Ear to the Ground 378: Dumping the Doubts

Noreen Thomas got into organic crop farming almost three decades ago as a way to produce healthy food and survive economically. Today, she’s the mentor she never had.

More Information

• Register for LSP’s “Bringing Small Grains Back to Minnesota” Networking Meeting on Aug. 2, 2025, in Madison, Minn.
• Doubting Thomas Farms
• 2025 LSP Albert Lea Small Grains Workshop Presentations

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

**Noreen Thomas with a stand of experimental perennial sunflowers growing on her farm in the Red River Valley.**

Upcoming Events

July 2025

Saturday July 26

9:00 am – 2:30 pm: Ray Archuleta Soil Health Series: White Earth Nation Community Day
Saturday July 26
9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Ray Archuleta Soil Health Series: White Earth Nation Community Day
1482 MN-200, Mahnomen, MN 56557, USA
Details are here.

Tuesday July 29 – Wednesday July 30

Premier Soil Health School 2025

Tuesday July 29 – Wednesday July 30

Premier Soil Health School 2025

38270 Kenwood Ave, Redwood Falls, MN 56283, USA

Details are here.

Tuesday July 29

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Unlocking Conservation Resources for Communities & Farms

Tuesday July 29

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Unlocking Conservation Resources for Communities & Farms

Gorecki Community Center, 435 2nd St NW, Milaca, MN 56353, USA

Join Renewing the Countryside and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) this summer at one of their eight conservation events in a town near you, where you will:

Learn how conservation benefits Minnesota’s rural communities.
Hear from a panel of local speakers.
Discover available NRCS Farm Bill programs and the economics of on-farm practices.
Enjoy a complimentary lunch, plus a chance to win door prizes.
Network with local farmers, neighbors, and conservation professionals.
Receive helpful materials and personalized support on next steps after the event.

For more information, click here.

Locations & Dates:
Each event is free, open to all, and runs from noon to 2 p.m. at the venues listed. Space is limited, please register in advance.

Hallock (Kittson County) – Tues, July 22 @ Far North Spirits
Elbow Lake (Grant County) – Wed, July 23 @ Elbow Lake Community Building
Sleepy Eye (Brown County) – Thur, July 24 @ Sleepy Eye Brewing Company
Milaca (Mille Lacs County) – Tues, July 29 @ Gorecki Community Center
Mora (Kanabec County) – Thur, July 31 @ Sapsucker Farms Yellow Belly Cidery
Owatonna (Steele County) – Tues, August 5 @ Owatonna Public Utilities Building
Jordan (Scott County) – Wed, August 6 @ Ridges at Sand Creek
Fairmont (Martin County) – Thur, August 7 @ Red Rock Center for the Arts

Wednesday July 30

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Healthy Roots & Clean Boots: Soil Health Event for the Whole Family

Wednesday July 30

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Healthy Roots & Clean Boots: Soil Health Event for the Whole Family

1015 70th Ave SE, Murdock, MN 56271, USA

This is a free, family-friendly Swift County SWCD event all about soil health and sustainable farming. Explore exciting, hands-on exhibits and demonstrations designed to teach both kids and adults about how farmers are caring for the land. There will also be several agricultural vendors on site, including consultants, product suppliers, and more.

Enjoy activities like:

Rainfall Simulator
Cover Crop Plots
Stream Table
Seeding Drone Displays
Soil to Snack
The Edible Underground
GeoSandbox Explorer
Equipment Displays
Ask-a-Soil-Health-Farmer Booth

A free-will donation meal will be served, with all proceeds supporting local soil health programs.

For details and to register, click here.

Thursday July 31

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Unlocking Conservation Resources for Communities & Farms

Thursday July 31

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Unlocking Conservation Resources for Communities & Farms

Sapsucker Farms Yellow Belly Cidery, 2752 215th Ave, Mora, MN 55051, USA

Join Renewing the Countryside and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) this summer at one of their eight conservation events in a town near you, where you will:

Learn how conservation benefits Minnesota’s rural communities.
Hear from a panel of local speakers.
Discover available NRCS Farm Bill programs and the economics of on-farm practices.
Enjoy a complimentary lunch, plus a chance to win door prizes.
Network with local farmers, neighbors, and conservation professionals.
Receive helpful materials and personalized support on next steps after the event.

For more information, click here.

Locations & Dates:
Each event is free, open to all, and runs from noon to 2 p.m. at the venues listed. Space is limited, please register in advance.

Hallock (Kittson County) – Tues, July 22 @ Far North Spirits
Elbow Lake (Grant County) – Wed, July 23 @ Elbow Lake Community Building
Sleepy Eye (Brown County) – Thur, July 24 @ Sleepy Eye Brewing Company
Milaca (Mille Lacs County) – Tues, July 29 @ Gorecki Community Center
Mora (Kanabec County) – Thur, July 31 @ Sapsucker Farms Yellow Belly Cidery
Owatonna (Steele County) – Tues, August 5 @ Owatonna Public Utilities Building
Jordan (Scott County) – Wed, August 6 @ Ridges at Sand Creek
Fairmont (Martin County) – Thur, August 7 @ Red Rock Center for the Arts

View Full Calendar