Ear to the Ground No. 248: Giving a Damn About the Future of Ag

Over the past two decades, LSP’s Farm Beginnings course has developed into a nationally-recognized program for launching the next generation of innovative farmers. Karen Stettler and Amy Bacigalupo talk about how Farm Beginnings got started, the community-centered philosophy it’s based on, and where it’s headed.

• For more on LSP’s Farm Beginnings and Journeyperson initiatives, click here.

• Details on the national Farm Beginnings collaborative are available here.

Upcoming Events

December 2024

Friday December 13

9:30 am – 2:30 pm: Soil Health=Net Profit Workshop
Friday December 13
9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Soil Health=Net Profit Workshop
RENVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER, 221 Main St N, Renville, MN 56284, USA
Join the Renville County Soil and Water Conservation District in exploring how to make soil health practices profitable for you. Learn how to use data from soil tests as a financial tool, get tips for building a cash flow for regenerative agriculture, and meet with local farmers, bankers, seed and equipment dealers, and local government. Topics covered include “regenerative cash flow,” grower context, automated drainage and cover crops, and economics and testing regenerative agriculture.

Register by Dec. 5 for a free lunch. To register, click here.

For details, check out this flier.

Tuesday December 17 – Wednesday December 18

Wisconsin Water & Soil Health Conference

Tuesday December 17 – Wednesday December 18

Wisconsin Water & Soil Health Conference

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions - Wisconsin Dells, 1305 Kalahari Dr, Baraboo, WI 53913, USA

Mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual Wisconsin Water and Soil Health (WWASH) Conference.This year’s conference will bring together experts, farmers, and conservationists to discuss the latest advancements in soil health and practices that promote water quality.

For details, click here.

Tuesday December 17

10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Farm Food Safety Workshop
Tuesday December 17
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Farm Food Safety Workshop
Madison Mercantile, 601 1st St, Madison, MN 56256, USA
This University of Minnesota workshop provides a deep dive into Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) on the farm. GAPs are science-based, farm-level practices for keeping fresh produce safe.

GAPs training is for farm owners, workers, and gardeners who grow, harvest, and pack fresh fruits and vegetables for sale to all markets, including farmers’ markets, CSA, retail, schools, restaurants, or who donate produce to others.

Connect with other produce growers and receive help in writing your own food safety plan.

Attendees will receive a certificate of completion and will be entered into drawings for food-safety supplies to take home. Training certificates are accepted as documentation of food safety training for the Produce Safety Mini Grant available through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Trainers include an experienced produce farmer and University of Minnesota Extension staff who will cover all aspects of on-farm food safety.

Workshop capacity is limited to 30 participants; there is no charge and lunch is provided. To register, click here.

January 2025

Friday January 10 – Saturday January 11

Practical Farmers of Iowa Annual Conference

Friday January 10 – Saturday January 11

Practical Farmers of Iowa Annual Conference

833 5th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA

For more information, click here.

Tuesday January 21 – Thursday January 23

MN Young & Emerging Farmers Workshop

Tuesday January 21 – Thursday January 23

MN Young & Emerging Farmers Workshop

Mankato

A short application process will be required to be accepted into the Minnesota Young and Emerging Farmer Workshop. Requirements include being 21-45 years of age and actively crop farming in Minnesota. Applications, which close Nov. 15, will be reviewed and selected by Dec. 1, and maxed at 40 participants, after which a wait list will become available. Participation is free with lodging expenses also covered.

The application link can be found here.

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