While walking a piece of North Dakota landscape under a withering summer sun, one’s thoughts turn to moisture—or rather, the lack of it. So when I and other participants in a soil health tour kicked up signs of cool, shady places while traipsing across a hay field, it seemed like a mirage. Green-and-black leopard frogs… Read More →
One of the best approaches for combating climate change lies beneath every Midwestern farm: the soil. By increasing soil organic carbon, farmers can help the climate, their bottom lines, and their farms and communities better adapt to the impacts of extreme weather. The Land Stewardship Project is part of the Midwest Sustainable Agriculture Working Group… Read More →
Farm Dreams Class July 29 in Minneapolis ROCHESTER, Minn. — One of the most innovative farmer training initiatives in the country will be offering classes in Rochester, beginning this fall. The early bird discount deadline for applying to the Land Stewardship Project’s 2018-2019 Farm Beginnings course is Wednesday, Aug. 1. A one-day “Farm Dreams” class… Read More →
Not long ago, Rich and Carol Radtke were on a bit of a roll. They had graduated from the Land Stewardship Project’s Farm Beginnings course and felt the program had provided them a solid basis for developing a profitable farming operation on land they and their three children moved to in 2008. Before taking the… Read More →
On the Internet, you’re only as old as you feel—at least until the person you’re corresponding with travels from two states away to meet you face-to-face. When Dave and Deb Welsch started communicating via e-mail with Steve and Shelley Lorenz in 2007, a lot of assumptions were made about the age of the parties on… Read More →
Brian is seeking a farmer for a 5 acre (2 pasture, 2 tillable, 1 other) farm in Milan, Minnesota. There is a barn with hayloft, storage shed with workshop and small equipment shed. Additionally, there are fruit trees, raised garden beds and outside feeding floors. There is also a house. This opportunity is available immediately. … Read More →
Tom is seeking a farmer to buy 10 acres (5 tillable, 2 pasture, 2 forest, 1 other) in Hugo, Minnesota, Washington County. There is a house available, 2 1/2 unattached garage; and footings installed for 30′ x 15 greenhouse. The house was built in 1991-92 with 4 Bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, plus 450 sq ft.… Read More →
Minnesota has a chance right now to stand up for independent dairy farmers, rural communities, and fair markets — but state decision-makers need to hear from us. Take action today: RSVP for a July 28 virtual public meeting and submit a written comment to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture between July 28 and October 1. The Minnesota Department… Read More →
Note: This commentary originally ran in the Minnesota Star Tribune on Oct. 17. When Minnesota’s growing season draws to a close, so does another kind of season: that period between spring and fall when farmers invite other farmers onto their land for “field days,” so they can share ideas about what’s working and what isn’t.… Read More →
The Land Stewardship Project and our members have worked for 43 years to push back against the expansion of a factory farming model that forces out farmers, harms the land and water, and puts our communities at risk. This work is built upon that experience, and the stories of our farmer and rural members who… Read More →
