This is the first in a three-part series titled “Farming on Stolen Land.” These three episodes were developed by LSP staff member Elizabeth Makarewicz as a guide to exploring issues of native justice and equity in Minnesota’s food system. This first episode seeks to answer the question, “What does it mean to be a non-indigenous person living on native land?” Elizabeth’s interviewee, Nora Murphy, attempts to answer this question in her book, White Birch, Red Hawthorn.

LSP co-founder Ron Kroese talks about the National Sustainable Agriculture Oral History Archive, which features interviews he did with pioneers in the movement to develop policy that supports regenerative farm and food systems.

Renter Mark Erickson shows landowners the benefits of converting cropland to pasture.

Farmers Kent Solberg and Jim Wulf talk about the economic and ecological advantages of integrating crops and livestock.

LSP’s Terry VanDerPol talks about recent LSP research into the problems faced by the local food movement.

Farmer Darrel Mosel talks about what 40 years of concentration in agriculture has done to his community, what gives him hope, and the role immigrants can play in revitalizing rural Minnesota. (6th in a series on Our Minnesota Future)

Sylvia Luetmer talks about why helping beginning farmers get access to land isn’t enough, and how society needs to come to grips with the kind of food system it wants. (5th in a series on Our Minnesota Future)

Jenna Sandoe talks about the opportunities rural communities offer young people like her. (3rd in a series on Our Minnesota Future)