land access

LSP Legislative Update: Proposals Related to Local Food, Land Access & Soil Health Moving Forward

Budget Issues Loom Large as Regular Session Heads into Final Weeks

By Laura Schreiber

April 8, 2025

As we pass a key date in the 2025 Minnesota legislative calendar, several initiatives supported by the Land Stewardship Project remain alive and are moving through the committee process. In order to be considered as part of an omnibus bill, the majority of proposed legislation had to be heard in both the House and Senate… Read More →

Category: Blog

Tags: emerging farmers • farm to institution • farm-to-school • land access • Minnesota Legislature • Olmsted County Groundwater Protection and Soil Health Program • soil health • state policy

LSP Supporters Talk ‘Farm to Kids,’ Land Access & Soil Health During 20th Family Farm Breakfast at the Capitol

Farmers Join MN Lt. Governor & Attorney General as Featured Speakers

March 18, 2025

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Getting healthy, local food to Minnesota’s children, providing support for emerging farmers and building resilient soil were the topics of conversation when over 170 Land Stewardship Project (LSP) members and allies gathered in Saint Paul March 13 for the 20th iteration of the Family Farm Breakfast at the Capitol. Minnesota Lieutenant… Read More →

Category: News Releases

Tags: beginning farmers • emerging farmers • Family Farm Breakfast • farm-to-school • land access • Minnesota Department of Agriculture • Minnesota Legislature • soil health • state policy

Ear to the Ground 344: Flerd is the Word

Poor soil, short growing seasons, and little infrastructure: beginning farmer George Heller is proving that a successful grazing operation doesn’t require optimal conditions. (Third episode in a series on LSP’s 2024 Grazing School.) More Information • 5th in the Grazing School Podcast Series: “Pasture Pixie Dust” • 4th in the Grazing School Podcast Series: “Grazing’s Generational… Read More →

Ear to the Ground 340: Entrepreneurial Equity

Beginning farmer Alondra Cano’s conversations with other Spanish-speaking agrarians have unearthed insights into the role emerging farmers can play in a regenerative food system, and what needs to be done to help them succeed. More Information • LSP’s Farm Beginnings Course • LSP’s Farmland Access Web Page • LSP Farmland Clearinghouse • Latino Economic Development Center • MDA… Read More →

Tell the Chair of the Senate Ag Committee to Include Land Access Act in the New Farm Bill

May 14, 2024

Our farm and food system is more resilient and just with more farmers stewarding the land and growing food for their communities, but so many people who want to farm are facing significant barriers to getting established and sustaining their businesses. The Increasing Land Access, Security, and Opportunities (LASO) Act, championed by Minnesota U.S. Senator Tina… Read More →

Category: Action Alerts

Tags: beginning farmers • BIPOC farmers • emerging farmers • Farm Bill • federal ag policy • land access • LASO Act

Spanish-Language Land Access Workshop for Beginning & Aspiring Farmers April 27 in Northfield

April 9, 2024

NORTHFIELD, Minn. —A culturally relevant “Land Access: Are You Ready?” workshop will be held for Spanish-speaking beginning and aspiring farmers Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Emmaus Baptist Church, 712 Linden St. N., in Northfield. This Land Stewardship Project (LSP) workshop is free; materials, lunch and childcare are provided. To register by April… Read More →

Category: News Releases

Tags: beginning farmers • emerging farmers • land access • Latino farmers • Spanish-language

Advocating for a Farm Bill for People & the Land in D.C.

By Amanda Koehler

April 1, 2024

The Federal Farm Bill is the single most important piece of legislation shaping our farm and food system. It spends over $1.5 trillion on nutrition programs, crop insurance, commodity programs, conservation programs, and more. The next Farm Bill, which could still be passed this spring or by early summer, impacts each and every one of… Read More →

Category: Blog

Tags: Campaign for Family Farms & the Environment fly-in • consolidation • emerging farmers • Farm Bill • federal ag policy • land access • LASO Act • National Young Farmers Coalition

Ear to the Ground 314: Going for the Goat

Jordan and Rachelle Meyer are using goats to add value to marginal land…one thistle at a time. More Information • LSP’s Soil Health & Grazing Web Page • LSP’s 2023 Field Day Special Report: “A Long, Hot Summer” • Wholesome Family Farms Web Page • Wholesome Family Farms’ Grazing YouTube Page • LSP’s 2023 Pasture… Read More →

Call on Senator Amy Klobuchar to Co-Sponsor Critical Land Access Legislation

LASO Act Would Create Equitable Transition of Farmland to the Next Generation

August 24, 2023

Land access is the top challenge emerging and beginning farmers face. At the same time, ownership of millions of acres of agricultural land is changing hands as farmers and ranchers across the country retire — presenting an important opportunity to shape the future of our farm and food system. This is the moment for Congress… Read More →

Category: Action Alerts

Tags: 2023 Farm Bill • beginning farmers • emerging farmers • federal ag policy • land access

Ear to the Ground 311: Mooching Means More

Humble Hands Harvest’s entry into agroforestry is being supported by its vegetable operation — setting the stage for a new approach to farming a rugged landscape long into the future. More Information • Humble Hands Harvest • Savanna Institute • Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT) • LSP’s Farm Beginnings Course • Ear to the Ground podcast 227: From… Read More →

Upcoming Events

April 2025

Wednesday April 30

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm: May Day Teach-In: Minneapolis, Minn.
Wednesday April 30
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
May Day Teach-In: Minneapolis, Minn.
Centro de Trabajadores Primero de Mayo, 3521 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406, USA
Join the Land Stewardship Project and the Immigrant Defense Network for a powerful teach-in to learn about the origins of International Workers’ Day, the 1886 Chicago protests, and how the struggle continues today for immigrant workers across Minnesota. Then, take action with us to change the narrative!

• We’ll assemble May Day Worker Defense baskets filled with resources, reports, and tools for worker protection.

• Gain talking points to explain why immigrants are essential to industries like agriculture, food processing, and other sectors.

• Together, we’ll encourage employers and companies to acknowledge the real impact of enforcement actions and take steps to protect our community.

Confirmed teach-in events:

• Minneapolis May Day Teach-In
Wednesday, April 30
5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Centro de Trabajadores Primero de Mayo
3521 E. Lake St. Minneapolis, MN 55406
Dinner provided

• Rochester May Day Teach-In
Wednesday, April 30
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
1210 ½ 7th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Dinner provided

• Mankato May Day Teach-In
Thursday, May 1
9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Shared Spaces
127 S. 2nd St. #100 Mankato, MN 56001
Breakfast provided

For more information, contact LSP’s Nick Olson at nicko@landstewardshipproject.org.
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm: May Day Teach-In: Rochester, Minn.
Wednesday April 30
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
May Day Teach-In: Rochester, Minn.
2 7th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901, USA

Join the Land Stewardship Project and the Immigrant Defense Network for a powerful teach-in to learn about the origins of International Workers’ Day, the 1886 Chicago protests, and how the struggle continues today for immigrant workers across Minnesota. Then, take action with us to change the narrative!

• We’ll assemble May Day Worker Defense baskets filled with resources, reports, and tools for worker protection.

• Gain talking points to explain why immigrants are essential to industries like agriculture, food processing, and other sectors.

• Together, we’ll encourage employers and companies to acknowledge the real impact of enforcement actions and take steps to protect our community.

Confirmed teach-in events:

• Minneapolis May Day Teach-In
Wednesday, April 30
5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Centro de Trabajadores Primero de Mayo
3521 E. Lake St. Minneapolis, MN 55406
Dinner provided

• Rochester May Day Teach-In
Wednesday, April 30
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
1210 ½ 7th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Dinner provided

• Mankato May Day Teach-In
Thursday, May 1
9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Shared Spaces
127 S. 2nd St. #100 Mankato, MN 56001
Breakfast provided

For more information, contact LSP’s Nick Olson at nicko@landstewardshipproject.org.

May 2025

Thursday May 1

9:00 am – 10:00 am: May Day Teach-In: Mankato, Minn.
Thursday May 1
9:00 am – 10:00 am
May Day Teach-In: Mankato, Minn.
Shared Spaces, 127 S 2nd St, Mankato, MN 56001, USA

Join the Land Stewardship Project and the Immigrant Defense Network for a powerful teach-in to learn about the origins of International Workers’ Day, the 1886 Chicago protests, and how the struggle continues today for immigrant workers across Minnesota. Then, take action with us to change the narrative!

• We’ll assemble May Day Worker Defense baskets filled with resources, reports, and tools for worker protection.

• Gain talking points to explain why immigrants are essential to industries like agriculture, food processing, and other sectors.

• Together, we’ll encourage employers and companies to acknowledge the real impact of enforcement actions and take steps to protect our community.

Confirmed teach-in events:

• Minneapolis May Day Teach-In
Wednesday, April 30
5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Centro de Trabajadores Primero de Mayo
3521 E. Lake St. Minneapolis, MN 55406
Dinner provided

• Rochester May Day Teach-In
Wednesday, April 30
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
1210 ½ 7th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Dinner provided

• Mankato May Day Teach-In
Thursday, May 1
9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Shared Spaces
127 S. 2nd St. #100 Mankato, MN 56001
Breakfast provided

For more information, contact LSP’s Nick Olson at nicko@landstewardshipproject.org.

Thursday May 29

9:00 am – 12:30 pm: Storytelling for Sales: Digital Marketing for Sustainable Farmers
Thursday May 29
9:00 am – 12:30 pm
Storytelling for Sales: Digital Marketing for Sustainable Farmers
Zoom Online
Storytelling for Sales: Digital Marketing Best Practices to Get Your Farm’s Next Customer is designed to help farmers grow their customer base by sharpening their storytelling and digital marketing skills—whether they’re selling through farmers’ markets, CSAs, or direct-to-retail. This Greener Pastures and Meet the Minnesota Makers workshop will cover how websites and social media can actually convert viewers into buyers to creating content that builds community loyalty.

This workshop is also designed for ag educators, professionals, and partner organizational staff who support farmers directly and want to be well-versed on the marketing best practices to support direct-to-consumer farms.

For details and to register, click here.

June 2025

Saturday June 28

4:00 pm – 8:00 pm: LSP's Boots & Roots: A Celebration of Land & People
Saturday June 28
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
LSP's Boots & Roots: A Celebration of Land & People
Dream Acres, Co Hwy 8, Spring Valley, MN 55975, USA
Join Land Stewardship Project members and supporters to kick-start the Driftless summer with an evening of good food, good music, and good times. We’ll have activities for all ages that will get you out in nature, exploring the connection between our region’s farms and your community’s food, land, and water. Bring a side or dessert to share for dinner, and the Dream Acres wood-fired oven will provide locally-sourced pizzas and flat breads. Dinner will be followed by live music and contra dancing by the Crater City String Band.

To reserve a spot, click here.

Camping sites are available at nearby Masonic Park and Forestville Mystery Cave and Lake Louise State Parks. Camping at Masonic is rustic,first-come-first-serve, free, and does not require a reservation. Fillmore County, who manages the park, only asks that you call the dispatchers at507-765-3874 when you arrive with your vehicle information and phone number in case of emergency. State Park reservations cost $25 a night and can be made online.

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