picnic shelter; look for the LSP signs).

To reserve a spot, click here. For more information, contact LSP organizer Matthew Sheets via e-mail or at 612-767-9709.

Tuesday August 26

9:30 am – 3:00 pm: UW Organic Agriculture Research Field Day
Tuesday August 26
9:30 am – 3:00 pm
UW Organic Agriculture Research Field Day
Arlington, WI 53911, USA

This University of Wisconsin Organic Grain Resource and Information Network field day will feature tours and talks about the latest in organic systems research. Attendees will learn about reduced-tillage corn and soybeans, no-till dry beans, advances in food-grade grains, emerging crops, biocontrol agents to manage white mold in soybeans, and on-farm soil health research.

For more information and to register, click here.

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.

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