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

September 2022

Friday September 30 – Sunday October 2

Upper Minnesota River Valley Arts Crawl

Friday September 30 – Sunday October 2

Planning on joining the Meander Art Crawl in the Upper Minnesota River Valley Sept. 30-Oct. 2? While checking out the art, munch on local foods produced by LSP member-farmers and others that will be featured at various Meander stops. For a complete list, click here.

Friday September 30

9:00 am – 2:00 pm: Field Day on Test Plots, Cover Crop Interseeding, Pollinators & Grazing

Field Day on Test Plots, Cover Crop Interseeding, Pollinators & Grazing

Friday September 30

9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Test plots, interseeding and grazing cover crops, fencing around crop fields, pollinator plantings and transitioning to organic will be the focus of a Land Stewardship Project field day Friday, Sept. 30, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Lawler farm near Eyota (930 70th Ave. NE). Although much of the Lawlers’ home farm is organic, the test plots are managed conventionally, and the field day is open to all producers. The event is free and lunch will be provided. To reserve a spot, contact LSP’s Maura Curry at 651-249-6308 or mcurry@landstewardshipproject.org, or visit bit.ly/LawlerFieldDay.

Directions: From Highway 14, turn north onto 55th Avenue NE, then take a right on Collegeview Road E., and a left on 70th Ave. to arrive at the home farm. The field day will take place at University of Minnesota test plots down the road from the farm.

Steve, Tim and Joe Lawler operate a seventh generation row crop and beef cattle farm. The Lawlers believe that in order to be true stewards of the land, soil health and regeneration must be the foundation of their enterprises. Steve is a registered soil scientist and has worked in the private sector, along with various state and federal agencies, promoting, researching and implementing soil health and conservation best practices. Tim has a degree in agronomy and spent his early years in Brazil educating and working directly with farmers and ranchers. He recently retired from a career in agribusiness. Joe has a degree in accounting and works in the energy sector.

Besides providing a look at their use of soil health practices to raise crops, the Lawlers will present information on their livestock production enterprise. Nutrient management, grazing and watering considerations will be discussed. Along with cover crop and livestock integration, the Lawlers would like to share other practices they have implemented, including no/minimum-till, shelterbelts, rotational grazing and stream bank fencing.

October 2022

Saturday October 1

8:30 am – 1:30 pm: Agroecology in Plants & Soil Health Workshop Series: Life in Soil

Agroecology in Plants & Soil Health Workshop Series: Life in Soil

Saturday October 1

8:30 am – 1:30 pm

Minnesota State College Southeast is putting on a new series in agroecology, with an emphasis on plants and soil health. This series is designed to encourage and support the planning, development, and production efforts of local urban gardeners and farmers. All different types of adult learners interested in applying ecological principles in the management of plants and soil are invited to attend. The series will be taught by Bruno Borsari. For details on the entire series, check out this flier.

To register, click here.

Sunday October 2

4:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Soil Health Deep Canvass — MN Senate District 24

Soil Health Deep Canvass — MN Senate District 24

Sunday October 2

4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Join us in calling voters in Senate District 24 (Olmsted and Dodge Counties) to have in-depth and values-based conversations about why we need to elect state legislators who will champion public investments in our soil and climate. Before we dive into the calling, we will be reviewing the script and who we’ll be calling, and answering any questions you have. Attend via Zoom or in-person at the Land Stewardship Minneapolis office.

This is critical organizing work that will make a difference in this fall’s election and beyond, so we hope you can be a part of this work with us!

To register, click here.

Monday October 3

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm: MN Farm & Food Campaign Listening Session — Montevideo

MN Farm & Food Campaign Listening Session — Montevideo

Monday October 3

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Imagine a holistic Minnesota Farm and Food Bill that invests in people and the land, not corporate interests and the status quo. What would you want to see in it? What does our state need to do to support emerging farmers, regional food systems, local processing, farm and food system workers, and sustainable and regenerative farming?

Join LSP to build a comprehensive platform that invests in the agricultural system we need in Minnesota. To register, click here.

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