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Speaking for the Land, Farms & Communities

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Looking for tips on writing a letter-to-the-editor? Check out LSP’s fact sheet by clicking on the image above.

During the past two years, a dairy CAFO in Minnesota’s Winona County has made repeated attempts to force through an unprecedented expansion that could have profound negative impacts on the community. At issue is Daley Farm’s proposal to add roughly 3,000 animals to its existing operation, which would put the operation at around 6,000 animal units, almost four times the county’s animal unit cap of 1,500 animal units. That cap is equivalent to 1,071 dairy cows, 5,000 market hogs, and 1,500 beef cows/steers; the overwhelming majority of livestock operations in Winona County and across Minnesota are well below this limit, meaning this cap readily allows for a family farm-based system of livestock agriculture. Such a cap is particularly important in a region like southeastern Minnesota, where groundwater is vulnerable to contamination as a result of the porous karst geology that predominates.

However, the Daley Farm proposal is seen as a bellwether by Big Ag in Minnesota, as its supporters push a model of agriculture that leaves no room for small to medium-sized farms. As a result, immense pressure has been put on public officials to capitulate to Daley Farm’s demands and set a new standard for what kinds of dairies will dominate our communities and how the rules apply to them.

In 2021, despite widespread public opposition, Daley Farm made yet one more attempt to blow by the cap via the court system as well as Winona County’s Board of Adjustment. In both cases, the will of the people was upheld, and the CAFO’s proposal was denied.

A major reason that, despite backing from powerful interests, Daley Farm has not been successful in ignoring common sense rules is that Winona County residents have repeatedly made their voices heard. Their message is  clear: exceeding the animal unit cap is not good for the land, water, family farms, or rural communities.

One way they’ve made their voices heard has been through letters-to-the-editor published in local newspapers. Below is a sampling of those letters:

    • Oppose Daley Farm expansion, by Karen and Richard Ahrens — Nov. 28
    • County Animal Caps Matter, by James Armstrong — Nov. 28
    • Proposed expansion brings danger, by Wayne Ode — Nov. 28
    • Big Ag is on an intimidation campaign, by Tessa Schweitzer — Nov. 27
    • Feedlot cap serves purpose; variances should be modest, by Richard Dahl — Nov. 24
    • Daley Farm to subject county to literacy test, by Tim Ahrens, — Nov. 10
    • Factory farms threaten rural communities, by Sam Streukens — November 17
    • Does Daley Farm even qualify for a permit? by Barb Nelson — September 22
    • Stop the Daley Farm expansion now, by Deanne Sczepanski — September 22
    • Daley Farm should conform to existing rules, by Barb Nelson — September 12
    • Farm expansion is a public health issue, by Lisa Schnepper —– August 11
    • Preserve water quality, keep animal unit cap on farms, by Doug Nopar — August 4
Winona County residents gathered on Nov. 28 to call for the Board of Adjustment to deny Daley Farm’s request for a animal unit cap variance.

Contact

Matthew Sheets, LSP factory farm organizer, e-mail 612-767-9709

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Upcoming Events

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August 2025

Tuesday August 5 – Thursday August 7

Farmfest 2025
Tuesday August 5 – Thursday August 7
Farmfest 2025
28366 County Hwy 13, Morgan, MN 56266, USA

Details are here.

Tuesday August 5

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Unlocking Conservation Resources for Communities & Farms
Tuesday August 5
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Unlocking Conservation Resources for Communities & Farms
Owatonna Public Utilities, 208 Walnut Ave S, Owatonna, MN 55060, USA

Join Renewing the Countryside and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) this summer at one of their eight conservation events in a town near you, where you will:

  • Learn how conservation benefits Minnesota’s rural communities.
  • Hear from a panel of local speakers.
  • Discover available NRCS Farm Bill programs and the economics of on-farm practices.
  • Enjoy a complimentary lunch, plus a chance to win door prizes.
  • Network with local farmers, neighbors, and conservation professionals.
  • Receive helpful materials and personalized support on next steps after the event.  

For more information, click here. 

Locations & Dates:
Each event is free, open to all, and runs from noon to 2 p.m. at the venues listed. Space is limited, please register in advance.

  • Hallock (Kittson County) – Tues, July 22 @ Far North Spirits
  • Elbow Lake (Grant County) – Wed, July 23 @ Elbow Lake Community Building
  • Sleepy Eye (Brown County) – Thur, July 24 @ Sleepy Eye Brewing Company
  • Milaca (Mille Lacs County) – Tues, July 29 @ Gorecki Community Center
  • Mora (Kanabec County) – Thur, July 31 @ Sapsucker Farms Yellow Belly Cidery
  • Owatonna (Steele County) – Tues, August 5 @ Owatonna Public Utilities Building
  • Jordan (Scott County) – Wed, August 6 @ Ridges at Sand Creek
  • Fairmont (Martin County) – Thur, August 7 @ Red Rock Center for the Arts

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Constitutional Observer Training
Tuesday August 5
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Constitutional Observer Training
LSP office, 111 N 1st St, Montevideo, MN 56265, USA

The Land Stewardship Project and CURE, in collaboration with the Immigrant Defense Network, are hosting a Constitutional Observer Training in Montevideo on Tuesday, August 5, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This training is intended to develop local community leaders’ knowledge and understanding of civil rights and to encourage engagement in civil initiatives that protect immigrant rights and due process. The training blends elements of “Know Your Rights” and “rapid response” in a practical, hands-on workshop experience.

This training is intended to empower local community members with the tools and resources needed to support the legal rights of our immigrant neighbors. Immigrant communities are essential to the strength, resilience, and prosperity of Minnesota. LSP and CURE envision a Minnesota where immigrant families live without fear, children dream freely, and communities stand united in their pursue for justice and their right to thrive.

For more information and to reserve a spot, click here. 

This training is part of Defender Action Day, which is being organized by the Immigrant Defense Network Aug. 5 and 7 in various Minnesota communities: Montevideo, Mankato, Saint Paul, Stillwater, Rochester, and Winona.

This is an opportunity to learn about our defend + drive approach and how to observe, protect, and uphold the rights of immigrant communities. You’ll get a toolkit on Know Your Rights and a badge as a Constitutional Rights Observer.
 
Sign up at the host site’s links below and learn more at immigrantdefensenetwork.org. Questions: info@immigrantdefenesenetwork.org.
 
LOCATIONS & DATES 
Mankato | David Mesta, COPAL 
Thursday, August 7th, 6:00 p.m. 
Shared Spaces 
127 S 2nd St 
Mankato, MN 56001 
https://secure.everyaction.com/ZM7-k1KQYUe_8rMpzTv9iw2
 
Montevideo | Nick Olson, LSP 
Tuesday, August 5th, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 
111 North First Street 
Montevideo, MN 56265 
 
Rochester | David Perdomo, COPAL 
Thursday, August 7th, 6:00 p.m. 
COPAL Rochester 
1210 ½ 7th St NW 
Rochester, MN 
https://secure.everyaction.com/h5dR_dK2EkK8zNekL7Fytg2
 
Stillwater | Jo Haberman, Indivisible-St. Croix Valley 
Thursday, August 7th, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 
Stillwater Public Library 
https://www.mobilize.us/stcroixvalleyindivi…/event/814452/
 
Saint Paul | Kevin Huynh, MN8 
Thursday, August 7th, 6:00 p.m. 
Griggs-Midway Building 
1821 University Ave W 
Saint Paul, MN 55104 
 
Winona | Kathy Florin 
Thursday, August 7th, 6:00pm 
Winona Arts Center 
228 East 5th Street 
Winona, MN, 55987 

 

Wednesday August 6

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Unlocking Conservation Resources for Communities & Farms
Wednesday August 6
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Unlocking Conservation Resources for Communities & Farms
Ridges At Sand Creek, 21775 Ridges Dr, Jordan, MN 55352, USA

Join Renewing the Countryside and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) this summer at one of their eight conservation events in a town near you, where you will:

  • Learn how conservation benefits Minnesota’s rural communities.
  • Hear from a panel of local speakers.
  • Discover available NRCS Farm Bill programs and the economics of on-farm practices.
  • Enjoy a complimentary lunch, plus a chance to win door prizes.
  • Network with local farmers, neighbors, and conservation professionals.
  • Receive helpful materials and personalized support on next steps after the event.  

For more information, click here. 

Locations & Dates:
Each event is free, open to all, and runs from noon to 2 p.m. at the venues listed. Space is limited, please register in advance.

  • Hallock (Kittson County) – Tues, July 22 @ Far North Spirits
  • Elbow Lake (Grant County) – Wed, July 23 @ Elbow Lake Community Building
  • Sleepy Eye (Brown County) – Thur, July 24 @ Sleepy Eye Brewing Company
  • Milaca (Mille Lacs County) – Tues, July 29 @ Gorecki Community Center
  • Mora (Kanabec County) – Thur, July 31 @ Sapsucker Farms Yellow Belly Cidery
  • Owatonna (Steele County) – Tues, August 5 @ Owatonna Public Utilities Building
  • Jordan (Scott County) – Wed, August 6 @ Ridges at Sand Creek
  • Fairmont (Martin County) – Thur, August 7 @ Red Rock Center for the Arts

Thursday August 7

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Unlocking Conservation Resources for Communities & Farms
Thursday August 7
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Unlocking Conservation Resources for Communities & Farms
Red Rock Center for the Arts, 222 E Blue Earth Ave, Fairmont, MN 56031, USA

Join Renewing the Countryside and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) this summer at one of their eight conservation events in a town near you, where you will:

  • Learn how conservation benefits Minnesota’s rural communities.
  • Hear from a panel of local speakers.
  • Discover available NRCS Farm Bill programs and the economics of on-farm practices.
  • Enjoy a complimentary lunch, plus a chance to win door prizes.
  • Network with local farmers, neighbors, and conservation professionals.
  • Receive helpful materials and personalized support on next steps after the event.  

For more information, click here. 

Locations & Dates:
Each event is free, open to all, and runs from noon to 2 p.m. at the venues listed. Space is limited, please register in advance.

  • Hallock (Kittson County) – Tues, July 22 @ Far North Spirits
  • Elbow Lake (Grant County) – Wed, July 23 @ Elbow Lake Community Building
  • Sleepy Eye (Brown County) – Thur, July 24 @ Sleepy Eye Brewing Company
  • Milaca (Mille Lacs County) – Tues, July 29 @ Gorecki Community Center
  • Mora (Kanabec County) – Thur, July 31 @ Sapsucker Farms Yellow Belly Cidery
  • Owatonna (Steele County) – Tues, August 5 @ Owatonna Public Utilities Building
  • Jordan (Scott County) – Wed, August 6 @ Ridges at Sand Creek
  • Fairmont (Martin County) – Thur, August 7 @ Red Rock Center for the Arts

View Full Calendar

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Minneapolis, MN 55407

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