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Land Line: Soil Health Survey, Central MN Nitrogen Pollution, Bucking the Nitro Trend, New Food Movement?, New Crop Barriers, CAFOS & Climate, Ag Policy Post-Blue Wave

By Brian DeVore (editor)
November 11, 2026

Sign Up for E-mail Delivery of The Land Line Soil Health Survey: 5 Key Takeaways from Minnesota Farmers (10/29/26) Minnesota Crop News reports on the results of a survey of 1,100 farmers across Minnesota to better understand their perspectives on soil management and soil health practices. Highlights: Over 80% of respondents feel a responsibility to…  Read More →

Ear to the Ground 416: A Logical Approach

Myron Sylling approaches farming from a no-nonsense, cause-and-effect point of view. So, he asks, if a reliance on heavy dosages of fertilizer is costing producers money while polluting our water, what’s keeping us from building a less nitrate-tainted farming system? (last in a series on nitrates, farming, and water) More Information • LSP’s Rethink Nitrogen…  Read More →

Ear to the Ground 415: Raise Your Hand

Lance Petersen feels strongly that as agriculture’s regulatory future related to nitrate pollution is being debated, one thing is certain: farmers like himself need to be in the room, at the table, and taking part in the discussion. (part of a series on nitrates, farming, and water) More Information • LSP’s Rethink Nitrogen Campaign •…  Read More →

Ear to the Ground 414: Refish the Nish

What do you do when your county has the highest cancer rate in the state and the local river experiences a catastrophic fish kill? Denise O’Brien, Larry Harris, and their neighbors responded by asking an important question: “What’s in the water?” (part of a series on nitrates, farming, and water) More Information • Nishnabotna Water…  Read More →

Ear to the Ground 413: The View from Downstream

Making sure 600,000 people are consistently consuming water that meets health standards for nitrates is Amy Kahler’s job. That’s a big challenge when the land upstream is some of the most productive crop ground in the country. (part of a series on nitrates, farming, and water) More Information • LSP’s Rethink Nitrogen Campaign • Other…  Read More →

Ear to the Ground 412: ABG

Nutrient management expert Matthew Helmers has researched how certain land use practices can have a “disproportionate impact” when it comes to nitrate pollution reduction. He says it all starts with focusing on a simple mantra: “always be growing.” (part of a series on nitrates, farming, and water) More Information • LSP’s Rethink Nitrogen Campaign •…  Read More →

Ear to the Ground 410: Navigating a Way Out

Paul and Trudi Schaefer always assumed they would live out their lives on the farm they built up over several decades. When they realized they needed to move on, their first step was to take LSP’s Farm Transition Planning Course. More Information • LSP 2027 Farm Transition Course • LSP Land Transition Tools • LSP…  Read More →

Ear to the Ground 409: Mass Market Madness

Connecting directly with eaters is a priority for pastured-based livestock farmers Ellen and Jim Gardner. So how do they balance growing their market with keeping face-to-face relationships intact? More Information • Gardner Family Farm • LSP’s Community-Based Food Systems Page • LSP’s Soil Health Page • LSP’s Farm Beginnings Page You can find LSP Ear…  Read More →

Farmers Discuss Balancing Profits & Clean Water When it Comes to Nitrogen

LSP’s Farmer-Centered ‘Rethinking Nitrogen’ Campaign Launched

August 25, 2026

BYRON, Minn. — How do you grapple with a hidden problem? That was a question at the center of a Land Stewardship Project (LSP) “Smarter Nitrogen Policy” discussion involving around two dozen farmers, water quality experts and state legislators at the Martin Larsen farm near Byron Aug. 20. “We fix what we can see —…  Read More →

The Enemy of Good

Farming’s Reality Challenges Jane Marynik’s Pursuit of Perfection

By Brian DeVore
August 5, 2026

2026-2027 Farm Beginnings Class LSP is now accepting applications for its 2026-2027 Farm Beginnings class session. The application deadline is Sept. 1. For details, click here. ♦ ♦ ♦ The phrase “Perfect is the enemy of good” is often attributed to the French Enlightenment writer and historian Voltaire. His actual quote is, “The best is…  Read More →