Green Lands Blue Waters

Don Wyse’s Land Grant Legacy

It's Imperative Forever Green Stays True to its Foundations: Farmer-Centered, Accountable to the Public, Rooted in the Land

By Brian DeVore

July 5, 2024

Back in 1998, I was working on an article for the Land Stewardship Letter about how the lack of biodiversity in agriculture was threatening the agronomic, ecological, and economic future of Midwestern farming communities. One of the people I interviewed was Don Wyse, a respected University of Minnesota plant scientist who had recently helped coordinate… Read More →

Category: Blog

Upcoming Events

July 2024

Tuesday July 23

9:00 am – 11:00 am

Centering Sustainability From Farrow to Finish

Tuesday July 23

9:00 am – 11:00 am

Centering Sustainability From Farrow to Finish

4077 110th Ave NE, Kerkhoven, MN 56252, USA

Since 1952, the VanDerPols have been raising hogs at Pastures A Plenty near Kerkhoven, Minnesota. As part of the fourth generation, Andrew is in charge of the pigs on this farm that is guided by the principles of environment, family, community and long-term profitability. During this Practical Farmers of Iowa field day, come learn from Andrew how those values manifest in their production system today. We’ll see all the stages of a pig’s life on the farm, from the gestation barn, to the farrowing barn (rebuilt from an old hog building and featuring geothermal cooling), to growing and finishing in deep-bedded systems. Finally, Andrew will share how his family direct-markets up to 700 hogs a year.

Due to biosecurity practices, booties will be passed out at the end of the driveway.*

See & Discuss:

Repurposing old infrastructure
Geothermal cooling for pigs
Gestating, farrowing and finishing pigs
Putting farm principles into practice

For details and to register, click 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.

Tuesday August 20

10:00 am – 3:00 pm: Cover Crop Conversations at Hoffman Organic Farm
Tuesday August 20
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Cover Crop Conversations at Hoffman Organic Farm
Hoffman Organic Farm, 622 S Grant St, Earlville, IL 60518, USA
This field day is co-hosted by the IDEA Farm Network and the Land Connection, and will include field walks of organic field crops, vegetables, and grass-fed lamb and beef. Discussions will focus on the farm’s use of cover crops, including frost seeded red clover, buckwheat, pearl millet and sun hemp. Field walks will include the use of wide-row corn interseeded with winter squash. Mentorship programs for new and transitioning organic farmers will also be highlighted.

For details and to register, click here.

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