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Nitrogen Pollution’s Farm Policy Roots

Talk about ignoring the elephant in the room. When Minnesota environmental officials announced the results of a new major nitrogen pollution study on Thursday, they were surprisingly frank about how bad the problem is, but just as surprisingly hesitant to name a major underlying cause: federal farm policy. First the problem: basically, the Minnesota Pollution…  Read More

The (Growing) High Price of an Unreformed Crop Insurance Program

Just when you think the facts and figures around federal subsidized crop insurance can’t get any more outlandish, new numbers emerge exposing the out-of-control spending and lack of accountability for this area of farm policy. Earlier this month, USDA released the most recent data on crop insurance costs. It’s ugly: the federal government anticipates doling…  Read More

Ear to the Ground 370: Bending the Bird Curve

  The feathered residents of America’s grasslands are in big trouble, but Audubon ecologist Krysten Zummo sees regenerative grazing as a way for bovines to benefit birds. More Information • Audubon Conservation Ranching Program • Krysten Zummo Contact Information • LSP Grazing & Soil Health Page • The Monitoring Tool Box • Wild Farm Alliance…  Read More

Ear to the Ground 369: Emerging Agrarians

Ka Zoua Berry says supporting a future generation of farmers who don’t fit the traditional Midwestern stereotype isn’t just about building a resilient farm and food system. It’s also about building resilient communities. More Information • Big River Farms • Emerging Farmers Conference • Farmland Access Hub • LSP Farmland Clearinghouse You can find LSP…  Read More

Ear to the Ground 368: Big Ag-Big Problems

An extractive economic system is decimating and dividing our rural communities. Now, more than ever, we need solidarity, says Cristina Ortiz. More Information • LSP’s Community-Based Food System Web Page • LSP’s Justice & Stewardship Web Page • LSP’s Policy Campaign Page You can find LSP Ear to the Ground podcast episodes on Spotify, Pandora, iTunes,…  Read More

Ear to the Ground 367: Disrupting the Food Chain

Mastering the market is no easy task for a cutting-edge perennial grain. What lessons have the staff at Forever Green learned from their work with Kernza? More Information • Forever Green Initiative • Blog: Don Wyse’s Land Grant Legacy • Ear to the Ground 365: Perennial Pivot • Ear to the Ground 229: Kernza’s Continuous…  Read More

Ear to the Ground 366: Dynamic De-Riskers

Wendy Johnson is experimenting with Kernza because she believes in the power of perennials. And livestock are helping make this cutting-edge crop a little less of a gamble. More Information • Jóia Food & Fiber Farm • Forever Green Initiative • Ear to the Ground 367: Disrupting the Food Chain • Ear to the Ground 365:…  Read More

Ear to the Ground 365: Perennial Pivot

When Sogn Valley Farm transitioned out of intensive production of vegetable crops, it opened up opportunities to utilize a unique cousin of wheat as a way to steward the land. More Information • Sogn Valley Farm • Forever Green Initiative • Ear to the Ground 367: Disrupting the Food Chain • Ear to the Ground…  Read More

Ear to the Ground 364: Savanna Symbiosis

Stephen Thomforde sees integrating trees, grass, and grazing animals as a way to support one of the most productive ecosystems in existence, and history backs up his argument. More Information • Stephen Thomforde Website • Land Stewardship Letter: Silvopasturing’s Silver Lining • Land Stewardship Letter: 2017 Feature on Mastodon Valley Farm • Sustainable Farming Association…  Read More

Ear to the Ground 281: Report from the Underground

A journey into southeastern Minnesota’s geological basement reveals that building soil health can help make “clear” and “clean” equal the same thing. More Information: LSP’s Soil Health web page Minnesota Conservation Volunteer article: “The Farmer Who Went Underground” In July 2022, Aaron Bishop shot this video of flooding in Niagara Cave shortly after a rainstorm. Ear…  Read More