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 1

All Day: Early Bird Discount Deadline for LSP's Farm Beginnings Class
Friday August 1
Early Bird Discount Deadline for LSP's Farm Beginnings Class
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.
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Roots & Rotation Grazing Field Day
Friday August 1
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Roots & Rotation Grazing Field Day
22545 Co Rd 42, Richmond, MN 56368, USA
Roots and Rotation is a summer field day series happening across Minnesota. These field days will discuss the use of livestock for soil health goals in different agricultural systems.

Learn about the benefits of integrating livestock onto cropland and how to make it work on your operation. Hear from experienced farmers and Extension educators specializing in crops, livestock, and soil health. These events are for producers looking to elevate their cropland soil health and increase their forage resources.

For more information and to register, see the Minnesota Grazing Lands Conservation Association website.

Saturday August 2

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

LSP Small Grains Field Day/Networking Event

Saturday August 2

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

LSP Small Grains Field Day/Networking Event

Madison Mercantile, 601 1st St, Madison, MN 56256, USA

Building on the momentum and popularity of the Land Stewardship Project’s Small Grain Markets Workshop in Albert Lea, Minn., this past winter, we are offering a second free networking event in western Minnesota on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in Madison, Minn. All those curious about small grains are welcome.

We will hear from two western Minnesota farmers who have found success in growing and marketing small grains: Noreen Thomas of Doubting Thomas Farms and Peter Haugen of Sandhill Mill. Additionally, Gilbert Williams, a longtime grain mill operator and small grains procurement expert, will walk us through the processing side of the business. Lunch will be provided.

You can reserve a spot here.

For more information, contact LSP’s Alex Kiminski
at akiminski@landstewardshipproject.org.

3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Sea of Grass 'Prairie Walk & Author Talk'

Saturday August 2

3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Sea of Grass 'Prairie Walk & Author Talk'

Lac qui Parle State Park, 14047 20th St NW, Watson, MN 56295, USA

Join LSP for a book reading and Q & A with Dave Hage and Josephine Marcotty, the authors of Sea of Grass: The Conquest, Ruin, and Redepmtion of Nature on the American Priaire, at Lac qui Parle State Park. Prior to the book reading, we will go on a guided prairie walk to learn firsthand about the great Minnesotan prairies. Through the event, we will gain an understanding of the history, present, and future of the land and ways to work towards building more sustainable and just food and farming systems that protect our natural ecosystems. You can read a review of Sea of Grass in the current Land Stewardship Letter.

To reserve a spot, click here.

Schedule:

3 p.m. – Guided prairie walk with prairie naturalist Amy Rager
4:30 p.m. – Sea of Grass book reading by authors Dave Hage and Josephine Marcotty
5 p.m. – Q & A with Dave and Josephine
5:30 p.m. – Discussion and reflection
6 p.m. – Dinner

Camping will be available at Lac qui Parle State Park. LSP has reserved a Group Camp Site which is in the lower area of the park and can accommodate up to 50 people. Only tents are allowed — participants will need to bring their own tents and supplies. There is no electrical hookup; water spigot and vault toilets available. Please let us know via the event registration form if you plan to camp at the Group Camp Site.

For more information, contact LSP’s Melody Arteaga at marteaga@landstewardshipproject.org.

Tuesday August 5 – Thursday August 7

Farmfest 2025

Tuesday August 5 – Thursday August 7

Farmfest 2025

28366 County Hwy 13, Morgan, MN 56266, USA

Details are here.

View Full Calendar

Land Stewardship Project

Table of Contents

Contact