food nutrition

Farmers Gather in Albert Lea to Talk About ‘Bringing Small Grains Back to Minnesota’

Attendees from 3 States Heard National, Local Ag Leaders Discuss the Economic, Agronomic & Environmental Opportunities Crops Like Oats Can Provide

January 30, 2025

ALBERT LEA, Minn. — Corn and soybeans may dominate the agricultural landscape in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, but reintroducing small grains such as oats into the rotation could help make farming more economically, agronomically and environmentally sustainable, while serving a growing consumer demand for healthy food, said a panel of national and local experts during… Read More →

Category: News Releases

Tags: community based food systems • crop diversity • food nutrition • regenerative agriculture • rural economic development • small grains • soil health • water pollution

Ear to the Ground 361: Additive Vs. Extractive

Bob Quinn says regenerative farming and rural economic revitalization go hand-in-hand. For him, it all started with a handful of “King Tut’s wheat.” (First in a three-part series on small grains and community-based foods.) More Information • Episode 3 in Ear to the Ground Small Grains Workshop Series: “Landon Plagge — Small Grain-Big Opportunity” • Episode 2 in Ear… Read More →

Upcoming Events

January 2025

Wednesday January 29 – Thursday January 30

20th Annual Soil Management Summit

Wednesday January 29 – Thursday January 30

20th Annual Soil Management Summit

Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center Ellerbe Room, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato, MN 56001, USA

The Soil Management Summit emphasizes proven farmer experience and applied science. Learn how heavier, colder soils aren’t necessarily the challenge they’re made out to be. Hear from long-time no-till, reduced tillage, and cover crop farmers as they share their experiences and hard-learned lessons.

The Summit, which is being organized by University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota Office for Soil Health, features presentations and Q & A with researchers, farmers, and agricultural advisers, information from sponsors, and conversations with farmers experienced in different soil health practices. We will offer CCA continuing education units (CEUs) to those who attend the entire conference.

For details and to register, click here.

This year, the coordinators of the Summit are partnering with Midwest Cover Crop Council’s Annual Meeting on Jan. 28 to provide more content. You can register for either or both events, but you must register for them separately. Go to the MCCC site for more information about their event.

Thursday January 30

11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Good Idea Shop Talk
Thursday January 30
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Good Idea Shop Talk
Zoom Online

This free meet-up series is for row crop and livestock producers who want to exchange ideas and advice for troubleshooting on-farm challenges related to improving soil and water resources. It helps producers connect with and learn from each other about how to be good stewards while protecting their profitability. These weekly, virtual meet-ups will take place on Thursdays, January 23, Jan. 30,^,and Feb. 6 at 11:30 a.m. Producers from across the Midwest and Mid-South are invited to join, so it’s also a great way to learn from producers across the region.

Learn more and register here: https://goodideafarm.org/shop-talks.

February 2025

Saturday February 1

10:00 am – 4:30 pm

Land Access: Are You Ready?

Saturday February 1

10:00 am – 4:30 pm

Land Access: Are You Ready?

Inver Glen Library, 8098 Blaine Ave E, Inver Grove Heights, MN 5507

If you are a new or aspiring farmer, this Land Stewardship Project-Farmland Access Hub workshop is for you. It will provide:

Strategies, tools and participatory activities to get you started on your land access journey.
A chance to hear directly from local farmers about the creative land access methods they have used to secure land tenure.
Information and resource people on-hand to provide guidance and understanding about such topics as navigators, financing options, and assessing soils, to name a few.

Fee: $35 per person (covers materials and lunch); $50 for a farm team (2-3 people). Reach out if fees are prohibitive.

RSVP by January 25 at https://bit.ly/RUReady2025

For more information, contact LSP’s Karen Stettler at stettler@landstewardshipproject.org.

Tuesday February 4

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

LSP Holistic Transition Planning Course

Tuesday February 4

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

LSP Holistic Transition Planning Course

Online

Are you a farmland owner or retiring farmer looking to transition ownership or rent your farmland in ways that reflect your values? The Land Stewardship Project is hosting an online holistic Farm Transition Planning Course designed to help you act on your conservation and social values. Seven 2 ½ hour sessions will bring professionals, farmers, and LSP staff together to dig into values, goals, and communication, as well as generational, financial, legal and long-term care considerations.

The dates and times for the course are:

Jan 28: Goal Setting for Life & Land, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
Feb. 4: Values and Why Farm Transition Planning is Needed, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
Feb. 11: Financial Considerations, 5:30- 8 p.m.
Feb. 18: Legal Considerations, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
Feb. 25: Working with Next Generation Farmers, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
March 4: Long Term Care Considerations, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
March 18: Resources and Planning Next Steps, Presentations, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.

Workshop Fee: $250 per farm family.

For more information and to register by Jan. 12, click here. You can also contact LSP’s Karen Stettler at stettler@landstewardshipproject.org.

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Minnesota Women in Conservation Meeting

Tuesday February 4

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Minnesota Women in Conservation Meeting

Madison Mercantile, 601 1st St, Madison, MN 56256, USA

Join the Minnesota Women in Conservation’s West Central Network at the Merc for a come-as-you-are potluck with like-minded local women and conservation professionals who are in your community and available to help you access knowledge, funding, and support to achieve your conservation dreams. If you are a farmer, an avid gardener, a beginning grower, a prairie steward, or someone with land dreams and plans to plant in the future, this event is for you. Come for conversation, share your dreams for spring, and get advice from like-minded women professionals and neighbors. Bring whatever you feel like sharing for the potluck dinner.

The goal of this event is to leave knowing more women with similar interests, and to learn about the many programs, organizations, federal and state agencies, and individuals who can connect you with technical and financial assistance.

MNWiC West Central Region Coordinator Alex Kiminski, who is a soil health and land access organizer with the Land Stewardship Project, will host the event. The topic of this meeting will be Saving and Sowing Native Seeds for Habitat Restoration and Soil Health. Shantel Lozinski, district conservationist for the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), will talk about conservation planning and services available through federal farm programs.

Women from Chippewa, Swift, and Lac qui Parle Counties will find the information particularly useful, but all are welcome.

For details and to register, click here.

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