Ear to the Ground 267: Bringing Science Back to the Farm

A 4th grade experiment launched farmer Connor McCormick down a path of researching linkages between ecology, agricultural economics, and healthy soil.

More Information

• Ear to the Ground 166: A farmer works with a professor and her students at St. Olaf College college to study the impacts of cropping on soil health.
• Connor McCormick Blog: Returning Home to Farm, Committed to a Conservation Tradition & Building Soil
• LSP’s Soil Health Web Page

You can find LSP Ear to the Ground podcast episodes on Spotify, Stitcher, iTunes, and other podcast platforms.

**Connor McCormick giving a presentation on his research related to tillage systems and soil health.**

Upcoming Events

July 2025

Wednesday July 9

8:00 am – 10:00 am

Risk to Resilience Climate Cohort

Wednesday July 9

8:00 am – 10:00 am

Risk to Resilience Climate Cohort

Online

Farming has always required adaptability, and today’s changing weather patterns are creating new challenges and opportunities. The Land Stewardship Project, in collaboration with University of Minnesota Extension, has created a resilience-focused program that gives commodity and small grain growers the opportunity to join a cohort with other like-minded farmers and learn how to prepare their operations for the future. At this Risk to Resilience cohort, you will learn:

How changing weather patterns in the Upper Midwest are likely to affect your farm.
How you can prepare a plan that protects your farm from a changing climate.
How to improve your planning skills and meet with experts for opportunities to grow climate resilience on your farm.
How to build community with fellow farmers interested in creating operations that are sustainable and resilient in the long term.

Program Details:

Online format — join from your home or farm.
Four sessions, 10-15 hours total investment — built for busy schedules, beginning July 2025. We’ll pause workshops for small grains harvest and resume in August 2025.
A $250 stipend will be provided to participants who attend the sessions and provide feedback on experience and content.

Dates of the Risk to Resilience Sessions:

Wednesday, July 9, 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
Wednesday, July 16, 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
Harvest Break
Wednesday, August 20, 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
Wednesday, August 27, 8 a.m.-10 a.m.

To register, click here.

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

LSP Lewiston Office Summer Potluck Lunch

Wednesday July 9

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

LSP Lewiston Office Summer Potluck Lunch

Land Stewardship Project, 180 E Main St, Lewiston, MN 55952, USA

Spring planting is behind us and midsummer is upon us! Take a quick break from all the action by celebrating summer with the Land Stewardship Project by joining us for lunch at our Lewiston office.

Our Summer Potluck will be held on Wednesday, July 9, from noon to 2 p.m., at our office in downtown Lewiston, Minn. (180 E. Main Street). This will be an opportunity to build community, hear from other farmers, socialize, and enjoy a great meal together. We also invite everyone to take a self-guided tour of the newly renovated spaces in our office that we have been working on over the winter. As a member-driven organization, this is your space too.

LSP will be providing the main dish (meat and vegetarian options) and we invite you to bring a dish to pass. This event is open to all, so please bring a friend or two as well. Let’s celebrate the joy of summer through good food and good company!

RSVP’s are encouraged, but not required. Hope to see you there — you can RSVP by e-mailing LSP’s Alex Romano direct.

Saturday July 12

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek's Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters

Saturday July 12

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek's Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters

Farmers Community Park, 23274 Arches Road Lewiston, MN 55952

During the Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek’s Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters event, the Land Stewardship Project will mark the three-year anniversary of a major fish kill in southeastern Minnesota that spawned citizen action and led to new public policy around how such events are reported. Join Land Stewardship Project and our partners at Farmers Park, Saturday July 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lewiston, Minnesota. Register here.

What to expect?

Fly fishing demonstration led by Minnesota Trout Unlimted and LSP member, Lee Stoe. Please bring your own fishing gear.
Minnesota Trout Unlimited & Izaak Walton League staff and members will be leading macroinvertebrate sampling of Garvin Brook and discussing what they tell us about the health of the stream.
Discussion on how regenerative farming systems can support healthy soil and clean water.
Opportunity to take action! Help prevent future fish kills by sharing how you think the Minnesot Feedlot Rule, which is open for comment through July 22, should be stronger. Postcards will be available to fill out and send with your comments.
Farmers Park is a great spot for birding. Please bring your binoculars!
You are welcome to bring your own snacks or picnic lunch; food will not be provided at this event.

LSP is partnering with several community groups for this event, including:

Minnesota Trout Unlimited, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Izaak Walton League, Food & Water Watch, and Savanna Institute

Tuesday July 15

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Organic Fruit & Vegetable Field Day
Tuesday July 15
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Organic Fruit & Vegetable Field Day
1805 Dudley Ave, Falcon Heights, MN 55113, USA
Join U of M researchers and Extension for updates on organic fruit and vegetable research and tour the Student Organic Farm and the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station in Saint Paul. Topics include: organic insect management, integrating livestock into vegetable farms, new crops for Minnesota, irrigation strategies, and more. Free to the public.

For details and to register, click here.

Wednesday July 16

8:00 am – 10:00 am

Risk to Resilience Climate Cohort

Wednesday July 16

8:00 am – 10:00 am

Risk to Resilience Climate Cohort

Online

How changing weather patterns in the Upper Midwest are likely to affect your farm.
How you can prepare a plan that protects your farm from a changing climate.
How to improve your planning skills and meet with experts for opportunities to grow climate resilience on your farm.
How to build community with fellow farmers interested in creating operations that are sustainable and resilient in the long term.

Program Details:

Online format — join from your home or farm.
Four sessions, 10-15 hours total investment — built for busy schedules, beginning July 2025. We’ll pause workshops for small grains harvest and resume in August 2025.
A $250 stipend will be provided to participants who attend the sessions and provide feedback on experience and content.

Dates of the Risk to Resilience Sessions:

Wednesday, July 9, 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
Wednesday, July 16, 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
Harvest Break
Wednesday, August 20, 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
Wednesday, August 27, 8 a.m.-10 a.m.

To register, click here.

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