Ear to the Ground 49
How Equal Exchange uses Fair Trade to help farmers.
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Searched for: MFU Support of Fair Repair February 2023
Ear to the Ground 14
Economist Richard Levins describes how farmers can use market power to get paid a fair price for their production.
Tell Your Legislators: Fund the SE MN Groundwater & Soil Health Initiative
Contact Lawmakers by May 14
Nitrate levels in southeastern Minnesota’s groundwater are a major problem — and thousands of families depend on that water for drinking. The good news: we have a proven solution. The Olmsted County Groundwater Protection and Soil Health Program has helped farmers reduce nitrate leaching across thousands of acres since 2023. Now, the Minnesota Legislature has an… Read More →
Land Line: Farm Finance Crisis, Mental Health, Inflated Inputs, Crop-Livestock Synergy, Bread Bloat, Pesticides in Water, Soil Health & MAHA
Minnesota Farmers Seek State Aid as Foreclosure Crisis Looms (8/8/25) Financially strapped Minnesota farmers are asking the state to intervene with their lenders at a midsummer rate not seen in almost a decade, reports the Star Tribune. Highlights: In June, 197 farmers filed notice for help from the University of Minnesota Extension’s Farmer-Lender Mediation program.… Read More →
Sign the Petition for Legislative Support of “Farm to Kids”
2025 Legislative Session Concludes May 19
The AGRI Farm to School and Early Care Programs have been critical for expanding market access opportunities across the state, especially for beginning farmers and smaller operators, as well as for getting healthy, local food to our kids in both schools and childcare settings. This initiative reimburse schools and early childcare education centers for purchases… Read More →
Oats & The 3-Legged Stool of Farm Resiliency
This Humble Grain Represents One Commonsense Approach to Diversifying the Landscape
In case you haven’t noticed, the humble oat is having a bit of a moment. After decades of declines in oat plantings in Minnesota, acreage increased this year. Market demand for the small grain is up, a group of farmers are attempting to pull together funding for a major processing plant in southern Minnesota, and… Read More →
Stand with Emerging & BIPOC Farmers Today
Key Senate Hearing Monday, April 8
We wanted to reach out to fill you in on what is going on at the Minnesota Legislature when it comes to the prioritization of emerging farmers in Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Rural Finance Authority (RFA) programs. While we laid out the full context in this blog, here are the top five things… Read More →
LSP Says State Work Plan Falls Short in Addressing Nitrate Pollution in SE MN
Focus Should be on Promoting Water-Friendly Farming Systems, Not the Status Quo
LEWISTON, Minn. — A work plan submitted by Minnesota state agencies to address nitrate pollution in southeastern Minnesota does not address the root cause of the problem and instead relies on pre-existing programs that have shown little evidence of success thus far, said members of the Land Stewardship Project (LSP). “We know that we can… Read More →
Ear to the Ground 317: Policy on the Prairie
Adam Griebie’s agricultural stewardship ethic has been bolstered by federal farm policy, but there’s room for improvement. More Information • LSP’s 2023 Farm Bill Platform • LSP’s Federal Policy Web Page You can find LSP Ear to the Ground podcast episodes on Spotify, Pandora, iTunes, and other podcast platforms.
One Year after Major Winona County Fish Kill, Citizen Action Has Made an Impact
LEWISTON, Minn. — A lot of proverbial water has passed under the bridge in the 12 months since a major fish kill was discovered south of Lewiston: local residents banded together to learn more about the area’s vulnerable water resources; several groups teamed up to raise awareness of threats to streams, rivers and wells; and finally,… Read More →