Ear to the Ground Podcast

Here you will find LSP’s 15-year collection of podcasts featuring farmers, scientists, and others telling stories from the land. You can find LSP Ear to the Ground podcast episodes on Spotify, Stitcher, iTunes, and other podcast platforms.

Ear to the Ground 271: Focusing on Fungi

Maks Kopish is looking through a microscope and seeing a way for soil to be self-reliant.

Ear to the Ground 270: It Doesn’t Rain Grass

In an area that receives 8-10 inches of precipitation annually, Mexican rancher Alejandro Carrillo’s philosophy is: “It’s not how much rain you get, it’s what you do with it.” That’s why he makes sure that water falling out of the sky has a friendly reception on the ground. More Information • Understanding Ag case study… Read More →

Ear to the Ground 269: Soil’s Stairway to Heaven

Mike Seifert is using cover cropping and no-till to make up for the soil damage caused by years of heavy metal tillage. One rainy night, his headlamp illuminated the results. More Information • Event: LSP roller crimping/no-till workshop March 2, 2022, in Austin, Minn. • LSP Cover Crops Web Page • LSP No-till Web Page •… Read More →

Ear to the Ground 268: Rolling Down the CC River

A farmer, a soil conservationist, and a crops specialist talk about how the roller crimper system can help extend the benefits of a cover crop. More Information • Video of roller crimper being used on Jovaag farm • OGRAIN fact sheets and videos on roller crimping • Ear to the Ground Podcast Episode 257: The House… Read More →

Ear to the Ground 267: Bringing Science Back to the Farm

A 4th grade experiment launched farmer Connor McCormick down a path of researching linkages between ecology, agricultural economics, and healthy soil. More Information • Ear to the Ground 166: A farmer works with a professor and her students at St. Olaf College college to study the impacts of cropping on soil health. • Connor McCormick Blog: Returning… Read More →

Ear to the Ground 266: Activating Soil Life

How farmers involved in an LSP research project hope to use the Johnson-Su Bioreactor composting system to spark a chain reaction of underground ecological activity. More information: • An LSP Slideshow on Johnson-Su Bioreactor Construction in Minnesota • How to Build Your Own Bioreactor • Managing a Johnson-Su Composting Bioreactor • Microbiologist Elaine Ingham You can… Read More →

Ear to the Ground 265: Diving into Safer Waters

Nettle Valley Farm’s “informed sink or swim” model of incubating the next generation of farmers. LSP’s Ear to the Ground episode 261 describes Nettle Valley Farm’s silvopasturing system and the work it’s doing to improve pollinator habitat. More information: • LSP’s “Accessing Farmland” Web Page • LSP Farmland Clearinghouse • LSP Farm Beginnings Course •… Read More →

Ear to the Ground 264: Center of the Universe

Pack-shed or people? LSP’s Journeyperson helped vegetable producers Les Macare and Els Dobrick make a big decision about a recent growing season. More information: • Land Stewardship Letter Racing Heart Farm profile • LSP’s Journeyperson Course • LSP’s Farm Beginnings Course • Racing Heart Farm You can find LSP Ear to the Ground podcast episodes… Read More →

Ear to the Ground 263: Public Investment in Public Goods

Anna Racer and Pete Skold have used state and federal “spark plugs” to build a farm enterprise infrastructure that’s good not just for them, but the community as well. Back in 2012, we interviewed Racer and Skold soon after they graduated from Farm Beginnings and launched Waxwing Farm. Check out that conversation on Ear to… Read More →

Ear to the Ground 262: A Silvo Secondary Enterprise

Rachel Henderson and Anton Ptak’s secondary enterprise could be a boon for farm country pollinators. (In 2010, Henderson and Ptak were featured on Ear to the Ground soon after they launched their orchard enterprise. Check out episode 78 here.) More information: • LSP’s Farm Beginnings Course • LSP’s Journeyperson Course • LSP’s Grazing & Soil Health web… Read More →

Upcoming Events

July 2024

Saturday July 13

9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Communicating Meat Cuts Workshop: From Carcass to Consumer

Saturday July 13

9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Communicating Meat Cuts Workshop: From Carcass to Consumer

Spring Grove, MN 55974, USA

Between an animal grazing in the field and a meal on your customers’ plate lies a maze of possibility and decision. What are the cuts of meat and how do they differ? What about cooking times or tips? Customers often rely on you, as the farmer, to guide them through the options. As a result, part of your roll is shaping expectations for the meat they receive.

During this joint Land Stewardship Project-Practical Farmers of Iowa workshop*, come learn as Cecka Parks, of the Minneapolis Meat Collective, breaks down half-a-lamb, explains how the cuts relate to each other, and shares basic rules of thumb for cooking based on what part of the animal the cut comes from. Then learn from food photographer Tiffany Alexandria of Choochoo-ca-Chew how to affordably take attractive photos of meat with your phone to use in marketing. Everyone will go home with their own photos of grass-fed lamb cuts.

* Due to the interactive nature of this workshop, attendance is limited to 20 participants and registration is required. Complete event details will be provided upon registration.

The event will feature a potluck lunch. An entree will be provided; attendees are encouraged to bring a side or dessert to share.

See & Discuss

What to consider in preparing grass-finished meat.
Where cuts come from on a carcass and how that affects other options.
Basic cooking rules based on the source of cuts.
How to take good photos of food.

Registration is required by clicking here.

Thursday July 25

5:30 pm – 9:00 pm

LSP Twin Cities Cookout & Potluck

Thursday July 25

5:30 pm – 9:00 pm

LSP Twin Cities Cookout & Potluck

Land Stewardship Project, 821 E 35th St Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55407, USA

The signs of spring are ramping up (pun intended), and we here at the Land Stewardship Project are looking forward to connecting with our members and supporters across the region to dream up new ways to move forward our vision of keeping land and people together. While the work we do at the Capitol, out at field days, and in many, many Zoom meetings is essential, we also believe it’s important to connect with each other just for fun too! Community keeps us rooted, and that’s why we’re returning for yet another Twin Cities Cookout & Potluck on Thursday, July 25, from 5:30-9 p.m., in the yard of our Minneapolis office.

This year we are bringing back all the classic cookout favorites:

The BEST potluck in the Twin Cities! LSP will provide burgers and brats sourced from member-farms, as well as grilled vegetarian protein; we ask that guests bring their favorite potluck dish to share.
Pie and Art Raffle: This year we are enhancing an LSP favorite with the opportunity to win some locally-made art as well! 🥧🎨😋
An opportunity to hear from LSP members and staff about on-the-ground organizing and how you can get involved.

Let us know you can make it to ensure we order enough food and supplies.

August 2024

Thursday August 1

All Day: Early Bird Discount Deadline for LSP's Farm Beginnings Class
Thursday August 1
Early Bird Discount Deadline for LSP's Farm Beginnings Class
Hybrid

Beginning and prospective farmers are invited to apply to the Land Stewardship Project’s Farm Beginnings course, a year-long training program that focuses on the goal setting, marketing, and financial skills needed to establish a successful farm business. The Farm Beginnings course creates a space for folks to name their vision, acquire the tools and skills needed to make it happen, and become part of a community of support to help them succeed.

The course will run from November 2024 through March 2025, with some additional educational opportunities to take place later in 2025.

The deadline for applications is Sept. 1. Early bird applications submitted by Aug. 1 will receive a $100 discount if you are accepted into the class. Partial scholarships are available.

More details are at http://www.farmbeginnings.org or contact Whitney at wterrill@landstewardshipproject.org or Annelie at annelie@landstewardshipproject.org

You can apply to the course at https://bit.ly/FBApp24-25.

Friday August 9 – Saturday August 10

Wisconsin School of Managed Grazing

Friday August 9 – Saturday August 10

Wisconsin School of Managed Grazing

Marshfield Agricultural Research Station, 208356 Drake Ave N, Stratford, WI 54484, USA

GrassWorks is bringing back the popular Wisconsin Grazing Schools for the first time in over 10 years. They’re updating the schools to tackle modern grazing opportunities and challenges.These two-day intensive workshops will provide opportunities for in-depth discussions, field exercises, and reference materials that cover both livestock and agroecological topics related to grazing.

For details and to register, click here.

September 2024

Sunday September 1

All Day: Final Deadline for LSP's Farm Beginnings Class
Sunday September 1
Final Deadline for LSP's Farm Beginnings Class
Hybrid

Beginning and prospective farmers are invited to apply to the Land Stewardship Project’s Farm Beginnings course, a year-long training program that focuses on the goal setting, marketing, and financial skills needed to establish a successful farm business. The Farm Beginnings course creates a space for folks to name their vision, acquire the tools and skills needed to make it happen, and become part of a community of support to help them succeed.

The course will run from November 2024 through March 2025, with some additional educational opportunities to take place later in 2025.

The deadline for applications is Sept. 1. Early bird applications submitted by Aug. 1 will receive a $100 discount if you are accepted into the class. Partial scholarships are available.

More details are at http://www.farmbeginnings.org or contact Whitney at wterrill@landstewardshipproject.org or Annelie at annelie@landstewardshipproject.org

You can apply to the course at https://bit.ly/FBApp24-25.

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