The Land Stewardship Project’s Soil Health Steering Committee got together in September 2025 to discuss ways of helping farmers in the region successfully adopt cover cropping, managed rotational grazing, no-till, and other regenerative practices. Discussions focused on developing a more viable small grains marketing infrastructure, supporting livestock integration into cropping operations, strengthening the Soil Builders’ Network, and making deeper investments in our localized peer learning groups such as soil hubs and grazing groups.
Over the past five years, LSP’s Soil Builders’ Network has grown to 4,000 people covering the region that encompasses southern Minnesota, northeastern Iowa, and southwestern Wisconsin. Based on surveys, it’s estimated that the Network has directly supported farmers in implementing regenerative practices such as cover cropping, reduced or no-till, and managed rotational grazing on more than 38,000 acres. For details on joining the Soil Builders’ Network, click here.
Are you interested in guiding LSP’s Soil Health Program vision? We will be recruiting new members for our Soil Health Steering Committee this spring. Contact LSP’s Alex Romano at aromano@landstewardshipproject.org if you are interested or would like more information. Are you interested in joining a farmer-to-farmer soil hub? Contact LSP’s Shea-Lynn Ramthun at slramthun@landstewardshipproject.org for more information.
See below for short bios on the farmers who currently belong to LSP’s Soil Health Steering Committee.
Stacie Madson
I live by Hartland, Minn., about 15 minutes north of Albert Lea, with my husband Casey and our three children. We raise organic corn, soybeans, oats, peas, and conventional corn and soybeans. We tine harrow, cultivate, flame cultivate, ridge till, weed zap, and plant cover crops. This year we planted a few prairie strips. I joined LSP because I am interested in more sustainable practices for farming, and I’m excited to learn more from other’s experiences.
Stacie has served on LSP’s Soil Health Steering Committee since the fall of 2024.
Josh Nelson
I’m from Wright County, Iowa, over in the north-central portion of the state. My wife Kate and I run Cardinal Creek Farm, a diversified farm raising corn, soybeans, cereal rye, oats, and other assorted small grains, along with a commercial hog operation. I’m focused on implementing the soil health principles and improving market access for “alternative” crops here in the land of King Corn. I use cover crops on all my acres, and strip-till or no-till techniques for my various crops. I also use extensive crop and soil testing to figure out ideal rates for fertilizers, focusing on utilizing animal manures when I have access. I previously raised registered Highland cattle and sold wholesale vegetables through a regional food cooperative. I joined LSP’s Soil Health Steering Committee to see if there was some broader regional cooperation that can be done to improve the state of ag in our area.
Josh has served on LSP’s Soil Health Steering Committee since the fall of 2024.
John Snyder
I run a diversified farm with my wife, Bernie, and son, Ben, near Preston, Minn. We raise cattle, hogs, goats, turkeys, chickens, and eggs. Our hogs are raised in deep-bedded straw, with no GMOs, antibiotics, or growth hormones. The goats are raised on feed produced on the farm. The cattle, chickens, and turkeys are pasture-raised with diets supplemented by grain. For crops, we raise non-GMO corn, soybeans, oats, barley, alfalfa/clover/grass mix, and cover crops. We’ve also been trying to get peas in the rotation. We use no-till or minimum till practices with some organic with more conventional transitioning to organic. I joined LSP’s Soil Health Steering Committee because we must make farming better for future generations — from soil health to financial health to people’s health.
John has served on LSP’s Soil Health Steering Committee since the spring of 2021.
Scott Holthaus
My wife, Amanda, and I own Oak Creek Pastures near Decorah, Iowa. We raise cattle, sheep, and chickens in a grass pasture-based operation. We direct market some of our production. The reason I am active with LSP is that I want to spread the hope of healthier, more sustainable, farming.
Scott has served on LSP’s Soil Health Steering Committee since the spring of 2021.
Tony Hackbarth
I took on this role to offer my perspective as a young farmer navigating the challenges of starting a farm from scratch. My journey through agriculture thus far has introduced me to some excellent role models. Many of these influences have helped shape my journey by showing me tons of different ideas and production models. I have also been blessed to have some very financially-minded people explain the importance of business in my farming journey. This spice-mix of styles has allowed us to create a healthy hybrid system that allows us quality-of-life and financial freedom. This lifestyle we have chosen is far from a career and the risks thus far have been rewarded by enjoying our time together. The mentors I have did a fantastic job of teaching me that success is self-defined — it is not to be determined by your neighbors. I hope I can help in any way by sharing my experiences.
Tony has served on LSP’s Soil Health Steering Committee since the fall of 2024.
Mark Klinski
I am from Caledonia, Minn., where I raise organic crops. My farm has been certified organic since 2015, and I have grown corn, soybeans, oats, wheat, rye, and peas. I retired in 2021 from my day job as a heavy truck mechanic in LaCrosse, Wis. I first got interested in soil health to add to my organic ground “livestock” and have been trying some biologicals/biochar to improve soil life. I enjoy living in the Driftless Area with scenic hills where I spend time in the woods to relax, forage for mushrooms, and hunt for ginseng. I joined LSP’s Soil Health Steering Committee to continue working with leaders in soil health. Field days, events on composting and grazing, and working with people that are doing good things and promoting these ideas are all things that get me excited to do this work. I also try to promote soil health in my neighborhood when and where I can.
Mark has served on LSP’s Soil Health Steering Committee since the spring of 2021.
Bob Leisen
I farm with my brother on a farm South of Plainview Minn., in southern Wabasha County. We also run a couple of farms in northern Olmsted County. We are currently growing just corn and soybeans, with a few beef cattle on the side. We used to also have around 70-plus dairy cows, plus young stock, until a few years ago. We plant using a mix of tillage styles, depending on the crop, field, and the history of the field. We have been using different styles of cover crops and no-till for over 10 years now and are still learning. I joined LSP’s Soil Health Steering Committee to both learn more about soil health practices and to help promote smaller and large sized operations.
Bob has served on LSP’s Soil Health Steering Committee since the fall of 2024.
